A movement was spawned last month, after boos erupted for Florida Gov. Rick Scott at a Florida spring training camp game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. Floridians who still haven’t totally given up on the idea of a recall election found a shorter-term strategy: boo at the governor every chance we get.

And so a Facebook page was born. “Boo Rick Scott on Opening Day (even if you’re not going to the game)” had 1,211 likes before Scott took the field to throw the opening pitch at the first regular season game for the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.

Scott was throwing the ball a day after announcing devastating cuts to services to the developmentally disabled that will force many out of group homes and into much more expensive — and depressing — nursing homes. It also came the same week that consumer advocates and industry experts called for an investigation into Scott’s dismissal of nursing home ombudsman Brian Lee, widely seen as a payback to the nursing home industry for its deep pockets in support of his campaign.

Lee, who had held the post for seven years, previously worked under Republican Govs. Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist and was a champion of residents’ rights.

The last straw, Lee believes, was his Jan. 31 letter to nursing homes directing them to submit information on their ownership, as permitted under the new federal health care legislation. It’s a contentious issue in the industry; critics say that’s because facilities are often broken into multiple businesses to make lawsuits against them more difficult. After Lee’s departure, a new letter was sent out to nursing homes telling them to disregard the order.

Scott, as is his wont, failed to notify the providers of services for those with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities of the huge cuts. Some found out from press releases; others via rumors from colleagues. Regardless of how they learned of the peremptory decision, the reaction was the same.

Pam Gionfriddo, who heads the Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County, said, “…you are just going to see more people ending up in jail, homeless, in the woods behind your house,” she said, adding that she has one message for the governor and legislators.

“Find another place to cut, because we are already cut to the bone here.”

As is also his habit, Scott showed no remorse for his astounding cruelty and brazen self-interest. He participated in a Special Olympics torch bearing ceremony the day before announcing the cuts.

Scott’s luck continues to hold. He escaped the nation’s largest Medicare fraud investigation with only a fine and the loss of his CEO status. He escaped the Rays game with only boos. With the sins he’s committed, it could have been much worse.

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