Americans for Prosperity-Florida launching direct mail campaign targeting sports, film incentives

Residents in eight state Senate districts will be receiving a mailer from Americans for Prosperity-Florida in the coming days.

The organization announced Tuesday it has launched a direct mail campaign to tell Floridians about a proposal moving through the state Senate that includes film production and sports incentives.

The measure (SB 1646), sponsored by Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican, passed the Senate transportation, tourism and economic development appropriations subcommittee 8-0 Thursday.

AFP-FL said Tuesday it plans to send mailers to Floridians represented by those senators who voted for the measure during that committee meeting. That means Floridians living in districts represented by Sens. Nancy Detert, a Venice Republican; Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, a Miami Republican, Audrey Gibson, a Jacksonville Democrat; Maria Sachs, a Delray Beach Democrat; Geraldine Thompson, an Orlando Democrat; Jeff Clemens, a Lake Worth Democrat; and Latvala may be getting the mailer.

“Floridians deserve to know what their legislators are pushing through the capitol as every one of those decisions gravely affects the outcomes for families and entrepreneurs to succeed in the sunshine state,” Chris Hudson, state director for AFP-FL, said in a prepared statement.

“Florida should not engage in a race-to-the-bottom-style spending spree. Florida already ranks 5th nationally in state solvency, while some of the key supposed competitors are ranking well below us. We should be focused on cutting red tape and taxes, because that is what can truly spur continued growth and prosperity.”

Among other things, the bill creates the entertainment action fund, from which approved production companies can receive funds for qualified expenditures.

The bill now heads to the Senate appropriations committee.

The organization is also sending mailers to Floridians to commend House members for supporting budget proposals that don’t include incentive packages, such as those for the film and sports industries and Gov. Rick Scott‘s proposed $250 million Enterprise Florida fund.

“There is still work to be done, but the fact that these members are supporting a budget that does not include key corporate welfare handouts is a step in the right direction to ensure Florida families and entrepreneurs have the best chance at continuing to prosper in the sunshine state,” Hudson said.