A deep dive into Ron DeSantis’ new economic plan
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Ron DeSantis and Jeanette Nunez

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis on Friday unveiled a detailed economic plan that promises a veto for all tax increases and demands the federal government deliver more research dollars.

The candidate said his plan will keep Florida a tax haven and magnet for innovation.

“With nearly 1,000 people moving to Florida every day, Florida is undoubtedly one of the most desirable destinations to live, work and raise a family,” DeSantis said.

“A part of this appeal is the business environment we’ve created that allows entrepreneurs and innovators to come to Florida to build their business without burdensome regulations and heavy taxes and fees.”

But one item conspicuously absent? Any mention of corporate tax incentives to lure businesses to relocate or expand in the Sunshine State.

Florida Politics takes a deep dive into the plan.

Tax Killer

DeSantis promises as governor to veto any legislation that “raises taxes on Floridians.”

“Tax increases stifle job growth and hinder Floridians’ opportunities to succeed,” reads the candidate’s economic proposal.

The Republican also wants to eliminate a number of specific taxes already on the books.

That includes phasing out the business rent tax, which lawmakers reduced by almost 6 percent at the start of 2018.

DeSantis called for unspecified reductions in the Florida Communications Services Tax, now 4.92 percent, and the Florida Corporate Income Tax.

He will also push a review of all taxes and levies and promote a tax cut package targeted at making Florida more competitive while lowering prices for consumers.

DeSantis also took the opportunity to endorse Amendment 5, on the ballot in November, which if passed by 60 percent of voters will institute a super-majority requirement for the Legislature to pass any new taxes and fees.

A recent poll by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, though, shows that measure coming up short of the required 60 percent threshold to become part of Florida’s Constitution.

Economic Development

DeSantis committed to economic diversification beyond tourism, construction and agriculture. He promised efforts to lure companies to Florida working in specific fields including financial services, biomedical research and aerospace industries.

The former Space Coast congressman made note multiple times of the prospect for growth within the space industry and said the Department of Economic Opportunity and Department of Transportation will work closely with Space Florida, a state-created commercial hub that now boasts a launch and landing facility in Cape Canaveral.

DeSantis said his economic team will work to streamline permitting and assist with site selection and skills training for companies looking to move to the Sunshine State.

The candidate signaled support of state efforts to grow tourism, noting Florida welcomed a record 116.5 million visitors in 2017. The plan praised tourism officials for the $112-billion economic impact in 2016, and he promised as governor to ensure further growth.

But the word “incentives” appears nowhere in DeSantis’ economic plan.

A favored economic development tool under Gov. Rick Scott, the use of dollars facilitated by Enterprise Florida to lure companies or encourage expansion created the greatest friction between Florida’s outgoing governor and Florida Legislature in 2017, resulting in massive changes to how Florida uses corporate tax incentives.

For now, DeSantis seems uninterested in rekindling the same debate.

Deregulation Fixation

Florida ranks third in the nation for small business growth, but DeSantis said regulations still challenge new companies. He devoted much of his economic package to removing obstacles to job growth and encouraging startups.

The candidate will focus on reducing financial barriers to short-term, low-interest loans and seed capital for upstart and expanding businesses.

He also plans to support CareerSource Florida and other workforce programs to ensure workers have proper training,

“The primary need for Florida’s small businesses is finding qualified employees to fill these jobs,” reads DeSantis’ plan.

While committing to leave regulations that protect Floridians, DeSantis said he would call for a review of all duplicative and burdensome rules.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce, which last month endorsed DeSantis, released a survey of its members in April showing Workforce Quality as the top priority for 21 percent of small business owners, while 13 percent listed government regulations as chief concern and 7 percent ranked as access to capital as their greatest problem.

DeSantis issued a promise to reduce lawsuit abuse, another long-time chamber priority.

The prospective governor said he will eliminate obstacles for entrepreneurs looking to start new businesses or to obtain professional licenses.

