"Repackaged Republican campaign rhetoric"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Gov. Rick Scott’s disappointing inaugural address was neither inspiring nor enlightening. His 'axis of unemployment' — taxation, regulation and litigation — is repackaged Republican campaign rhetoric. The new governor fell far short of the inaugural tradition of inspiring all Floridians, regardless of political persuasion, to work together for a brighter future." "An uninspiring inaugural".

Scott Maxwell says, "Give me a break"

For more than a decade, Republicans have had total domination over everything in Florida government and consequently treated business like royalty — often at the expense of rank-and-file residents.

Corporate income taxes are among the lowest in the nation. And Republicans granted tax breaks to everyone from bottled-water companies and high-end yacht-makers to the wealthiest investors.

Meanwhile, your costs to get a drivers license more than doubled.

Rick is right that people need a change from "business as usual" in Florida. But it's not the CEOs and lobbyists who paid $25,000 for the "Commemorative Vineyard Vines tote bag" he gave out for his inauguration.

"Rick Scott needs to remember what he promised".

See also "'Job creation is mission'", "Political newcomer Rick Scott sworn in as Florida's 45th governor", "Gov. Scott gets to work on Inauguration Day", "Inaugural Parade Reflects Florida’s Diversity", "Scott touts Fla.'s business advantages at reception", "In inaugural address, Scott vows to dismantle ‘axis of unemployment’", "Inaugural festivities honor Scott, supporters", "45th Florida Governor Rick Scott Pledges to Work for Jobs, Independence", "Celebration includes prayer, dancing and a few elephants", "Scott plans 'bold' changes to create jobs", "Wistfully, Charlie Crist hands over the reins to Rick Scott" and "".

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Governor Rick Scott's ethics". The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Scott should stick to his stated mission -- jobs".




Never mind the details

The Herald-Tribune editors: "Scott sticks to the script". The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Upon taking office Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott promised to show us an economic miracle in Florida, then left the state wondering precisely how he plans to make it happen." "New governor bold but hazy". See also "Scott's agenda is easy to say, hard to get done".




Scott can't give speech, as he "stumbled repeatedly"

"His delivery of his inaugural speech could prove to be a metaphor: Scott knew exactly what he wanted to say and ordered up a well-crafted speech, but then stumbled repeatedly while trying to give it." "We still don't really know the enigmatic Rick Scott".

One thing we do know is that he's paranoid: "Extreme security marks Rick Scott's inauguration as governor".




"Jeb!" 2016

"Bush, who was attending the inauguration Tuesday of new Gov. Rick Scott, repeated his stance that he's positively not running for president in 2012. When asked about 2016, Bush said he would never say never, but reiterated that 2012 is out." "Former Fla. governor doesn't rule out run in 2016".




The best Florida can do?

"Marco Rubio takes his seat in the U.S. Senate Wednesday".




All RPOF all the time

"Florida Republicans cemented their sweep of state government on Tuesday when three new Cabinet members took office." "GOP cements influence as Cabinet members take office". See also "GOP chief Thrasher congratulates Florida’s ‘all Republican Cabinet’".




Bits and Pieces

Kevin Derby: "Political Bits and Pieces".




Florida, Inc.

"The former health care CEO has said he plans to bring his boardroom experience to bear on state government, which he intends to remake 'from scratch.' But already, there are questions about whether he will adopt all the ideas his advisers have presented, and whether some of them will pass muster under the state constitution or win necessary approval from the federal government." "The future of Florida, Inc.: Gov. Rick Scott’s policy agenda".




State to subsidize anti-choice group?

"New legislation proposed by state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, could drastically affect oversight of how money collected through sales of Florida’s 'Choose Life' license plate is distributed — gutting rules that ensure that a majority of the revenue be used to assist the physical needs of pregnant women."

Under current state laws, 70 percent of those funds must be distributed to organizations that help the physical needs of pregnant women: diapers, food and other items for women who plan on putting their babies up for adoption, for example. The other 30 percent of the funds can go toward counseling, training or advertising.

The Fasano-sponsored legislation — Senate Bill 196 (.pdf) — would essentially do away with the 70-30 split, putting all of the funds in the hands of Choose Life, Inc., the Ocala-based nonprofit that sponsors the plates. This would mean that Florida counties would see none of the funds, and the decision to give particular organizations a piece of the “Choose Life” pie would face less oversight. ...

Stephanie Kunkel, the executive director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, says Fasano’s legislation would “open the floodgates” to organizations that advertise themselves as “crisis pregnancy centers,” but do little more than distribute literature on the perils of abortion: “This would allow [those organizations] to advertise on billboards and in the Yellow Pages, but not require that the information they give pregnant women be medically or factually acturate.”

"Proposed law would remove rules for how ‘Choose Life’ license plate revenue is spent".




"Business groups cheer"

"Gov. Rick Scott froze all new state regulations, trying to beat back Tallahassee's tide of fine print. Business groups cheered but said the immediate impact will be modest." "Rules freeze might cause confusion". See also "Scott Freezes Regulations, Requires E-Verify", "Inauguration update: Scott wastes no time, signs 4 executive orders" and "Scott freezes state rule-making, contracts".

Even the pill mills are happy: "Scott action may delay pill mill rules again".




Wingnuts waste no time

"Rick Scott won Florida's governorship as an outsider who took on the state's political establishment. As he takes the oath of office Tuesday, the former health-care executive will have the opportunity to extend his attack to Washington, D.C." "Will Scott Take Aim at 'Real Outsider,' Uncle Sam?".




Right to defecate

"Lawmakers send Scott measure that delays septic tank mandate." "Gov. Scott gets his first bill to act on".




Payback

"Scott hasn't named a new head for the Agency for Health Care Administration secretary yet he has filled two positions in the agency legislative affairs office with men who worked on his campaign." "Health care agency gets new legislative affairs department".




Tally bound

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Local talent heading to Tallahassee".




Charlie gets a job

"Crist may become part-time lecturer at Stetson law school".




Recall lawsuit

"Citing flaws in petitions gathered to seek her ouster, Miami-Dade Commissioner Natacha Seijas sued to block a recall election." "Seijas sues to stop recall vote".




Scott a "no-show" on 'Glades

"Unlike previous governors, Florida's new chief executive declined to attend a conference of environmentalists dedicated to preserving the Everglades." "Scott a no-show at Glades meeting in Weston".