Scott-O-Meter: Tracking the promises of Gov. Rick Scott
PolitiFact Florida has compiled promises that Rick Scott made during the 2010 campaign and is tracking their progress on our Scott-O-Meter.
We rate their status as Not Yet Rated, In the Works or Stalled. Once we find action is completed, we rate them Promise Kept, Compromise or Promise Broken. (See our About the Scott-O-Meter page for details on our ratings.)
The report card at right provides an up-to-the-minute tally of all the promises.
Browse the Scott-O-Meter:
Promises we’ve rated recently
Grow Florida's economy by $74 billion in state GDP, $41 billion in higher personal income, and $1 billion in total state tax revenues
The Promise:
"In total, Florida's economy will gain an additional 700,000 jobs, $74 billion in state GDP, $41 billion in higher personal income, $1 billion in total state tax revenues as a direct result of the increased economic growth."
Update January 18th, 2012:
Gov. Rick Scott's promise to boost economy relies on passing entire agenda
Require drug screening for welfare recipients
The Promise:
"Require drug screening for (welfare) recipients."
Create over 700,000 jobs
The Promise:
"The 7-step economic program — over a 7-year period — will have a positive economic impact and create over 700,000 jobs for the state of Florida."
Lower workers' compensation costs by 35 percent
The Promise:
Will make "a 35 percent reduction in workers' compensation costs."
Reduce prisoner costs by $1 billion
The Promise:
"Paying competitive market-based salaries for corrections staff, utilizing inmate labor to grow prison food, and competitively bidding health care contracts resulting in public prison costs that are as low as private prisons, prisoner costs would be reduced by $1 billion."
Return Florida's state and local spending to at least the 2004 level
The Promise:
"Return Florida's state and local expenditure burden to at least the 2004 level before spending ballooned out of control."
Include universities in state economic development grants
The Promise:
"Partner with universities... State economic development grants will always include partnerships with universities to develop research strengths into unique clusters."
Update January 5th, 2012:
Legislature funded the Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research
Refuse temporary federal funds that create permanent spending
The Promise:
"Refuse temporary funding from the federal government that creates permanent spending in Florida."
No budget gimmicks, one-time revenues, borrowed funds, temporary funds or tax increases
The Promise:
"Balance the budget — without gimmicks, one-time revenues, borrowed funds, temporary funds, or tax increases."
Expand use of nuclear power and alternative fuels
The Promise:
"As governor, Rick will work toward energy independence from foreign oil with the expansion of nuclear power, the use of alternative fuels and ensure that we can drill for oil safely.”
Will fight immigration amnesty
The Promise:
"Rick is opposed to amnesty and will fight amnesty for lawbreakers."
Support university-private partnerships
The Promise:
"I support the State University System partnering with government and private industry to pursue advanced applications, production and research in sustainable energy endeavor. Therefore we will pursue additional programs such as the FHTCC throughout the state." *(Florida High Technology Corridor Council)
Update January 5th, 2012:
South Florida schools talking about economic development cooperative
Pay competitive market-based salaries for corrections staff
The Promise:
Pay "competitive market-based salaries for corrections staff."
Reduce property tax by another 1 mill over next 7 years
The Promise:
"Phase in another 1 mill reduction (to the school property tax) over the next 7 years."
Propose biennial budgets and give the public time to participate
The Promise:
"Propose biennial budgets in order to adequately review budget goals and give the public time to participate in the budget process."
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