TALLAHASSEE – The Senate and House on Thursday passed differing versions of a state budget but with the common theme of opposition to Gov. Rick Scott’s biggest priorities.
The Senate declared Scott’s goal of $1 billion in tax cuts dead on arrival and “fiscally irresponsible” in the words of its top budget-writer, Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon. Across the hall in the Capitol, the House showed no interest in Scott’s other priority of a three-year, $250 million incentive fund to close deals with businesses that seek to move to Florida.
“We don’t have additional funding for new incentives in this budget,” said Rep. Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola.
