Rick Scott's Veto List $615 Million

[FayeforCure]

It is always a balancing act they are all independent in Somalia. Just keep the power to vote leaders out don't make them weak leaders.

I don't understand how you and I could have grown up in the same country.

This isn't Sweden, and I don't know why people want it to be Sweden. We spent 50 years fighting the spread of socialism across the globe.

Now 20 years after we won, suddenly everyone wants to be a Socialist? I just don't understand what happened. It's very troubling.

I still don't understand how folks can be stuck in the cold war era, and even confuse communism (which we successfully fought) with socialism. Can someone explain this to me?

Besides, there is a lot to learn from successful western European nations, namely that providing services to our citizens doesn't have to bankrupt our country, but fighting multiple wars always does!

Surely you can understand that cutting corporate taxes as Rick Scott did was completely unnecessary:

Guess how few Florida businesses pay corporate taxes?
May 08, 2011|By Scott Maxwell, TAKING NAMES

A fascinating thing happened this year in Florida.

Legislators were trying to help Darden Restaurants get a tax break.

Their problem was this: The Fortune 500 company was paying so little in corporate-income taxes on its headquarters in Orange County that the break was bigger than its tax bill.

And it's hard to find a way to let the company to pay less … than nothing.

This, my friends, is the state of corporate taxation in Florida.

GOP politicians would have you believe that the poor, poor businesses are overtaxed.

But would you like to guess what percentage of Florida businesses pay any income taxes at all?

Around 75 percent? Maybe 50?

Try 2.

Fewer than 2 percent, actually.

Out of 1.3 million for-profit corporations and companies in the state, only 24,112 paid any corporate income taxes at all last year, according to the state Department of Revenue.

More than 98 percent paid none at all.

If your business is paying anything, you're in rare company.

In fact, because so few companies pay, corporate-income taxes account for less than 3 percent of the state's revenues.

Still, Gov. Rick Scott and his peers in the Legislature want to make that lower â€" even as they take money from veterans and public schools.

Florida Republicans zealously pursue corporate-tax cuts, espousing a theory of trickle-down economics â€" trying to convince you that more money for corporations leads to more money for individuals.

Unfortunately, what has failed to trickle down to them is reality.

At 5.5 percent, Florida has had one of the lowest corporate-tax rates in America for years.

Yet we also have some of the highest unemployment rates and foreclosure rates.

We have lower-than-average salaries and fewer Fortune 500 companies than other states our size.

Quite simply, there is proof that low corporate taxes do not necessarily lead to an economic utopia.

But that hasn't stopped politicians from pursuing them.

In fact, nearly 10 years ago, the St. Petersburg Times did an impressive expose on the state's corporate-tax rates and found that some of Florida's biggest and most profitable companies didn't pay a cent.

The cruise giant Carnival Corp. was a good example: $1 billion in profits and not a single penny in corporate taxes for the state.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-05-08/news/os-scott-maxwell-corp-taxes-scam-050820110507_1_corporate-taxes-income-taxes-corporate-tax-rates

And please inform yoursef as to Florida's business tax ranking vs the other 49 states: Florida already ranks fifth for lowest corporate taxes!!

Florida's got a better business tax climate than all but four other states. And not one of those four is east of the Mississippi or comes close to being a big population state.

Florida ranks fifth overall in the annual "state business tax climate index" â€" an annual analysis of the relative competitiveness of states based on their business tax structures. In fact, Florida has remained consistent at No. 5 on this index since at least 2006. Many other states vacillate in rank from year to year.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/what-does-floridas-favorable-business-tax-rank-tell-us/1131140

[CityLife]

@Field

Not irrelevant in the slightest. Do you think Digital Domain (the company who did effects on Tron and Avatar) just magically decided to up and move to Florida? Do you think they would have leveraged public investment without the help of FSU? As an FSU grad you must be aware that our film school is right behind USC, UCLA, and NYU as one of the best in the country. Think those things might have played a role in this
project and Digital Domains decision to invest in Florida?

Like I said, that's the type of economic development UNF is just not capable of.

