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Governor Rick Scott is paying substantially more money to some staff members than his predecessor. Three high ranking staffers are making one hundred fifty thousand dollars a year, while the Govenror is taking a salary of just a penny a year. 5 others are making more than one hundred thousand dollars. Scott says he believes the salaries are competitive.

“You know, I’m paying what I think are competitive salaries and if you look at what my goals are, the goal is look around the country and around the state to find the best people and pay them a competitive compensation,” Scott said.

The Governor still has dozens of hires to make, including most agency heads.

Governor Rick Scott has held meetings with high-rolling casino entertainment companies, but he’s not tipping his hand on whether he is willing to allow them to build up to five destination gambling resorts in the state. Florida currently has an exclusive deal that limits what games are allowed on Seminole reservations, but any expansion of gambling elsewhere would void the indian gaming compact. For now, Scott is holding his cards close to his vest.

“Right now I do not want our budget to be tied to gaming,” Scott said. “We already have gaming in the state and I’m fine with what they are doing. I’m not taking any position that I want to expand gaming or make any changes.”

Florida has a five year deal with the Seminoles. It’s unlikely any new ventures, if allowed, could be up and running much before the end of the indian deal.

One of Governor Rick Scott’s first official acts is fulfilling a campaign promise. Scott is selling both state planes, and will bear the cost of his own private jet but make other state officials fend for themselves.

As Governor Rick Scott boarded his private jet, two state planes sat in the state hanger a quarter mile away.

Use of the planes was the focus of several campaign ads and helped Scott win the GOP primary, and he made this promise. : “I will sell the state planes” he said in the spots.

As one of his first official acts, Scott ordered the planes sold. A bid is due February 9th.

Asked about the sale before he boarded his jet, Scott told reporters “In the campaign, I said I was going to sell the state plane. It’s a campaign promise I made and I’m going to live up to them”.

As a follow up, he was asked “Are you going to charge the state for any of the overhead, or are you going to pay for it out of your own pocket?” to which the Governor responded “I’m going to pay for it out of my own pocket.”

The planes are being advertised “as is” and a 10% deposit will be forfeited if the winning bidder doesn’t close on the deal. Right now the state spends about two and a half million dollars per year flying and maintaining these planes.

The 2003 Cessna Bravo has a price range between two and a quarter million to three million in online listings. The 2000 King Air has a listed value between one million and a half and three million.

As for other state officials who have use of the planes Scott say “They can drive or fly, commercially.” But air service in and out of Tallahassee is spotty at best.

At 9am on the morning Rick Scott took office, the 11 employees who work in the state air pool were told their jobs were ending on January 31st.

The plane Scott is flying is registered to a company named Columbia Collier Properties LLC, of which Scott is the only member who appears on paperwork filed with the state. The plane’s tail number contains the initials “RS”.

Governor Rick Scott’s first act was to freeze dozens of state rules that were in the process of being adopted. The rules range from regulating septic tanks in the Florida Keys to using all terrain vehicles on state lands. No criteria for reviewing the rules have been announced, which concerns some environmental groups. Today the Governor said the review would be conducted quickly.

“One of the things that I committed during the campaign was that we were going to look at these rules and see which ones are killing jobs” says Scott, who continued “The problem we have in this state is that we need more jobs, so that’s what I am focused on.

Another stalled rule would regulate pain clinics and seek to keep prescription drugs from getting into the hands of drug abusers.

The future of high speed rail in Florida is once again up in the air. Federal stimulus money will pay for 90 percent of a proposed system between Orlando and Tampa, but Governor Rick Scott says he wants to know more before signing off on the deal.

“There’s a feasibility study that’s supposed to come out that’s going to give me more information, I think it’s in February. So, at that point I want to go through and see what the feasibility is, what the actual cost to the state will be. I also want to sit down with the companies that possibly want to run this and see which ones of them want to fund things if there are going to be any operating losses” says Scott.

One of former Governor Jeb Bush’s first acts in 1999 was to cancel a plan for high speed rail. A citizen’s campaign then passed an amendment, but Bush also led the successful effort to repeal the amendment.

