governor rick scott's assault on florida's economy, residents' quality of life

Rick Scott has been Florida's Governor for less than one year but the damage being done under his leadership will impact our state for generations to come. Scott's campaign mantra was "job creation", but in reality Governor Scott's policies are starving the state instead of investing in it. Florida's overall economic stability, public health and environmental protections are at risk.  

Water Quality

Governor Scott ordered reckless budget cuts to critical state agencies like the Water Management Districts, Department of Environmental Protection, and others that protect our water quality. These cuts will result in the slow-down of much needed water quality improvement projects, or may halt these projects altogether. These agencies are responsible for supplying water, managing flood control, and issuing environmental permits that protect our natural resources. Governor Scott's cuts will undoubtedly impact the state's ability to supply residents and businesses with clean and safe water.

In June, Governor Scott signed into law a tax break for property owners touted as an economic stimulus that in the end could cost residents much more in lost services than the actual rebate. It is definitely a sweet deal for large companies like Florida Power and Light that stand to gain a staggering $1.8 million in tax breaks, whereas the average Florida household will retain a paltry $25 this year.

Governor Scott is sacrificing a safe and abundant water supply for residents and our tourism-rich economy by not prioritizing water quality and quantity issues. It is time for Florida to start charging polluters to clean up their act instead of rewarding them with tax incentives. Does Governor Scott really believe giving tax breaks to big businesses and free permits to polluters will create more jobs, a healthier economy, and protect our water supply?

Growth Management

Governor Scott also signed into law the Community Planning Act, which will uproot longstanding growth management regulations that have guided Florida's development since 1985. The new law not only restricts the state's ability to oversee projects with regional or statewide impacts, it also significantly reduces citizens' ability to get involved in local land use planning decisions.

Now, local municipalities can amend their comprehensive plans as often as they like to accommodate major development, and residents will have little or no opportunity to comment on projects that will negatively impact our water resources and facilitate sprawl development. To make matters worse, developers will no longer be responsible to pay their fair share of infrastructure costs to support new development, like roadway improvements, police or school concurrency.

Governor Scott has inflicted serious and long-term damaging changes that Florida can't afford. His job-killing budget also attacks teachers, firefighters, public employees, and health care workers.

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