Americans for Prosperity: 'Enterprise Florida' Is Cronyism, Corporate Welfare

Conservative grassroots advocate Americans for Prosperity (AFP), in partnership with the government watchdog group Integrity Florida, announced Tuesday afternoon the release of their joint report "Enterprise Florida: Economic Development or Corporate Welfare?"

The report purports to analyze Enterprise Floridas (EFI) purpose compared with its results. It also examines what it calls the "pay-to-play appearance" of EFI'sboard of directors, potential conflicts of interest between the board and EFI staff, deals and contracts with board member companies, and questions EFIs reported new job numbers.

Enterprise Florida was created by the Legislature more than 20 years ago with the lofty goal of bringing new jobs to Florida. Yet it has failed to meet its stated goals all while giving the appearance of being a hotbed of cronyism and corporate welfare, said AFP-Floridas State Director Slade OBrien, in a press release. Millions of taxpayer dollars have been handed out to companies for the promise of new jobs but these deals have failed to fulfill their promises, and only disrupt the natural free market.

OBrien continued, Giving out taxpayer-funded incentives to companies that are coming to Florida or expanding their existing business is not a proven way to encourage jobs. Our elected officials would be better served to promote policies that will benefit employers and employees in the long run rather than short-term incentives. The Five for Florida plan that we released last summer specifically addresses policies that our elected officials can implement now to make Florida No. 1 for businesses, entrepreneurs and families. Low taxes and decreased regulatory burdens will do more to encourage permanent job growth in our state than a one-time cash handout will.