Florida has a new governor and new state cabinet for the first time since inception. None of the new leaders has ever held a statewide office. As Whitney Ray tells us, they say a lack of experience won’t keep them from reaching their goals of lower taxes and fewer regulations.

Florida has five new leaders and not one of them has every held a statewide office. Governor Rick Scott has never even worked in government until now.

This is the first time since inception that the governor and every member of the cabinet are all newcomers. And with all the officers sworn in, it’s go time for the rookies.

Pam Bondi, Florida’s first female Attorney General, is already fighting the new federal health care regulations.

“We’ve already started and we are fighting health care. We have started a gang initiative. It will be up and running in February,” said Pondi.

Florida’s New Agriculture Commissioner is helping farmers through the December freezes.

“Agriculture has been sort of that unheralded pillar of the economy employing 100-thousand people,” said Adam Putnam.

All the new leaders are Republicans. Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater says that will help.

“I see a lot of unity and philosophically everyone shares the same idea,” said Atwater.

Former Governor Jeb Bush offered this advice to Governor Rick Scott.

“Express the joy in your heart of service. The joy you have to be able to have the best job in the world becomes contagious,” said Bush.

The new leaders will have their work cut out for them. Florida is facing a bruised economy, a housing crisis and a 12 percent unemployment rate. Now January 19th, will be the date to watch. That’s when the Governor and new state cabinet will hold its first meeting to conduct the state’s business.

Governor Rick Scott took the oath of office as Florida’s 45th Governor amid clear skies and balmy conditions on the steps of the Capitol today. Scott started as an outsider and is continuing as an anti-regulation, anti-government administration.

It was unlike any recent inaugurations. County singer Lee Greenwood entertained.

“We need a lot more like Rick Scott, me and you,” sang Greenwood.

The balmy 60 degree day was a far cry from recent sub-freezing inaugurations as Scott took the oath of office, which included the phrase “I am duly qualified to hold office.”

Cannons boomed. Jets flew overhead. But that’s where similarities to past inaugurations stopped. This was an anti-government campaigner now leading the fourth largest state in the nation. “We’re not going to cling to models created in a prior century,” said Scott. “We’re not going to allow bureaucracies to make our decisions for us.”

Like Rick Scott, this was Betty Jo Sellar’s first inauguration. She came because she believes the new Governor is different. “I just think we’re ready. I think the people’s ready to back him and and try to do something.” So we asked “You think change is needed?” Betty Jo replied: “I definitely think change is needed…definitely”.

One of the Governor’s first actions: signing a proclamation to look at regulations that are hindering jobs.

And although he got less than 50% of the vote, Scott is making it clear he is on a mission. “We’ve got to change the way we run the state (he says thank you to well wishers)…Got to change the way we run the state. We’re gonna look at all the regulations and we’re gonna get this state back to work.”

It is a message that political scientist Susan MacManus says registers with voters. “He pretty much gave a very staunchly anti-government or anti politics as usual kind of speech,” says MacManus.

While his promises are many, Scott says he is willing to be measured, just as he wants to measure the results of all of government.

It’s Rick Scott’s last day as Governor-elect. Tomorrow Scott takes office and to mark the historic occasion his inaugural team plans to spend 2.8 million donated dollars. As Whitney Ray tells us, five of the events celebrating Scott’s new administration are free to the public; the rest require tickets.

With his wife on his arm and a smile on his face Governor-elect Rick Scott made his way to a leadership breakfast to honor women.

“I’m excited. It’s going to be a great day,” said Scott.

Inside, celebrity talk show host Greta Van Susteren told the newly elected Republicans they need to work with Democrats to get the state back on the right track.

“You’ve got to find a way to work with that person,” said Susteren.

Florida’s first black female Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll, and the state’s first female attorney General were honored. State Senator Nancy Detert is excited to work with the new female leaders.

“I’m very excited about having Jennifer Carroll as our Lt. Governor. That’s why I got up in the freezing cold to come celebrate with her,” said Detert.

