News
01/31/12
Rubio Introduces Bill To Repeal ObamaCare Mandate Against Religious Freedom
Rubio: “This is a common sense bill that simply says the government can’t force religious organizations to abandon the fundamental tenets of their faith because the government says so.”
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2012, a bill to repeal a new ObamaCare mandate that violates the religious liberties and conscience rights of faith-based institutions by forcing them to offer employees insurance coverage for contraceptives.
Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services finalized a new mandate that would require most church-affiliated organizations to offer their workers private insurance coverage without out-of-pocket charges for birth control. The administration ignored efforts by numerous faith-based organizations to be granted an exemption on religious grounds.
“The Obama Administration’s obsession with forcing mandates on the American people has now reached a new low by violating the conscience rights and religious liberties of our people,” said Rubio. “Under this President, we have a government that has grown too big, too costly and now even more overbearing by forcing religious entities to abandon their beliefs. This is a common sense bill that simply says the government can’t force religious organizations to abandon the fundamental tenets of their faith because the government says so.”
The text of the legislation is available here.
01/27/12
Governor Rick Scott's Weekly Newsletter - January 27, 2012
Governor Scott Pushes for Auto Insurance Fraud Reform Launches Hire Florida’s Heroes Campaign
This week, I urged the House and the Senate to send me a bill that addresses auto insurance fraud in Florida and lowers the cost of living in our state. PIP fraudsters cause auto insurance premiums to skyrocket, and honest Floridians pay the price. Floridians are fed up with being cheated by scammers who get a payday while innocent citizens get stuck with the bill. Our broken no-fault system is a hidden billion-dollar tax on Floridians. It drags on our economy and slows growth, and we must take action to stop the fraud. I am confident that working with the Legislature, we will get this done.
Also this week, I joined business, military, veteran and workforce leaders during the annual Florida National Guard Day at the Capitol. Together we launched the Hiring Florida’s Heroes campaign to connect our returning veterans with job opportunities in our state. Hiring Florida’s Heroes is a smart move for businesses and the right thing to do for our veterans and their families.
If you are an employer interested in hiring a hero, please call 1-866-FLA-2345 or visit veterans.employflorida.com.
01/26/12
Poll Hours and Election Preparedness
Presidential Preference Primary January 31, 2012
Brian E. Corley, Supervisor of Elections, announces the polls for the January 31, 2012 Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for qualified voters. By law, Florida is a closed primary state and as such, the PPP is a partisan election for registered Republicans only. There are no democratic candidates, minor party candidates or amendments on the ballot.
Some things voters should be aware of for the Presidential Preference Primary are:
- Voters may NOT change party at the polls. Applications for party changes were due in the Supervisor of Elections’ Office by bookclosing date, January 3, 2012.
- Voters must present photo and signature ID when voting, or vote a provisional ballot.
- Voters who have moved to Pasco County from another Florida county should report their address change to the Supervisor’s office before Tuesday, January 31, 2012, or they will be statutorily required to vote a provisional ballot.
- Voters new to Florida who have never voted in Florida must have submitted a voter registration application by bookclosing date, January 3, 2012, in order to be eligible to vote in this election.
- Your polling location is on your voter information card or online at pascovotes.com by selecting the “precincts and districts” tab on the homepage.
- Voters may check their registration status online at pascovotes.com.
“Reminding everyone what’s required on election day ensures a smoother voting experience,” said Supervisor Corley. “Our goal is to provide the best service possible and a flawless, transparent election to the citizens of Pasco County”.
Florida Statutes (Section 101.031(2)) delivers instructions to voters and establishes a Voter’s Bill of Rights and Voter Responsibilities. Pursuant to statute, copies of these are posted in all polling places on election day. They can be viewed beforehand online at pascovotes.com by clicking the voter education tab on the homepage and selecting the voter’s guide option.
01/24/12
Senator Marco Rubio On The President’s State Of The Union Address
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio issued the following statement following President Obama’s State of the Union address:
“I’m actually very disturbed by the speech tonight. The President is on the verge of committing economic malpractice.
“How does raising taxes create jobs? How does raising my boss’s taxes help me keep my job? Why is he advocating policies that will punish people that are investing in American businesses that are creating middle class jobs?
“It just doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s the kind of policies that have taken a bad economy over the last four years and made everything worse.”
01/20/12
Session Update 2012 Week 2
By Representative Will Weatherford
A Note From Will
We close out the second week of the Session with some welcomed good news. Florida's unemployment rate has fallen below double-digits for the first time since mid-2009. The economy added 17,000 jobs in December to close out a year with a net gain of 142,000 jobs, solidifying Florida's status as one of the nation's leaders in job creation last year.
Florida's relentless pursuit to find ways to improve the economic environment for small businesses has shown measurable results. These aren't just numbers on a spreadsheet, the drop in unemployment means more families are able to earn a paycheck and meet their needs. I am committed to take the same fiscal conservative approach this year to constructing our state budget.
Fiscal discipline is not just about cutting and slashing programs. It also involves seeking more efficient ways to meet our obligations. There is great value in challenging assumptions and embracing innovation. It is why this week I traveled to the Florida Board of Governors meeting to present an idea that has the potential of bringing quality service and a lower cost to Floridians.
Challenging the Status Quo
Higher Education has a profound impact on our economy. It is well documented fact that there is a direct correlation between individuals earning power and their level of education. Finding ways to increase access to a quality and affordable College and University is an important way to fuel our economic engine.
We are living in the middle of the technological revolution. The Internet is the information Autobahn. At this moment, you can log onto Apple's I-Tunes and download lectures given at Yale, Stanford and MIT. You can watch on YouTube a multivariable calculus class taught by a professor at UC Berkley. Through technology that is available now, we have the power to deliver a high quality education to students anywhere in Florida.
I believe we should take fuller advantage of this proven education delivery model. I propose that Florida investigate the value of creating an accredited, high quality online public University. This University could partner with existing institutions in Florida, the U.S., and abroad to bring our students world-class knowledge and training. This endeavor could especially benefit those who cannot afford to quit their current job while obtaining an advanced degree.
Online learning is a more affordable choice for our state. Without the expensive building costs, we can open up a virtual world of learning to more students even in these difficult economic times. It is no coincidence that the Florida Board of Governors has adopted as one of their strategic goals the expansion of online learning opportunities in Florida Universities. This is a worthy goal, yet instead of simply adding classes, why not dream big for Florida?
The cost/benefit analysis should be fact driven. If it makes sense for our state, we should aggressively move forward. If the objective research produces a more valuable solution, we should consider the best option. The goal is to expand higher education opportunities harnessing the power of technology. If it is done right, the result will be a more skilled workforce that is able to earn a living for their family and achieve the "Promise of Florida."
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your State Representative. I look forward to keeping you updated on the actions in the Florida Legislature this Session.
01/20/12
Florida's Unemployment Rate Down 2.1 Percentage Points in 2011
Today, we learned more good news about Florida’s jobs picture. In 2011, Florida’s unemployment rate dropped 2.1 percentage points. In fact, Florida’s unemployment rate in December was 9.9 percent, the lowest it has been in two-and-a-half years. This is down from 12 percent unemployment the month before I became governor.
Last year’s decline in unemployment is proof that the private sector, not government, creates jobs. Florida created a total of 130,000 jobs in 2011, and it is Floridians who deserve all of the credit. While this news is welcome, it is not good enough. I will continue to work every day to ensure that every Floridian who wants to work has the opportunity to do so.
