Governor Rick Scott’s Inaugural Address As Prepared For Delivery
January 6, 2015
For a news story about the inauguration, click here.
First and foremost, thank you to the people of Florida. Without your confidence and support, we would not be here today. I certainly would never have made it here, or made it through any of the exciting adventures in my life without the love and support of my beautiful wife, Ann. Who would have thought when we got married 42 years ago we would be here today? You are the best, I love you.
I have been very blessed in my life; and our daughters, Allison and Jordan, are no doubt the sweetest blessings of all. Allison, Jordan – I love you and I am very proud of you and the incredible mothers you are. I also want to thank my son-in-laws, Pierre and Jeremy, for being here today and for giving Ann and me the gift of three wonderful grandsons – Auguste, Quinton and Sebastian. Being a grandpa is probably the only job in the world better than being your Governor.
Thanks to Governor Rick Perry for being here today and Governor Chris Christie. I would also like to recognize Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Attorney General Pam Bondi, CFO Jeff Atwater, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Senate President Andy Gardiner, Speaker of the House Steve Crisafulli, and members of the Florida Senate and the Florida House; our honorable law enforcement, military members and our Supreme Court justices. Looking out at the audience, there are many of you I would like thank for your support and counsel.
Let me start today by reiterating something I said on election night – the campaign is over. Of course you all know that already. But my point is this – it was a hard fought campaign, but now we must all turn our focus toward governing, and toward serving the people of Florida. And that means all the people. Republicans, Democrats, Independents, all of Florida’s nearly 20 million citizens.
Sure, there will be differences of opinion. There will be robust debates on the best direction for Florida. That’s not a weakness in our system. That is our strength. But there are many things that we can come together on, and we should not let partisan politics, or any politics for that matter, get in our way. Today, we embark on an incredible mission together, for the benefit of Florida families.
700,000 JOBS
Four years ago, I stood here and we set our sights on the ambitious goal of helping Florida create 700,000 jobs in seven years. Today, it is just four years later and I am proud to say that Florida businesses have in fact created more than 700,000 jobs! That is incredible! When we set this goal in 2010, Florida’s economy was losing jobs, housing prices were dropping and many predicted it would take far more than seven years to pull out of the downward spiral of job loss and increased debt.
But, we proved them wrong, and when I say that “we” proved them wrong, I mean the hard working people of Florida proved them wrong. Over the last four years – Florida’s businesses and the hardworking people of our state have created more than 700,000 new jobs! This may simply be a number to many– but every job, every one of the 700,000 jobs we are talking about, represents a family. Families like those of Danny Reyna, Paul Bumiller and Sunday Delgado – who you heard from today. One new job doesn’t just help one person. Every job transforms a family.
A lot of people ask me why I ran for Governor. My friends from business don’t understand. They don’t know why I am not in retirement…off fishing somewhere. But, I ran for Governor to change lives by giving people better opportunities. I can tell you from watching my parents struggle for work that if you want to change a life –get someone a job!
If I can make Florida the worldwide location where families who have struggled to make ends meet can get a job, then I have fulfilled my goal as Governor because a job is the number one way to change a life. A job helps families put food on the table, pay the rent and buy a car. A job gives families hope for the future. The importance of continual job creation is something that we can all agree on. Jobs and opportunities are good for all of us.
You have heard me constantly talk about jobs since I ran in 2010. I want to promise you I will never stop. I will be working to make Florida number one in job opportunities and growth right up to the last day I serve as your Governor. Jobs for Florida families have been my focus every single day for the last four years… and jobs will continue to be my mission for the next four years.
TOP DESTINATION FOR JOBS
While we are focused on growing jobs in Florida- we must realize that positions our state as a fighter in a great movement against the silent growth of government. Many States, like Florida, are fighting to limit the growth of government and grow opportunity instead. If you don’t believe Florida is right in the middle of this national battle – I want to share some facts with you…
Over the last 20 years, millions of people have escaped from states with climbing tax rates to move to states with lower taxes. Why does this matter? For starters, estimates say individuals who escaped these high tax states have taken with them around $2 trillion in adjusted gross income. They are voting with their feet…
They are leaving states like New York, which lost $71 billion in adjusted gross income from 1992 to 2011. And, they are leaving Illinois, which lost $31 billion in adjusted gross income over that same period. The people that left New York and Illinois had one thing in common – their number one destination was Florida. Florida has inherited over $26 billion in adjusted gross income from New York and Illinois during that time. In total, Florida has inherited over $100 billion in adjusted gross income. To put that in perspective, that is more than 1/8th of our entire GDP last year. And, we’ve inherited 1.7 million residents during that time.
We are first for families deciding where they can live the American Dream.
