Rick Scott makes personal pitch for $1 billion in tax cuts

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is trying to win support for his $1 billion tax cut package.

Scott on Tuesday spent more than an hour before a House legislative committee defending his push for his tax cuts, many targeted toward businesses.

It was a rare sight for the governor to spend so much time interacting with lawmakers.

But Scott’s move comes when it’s unclear if legislators will go along with his tax cut package, as well as other parts of his recommended budget. The Legislature itself will draw up a new budget early next year.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, chairman of the House Finance and Tax Committee, said he wants to cut taxes but conceded legislators may not go along with all of Scott’s proposals.

Some legislators, for example, are questioning why Scott relies on higher property taxes to boost money for schools.

Reprinted with the permission of the Associated Press