Working with the House and Senate this session, I will continue to lower taxes and eliminate burdensome regulation. Last year was a great start to getting Florida back to work, and I am looking forward to more great things this year. I remain focused on three things: making sure Florida’s children can receive a good education, making sure that Floridians can find a job and keeping the cost of living low in our state.
01/19/12
GOP Gains in Voter Registration
By Lenny Curry, Chairman RPOF
I just wanted to share some great news about voter registration numbers and enthusiasm we are seeing in the primary. You may have seen a few stories about this in the news recently, but in case you missed it, I wanted to take the time now to share the good news with you. I’ve also included a few of those news stories below.
Republican enthusiasm in Florida is leading to GOP gains in voter registration, closing the gap between the number of registered Republicans and Democrats. Also, over 455,000 Republicans in Florida have requested an absentee ballot for the primary, and over 138,000 of those have already been returned. I believe that this a sign of the incredible energy and determination conservative Floridians have to make Obama a one-term president.
I encourage each and every one of you to get out and work for your candidate, no matter who you are supporting. Make sure to cast a ballot in our Primary Election and ensure that each of your friends and family do the same. Please also continue to encourage people to register to vote throughout the year to ensure that as many Floridians voices are heard as possible come Election Day. We want record turnout in Florida this year!
Here are a few news articles that discuss the enthusiasm of Florida Republicans:
Palm Beach Post, “GOP closes in on Democrats in Florida voter registration”
Miami Herald, “More than 143,000 FL GOP voters have cast ballots -- 20,000 more than Iowa caucus”
Thank you all for your hard work and please keep it up! Let’s show Obama just how tough it will be for him in Florida!
01/18/12
A Better Way to Fight the Online Theft of American Ideas and Jobs
By Senator Marco Rubio
In recent weeks, we’ve heard from many Floridians about the anti-Internet piracy bills making their way through Congress. On the Senate side, I have been a co-sponsor of the PROTECT IP Act because I believe it’s important to protect American ingenuity, ideas and jobs from being stolen through Internet piracy, much of it occurring overseas through rogue websites in China. As a senator from Florida, a state with a large presence of artists, creators and businesses connected to the creation of intellectual property, I have a strong interest in stopping online piracy that costs Florida jobs.
However, we must do this while simultaneously promoting an open, dynamic Internet environment that is ripe for innovation and promotes new technologies.
Earlier this year, this bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously and without controversy. Since then, we’ve heard legitimate concerns about the impact the bill could have on access to the Internet and about a potentially unreasonable expansion of the federal government’s power to impact the Internet. Congress should listen and avoid rushing through a bill that could have many unintended consequences.
Therefore, I have decided to withdraw my support for the Protect IP Act. Furthermore, I encourage Senator Reid to abandon his plan to rush the bill to the floor. Instead, we should take more time to address the concerns raised by all sides, and come up with new legislation that addresses Internet piracy while protecting free and open access to the Internet.
01/16/12
Governor Scott Delivers 2012 State of the State Address
This week marked the beginning of the 2012 legislative session, and I delivered my State of the State address. We are seeing signs that Florida is headed in the right direction. Since I took office, the private sector has created nearly 135,000 jobs, and we have made major strides in education.
I look forward to working with the Legislature during session to ensure that we continue on this path. We must pass a jobs creation package that lowers taxes and cuts burdensome regulation. Next, we’ve got to keep the cost of living low in our state by reducing auto insurance fraud. And finally, I’ve proposed an additional $1 billion in education funding for Florida’s schools. This money will help ensure that Florida’s students can get a quality education.
In closing, this weekend, Floridians will join the rest of the country in celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. Dr. King’s legacy is one of peace and understanding. Together, we are working to speed up the day when the American dream is possible for every Floridian. As we keep the cost of living low and ensure Floridians are able to get a job and access quality education, we will achieve the goal Dr. King outlined for our state and our nation.
01/13/12
Session Update 2012 Week 1
by Will Weatherford, State Representative, District 61
A Word From Will
We just wrapped up the first week of the 2012 Legislative Session. You may be asking yourself why this message is coming in January instead of March. You are not wrong to question the timing — according to the Florida Constitution, the Florida Legislature meets early in order to undertake the once a decade reapportionment process; 2012 is our year to redraw Florida’s political boundaries.
After traveling across our state all summer listening to Floridians, we are now close to settling on a House, Senate and Congressional map that I believe respects the collective input that we received. While lines on a map may not seem practical or relevant to your daily routine, the process is very important because it is the underpinning of your representative democracy. We took on this the task with the new guidelines approved by voters last year. Every action is a “first,” and despite the unchartered waters; I believe the new maps respect and follow the Constitution as demanded by Florida voters.
Session Update - Week One
In keeping with tradition, the first week of Session included major policy speeches from the Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate (click on the links to access their speeches). While each was different, three common themes emerged. First is the budget. We know that Florida will have to deal with what could be a $2 billion shortfall. This will require us to carefully evaluate and separate wants from needs and needs from priorities. It’s more than a cliché — it is an essential approach if we want to avoid the disastrous fiscal consequences that many other states and Washington, D.C. now face.
Redistricting will also be a major focus; it is a constitutional duty assigned to the legislature that I am honored to lead on behalf of the House of Representatives.
Finally, we know the importance of education to our state. When our students succeed, Florida succeeds. Despite the tight budget, I strongly support exempting our elementary and high schools from the necessary cuts in other areas of government. We were able to protect K-12 from significant cuts last year. I believe through careful prioritization, we will provide additional funding for our teachers and students this year.
01/12/12
CFO Jeff Atwater announces new website for tracking government spending
by Bill Cotterell, Florida Capital Bureau
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and three state House members joined a conservative government watchdog group today in announcing a new interactive Web site that lets Floridians search through millions of government records and find salaries of public employees, expenditures on contracts and multi-year data on trends in government financial decisions.
The FloridaOpenGov.org site is a project of the Foundation for Government Accountability, which was formed in Naples last July. Tarren Bragdon, chief executive officer of the foundation, said the site includes about 35 million public records, detailing nearly $1.4 trillion in spending by state, county, city and school agencies.
The CFO’s office began a “Florida’s checkbook” project under Alex Sink, Atwater’s predecessor, and the state Senate has had “transparency” projects going for about two years, to let citizens click their way through state budgets and contracts. But Bragdon said the new system is different in that it lets taxpayers see trends of increased or decreased spending over many years, and to stack salaries from highest to lowest within an agency or unit of government.
“Information is power,” said Mayor Joe Durso of Longwood, who attended a news conference with Atwater and three legislators. “FloridaOpenGov.org is a tool that allows Floridians greater accountability.”
State Reps. Rachel Burgin, R-Tampa, Matt Hudson, R-Naples, and Joe Abruzzo, D-Wellington, said the system will be useful to legislators in quickly spotting trends in state spending.
Bragdon, a former Maine legislator, said the site includes 18 years of spending and 15 years of payroll data for state and local governments and school systems.
“FloridaOpenGov.org is about supersizing taxpayers’ right to know how politicians are spending their money, down to the employee, department and dollar,” Bragdon said.
01/12/12
Florida’s Bottom Line... a Valuable Resource for Florida’s Economic Information
by Jeff Atwater, Chief Financial Officer
Welcome to the second issue of my quarterly economic review, “Florida’s Bottom Line.” Be sure to subscribe for useful data and information from across Florida.
