Scott dings anthropology, showcases local manufacturing

Gov. Rick Scott says he loves anthropology majors. He just wants them to know there may be no jobs for them when they graduate.

Science and technology majors, on the other hand, are the ones who will boost the Florida economy, he said.

Scott offered those and other thoughts on state policy during stops in Tampa Bay on Monday, first at a Clearwater business he highlighted as a success and second before a luncheon of the business group Westshore Alliance.

In addressing the alliance at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, Scott spoke broadly on his priorities:

• Corporate income taxes, which he'd like to see lowered and ultimately phased out.

• Education funding, which he said he'd like to keep at last year's level.

• The state-backed Citizens Insurance program, which he wants to dramatically shrink.

Scott repeated here some observations that brought him attention last week, saying anthropology – the science of comparing human societies – is less desirable in today's job market and suggesting state-funded colleges should shift resources to programs in science, math and technology.

That set Scott up for some criticism from his own daughter, Jordan, an anthropology major, who told her father that she didn't appreciate being a news topic.

Scott told the Tampa crowd he took note of the criticism, but told both his daughters, "Look, you have to get degrees in things where you can get jobs."

Scott also answered questions from the audience on whether he saw any future for high-speed rail in the state. He defended his decision to reject federal funding for a rail link between Tampa and Orlando, and said if any rail link could work, it would more likely be Miami and Orlando.

As for education funding in tight budget times, Scott said after the luncheon, "the goal is to make sure we continue to fund it at the level we funded it last year."

Whether that means a commitment to avoiding more cuts, Scott said, "I don't know. You have to go through the budget process."

In Clearwater earlier Monday, Scott promoted his jobs and economic growth agenda during a stop at Advanced Protection Technologies, a manufacturing business where sales rose 43 percent in the last year and space just expanded by 10,000 square feet.

"I want to start looking if we can get some temporary permits to get people in business faster," Scott said, "hire people faster, continue the process of reducing regulation."

Scott toured the business and sat down with some of the 100 employees to ask for ideas and take questions.

Linda Richardson, 62, said a number of manufacturing companies have left Florida for overseas, saying she'd like to see more of it back here.

Scott said he tracks reports nationwide to spot companies thinking of moving, then tries to sell them on Florida.

"If the governor calls, at least they know it's important to the state," he said.