Florida Gov. Rick Scott repeated Wednesday his call for the Florida Legislature to eliminate the state manufacturing sales tax. Scott made his remarks while taping an episode of The Florida Chambers Bottom Line, a web-based program produced by the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
We only have 4.3 percent of our jobs in manufacturing. Thats way below the national average, Scott explained to David Hart, the Chamber's executive vice president. With our 15 seaports and investment in our seaports, the fact that were a right-to-work state, and have lower business taxes, we should have way more manufacturing jobs than the rest of the country as a percentage. This is our opportunity to level the playing field.
Scott's comments came the same day theboard of directors of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously to support a sales tax exemption for the purchase of new manufacturing machinery.
Florida has the opportunity to lead the world in manufacturing, but our current tax on manufacturers prevents us from capitalizing on that opportunity," said Bob Rohrlack, president and CEO of the Greater Tampa Chamber, in a statement announcing the vote."With such an overwhelming percentage of potential customers outside of the United States, we are an ideal international gateway."
Florida is currently the only state on the Atlantic seaboard and on the Gulf Coast that charges sales taxes on manufacturing equipment.HB 391 ("Exemptions from Tax on Sales, Use, and Other Transactions"), sponsored by freshmanRep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta,is currently before the full Florida House on its second reading; its Senate companion is still making its way through the committee process.
During the broadcast, Scott also addressed the importance of public employee pension reform.
We clearly have to improve our pension program,Scott insisted. Its only about 87 percent funded. We have people in a plan that Im worried aren't going to get paid. Weve got to fix the plan we have, and make sure the people in the plan have a plan they can rely on.
Reach Eric Giunta at egiunta@sunshinestatenews.com or at (954) 235-9116