[Tacachale]

wsansewjs, as a digital media graduate you may be able to appreciate this project that FSU is partnering with James Cameron's company (Digital Domain) on in Downtown West Palm Beach. This is the type of Economic Development that UNF is simply not capable of.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/fsu-studio-expand-plans-for-digital-animation-college-1408390.html

You do realize that's a irrelevant comparison.  I personally discussed this the other day with an administrator at UNF.  If a private developer came up to UNF with $81 million in state and local money and wanted them to simply administer a dual enrollment program(they and JU both offer dual enrollment programs now)... it would happen.

Not irrelevant in the slightest. Do you think Digital Domain (the company who did effects on Tron and Avatar) just magically decided to up and move to Florida? Do you think they would have leveraged public investment without the help of FSU? As an FSU grad you must be aware that our film school is right behind USC, UCLA, and NYU as one of the
best in the country. Think those things might have played a role in this
project and Digital Domains decision to invest in Florida?

Like I said, that's the type of economic development UNF is just not capable of.
-Signed
An FSU graduate.

wsansewjs, as a digital media graduate you may be able to appreciate this project that FSU is partnering with James Cameron's company (Digital Domain) on in Downtown West Palm Beach. This is the type of Economic Development that UNF is simply not capable of.

You do realize that's a irrelevant comparison.  I personally discussed this the other day with an administrator at UNF.  If a private developer came up to UNF with $81 million in state and local money and wanted them to simply administer a dual enrollment program(they and JU both offer dual enrollment programs now)... it would happen.

-Signed
An FSU graduate.

It's also looking at only one program. FSU has a highly regarded college of film studies. UF doesn't have a film school at all, does that mean the school is less capable of economic development? Of course not. It also doesn't follow that the contributions of a school are inconsequential because they don't measure up to FSU. California's higher ed system isn't so great because it has two great universities; it's because it has those plus eight other great universities.

[CityLife]

wsansewjs, as a digital media graduate you may be able to appreciate this project that FSU is partnering with James Cameron's company (Digital Domain) on in Downtown West Palm Beach. This is the type of Economic Development that UNF is simply not capable of.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/fsu-studio-expand-plans-for-digital-animation-college-1408390.html

You do realize that's a irrelevant comparison.  I personally discussed this the other day with an administrator at UNF.  If a private developer came up to UNF with $81 million in state and local money and wanted them to simply administer a dual enrollment program(they and JU both offer dual enrollment programs now)... it would happen.

Not irrelevant in the slightest. Do you think Digital Domain (the company who did effects on Tron and Avatar) just magically decided to up and move to Florida? Do you think they would have leveraged public investment without the help of FSU? As an FSU grad you must be aware that our film school is right behind USC, UCLA, and NYU as one of the
best in the country. Think those things might have played a role in this
project and Digital Domains decision to invest in Florida?

Like I said, that's the type of economic development UNF is just not capable of.
-Signed
An FSU graduate.

wsansewjs, as a digital media graduate you may be able to appreciate this project that FSU is partnering with James Cameron's company (Digital Domain) on in Downtown West Palm Beach. This is the type of Economic Development that UNF is simply not capable of.

You do realize that's a irrelevant comparison.  I personally discussed this the other day with an administrator at UNF.  If a private developer came up to UNF with $81 million in state and local money and wanted them to simply administer a dual enrollment program(they and JU both offer dual enrollment programs now)... it would happen.

-Signed
An FSU graduate.

It's also looking at only one program. FSU has a highly regarded college of film studies. UF doesn't have a film school at all, does that mean the school is less capable of economic development? Of course not. It also doesn't follow that the contributions of a school are inconsequential because they don't measure up to FSU. California's higher ed system isn't so great because it has two great universities; it's because it has those plus eight other great universities.

Its not FSU versus UF. Its about FSU, UF, USF, and UCF vs. UNF. That was just one recent example of a major project. The projects that those schools are doing from an economic development standpoint are on a totally different level than UNF. You just have to look at the Lake Nona projects in Orlando that UF and UCF are doing and stuff related to the National High Magnetic Lab in Tallahassee.

And FYI, California's Higher Ed system is completely screwed right now. Probably because it over funded funded schools like UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, etc too much and spread itself too thin. I'd hate to see that happen to Florida in a few years. Also California has a very high state income tax, higher population, and waaaay more wealth than Florida, so you can't really use that as an example. Nor can you use Texas due to its oil money.