“Rules and regulations are meant to protect Floridians not provide unreasonable hurdles to a great job or start a business,” the plan reads.

The plans doesn’t completely disavow regulation, but says DeSantis as governor would limit rules to those that “protect the health, safety and welfare of Floridians.”

That does include environmental protection, the plan stressed.

DeSantis, a self-described “Teddy Roosevelt Republican,” said there could even be job growth spurred by environmental protection.

“Florida’s environment is the backbone of our economy,” the plan says. “Our environment and our economic success are intertwined.”

Enriching Higher Education

DeSantis celebrated Florida’s university system in his economic plan and promised continued investment, stating the schools serve as “an economic engine for our economy.”

The plan does not explain how increased spending will be paid for amid heavy cuts in taxes and fees, except for DeSantis’ intention to demand greater investment in Florida higher education by the federal government.

The Republican said his tight relationship with President Donald Trump, who gets widely credited with DeSantis’ Republican primary victory over long-time frontrunner Adam Putnam, will lead to Florida winning a greater share of research grants.

“Florida is still a donor state and more of those federal tax dollars must come here to fund world-class research,” the financial plan states.

That will create high-paying jobs and set Florida apart as a leader in curing disease, evolving agricultural technology and inspiring breakthroughs in engineering.

He also said Florida’s state colleges can solve workforce problems. DeSantis said his administration would encourage schools to identify skills gaps and future needs and to be “ground zero for training our workforce of tomorrow.”

Jacob Ogles

Jacob Ogles has covered politics in Florida since 2000 for regional outlets including SRQ Magazine in Sarasota, The News-Press in Fort Myers and The Daily Commercial in Leesburg. His work has appeared nationally in The Advocate, Wired and other publications. Events like SRQ’s Where The Votes Are workshops made Ogles one of Southwest Florida’s most respected political analysts, and outlets like WWSB ABC 7 and WSRQ Sarasota have featured his insights. He can be reached at [email protected].


2 comments

  • Ray Tampa

    October 7, 2018 at 1:01 am

    Electing Deranged DeSantis is the equivalent of having Donald Trump as Florida’s Governor. Take note that Deranged DeSantis referenced his ‘tight relationship’ with Trump and how that would spur more research grants. I contend that their relationship is tight, really tight. That’s because DeSantis’ nose is stuck so far up Trump’s wide azz. The only thing DeSantis gets from that ‘tight relationship’ is a stinking nose. Sir, keep it to yourself.

  • Matt Tampa

    October 7, 2018 at 6:02 am

    I vote issues not for any one party. If a new party can fix our water issues – they are IN with me immediately. That being said Andrew Gillum is a state killer – Just Say NO! George Soros = EVIL PERSONIFIED = gave $1,200,000 to Gillum for his run to destroy our State. Gillum has let Tallahassee crime soar and left his own people without power to only let his handpicked utility workers help after storms. He WILL put a STATE INCOME TAX on ALL Floridians if elected and RAISE Business TAXES 40%! Read that as huge layoffs and businesses leaving the state. Our most important resource is the environment: DeSantis already stood up to Environment Killers US Sugar and Mosaic.Our Gov does have the ability to affect USACOE so save the weak “it’s a federal issue” argument. I have an email from 9 months ago, when I was considering Gillum, from his people basically saying water quality is not part of his platform. Gillum will take anyone’s $ to get his radical agenda going. The Dream Defenders have terrorist ties and want open borders – THEY started his gubernatorial run. He is VERY dangerous for Florida. I vote issues and support a lot of Dems with time, $, and public support before you play the typical dem victim name calling game.
    Gillum is FAILED LEADERSHIP. DeSantis is a strong congressman who took a stand against US Sugar and Mosaic. He’s a dunedin raised, former USN JAG Officer who got info out of terrorists at GITMO. He Loves Fla and wants to make it Great Again!

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories