Rick Scott: Legislators Can Still Pass $1 Billion Tax Cut Package

The Florida Senate may have said Gov. Rick Scott's massive $1 billion tax cut package was a long shot on Tuesday due to "turbulence" in the state's economy, but Scott is still holding fast to his original tax cut package, saying state lawmakers should adopt the controversial Seminole Compact to help boost Florida's economy.

Scott pooh-poohed the idea that state lawmakers wouldn't be able to pass his tax cut package, which he has heavily pushed and publicized in recent months.

“Governor Scott remains confident in his $1 billion tax cut package because while updated REC numbers show that national economic factors have led to a projected forecast of a minor reduction of $388.5 million, recent estimates also show that if the Legislature chooses to adopt the Seminole Compact the Governor signed, it would bring in $2.3 billion over eight years," said the governor's communications director Jackie Schutz. " We are pleased to also learn that we still have a significant increase in revenues of over $1 billion in fiscal year 2016-17.  Additionally, most actual revenues end up higher than revenue estimates.”

State lawmakers have generally praised Scott's tax cut package, but have expressed concerns that it may not be feasible. Last month, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli told reporters not all of the governor's tax cuts would make the state budget.

"Is a billion dollars in full off the table? No, it’s not. The reality is, though, we have to sit down and do the math on the proposed budget and find out where we’re going to land,” said Crisafulli on Scott’s $79 billion budget proposal for the 2016-2017 fiscal year Scott submitted last month.