FL Gov Rick Scott 's budget signing: RPOF "private event"; bus in charter students; eject Democrats

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Typically, state budgets have been signed in Tallahassee at a low-key ceremony with little pomp. Not this year.

Representatives from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, Bitner and Republican legislators Alan Hays of Umatilla and Marlene O'Toole of nearby Lady Lake warmed up the crowd before Scott bounced onto the stage after 1 p.m.

He was surrounded by red, white and blue bunting as Elvis Presley's A Little Less Conversation blared from the speakers.

After remarks, Scott moved to a smaller stage where he sat at a wooden desk and formally signed the budget.

Charter school students were bused in to surround Scott for the signing and were handed homemade signs to wave. When Scott was finished, a man in a tea party T-shirt began encouraging the children to chant Scott's campaign slogan, "Let's get to work."

Scott then handed out tiny replica red Sharpie pens, symbolizing his decision to veto $615 million in spending.

The entire event was broadcast over the Internet by the Republican Party, and in many ways mirrored Scott's budget proposal unveiling in Eustis in February.

Thursday's crowd of mainly white retirees and tea party activists loved it.

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Miami Herald: Scott vetoes a record $615M; Rick Scott vetoed a record amount of spending at a campaign-style event that some Democrats were forbidden from attending.

Orlando Sentinel: Governor's vetoes rile legislators; Line-item cuts total $615.3M

Palm Beach Post: Scott's vetoes total record $615M; The governor's signature eliminates money for FAU, PBSC, Belle Glade.

Naples Daily News: Scott lightens budget by $615M; Governor vetoes spending on homeless veterans, education and health care.

Florida Today: $615M in vetoes a first for Florida; Scott signs $69B budget in name of education.

Tallahassee Democrat: Scott slashes $615M before signing budget

Tampa Tribune: Scott vetoes $615M; Line-item paring includes USF, TBARTA, Tampa PBS

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The Villages Daily Sun: Scott inks budget here (---:eyes:---)

Gov. Rick Scott, sounding a tad defensive about the record $615.3 million in budget vetoes that he announced yesterday, is turning to social media to rally support for what he’s calling his “Jobs Budget.”

In an email to supporters this morning, the governor urges them to visit his website and social media sites to express support for him and his budget.

“The special interests are organized and will be spreading all sorts of misinformation about these vetoes; however, you and I know that this money is better spent on our kids than special interest earmarks. Over the next few weeks, I will need your help to share the facts about our budget by calling your radio stations, writing letters to the editor, and spreading the facts on Facebook and Twitter. Please visit my website to learn more about how you can help.(")