St. Petersburg Times: Florida senator wants to end secrecy on tax incentives for businesses

BY MICHAEL C. BENDER

TALLAHASSEE — A Republican state senator wants to end secrecy surrounding deals that use tax dollars to lure companies to Florida or that keep existing businesses from leaving.

“Once the deal is signed, all the details should be open to the public,” said Nancy Detert, R-Venice, chairwoman of the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee.

The public record exemption hides details for two years, including the name of the company, for deals that use taxpayer money to create jobs. Since Gov. Rick Scott took office in January, the exemption has been used 49 times.

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