Florida Governor Makes Condescending Remarks to Black Lawmakers, Defends Cutting Funds to Black Colleges

[MORE] and [MORE] TALLAHASSEE — After four years of close relations with his Gov. Charlie Crist, most black lawmakers believe they'll have a much cooler relationship with his Republican successor, Gov. Rick Scott.

"I'm not optimistic at all," said Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, whose district includes a portion of Palm Beach County.

After choosing a black lieutenant governor, former state Rep. Jennifer Carroll, Scott has not appointed a black or Hispanic to another high-level post.

At a luncheon for about 20 black lawmakers, all Democrats, at the mansion Tuesday, Scott said he supports diversity and would appoint the best person, regardless of race, but he said he doesn't believe in quota and defended his decisions such as cutting funding to black colleges and workforce education.

He also further alienated some of the members by suggesting he grew up like them — in public housing and with a parent who had a sixth-grade education. He said, “I grew up probably in the same situation as you guys,” Mr. Scott said to the group of 20 Black lawmakers. “I started school in public housing. My dad had a sixth-grade education.”

A number of state Democrats objected to the assumption. State Rep. Betty Reed said she was offended by the remark, adding “He assumed that everyone [[n the room] was poor and that can only be because you’re black.”The governor’s comment is the latest incident to hit a state governor. Both Ohio governor John Kasich and Mississippi governor Haley Barbour are dealing with debates centered on race and politics.

Black caucus leader Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, said he believe Scott was simply sharing his background with the caucus by mentioning the public housing and parents' lack of education, but also said, "Quite frankly, all black folks are not poor."

In another exchange with Scott, Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, called the governor on his repeated reference to the federal health-care law passed last year as "ObamaCare."

"It's not 'ObamaCare,' " Williams said. "I really appreciate the opportunity to be here, but I continue to hear that over and over again It's called the Affordable Health Care Act."

Scott's response: "It's 'ObamaCare' to me. That's what it is."

But the next time he nearly let "ObamaCare" roll off his lips, Scott caught himself and called the measure "the Affordable Health Care Act."

He also told the lawmakers he wants their help hiring minorities although he said he does not believe in giving preferences to applicants based on race or ethnicity.