“Why in the world would Halsey Beshears or anybody else vote to eliminate Enterprise Florida and decimate Visit Florida?” Scott told reporters after meeting with business leaders and state economic development officials. “This is about some family getting a job. I’m going to fight for those families all this session.”
The showdown over incentives has escalated into one of the most heated clashes between Scott and legislative Republicans since the governor took office in 2011. Scott used a sizable piece of his “State of the State” address last week to blast House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, and others who oppose the incentives.
A bipartisan group of legislators critical of Enterprise Florida say the spending represents “corporate welfare” that gives some businesses special privileges. The Visit Florida reform measure follows attacks on the agency for a controversial $1 million contract with Miami hip-hop artist Pitbull to promote Florida.
“There are better, higher uses for that money, whether it’s public safety, whether it’s quality education, or infrastructure,” Rep. Paul Renner, a Palm Coast Republican who is sponsoring the bills, said after the Enterprise Florida measure was approved Friday.
