[Connecticut203]

Scott says Connecticut officials help his recruitment effort - StamfordAdvocate

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut's governor and General Assembly have unintentionally helped Florida Gov. Rick Scott's effort to recruit out-of-state businesses by offering up state budgets that increase taxes, the Republican governor said Thursday.

Scott has been actively encouraging companies from across the country to move to the Sunshine State and was scheduled to meet with Connecticut business leaders on Thursday and Friday. His state has also been running radio ads in Connecticut since the Democratic-controlled legislature passed a two-year, $40.3 billion budget that increases taxes by about $1.5 billion.

The tax package, which is expected to be adjusted in the upcoming special legislative session, prompted two major employers — General Electric Co. and Aetna Inc. — to publicly threaten to move operations out of Connecticut because of the tax burden.

"It makes it way easier when your legislature and governor raise taxes," he said of his business-recruiting efforts, in a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Thursday morning. "The way I look at it, this is an opportunity."

Scott said he tries to take advantage of "tipping points" and believes one is happening in Connecticut among frustrated businesses.

Scott was scheduled to arrive in Connecticut on Thursday night and meet privately with business leaders in Hartford. He was also expected to attend a business round table discussion in Norwalk on Friday morning. Other meetings are anticipated before Scott returns home Friday night. While not providing any details, he said "people have reached out to us" after hearing the radio ads touting the Florida business climate.

Democratic Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has downplayed Scott's visit and recent ads, saying all governors recruit out-of-state businesses.

"Connecticut enjoys amazing schools, terrific parks, high quality of life, and an expanding economy — that's why people live, work and raise their families here instead of Mississippi, Alabama or Florida," said Devon Puglia, Malloy's spokesman. "Put simply, we're building a Connecticut for the future, with countless benefits that residents can't enjoy anywhere else."

While Scott said he has enjoyed previously visiting Connecticut, he said Florida offers advantages such as tax predictability for businesses, a low per capita tax rate, job growth and new investments in education.

"It is a beautiful place," he said of Connecticut. "But the kids, you can't get a job."

Some Democrats have dismissed Scott's visit as partisan politics, pointing out how Malloy is the incoming chairman of the Democratic Governors Association and has been developing a more national profile. The state of Indiana, which has a Republican governor, recently ran a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal urging GE, Aetna and the Travelers Companies Inc. to move to the Hoosier State.

"I don't think there's any coincidence with the fact that all of the governors who have expressed interest in raiding Connecticut's businesses are all Republican governors and there's not a coincidence either with the fact that our governor has taken on a higher profile role nationally as the incoming chair of the Democratic Governors Association," said House Speaker Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden.

"So, when you put those things together, doesn't it kind of make sense that Republican governors are salivating at the opportunity to pile on to a Democratic governor with a higher profile," asked Sharkey. "It's all politics and that's what I think these guys are doing."

Scott denied that Malloy's role as the incoming DGA chairman prompted his visit and ads. This is the third job-seeking trip Scott has made this year to other states. In every trip, he has visited states led by Democratic governors.

"This is all about getting jobs," he said. "I'm happy if jobs come from all 49 other states. I call on companies all across the country."

[jp03]

Originally Posted by Connecticut203

Scott says Connecticut officials help his recruitment effort - StamfordAdvocate

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut's governor and General Assembly have unintentionally helped Florida Gov. Rick Scott's effort to recruit out-of-state businesses by offering up state budgets that increase taxes, the Republican governor said Thursday.

Scott has been actively encouraging companies from across the country to move to the Sunshine State and was scheduled to meet with Connecticut business leaders on Thursday and Friday. His state has also been running radio ads in Connecticut since the Democratic-controlled legislature passed a two-year, $40.3 billion budget that increases taxes by about $1.5 billion.

The tax package, which is expected to be adjusted in the upcoming special legislative session, prompted two major employers — General Electric Co. and Aetna Inc. — to publicly threaten to move operations out of Connecticut because of the tax burden.