As we embark on a new year, I hope that ‘Florida’s Bottom Line’ will serve as a valuable source for economic information for you, your family and your business. In an effort to provide you up-to-date information about Florida’s economy, we have launched a companion Web site to ‘Florida’s Bottom Line’ with the help of our partners. The Web site will feature the freshest data on the economy, so be sure to check back often. It will also allow you to access all published issues, subscribe to our updates, and send us your thoughts. It is my hope that this information will, in some small way, help you achieve a prosperous 2012. Please email us your comments; we appreciate your feedback.
Read more in “Florida’s Bottom Line.”
01/06/12
Attorney General Pam Bondi's Weekly Briefing
This week we stopped two companies for alleged fraudulent activity under the guise of providing foreclosure-rescue related services. These companies preyed on Florida’s distressed homeowners who were already experiencing financial hardships. The laws that protect Floridians from deceptive practices and homeowners during the course of a residential foreclosure must be abided by, and I am pleased that the Court granted our motion to stop these companies from defrauding Floridians.
I filed a lawsuit and obtained a temporary injunction and limited asset freeze against MGD Management, LLC, and CRS Marketing, LLC for misleading distressed homeowners by marketing "strategic default" services which purported to keep the consumers in their homes "for free" for three years without paying the mortgage, taxing authorities, homeowners association, or home owners insurance.
According to the complaint, the companies promised assistance with the defense of their foreclosure action and represented that the fees paid to the defendants included all legal fees other than bankruptcy filings; advised consumers to ignore any communication from their lenders/creditors unless it came registered mail; and failed to provide legal services.
The Broward County Circuit Court issued a temporary injunction barring the company and its principal, Mark Dalen, from marketing, advertising or providing foreclosure-related rescue services until further order of the Court. The Court also granted a limited asset freeze on the bank accounts of the companies at issue. The injunction order requires that MGD, CRS, and Mark Dalen cease all such misrepresentations and precludes the companies from transferring any assets other than in the normal course of business.
We are committed to protecting Floridians, and people who are facing possible foreclosure should not be scammed during the process of trying to get help.
01/06/12
Governor Rick Scott's Weekly Newsletter - January 6, 2012
Florida Legislative Session and State of the State Preview
Next week, I will be delivering the annual State of the State address where I will outline my vision for Florida in 2012. Over the past year, our state has had many significant accomplishments. We are a nationwide leader in decreasing our unemployment rate -- which has dropped by two percentage points since last January. In addition, Florida ranks third in the nation for job growth, creating 120,200 jobs in 2011. It is clear Florida is moving in the right direction, and I am confident we will continue to make positive strides in 2012.
This year, we are going to continue our focus on education, jobs and keeping the cost of living low for all Floridians. While our economy show signs of improvement, we must still address a budget deficit. We are going to balance our budget with no new taxes and no new debt, and while it's going to be tough, I am committed to making sure we put another $1 billion into education and save money in our Medicaid system.
For the upcoming legislative session, I have three main priorities. First, I want to help continue to add jobs to Florida. Late last year, I unveiled my 2012 Job Creation & Economic Growth Agenda. This plan focuses on removing the barriers to both new and growing businesses in Florida. With these changes, we can continue on the path we began last year and bring more jobs to Florida. Prioritizing vital transportation projects, like preparing our ports for increased trade, will help facilitate important economic development opportunities.
Next, I want to keep the cost of living low in our state. We can achieve this goal by reforming rising insurance rates caused by Personal Injury Protection (PIP) automobile insurance fraud. We must protect Florida consumers and curb skyrocketing insurance costs.
My third main focus is ensuring that Florida’s children have access to a world-class education. Education has always been one of my top priorities, and I understand that ensuring an excellent university system will generate a workforce prepared to compete in the global marketplace and meet the demands of the 21st century. It is essential Florida becomes a long-term resource for companies to find the best educated employees.
Last year I traveled the state meeting with educators, parents and students, and they told me that in spite of the education shortfall we face, our top priority in this budget should be state funding for K-12 education. To that end, I will not sign any budget into law that doesn’t contain more state dollars for education than we had last year. The budget I submitted to the Legislature is the third largest amount of state K-12 funding in Florida history.
I was elected Governor to turn our economy around and get Florida back to work, and we are certainly headed in the right direction. Please share your comments about my plans for 2012 or any of your ideas for our great state by emailing me at Rick.Scott@eog.myflorida.com.
01/06/12
NFIB Survey Shows Most Small Business Owners Approve of Governor Scott’s Job Performance
A survey released today by the National Federation of Independent Business - Florida shows that 69 percent of Florida small business owners approve of the job that Rick Scott is doing as Governor of Florida. The survey was released today along with the organization’s legislative priorities.
01/06/12
Florida Economic Data and Statistics at your Fingertips
In this challenging economic climate, it is important for Florida's entrepreneurs and businesses to have economic data for the state and the nation at their fingertips. Following its initial debut in October, we are excited to release the second issue of Florida's Bottom Line next week. This publication tracks important changes in the economy, keeping Floridians updated with the most recent and unbiased data. The January issue features statistics on jobs and housing, as well as articles from experts across the state on venture capital, entrepreneurship in Florida, and the economic outlook for 2012.
We have also launched a new Web site for Florida’s Bottom Line, which you can navigate to find data that has been updated between quarterly releases of the publication. With a click of the mouse, you can get the most up-to-date numbers on consumer confidence, unemployment, foreclosures and more. We value your feedback and we hope to hear from you on what we can feature in future issues. I hope Florida's Bottom Line and the new Web site help you, your family, and your business navigate through the economy in the coming year.
01/06/12
A Year of Success
Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of Governor Rick Scott being sworn in as Florida’s 45th Governor. Governor Scott campaigned on a platform of turning Florida’s economy around and getting Floridians back to work, and that is exactly what he has done. The past year has certainly been a successful one for Florida and I trust that under the visionary, conservative leadership of Governor Scott, Florida will continue to recover and to prosper.
Over the last year Governor Scott has made Florida more business-friendly by reducing burdensome regulations, streamlining government and eliminating the corporate income tax for nearly half of all Florida businesses. Thanks to his efforts, Florida gained a net total of 134,800 private sector jobs last year and unemployment fell from 12% to a thirty-one month low of 10%. The Governor also worked to ensure that state spending was reduced, the state budget was balanced, and that Floridians received $210 million in property tax cuts.
In his first year in office, Governor Scott also delivered on a number of his other promises. He held government accountable by vetoing $615 million from the state budget and creating the Office of Fiscal Accountability and Regulatory Reform to identify burdensome rules and regulations for repeal. He has also worked to reduce state spending by selling the tax-payer funded state airplanes, leading the fight to require drug-testing for welfare recipients and pushing for significant pension reform. Governor Scott helped expand education opportunities for Florida families as well by eliminating teacher tenure, establishing teacher merit pay and expanding charter and virtual schools.
It’s clear that Governor Scott delivered significant results for Florida in just his first year in office, but his work is not done. In the year ahead, Governor Scott will continue to improve Florida's education system and push his job creation agenda, getting more Floridians back to work. He will also focus on controlling the cost of Medicaid to ensure that the program is viable for future generations and reforming personal injury protection auto insurance to reduce fraud and insurance costs for Floridians.
On behalf of fellow Republicans from across the Sunshine State, 'thank you' Governor Scott for your hard work and for putting Florida back on the path toward prosperity.
