THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE - 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.
