Fla Gov. Scott Calls for $1Billion Education Increase
Governor Rick Scott came into office promising budget cuts and cuts to government spending. He cut funding for schools, forced teachers and union workers to pay more for their pensions, privatized prisons, made it difficult to register voters and shortened the voting period, told welfare recipients to pee in a cup to prove they weren’t on drugs, and signed bills meant to separate women from medical care they need.
Rick Scott has seen his popularity drop ever since he took office. According to the latest Quinnipiac poll he is one of the least popular governors in the United States with an approval rating of 38 percent and a disapproval rating of 50 percent.
On Tuesday’s State of the State speech Gov. Scott tried to appear more cooperative, stating, “Let’s get to work – together.”
“I look forward to working with you to closely look at our higher education system,” the governor said, “to understand how we can ensure that in the future, job creators from around the world will have to look to Florida to find the talented and educated workforce they will need to compete in the 21st century.”
The Republican governor touted that his new budget includes $1 billion more for schools. An about-face to his $1.3 billion school budget cut last year.
Scott said his three biggest goals as governor are to ensure that people have jobs, access to a quality education and low-cost living.
“Floridians truly believe that support for education is the most significant thing we can do to ensure both short-term job growth and long-term economic prosperity for our state,” Scott said. “And you know what? They are right!”
Gone was the talk of radical-partisan overhauling of state programs.
“Know that I’m open to any idea, from whatever source, that is likely to improve the lives of Floridians,” Scott said. “No person, profession, or party has a monopoly on all the good ideas.”
Read more here: http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-ft-myers/rick-scott-changes-tone-for-2012-state-of-the-state
