This article in Daily Record yesterday, highlights a new funding plan for our port based on taking funds from the state general revenue fund. I thought our state general fund was in trouble already but maybe it can spare the $500 million. What other programs will take a hit?
QuoteRay proposes bill to raise $500 million for ports
03/17/2010
by David Chapman
Staff Writer
A bill proposed by a member of the Duval Legislative Delegation that would generate investment for Florida’s ports will see its first committee action today. Local legislators and Jacksonville Port Authority officials will be keeping a keen eye on the measure.
State Rep. Lake Ray’s bill, HB 1169 Florida Ports Investment, could raise up to $500 million for the ports through offering incentives to insurance companies to pay state taxes on their premiums early.
While the money normally would go toward the State’s general fund, the tax money collected early would go toward the ports investment. Insurance companies would both pay their taxes and receive incentive to do so. This would be done without raising taxes on Floridians, Ray said during his recent Town Hall meeting with Gov. Charlie Crist, and would ultimately lead to more high-paying jobs. During the Town Hall meeting, Crist said he was supportive of the measure and would sign it should it pass both legislative bodies. Currently, the Senate companion version, SB 1992, is sponsored by Florida Sen. Jeremy Ring (Broward).
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=530515&searchtext=port
during a committee meeting in Tallahassee yesterday, the proposal was reduced from $500 million to $100 million
Which is still about $100 Million too much! Somehow I don't see much of any thinking outside of the box, just the normal spend spend spend.............tax payers have limits!
see that's the problem CS...you're opposed to any govt. spending
Providing fundng for our ports is thinking "out of the box" for Florida...our compeititor states have been doing it for years...and if we don't fund "invest" in our ports adequately, we'll continue to lose business!