Miami Herald: Florida has more to lose with sea rise than anywhere else in the U.S
Yesterday, the Tampa Bay Times reported on how Rick Scott has financial interests in various companies that would benefit from his inaction on climate change. This is the latest in a string of reporting that has dove into Rick Scott’s various self-serving actions as governor that made him richer, instead of taking steps in Floridian’s best interest.
In response to the Tampa Bay Times report, The Florida Democratic Party is launching a petition calling on Rick Scott to put his self-interest aside and acknowledge the harmful impacts of climate change.
Florida Democratic Party Spokesman Nate Evans:
“We always knew Rick Scott was a climate denier, but now we have a clearer picture as to why. In true self-serving Scott form, he has millions of dollars in investments in companies that have directly advocated against climate change regulation. It’s time that Scott, who has continued to get richer at taxpayer’s expense, put Florida’s best interest first and finally acknowledge the harmful impacts that climate change is having on the state.”
Key points from the Tampa Bay Times article:
Details on Rick Scott’s investments directly opposing climate change-related regulation:
- “A recent review of regulatory filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission shows a clear aversion against regulating greenhouse gases among companies that made up Scott’s portfolio the last time it was disclosed four years ago.”
- “Climate change and the regulation of greenhouse gases could have a negative impact on our business,” London-based Seadrill Partners wrote in an SEC filing in April. Scott listed an investment of $325,066 in the company in 2014.”
- “The petroleum giant Phillips 66, in which Scott showed a 2014 stake of $528,032, said in an SEC filing last year that “climate change legislation or regulation could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the refined products we produce.”
- “Scott held $14.7 million in stock in 2014 in Argan Inc., a Maryland holding company in power generation and renewable energy fields. In April, Argan told the SEC: “We may be affected by regulatory responses to the fear of climate change.”
- “About two dozen other firms in Scott’s portfolio expressed similar concerns.”
Details on Rick Scott’s shady finances:
- “Blind trusts make it hard to discern what exactly is netting growth in wealth. For instance, when Scott disclosed a net worth of $149.3 million as of Dec. 31, 2016, including $130 million in the Gov. Richard L. Scott Qualified Blind Trust, what wasn’t disclosed were the specific investments in the blind trust.”
- “Scott’s investment portfolio is managed by Alan Bazaar, a New York advisor, who for more than a decade was a business associate of the governor”
- “As a Senate candidate, Scott must again disclose his finances and those of his wife, First Lady Ann Scott, which are not required under Florida’s financial disclosure law, but are required under federal rules that apply to the U.S. Senate.”
- “He’ll be making votes that could help the investments in his own blind trust,” she said. “No one is that blind.”
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND ON SCOTT’S POOR RECORD ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT:
- Rick Scott is a climate change denier.
- Rick Scott’s administration banned Florida DEP officials from using the terms ‘climate change,’ ‘global warming’ in any official communications.
- Rick Scott has repeatedly flip flopped on whether he supports offshore drilling, and has backed offshore drilling even after the BP oil spill.
- The Scott Administration reportedly ‘
offered polluters ways to get out of fines.’
