Scott's two-year spending plan would shrink the overall state budget from $70.3 billion to $65.9 billion in 2011-2012 and to $63.3 billion in 2012-2013. Cuts were expected almost everywhere -- except in the area of education, where Scott has said that funding would remain the same.
At least, that's what people thought.
Scott's proposed budget for next year includes billions of dollars in education cuts. …Some of that loss is offset by having teachers contribute 5 percent to their retirement and by the inclusion of temporary federal education dollars. Still, per-student funding would shrink if Scott's budget is ultimately approved…
The PolitiFact partnership paper of the ruling's writer Aaron Sharockman, the Miami Herald, called it Flip-flop Number One in an article entitled “Budget Shows 4 Rick Scott Flip Flops in 1 day” which was linked to the St. Petersburg Times under the title “Rick Scott’s Budget Flip Flops.”
But Sharockman called it a False under the Truth-O-Meter.
PolitiFact explains the Flip-O-Meter this way:
Like our Truth-O-Meter, the Flip-O-Meter begins with good journalism. When a candidate is accused of flipping, reporters and researchers examine the candidates' statements and voting records. Have they hedged their words over time? Shifted their tone? Changed their voting patterns?
Then, we rate whether the candidate has truly flipped:
No Flip - No substantial change of position. The candidate has been consistent.
Half Flip - A partial change of position or inconsistent statements.
Full Flop - A major reversal of position; a complete flip-flop.
We are not making a value judgment about flip-flopping. Some people say it shows inconsistent principles and lack of backbone. Others say it's just pragmatism and willingness to compromise.
As we did with the Truth-O-Meter, our goal with the Flip-O-Meter is to provide you with a helpful tool so you can make a more informed decision when you vote.
Well, this helpful tool is telling me that Rick Scott changed his position--he flipped. In fact, a “full flop”. . Sharockman examined his statements and found he hedged his words:
