Florida, Connecticut Governors Spar Over Business Climate

MIAMI, FL — Florida Gov. Rick Scott is leading an economic development mission to Connecticut this week to encourage businesses there to move to the Sunshine State, according to media reports. To entice firms, his administration will use money from a multimillion-dollar fund set up this month by the state government

In a statement last week, Scott touted Florida's job growth in recent years and said leaders in Connecticut "are out of touch" with the state's business community. Since 2010, Florida has cut more than $6.7 billion in taxes and trimmed 4,800 regulations, while 1.35 million new jobs have been created and unemployment has reached a nearly 10-year low, according to the governor.

Scott previously went to Connecticut in 2015 to woo businesses there, after many threatened to leave the Nutmeg State due to proposed tax increases. This time, the Republican governor's effort is being supported by the $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, which will provide grants to businesses to move south.

Nearly 14,900 Connecticut residents moved to Florida in 2015, according to federal census figures. And Scott said Connecticut leaders are trying to close the state's budget deficit by raising taxes and fees.

"Their job growth rate continues to lag far behind Florida and the nation, and Connecticut has lost more adjusted gross income and people to Florida than any other state," Scott said.

A spokeswoman for Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy responded in a statement that the state has numerous assets for retaining businesses, including a high quality of life, top-rated schools and a highly skilled workforce.

"The truth is, no amount of money or effort will make up for the fact that Gov. Scott is leading his state in the wrong direction," Malloy, a Democrat, said in the statement, released to WCIT-TV Fox61 News in Hartford. "If he's expecting anyone in Connecticut to buy what he's selling, he's better off saving his taxpayers the cost of the trip and staying home."

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