RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — U.S. Sen. Rick Scott unveiled his plan for improving security and infrastructure at ports in Florida during a visit to Palm Beach County on Monday.
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The senator held a news conference at the Port of Palm Beach in Riviera Beach.
Sen. Scott highlighted his Fighting For Florida budget, which includes more than $140 million to improve security and infrastructure at ports in Florida.
"We love all the jobs that are created, whether it's for the cruise industry, manufacturing industry, or people working around our ports," said Sen. Scott. They are good paying jobs."
The senator said in his eight years as governor of Florida, the state invested $1.4 billion into the 15 sea ports in the Sunshine State. Because of that, he said, ten of the fastest-growing ports in the U.S. are located in Florida.
"One group that has not been a great partner is our federal government," said Sen. Scott. "The federal government, in my eight years as governor, they did not put up their portion of the money for our ports, and it's wrong."
Officials said the Port of Palm Beach is facing around $50 million in much-needed improvements, including fixing slips and rails that ships use when they come in and out.