Thanks for posting this.. Scott has been a colossal disappointment
interesting plan - loving number 4
[h=1]Economic Plan[/h] I have a seven-point economic plan to restore and grow our economy.
In order to invigorate the state economy and create the right conditions for prosperity and job growth, we first have to identify the root causes of the economic problem, and then implement a comprehensive plan to fix it. Most of the problems we face originate from too much government intervention. Government spends far too much of our money. To feed their spending habit, government over-taxes us, which stifles free enterprise and individual prosperity. Government over-regulates us, placing barricades in the path of small business growth. Government plays favorites by providing subsidies or tax breaks to some businesses, giving them a competitive advantage over all others. And finally, government sometimes even turns a blind eye when large corporate interests flaunt the law and defraud the people.
First, we will dramatically cut the size of the state budget. Gov. Scott seeks to increase the state budget to $74.5 billion. That is absolutely ridiculous. My staff and I have been combing through the state budget searching for waste and inefficiency. No more pork projects for legislators and special interest groups. After an initial review, I believe that we can cut the state budget by over 30% without negatively impacting critical government services. The less money government spends, the more money the people get to keep, spend and invest.
Second, we will cut taxes. With a reduction in the state budget, we can allow Floridians to keep more of what they earn by reducing taxes. One of the first taxes that I plan to cut are “ad valorem” taxes, or taxes on tangible property. This takes many forms, from the property taxes you pay on your home, which are assessed and collected by your county government; to tangible taxes all businesses pay annually on their office equipment, machinery, tools, etc. Reducing the tangible tax burden on businesses will mean more capital available to them to expand their business and hire new workers. Capping, reducing, and eventually eliminating property tax will stimulate the real estate market, by making home purchases more affordable. We will eliminate special favors, tax breaks and subsidies to a select few business, preferring instead to cut taxes equally across the board.
Third, we will reduce unnecessary regulation. Across the state, I’ve spoken with many small business owners, as well as people who would like to start a small business. One of the most common reasons people tell me that they don’t expand or start their business is the difficulty in complying with government regulation, licensing, permitting, environmental impact, and the nightmare of bureaucracy one must deal with in order to comply. Small business owners are forced to follow with volumes of sometimes idiotic regulations from State agencies like the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Department of Environmental Protection, Agency for Health Care Administration, Department of Revenue, Department of Economic Opportunity, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Corporations, etc., etc., etc. Many of these agencies are riddled with inefficiency, and sometimes even corruption. The barriers to entry for small business start-ups are difficult to overcome. This heavy-handed and unnecessary over-regulation costs Florida jobs.
Fourth, we will keep the federal government out of Florida’s economy. For decades, the federal government has exceeded its Constitutional authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate business occurring within state boundaries. I intend to champion legislation to exempt any product that is grown, manufactured, fabricated, distributed, sold and consumed within the State of Florida from any federal regulation whatsoever. Therefore, federal regulations would have no jurisdiction over any business providing a good or service exclusively within the State of Florida. This would include everything from firearms to hemp to medical services. My “Florida Intrastate Commerce Act” will create an economic boon not seen in a generation. The job creation and economic growth resulting from the influx of new businesses in Florida will be envy of the nation, and would become the model for other states to adopt.
Fifth, we will protect Floridians from a potential dollar crisis. I propose that we begin transacting state business in gold and silver as required by Article 1, Section 10 of the United States Constitution and introduce competing currencies legislation as Utah has already done, and other states are considering. This will give the State of Florida the ability to protect the value of our holdings with sound money, and lay the groundwork for Floridians to conduct transactions in an alternative form of currency should the U.S. Dollar experience a decline in value.
Sixth, we will sell a portion of the state’s land holdings. Currently, the State of Florida owns 14% of all the land in Florida. That’s more land area than the entire state of New Jersey. The State continues to acquire more land every year. Only a fraction of that land is in the form of parks or recreation areas. The proceeds from the sale of state land could be used for a variety of purposes that would benefit all Floridians, or could simply be returned to the rightful owners — the people of Florida. We can do this without sacrificing a single acre of existing state park or recreation area land.
Seventh, we will prosecute fraud. There’s absolutely no doubt that fraud has been committed, and is still occurring, in the mortgage industry. Banks and lenders have defrauded investors through mortgage backed securities manipulation. They defrauded homeowners through “robo signing” and improper custody of promissory notes. In many cases, their fraudulent practices have been overlooked by Charlie Crist, Rick Scott, and all levels of government. In fact, government has seemingly gone out of their way to obfuscate and legitimize their illegal activities. The only way to prevent this from ever happening again is to prosecute those responsible, within the scope of state authority.
