PolitiJax
Written by Matt Dixon
No, Rep. Workman, you probably won't be the LG pick
Nice try, though.
In a rare comedic moment during what are otherwise straitlaced ceremonial bill signings, state Rep. Ritch Workman jumped in Tuesday as Gov. Rick Scott addressed a question about his lieutenant governor’s search.
Scott said he would consider someone outside of politics, and “Representative Workman would say the same thing." That’s the gap the Melbourne Republican, known for his off-the-cuff style, needed.
“Are you announcing it today?” Workman chimed in. “Oh my God, what a team. Look, it’s going to be great.”
As the crowd laughed, he noted the ticket would be follically-challenged (both are bald).
“Mine is a little longer than yours,” Scott said.
Prior to the exchange, Scott said that Texas Gov. Rick Perry has “been a great competitor." The longtime Texas governor announced Monday he would not seek re-election.
On rumors that Perry might run for president in 2016?
“He’s a good friend, I’m sure he would do a great job as president,” Scott said.
Scott met with reporters after the ceremonial bill signing at Bing Energy's facility.
The legislation (HB 705), sponsored by Workman in the House, would make “innovation businesses” eligible for funding from the Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research, a non-profit created by the Legislature in 2007 to help spur economic development through investment in technology companies.
The legislation also allows the institute to create its own corporate subsidies and charge those companies for services. It became law July 1.