Look there is nothing at all to argue here anymore. UNF can't be mad when it doesn't get a piece of pie when the big boys don't either.

[Jimmy]

I have degrees from both UNF and FSU.  How you can place UCF in the same category as UF and FSU is beyond me.

And who cares, anyway?  UNF is the home team.  They have a presence downtown.  Why wouldn't anyone in Jacksonville want to see the very best outcome for UNF at budget time?  I don't get the negativity.

[BigGuy219]

I have degrees from both UNF and FSU.  How you can place UCF in the same category as UF and FSU is beyond me.

And who cares, anyway?  UNF is the home team.  They have a presence downtown.  Why wouldn't anyone in Jacksonville want to see the very best outcome for UNF at budget time?  I don't get the negativity.

As a UNF alumni please call them and ask what cuts will be made due to the loss of the $1.9 million. Then please report back. Our passions are getting heated without complete information.

[Jimmy]

No.

[BigGuy219]

No.

Well my argument remains that UNF will not lose anything worthwhile with a minor cut of $1.9 million dollars. Until you, or anyone, can point to something substantial that was lost by this (and only this) I won't shed a tear.

[Jimmy]

You wouldn't shed a tear either way.  You're happy with Scott, happy with his veto, and happy to see less money available to the higher education system.  I've paid attention to your debate style here.

So, no.  I won't play along.

[BigGuy219]

You wouldn't shed a tear either way.  You're happy with Scott, happy with his veto, and happy to see less money available to the higher education system.  I've paid attention to your debate style here.

So, no.  I won't play along.

Well I'm sure you and other successful UNF alumni can easily make up for the $1.9 million in budget guts with donations this year.

[CityLife]

I have degrees from both UNF and FSU.  How you can place UCF in the same category as UF and FSU is beyond me.

And who cares, anyway?  UNF is the home team.  They have a presence downtown.  Why wouldn't anyone in Jacksonville want to see the very best outcome for UNF at budget time?  I don't get the negativity.

UCF has grown by leaps and bounds and is really pushing to step into the big leagues. They have already taken quite a bit of regionally driven pork (Med School, New Arena) and I'd hate to see that happen with every state school. UCF's emergence has forced FSU to not be complacent anymore and step things up. FSU was in quicksand with an awful President the past few years, but the new President Barron is excellent.

The argument here is that UNF supporters shouldn't complain about not getting funding when the state's best institution UF (who is on an entirely different level) isn't getting funding either. That is all I have been arguing and frankly there is no way you can argue against that.

Like I said, I like UNF. My sister went there as did many of my friends. I'd love to see the school do well and become an economic development engine for Jax. However, UNF and its supporters need to understand the reality of the situation. I apologize for being a blunt realist.

[Jumpinjack]

Right now it's pay-back time for deficit cuts. Soon enough though it will get to the heart of what the GOP holds dear and lordy, lordy,then will  be the screaming.

[fieldafm]

@Field

Not irrelevant in the slightest. Do you think Digital Domain (the company who did effects on Tron and Avatar) just magically decided to up and move to Florida? Do you think they would have leveraged public investment without the help of FSU? As an FSU grad you must be aware that our film school is right behind USC, UCLA, and NYU as one of the best in the country. Think those things might have played a role in this
project and Digital Domains decision to invest in Florida?

Like I said, that's the type of economic development UNF is just not capable of.

It's irrelevant b/c it was from the very beginning a for-profit school.  FSU had nothing to do with this coming into existence.  They asked FSU to house a small number of film students there.  The school then saw an opportunity to get a piece of the very large pie of public and private money that was brought to the table by someone else and decided to expand their presence from being an advisor on curriculum to actually offering a dual enrollment program that had control of curriculum(btw, this is unprecedented to team up with a for-profit school).  They didn't bring money to the table, nor had any skin in the game.

JU has started a film school.  Do you think if a private investor with $81 million in public funding and another $20 million from foreign royal families with oil money knocked on THEIR door(not the other way around)... that they wouldn't do the same thing?  Or if Preston Haskell said 'hey, I'm going to give you $80 million to expand your construction managment program' that they wouldn't do backflips to build a tower with a Mt Rushmore-like monument of he and his wife's face at the top with a big bright flashing neon Haskell Corporation sign right below it and stick this huge Tower of Haskell right downtown?