When people move here, they spend their money here, they bring their businesses here, they support our charities and they create more jobs and opportunities for others in our great state. In fact, this national battle against growing government so intensely affects Florida that we just recently surpassed New York as the third largest state in the nation.
In Florida we are proving that government can do better without getting bigger. We have two choices: we can pretend this migration would have happened regardless of our tax burden or what government policies we enact, or we can acknowledge Florida’s very serious advantage over other states in not just this last decade – but the next decade to come.
If there is one thing I hope you remember from this message today, I hope it is this: Florida must stay committed to smaller government and lowering taxes to become the top destination in the world for jobs! I know there is a great temptation in government to think that you can spend people’s money better than they can. But, if that were true, more than one million people would not have left New York and Illinois over the past 20 years for Florida and other lower tax states.
In the next four years, we will build on our legacy of cutting taxes more than 40 times. We will cut another $1 billion in taxes in the next two years and continue to roll back the business tax while permanently eliminating the tax on manufacturing equipment. As Florida businesses are better able to compete globally, we will have more and more jobs.
Why will we do this? For one reason and one reason only: to provide more and better opportunities for every single person in Florida, especially for families who are struggling to make ends meet.
I have a message today to the people of New York, Illinois, California, Pennsylvania and others: move to Florida! We want you to keep more of the money you make because we understand it’s your money. We want your businesses to grow and succeed. We want to compete globally and win. Over the next four years, I will be traveling to your states personally to recruit you here. In Florida, we are in the business of growing opportunity for families, not growing government.
KEEP FLORIDA WORKING
In addition to cutting taxes, we have an ambitious agenda to KEEP FLORIDA WORKING and become the global leader for job creation by the year 2020. We know the workers of tomorrow are in our classrooms today – and that is why this year we will increase per-pupil K-12 education funding to the highest level in Florida history. And as we do that, we will be ever mindful of the fact that more money alone does not guarantee success in education. Florida has led the nation in education reforms, providing equal opportunity in education for all, and we will continue to do that. We will also compete globally for jobs by investing in workforce training programs that focus on science, technology, engineering and math.
Keeping our costs low doesn’t end with tax cuts – it also includes lowering the cost of higher education opportunities as well. That is why we have already worked with the Legislature to stop tuition increases in our undergraduate programs. And, to make higher education even more affordable in the next four years, we will increase the number of $10,000 bachelor degrees offered at our state colleges; while also holding the line on graduate school tuition.
Today, Texas is our number one competitor for jobs – but we will unseat Texas within the next four years for this top spot and we will compete globally for business investment. To become the GLOBAL leader in job creation, it’s critical that we invest $1 billion in our ports over our time in office. We must also make it a priority to invest $25 billion in our roadways over the next five years to further our economic growth.
Investments in our infrastructure must be partnered with environmental improvements to ensure we keep Florida beautiful. Over the next 10 years, we will work to invest $1 billion to restore our springs and help develop water supplies. I realize that all candidates for public office talk about how important the environment is to the health of our people and our state. But talk is cheap. We have to make the investments necessary to turn talk into reality. We have made great environmental strides and we will continue to do so.
I began this speech with a confession that our goal of creating 700,000 jobs in 7 years was ambitious. In closing, I will admit to you that our new goal of unseating Texas and becoming the global leader in job creation is equally ambitious.
But, if we accomplish our priorities – invest in education, cut taxes, lower the cost of higher education and improve workforce development – we will continue to be the #1 destination for people looking to escape big government all across the country…and the world.
The number one threat to our success is complacency. Don’t let anyone tell you government policies don’t matter. Don’t let anyone convince you that jobs just create themselves. Florida gets stronger each year because we are fighting against a bloated federal government and their increased regulations and higher taxes. Florida is getting stronger each year because we are dreaming of more opportunities for our families – not more roles for government red tape.
Florida: we cannot give up this fight. We cannot let go of this dream. We have more work to do. But, I know we can do it together.
Let’s commit today that we will keep cutting taxes so we can create more growth and opportunity.
Let’s commit today to keep higher education affordable.
Let’s commit today to invest in our growing infrastructure.
And let’s commit today to work together to keep Florida working.
Thank you. God bless America and God bless Florida.
One Injured In Morning Highway 97 Crash
January 6, 2015
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill Tuesday morning.
The accident happened about 5:40 a.m. on Highway 97 between Mason and Tungoil roads. The driver of a Cadillac CTS left the roadway in a curve, went airborne, landed in a ditch and ran into a wooded area.
The driver, a 20-year old female from Atmore, was transported to Atmore Community Hospital with minor injuries.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Identity Update: Century Renames Buildings, Changing Welcome Signs
January 6, 2015
Armed with a new strategic plan, the Town of Century is worked through a bit of an identity crisis, voting Monday night to rename a couple of facilities and look for a new slogan and way to welcome people to the town.
