Gov. Scott Cites 'Great' Session, Critics Disagree

WEST MIAMI-DADE (CBS4)-Newly elected Republican Florida Governor Rick Scott said the state had a "great" Legislative session, but not everyone agrees.

That's because critics are citing an anti consumer legislative session, which saw layoffs, benefit reductions for state employees, a cut to teachers salaries and shaky job security and homeowners insurance rate hike.

Scott in South Florida for the annual Hurricane Conference where meteorologists, emergency managers and government officials are meeting in Ft. Lauderdale. More than 1,740 people from 59 Florida counties, 28 states and three foreign countries are expected to attend.

"We had a great session," Scott said. "Whether it's pension reform, whether it's education reform, streamlining government, streamlining economic development, which is the key to the future of our state."

But not everyone agrees with Scott. Miami resident Cheryl Stevens is one of them.

"I've been less than impressed with the session to be completely honest with you," she said.

"Taxes could always come down as far as I'm concerned," another resident said. "No question about that."

Stevens she doesn't agree with Scott's vision.

"We need jobs," she said. "I mean, Rick Scott ran on let's get to work and he's put more people out of work than any they else. Property taxes…property values are going down and I can't understand how they wants to give breaks to big business and the average everyday citizen is going to end up paying for this."

The governor is confident that phasing out a business tax will help build private sector jobs, jobs that will also come from building better relationships with local businesses and outside industry.

"How many business people you know that if they have more money in their pockets they won't hire more people and buy more equipment," Scott said.

Scott stated that the unemployment rate has dropped since he took over.

"Unemployment was 12 percent when I came into office in December," he said. "It's now down 11.1 percent. That's the positive. The negative (is that) we still have a lot of people out of work."

The governor said reducing property taxes will also mean more money into the economy and reducing the size of government will cost that state less. But some are questioning many of the governor's reforms and asking at what cost they will be for taxpayers.

"I don't see how it's going to help his big business cronies," Stevens said.