Jim Rosica
In a move that combines policy goals with political pragmatism, state Sen. Jack Latvala on Monday told reporters he’s championing Gov. Rick Scott‘s request for a $250 million business incentive fund in next year’s state budget.
Latvala said he would recommend the pot of money to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development, which he chairs. The panel meets Monday afternoon.
It’s an about-face for the Clearwater Republican, who’s slated to be Appropriations chair next year under future Senate President Joe Negron.
As recently as last week, Latvala was questioning the need for a “Florida Enterprise Fund.” The incentive money and $1 billion in tax cuts is Scott’s big ask to lawmakers for 2016-17. The money wouldn’t be an annual request and is expected to last “several years,” according to officials.
Also, state economists recently predicted there could be $400 million less in revenue for next year’s state budget.
Now, “we have enough money for that,” Latvala said, referring to the incentive fund, “although we’re going to have to trim some other things,” adding that member-driven projects might take a back seat in the budget building.
“I think there will be less member projects than last year,” he said.
He added that “we’re all on the same team, we all want to produce jobs, but we still have a ways to go on what’s going to be in the final bill” that includes the new fund. He expected that legislation to take shape in another two weeks.
“We want to give him the tools he needs for business recruitment,” Latvala said of the governor. “…We’re going to put it out there and tell America the money is there.”
“By taking a significant step forward to work with the governor, I hope we are improving the overall climate of his decision making,” he said, a not-so-subtle reference to the governor’s veto power over budget line-items.
When asked if his decision was more “olive branch or philosophical agreement,” Latvala said, “It’s a combination of both.”
5:30 update: Latvala announced the request to the panel, saying “there’s room in the pot” for both the business and entertainment incentives. There was no discussion about it; the subcommittee meets again at 3:30 Tuesday.
