Scott to keep veto option handy

TALLAHASSEE — Back from a trade mission to Argentina that took place while legislative leaders hammered out details of the budget in private, Gov. Rick Scott continued a push for his top priorities — the state’s tourism marketing agency, incentives for businesses and Lake Okeechobee dike repairs.

Scott’s office announced in his absence that a cut to Visit Florida spending would negatively impact both the state’s revenue and bond ratings, but the governor stopped short of threatening to veto any budget that fails to fulfill his funding requests.

Ad d r e s s i n g r e p o r t e r s outside his Capitol office between individual meetings with more than a dozen lawmakers, Scott said there is a lot of “frustration” over the way the session is going. But the governor repeated that he intends to review the budget after it reaches his desk.

“I’m going to look at all my opportunities,” Scott said, when asked about a potential budget veto.

The House and Senate have reportedly reached agreement on a number of key budget issues, negotiating in favor of House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s desire to eliminate Enterprise Florida and to cap tourism fund- ing for Visit Florida at $25 million.

Scott initially sought $76 mill i on f or Vi s i t Fl ori da, upping the request to $100 million on April 18.

“I cannot believe that legislators don’t understand the value of continuing to market the state,” Scott said Thursday.”

L awmakers last spring alloc ated $78 million for Visit Florida. But Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, and other leaders have harshly critic ized the public-private agenc y over its $11.6 million sponsorship of a cooking show hosted by celebrit y chef Emeril Lagasse, a $1 million contract with rapper Pitbull, and ongoing sponsorship deals with London-based Fulham Football Club and an IMSA racing team.

Scott accused lawmakers of having “turned their backs on constituents” by failing to fund his priorities.

“I don’t understand how we’re turning our backs,” House Appropriations Chairman Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, told reporters Thursday evening. “I think we’re turning our backs on Floridians when there’s waste and abuse and people are spending money who do absolutely nothing to have it.”

Scott wants $85 million for economic business incentives through Enterprise Florida, which House leaders have repeatedly labeled “corporate welfare.”