Corporate welfare in Florida must end. Despite running for office as Republicans and conservatives, our GOP legislature too often gets duped by the false premise that government spending can create jobs. Often this is done under the guise of luring businesses to Florida.
That’s why, over the last few decades, our governors and lawmakers have funneled billions of dollars in cash incentives and grants to well-connected corporations, all at the expense of our citizens and small businesses. I will work tirelessly to end this unfair practice and let you keep more of your hard-earned money.
Study after study has shown that the recipients of government stimulus funds almost never achieve their projections for growth or employment. Sometimes they even go bankrupt before hiring a single person. In either case, this is our money that we will never get back.
These programs are also very vulnerable to corruption. As the old adage says, “when government robs Peter to pay Paul, it can always depend on the support of Paul.”
Florida is already an appealing place with a skilled and educated 21st century workforce. Rather than offer special deals to privileged few, we should continue to strengthen our business-friendly climate until it becomes the envy of America.
Florida can compete with any state in the nation without having to throw taxpayer dollars away in the process.
Reducing impediments to starting a business will do more to spur economic growth than a special deal ever could. It is the surest way to attract businesses to relocate to Florida while at the same time enabling existing Florida businesses of all sizes to grow and create new jobs for Floridians.
Crony capitalism and corporate welfare are not the engines of Florida’s economy. That role belongs to our talented entrepreneurs in the private sector. I’ll work to get big government out of their way.
