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Staff ReportsMarch 7, 2016

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State Sen. Jack Latvala, who will become Appropriations chair next year, blasted House leadership as “ideologues” for refusing to fund Gov. Rick Scott‘s proposed $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund. Latvala, the Clearwater Republican who now heads the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development, penned an op-ed in the Tampa Bay Times on Friday morning. Latvala […]

Mitch PerryMarch 1, 2016

When pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb announced in 2013 that they would be locating its capability center in Tampa, company executives weren’t doing so just because they liked the weather in the Sunshine State. In choosing the area over 50 other locations around the country, Hillsborough County and the state of Florida had to play ball, […]

Bob SparksFebruary 25, 2016

Sometimes during legislative sessions some unusual partnerships develop. Unlikely alliances can form to pass or defeat a measure that fits a common goal. Florida has provided a prime example of such teamwork. The philosophy of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” syndrome has played out in the area of economic incentives. House Bill […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 14, 2016

We liked this lead so much from last week, we’re recycling it: With halftime in the 60-day 2016 Legislative Session on Wednesday, “the theme so far is like a line from a Frankie Valli song: ‘… so close/And yet so far.’ “ With budget votes in each chamber and conference ready to begin, about $1 billion still separates […]

Ryan RayFebruary 3, 2016

About 200 supporters and onlookers joined with Gov. Rick Scott to urge lawmakers to pass the governor’s priorities, including a tax cut and more spending for business incentives. Supporters, including a few dozen casino employees who took a field trip to Tallahassee Wednesday the casino workers stood on as Scott said his administration’s regime of low taxes […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 29, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott called on the Enterprise Florida board of directors to spend the next month pushing lawmakers to approve a $250 million incentive fund. “The people in the House and Senate … need your help,” the governor told the board during its meeting Friday. “They can’t get it done with just a few people […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 28, 2016

Raise your hand if you ever had an EBT card, or that is, been on food stamps. Whew! I am not alone. In 2012, I was let go from a job I held for six years. The economy was still recovering from the Great Recession, and being a working class fellow with no higher education […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 26, 2016

After a handful of amendments, an omnibus ethics bill unanimously passed the House Government Operations Subcommittee Tuesday afternoon. LobbyTools reports that HB 593 will create a host of new mandates and requirements to help prevent fraud and waste in state government The strike-all amendment approved by the committee was similar to the original bill, only adding text […]

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. […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2016

The Florida Senate’s economic development bill took its first step of the 2016 Legislative Session, unanimously clearing the Commerce and Tourism Committee on Monday. The bill’s sponsor, Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala, last week had promised it would contain provisions for film and television production incentives. Florida has been losing out to other states when it comes to film shoots. […]

Tag: Enterprise Florida

In op-ed, Jack Latvala blasts House zeroing out of incentives fund

Tampa Bay Partnership attempts to rally Richard Corcoran to embrace Rick Scott’s Enterprise Florida deal

Bob Sparks: Battle over economic incentives features unlikely alliances

Takeaways from Tallahassee: A good week for lobbyists, a tough one for oranges, Ed Narain

Rick Scott rallies for jobs amid Session

Rick Scott urges Enterprise Florida board to push for incentive package

Chris Timmons: Florida wants welfare for the rich, not the poor

Broad ethics bill unanimously passes first House stop

Jack Latvala now supports $250 million business incentive plan

Jack Latvala starts moving economic development bill with film/TV incentives