With a GOP power hold on the Florida legislature, it should come with no surprise to anyone that tax breaks would be up for discussion. Now, the House is currently pitching a $1 billion tax break for businesses.
Democrats attempted to amend the bill on the house floor, which would be shot down by the GOP, stifling debate.
Democrats tried to make the case that the funds should be spent on programs like Medicaid, increasing teacher pay, and or affordable housing.
Aside from the chambers of the legislature, Florida businesses like Amazon have already voiced support for the cause, of course.
Florida Retail Federation, Florida Chamber of Commerce, and the Florida Association of Counties have all also endorsed the GOP online tax bill.
For better or for worse, we live in a world where information spreads quickly. State Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-47) took to Twitter to make her opinion known on the latest revelations in the House.
Not only is Eskamani critical of the bill's corporate favoritism, but she also predicts the GOP will not cease and, "Pass $300M more in tax breaks-bust just for the state's very biggest corporations. Companies like Disney."
The FL Legislature voted to raise taxes on consumers – so they could cut taxes on businesses – by more than $1 billion/year.
Now my colleagues may pass $300M more in tax breaks – but just for the state's very biggest corporations. Companies like Disney, HCA & Anheuser-Busch. 1/ pic.twitter.com/S5ywJSAPP1
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) April 12, 2021
Eskamani has since characterized the tax break as a "giveaway" for corporations.
Aside from the rhetoric, Eskamani also tweets that passing this bill will result in "Corporations paying $250 million less in *Florida* corporate taxes next year."
US Representative Kathy Castor (D-14) also made commentary on the controversy, attributing the recent actions towards the GOP being under "special interest control for too long," adding that it will result in "Harm to schools/students, no clean energy/solar policy, cuts to enviro protection, weak public health protection."
The commentary of Eskamani and Castor could be up for debate for their legitimacy, but should still be considered as quite possible outcomes, nonetheless, as the GOP still attempts to figure out what their platform is after Trump politics.
