Governor Rick Scott is in Paris on his ninth international trade mission since taking office in 2011. He's been visiting the Paris Air Show and touting Florida’s position in the aeronautics industry.
Scott has already gone on trade missions to Brazil, Israel, Spain and Chile, among others, plugging what he calls Florida’s pro-business climate.
Florida TaxWatch President Dominic Calabro supports the trade missions. He says as global business increases, the state should be part of the conversation.
"The cost of not being present is lost jobs; it’s lost capital investment. It’s lost business activity", Calabro said. "If you’re out of sight, you’re out of mind. If you’re not there, the governor of another state is going to be there."
Critics say Scott's foreign travel isn't a good use of his time or taxpayer money. Most of the costs are paid by the lawmakers and business leaders traveling with the governor, but the taxpayers are covering Scott's staff and security costs.