SEED Fund Passes House on Party Lines Vote

The House passed two measures sponsored by Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, and backed by Gov. Rick Scott that would roll six established trust funds with more than $425 million into the State Economic Enhancement and Development Fund (SEED) which would be in the governors Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development. The measure passed 81-38 on a vote that mirrored party lines.

This SEED fund combines six trust funds, said Aubuchon, who insisted it would help the economy.

This is a bill that we in the back rows have had a lot of difficulty with due to the discretion given to the governor, countered Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek. Waldman maintained that the Legislature should retain control over the funds.

All it does is allow future legislators to have a greater pot of money, replied Aubuchon. There is nothing in this bill that gives the governor greater flexibility.