The breakfast was just the first of 12 events celebrating the new administration. Florida’s next first lady was honored at noon. Then a two hour event celebrated Florida soldiers.

Seven of the events require tickets. Five are open to the public, including Tuesday’s swearing in ceremony on the steps of the historic capitol. Scott will officially become Florida’s 45th governor at Midnight Tuesday. Former Governor Bob Martinez says once the celebration ends the real work begins.

“Obviously we all know the economy has been difficult and Florida in particularly has been difficult so they’ve go their hands full,” said Martinez.

Seventy-five Tallahassee police officers, along with FHP, and FDLE officers will be watching traffic and the events. More than 3-thousand people are expected to attend.

The Inauguration team raised 2.8 million dollars. Money not spent will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity providing mental and physical assistance to injured troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Democrats are hoping the new governor will work with them on legislative issues.

Many Democrats stand in opposition to the education reform and state worker layoffs being proposed by Governor-elect Rick Scott. Scott has been touring the state and meeting with both Democrats and Republicans. At an inaugural breakfast this morning to honor women, Representative Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda was the only House Democrat in attendance.

“I’m giving everybody a fresh start from here. That’s what was spoken about today as well. Florida is in such a bad state with plus 12 percent unemployment that we’ve all got to work together. There can not be any stonewalling here. We’ve got to work for jobs,” said Rehwinkel Vasilinda.

Rehwinkel Vasilinda hopes to work with Scott to save state employees from the budget axe. Scott has vowed to cut state spending and plans to layoff five percent of the state work force.

Florida’s new Commissioner of Agriculture is inheriting millions of dollars in crop damage.

December’s cold weather caused more than 200 million dollars worth of crop damage. More than half a billion was caused during last January’s 13 day cold snap. Commissioner-elect Adam Putnam says solving the freeze crisis will help Florida’s economy rebound.

“The freeze continues to present itself and that’s tough on the entire economy, not just farmers. Agriculture is our strongest pillar of our economy right now with tourism and construction down, so that’s a loss of jobs, it means more people with less to do and it has a ripple effect throughout our communities,” said Putnam.

Putnam will be sworn into office tomorrow at noon along with, Rick Scott, Pam Bondi, Jeff Atwater and Jennifer Carroll.

Governor Elect Rick Scott won’t officially become Governor until tomorrow, but he is already spending the night in the Governor’s Mansion. During a bruising campaign, the former health care executive made more than 50 promises and, as Mike Vasilinda tells us, many will be easier said than done.

Immigration legislation, school vouchers for all, cutting corporate taxes, and streamlining public pensions were just a few of the promises made on the campaign trail.

As preparations for Rick Scott’s inauguration swing into full gear, former GOP Party Chairman Al Cardenas is dampening expectations.

“Necessity is the mother of invention, and we have problems here that are very serious and need to be worked out,” Cardenas said.

Immigration would be a hot button issue for Florida’s large Cuban and Puerto Rican populations, as well as for agriculture which depends on migrant labor. School vouchers for all would require a change to the constitution, which his transition team is recommending. Scott would also make changes to pension plans for teachers, firefighters and police, among others. Political analyst Susan Mac Manus says the ball is in the new Governor’s court.

“If he can’t get it through as Governor, with a supportive legislature, people will hold him accountable in four years,” MacManus said.

Perhaps the most difficult campaign promise the new governor will have to keep is that to cut taxes, especially since the state has a three and a half billion dollar deficit.

As a state police helicopter circled over head, we asked the Governor Elect if he would tackle all his promises from the starting gate.

“No, you’ve got to prioritize everything. Jobs are number one, though,” Scott said.

And although he is yet to serve a full day in office, Rick Scott is already talking about a second term

The Florida Highway Patrol will be out in full force this holiday weekend looking for drivers who’ve had too much to drink.

Partiers are being encouraged to designate a driver, call a taxi or take advantage of a free program that not only helps people arrive home safely, but their cars too. Whitney Ray tells us how the Tow to Go program works… and how you can take advantage of the free service.

