Florida Gov. Rick Scott says his state better than California

Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Florida Gov. Rick Scott says his state better than California
Florida Gov. Rick Scott said his state is better for families and businesses than California.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Florida Gov. Rick Scott said his state is better for families and businesses than California.

Scott points to the recent port dispute that crippled retailers and industries across the nation. He said that Florida is less regulated, has better schools and fewer labor problems at its 15 ports.

"Your home prices are two times the national average. It's very difficult to find a home here," he said. "We're a right-to-work state, so you don't have to be a member of a union unless you want to."

But Florida has its flaws. The mayor of Long Beach, Robert Garcia, said the Port of Los Angeles is larger than all 15 ports in Florida combined and deals with twice as much cargo.

Gov. Jerry Brown's office added that California's budget is balanced, its credit rating is up and that the state created more jobs than other states in 2014.

Mayor Eric Garcetti said Los Angeles County alone is doing well.

"We've added 70,000 new jobs and have made L.A. more business friendly by lowering business tax (and) cutting red tape at City Hall," he said.

California has been a tempting target for many politicians. In 2011, Texas Gov. Rick Perry said creating businesses in the state is "nearly impossible."

At Scott's visit to the Valley Industry and Commerce Association Monday, the audience was composed of mostly national businesses who have operations in both states.