@JeremySWallace
The cuts to Gov. Rick Scott's primary job creation agency is even deeper than first thought.
The Florida Legislature rolled out new budget details Friday that would not only reject the Governor's request for $85 million for job incentives to lure businesses to Florida, but also cut the agency that promotes Florida as a business destination and organizes international job training missions like the one Scott was on earlier this week in Argentina.
Originally House and Senate leaders said they'd cut Enterprise Florida's incentives and give them just a base operations budget of around $23 million like it had this year.
But this morning, when House and Senate budget negotiators met, it slashed Enterprise Florida's funding to just $16 million.
Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, said the agency would have its base operations - around $8.4 million last year, but it was unclear if the agency will have funding to do the international programs.
"We're still working on that," Brandes said.
Scott on Thursday met with 10 Senators and held a press conference with reporters where he ripped legislators for proposing cuts to Enterprise Florida, which he says is critical to job creation in Florida.
"I feel like this Legislature is turning their backs on their constituents," Scott said. "I can tell you — I travel the state — people care about jobs."
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