Lawmakers casting doubt on Scott's promises of tax cuts

From William March of The Tampa Tribune on Jan. 20:

TALLAHASSEE - With newly elected Gov. Rick Scott's first session of the Florida Legislature about to start, Republican legislative leaders are casting doubt on his campaign promises for tax cuts.

On Wednesday, in an appearance before the Tallahassee press corps, Scott insisted he intends to keep those promises, which included phasing out corporate income taxes and cutting school property taxes by nearly a fifth.

But facing a gap of $3.5 billion or more to balance the state's budget, currently $70.4 billion, Republican state Senate President Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon indicated to the same gathering that they're skeptical at best that tax cuts are possible.

Scott's response Wednesday: "I'm going to put out a budget that shows them how to do it."

The views suggest a potential fracture in the seemingly monolithic Republican control of state government.

Scott hinted he would go over the heads of the Legislature to the populace, if necessary to achieve his goal.

"I'm going to talk to people around the state and explain why I believe in it, and I believe that we will get those reductions," he said.

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