Politics 2010

All information copied and pasted directly for the candidates' own websites,
rickscottforflorida.com and alexsink2010.com

Rick Scott

"We need a businessman who knows how to create jobs and has a record of balancing budgets and getting results.

* Rick will institute Accountability Budgeting. He will make each state agency set annual goals for every dollar they spend, then measure their performance against those goals and hold them accountable for their outcomes.
* Rick will force the bureaucrats to justify the way they spend our tax dollars. Holding them accountable will help eliminate waste, increase efficiencies and eliminate ineffective programs."

Alex Sink

"* Alex Sink will fight to stop the irresponsible Tallahassee budgeting gimmick of using one-time dollars to pay for multi-year expenses. Although the Florida Constitution allows this type of budgeting with limitations, Alex believes the practice has been abused and is tantamount to deficit spending. She also will oppose the use of trust funds that are designated for specific spending purposes - such as transportation projects - to cover general state budget operating expenses.

* Requiring all top state agency officials to sign performance contracts with benchmarks tailored to their department. As Governor, Alex Sink will create performance contracts for all her top appointees throughout state government. These "executive agreements" will provide a clear and measurable way to communicate citizen priorities and expectations to agency heads. Alex will personally evaluate each manager and each agency, holding her direct reports accountable for meeting specific goals and objectives.

* Creating an independent, nonpartisan accountability office on state spending. Alex will propose the creation of a non-partisan watchdog office - similar to the federal Government Accountability Office - that will advise the Governor, Cabinet and Legislature on how to make state government more efficient, effective, ethical, fair and responsive to citizens. The office also will work with local and federal agencies - including cities, counties and school boards -- to better leverage and coordinate the use of local, state and federal dollars for public programs and services."

Rick Scott

"Our government has failed to keep its promise to the American people to secure our borders and stop illegal immigration. By definition anyone who is here illegally has broken our laws and mocked our laws. As a nation that is based on the rule of law we must reject amnesty, send those who are here illegally home and secure our borders.

* Rick believes border security is an economic and national security issue.
* Rick is opposed to amnesty and will fight amnesty for lawbreakers.
* Rick supports measures like the Arizona law that allow enforcement of already existing law. It is commonsense; if you are breaking the law then law enforcement should be able to ask for identification that shows you are in the United States legally. The only people who have reason to fear the law are people who are here illegally. States like Arizona are in a crisis situation because the career politicians and the federal government have FAILED to secure our border.
* Rick believes those who immigrate to America must come here legally, play by the rules and respect our laws.
* Rick will require all Florida employers to use the free E-Verify system to ensure that their workers are legal."

Alex Sink

"States are passing tougher immigration laws because the Federal government has failed to secure our borders and crack down on illegal immigration. While it is the responsibility of our Federal Government to enforce immigration laws, it is clear that Washington has dropped the ball for decades. And in recent years, many states, like Arizona, have taken matters into their own hands to address a serious and growing problem. One thing, however, is clear: illegal immigrants that break our state's laws should be held accountable both by the state of Florida and by the federal government for being in this country illegally by being deported.

In Florida, we must crack down on those things that make it easy for illegal immigrants to break the rules in the first place: the fact that companies suffer little consequence for hiring illegal immigrants.

We should not be hamstrung by the federal government when it comes to shutting down the practice of employing illegal immigrants. It undermines our workers here at home, and it strains our public resources. And we certainly don't need permission from anyone to go after illegal immigrants who are involved in violent criminal elements and endanger our communities.

We all know Washington has failed to control illegal immigration, fix the system and secure our borders. So, as Governor of Florida, here's my plan::

1. Impose stiff state fines on private companies that knowingly hire undocumented workers. Businesses should not profit from knowingly employing illegal workers who are taking jobs away from citizens or legally established residents who are playing by the rules.

2. Require business owners to validate a worker's legal status. Businesses should not profit from deliberately and systematically breaking the law.

