A key senator wants Gov. Rick Scott's office to tone down how it has publicly pushed for more economic-development money, as lawmakers seek to revamp the state's business-incentives program.
Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, got an apology Wednesday from Bill Johnson, Scott's top business recruiter, as a committee overview of Enterprise Florida led to discussions that focused heavily on a growing debate about funding for the economic-development agency.
Latvala made a point that he was addressing people watching the meeting on TV and that the governor's office is "working the wrong way."
"The rhetoric needs to be lowered, and let's find out a solution that keeps economic development going in the state of Florida," Latvala said, noting that Johnson, who was appointed by Scott earlier this year as president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, is simply "the messenger."
Senate Commerce and Tourism Chairwoman Sen. Nancy Detert, whose committee held the discussion, also criticized an effort to apply outside pressure on lawmakers to increase funding at Enterprise Florida.
"You don't need to behave like everybody else, where you have to gin up your supporters and tell them to lobby us," Detert said to Johnson. "You already know us personally. You can call us. You can walk in our office. Just do it that way."
The Senate and Scott have been engaged in a growing spat over funding for Enterprise Florida, which received about $78 million this year from the state for incentives, marketing and other operations. The agency also receives another $2.5 million to $4 million annually from its private members, which include many of the largest businesses in Florida.
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, sent out a memo Monday reaffirming his chamber's stance that the current business-incentives program needs to be revamped and that lawmakers have adequately funded Enterprise Florida, which Scott says is running short of recruitment dollars.
Instead of placing money into a low-yield commercial escrow account to await businesses reaching job-creation or performance benchmarks, something "not specifically authorized by the Legislature," Gardiner wants the state to annually cap the amount of money that would be available for contractually obligated business incentives, similar to the state Department of Transportation's five-year work program.
Gardiner's memo came as Scott has been crisscrossing the state urging local business-development agencies to pressure lawmakers to boost the funding for Enterprise Florida during the 2016 legislative session, which starts in January.
Scott and Johnson have repeatedly asserted that Enterprise Florida has just $9 million remaining for recruitment efforts in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2016.
Latvala, chairman of a subcommittee that oversees economic-development funding, called the Scott and Johnson claim about recruitment dollars a "sky is falling scenario." Latvala noted that the agency spent only $3.3 million of that recruitment pool a year ago. While it has already spent $3 million of $12 million allocated this year, he doesn't expect there to be a major jump in the spending figures when the year is done.
Johnson said that the agency is currently working with 22 or 23 "hot" companies, which if they all agreed to move or expand into Florida would require about $53 million to close.
"We can't sign an agreement unless there is money to back the deal," Johnson said.
Earlier this year, Scott asked lawmakers to set aside $85 million for business incentives. The final budget for the fiscal year that started July 1 included $53 million for Enterprise Florida, of which $43 million was for incentives and $10 million was for marketing.
Detert questioned the $10 million, noting that Visit Florida, the state's tourism arm, has done a better job in marketing.
"They can't branch off and advertise for business?" asked Detert, R-Venice. "Why not just have them do it?"
Johnson said the two agencies have different focuses. And, he said, Enterprise Florida is looking to rebrand --- in May the agency started to downplay a somewhat-controversial "tie" themed logo --- and has been working with local economic-development agencies on marketing.
"We're going to market the state as a premium business location," Johnson said. "It's a different activity than promoting --- if you will --- the beaches and the sun and the palm trees."
Latvala led the arguments earlier this year against Scott's funding request. He maintains the agency should use more private money for incentives and that marketing dollars should come from money that Enterprise Florida already has in an escrow account.
