TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The self-proclaimed Jobs Governor is going after jobs and businesses on the West Coast. Florida's Rick Scott will embark on a trade delegation Sunday as radio and print ads are already sending his message.
Scott has been vocal and bold about bringing businesses to Florida and now, in conjunction with a public/private partnership group, he's trying to take on Los Angeles, in a way that might hurt some feelings.
"This is breaking news from the state of Florida. Are you a business owner sick of paying high taxes? Are you facing burdensome regulations that are hindering your ability to compete and succeed globally?"
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That's the beginning of a radio spot playing in Los Angeles this weekend. It's produced by Enterprise Florida the public/private partnership organization charged with economic growth.
LISTEN: Gov. Scott's California radio ad
"California has the nation's highest personal income tax rate, the highest state sales tax and one of the highest gas taxes. Florida Governor Rick Scott is leading a delegation to California to meet with companies to tell them why Florida is the best place to do business," the radio ad continued.
Scott and the delegation will point to Florida advantages. No state income tax, no capital gains tax and a decreasing business tax. But this could be tricky business
"What you don't want to do is alienate other states by bashing them," News4Jax political analyst and former Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll said.
Carroll defends the idea of recruiting businesses but warns that it should be done without stepping on West Coast toes.
"People understand what the negatives are in their state. But they also have state pride. You wouldn't want something like that to have a campaign against businesses in Florida. Certainly we have negatives like crime, our river quality and so forth," Carroll said.
"If you're looking to relocate and expand your business, look no further than the Sunshine State. Gov Scott wants your company to succeed in Florida," the radio ad states.
One of the questions for people about trips like this concerns cost. Is it worth the expense? In this case Enterprise Florida pays most of the expenses on the trip.
It can often take years to measure the results of these recruiting trips.