Scott Criticized For Rubbing Salt In Wounds To Make Questionable Political Point

Original story link:
  http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/scott-touts-property-tax-cut-bill-at-south-1554221.html

The Palm Beach Post News

Scott touts property tax cut bill at South Florida water district where public job cuts anticipated

By Christine Stapleton

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Updated: 5:57 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Posted: 5:17 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2011

WEST PALM BEACH — Gov. Rick Scott was harshly criticized for being insensitive Wednesday after he traveled to the South Florida Water Management District to sign a bill that will cut $128 million from the district budget and cost many of its workers their jobs.

"We can agree to disagree on the merits of the bill the governor signed, but to come to Palm Beach County and rub salt in the wounds of people who will soon go home to their families unemployed is insulting and unnecessarily cruel," said State Rep. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth. "Can you imagine the governor showing up to celebrate your unemployment?"

Speaking before a sparse crowd, the Republican governor said the bill fulfilled his campaign promise to cut taxes, streamline government and hold agencies responsible for their spending.

The law, which Scott officially signed on May 26, gives lawmakers oversight of the state's five water management districts.

It also caps the amount of property taxes that the districts can collect. For the South Florida Water Management District, that means a 30 percent drop in property taxes it can collect in 2012.

Statewide the cuts will save homeowners and businesses $210.5 million and create a favorable tax and regulatory climate for businesses eyeing Florida, Scott said.

"The most important thing to creating jobs is lowering taxes," he said. "We've had great success in job creation."

Asked if he had any comment for the workers who will soon lose their jobs, Scott said he was focused on building private sector jobs. Despite the looming cuts, Scott said he decided to sign the bill at the district because the district is a "great institution" and because new Executive Director Melissa Meeker has already taken steps to "hold the agency responsible."

Since starting June 1, Meeker has restructured the district's top management at a savings of $1.2 million, through demotions and salary and benefit cuts. Workers have until June 30 to accept a buy-out plan or face layoffs and more cuts to salaries and benefits in July. Meeker, who was present but did not appear on stage with Scott, made no comment.

The governing board's executive director, Joe Collins, introduced the governor and assured him that the district was limiting unnecessary spending and "removing layers of bureaucracy." Collins said he did not know why the governor had chosen the district to sign the bill and steered clear of specific questions about pending cuts.

"As an agency we are going to focus on our core mission," Collins said. "We're not going to be all things to all people."

Kirk Fordham, CEO of the Everglades Foundation, questioned whether the tax cuts, which he estimates to be $25 a year per household, are worth the resulting cuts to Everglades restoration and water supply projects.

"It is a bit of an insult to the people of South Florida for the Governor to fly down on his private plane to offer the average homeowner a tax cut that amounts to less than 50 cents a week," Fordham said. "I'm not certain that gutting the agency in the midst of a massive water crisis is either smart politics or very good policy."