Tampabay.com
OCTOBER 10, 2011

Scott: Florida doesn't need more anthropology majors

rick_scott_26-sept-11.jpgSpending money on science and math degrees can help Floridians find work and provide a return on taxpayers' investments, Gov. Rick Scott said today in an interview on "The Marc Bernier Show" on WNDB-AM in Daytona Beach.

Scott said Florida doesn't need "a lot more anthropologists in this state."

"It's a great degree if people want to get it. But we don't need them here," Scott said.

"I want to spend our money getting people science, technology, engineering and math degrees. That's what our kids need to focus all of their time and attention on: Those type of degrees that when they get out of school, they can get a job."

Scott also mentioned toll roads as a good investment of state dollars.

Scott's transportation secretary, Ananth Prasad, rolled out a plan in August that would speed up road-building projects, including the Veterans Expressway in Hillsborough County, and create new tolls to pay for it.

On the radio today, Scott pointed to tolled express lanes on Interstate 95 in Broward County. The lanes are for registered car pools, hybrids, motorcycles and anyone else who wants to pay a toll.

"It took the rush hour traffic for the non-tolled lanes from 25 mph to 45," Scott said. "For people not paying the toll, it was a big benefit.

"So we're going to start doing that across the state."

(Scott will be talking transportation along with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, U.S. Rep. John Mica and others at the "Intelligent Transport Systems" conference in Orlando next week.)

Join the discussion: Click to view comments, add yours

About the blog

For Florida political news today, the Buzz is your can't-miss-it source. Tampa Bay Times writers offer the latest in Florida politics, the Florida Legislature and the Rick Scott administration. Keep in mind: This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the Tampa Bay Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper. You are not engaging in private communication with candidates or Times staffers.

E-mail Times political editor Adam Smith: asmith@tampabay.com

Advertisement

ON TWITTER



SPECIAL REPORTS

SITES OF INTEREST

POLITICAL LINKS

TIMES COLUMNS

REAL CLEAR POLITICS BLOG

POLITICS HEADLINES from the AP

Registration FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site.