Rick Scott's Contempt of the Press Increases

This should leave no doubt Gov. Rick Scott is doing everything he can to avoid Florida's "Sunshine Law." Tia Mitchell reports both she and photographer Scott Keeler were asked to leave the Florida House Press Gallery. Mitchell and Keller were covering Scott practicing his State of the State speech. The House Sergeant-at-Arms staff told Mitchell and Keller that Scott requested that they be removed.

Mitchell reports that Keller covered Scott's 2012 and 2013 State of the State rehearsal with no incident. The only explanation that was given on why Keller and Mitchell couldn't cover Scott's State of the State rehearsal was that the event is private.

Scott came into the Governor's mansion intent on limiting access by the media. Scott has only gotten worse. The Miami Herald reports Scott uses his own private plane to avoid logging where he travels to the media. Scott may use his own plane but taxpayers are paying for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents that provide security for the Governor. Scott released details of his flight travel last year to the media. Scott has now cited the need for security as the reason not to release his flight travel to the media. Governors Charlie Crist, Jeb Bush and Lawton Chiles all shared their flight travel destinations with the media.

Scott is now waging full war against media access. Pissing off the media is not the best way to get positive coverage. Maybe Scott doesn't even care anymore.