Senator Scott demands UF presidential search transparency

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[00:00:00]US Senator Rick Scott is blasting the University of Florida's presidential search saying it lacks transparency and public input. He sent a letter to the state's university system questioning the process and calling for legislative action from lawmakers in Tallahassee.

[00:00:15]Here's News Channel 8's Mackenzie LaPorte. Earlier in the week the University of Florida was one step closer to finally having a permanent president. But just a few days later US Senator Rick Scott is now putting that process under a microscope while also taking aim at Attorney General James Uthmeier's teaching job at UF calling it bizarre. The former governor is calling out the University of Florida's presidential search process yet again.

[00:00:43]In a letter sent to Chancellor Raymond Rodriguez, UF Board of Trustees, and incoming House and Senate leadership, Senator Scott says UF students, parents, faculty, and Florida taxpayers lost their seat at the table and some things got to change.

[00:00:59]>> He points to a secret presidential search process, a potential multi-million dollar payout to the interim president, and Attorney General James Uthmeier's UF teaching job as top concerns saying quote, "What is occurring at UF sounds like something we would see coming out of states like California and New York, not the free state of Florida." As for Uthmeier, he has defended his role at his alma mater.

[00:01:23]It's an honor. I'm proud of my alma mater. I work hard. I'm I'm still making less unfortunately than the first year associates at my old law firm, but you know what? That's what public service is. Scott's concerns echo a recent debate at the state capitol. Just last year lawmakers passed a bill off of the house floor that aimed to bring more transparency to the presidential search process.

[00:01:43]>> They put the entire process in the shade and it created a huge level of distrust amongst Floridians across the state.

[00:01:52]>> But with veto threats from Governor Ron DeSantis and little support in the Senate, the bill failed. Eight On Your Side reached out to the Chancellor, UF Board of Trustees, and Rep. Garrison and Senator Boyd, who either did not respond or declined to comment on Scott's letter. So, what's next? Well, Senator Rick Scott wants the legislature to act and make some changes to the University of Florida's contracting practices and its in the dark presidential searches.

[00:02:18]And the question is whether the incoming Senate President Jim Boyd and House Speaker Sam Garrison will take action.

[00:02:25]We'll be keeping a close eye out here at the Capitol. McKenzie Laport, Eight On Your Side.