Florida Senate is MIA in civil war between Rick Scott and House Republicans
TALLAHASSEE — Almost three weeks have passed since open warfare erupted between Florida House Republicans and Gov. Rick Scott over his two prized agencies.
On Monday, Scott released a statement that accused House leaders of relying on falsehoods to dismantle Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida. House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes, then announced a proposal to salvage Visit Florida, but only after a steep cut that would decimate the agency.
It was the latest volley in a Republican civil war that continues to build without the one player that will decide its outcome. And as of Monday, the Florida Senate remained on the sideline.
Initially Sen. Jack Latvala blasted Corcoran's plan to dissolve both the state's primary economic development agency and the tourism marketing agency as the "dumbest idea" he had ever heard. But even the outspoken Clearwater Republican — and the Senate's budget chief — has stepped aside to let the Scott-Corcoran conflict rage on.
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