Brice Harris of the University of West Florida’s Haas Center, author of the new strategic plan, recommended the changes at a late December workshop meeting. On his recommendation, the council voted to rename the “Habitat for Opportunity Building”, a former school on Pond Street, as the “Century Business Center”. The complex was redeveloped into a possible business incubator several years ago, but has remained empty.
With a new name, individual classrooms, each with a door to the outside, will be improved into office space.
One space, Harris suggested, could be rented to the winner of the upcoming Century Business Challenge for a reduced rate of $1 per year as part of the winner’s prize that will also include $25,000 in startup cash from Quint and Rishy Studer. Details on that contest will be forthcoming in January.
Another office space would be used by an Americorp volunteer working for the town and by the Haas Center, and another office could be shared by community non-profits providing regular services such as the United Way or Northwest Florida Legal Services.
The council also voted to officially rename the “Ag Building” on West Highway 4 as the “Century Community Center”. Over the years, the building had taken on the Century Community Center name with no action by the council.
Also on Harris’ recommendation, the council voted Monday night to eventually remove “Welcome to Century” signs that welcome visitors into Century from the north and south on Highway 29. The signs, dedicated two years ago, were built by Century Correctional Institution and feature a giant saw blade with the town’s most recent slogan “The Dawn of a New Century.”
“Our image needs to change,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said, noting that the town’s sawmill has been closed for over 50 years. “We are not a sawmill town anymore.” He said the signs would be donated to the local Alger Sullivan Historical Society for use in their museum.
McCall said that the University of West Florida might assist with a new slogan for Century.
“I think the idea should come from the people of Century. It’s going to be a slogan that we are going to be using,” council member Ben Boutwell said. “I think it would be a wonderful idea if we could come up with…some type of slogan from the town.”
On the recommendation of council President Ann Brooks, the council voted to hold an informal contest on NorthEscambia.com and ask the public for new slogan and design ideas to welcome visitors to Century. McCall said he would personally donate a $50 prize for the winner. Details on the contest will be announced soon.
At the December workshop, the council also took aim at changing the town’s website, described by McCall as “poor”, but no action was taken on the website Monday night.
Pictured top and bottom: Formerly known as the “Habitat for Opportunity Building”, the Century Business Center on Pond Street is a key part of the upcoming Century Business Challenge. Pictured bottom inset and below: These sawmill-inspired “Welcome to Century” signs on Highway 29 will be replaced. Pictured top inset: Council members Ann Brooks, Sandra Jackson and Benjamin Boutwell at Monday night’s meeting. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Free Computer Classes Begin Thursday At Century Branch Library
January 6, 2015
Two free computer classes are scheduled for January at the Century Branch Library:
Basic Computer Skills I – Thursday, January 8 – 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This class will introduce participants to the components of a computer along with basic keyboard and mouse skills.
Basic Computer Skills II – Thursday, January 22 – 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This workshop will introduce participants to the Windows environment including navigating between different programs.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library, 7991 North Century Boulevard, at (850) 256-6217.
Scott Inaugural Address Touts Low Taxes, Limited Government
January 6, 2015
Gov. Rick Scott will use his second inaugural address Tuesday to pitch Florida as a state that is holding down taxes and limiting the size of government — while also making higher education more affordable to families.
Scott’s office Monday released excerpts of his prepared speech, which follows themes that were the focus of his first term in the governor’s office. The Republican also will vow to try to attract new residents from other states that have higher taxes.
“I have a message today to the people of New York, Illinois, California, Pennsylvania and others: Move to Florida!” one of the excerpts said. “We want you to keep more of the money you make because we understand it’s your money. We want your businesses to grow and succeed. We want to compete globally and win. Over the next four years, I will be traveling to your states personally to recruit you here.”
Scott, who defeated Democrat Charlie Crist in the November election, will be sworn in at noon Tuesday on the steps of the Old Capitol. Since emerging on the state’s political scene in 2010, Scott has stuck closely to messages of creating jobs and making Florida friendly to businesses, while also taking on issues such holding down tuition at universities and colleges.
The U.S. Census Bureau released figures last month that showed Florida surpassing New York as the third most-populous state. Scott’s speech will take note of that milestone, while also linking it to Florida’s status as a relatively low-tax state and to policies aimed at limiting government.
“In fact, this national battle against growing government so intensely affects Florida that we just recently surpassed New York as the third largest state in the nation,” one of the excerpts said. “In Florida we are proving that government can do better without getting bigger.”
During his first term, Scott oversaw efforts to shrink government such as eliminating the Department of Community Affairs and trying to reduce regulations on businesses. But in June, Scott also signed a $77 billion budget that was the largest in state history, while vetoing few projects sought by lawmakers.