One thousand people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents last year in Florida. 15-thousand more were injured. The Florida Highway Patrol is on a mission to bring those numbers down.

This weekend thousands of troopers, police officers, and sheriff’s deputies will be patrolling the streets and running check points to catch drunk drivers. New Years is one of the deadliest holidays on Florida roadways.

“We want to create a responsible driving environment by modifying driver behavior and helping drivers make better decisions,” said Col. John Czernis with he Florida Highway Patrol.

The Florida Highway Patrol is asking people who plan to party to designate a driver or call a cab and pick up their car after they’ve sobered up.

But there is a way to get you and your vehicle home without risking a DUI or your safety. AAA is teaming up with Budweiser to offer partiers another option. They’ll send a tow truck directly to you.

“We come, collect the keys to the vehicle, then go in and collect the driver. The driver goes into the AAA wrecker with the AAA driver and we take you to your home. So everyone is safe,” said Brenda Smith, a spokeswoman with AAA.

Both the ride and the tow are free. Names are kept confidential. Since the program began in 1998, 12-thousand intoxicated people have been kept off of Florida’s roadways. And that number to call to get you and your vehicle home safely is 1-800-AAA-Help. That’s 1-800-222-4357.

Florida archeologists are ecstatic about an American Indian artifact found buried in a lake bed.

This 23 foot long canoe is believed to be between 5-hundred and 8-hundred years old. It was found in Lake Munson in Leon County last month when the water level was low. Florida has about 350- ancient canoes, but State Historic Conservator James Levy says this is one of the best preserved specimens ever found.

“This canoe is pretty rare. It’s a little longer than the average. Most are about 15 to 18 feet I think. But to find one with the sides still on it is extremely rare. I think the reason for that is this one was lost in the middle of the lake. It sank in the mud. There’s a little less energy out there. You don’t have the wave action and the sanding that take place along the shoreline and that’s probably why this one still has the sides and is in good condition,” said Levy.

The canoe will be studied and displayed in the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Governor-elect Rick Scott is touring the state, thanking supporters and meeting with lawmakers. As Whitney Ray tells us he’s also building his administration from the road and grabbing leaders from the private sector to work in state government.

Governor-elect Rick Scott arrived in Panama City Wednesday to a crowd of enthusiastic supporters. With less than a week left until Scott takes office, his transition team is working double time to tie up loose ends and recruit leaders to take the reigns of state departments.

Scott is also meeting with legislators, like Republican Marti Coley, to discuss his jobs plan.

“We are creating an environment that will allow the private sector to grow and thrive and prosper and I think that is what he is here to do,” said Coley.

Scott will need legislative help to make good on his promise of 700-thousand jobs in seven years. He’ll also need to beef up his administration.

While on his tour Scott made his first two appointments. He picked an Indiana government official to head up Florida prisons and selected a man from Wal-Mart to lead the state through disasters like hurricanes and the BP oil spill.

Bryan Koon heads up emergency operations for the world’s largest retailer. Representative Jimmy Patronis is impressed Scott grabbed Koon.

Wal-Mart in its own right, their emergency management is bigger than some state’s emergency management,” said Patronis.

Scott, who ran as a government outsider, says expect more appointments from the private sector.

“This is a great opportunity. This is the greatest state to work for,” said Scott.

Scott will keep some of Governor Charlie Crist’s department heads for at least a little while longer to buy more time for his transition.

AG-elect Bondi’s Agenda

Attorney General-elect Pam Bondi was in Panama City today, joining Governor-elect Rick Scott on his inaugural tour. Bondi will become Florida’s first female Attorney General. She says she’s ready to take the torch from the current attorney general and continue the state’s lawsuit against the new federal health care laws. Bondi also wants to take on BP to make sure Floridians get paid.

“I’m going to look out for the people and I’m going to hold Fienberg and BP accountable for everything and that is one of my primary goals as your new attorney general,” said Bondi.

Bondi, Scott and the two other elected state cabinet members take office January 4th.