Next up for Gov. Outlier who doesn’t have to play politics like all those career politicians beholden to special interests: Deciding whether to sign House Bill 959. That’s the one that would prohibit state and local governments from hiring companies with business ties to Syria–and Cuba. Imagine, both Damascus and Havana are off limits.
The implications for our “let’s get to work” and business-attracting state? It means no contracts (of more than $1 million) will be awarded to any entity doing business with either aforementioned country. This would, at minimum, seem at odds with the “business friendly” reputation Scott says he is courting for Florida. It would at least be a mixed signal to overseas companies looking to expand or initiate business in Florida. Especially ones in Latin America–most notably Brazil, the Sunshine State’s largest trade partner.
The impact for Tampa Bay is not negligible. Especially at Tampa International Airport where TIA is seriously targeting new international routes with Brazilian carriers–airlines that could also be doing business in Cuba. HB 959 hardly helps the pitch. That’s why the Greater Tampa Area Chamber of Commerce (along with the Florida Chamber of Commerce) is on record urging Scott to veto HB 959.
So, would Scott sign or veto? Or is this another disingenuous, special-interest political loophole reminiscent of SunRail and Florida Poly? Well, he granted a recent phone interview to a prominent Spanish language radio station (“Radio Mambi”) in Miami. You don’t typically choose this forum unless you want to assure an exile constituency with still-lingering political leverage that you fully intend to sign this blatant piece of pandering, legislative flotsam.
So he signed–before muddling matters by opining it was really up to the feds. Sometimes he doesn’t even pander well.
“As we all know, the record of the Castro and Assad governments are undeniably repressive,” read Scott from his script. “I’m going to sign legislation that protects Florida taxpayers from unintentionally supporting dictatorships that commit such despicable acts.”
Despicable acts, indeed.