Mitch Perry
With the Georgia Legislature considering blocking a tax break for Delta Air Lines, former Miami Beach Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine is the latest Democrat outside the Peach State to ask the carrier to come to Florida.
The solicitations to Delta Air Lines CEO Edward H. Bastian have been flowing since the Georgia Senate threatened a jet-fuel tax break earlier this week because of the airline’s halt to a discount-fare program with the National Rifle Association.
“I believe this is a unique opportunity to send a loud message as a corporate citizen that you will not stand to be bullied by politicians who will not do the right thing,” Levine writes.
“This is a moment in time where you could relocate your airline hub to the Sunshine State, as Florida offers a diverse and deep pool of talent, great weather, a portal to the rest of the world, and an economy that is ready to take off under the right leadership.”
Delta is one of a number of corporations to withdraw from offering discounts or other offers to the NRA following the aftermath of the massacre in Parkland on Valentine’s Day.
Officials with the airline, based in Atlanta, announced on Saturday that it was withdrawing from an agreement to provide discounted travel for NRA members attending the pro-gun group’s annual meeting.
Georgia Lt Gov. Casey Cagle, running for governor as a Republican this year, blasted Delta for their move, tweeting “I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA. Corporation cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.”
I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA. Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.
— Casey Cagle (@CaseyCagle) February 26, 2018
By a unanimous voice vote, the Georgia Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday passed a sweeping tax cut proposal that no longer includes a lucrative sales tax exemption on jet fuel. The measure awaits debate.
While Levine hopes to become Florida’s governor later this year, other Democratic governors like New York’s Andrew Cuomo and Virginia’s Ralph Northam have also sent out messages to Bastian that he should consider moving Delta to their respective states.
Throughout his tenure in office, Gov. Rick Scott has traveled to other states to try to woo corporations to the Sunshine State. An NRA supporter, he has not commented about wanting to recruit Delta to Florida.
Levine is competing for the Democratic nomination for governor against former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and Winter Park businessman Chris King.
2 comments
Richard Paul Dembinsky
March 1, 2018 at 9:41 pm
Philip Levine; keep it up and YOUR next Delta Flight could be to Miami Beach to retire. Florida voters don’t need to fight every other part of the Country. WE are happy with whatever happens. What are you doing to eliminate Aircraft noise and forcing over the air television users to have to pay for expensive cable because of too much Air traffic (typically smaller planes in low elevation). My point is Mr. Levine, don’t try to make more problems for Florida. Fix the flooding in Miami Beach by turning the first floor buildings into submarine parking spots. Accept whatever happens …next you will be asking Putin to target Georgia rather than Florida. Drop out of the democratic party and run as Independent. YOU will not win the democratic party nomination.
Ben
March 2, 2018 at 12:04 pm
you clearly don’t understand, the message Mr. Levine is sending here. Yes it does include a message to relocate Delta HQ to FL, but the bigger message is that gun control across the nation must change immediately, as the MAJORITY of the voting population supports taking action. No longer can corporations sit back and not align themselves with the majority of their customers that are in favor of doing the right thing. I’m an NRA member, father and very concerned citizen, it should NEVER take a second thought do to the right things at any moment to protect families and children FIRST, if you take the time to read the 2nd Amendment, it was designed to be necessary to ensure security of a free State and the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed, although we have grown leaps and bounds as a society without ever acknowledging that not all the people are qualified to bear arms and as we learn from our mistakes, like our forefathers, we must do like they did and do the right things and ensure the security of a free State and the right of the QUALIFIED people to keep and bear Arms. Wake up before its too late.
Comments are closed.