House focused on Scott's tax cuts

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

The House will focus on Gov. Rick Scott's request for more than $1 billion in mostly business-friendly tax cuts, Speaker Steve Crisafulli said after a key senator announced the Senate's budget package likely will include a Scott priority of $250 million for economic-development incentives.

"The House strongly supports a billion-dollar tax cut; that will be the focus of the House's discretionary spending,"Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, said in an email Monday night. "We believe cutting taxes is the best way to spur economic growth and help families keep more of their hard-earned money. It's still early in the process, but I am confident that the House, Senate, and governor will come together with a strong economic plan for Florida."

Earlier Monday, Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, announced he will recommend that business-recruitment incentives for Enterprise Florida --- the state's public-private economic development agency --- be included in his budget. Last week, Scott signed into law a pair of bills to boost educational and job opportunities for people with developmental disabilities that have been a priority of Senate President Andy Gardiner and a statewide water-policy bill that has been a priority for Crisafulli.

"We're starting with things that are very important to the president and speaker and other members of the House and Senate," Scott said after signing the bills in his office with the legislative leaders by his side. "Everybody knows my priorities: $1 billion in tax cuts, we get more jobs; $250 million with Enterprise Florida, dedicated funds, we get more jobs."