Gov. Rick Scott's 85-member entourage in the United Kingdom this week includes business leaders, tourism executives, and even a couple of lobbyists and mayors. The manifest, provided by Enterprise Florida, includes Ashton Hayward of Pensacola, along with outgoing Senate President Mike Haridopolos, who's on his third Scott trade mission.
Lobbyists who accompanied Scott across the pond include Marc Dunbar (parimutuels), Robert Hawken of FCCI Insurance Group, Fred Karlinsky (insurance and health care) and John Sebreeof the Florida Association of Realtors. Tom Van Berkel, chairman of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, is in England, as is Don Weidner, dean of the Florida State University College of Law. Mike and Nancy Crews of Custom Manufacturing and Engineering of Pinellas Park are trade mission exhibitors in London.
Also on the trip: George Zoley, chairman and CEO of The GEO Group, Inc., the private prison operator based in Boca Raton. Thirteen employees of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach are in the UK as well.
First Lady Ann Scott accompanied her husband. Others from the governor's office on the trip include press aide Jackie Schutz, Scott travel aide Brad Piepenbrink and Ann Scott's aide Sarah Hansford.
Enterprise Florida spokesman Stuart Doyle said business community representatives decided on their own whether to go along, and are paying their own way. Doyle said a visit to Lloyd's of London is on the business of agenda, which is why some insurance representatives are attending, including state insurance commissioner Kevin McCarty.
CORRECTION: An earlier post incorrectly reported that Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown traveled with the governor. Brown remained in Jacksonville.
--STEVE BOUSQUET
85 members? What did THIS cost the tax payers? And if not the tax payer, bribery by corporations?
Posted by: vey9 | July 09, 2012 at 06:33 PM
That's a lot of taxpayer money crossing the pond. I wonder of the lobbyists and politicians will violate Florida law and claim it is OK because they are in the UK?
Posted by: Anti-Tallahassee | July 09, 2012 at 08:52 PM
Like his trip to Spain this should be interesting. Let's see how long until he offends. I am sure his choice of venue had nothing to do with the Olympics. Meantime, we'll all just sit back here and be content to chew on "opportunities".
Posted by: David Kearns | July 09, 2012 at 09:35 PM
Unbelievable. "Also on the trip George Zoley, chairman and CEO of GEO, private prison group". This Governor hits a new new low regarding shady lobbyist relationships. You people that voted this crook as our Governor need your heads examined. More evidence that validates studies that indicate Florida has the most corrupt politicians.
Posted by: BenT. | July 09, 2012 at 11:04 PM
Maybe he can ask them how they can stand living with socialized medicine.
Posted by: Tally Folly | July 10, 2012 at 12:14 AM
Meanwhile, Florida closes only tuberculosis hospital amid worst US outbreak in 20 years
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/09/florida-closes-tuberculosis-hospital-outbreak
Posted by: Shorebreak | July 10, 2012 at 08:21 AM
rewarding his buds........digusting.
Posted by: Lindad | July 10, 2012 at 09:03 AM
Disgusting. While demanding austerity and sacrifice from everyone else in his state.
Some leader. Not.
Posted by: Ignatz | July 10, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Yeah, the Brits want to open businesses in the TB capital of the Western Hemisphere.
Posted by: Flowerchild | July 10, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Plently of money for lawsuits and junkets, but just too broke for education and heathcare.
Posted by: Gail Flanders | July 10, 2012 at 01:16 PM
Felonious Scott, the most hated governor in the history of florida and the only one to be able to steal 200million from medicare. HE should be in a costa rican prison.
Posted by: michael gordon | July 10, 2012 at 02:11 PM
Our Governor:
disrespectful
arrogant
greedy
evil
cruel
criminal
egocentric
fascist
and proud of it
Posted by: Just Sayin | July 10, 2012 at 02:23 PM
It wasn't 200 million he stole from medicaid, it was a few BILLION.Scott was made to pay back 1.7 BILLION DOLLARS. Largest scam off the Government of the United States at the time. Scott is a slick willy CRIMINAL.
Posted by: SDeal | July 10, 2012 at 04:25 PM
You democrat bloggers need 2 get a life. I didnt vote for the guy, but if he's trying to bring business back here, good for him.
We could use some business since our idiot president is killing jobs left and right
Posted by: Miamivice | July 10, 2012 at 05:30 PM
so 8 yrs of Bush economics didn't teach the republicans that their BIG ideas aren't going to work.I've yet to hear what plan they have to fix what they screwed up so bad.The best solution is to buy some land and live on it; take care of yourself and let the republicans trash what's left.
Posted by: Bill | July 10, 2012 at 06:03 PM
He's such as A-H! Can't travel by himself - probably sucks his thumb when he's alone....
Posted by: Paul | July 10, 2012 at 07:02 PM
I guess they are meeting up with Bob McDonnell and his group from Va.. Anybody wonder if the Koch brothers are involved?
Posted by: CWilliams | July 10, 2012 at 07:26 PM
Sucks his thumb when he sleeps? I bet he sucks something else for the Koch brothers. Loathe the man and hate what he has done to the state. I hope he becomes ill there and sees what real health care is all about. If we are lucky, his plane will crash somewhere in the mid-Atlantic on the way back!
Posted by: Lamar | July 10, 2012 at 09:06 PM
Bad for Florida but was voted in to office. Just add one more thing to make Floria politics a joke.
Posted by: Collin | July 10, 2012 at 09:36 PM
Miamivice, it doesn't take 85 people to bring back business, and I'd like a detailed itinerary - he is spending my money after all. I don't imagine his schedule is about bringing back business.
Posted by: scubus | July 12, 2012 at 07:37 PM
Could this have something to do with B.P.? We need more info before we can come to a conclusion. All else is mere speculation. Thanks
Posted by: Johnny | July 13, 2012 at 01:36 AM
Public records request, PLEASE Miami Herald!
Posted by: Michael Jax | July 14, 2012 at 12:43 PM
This is more like do "as I say not as I do" Politics.
Posted by: Ricardo Ayaviri | July 16, 2012 at 09:06 AM