Scott plans trip to woo Kentucky businesses

By JIM TURNER
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, August 31, 2015.......... Gov. Rick Scott will travel to the Bluegrass State in September for his latest "domestic economic development" mission.

Scott is targeting Kentucky's "pro-union, big government policies" as he hunts for private businesses to expand or relocate to Florida, according to a release Monday from his office.

"In contrast, Florida is proud to be a right-to-work state where businesses can afford to compete with other places in America and all over the world," Scott said in a release. "Florida also has no personal income tax --- unlike Kentucky."

But Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear fired back at Scott, in part saying the right-to-work argument "is an artificial political issue that has no real impact on job creation."

"You would think with the difficult problems facing Florida today that Gov. Rick Scott would have better things to do to keep him occupied,'' Beshear said in a statement released by his office. "However, if he wants to waste his time coming to Kentucky to try and convince our businesses to come to Florida, then come ahead because he will have no success."

Scott has made similar trips this year to Connecticut, California and Pennsylvania.

In his Jan. 6 inauguration speech, Scott said he would travel to "New York, Illinois, California, Pennsylvania and others" over the next four years "to recruit you here."

While the governor's office has not announced the dates for the Kentucky trip or what parts of the commonwealth Scott will visit, he will be traveling during what Beshear proclaimed Monday as "Bourbon Heritage Month."

Kentucky, the home to Louisville Slugger baseball-bat maker Hillerich & Bradsby Company and Kentucky Fried Chicken, is known for its bourbon distilleries, horse racing and auto manufacturing.

Beshear is a Democrat, the same as with the governors of other states Scott has targeted for his business-recruitment efforts.

The trip also comes with the Kentucky governor's race headed into its final months and considered a toss-up between Republican Matt Bevin and Democrat Jack Conway. Beshear can't run due to term limits.

Two years ago, Scott sent a letter to Kentucky businesses inviting them to Florida. Beshear, in a written response to Scott, admitted he was "shocked and dismayed at your crude method of recruitment."

Scott also has a personal history with Kentucky.

As CEO of Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp, Scott relocated the company's headquarters from Louisville to Nashville in the mid-1990s after publicly criticizing Kentucky's tax structure.