Gov. Rick Scott has made it clear that he’s all about scissoring red tape and trimming taxes. The resulting focus has understandably been on education, prisons and growth-management oversight. Then throw in Scott’s trashing of “Obamacare,” “Obamarail,” a prescription drug monitoring program, beach renourishment, unemployment benefits and a scrutinizing media.
No wonder it’s easy to overlook another Scott Administration sub-plot associated with business incentives and job creation. Scott has been seriously suggesting “an economic development” electricity rate for companies that agree to move to Florida or expand within it. Reduced utility costs would be linked to job creation.
But it would be ironic–if not disingenuous–if this state’s investor-owned utilities would have to absorb the lost revenue and become de facto subsidizers of the business-recruitment push. Well, word is they wouldn’t. Any corporate reductions would be offset by higher rates to other customers, mostly the residential sector.
Look for the retiree sector (read: AARP) to add its activist voice to the protest babel if this “suggestion” gets traction. And look for further criticism of the already maligned Public Service Commission.