01/05/12
Rubio to Obama: "The First Three Years Of Your Presidency Have Been A Profile In Leadership Failure"
Rubio: “While you may choose to run your reelection campaign against a “Do-Nothing Congress,” your insistence on doing nothing to meaningfully tackle our debt poses a direct threat to America’s exceptional character and is leading us towards a diminished future.”
With news reports suggesting that President Barack Obama and his administration will soon ask Congress to raise the debt limit for the sixth time in his Presidency, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) challenged him to present a real plan to tackle America’s debt in 2012.
In a letter sent today, Rubio said, “Instead of making debt ceiling increases a routine Washington exercise, we need to make it routine to actually spend no more than we take in. Until then, I will oppose your request to continue borrowing and spending recklessly.”
Rubio continued, “Using your own standard, this request will mark your sixth ‘sign of leadership failure’ on the debt ceiling issue alone. Throughout our history, Americans have revered courageous leaders and celebrated them as profiles in courage. Unfortunately, the first three years of your presidency have been a profile in leadership failure. While you may choose to run your reelection campaign against a “Do-Nothing Congress,” your insistence on doing nothing to meaningfully tackle our debt poses a direct threat to America’s exceptional character and is leading us towards a diminished future.”
“Instead of simply asking for another debt ceiling increase, I urge you to come forward with a real plan to tackle our debt in 2012,” Rubio concluded.
The full letter is available here.
12/28/11
Florida's unemployment drop among best in the U.S.
The following article was originally published in the Orlando Business Journal on Wednesday, December 21:
Florida posted the second-largest percentage drop in unemployment over the past year, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report out Tuesday, the St. Petersburg Times reports.
The Sunshine State's unemployment rate fell to 10 percent in November, down from 11.9 percent in the year-ago period. The only state to top Florida in largest percentage drop is New Mexico, whose jobless rate fell from 8.6 percent in November 2010 to 6.5 percent this November.
Florida is one of seven states still dealing with double-digit unemployment rates.
12/27/11
Voter Turnout to be Posted on Website
Brian E. Corley, Supervisor of Elections, announced that beginning today, December 27, 2012, voter turnout for the January 31, 2012 Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) will be posted daily on the elections' office website, pascovotes.com. The voter turnout numbers will represent those who have returned a vote-by-mail ballot and are considered unofficial results.
The elections' office has already processed approximately 5,900 mail ballots with new requests being processed daily. Vote-by-mail ballots may be requested by calling the office at 800-851-8754, or using the website, pascovotes.com.
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the PPP is Wednesday, January 25, 2012. To be counted, mail ballots must be returned to the elections' office by mail or hand delivery by 7:00 p.m. election day. Due to the size of the ballot and an envelope re-design, no extra postage will be required to return the ballot by mail. Mail ballots may not be turned in at the polls on election day.
Beginning Saturday, January 21, 2012, early voting turnout statistics will be posted on-line as well. Election day turnout statistics will be updated on-line throughout election day with the posting of election results beginning at 7:00 p.m. at pascovotes.com.
12/21/11
Good News about Florida’s Economy from Governor Rick Scott
I have more great news to share about Florida’s economy. This week, Coca-Cola Refreshments announced they will invest $99 million to expand its Main Street juice production facility in Auburndale, adding 60 jobs to Polk County. Click here to share the good news on Facebook and Twitter.
Coca-Cola’s renewed financial commitment is another testament to the success of our business-friendly environment we have worked hard this year to develop. This renewed confidence in Florida’s economic climate is just part of the reason we have seen over 120,000 new jobs created in the Sunshine State this year.
Last week, November’s jobs report showed another decline in Florida’s unemployment rate, which has fallen to its lowest level in 29 months. While we still have plenty of challenges awaiting in 2012 and beyond, Florida is clearly moving in the right direction.
Since my first day in office, your feedback has continued to provide fresh ideas to find the best solutions to our challenges. I hope you continue to stay involved and engaged as we move forward.
12/16/11
Under Gov. Scott, 120,000 Created, Unemployment Falls 2%
A message from Governor Rick Scott
I’ve got some great news to share. In November, Florida’s unemployment rate declined to the lowest level in 29 months. With more than 120,000 net jobs created this year, Florida continues to move in the right direction. Share the good news on Facebook and Twitter.
This month I laid out my proposed 2012 budget recommendations, which gives $1 Billion to education, and we will again balance the budget without raising taxes by streamlining spending and demanding accountability. Read more about my plan in the Daytona Beach News Journal.
Your feedback was instrumental in crafting this spending blueprint for Florida. I will continue to meet with businesses and citizens across the state to maintain our positive job growth, and I am committed to the same promise that I made to you to reduce the size of government and get Florida back to work!
12/13/11
Forcing Washington to Live Within its Means
By Senator Marco Rubio
Washington politicians do not live by the same rules that virtually all families and small businesses play by. It is your responsibility to balance your budget, spend no more than what’s in your bank account, and have a plan to manage common expenses like student, home and car loans.
But in Washington, money is routinely borrowed from Peter to pay Paul. Or in America’s case, money is borrowed from China and others to pay for more government than we could ever afford. As a result, politicians have dug us in to a hole of $15 trillion in debt, with no end in sight. Now, more than ever, we need a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
In Florida’s state government, we worked under a balanced budget amendment. And every year, we worked tirelessly, had contentious debates and made very tough choices to pass a balanced budget year after year. That responsibility and accountability is not unique to Florida, as practically every other state also works under a balanced budget amendment. We need to bring this same kind of fiscal restraint to Washington. And unless we enshrine strong balanced budget principles in our Constitution, Washington politicians will never stop. That’s why it’s critically important that the Senate approve a strong balanced budget amendment this week.
Click here to read the whole article.
12/12/11
Governor Scott’s ‘Education and Jobs’ Budget in the News
New York Times: Florida Budget Adds to School Spending
When Gov. Rick Scott rolled out his budget on Wednesday, it was to a group of reporters at a news conference at the Florida Capitol in a room packed with staff members, a far cry from the Tea Party crowd that cheered him on during his first budget announcement early this year. Mr. Scott proposed $1 billion in new money for Florida schools despite a yawning budget deficit. Putting heft behind his words, he vowed to veto any budget bill that did not “significantly increase state education funding.”
Tampa Bay Newspapers: Scott's budget favors education, jobs
After months of traveling the state and listening to teachers, parents, students, small businesses owners and families, Gov. Rick Scott unveiled a budget Dec. 7 that reflects the issues and solutions most important to Floridians – funding education and helping Floridians create jobs. “The dollars in this budget belong to all Floridians, and I have listened to the things they believe are important to spend these dollars on,” Scott said in a press release. “I have heard loud and clear that Floridians want their money spent on education and jobs, without additional burdens on families and businesses, and this budget accomplishes that.”
Daytona Beach News Journal: Editorial: Gov. Scott's budget plan has the right priorities
Gov. Rick Scott has taken the right approach in trying to rein in Medicaid costs while increasing spending on K-12 education. Scott attempts to pull this off while dealing with a budget shortfall between $1.7 billion and $2 billion. In his proposed budget, unveiled last week, Scott aims to increase education spending on K-12 by more than $1 billion. Schools would see a per-pupil spending increase, meaning more money for operational expenses. This shows good judgment on Scott's part: He needs to focus his energy on controlling spending and balancing the budget. Scott's proposed budget is the first step in a long, politically difficult process. He has his priorities in order, and his plan should set the terms for the budget debate next year in Tallahassee.
