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Gov. Scott Delivers State Of The State Address

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) - Florida Governor Rick Scott delivered his annual state of the state speech Tuesday morning where he promised to work on jobs, education, and auto insurance fraud in the coming months.

Governor Scott said he has three goals that he views as the most important jobs as governor.

"One, ensuring that Floridians are able to gain employment," Scott said. "Two, securing the right of every Floridian to get a quality education. And three, keeping the cost of living low, so that families and businesses that are in our state can prosper and grow and the ones that aren't have even more reasons to get here soon."

Scott said that the business of government is to "get out of the way so they (businesses) can compete."

The governor is expected to again focus on job creation and discuss the education budget, as well as tackling PIP reform.

"In the past year, Floridians, not government, created almost 135,000 new private sector jobs," Scott said. "We netted more than 120,000 jobs int he first 11 months of 2011; the third most of any state in 2011."

Web Extra: Governor Scott's State Of The State Speech

When it comes to education, Scott will say that he wants the legislature to fully consider his $1 billion increase in education funding, which will return the funding almost to pre-Scott levels.

"Floridians truly believe that support for education is the most significant thing we can do to ensure both short-term job growth and long-term economic prosperity for our state," Scott said. "And you know what? They are right!"

Scott said that he can't budge on his $1 billion spending increase in education spending, saying "this is the single most important decision we can make today for Florida's future."

Scott will also doubled-down on his conservative credentials and run headfirst into public opinion when he said that government shouldn't be worried about the dramatic income equality in the United States.

"What government gives to one person necessarily had to be taken from the pocket of someone else," Scott said. "There is something arrogant and overreaching in thinking we have the superior wisdom to micromanage the economy."

Scott also plans to hit the Republican talking points of taxes and regulation, which so far in the presidential race, have not gained much traction among voters or businesses.

"Taxes and regulations; they are the great destroyers of capital and small businesses," Scott will say. " Almost every dollar I earned as a shop owner went toward growing our little doughnut shops.  So, every dollar taken in taxes slowed that growth.  Almost every minute I had in the day also went toward growing our small business.  So, every minute spent addressing some new regulation also slowed that growth."

When it came to auto insurance fraud and abuse, Scott said it was something that must be dealt with now.

"We must get tough on the fraud and abuse in the auto insurance system," Scott said. "It is the consumer in our state that we must protect, not trial lawyers or those involved in these schemes. Floridians cannot afford another year of this fraud and abuse or the cost that will come with it."

Scott extended an olive branch to state residents and legislators when it comes to ideas to change the status quo.

"Know that I'm open to any idea, from whatever source, that is likely to improve the lives of Floridians," Scott said. "No person, profession, or party has a monopoly on all the good ideas."

Scott concluded making a promise to Florida residents.

"My pledge to the people of Florida is to continue to give this job my all; to help build the framework for an enduring prosperity that is grounded in the intellect and ambition of our citizens."

(TM and © Copyright 20121 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.)

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