Gov. Rick Scott, legislative leaders outline priorities to kick off 2015 session
TALLAHASSEE | Gov. Rick Scott's first State of the State address since being re-elected last fall was punctuated by familiar rhetoric about tax cuts, job creation and education spending that comprise his 2015 legislative priorities.
Although criticized by Democrats for not focusing enough on the problems of everyday Floridians and how government can solve them, Scott's speech Tuesday highlighted his improved skills addressing large crowds and using a teleprompter to make policy speeches. He spoke confidently and easily, even making a joke at his own expense.
"So now it's time to start another State of the State speech, or as I would like to call it - a chance to show off my world renowned oratorical skills," Scott said early on as the crowd laughed with him.
In actuality, his fifth State of the State address went off without a hitch and absent of the weird gestures and verbal stumbles that drew negative attention during his earlier political speeches. He spoke for about 20 minutes, highlighting "Florida exceptionalism" in the form of successful businesses and individuals before outlining a five-point plan to create more jobs and opportunities for Floridians.
Freshman Rep. Jay Fant, R-Jacksonville, said he believes Scott outlined a solid plan for the Legislature to follow this session.
"Florida is an exciting place to be," Fant said. "The way we can keep it that way is to keep government out of people's lives when it doesn't need to be there, reduce taxes but make it a quality of life state to live in."
None of the information in Scott's speech was new; his inaugural address and budget proposal earlier this year had similar themes of tuition cuts for graduate education, tax cuts for businesses and investment in environmental and agriculture programs wrapped inside a narrow focus on creating jobs.
"Government cannot guarantee outcomes for everyone, but we should all be united in our desire to guarantee outcomes for everyone who is willing to work hard," Scott told his House and Senate colleagues. "I am looking forward to working side-by-side with you during the session to achieve our shared goals, inspire future generations to dream and keep Florida working."
House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford, of West Palm Beach, said Scott's speech ignores the aspirations of poor Floridians who want affordable health care and government services that currently require spending time on lengthy waiting lists.
"There's a huge set of people that aren't being listened to clearly by this governor," Pafford said. "I think that this Legislature has a role. We need to do our jobs and listen to what the people outside of this chamber are demanding, which is a better quality of life, food on the table and health care that actually means something."
Senate President Andy Gardiner vowed in his opening day address that Medicaid expansion will get a full vetting in his chamber. He said the financial impact of a possible end to the state's $2 billion Low Income Pool program funded with federal dollars and a Medicaid expansion alternative backed by a coalition of hospitals and business groups deserve debate, even if his Republican colleagues in the House remain opposed.
"I don't know how it ends, I haven't read the last chapter on this one, but we at least in the Senate will have the discussion if that's the best way to go for Florida," Gardiner, R-Orlando, said.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli focused his first-day address on reiterating Scott's calls for tax cuts and boosts in education and environmental spending. He also backed a Gardiner priority of providing additional support for disabled Floridians and tagged on his own goal of providing for more adoptions in the state.
Crisafulli also announced that he would again attempt pension reforms that failed under previous House Speaker Will Weatherford because the Senate refused to go along. During a media availability after the speech, Crisafulli said that he will ask the Senate to reconsider changes to the state pension that funnel more workers into 401-K style plans, as well as changes that would impact municipal pensions that are often severely underfunded.
Although pension reform remain a hot topic in both Jacksonville and Tallahassee, it is still not clear how much, if any, changes approved by the Legislature would impact the embattled Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund. For example, Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach, filed a bill Tuesday that revises the membership and duties of trustees that oversee municipal police and fire pensions, but Jacksonville's board could argue it is exempt from this portion of the state law.
Tia Mitchell: (850) 933-1321