Sunshine State News: Florida’s Board of Education Commends Scott’s Budget
The State Board of Education has issued a statement commending Gov. Rick Scott for prioritizing education in his recommended budget for 2012-2013. “The State Board of Education commends Governor Scott on his 2012-2013 budget recommendations for education and urges the Legislature to adopt them. By recommending over $1 billion in new state education spending and the third largest education budget in Florida history, the governor has clearly demonstrated that education is his top budget priority. As Florida moves to new standards, the increase in per-pupil funding and the doubling of the allocation for reading coaches is particularly timely. These funds will ensure that local school districts have the resources they need to help students meet new standards.”
Florida Today: Editorial: Credit Scott for school budget boost
Gov. Rick Scott appears to have learned an important lesson on education funding since his first budget proposal last February when he called for a 10 percent cut in school spending. But Scott has traveled the state and listened. His shift in support for public schools became evident last week when he unveiled his 2012-13 state budget, which calls for spending $1 billion more on education. The school funding boost alone signaled an extraordinary shift for the first-term governor. Adding an exclamation point: His vow to veto any bill that did not “significantly increase state education funding.”
Sunshine State News: Private Colleges Cheer Rick Scott's Support of FRAG
Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed budget, which was unveiled in Tallahassee on Wednesday, drew the applause Thursday of Ed Moore, the president and CEO of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. Moore, who leads the group of 29 private higher-education institutions, praised Scott for continuing to support the Florida Resident Access Grants. “The focused increase in both per-student funding and total funding for FRAG will significantly impact the future of Florida in many ways,” said Moore in a statement on Thursday.
TCPalm: Scott's spending plan for education encourages Treasure Coast school officials
Gov. Rick Scott has challenged state lawmakers to funnel $1 billion more into pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education in 2012-13, which would mean at least $144 more a year per Treasure Coast student after tough state education cuts. Scott's request to fuel education also came with a warning for legislators Wednesday — significantly increase public schools money, or risk having the state budget vetoed. St. Lucie schools Superintendent Michael Lannon applauded Scott's initial efforts. "Any time any governor comes right out and says what parents and teachers know, that the education of our children is his top priority, that's a day for celebration," Lannon said.
Lakeland Ledger: Alexander Applauds Rick Scott For Improved Budgeting
Has Gov. Rick Scott's budget-drafting abilities improved in the year he has been in office? The Senate Budget chief seems to think so. Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales and chairman of the Florida Senate Budget Committee called Scott's recent budget presentation "a good start." Speaking in a video interview with the News Service of Florida, Alexander appeared more pleased with the governor's presentation this year compared with the budget submitted last year just weeks after Scott was sworn into office.
Tallahassee Democrat: Editorial: Game change, Gov. Scott tries a new approach
In presenting his proposed spending plan for next year, Gov. Rick Scott appeared to be a changed leader in several ways. Maybe he now understands that enforcing draconian cuts on Floridians at any cost simply won't move the state forward. On Wednesday, Mr. Scott showed political maturity in presenting his $66.4 billion budget plan, which is nearly 5 percent less than the current budget. For instance, rather than being insulated by a crowd of tea party supporters in The Villages, as he was at the budget signing this year, the governor delivered his pitch closer to center of discussion, a meeting room at the Capitol.
Tampa Tribune: Scott's budget plan adds school funding
In a dramatic turnaround from last year, Gov. Rick Scott cited education as Florida's top priority and called for an additional $1 billion in state funding for schools. School districts are struggling to cope with increased enrollment and a drop in local tax dollars. The extra dollars will give the state $9.5 billion to spend on education next year, Scott said Wednesday during a news conference to unveil his proposed 2012-13 budget. Per-student spending will rise by $110 for each of the state's nearly 2.7 million public school students, he said.
Associated Press: Scott: Boost schools while cutting billions
Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday proposed a budget for the upcoming year that would increase money for schools, but would make dramatic cuts elsewhere to pay for the extra funding. Scott's spending recommendations for 2012 are just a building block that state lawmakers will use when they put together a final budget early next year. This time around, the governor pledged that he would not sign a budget unless it had what he called a "significant increase" in education.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Scott budget has more money for schools
Here are some of the highlights from Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed 2012-13 state budget: A $66.4 billion spending plan that reflects a 4.9 percent reduction from the current $69.6 billion budget. A $1 billion boost in public school funding, raising annual per pupil spending to $6,372 — a $142 increase from this year.
12/07/11
Lenny Curry on Governor Scott's Budget
Today, as promised, Governor Scott has released a budget that is balanced, has no new taxes, and makes important programs like education a priority. Republican leaders in the legislature and Governor Scott have demonstrated their ability to work together and protect Florida’s taxpayers while keeping essential investments for the future of our state a priority. Republicans have listened to the people of Florida and are bringing forward policies that will get Floridians back to work and back on the path to prosperity.
12/05/11
Senator Rubio Opposes the Latest Democrat Tax Increase Plan
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement regarding the new Senate Democrat plan to extend the payroll tax cut by taxing job creators:
“The President and Senate Democrats’ obsession with raising taxes on job creators is paralyzing not only the chances for action in Washington but, more importantly, stifling the job creators that should be doing what they do best to help put Americans back to work.
“Raising taxes on job creators is a bad idea, especially at a time when we need those people making investments in our economy that will encourage new jobs. I support extending the current payroll tax cut and believe we can do it without raising taxes.
“There is no shortage of waste in government that can be cut, fundamental spending reforms to be made or pro-growth tax reforms that can be enacted that would more than cover the cost of extending the payroll tax cut. Let’s get serious about approving real policies to encourage job creation and stop the absurd Washington-style theatrics surrounding this payroll tax debate.”
12/02/11
Investing in Education Means Investing in
Florida’s Economic Future
By Governor Rick Scott
Education pays. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, education pays two ways: higher earnings and lower unemployment rates. The best way to ensure the next generation of Floridians and Americans finds success and continues to grow our economy is to invest in their education, even when our state is facing challenging economic times.
As Governor, I am committed to making sure every student gets a good education and the opportunity to get a job. By making sure Florida has the best educated workforce, companies will recognize our state as the best place to tap into the talent that will allow business to grow and succeed.
Part of making sure Florida has the best educated workforce is improving education in the STEM areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Through 2018, Florida will need 120,000 new workers in STEM fields. In spite of this need, fewer than 20 percent of the State University System’s graduates are expected to obtain a STEM degree. For students to be successful in these subjects, we must help them gain the essential building blocks of knowledge and understanding in our elementary, middle and high schools.
While education is essential to Florida’s economy, our state is facing a “perfect storm” of unique challenges when it comes to funding education. Let me quickly summarize the budget situation Florida’s schools are facing next school year:
• For the 2012-13 school year, we anticipate an increase of more than 30,000 students. At the current funding level of about $6,262 per student, Florida will need to spend about $191 million more on education than we are this school year.
• Florida’s growing student population comes at a time when we also estimate a three percent loss of local revenue, meaning Florida school districts will have over $200 million less to spend.
• Add to this deficit the discontinuation of $554.8 million in federal funds to Florida school districts this year.
• In addition, we will have to overcome the challenge of losing $224 million in one-time funding from the State of Florida.
When you take these four factors into consideration, we anticipate a total budget gap of about $1.2 billion for Florida schools. In spite of this bleak budget picture, I am committed to increasing Florida’s investment in the education of our young people. As I see it, investing in education provides a return on investment we simply cannot ignore.
