Florida House plan to eliminate job-creation funding would take the state backward

I will fight to stop the House, and so should you.

By Observer Staff
| 11:19 a.m. February 21, 2017

Palm Coast Observer
News

Rick Scott

Guest Writer

The Florida House of Representatives has decided to push legislation to undo economic development funding in Florida and defund our state’s tourism agency.

Reform already underway

These are the facts that confirm the negligence of eliminating our jobs and tourism agencies generating jobs:

Before I came into office, state incentives were often awarded before goals, like job creation, were met.
But, today Florida companies only receive economic incentives after an independent third-party audit proves stringent requirements are met, including proven job growth and wage requirements to ensure a great return on investment for Florida families.
This means no money is given as “corporate welfare” because no money can be awarded until contract requirements like jobs are created.
Because of our economic development programs, several companies like Hertz, Northrup Grumman, and Blue Origin — to name a few — have located or expanded in our state to create thousands of jobs.

They say they don’t want government intrusion in the free market. Of course, there is government financing in the areas of health care, transportation, education, housing and social services. But, they have decided to try to totally eliminate funding for the one area where we can easily show a major return on the investment of your tax dollars. Jobs are being created by more companies moving to our state and our tourism industry has recruited a record-breaking number of visitors over the last few years.

Even more absurd: The politicians in the Florida House who already voted for this bill say they don’t necessarily want to abolish these programs but instead want to advance a “conversation,” meaning they voted for something they don’t support. This is hypocrisy at its best and these are the kind of games I came to Tallahassee to change.

Both Visit Florida and EFI have made mistakes over the years. In both cases, we have made changes to ensure transparency of taxpayer dollars and brought in new leadership.

If the House succeeds with ending economic development and tourism programs in Florida, the small and rural communities in our state would be hurt the most.

Just last week I traveled the state and met with business owners who are devastated that there is even talk of abolishing these programs. Many job creators rely on EFI and Visit Florida and said they would not be able to keep their doors open if it weren’t for their help. No job is expendable to the families they employ.

This is no time to stand still. In business, you are either moving forward or you are moving backward. The Florida House is currently planning to take our state backward. I will fight to stop them, and so should you.

Rick Scott is the governor of Florida.

Another resident's perspective

Government should not pick winners and losers

Dear Editor:

Rep. Paul Renner was absolutely right in his editorial last week: Government should not pick winners and losers.

It is not the job of government to redistribute wealth. Who better to decide what to do with the money you earn than you? Why should the government take our tax dollars and use them to give “incentives” to the chosen few? This is in direct violation of the principles set forth in our Constitution. Smaller government and lower taxes would benefit everyone.

If government would concentrate its efforts on substantially reducing business taxation and regulations, the state would not have to “charm small employers with gifts.”

As Thomas Jefferson said in 1802, "If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy."

Alice Losasso

Palm Coast