The State of Florida, Inc. ??

[GoodWitch58]

Scott will learn government is not a business - St. Petersburg Times

Barely a month has passed since Gov. Rick Scott took office, and it is clear he views his new job as Florida's chief executive no differently than his old job as chief executive assembling the nation's largest hospital chain.

It's just another hostile takeover.

The inclination is to give a new governor the benefit of the doubt and let him settle into office a bit. Scott squandered that with his arbitrary decisions and disregard for other institutions, including the Cabinet, Congress, the voters and the media. But he will learn that government is not a business. There are more checks and balances on the governor than the chief executive of a private hospital chain that flouted the law.

It will be interesting to watch whether that lesson is taught by the Legislature, the courts or the public.

I wonder how long it will take regular Floridians (those who aren't involved with politics on a regular basis, or who aren't paying attention for whatever reason) to figure how what is going on here...

 

[GoodWitch58]

Even accounting for partisan bias, possible inaccuracies, and a different "world view" I believe all Floridians should be concerned (at least enough to pay attention to what is going on, if not take an active part to have a voice) about the way this Governor is heading. Does he not have an obligation to be the governor for all Floridians? Not just the Tea party...

Menace to Society: 7 Reasons Rick Scott is bad for Florida : The Reid Report

Inside the cavernous First Baptist Church of Eustis, Scott stood in front of a made-for-TV backdrop that said ?Reducing Spending & Holding Government Accountable.?

The church, which seats 800, was filled to overflowing, and people waved miniature American flags and sang God Bless the USA and God Bless America. Warm-up speakers criticized President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, and praised Roger Vinson, the federal judge in Pensacola who last week struck down the Obama health plan as unconstitutional.

Before the public event, Scott hosted a private lunch for tea party activists at a nearby civic center. Activists said they would push for Scott?s budget in the same way they fought health care reform.

 

[30A Skunkape]

While I didn't vote for him I am still in the 'give him a chance' camp. I did hear a positive bit of news this morning on WFSU-a green energy business is relocating to the Tallahassee area from California, citing Scott's business friendly plans. I think the company will bring over 200 jobs-I think they design hydrogen batteries.

 

[30ashopper]

While I didn't vote for him I am still in the 'give him a chance' camp. I did hear a positive bit of news this morning on WFSU-a green energy business is relocating to the Tallahassee area from California, citing Scott's business friendly plans. I think the company will bring over 200 jobs-I think they design hydrogen batteries.

Me too, at one point or another he has specifically mentioned dealing with issues I consider major. For example he recently stated fixing Citizens was a top priority this year. His budget also looks good on the face of it. Positive impressions thus far for me.

 

[GoodWitch58]

While I didn't vote for him I am still in the 'give him a chance' camp. I did hear a positive bit of news this morning on WFSU-a green energy business is relocating to the Tallahassee area from California, citing Scott's business friendly plans. I think the company will bring over 200 jobs-I think they design hydrogen batteries.

I saw that too; think I have a link.http://www.tampabay.com/news/politi...rick-scott-touts-244-new-florida-jobs/1150840 We must give him a chance, we don't have any choice now; however, I think we all need to pay attention. Much of what I am reading and hearing is of concern to me. IMO there is a place for government in the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the state; we are not a corporation just interested in the "bottom line, " nor should we mix the governance of the state with religion; and when we reduce education evaluations of teachers and students to standardized test scores alone, or primarily, we are not doing a service to those students, teachers, or society as whole. We are more than the complilation of test scores just as we are more than corporate profit and loss statements.
And development is not, by definition, "good for a state or country" -- just look around South
Walton; we need the regulations to curtail the developers--in fact, if Walton County had not "looked the other way", essentially ignoring the rules that were in place, I dare say we would not have so many empty houses, retail and office properties, and half finished housing areas...today as we do. Eliminating the Growth Management plans will give license to rampant sprawl...I can only hope that the legislators listen to all their constituents--not just the tea party or ultra conservative ones.

 

[scooterbug44]

I like that he is tackling so many of these issues, and I think many of his budget changes are needed - but I am very concerned that in many cases the baby is being thrown out with the bathwater and we are swapping short term savings for long term expenses and political intrigues.

He's got me with him on the big picture ideas, but most of the details are dead wrong to move our state forward.

For example - I think most his proposed changes to the pension plan are long overdue - but what some of his reforms mean to what I consider essential/line of fire personnel like fire and police are a big step backwards.

Addressing recidivism in prisons - fanfreakingtastic............ until you find out another part of that is transferring people to private facilities.

Yes, we have too many rules, regulations, and bureaucracy in many cases - but that means we STREAMLINE them, not create gaping holes that allow business to destroy our resources.

 

[GoodWitch58]

exactly...

I think we should streamline all government processes--not throw them completely out;

I think it's okay for state workers to pay into their pension plans--but phase it in, so that you don't burden public servants who already have lower salaries than their counterparts in private industry and who have not had a salary increase in FIVE years; with what amounts to a 5% pay cut immediately.

I think we should reward those teachers who do a good job -- but I do not believe that "good job" can be determined by the scores their students make on tests like
FCAT...or the opinion of the school administrator;

I think growth needs to be managed for the good of all society, and if any particular part of the Growth Management Act needs to be streamlined, then do that on a one by one basis; we can not afford to throw all these laws out because they are "difficult for business" w/out considering the good they do for society.

I believe we have a moral responsibility to help children, the elderly, the disabled and the homeless...not with handouts, but with services that not only protect them, but offer them a way to success; for when they suffer all society suffers in one way or another;

I am not sure that making private prisons one of the top economic developments of the day, (and this was long before Gov Scott) was the best way to go; if we are taking those prisoners who have not committed a violent crime out of the system and into some sort of route back to society, then, I think that is a good idea--but, not just to make some corporation who builds and runs prisons more money.

There must be some compassion and leadership along with business acumen...all Floridians must be treated fairly, not just the business community IMO.

 

[30ashopper]

I think we should reward those teachers who do a good job -- but I do not believe that "good job" can be determined by the scores their students make on tests like
FCAT...or the opinion of the school administrator;

Is their direct superior isn't qualified to make that decision, who is? How would you structure a review system?

 

[hkem1]

Is their direct superior isn't qualified to make that decision, who is? How would you structure a review system?

How about every teacher has a 1 year contract and negotiates his/her salary on a yearly basis?

 

[GoodWitch58]

Is their direct superior isn't qualified to make that decision, who is? How would you structure a review system?

read what I wrote again...Opinion is not a review...

I would structure a review system that takes into account many factors...have a team teacher/lead teacher structure and have guidelines that cover accomplishments of the students not just test scores.

Many students do not test well; but, they might know the material...all students start from a different place --their accomplishments should count even if they all don't score "x" on some test.

This is not rocket science--it does exist in school systems in this country and around the world. In fact, the teachers themselves can probably design the review.

I think most of the problem with this is that the legislature has been trying to dictate to teachers for years. And, I know from first hand experience from both sides of the equation: legislators know very little about educating students--not even those who were teachers once upon a time.