President Barron is excellent

Yeah, he just fired a bunch of (EXCELLENT)faculty b/c a large donor didn't like them.  Let's temper your praise just a scoach.

[CityLife]

@Field

Not irrelevant in the slightest. Do you think Digital Domain (the company who did effects on Tron and Avatar) just magically decided to up and move to Florida? Do you think they would have leveraged public investment without the help of FSU? As an FSU grad you must be aware that our film school is right behind USC, UCLA, and NYU as one of the best in the country. Think those things might have played a role in this
project and Digital Domains decision to invest in Florida?

Like I said, that's the type of economic development UNF is just not capable of.

It's irrelevant b/c it was from the very beginning a for-profit school.  FSU had nothing to do with this coming into existence.  They asked FSU to house a small number of film students there.  The school then saw an opportunity to get a piece of the very large pie of public and private money that was brought to the table by someone else and decided to expand their presence from being an advisor on curriculum to actually offering a dual enrollment program that had control of curriculum(btw, this is unprecedented to team up with a for-profit school).  They didn't bring money to the table, nor had any skin in the game.

JU has started a film school.  Do you think if a private investor with $81 million in public funding and another $20 million from foreign royal families with oil money knocked on THEIR door(not the other way around)... that they wouldn't do the same thing?  Or if Preston Haskell said 'hey, I'm going to give you $80 million to expand your construction managment program' that they wouldn't do backflips to build a tower with a Mt Rushmore-like monument of he and his wife's face at the top with a big bright flashing neon Haskell Corporation sign right below it and stick this huge Tower of Haskell right downtown?

President Barron is excellent

Yeah, he just fired a bunch of (EXCELLENT)faculty b/c a large donor didn't like them.  Let's temper your praise just a scoach.

So wrong I don't know where to start. 1. Nobody got fired. The issue was a donor influencing who was hired (which turned out to be drastically exaggerated) 2. Dr. Barron wasn't even President of FSU in 2008 and 2009 when this went down.

Its cool though. You can still hop on the Barron bandwagon.

As for the Digital Domain thing. You are once again wrong. FSU has been on board the entire time since they decided to open in Port St. Lucie in 2009. Digital Domain announced it was moving to Port St. Lucie in July 09 and FSU announced it was on board in September 09, right after the local gov't agreed to help finance the project. They were working with DD behind the scenes the entire time. Heck the project didn't even get the $20 million in state dollars until FSU came on board.

DIGITAL DOMAIN TIMELINE

July 2009: Digital Domain publicly announces plans to build a movie animation studio in Port St. Lucie and create up to 500 jobs with an average annual salary of $65,000.

August 2009: The City Council agrees to purchase 15 acres for $10 million from Tradition Outlet LLC to build Digital Domain an approximate 150,000 square foot movie animation studio, part of a $51.8 million city incentive package to lure the company here.

September 2009: Florida State University’s award-winning film school releases a letter of intent to partner with Digital Domain to build the Digital Domain Institute, a four-year program in advanced digital media supported by FSU’s College of Motion Picture Arts.

October 2009: State of Florida awards Digital Domain $20 million in economic development money to locate in Port St. Lucie.

November 2009: Digital Domain begins hiring for its Port St. Lucie facility.

December 2009: The City Council gives final approval to a 20-year lease agreement with Digital Domain.

January 2010: Digital Domain moves into leased space at Tradition Station

February 2010: The City Council authorizes the city issuing $39.9 million in bonds to build Digital Domain’s movie animation studio.

Look I don't enjoy being a douche, just enjoy facts.

[BigGuy219]

Let's not make it sound like Florida is the only state doing this. And let's not villify Rick Scott being the only governor making tough cuts.

I am a graduate of a small campus of the State University in New York. It's a democratic state, with a democratic governor. They're having a lot of trouble up there too, like every other state, and there's cuts being made.

I know because I keep getting letters, and even phone calls, from the college soliciting my donations to make up for lost funding.

I think if the UNF alumni are so passionate for their school, as they seem to be in this thread, than the solution is to make up for the lost funds with donations, fund raisers, etc. like my alma mater is doing.