Florida Corporate Tax Cut Madness

Scott Maxwell details how given Darden Restaurants a corporate tax cut would be more than what the company pays in taxes.

Legislators were trying to help Darden Restaurants get a tax break.

Their problem was this: The Fortune 500 company was paying so little in corporate-income taxes on its headquarters in Orange County that the break was bigger than its tax bill.

And it's hard to find a way to let the company to pay less … than nothing.

This, my friends, is the state of corporate taxation in Florida.

Florida has a 5.5 percent corporate tax rate. Which is one of the lowest in the country. There are also the endless loopholes in the tax code. Gov. Rick Scott plans to eventually eliminate Florida's corporate tax. Contrary to what Scott and other Republicans say, eliminating corporate taxes isn't about creating more jobs. It is about maximizing profits.

Corporations are in the business of money. It is understandable that they would want more profits. I just wish people like Mark Wilson, of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, would be honest and stop saying eliminating corporate taxes is about job creation.

Miguel Diaz de la Portilla Put to the Malarky Test

 

Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell puts Florida state Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portia's statement that changing the legal limit campaign contributions from $500 to 10,000 is pure "malarkey."

Details of the bill.

* Up to $10,000 to a candidate for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, or any political committee supporting or opposing only such candidates. The bill maintains that candidates for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor are considered a single candidate for the purpose of this section.

* Up to $5,000 to a candidate for statewide office other than Governor and Lieutenant Governor, or any political committee supporting or opposing only such candidates (such as a candidate for Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, or Commissioner of Agriculture).

* Up to $2,500 to a candidate for legislative or multicounty office, or any political committee supporting or opposing only such candidates.

* Up to $1,000 to a candidate for countywide office or any election conducted on a less than countywide basis; a candidate for county court judge or circuit judge; a candidate for retention as a judge of a district court of appeal or as a justice of the Supreme Court; or any political committee supporting or opposing only such candidates.

Unsurprisingly, lobbyists aren't happy about being shakedown for more money.

I realize that campaigns are more expensive. I am opening to a higher contribution limit. What bothers me is Portilla's B.S. sales pitch. He should have the decency to sell his bill on its merits.

We are talking about a guy who is a former lobbyist and whose brother, Alex specializes in running dirty campaigns. Alex has also been been accused of stalking his ex-wife. You will be happy to know that Alex has ambitions of running for Congress.

Side note: The Orlando Sentinel video uses a picture of Alex. Maxwell meant to use a photo of Miguel. It is so hard to keep track of which brother is more ethically-challenged.

Charlie Crist Report Card

The Orlando Sentinel's Scott Maxwell gives Gov. Charle Crist a C-plus. That is generous.

Money quote:

"Second, you've either got to start delivering the things you promise -- or stop promising them. Nobody's taxes have dropped like a rock. And if you deliver any more 'help' on home insurance, many of us will no longer be able to afford our homes."

Update: Crist rather be liked than govern.

Worst Headline of the Day

Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell ran this headline for his latest column.


Dems want their votes to count? Join the GOP!


I'm actually surprised the Republicans haven't thought of it first. Maxwell's sales pitch to Democrats is less than convincing.

Seriously, Democrats. March down to your elections office and become a Republican.

That way, come January, you can vote -- for the Republican you like best, the one you dislike the least or, if you wanna be sneaky about it, you can even vote for the Republican that you think would be the easiest for a Democrat to beat in November.

Whatever way you do it, your vote will count -- at least more than it would as a Democrat if the national folks follow through with their threat.

What's more, after you vote Republican, you can switch back -- and vote in the regular Democratic primaries in September.

What Maxwell proposes has about 30 seconds of thought. Florida, under Maxwell's plan, would be like South Carolina's open primary. Democrats would have to switch party affiliation. Vote for a candidate for a party they have no interest in then vote for a candidate of either party in the general election. What exactly is this suppose to achieve?

Republicans should nominate Republicans and Democrats should nominate Democrats. Otherwise, we need up with Ron Paul and Joe Biden.