Gov. Rick Scott demonstrated last week that he grasps the difference between campaign rhetoric and governing reality. And while his comments about immigrant labor to a citrus industry group maybe irk his tea party boosters, they represent an astute understanding of the vital role these workers play in Florida’s economy.

“It would be fo olish to put Florida companies at a disadvantage,” Scott said of requiring employers to use the E-Verify system to check the immigration status of potential employees.