Unlike ethics reform, the speaker was successful on passing one of his most prized legislative priorities, HB 7069, a $419 million education bill which is friendly to Florida charter schools. His success is owed, in part, to his sudden partnership with Gov. Rick Scott at the close of session.
Corcoran, who had previously labeled Scott as a “crony capitalist,” helped the governor get his $160 million investment economic development programs across the finish line. The governor then rewarded him with his signature on HB 7069 and an invitation to join him on a victory tour across the state.
A continued alliance with Gov. Scott could pay dividends for a Corcoran gubernatorial run, given Scott’s close relationship with President Donald Trump.
Despite his lack of a final decision, Corcoran opened a new political committee called Watchdog PAC to begin the daunting task of amassing sufficient funds to challenge Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.
“If I can’t raise the money, I can’t raise the money, and if I raise the money and I don’t want to run for governor, I don’t run for governor. I’ll use it for constitutional amendments, I’ll use it for helping real conservatives, or I’ll turn it over to the (Republican) party,” Corcoran also told the Tampa Bay Times.
