Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschFebruary 16, 2017

Freshman Republican Rep. Randy Fine warned Gov. Rick Scott not to badmouth him in his district in a sternly written letter sent Wednesday. The letter comes after Fine and eight other Republicans on the House Careers and Competition Committee voted for a bill that would dismantle Enterprise Florida, the state’s economic development arm, and Visit […]

William PatrickFebruary 15, 2017

As the debate over whether to fund or eliminate Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida escalates at the Florida Capitol, it’s important to consider that those who directly benefit from the mostly taxpayer-funded organizations are among their most vocal supporters. It’s natural, and predictable. It’s also entirely appropriate that incentives and tourism marketing recipients have the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 13, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott met with Lee County community and business leaders, holding the first in a series of round table discussions across the state meant to rally support for Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida funding. “Right now, I’m going to fight every day to make sure we keep this funding because it’s good for your […]

Michael MolineFebruary 9, 2017

The chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee defended state spending on economic incentives Thursday by pointing to evidence the effort produces solid returns on investment. Visit Florida, for example, returns $3.20 cents for every dollar spent on advertising, according to figures (here; scroll down) from Amy Baker, state government’s top economist. Enterprise Florida’s international offices […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2017

Ken Lawson, the new head of VISIT FLORIDA, is telling supporters he won’t give up the fight for the state’s embattled tourism marketing agency. In an email, Lawson thanked the tourism industry for showing up to a House hearing this week where the Careers and Competition Subcommittee cleared a measure to eliminate the agency, the Enterprise Florida […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2017

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A Florida House panel Wednesday cleared a bill that would eliminate the Enterprise Florida economic development organization, the VISIT FLORIDA tourism marketing agency, and a slew of economic incentive programs. The Careers and Competition Subcommittee OK’d the proposal (PCB CCS 17-01) by a nearly party-line vote of 10-5. One Democrat voted for it, Miami’s Roy […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 8, 2017

Marketing is a contest for people’s attention, and state tourism marketing is no different. However, the detrimental impacts of removing a powerful marketing mechanism mean a world of difference when your state budget revenue depends on your share of the market. The proposed bill spearheaded by the House Careers & Competition Subcommittee that eliminates VISIT […]

Michael MolineFebruary 8, 2017

A House budget panel debated sweeping money from housing, transportation and economic development trust funds to meet spending cuts imposed by House leaders. The House Transportation & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee also entertained a suggestion that Visit Florida, the state’s tourism promotion arm, operate on local tourism taxes, instead of state general revenues. Rep. Mike La Rosa, […]

Michael MolineFebruary 7, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott accused House leaders Tuesday of political posturing on Florida’s economic- and tourism-development programs. “It’s pretty clear. If you don’t care about people’s jobs, you must be caring about something else,” Scott told reporters following a Cabinet meeting. “What else can it be? How can anybody say, ‘We don’t want to help a poor family […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 2, 2017

The Florida House has fired back, filing a proposed committee bill this week completely eliminate Enterprise Florida, the state’s public-private jobs agency. The proposed committee bill (PCB CCS 17-01) would, among other things, abolish Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, two organizations which have drawn the ire of House Speaker Richard Corcoran. The bill, which is […]

Tag: Visit Florida

Randy Fine letter warns Rick Scott to stop badmouthing his incentives vote

Assessing Visit Florida beneficiaries’ assertions, predictions and anecdotes

Rick Scott talks Enterprise Florida, Visit Florida with SWFL business, community leaders

Jack Latvala says evidence doesn’t support House on job incentives

Ken Lawson “will continue to fight” for VISIT FLORIDA

House panel votes to kill Enterprise Florida, VISIT FLORIDA

Carol Dover: Florida’s future depends on tourism

House budget panel weighs raids on trust funds, Visit Florida’s future

Rick Scott accuses House leadership of playing politics on economic development

House to consider proposed committee bill to eliminate Enterprise Florida