Gov. Rick Scott delivered his sixth State of the State speech as the legislative session kicked off Tuesday morning. It was focused almost entirely on creating jobs and cutting taxes.
Both of Scott’s campaigns and all five of his previous State of the State speeches have centered on job creation, a point so noted in his prepared remarks.
“Many of you know that my three favorite topics are” jobs, jobs, and more jobs,” said Scott. “Our goals are mighty, our challenges clear. We have two objectives: first, we must keep doing what’s worked the last five years to help Floridians get jobs and live their dreams, and keep cutting taxes.”
To the tune of $1 billion to provide further help for businesses. Scott's proposed cuts include the elimination of corporate income taxes for manufacturers and retailers, and sales taxes on commercial leases and manufacturing equipment.
But the Governor says tax cuts won’t do it alone. The second objective is to diversify the economy and encourage business growth, through a new Florida Enterprise Fund.
“The creation of this new, $250 million dedicated trust fund, will help diversify Florida’s economy; support our small businesses, and become the number-one place in the world for families to get a good-paying job,” the Governor said.
Gov. Scott ended his address promoting a statewide bus tour that begins Wednesday to promote his legislative agenda. Stops are planned in nine cities – none of which are in the Panhandle.
Delivering one of two Democratic responses was Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner of Tampa. She said the Governor’s State of the State illustrates what she calls “the two Floridas” when it comes to job creation.
“But out of those thousands of new jobs Gov. Scott likes to take credit for, [many] are low-paying with few, or no benefits,” said Joyner.
In the other Democratic response, House Minority Leader Mark Pafford of West Palm Beach took aim at Scott’s Florida Enterprise Fund proposal, and the Governor’s refusal to expand Medicaid with federal dollars.
“We can close the health care coverage gap for working people,” said Pafford. “He [Scott] has lost billions of tax dollars by allowing them to be spent in other states. He’s turned his back on you, and the creation of high-paying healthcare jobs.”
The State of the State coincides with the beginning of Florida’s 118th regular session. The 60-day work period is scheduled to end on March 11 – four days before the state’s presidential primary.
