TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida Gov. Rick Scott is leaving the country for his eighth overseas trade-related trip in the last two-and-half years.
The governor left late Monday for a trip to Chile in South America. He has previously visited far-flung places such as Brazil, Spain, Israel, and England. He heads to Paris next month.
Scott has already taken more trips than former Gov. Charlie Crist. He's on a pace to match former Gov. Jeb Bush who spent two terms in office.
Scott defends the trips as a way to open doors for Florida-based companies seeking business abroad. His office contends the trips have resulted in foreign companies investing in the state.
Scott's expenses are picked up by Enterprise Florida, which uses private donations from large Florida-based companies to cover the costs.