To gain a better understanding of how Florida needs to invest in education, I am meeting with teachers across our state to hear their ideas about to improve our schools and encourage student achievement. Teachers are essential to the success of our schools and our students, and I am confident that those who daily work to inspire children and young people to learn and achieve their dreams can show us the best way to invest Florida’s education dollars.
Education pays, and we clearly must find a way to increase our investment in Florida’s students. Please share your ideas with me by emailing Rick.Scott@eog.myflorida.com.
11/30/11
Senator Rubio’s Statement for the Congressional Record
Mr. President, some people are wrongly suggesting that the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 this legislation will allow the military to capture and indefinitely detain any American citizen, and that the US Armed Forces would be able to perform law enforcement functions on American soil because of the authority conferred under Sections 1031 and 1032 of the Act.
Several people have asked about my votes on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. In particular, some people are wrongly suggesting that this legislation will allow the military to capture and indefinitely detain any American citizen, and that the US Armed Forces would be able to perform law enforcement functions on American soil because of the authority conferred under Sections 1031 and 1032 of the Act. While I do have other serious concerns with this legislation, those particular assertions could not be further from the truth. I want to take this time to explain what the law actually does, what my position is on these issues, and why I joined with Senators DeMint, Coburn and Lee to vote for those specific sections, but against cloture on the final bill.
Section 1031 of this act merely affirms the authority that the president already has to detain certain people pursuant to the current Authorization for Use of Military Force; in fact, this same section of the bill specifically states that nothing stated in Section 1031 is intended to expand the president’s power. In addition, this section sets specific limits on who can be detained under this act to only those people who planned or helped carry out the 9/11 attacks on the United States or people who are a member of, or substantially support, Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or their respective affiliates. There is no language that could possibly be construed as repealing the Posse Comitatus Act and allowing the US military to supplant your local police department in carrying out typical law enforcement activities.
In particular, some folks are concerned about the language in Section 1031 that says that this includes “any person committing a belligerent act or directly supported such hostilities of such enemy forces.” This language clearly and unequivocally refers back to Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or its affiliates. Thus, not only would any person in question need to be involved with Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or its surrogates, but that person must also engage in a deliberate and substantial act that directly supports their efforts against us in the war on terror in order to be detained under this provision. There is nothing in this bill that could be construed in any way that would allow any branch of the military to detain a law-abiding American citizen if you go to the local gun store or grocery store. What this section of the bill does is help provide for our national security by giving clarity to the military in regard to its authority to detain people who have committed substantially harmful acts against the United States. This is extremely important given that there are Al-Qaeda cells currently operating within our borders. I would not leave the risk of a terrorist attack that could claim the life of a member of my family up to chance, and I will not leave that risk for your family either.
Section 1032 of this bill concerns a smaller group of people who Congress feels are required to be detained by the US military because people who fit within this criteria are a more serious threat to our national security. Any person detained under Section 1032 must be a member of, or part of, Al-Qaeda or its associates AND they must have participated in the planning or execution of an attack against the US or our coalition partners. Simply put, the application of this detention requirement is limited to Al-Qaeda members that have tried to attack the US or its allies. However, this detention requirement is clearly limited by a clause that states that the requirement to detain does not extend to US citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Together, these two sections do the following: they affirm the authority of the executive branch to act within our national interest and they provide the federal government with the tools that are needed to maintain our national security. This bill does NOT overturn the Posse Comitatus Act; the military will not be patrolling the streets. This bill does not take away your rights as a citizen or lawful permanent resident; the authority under this act does not take away one’s habeas rights. These sections do NOT take away an individual’s rights to equal protection under the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, nor do they take away one’s due process rights afforded under the 5th or 14th. If this bill did such a thing, I would strongly oppose it.
I want to thank everyone for reaching out to the office to voice your concerns on this bill. I want to assure you that I always have, and always will, listen to your concerns and address them in a timely fashion. I know this bill is not perfect; in fact, I proposed 2 Amendments to prevent the President from transferring foreign terrorists to the US to be prosecuted in the federal court system, and I joined with Senators DeMint, Coburn, and Lee to vote against cloture. However, in regard to the assertions that this bill allows the US military to supplant our local police departments or that it allows the federal government to detain otherwise law abiding citizens for simply carrying on in their daily lives, those assertions are entirely unfounded. As always, if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.
11/21/11
Senator Rubio Comments On Super Committee’s Failure
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement that the congressional “Super Committee” failed to produce a plan to tackle the national debt:
“The Super Committee was a flawed idea from the start and, while I give credit to several of its members for making a good faith effort, its fate was sealed by the President’s failure to put forward a plan to cut spending and his unbreakable obsession with raising taxes on job creators.
“The consequences of this Washington-style leadership failure are not only a missed opportunity to reign in our debt, but also a step toward devastating cuts to our national security efforts. In sum, this threatens to leave us with a diminished economy, a less secure future and on track for our own Greece and Italy-like day of reckoning.
“We need to cut spending and save entitlements without enacting job-killing tax hikes that would hurt our economy. Until the American people rid Washington of politicians who are addicted to spending and intolerant of fundamental spending reforms, our job creators won’t have the confidence to go out and do what they do best, and our people will continue to suffer.”
11/18/11
Statement from Chairman Curry on New Florida Jobs Numbers
“Today we learned that Florida’s unemployment rate has dropped to 10.3%, the lowest rate we have seen in the past 28 months. This rate comes as Governor Scott hits the milestone of adding 100,000 new jobs since becoming Florida’s governor. Governor Rick Scott and Republican leaders in the Legislature are enacting policies that encourage entrepreneurs to grow and start businesses, and these policies are creating jobs in our state. Governor Scott is living up to his promise to get Floridians back to work.”
11/18/11
Senator Rubio Comments On The Balanced Budget Amendment
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution without sufficient taxpayer protections:
“I support a balanced budget amendment that is strong, meaningful and will actually help end Washington’s spending spree. The best measure is one that requires supermajorities to raise taxes and increase the debt limit, while enacting a cap on all federal spending, ideally at 18 percent of gross domestic product, like the amendment supported by all 47 Senate Republicans. Each of these provisions is vital to ensure that a balanced budget amendment effectively restrains spending and protects against automatic, job-killing tax increases. Unfortunately, that’s not what the House considered today. Taxpayers deserve a strong balanced budget amendment that will truly help end the decades-long legacy of out-of-control spending by both parties.”
11/18/11
Call for PIP Auto Insurance Reform
Governor Rick Scott’s Weekly Newsletter
Over the course of the past few weeks, CFO Jeff Atwater and I traveled across the state and talked to consumers about auto insurance. It is our goal this upcoming legislative session to pass legislation that address PIP fraud and lowers the cost of auto insurance. This $900 million hidden tax affects every Florida consumer. And it’s simply because the current laws are being taken advantage of. If we do nothing, costs will rise 29% every year for insurers. This cost is then passed on to Florida’s consumers.
Hearing first hand from Floridians the damaging effects that this fraud has on their pocketbooks was eye opening. Floridians are fed up with being cheated by scammers who get a payday while innocent citizens get stuck with the bill. To tackle this nearly billion dollar problem, and keep the cost of living low, Florida must have significant PIP reform.
