“Today is tax day, and for once, Floridians have reason to celebrate. Governor Rick Scott’s pro-growth agenda is working. Governor Scott has cut property taxes and business income taxes, and recently signed a bill rolling back fee increases put in place by Charlie Crist. When Crist ran for governor in 2006, he promised to not raise your taxes, but we all know how that turned out; Crist’s budget raised taxes and fees by $2.2 billion. Now that Charlie Crist is running for governor again, he can’t be trusted to not raise taxes on Florida families and businesses.” – RGA Communications Director Gail Gitcho
Gov. Scott Rolled Back A Crist-Era Tax Increase
Governor Scott Signed A Bill Rolling Back Crist-Era Vehicle Registration Fee Increases. “Governor Rick Scott signed a bill on Wednesday which rolls back vehicle-registration fees that were increased in 2009. The measure was one of Scott’s top priorities for the legislative session. ‘Last winter, we announced our intent to return $500 million to Floridians by cutting taxes. Today, we are rolling back many of the 2009 tax increases on annual motor vehicle registrations. This will result in an annual savings of $25 per typical motor vehicle and will let families keep nearly $400 million of their hard-earned money in their own pockets—because it’s their money,’ said Scott in a statement.” (“Gov. Scott Signs Off On Cut In Vehicle Registration Fees,” CBS Miami, 4/2/14)
“Lawmakers And Then-Gov. Charlie Crist Approved The Fee Increases In 2009, Amid A State Budget Shortfall. The Bill Is Expected To Save Motorists A Total Of $309 Million During The Upcoming 2014-15 Budget Year, With The New, Lower Rates Going Into Effect Sept. 1. The Savings Are Expected To Grow To About $395 Million, Once The Cuts Are In Effect For The Full 12 Months Of A Fiscal Year.” (“Gov. Scott Signs Off On Cut In Vehicle Registration Fees,” CBS Miami, 4/2/14)
Crist Said He Was “Very Proud” Of The Vehicle Registration Fee Increase He Signed Into Law. “As for the auto registration fees that went up with Crist in charge and now are dropping under Scott’s leadership, Crist made no apologies … ‘The fees went up on automobiles and we got through a tough time … I’m very proud of that.’” (Adam Smith, “Charlie Crist: Rick Scott Was ‘Stealing From Sick People’ As CEO,” Tampa Bay Times, 4/2/14)
Gov. Scott Cut Property Taxes And Business Income Taxes
In 2011, Governor Scott Reduced Property Taxes For Homeowners, Businesses By $210.5 Million. ”Gov. Rick Scott today signed sweeping changes to Florida’s water management districts that he says will amount to a $210.5 million property tax cut for homeowners and businesses in 2012. ‘This property tax cut allows families and businesses to use more of their hard-earned money in the way they see best, rather than having to send it to a government agency,’ he said in a statement. ‘In addition, with access to more information about their water management district’s budget, property owners will be able to hold them accountable for how every tax dollar is spent.’” (“Touting Property Tax Cuts, Gov. Rick Scott Signs Changes To Water Management Policies,” The Bradenton Herald, 6/22/11)
In 2011, Governor Scott Increased Tax Exemption For Business Income From $5,000 To $25,000. ”Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a bill that will provide a $30 million cut in corporate-income taxes … HB7185 will increase the state’s corporate-income tax exemption from $5,000 to $25,000. That means companies with taxable income less than $25,000 will be exempt from corporate-income taxes – a change that Republicans said will help small businesses.” (“Scott Signs Corporate Tax Cut,” CBS 4 Miami, 6/25/11)
Gov. Scott Reduced The Tax Burden On Florida Job Creators
Governor Scott Doubles Tax Exemption For Business Income. ”Gov. Rick Scott signed a series of measures designed to trim business taxes and slash regulations Wednesday … The change to the corporate tax exemption, which will now rise to $50,000 from $25,000, contributes to Scott’s goal of eliminating the tax entirely.” (Brandon Larrabee, “Gov. Rick Scott Signs Bills Cutting Business Taxes & Regulations,” The News Service Of Florida, 3/29/12)
