Gov. Rick Scott's effort to secure a $250 million business incentive fund is encountering a significant headwind in the Florida Legislature, as top Republicans are joining with Democrats in questioning the scale of the request.
The proposed fund, which would be administered by Enterprise Florida, would effectively grant Scott the ability to fast track the issuance of incentives to out-of-state companies that commit to doing business in Florida. Legislative leaders, rather than the full Legislature, would be able to approve or deny large incentive awards.
Many lawmakers, however, seemed overwhelmed with sticker shock as Scott and his deputies appeared before legislative committees this week to make the case for the quarter-billion dollar incentive stockpile.
"We can't give the farm away," said Rep. Frank Artiles (R-Miami), the chairman of the House Economic Development and Tourism Subcommittee, to Enterprise Florida's Crystal Sircy after her Wednesday presentation.
The Legislature allocated $43 million to Enterprise Florida in the state's current budget, roughly half of the $85 million Scott had requested. Lawmakers critical of the incentive fund's effectiveness have questioned the governor's calls for increased funding, noting that millions of dollars have gone unspent.
Granting Scott's request could also force the Legislature to make some hard choices. State economists are projecting a $635 million surplus, a relatively meager pot of money from which to work.
"I'm not completely against the amount," said Rep. Ed Narain (D-Tampa). "I'll be against the amount if we see cuts to social programs, though. You know, the last set of vetoes that came through, we almost had $480 million (cut) that hurt local communities."