Phil Ammann
Florida Gov. Rick Scott will not be getting a sunny reception on his trip to Philadelphia next week, at least from Pennsylvania’ s Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
Scott’s journey north, says the Governor’s Office, is to urge companies to think about moving to sunny, warm, no-income-tax Florida. According to a release, the trip is a “business-development mission” to encourage corporate CEOs to “buy a one-way ticket to the Sunshine State.”
That is not how Wolf sees it.
“It’s a political stunt,” Wolf spokesperson Jeff Sheridan told Amy Worden of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “The stagnant economy we inherited is not our doing, yet he didn’t come under our predecessor.”
Joining Scott on the trip, which will be paid for by Florida taxpayers, will be representatives of the state’s tourism, economic development, and education agencies. He would not reveal which companies are on the agenda.
“Our goal is to make Florida the number-one destination in the world for jobs,” the press release continued. “I am leading a delegation to Philadelphia to send a message to all Pennsylvania job creators and families that we want you to keep more of the money you make because we understand it’s your money.”
Scott then accused Wolf of vowing to raise taxes, and promoted Florida as a business haven that has no income taxes and low corporate tax rates.
“Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed tax increases and mandates on businesses,” the statement added, “will no doubt be heavy blows to Pennsylvania families.”
It is not the first time Scott has brought his economic message to states with Democratic leaders. Others include California, Illinois, and Maryland.
However, while some in Pennsylvania see the trip as “political theater,” Scott’s visit could bring a ray of Florida sunshine.
“As a native Pennsylvanian, I want to grow jobs here,” Gene Barr, president of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, told the Inquirer. “But this is an opportunity to have someone from the outside pointing out places we need to focus on.”
