Future more complex than Scott envisions
By TBO.COM | Tbo.com
Published: January 11, 2012 Updated: January 11, 2012 - 12:00 AM
Published: January 11, 2012 Updated: January 11, 2012 - 12:00 AM
Gov. Rick Scott is no inspirational speaker, and his State of the State address Tuesday was hardly inspiring. But we give the governor credit for consistency and sincerity.
He does not stray far from the message that government should stay out of the way of the private sector, which he rightly believes is the key to the state's economic recovery.
Scott can be proud of his efforts to streamline government, eliminate red tape and promote economic development.
Yet Scott, who was elected governor after living in Florida only seven years, still expresses a limited view of a state whose overwhelming growth created costly problems and ultimately led to a devastating economic collapse.
State officials sold the state on the cheap. They rightly promoted its warm weather and low taxes but gave too little attention to the need for roads, schools and environmental protections as newcomers streamed across the border. Rather than committing to building a diverse economy with high-paying jobs, Florida relied on nonstop growth and development.
So much depended on growth that when growth stopped, the state's economy fell on its face. Yet here was Scott, bragging that Florida would soon overtake New York in population, urging New Yorkers to come on down because of our warm weather and low taxes.
The governor should be proud that Florida operates on about half the budget of tax-happy New York. But it's also worth mentioning that Florida's unemployment rate is 10 percent while New York's is 8. Florida's appeal — and its economy — should be based more on good jobs than on cheap costs and sunny skies.
To attract those high-quality jobs, Florida needs to offer good schools, safe neighborhoods, efficient transportation and a clean environment. Doing all that can involve more than having government "get out of the way."
One can be against smothering taxes and entangling regulations and still recognize the need to invest strategically in Florida's future welfare.
Scott ignored Florida's past last year when he led the charge to jettison growth management rules, environmental protections and other safeguards adopted to address costly problems created by irresponsible growth. Some surely needed to go, but others were aimed at avoiding costs for taxpayers and ensuring Florida's future appeal.
Such matters do not appear to be a priority to Scott, if his speech is any indication.
Scott does seem to be learning from his travels around the state, and he pledged to spend another $1 billion on education. With the state facing a $2 billion shortfall, Scott's commitment to schools is a far cry from a year ago, when he cut education by $1.3 billion.
Scott also emphasized the need to ensure the higher education system produces innovative workers who can compete internationally.
He rightly stressed the importance of attacking fraud in personal injury protection insurance — a case, he might note, where additional regulations would help both consumers and the marketplace.
Surprisingly, he didn't even mention the insidious proposal to greatly expand casino gambling in the state. That proposal appears to be another attempt to sell the state on the cheap, rather than build a strong economic foundation. Scott needs to stand tall on this threat.
We agree that Scott's less-government strategy will create jobs, but we wish he would consider state history before trying to erase so much of what Florida leaders agreed to do before he took office.
He does not stray far from the message that government should stay out of the way of the private sector, which he rightly believes is the key to the state's economic recovery.
Scott can be proud of his efforts to streamline government, eliminate red tape and promote economic development.
Yet Scott, who was elected governor after living in Florida only seven years, still expresses a limited view of a state whose overwhelming growth created costly problems and ultimately led to a devastating economic collapse.
State officials sold the state on the cheap. They rightly promoted its warm weather and low taxes but gave too little attention to the need for roads, schools and environmental protections as newcomers streamed across the border. Rather than committing to building a diverse economy with high-paying jobs, Florida relied on nonstop growth and development.
So much depended on growth that when growth stopped, the state's economy fell on its face. Yet here was Scott, bragging that Florida would soon overtake New York in population, urging New Yorkers to come on down because of our warm weather and low taxes.
The governor should be proud that Florida operates on about half the budget of tax-happy New York. But it's also worth mentioning that Florida's unemployment rate is 10 percent while New York's is 8. Florida's appeal — and its economy — should be based more on good jobs than on cheap costs and sunny skies.
To attract those high-quality jobs, Florida needs to offer good schools, safe neighborhoods, efficient transportation and a clean environment. Doing all that can involve more than having government "get out of the way."
One can be against smothering taxes and entangling regulations and still recognize the need to invest strategically in Florida's future welfare.
Scott ignored Florida's past last year when he led the charge to jettison growth management rules, environmental protections and other safeguards adopted to address costly problems created by irresponsible growth. Some surely needed to go, but others were aimed at avoiding costs for taxpayers and ensuring Florida's future appeal.
Such matters do not appear to be a priority to Scott, if his speech is any indication.
Scott does seem to be learning from his travels around the state, and he pledged to spend another $1 billion on education. With the state facing a $2 billion shortfall, Scott's commitment to schools is a far cry from a year ago, when he cut education by $1.3 billion.
Scott also emphasized the need to ensure the higher education system produces innovative workers who can compete internationally.
He rightly stressed the importance of attacking fraud in personal injury protection insurance — a case, he might note, where additional regulations would help both consumers and the marketplace.
Surprisingly, he didn't even mention the insidious proposal to greatly expand casino gambling in the state. That proposal appears to be another attempt to sell the state on the cheap, rather than build a strong economic foundation. Scott needs to stand tall on this threat.
We agree that Scott's less-government strategy will create jobs, but we wish he would consider state history before trying to erase so much of what Florida leaders agreed to do before he took office.
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A one-of-a-kind resource walking you through one complete fraud investigation, from the original tip to conviction in court
Anatomy of a Fraud Investigation is an engrossing read and a valuable resource for fraud investigators, auditors, or anyone who suspects fraud may be occuring in their organizations and is unsure as to how to act. It details all phases of a fraud investigation from the first suspicion of fraud to the final judgment in court, through the eyes of a forensic accountant.
In each phase, the author provides insights based on his twenty-two years as a forensic accountant from where to sit at the table when you bring the suspected fraudster in for questioning, to how you protect the! key sou rces of information that the suspect will try to destroy once he or she realizes they are under investigation.
- In-depth analysis of a fraud investigation
- Based on an actual investigation conducted by the author
- Each chapter contains valuable tips and key considerations, providing subtext for why decisions were made and bringing to light potential risks
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