3. Require all state agencies to verify the legal status when hiring state employees. State government should lead by example and live by the same rules as private businesses when it comes to verifying the legal status of employees.

4. Require all companies doing business with the State of Florida to certify that the legal status of their employees has been verified before they can get any work from Florida. And if any company is found to have hired illegal workers after getting a state contract, they will immediately lose it, and repeat offenders will be barred from future State business. We should ensure that Florida taxpayers' dollars don't support companies that hire illegal workers.

5. Require state agencies to verify the legal status of any applicant for taxpayer-funded public assistance programs who claims to be a legal immigrant. This includes requiring agencies to use the federal Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement (SAVE) program to verify eligibility for public assistance benefits of anyone claiming to be a legal resident of Florida. I will fight to change any federal laws and policies that hamstring states from verifying if applicants for taxpayer-funded state services are in this country legally."

Rick Scott

"# Rick will create jobs by keeping taxes low and limiting job killing regulations.
# Rick will ensure that Florida has an educated workforce that will allow Florida to attract new business and good paying jobs."

Alex Sink

"Florida Should Do Everything Possible to Support our Businesses: Florida should be seen as a great place not just to vacation or retire but also to start and grow a business. Alex will work to maintain Florida’s position as a low tax state for businesses, and create an environment that is consistent and helpful, while removing unnecessary barriers to growth. It’s time for the politicians to take a back seat to some real business know-how. This will require a unique partnership with a Governor who works with business to grow our economy. Alex knows that economic growth doesn’t really come from government – it comes from business. But good government can help the private sector drive growth.

Streamlining, Expediting, and Cutting the Red Tape. Florida should be doing everything we can to keep jobs here and grow jobs quickly. That means bringing greater speed and certainty to permitting decisions without gutting environmental and public safety protections; accelerating the launch of already-approved economic development projects through the Florida Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development; streamlining regulations and the regulatory process; and creating an easier interface with state government."

Rick Scott

"Florida’s education system must prepare our children to get good paying jobs, so that they are able to support their families and fuel the economy. Each student who is not going to college must be equipped with the skills necessary to compete in the 21st century economy. Rick understands this well as he went to community college before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, then upon returning he finished the education that was the foundation of a successful career in business.

* Rick believes in accountability in education.
* Rick believes in school choice, including vouchers and charter schools.
* Rick supports merit pay.
* Rick supports eliminating teacher tenure for new teachers.
* Rick supports homeschooling for parents who feel this is the best option for their children.
* Rick supports a constitutional amendment to modify the state’s class-size law.
* Rick would have signed SB-6."

Alex Sink

"BUILDING A HIGH-QUALITY & ACCOUNTABLE EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE

As a proven business leader and the first Governor in 12 years whose own children graduated from Florida public schools, Alex Sink understands the vital link between a vibrant economy, high-paying jobs and a quality education system. Alex will implement a comprehensive education plan during her administration focused on child readiness for school, quality instruction, accountability that measures student performance, investment in our teachers and principals, and getting parents and communities more engaged in our schools. Florida needs a Governor who will lead on statewide education reform -- by inspiring more local innovation and supporting the spread of best practices to all school districts.

Support Career and Technical Academies in High Schools. Alex Sink will support specialized high school diplomas for students with technical skills and certifications for careers. Potential drop-out students must be encouraged to stay in school through alternative learning opportunities that will lead them to jobs after graduation. Alex will work with Florida's school districts, colleges and the industries within their communities to identify the specific programs needed to gain employment and advance in their careers.

Reform Teacher Compensation Around a Fair, Performance-based System. To attract and retain the best minds to the classroom, we must pay teachers like valued professionals. Higher salaries must come with increased expectations through a performance-based system that rewards excellence and recognizes additional demands placed on participating teachers. Alex Sink will support a fair compensation system built on local collaboration. She will require comprehensive accountability measures to ensure that teachers are fairly rated and that student performance outcomes are being achieved."