By James Call
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-968276.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Advocates are calling the just-concluded Florida Legislative Session the worst in memory for the environment, workers and the poor. However, Governor Rick Scott said lawmakers turned the state in the right direction. And James Call reports, Scott is promising another round of cuts in taxes, spending and regulations next year. He said less government is the key to getting Florida back to work.
Governor Scott's prescription for an ailing economy has been popular with Republicans since the 1980s. Now with two thirds majorities in the Legislature Scott has the opportunity to turn Florida into a laboratory for ideas associated with the Chicago School of Economics.
"We are going to be the innovators with what we're doing with our taxes, what we're doing with our education system, what we're doing with regulation, what we're doing with pension reform, all these things we are going to be the model. We have that opportunity. We have a conservative House, a conservative Senate that believes in those principles so we are going to make it happen."
A spokesman for labor said if the key to economic growth was fewer taxes and regulations then Florida would be booming. The AFL-CIO's Rich Templin said the recession was caused by cuts in taxes and regulations.