"It makes it way easier when your legislature and governor raise taxes," he said of his business-recruiting efforts, in a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Thursday morning. "The way I look at it, this is an opportunity."

Scott said he tries to take advantage of "tipping points" and believes one is happening in Connecticut among frustrated businesses.

Scott was scheduled to arrive in Connecticut on Thursday night and meet privately with business leaders in Hartford. He was also expected to attend a business round table discussion in Norwalk on Friday morning. Other meetings are anticipated before Scott returns home Friday night. While not providing any details, he said "people have reached out to us" after hearing the radio ads touting the Florida business climate.

Democratic Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has downplayed Scott's visit and recent ads, saying all governors recruit out-of-state businesses.

"Connecticut enjoys amazing schools, terrific parks, high quality of life, and an expanding economy — that's why people live, work and raise their families here instead of Mississippi, Alabama or Florida," said Devon Puglia, Malloy's spokesman. "Put simply, we're building a Connecticut for the future, with countless benefits that residents can't enjoy anywhere else."

While Scott said he has enjoyed previously visiting Connecticut, he said Florida offers advantages such as tax predictability for businesses, a low per capita tax rate, job growth and new investments in education.

"It is a beautiful place," he said of Connecticut. "But the kids, you can't get a job."

Some Democrats have dismissed Scott's visit as partisan politics, pointing out how Malloy is the incoming chairman of the Democratic Governors Association and has been developing a more national profile. The state of Indiana, which has a Republican governor, recently ran a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal urging GE, Aetna and the Travelers Companies Inc. to move to the Hoosier State.

"I don't think there's any coincidence with the fact that all of the governors who have expressed interest in raiding Connecticut's businesses are all Republican governors and there's not a coincidence either with the fact that our governor has taken on a higher profile role nationally as the incoming chair of the Democratic Governors Association," said House Speaker Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden.

"So, when you put those things together, doesn't it kind of make sense that Republican governors are salivating at the opportunity to pile on to a Democratic governor with a higher profile," asked Sharkey. "It's all politics and that's what I think these guys are doing."

Scott denied that Malloy's role as the incoming DGA chairman prompted his visit and ads. This is the third job-seeking trip Scott has made this year to other states. In every trip, he has visited states led by Democratic governors.

"This is all about getting jobs," he said. "I'm happy if jobs come from all 49 other states. I call on companies all across the country."

'

Id rather have no job..than to live down in that hell hole.

[HumpDay]

I couldn't work in and live in Florida. He's probably misleading a lot of businesses by making it look like Florida is a dream come true. There are way too many problems in Florida. Doesn't he have anything better to do? Worry about your state and stay out of ours...

[Beeker2211]

When Florida sends way more money than it brings in for nearly a century in Federal Funds I'll listen. Until then, whatever.

[BobNJ1960]

I saw his Morning Joe interview..very impressed with his record. 897k new jobs is fabulous!

[atlaw]

Ct. is making it easy for him and others to recruit. and they will

[Charles V]

Florida "jobs" are mostly low-skilled, low-wage and that reflects its population. Florida is a hotbed of retirees, third-world immigrants working for pennies and the working-class, not corporations or white-collar professionals.

Florida is the 3rd largest population state in the US and isn't even in the top 10 when it comes to Fortune 500 companies...

[mikelizard860]

Originally Posted by jp03

'

Id rather have no job..than to live down in that hell hole.

lol

[Mr_250]

No way. I have multiple offers in Florida and refuse to move down there.

However, some towns are very nice and the price of college is a bargain for in state tuition

He is meeting with a lot of businesses though. I give him credit for trying.

...meanwhile while UTc lays off 35, bms is closing and the budget is who knows what . Our governor is in Nantucket on a retreat.

[Konig1985]

why did he have to back stab Mississippi and Alabama in the process?