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Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott’s favored economic incentive program – the Quick Action Closing Fund (QAC) – is now losing money, the Legislature’s chief economist told a Senate panel Wednesday. The QAC is a pot of cash that Scott can draw up to $2 million from without legislative approval to entice businesses to the state. But though […]

Jim RosicaOctober 17, 2016

Crystal Sircy, the chief operating officer of Enterprise Florida (EFI), the state’s public-private economic development agency, is leaving to join the Orlando Economic Development Commission as its new executive vice president. Sircy, who has been with EFI since 1997, announced her resignation in an email to “stakeholders” last Thursday that was provided to FloridaPolitics.com on Monday. “I […]

Scott PowersOctober 4, 2016

Republican state Rep. Mike Miller and his House District 47 Democratic challenger Beth Tuura punctuated an otherwise friendly debate with some sharp jabs over guns, Medicaid expansion, and business incentives Monday in Orlando. At a debate hosted by the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida, Miller began on the hot seat, with a question about whether […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 30, 2016

State Sen. Jack Latvala told reporters Friday he would again support money in the state budget for business incentives and state worker pay raises. “If we’re going to have economic development, and jobs are still the No. 1 thing on people’s minds, then we need to fund it,” he said after a medical marijuana press […]

Jim RosicaApril 21, 2016

POLITICO, the primarily online political news outlet, has been granted $205,000 in tax credits to expand its California operation. And while one commentator lambasted the move, a trio of journalism ethicists applauded the company’s decision to apply. POLITICO, which already has a presence in California, has a five-person Tallahassee bureau and political writer Marc Caputo based in South Florida. (There […]

Jim RosicaMarch 11, 2016

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State Sen. Jack Latvala brought up “the elephant in the room” during remarks on the 2016-17 state budget Friday, lamenting the lack of a $250 million business incentives fund, a priority of Gov. Rick Scott. The Clearwater Republican, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development, said the absence of the Florida Enterprise […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

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After a debate that included mentions of monsters, Robert A. Heinlein and the Tampa Bay Rays, the Florida House of Representatives Wednesday passed its 2016 business and economic incentives package, including the framework for Gov. Rick Scott‘s proposed $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund. As bill sponsor Jim Boyd reminded members, it still has no funding: “This is a structure bill, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

House lawmakers spent nearly two hours Tuesday setting up the chamber’s 2016 business and economic incentives package, which will likely be debated and voted on by that chamber on Wednesday. A line of Democrats barraged sponsor Jim Boyd, a Bradenton Republican, with questions on the measure (HB 1325) before it was finally rolled over to a third […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 19, 2016

The bill meant to be the vehicle for the House of Representatives’ 2016 business and economic incentives package will be considered by the full chamber soon. But it still doesn’t have a dollar amount. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli yanked the legislation (HB 1325) from its remaining committee stops this week, meaning it will go straight to […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2016

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. […]

Tag: business incentives

Rick Scott’s favorite business incentive is losing money, Senate hears

Personnel note: Crystal Sircy heads to Orlando EDC

Beth Tuura, Mike Miller battle over guns, Medicaid, business incentives

Jack Latvala backs business incentives, raises for state workers

POLITICO granted tax credits to expand in California

Jack Latvala rues lack of business incentives in budget

House passes incentives measure desired by Rick Scott

House members grapple with incentives funding process

House economic incentives bill heading to floor

Jack Latvala now supports $250 million business incentive plan