The Florida Senate and the House of Representatives have two very different ideas on how much money the state should give to Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, setting up a showdown over the public-private agencies which has quickly morphed into one of the hottest issues during the 2017 legislative session.
Before lawmakers descended upon Tallahassee for the 60-day legislative session, Gov. Rick Scott unveiled two ambitious funding proposals for both Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida. The governor requested more than $80 million for Enterprise Florida and another $76 million for Visit Florida.
The former provides economic incentives for businesses bringing jobs to Florida while the latter promotes state tourism.
On Tuesday, the Florida Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Subcommittee sided with Scott and proposed backing his request for $76 million for Visit Florida.
Meanwhile, the House Transportation & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee refused to budge on its pared down proposal for Visit Florida, holding firm to its $25 million allotment to the state tourism agency.
The committee’s decision reflects the House’s decision to greatly scale back Visit Florida in an attempt to curb “taxpayer waste” in the Sunshine State. House Speaker Richard Corcoran has led the charge against Visit Florida, all while trashing Enterprise Florida and proposing to eliminate that agency altogether.
State Rep. Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola, who chairs that committee, said Tuesday’s decision was merely following the House’s previous plans but didn’t rule out the possibility of negotiating the final budget numbers down the road.
“I know there are negotiations going on between the House and Senate on the policy of that bill,” said Ingram.
Scott and Corcoran have been involved in a heated brawl over EFI and Visit Florida funding during this year’s legislative session. The governor attributes economic growth and a booming tourism industry to both EFI and Visit Florida, while Corcoran has knocked both agencies as excessively wasteful and a misuse of taxpayer money.
Scott attempted to seize the opportunity to drum up support for his budget proposals for EFI and Visit Florida, spending much of Tuesday afternoon meeting with 14 of Florida’s 40 senators.
The governor gave a shout out to the Senate for cozying up to his Visit Florida proposal, but once again criticized state representatives for siding against it.
“Over the past few months, Floridians and job creators from across the state have come together in support of important economic development programs like Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA,” he said. “I want to thank the Florida Senate for listening to our families and job creators by proposing to fully fund Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA.”
The House’s decision to cut Visit Florida’s budget was “especially shocking” to Scott, who warned of reduced tourism numbers which in turn would mean reduced revenue and jobs cuts in the Sunshine State.
“Over and over again, politicians in the House have failed to understand that Florida is competing for job creation projects against other states and countries across the globe,” Scott said.
On Wednesday, the Senate will review a different plan which would have EFI receiving less than its goal of $85 million for new incentive programs. That proposal, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, would set aside $45 million for new incentives, pushing over $39 million for “economic development tools.” The majority of that money -- $25 million -- would include money for new contracts.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
READ MORE FROM SUNSHINE STATE NEWS
Trump Taps Bondi to Drug Commission to Fight Opioid Addiction
Aramis Ayala Should Do Her Job or Leave