To rein in increasing costs and keep the cost of living low for Floridians, we have identified four pillars that will fix this problem:
- Fraud prevention
- Litigation reform
- Provider reform
- Accountability
I am confident that with these meaningful reforms, that we can fix this problem for Florida’s consumers. I invite you to visit the links below to learn more about this problem and to watch a video to hear from Floridians who are fed up the rising costs of auto insurance.
11/18/11
Attorney General Bondi’s Weekly Briefing
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court announced their decision to hear the federal health care challenge. I am pleased that they have granted certiorari in the States’ challenge to the federal health care law. Throughout this case, we have urged swift judicial resolution because of the unprecedented threat that the individual mandate poses to the liberty of Americans simply because they live in this country.
We are hopeful that by June 2012 we will have a decision that protects Americans’ liberties and limits the federal government’s power. We look forward to presenting oral argument and defending our position that the individual mandate is unconstitutional, that the entire law fails if one part fails, that the Anti-Injunction Act does not apply, and that Medicaid’s expansion is unlawfully coercive.
11/15/11
Welcoming the New Year with 280 Years of Collective Experience
Brian E. Corley, Supervisor of Elections December Newsletter
The sun may be setting on 2011, but the elections' office is already arising to the challenge of the 2012 election cycle. Beginning with the Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) on January 31, 2012, my staff and I will bring 280 years of collective experience to the elections' process. Experience of this magnitude represents further testimony of our commitment to the citizens of Pasco County to deliver transparent, trouble-free, and secure elections.
Preparations for the PPP are already in full swing. Absentee ballots to overseas military and civilians will be mailed on December 17, 2011, with all others being mailed December 27, 2011. Bookclosing date for the PPP is January 3, 2012, and Early Voting will be available January 21 - 28. Check our website, pascovotes.com, for early voting hours, locations and wait times.
As a reminder, by law, Florida is a closed primary state. Voters may only vote for candidates in their party of registration, and because there are no democratic candidates, minor party candidates or amendments on the ballot for the PPP, it will be a partisan election for registered Republicans only. For further information and frequently asked questions about the PPP see pascovotes.com, or call 800-851-8754 for further assistance.
Happy Holidays to all from the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections' Office.
11/09/11
Rubio: Internet Regulation Will Hurt Innovation and Job Creation
Senator Marco Rubio U.S. Senate Floor Speech, November 9, 2011
Sen. Rubio: Thank you Mr. President. I rise in support of this resolution to disapprove the FCC’s open Internet order.
As we all know, the FCC wants to regulate the Internet.
And why? Well, there must be some sort of market failure that needs correcting, right? Or some Internet issue that needs fixing? Or some out of control providers that need regulating? After all, why would you need the regulations?
But that’s not the case at all. In fact, what we are talking about is one of the most successful sectors of our economy – one that has flourished with limited government regulation and continued to create jobs in the midst of a very deep recession and economic downturn.
Now since the Internet was privatized in the mid-1990s, it has prospered. The industry’s growth and impact on our economy, as well as its development of new, life-changing technologies and applications, is simply staggering.
Twenty years ago, the Internet as we know it did not even exist. And now, over 2 billion people use it.
Ten years ago, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Skype did not even exist. Now, hundreds of millions of people around the world are users.
Five years ago, mobile applications did not exist. At the end of last year, there were over half a million apps, and over ten billion will be downloaded this year. Hopefully they will be downloading mine because we came up with an app yesterday for our office.
Two years ago, the iPad did not exist. Now, over 25 million have been sold.
All of these advancements have expanded broadband access and encouraged private investment. In 2003, only 15 percent of Americans had access to broadband. And now, over 95 percent do.
And this growth will only continue. In its annual report on the Internet, Cisco projects that the Internet will quadruple in size over the next four years. And the one year growth from 2014 to 2015 will be equal to all the Internet traffic worldwide last year.
Clearly, the Internet industry is growing and innovating at lightning speed. And why has the industry been able to do this? Well, it is because the environment for innovation and job creation has been ripe, with government regulation not getting in their way.
Imagine that – the government has stayed out. It has taken the “light touch” approach, and the industry has prospered as a result.
The broadband expansion we have seen, the innovation that has occurred with computers and tablets, the explosion of smartphones and mobile devices, and the increased job creation – all have occurred without the FCC’s open Internet order.
So why does the government want to start regulating now? Is it because the Internet endangers public health or the environment? Clearly not.
Yet the proponents of Internet regulation claim that the freedom and growth of the Internet are in jeopardy. Quite frankly, it is my respectful opinion that that’s ridiculous.
To suggest that some type of regulation is needed flies in the face of the growth of the Internet economy.
This is one of the problems facing our economy and plaguing our country. We are regulating where regulation is not needed. We are regulating based on speculation, and we are regulating in search of a problem.
This is not how we encourage innovation. This is not how we create certainty in the marketplace, and this is definitely not how to encourage job creation.
Over the past few weeks, all we have talked about is jobs and rightfully so because throughout America, the number one issue facing Americans is jobs or the lack thereof. Yet here we are debating whether to overturn a regulation on one of the few growth areas of our economy, one of the few sectors that has and is creating good, high-paying jobs.
This should be common sense and it’s just no wonder that people watching at home think that this place, that Washington D.C., that the federal political process, is out of touch and dysfunctional.
Now, as the FCC drafted the open Internet order, the commission heard from broadband providers, including small businesses, about the problems the order would create and the negative impacts it would have on consumers.
One small Internet provider stated that the imposition of network management rules will hinder its ability to obtain investment capital and deploy new services in un-served areas.
The regulations would also increase costs and hamper innovation, which would only further discourage outside investment in the company.
In other words, the Internet regulation that we are talking about here today, this regulation, would lead to lower quality of services and raise operating costs, which would result in higher prices on consumers.
So we can clearly see the impacts of Internet regulation – less investment, less innovation, higher prices for consumers, lower quality services, increased business costs, and ultimately fewer jobs.
Companies will spend more money on compliance instead of investing in innovation and driving down prices. More money will be spent on lawyers, and not on engineers.
Now let me be clear, the Internet will still exist if Washington bureaucrats get their way on this. The Internet is still going to exist, but the order’s impact will be profound and it’s going to disrupt what has been one of America’s proudest entrepreneurial and industrial achievements in our history.
Now, I have heard proponents say that this regulation will preserve the open Internet as it exists today. But is my humble opinion, respectfully, that this is short sighted.
Personally, I don’t want to continue using the Internet of today. I want the Internet of tomorrow. I want the devices and applications I use today to soon be obsolete and out of date because the industry has continued to churn out something newer, something better and faster.
I want technologies to continue to develop and industries to continue to emerge. We are now using fewer devices for more telecommunications services. And it is not hard to imagine a day when we will use one device for all of them.
Now the industries, that’s where they are headed, that is the direction the industries are headed. But when you throw the government in the middle of it, the pace will slow, uncertainty will enter the marketplace and future innovations may just go unrealized.
One of the beautiful things about the Internet industry is that we don’t know what’s around the corner in terms of new technologies and innovations. If a few years ago you would have told someone you Googled them, they probably would have been offended. But today we know that means something. So we, going forward, have no idea what the future holds, what the new innovations, what the new ideas, the new technologies are going to be. But we know that technologies that we cannot even imagine today will very soon be part of our everyday lives.
And the question is whether we’re going to encourage that and, particularly, whether we are going to encourage that to happen here, or whether we are going to discourage that from happening.
Regulating the Internet and this specific measure we are trying today to knock down, if it passes, this specific measure will discourage that development.
