Corporate Tax Cuts Looking Dead as Budget Conferences Start

The budget conferences of the House and Senate got underway Wednesday, but reading between the lines of the chairman of the finance and tax conference, Gov. Rick Scott's plans for corporate and property tax cuts do not appear to be in the wings.

After an initial meeting Tuesday afternoon, Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, was asked about the cuts and the confidence expressed by Gov. Scott that they will make their way into the final budget.

"I continue to express confidence that I will lose 20 pounds," Gaetz said coyly.

Scott could be getting a different item on his wish list, though. His plan to reorganize many of the functions of the Department of Community Affairs, the Agency for Workforce Innovation and economic development functions into a single "Jobs Florida" agency appears to be coming to fruition in budget talks.The Senate made an offer to House members that adopted most of the House positions regarding the reorganization, but kept the performance measures that Gaetz said will ensure a return on investment for economic development funds. The House is expected to return with a counter offer Tuesday evening.