Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 13, 2016

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The vice chair of Enterprise Florida (EFI), the state’s public-private economic development agency, sounded like he was playing defense in a conference call with the group’s executive committee Wednesday. “As you read some of the newspapers, they make it sound like we’re out of business,” said Alan Becker, co-founder of South Florida’s Becker & Poliakoff law firm. […]

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 […]

Gary FineoutMarch 11, 2016

The Florida Legislature is expected on Friday to approve a more than $82.3 billion budget for 2016-17 that is roughly 5 percent larger than this year’s budget. Here are a few key items you should know about: – EDUCATION: The new budget increases day-to-day public school spending by $458 million, which translates into a 1 […]

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 […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2016

A series of rewrites to Florida’s economic-incentive programs, a chief priority of Gov. Rick Scott, passed its first House panel Tuesday afternoon. Lobby Tools reports that HB 1325, from Bradenton Republican Rep. Jim Boyd, seeks to establish a new Florida Enterprise Fund, as well as changes in the process of administering economic incentives for businesses […]

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 21, 2016

Enterprise Florida was on the defensive Thursday as the state’s chief economist threw cold water on Gov. Rick Scott‘s proposed $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund. The Senate’s Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development held a workshop on the proposal. Amy Baker, head of the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, told lawmakers the governor’s […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 4, 2016

For Gov. Rick Scott, the first event of 2016 wasn’t much different those he held in 2015. Scott kicked of the new year with a job announcement in Fort Myers on Monday. The appearance — where Scott announced R+L Global Logistics planned to create 80 new jobs in Fort Myers over three years — marked […]

Tag: Florida Enterprise Fund

Enterprise Florida shouldn’t “be overlooked,” vice chair says

Jack Latvala rues lack of business incentives in budget

Highlights from Florida’s new $82.3 billion budget

House passes incentives measure desired by Rick Scott

House members grapple with incentives funding process

House economic incentives bill heading to floor

House committee OK’s rewrite of state economic incentive program

Jack Latvala now supports $250 million business incentive plan

Enterprise Florida losing fight for $250 million incentives fund?

New year, same message: Rick Scott promotes job growth in Fort Myers