Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 1, 2016

Keep sales tax holidays. That’s the message the Florida Retail Federation is sending to state lawmakers as the Florida Senate decides whether to hear the House’s sweeping tax-cut proposal. The Senate Appropriations committee on Tuesday was scheduled to hear the proposal (HB 7099), where senators were proposing a strike-all amendment that, among other things, would […]

Ryan RayFebruary 26, 2016

House and Senate budget writers met Friday night to organize the 2016 Budget Conference process. They plan to meet through the weekend as they negotiate how to reconcile the $1 billion gulf between their spending plans as they allocate taxpayers’ money to keep Florida’s government running. Rep. Richard Corcoran, House budget chief, said after the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 18, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott used a stop in Southwest Florida to whip up support for his $1 billion tax cut proposal and $250 million Enterprise Florida fund. “Three years ago, we cut the sales tax, for only three years, unfortunately, for machinery equipment. We need to make that permanent,” said Scott during a stop at Arthrex […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 11, 2016

The Florida House passed a wide-sweeping tax cut package Thursday, setting the scene for negotiations with the Senate over the tax reductions. The House voted 96 to 17 to support the nearly $1 billion proposal, getting the support of several House Democrats. “Here’s in Florida we’re running counter-culture to many of the decisions that are […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 10, 2016

With the half-way mark of 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.” Take the 2016-17 state budget, the only bill lawmakers are required to pass each year. The House came in at $79.9 billion with the Senate […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 3, 2016

The House Finance and Tax Committee approved its tax cut proposal on Wednesday. The proposal cuts nearly $1 billion over two years. The proposal includes reducing the business rent tax, an extension of the sales tax on manufacturing equipment and four sales tax holidays. Chris Hudson, state director for Americans for Prosperity—Florida, said in a […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 3, 2016

Chairman Matt Gaetz and members of his House Finance & Tax Committee were all smiles Wednesday as they presented their tax-cut package for 2016-17. Aides jammed handouts into reporters’ hands: “The House’s $1 Billion Tax Cut Package.” The plan (PCB FTC 16-04) cleared the panel and is headed to the House floor. “The Florida House […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 28, 2016

The state House on Wednesday rolled out a nearly $1 billion tax cut proposal. The proposal is similar to the proposal that Gov. Rick Scott pitched earlier this year. Among other things the proposal includes eliminating the tax on manufacturing equipment and credits for renewable energy investments. The House finance and tax committee has not […]

Gary FineoutJanuary 20, 2016

Amid an ongoing tug-of-war over tax cuts and spending, Florida legislators learned Tuesday that they are going to have less money to spend in the coming year than planned. The changes — as measured in a nearly $80 billion budget — are not significant. But the drop represents another hurdle for Gov. Rick Scott and […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2016

Senate Republican Leader Bill Galvano on Tuesday said he was “surprised” that Gov. Rick Scott made no mention of a new deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that would allow them to keep offering blackjack at their casinos. “It is what it is,” he said. “I think everybody involved in the process around that […]

Tag: tax cuts
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Florida Retail Federation calls on Senate to support sales tax holidays

Budget conferees begin weekend of negotiations

Rick Scott tells Southwest Floridians to urge lawmakers to support tax cuts

House approves $1 billion tax cut package

Gut check: Legislative Session reaches midpoint

Capitol Reax: Tax cuts, funding for seaports, citrus greening

House moves “$1 billion” tax-cut package, but over 2 years

Capitol reax: Renewable energy credits, public school choice, predatory public records requests, funding for sick children

Uh-oh: Legislators might have less money to spend this year

State of the State: Bill Galvano “surprised” at no mention of Seminole Compact