Governor Scott Reduces Productivity Requirement For Manufacturing Tax Exemption.”Currently manufacturers already enjoy a tax exemption on machinery they purchase, but only if the machinery helps improve productive output by 5 percent annually. In 2012, Scott and the Legislature cut the requirement for productive output from 10 percent to 5 percent, saving manufacturers an estimated $46 million per year.” (Toluse Olorunnipa, “Scott Floats New Tax Break For Manufacturers,” The Miami Herald, 1/9/13)
Along With Regulatory Reforms, Tax Cuts Created Stable And Predictable Economic Environment For Job Creators And Middle Class. ”‘If we want employers to hire more people, we’ve got to think like they do,’ said Scott, a former CEO. ‘We’ve got to keep their costs as low as they can. We’ve got to make sure that we’re more competitive than any jurisdiction in the world’ … House Speaker Dean Cannon was among those in attendance, saying, ‘There’s not a single bill that we can pass or any group of bills that will drive unemployment to zero and get our economy fully recovered. But we can create an environment that sends a signal of stability and predictability to job creators.’” (Toluse Olorunnipa, “Gov. Rick Scott signs billion-dollar business incentives plan into law,” The Tampa Bay Times, 3/28/12)
Gov. Scott Passed A Tax Cut For Manufacturers
“Governor Rick Scott Signed Into Law Friday A Bill That Eliminates State Sales Tax On The Purchase Of New Manufacturing Equipment. The Measure, Which Gives Manufacturers A Three-Year Break On Paying The 6 Percent Tax, Had Been One Of Scott’s Top Legislative Priorities And He Circled The State To Promote It.” (Carole Hawkins “Gov. Scott Signs Manufacturing Tax Break Bill,” Jacksonville Business Journal, 5/17/13)
The Florida Chamber Of Commerce Supported The Tax Cut. “The Florida Chamber of Commerce thanked both Scott and the legislature for the new law. ‘Florida has been at a competitive disadvantage by being the only state on the Atlantic seaboard and on the Gulf coast to charge sales taxes on manufacturing equipment,’ said Mark Wilson, the Chamber’s president and CEO. ‘As Florida’s trade and logistics industry grows, and prepares to take advantage of the expansion of the Panama Canal, removing the manufacturing and equipment sales tax will help ensure Florida can take advantage of these new opportunities.’” (Carole Hawkins “Gov. Scott Signs Manufacturing Tax Break Bill,” Jacksonville Business Journal, 5/17/13)
The Manufacturing Tax Cut Will “Provide Great Incentives To An Important Group Of Employers … Who Help Grow The Nation’s Middle Class.” ”To improve Florida’s job picture, that needs to change. Growing the manufacturing base in the Sunshine State is one way to add jobs and diversify the state’s workforce. Gov. Rick Scott champions the proposed tax cut, which would remove sales taxes on manufacturing equipment. The proposal has legislative support. In the Florida Senate, Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, is sponsoring the related SB 518 … Legislators need to take the advice of Scott and Hukill, and pass this tax cut. It would provide great incentives to an important group of employers, manufacturers, who help grow the nation’s middle class.” (Editorial, “Extend Sales-Tax Relief For Florida Manufacturers,” The Daytona Beach News-Journal, 4/25/13)
Governor Scott Wanted Manufacturers In Florida To Compete On An Even Playing Field With Other States. ”‘We’ve got to make it easier for companies to succeed here,’ he said … ‘If you’re a manufacturing company and you’re thinking about starting up, and you know Florida has a tax and another state doesn’t, you might pick that state. Or if you are a company and you have plants in two or three different states, you would say, ‘Gosh, if I buy the equipment in Florida, cost me more money, costs me more taxes, so I’ll put it somewhere else.’’ … Hernon’s owner say they would have saved between $15,000 and $20,000 during the expansion they made last year, if the tax were not in effect. They are holding up the next round of equipment purchases in the hope the governor’s plan can pass the Legislature.” (Mike Synan, “Governor Scott Pushing For Tax Cut To Promote Jobs,” My Fox Orlando, 2/8/13)
Florida Jobs Are Growing Under Gov. Scott’s Pro-Growth Policies
Florida’s Unemployment Rate Has Decreased From 10.9 Percent To 6.2 Percent During Gov. Scott’s Time In Office.
