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Governor Scott Swears in New Lieutenant Governor

Florida's new lieutenant governor has officially taken office after he was sworn in Monday morning.

Carlos Lopez-Cantera, formerly the Miami-Dade County property appraiser, started the job almost a year after Jennifer Carroll resigned following an Internet gambling controversy.

He is the 19th lieutenant governor in Florida history and the first Latino to hold the position.

Lopez-Cantera praised Gov. Rick Scott for the state's economic progress so far and said he looks forward to working with him.

Unemployment is down to 6.2 percent from 11.1 percent, he said, and 462,000 jobs have been created since Scott started as governor.

"And that's as of today. And more than $3 billion in debt paid down," he said in an interview. "The results matter."

The first step for Lopez-Cantera is to cut $500 million in taxes for Florida residents, Scott said in an interview.

"The first thing we talked about when we sat down is... what our agenda is," he said. "We want this $500 million back to Florida families."

 

Kathryn is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.