Jim Rosica
It was among the last on the list Friday, but the Legislature passed a tax-cut package worth $129 million.
The Senate vote was 35-4, with four Democrats opposed: Dwight Bullard of Miami, Jeff Clemens of Lake Worth, Arthenia Joyner of Tampa, and Oscar Braynon of Miami Gardens.
That sent it back to the House, which passed it after debate by 105-9.
Add in another $290 million that lawmakers are using to buy down increases in local property taxes, and the whole package is worth about $400 million. A part of the state’s school-funding formula known as “required local effort” includes local tax money.
In the Senate, Clemens debated against the legislation, rattling off a list of Florida economic statistics that showed the state ranked poorly in a variety of indicators, such as being 50th among states in the oral health care of its kids.
“We don’t need this tax package,” he said. “Let’s fix all these problems … instead of giving tax cuts to companies.”
A Democratic colleague dressed him down:
“Some of the things you said have nothing to do with this tax package,” said Joe Abruzzo of Boynton Beach, who worked on the package. He said tax cuts stoke “an economic engine” that creates jobs.
Among other provisions, the bill (HB 7099) would make permanent the current break on the state’s 6 percent sales tax on heavy equipment bought by manufacturers.
It also phases out over three years a tax on asphalt used in road projects. The bill cuts the aviation fuel tax from 6.9 percent to 4.27 percent, and even reduces the tax on pear cider from 2.25 per gallon to 89 cents, she said.
Associated Industries of Florida, the state’s premier business lobby, “applaud(ed) the inclusion of language to repeal the manufacturing equipment sales tax” in a statement released late Friday.
“… AIF supports this pro-business tax cut that will energize manufacturing and grow high-wage and high-value added jobs in the Sunshine State,” said President and CEO Tom Feeney. “We look forward to Gov. Scott signing this good tax-reducing measure into law.”