Florida’s Unemployment Rate In January 2011 Was 10.9%. (U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor and Statistics Website, Accessed 4/13/14)
Florida’s Unemployment Rate In February 2014 Was 6.2%. (U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor and Statistics Website, Accessed 4/13/14)
There Are 701,147 More Employed Floridians Since Gov. Scott Took Office. (U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor and Statistics Website, Accessed 4/13/14)
There Are 423,399 Fewer Unemployed Floridians Since Gov. Scott Took Office. (U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor and Statistics Website, Accessed 4/13/14)
As Governor, Charlie Crist Broke His Promise And Raised Taxes By $2.2 Billion In 2009
In June 2005, Crist Signed The Americans For Tax Reform’s (ATR) “No-New-Taxes Pledge.” “Americans for Tax Reform applauds the pro-taxpayer platform of Attorney General Charlie Crist who is running for the office of governor of Florida. Attorney General Crist demonstrated his dedication to the taxpayers of Florida by signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge on June 14, 2005. By signing the Pledge for the office of governor, he commits ‘to oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes.’” (Press Release, “Charlie Crist Signs No-New-Taxes Pledge,” Americans For Tax Reform, 6/14/05)
Crist To The Associated Press: “But I Will Tell You What, I Will Not Raise Your Taxes.” (The Associated Press, 9/23/06)
Crist Pledged To Follow Then-Governor Jeb Bush’s Anti-Tax Philosophy. “Crist pledged to stay on the governor’s path on education issues, if elected, and follow his anti-tax philosophy.” (The Orlando Sentinel, 6/4/06)
Headline: “Gov. Crist Signs $66.5 Billion Budget, Breaks Tax Pledge.” (Marc Caputo, “Gov. Crist Signs $66.5 Billion Budget, Breaks Tax Pledge,” The Tampa Bay Times, 5/27/09)
“What’s A Governor To Do When He Signs A Budget With $2.2 Billion In New Taxes And Fees When He Repeatedly Promised To Oppose New Taxes?” (Marc Caputo, “Charlie Crist’s Tax Distortion,” The Miami Herald, 5/27/09)
“If You’re Charlie Crist, Change The Emphasis Of The Discussion.” (Marc Caputo, “Charlie Crist’s Tax Distortion,” The Miami Herald, 5/27/09)
Democrats Blasted Crist For Raising Taxes On “The Average Floridian.” “‘We’re not complaining that they raised taxes,’ said Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West. ‘We’re complaining that they chose to raise them on the average Floridian.’” (Joe Follick, “Floridians Set To Pay $2B More,” The Gainesville Sun, 5/31/09)
And Crist Says He’d Raise Taxes Again If Elected Governor
In An Interview With MSNBC’s Ed Schultz, Charlie Said He Would Raise Taxes As Governor. SCHULTZ: “What would you do with Florida’s finances, and what would you expect, would you expect more out of the wealthiest residents? CRIST: Well I think we all have to expect more out of each other. I don’t like to raise taxes. I don’t know that anybody really enjoys the idea of doing that. I did it as Governor, though. SCHULTZ: Would you do it again? CRIST: If necessary, I would.” (MSNBC’s “The Ed Show,” 11/18/13)
Crist Bragged He’d Raised Taxes During His Term As Governor. CRIST: “I don’t like to raise taxes. I don’t know that anybody really enjoys the idea of doing that. I did it as Governor, though.” (MSNBC’s “The Ed Show,” 11/18/13)