Rick Scott Has Raised $18 Million Even Though Most Floridians Can't Stand Him

Since the day he was elected, Rick Scott has been one of the most unpopular governors in America, often hovering below 30 percent in polls. He's tried everything from casual Fridays to flipping hamburgers in local restaurants to boost his numbers. But the most recent Q poll still shows nearly 60 percent of Floridians simply don't like the guy.

So how the hell has Scott has already racked up nearly $20 million for his re-election campaign? Oh right, from the corporate giants who do love him. The Tampa Bay Times tallied up Scott's fundraising this weekend for his political action committee, Let's Get to Work, and found that 2,600 donors have already pumped about $18.5 million into the effort.
Polls aside, that kind of cash gives Scott a major head start over any Democratic challenger who will have to spend a considerable chunk of change to navigate a testy primary to get to the gubernatorial race.
(Keep in mind, $18 million is already more money than Alex Sink spent on her entire losing campaign to Scott in the last race.)
And Scott can thank some huge businesses for his campaign wealth. His biggest donor is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, which surely appreciates Scott's refusal to set up the Obamacare exchanges that could lower premiums for ordinary residents; the company has donated $637,500 to the governor.
Next is the Seminole Tribe of Florida -- a big fan of Scott's willingness to listen to new gambling proposals -- with just over $500,000. Also on the list are Florida Power & Light and right-leaning magnates such as Wayne Huizenga and Las Vegas powerbroker Sheldon Adelson.
We're a long way from the 2014 governor's race, but what exactly would it say about Florida democracy if Scott spends his way to re-election on the financial back of his corporate followers while ordinary Sunshine State residents can't stand his face?

It's the will of the people*!
(*"People," meaning "corporations," per the U.S. Supreme Court.)
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http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2013/10/rick_scott_remains_wildly_unpo.php

Governor Rick Scott Is Still Hiding Money

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Guest Blogger •

This year the Florida Legislature passed a new blind trust law. The ink had not dried on Gov. Rick Scott’s signature before he decided to test the new law. Scott wanted to make sure the money he had made documented on his questionable personal portfolio was in line with the new law, a law that he and his Republican cronies helped write.

Rick Scott made sure he “stacked the deck” beforehand. According to the Tampa Bay Times, five of (the Ethics Commission) nine members (were) appointed by the governor. “The governor has hit all the requirements of the statute,” said the panel’s general counsel Christopher Anderson, who added that Scott was “ahead of the game” in 2011 and complies with the new law.

Governor Rick Scott

Scott asked for the commission’s opinion to ensure the blind trust complies with a new law. “The governor has hit all the requirements of the statute,” said Anderson.
The voting public conveniently forgets what Scott did. The Sun Sentinel reports that Scott perpetrated fraud that “ was and still is the biggest Medicare fraud case in U.S. history and ended with the hospital giant Columbia/HCA paying a record $1.7 billion in fines, penalties and damages.” Scott was co-founder and CEO of Columbia/HCA in the 1990s, when the FBI launched a massive, multi-state investigation that led to the company pleading guilty to criminal charges of overbilling the government.
If fines and penalties of $1.7 Billion are any indication that big money was made then one must think there was a lot of it. Medicare insurance fraud is big money and Rick Scott made a bunch of it. The Tallahassee Democrat indicated that the amount of money that may have been made, “When Scott first sought office, he reported a net worth of $218 million, while the filing he turned in earlier this summer showed that his net worth was nearly $84 million as of the end of 2012.”
The fact that Scott refuses to take any money for being governor, 12-cents a year, allows him to do, basically, whatever he wants when filling out financial disclosure forms. It seems doubtful the state of Florida’s Republican Legislature really cares what he makes. The state is saving $130,00 in salary per year. NorthEscambia.com reported that “Gov. Rick Scott was worth $83.77 million as he wrapped up his second year in office, according to a newly posted financial disclosure form. The blind trust, which accounts for $72.8 million, made $3.1 million in interest last year.”
Dan Krassner, executive director of Integrity Florida, questioned the independence of the blind trust since the company managing Scott’s account — Hollow Brook Wealth Management — included Scott’s portfolio manager for 10 years. An accountant at the company also worked for Scott for 12 years. Old cronies? It must depend on who’s asking.
The question here is not whether Scott is crooked but just how much of that crooked money did he keep? Think about it when standing in the voting booth next year.
http://www.ringoffireradio.com/2013/09/governor-rick-scott-still-hiding-money/

Engaged Citizens Deserve The Tools To Hold Their Public Servants Accountable

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In an effort to shift the balance of power from politicians to the people they represent, Representative Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg) today filed legislation to permit the recall of state officials.

Florida currently allows for the recall of local elected officials, but there is no provision in state law to allow for the recall of state officials. House Joint Resolution 785 and House Bill 787, both sponsored by Representative Kriseman, would allow the public to recall from office Florida legislators, members of the Florida Cabinet, governor and lieutenant governor.

“Engaged citizens deserve the tools to hold their public servants accountable without having to wait for the next election,” said Representative Kriseman. “Honest and dedicated elected officials will have nothing to fear from the implementation of this important proposal, and I am confident that my colleagues will support its passage.”

HJR 785 allows for a petition to recall a statewide official, requiring signatures be collected from each of the 67 counties, and the signatures equal 15 percent of the total votes cast in the last election for the office. A petition to recall a member of the Florida Legislature would require signatures from 20 percent of the total votes cast in the last election for the office.

If HJR 785 is approved by the Legislature, voters will be asked on the November 2012 General Election ballots to amend the state constitution with the recall provision. House Bill 787 would create a statutory recall provision.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 18 states now permit the recall of state officials.

For more on the legislation:
http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/sponsoredbills.aspx?MemberId=4393&SessionId=66