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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGovernor Browns response to Governor Scott's attempts to poach business due to $15/hr min wage
Dear Governor Scott,
Im writing to welcome you back to California a state that in the last year has added more jobs than Florida and Texas combined. Were home to Hollywood, Silicon Valley and more than 50 Fortune 500 companies. We attract more than half of the nations venture capital investment, win more than a quarter of the nations patents and grow much of the nations fruits and vegetables. Our budget is balanced. Were paying down debt and building a solid rainy day fund.
Rick, a fact youd like to ignore: California is the 7th largest economic power in the world. Were competing with nations like Brazil and France, not states like Florida.
If youre truly serious about Floridas economic wellbeing, its time to stop the silly political stunts and start doing something about climate change two words you wont even let state officials say. The threat is real and so too will be the devastating impacts.
To help you get a better grasp on things, Im enclosing a recent report authored by the Risky Business Project, a nonpartisan climate initiative led by Hank Paulson, Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer. Its titled, Come Heat and High Water: Climate Risk in the Southeastern U.S. and Texas, and finds:
Florida faces more risk than any other state that private, insurable property could be inundated by high tide, storm surge and sea level rise. By 2030 up to $69 billion in coastal property will likely be at risk of inundation at high tide that is not at risk today. By 2050, the value of property below local high tide levels will increase to up to about $152 billion.
The report also notes that Floridas economy could suffer billions of dollars in additional losses as labor productivity drops and storm damage mounts due to extreme weather events.
So, while youre enjoying a stroll on one of Californias beautiful beaches this week, dont stick your head in the sand. Take a few minutes to read the rest of this report. Theres no time to waste.
Sincerely,
Edmund G. Brown Jr.
oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)AND our economy will grow when more people have more money to spend!
irisblue
(32,969 posts)malaise
(268,950 posts)KABOOM!!!!
Rec
babylonsister
(171,057 posts)I live in FL, loathe Scott, and feel the need to share. Thanks!
Fresh_Start
(11,330 posts)babylonsister
(171,057 posts)Hekate
(90,656 posts)Posted that on FB as a big FU to all of my conservative AZ high school friends who constantly make negative comments about CA.
I never respond to the ridiculous posts regarding CA by taking shots at AZ, Brown did a great job putting the other States in their place, and it is always red state politicians ripping on CA, NY, Chicago, the line that we compete with other Countries, not Florida is a solid punch to the gut.
tom_kelly
(958 posts)I'm proud of Gov. Brown.
onethatcares
(16,166 posts)as a west coast Floridian.
AllTooEasy
(1,260 posts)I'm no fan of Rick Scott, but if Brown isn't trying to lure/steal jobs from other states then he's not performing one of his duties as governor. State governments use customized tax breaks, zoning law changes, kickbacks/bribes, labor law updates, politics, nepotism, etc. to steal(and protect) millions of jobs from other states. This is day-to-day state gov't operation. In many cases, municipalities try to steal jobs from each other within the same state.
Southern states have stolen millions of manufacturing jobs from the Midwest. AZ, TX, NC have stolen billions of tax revenue via IT and semi-conductor corporate moves from the West Coast. Detroit is actively trying to steal job markets from whoever they can get. We are just pawns in their game.
Scott is just being overly brazen it. He's a pathetically grandstanding self-marketer. The other 49 governors are no better. Don't think that Scott isn't the only governor trying to exploit this Progressive victory to help his state's economy. All we can hope for is that the jobs move from CA to other US states, and not overseas.
1monster
(11,012 posts)Governor Voldemort.
I fear it will fall on deaf ears, though. Rick Scott, like Voldemort, doesn't give the slightest darn about the consequences of his actions and inactions. He believes that his money and his power makes him immune... Others may suffer for it, but not him.
surrealAmerican
(11,360 posts)Spot on, Gov. Brown.
greymattermom
(5,754 posts)We need to stop being wimps and fight back. Folks respect that. This is perfect.
NV Whino
(20,886 posts)frylock
(34,825 posts)KelleyKramer
(8,958 posts)ghostsinthemachine
(3,569 posts)If only we had listened and voted for him in 92. If only.
jayschool
(180 posts)Can Brown write a letter to Sam Brownback? Please?
Dustlawyer
(10,495 posts)Bucky
(53,998 posts)My guv don't go much in for wordiness.
Betty Karlson
(7,231 posts)What a wonderfully astute and witty character - and such principles!
(You'd almost wish we could nominate someone like him for the presidency. Wait! In fact, I think we could still do that!)
malthaussen
(17,193 posts)SCantiGOP
(13,869 posts)is that California is a decadent, impoverished area. Since I travel there on business I know the reality.
I would prefer the standard of living and livability of CA as opposed to any state in the SE, but that doesn't fit the Teapublican meme.
byronius
(7,394 posts)He's rescued this state, and I love him for it.
Bucky
(53,998 posts)I've liked him since he ran in 1976. Moonbeam has never gotten his due.
zentrum
(9,865 posts)my post below about Brown working out and his stamina. I think his attitude is a kind of fountain of youth.
NikolaC
(1,276 posts)That's gonna leave a mark!
Sen. Walter Sobchak
(8,692 posts)of manufacturing crystal meth in a dilapidated camper in the Walmart parking lot.
zentrum
(9,865 posts)
was running for Governor this last time, I happened to be in Oakland for a while. We used to see this solitary, older man, doggedly and with such determination I can't describe itrunning around the lake. No body guards. No fanfare. Just work. We knew he was honing his will for the upcoming debates and election. It was a 3.5 mile distance and he was faster than we were, though decades older. impressive.
When he was Mayor, he lived downtown, and residents told me how he stood on the corner every Sunday morning, so that anybody could walk up to him and talk. He was available. Again, no body guard, no entourage. Just hanging out, one citizen among others.
Too bad we didn't have him as a Democratic President, back in the day.
RockaFowler
(7,429 posts)And all I'm left with is Skeletor
He thinks he's creating jobs by poaching them from other states.
Look moron - those people are moving here with the jobs. You aren't creating anything except more heartache and traffic.
Oh and let's ask pRick Scott about Digital Domain in Port St Lucie. The state and the city gave them millions of dollars to bring high-paying jobs to this area. 6 years later they are gone and the city is left on the hook for the millions in debt.
How about VGTI?? Also in Port St Lucie. Again the city is left on the hook because this company promised thousands of jobs and gave us nothing. Yet pRick Scott and his sycophants gave money to these companies and now the taxpayers have to bail them out.
STFU pRick Scott and go to hell!
VGTI Information:
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/shaping-our-future/growth/vgti-announces-its-shutting-down-operations-in-port-st-lucie-ep-1230525189-332486642.html
Digital Domain Information:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/business/digital-domain-to-shut-down-port-st-lucie-operatio/nR5Zf/
$20 Million!!