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State Of The State: Scott Uses Address To Lay Out Legislative Agenda

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is pushing for more tax cuts, more money for schools and lower state university tuition in his annual State of the State Address delivered on Tuesday.

Speaking on the opening of the 2015 legislative session, the Governor told the 160 state lawmakers that they agree on more than they disagree on. He then laid out his goals in the first year of his second term. Those include cutting taxes, spending more money on K-through-12, and making higher education more affordable.

“I want to work with you this year, to pass a College Affordability Bill,” said Scott. “That will hold the line on graduate school tuition, and bring transparency to university cost.”

Another part of the Scott agenda is investing in workforce development. However, there was no mention by the Governor on the developing controversy over high-stakes testing of Florida public school students. Nor did he mention the crisis in the state prison system.

Gov. Scott also didn't mention health care, Florida's high number of uninsured and whether the state should expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. That caught the ear of House Minority Leader Mark Pafford, who delivered one of two Democratic responses.

“Some Republicans and big business groups have said Florida should take money now going to other states,” Pafford said. “If we do that, we can expand health care coverage and solve some tough budget choices."

Expanding health care through Obamacare would place about 800,000 currently uninsured Floridians on the Medicaid rolls.

The other Democratic response came from said Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner, who contends that under Scott, Floridians are experiencing a deepening disconnect between them and the governor.

“Gov. Scott just doesn’t get it,” said Joyner. “(But) any Floridian stuck in a low-wage job, in a state flush with low-wage jobs, gets it.”

Early on in his address, Gov. Rick Scott mentioned "Florida exceptionalism" – where dreams come true, he says, through lows in unemployment, crime, and debt, and highs in tourism. He expressed optimism that he and the GOP-controlled legislature can get on the same pages of the hymnal.

“Certainly we all have our own ideas, that we’re going to debate with vigor,” said the Governor. “I do believe it’s important to acknowledge that we all have common goals. We want every person in this state to have the opportunity to live the dream of America.”

The 60-day legislative session began on the 170th anniversary of Florida statehood. It became the nation's 27th state on March 3, 1845. The final day, or “sine die,” is May 1.