The speech will present Florida as a key player in the move to limit government.
“While we are focused on growing jobs in Florida — we must realize that positions our state as a fighter in a great movement against the silent growth of government,” one of excerpts said. “Many states, like Florida, are fighting to limit the growth of government and grow opportunity instead.”
The excerpts give little indication of whether Scott will use the inaugural speech to announce new policy initiatives. But the speech will call for increasing the number of $10,000 bachelor’s degrees offered at state colleges, an initiative Scott began during his first term.
Bestselling Author Workshops: Preparing Children For Success
January 6, 2015
The Escambia County School District is sponsoring three identical parental involvement workshops this month with world-renowned educational consultant.
The workshops, “Preparing Children for Success in School and Life,” will be led Marcia L. Tate, the former executive director of Professional Development for the DeKalb County School System in Georgia. During her 30-year career with the district, she was a classroom teacher, reading specialist, language arts coordinator, and a staff development executive director.
As an educational consultant, she has taught more than 350,000 administrators, teachers, parents, and business and community leaders throughout the world, and she is the author of five bestsellers. Participants in her workshops refer to them as “some of the best ones they have ever experienced” since Tate uses the 20 brain-compatible strategies outlined in her books to actively engage her audiences.
The workshops will be held:
- Tuesday, January 13 — 5:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m., Ernest Ward Middle School Gym, 7650 North Highway 97, Walnut Hill.
- Wednesday, January 14 — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Woodland Heights Community Center, 111 Berkley Drive, Pensacola.
- Wednesday, January 14 — Noon to 2 p.m., West Florida Main Public Library, 239 North Spring Street, Pensacola.
The public is invited and parents are encouraged to attend any of the three sessions. For more information, call The School District of Escambia County Title I Office at (850) 595-6915, ext. 235.
Peanut Butter Challenge Nets 1.5 Tons In Escambia, Santa Rosa
January 6, 2015
UF/IFAS Extension collected over 3,000 pounds of peanut butter for the needy during the recent “Peanut Butter Challenge” in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
There were 628 jars, or 806.5 pounds, of peanut butter collected in Escambia County, and 2,259 pounds were donated in Santa Rosa County. Local peanut farmers Rodney and Mike Helton also donated a pallet of peanut butter, as did Tri-County Peanut.
The Helton pallet at the collected peanut butter from Escambia County was distributed to local groups including the Manna Food Bank, the Salvation Army, the Ashford-Washburn Center, the Carver Community Center in Century, the First Baptist Church of Flomaton, the First Baptist Church of Bratt, Gonzalez United Methodist Church, Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino, Allen Memorial United Methodist in Cantonment, Brentwood Assembly of God, Myrtle Grove Methodist, Liberty Church North Campus and St. James Missionary.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Freezing Tonight, Hard Freeze By Wednesday Night
January 6, 2015
There is a hard freeze watch in effect from late Wednesday night through Thursday morning. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 31. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Breezy, with a north wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
- Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 17. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Thursday Sunny, with a high near 41. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 23. Calm wind.
- Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 51.
- Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
- Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
- Sunday Night A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
- Monday A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
New Century Council Member Sworn In; Council President, VP Elected
January 6, 2015
The newest member of the Century Town Council was sworn in Monday night, along with two incumbents as the council picked its leaders for the next three years.
Benjamin Boutwell was elected without opposition to the Seat 3 position on the council after first-time member Jacke Johnston, a teacher at Byrneville Elementary School, did not seek reelection. Reelected members Gary Riley and Sandra McMurray Jackson also took the oath of office.
Member Ann Brooks was reelected as the council’s president, while Annie Savage was elected as council vice president. Savage was absent from Monday night’s meeting for health reasons.
Pictured top: New Century Council member Benjamin Boutwell (right) takes the oath of office administered by Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez as Mayor Freddie McCall holds a Bible Monday night. Pictured below: The swearing in of council members Sandra McMurray Jackson and Gary Riley. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Register Online For ECSO Neighborhood Watch Academy
January 6, 2015
Applications are now being accepted for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Neighborhood Watch Academy to be held January 20 in the ECSO Administration Building at 1700 West Leonard Street in Pensacola.
The free training is being provided to neighborhood volunteers for new and existing Neighborhood Watch programs, or anyone interested in preventing crime. The one evening seminar begins with a complementary meal at 5 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m.
The program is for anyone looking to start a Neighborhood Watch, or anyone that wants to make themselves less likely to be a victim of crime. Much of the curriculum covers basic safety and security tips for the home, anonymous reporting and crime prevention through environmental design. Register online at http://bit.ly/1yslxEQ.