- April 26, 2024
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Scott says he will connect Flagler with state officials to cut regulations.
One of the favorite topics of discussion among elected officials in Flagler County is unfunded mandates and state regulations. Around the table at the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates Aug. 29, a representative from each elected board had a chance to vent to Gov. Rick Scott and Sen. John Thrasher — and found that both men were sympathetic.
“The same issues you have with the state, we have with the federal government,” Scott said, in a rare visit to Flagler. But, he said, he has made it a personal mission to eliminate job-killing regulations at the state level, and he hopes to eliminate 1,100 more regulations next year.
“Give me a list of all unfunded mandates,” Scott said. “Get them to me, and I’ll go through them.”
Clearing away regulations is one aspect of making Florida the most business-friendly state in the country, Scott said. He said if any official gives him a phone number of a business thinking of coming to Florida, he will personally call the business to promote the state.
“People want to live here,” he said. “It’s just finding a fit.”
Facing a $3 billion deficit, he said the state budget was cut by $4 billion this year, leaving the state with a $1 billion surplus, which will be used to pay down some of the state’s $28 billion in debt and/or be held in reserve in the event of a natural disaster.
Beach renourishment
Flagler Beach City Commissioner John Feind said the most important issue to address is beach renourishment. He said the city has had a hard time fostering cooperation between the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Army Corps of Engineers.
“If you will give me a card, I’ll get everybody to come to town,” Scott said. “We’ll have a meeting.”
He had apparently been briefed on the issue. He referred to a conversation he’d had with Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad.
“The way it was explained to me,” Scott said, “is that it’s either move A1A or build a sea wall.”
But, he reiterated: “The right thing to do is to get all … of these agencies to sit down with you and deal with it.”
Internet cafés
John Thrasher said the senate would clarify the state’s position on Internet cafés and gambling in the next session.
Because the state will be redistricting next year, the committees are beginning to meeting in September, with the next session to begin in January.
No Child Left Behind
School Board member Andy Dance congratulated Scott on spending time working in various jobs in his “work days” program.
“When you’re ready to do a work day as a public school teacher, we’d love to tell you exactly what goes on in a class room,” Dance said.
Dance added that he would provide Scott with a list of the unfunded mandates that handcuff the school system, and Scott committed to reviewing them.
Scott also said he would pursue federal waivers for Florida for No Child Left Behind, at Dance’s request.
Scott began the meeting by saying education has been a focus of his brief tenure as governor so far.
He said that the state’s education system is stronger after the Legislature voted to get rid of tenure for teachers, started the process of paying teachers based on merit, and made it easer for charter schools to expand. These decisions will make it easier for schools to keep the best teachers and give parents more freedom with respect to their children’s education, Scott said.
After the meeting, Dance said it was a positive sign that Scott was making an effort to reach out to Flagler.
Contact Brian McMillan at [email protected].