The FCC and the federal government cannot keep pace with the Internet and the technology industries, and the government should not attempt to catch up through regulation or legislation. And that’s an important point. We are asking this government, we are asking this bureaucratic structure which struggles to keep pace with issues we have been facing for the last 20 years, to somehow keep pace with issues and the technology and the innovations that arrive in the Internet world. Not only do I think that is asking too much, I think it’s impossible.
Therefore, the government should not be looking at ways to preserve the status quo. What our government should be involved in is looking at ways to promote the future of these industries. And this Internet regulation does not promote the future.
Mr. President, I have previously spoken on this floor about the new American Century, about whether our country will continue to be a leader in this new century. And I believe, I do, with all the noise you hear and all the bad news every time you turn on the television, I believe with all my heart that there is no reason why this 21st century should not be every bit as much the American Century as the last century was. And one of the reasons I believe that is because of the advances that our entrepreneurs, our innovators are making in this field of the Internet.
If there is one sector of our economy that will ensure that the next century is an American one, it is the Internet and technology sector. It’s an industry where we are the leader, and it is the one that we must continue to lead.
And to do that, we must encourage innovation, incentivize investment, provide certainty in the marketplace and promote a competitive environment that this dynamic industry needs.
And that will require a passage of this resolution of disapproval.
So, I urge my colleagues to vote YES on the resolution.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
11/08/11
Senator Rubio Launches New iPhone, iPad & Android Applications
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio today released a full suite of mobile device applications to make it easier for constituents to follow his Senate work and contact his office. The new applications for iPhone, iPad, and Android are available now and offer simple access to Rubio’s blog, social media feeds and latest press releases.
“I am very encouraged by the level of constituent engagement we’ve seen this year through traditional letters and emails, but also through our constituent mailbox series, website blog, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages,” said Rubio. “With these apps, Floridians will have even more tools to help keep them connected to our office and communicate with us.”
The mobile applications were created by GSL Solutions in Tampa, Florida. They are available through mobile app stores and Rubio’s official Senate website, www.rubio.senate.gov.
11/07/11
Governor Scott Announces Boeing Will Add
550 Aerospace Jobs in Florida
This week I announced that Boeing will be adding 550 aerospace jobs on Florida’s Space Coast. They will manufacture and test its Crew Space Transportation-100 (CST-100) spacecraft and locate its Commercial Crew program headquarters at Kennedy Space Center. Boeing’s choice of Florida for its Commercial Crew program headquarters is evidence Florida has the world-class facilities and workforce expertise needed for aerospace companies to succeed. I commend Boeing for choosing Florida and look forward with working with them.
Also this week, I took part in my fourth “Let’s Get to Work” Day at Captain Anderson’s Restaurant and Waterfront Market in Panama City Beach. I chose Captain Anderson’s Restaurant for my fourth ‘Let’s Get to Work’ Day to highlight Florida’s world-famous seafood and its important role in attracting tourism. Every 85 visitors support one Florida job, which means the more people who travel to Northwest Florida to experience the fresh gulf seafood; the more jobs will be created. In the first six months of 2011, Florida saw a 4.5 percent increase in the number of visitors (44.3 million visitors), compared to the same period last year.
Throughout the day Saturday I worked in the kitchen making soup, baking pies and cleaning their fresh catch. I also got to serve tables. The best part of the day was spending time with the great employees at Captain Anderson’s and hearing from them the problems that they face. I would like to thank everyone involved in another successful ‘Let’s Get to Work’ Day, and I look forward to telling you next week about my workday at the Port of Miami.
11/04/11
Marco Rubio Uses Senate Platform to Call Attention to Human Trafficking
By Alex Leary, St. Petersburg Times, November 3, 2011
In Immokalee, a dozen Hispanics spent long days in the fields then were forced to sleep in a rental truck. In Boca Raton, Filipino workers pulled grueling shifts at country clubs then returned home as captives, fed rotten chicken and denied medical attention.
Stories like these from recent years in Florida are chilling examples of human trafficking — an issue officials say is growing but often overlooked.
“It’s a much bigger problem than I think most people are aware of and Florida, unfortunately, plays a role,” said U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
The state, in fact, is considered one of the hotbeds for human trafficking in the U.S., where each year up to 20,000 people are brought against their will or under false pretenses and forced to work or held captive.
Rubio said he wants to use his Senate platform to call more attention to the issue. The problem is most associated with prostitution, but forced labor is more common in Florida. A year ago in Pinellas County, FBI and local officials found 27 people living in two homes and suspected they were being forced to work at a Country Super Buffet. The case is still under investigation.
“People think slavery is something that happened 150 years ago and to the extent it’s happening, they think it’s happening halfway around the world, which it is,” Rubio said in an interview. “But it’s also happening here.”
Watch Sen. Marco Rubio’s floor speech here
11/03/11
Bullet train project nearly triples in cost from earlier projections
When Florida turned down federal money for a high speed rail project earlier this year, some of that money went to California for a similar project. Yesterday, it was reported that cost estimates for that high speed rail project in California have now tripled from earlier estimates. The train is now expected to cost California nearly $100 billion.
Governor Scott said in a statement that this news “reinforces that Florida made the right decision earlier this year to protect taxpayers from just this sort of boondoggle. As I said at the time, High Speed Rail would be far too costly to taxpayers and I believe the risk far outweighs the benefits. I’m glad Florida is no longer entangled in the high speed spending web.”
11/02/11
Senator Rubio Responds to President Obama’s Interview with Florida TV
Earlier today, Senator Marco Rubio responded to President Obama’s interview with FOX 13 in Tampa:
“I am willing to work with anybody who is willing to work on a real jobs bill. The problem is the jobs bill the President is proposing isn’t a real jobs bill. Just because you call it that doesn’t make it that. In fact, it’s very similar to the policies he pursued when he first came to office, policies that have made everything worse.
“Unemployment is higher. Our debt is higher. So here’s what I’m doing: I’m going to work with anybody who wants to work with me. I’m actively engaged in conversations with colleagues of mine, Democrats, in trying to come up with a bill on the things we can agree on. There are some issues that we are not going to agree on, and that’s why we have elections. But there are issues that we do agree on that I do think would start to get the economy moving forward. So hopefully we will have something to announce here soon.”
Video is available here.
11/01/11
First Lady of Florida's National Adoption Month Message
Hello. I am Ann Scott, First Lady of Florida and an advocate for Florida’s children. November is National Adoption Month.
On any given day in Florida, 800 children in foster care are available for adoption. These children deserve permanent families.
It is so important that they have parents to love and guide them. I have spent time with several of Florida’s foster children and they have captured my heart. I know they will touch yours as they share their hopes and dreams of belonging to a forever family.
In November, Florida is presenting 30 Days of Amazing Children: Explore Adoption! Every day a different “Amazing Child” will be featured on the Explore Adoption web site. These children are teenagers, sibling groups, and children with medical conditions who dream of finding a forever family. However, these amazing children often wait the longest to be adopted. Please encourage your family, friends, and colleagues to visit the Explore Adoption web site and meet these beautiful children. With your help, we can find them loving adoptive families.
While a private adoption can be expensive, adopting one of Florida's children in foster care costs little or nothing. In addition to changing the life of a child forever, Florida offers many benefits to adoptive families. I encourage you to visit adoptflorida.org. For Florida’s children waiting to be adopted, we can make November a month to remember.
Click here to view Mrs. Scott's video.
