North Florida Lawmakers Talk Legislative Agenda

By: Edan Schultz March 3, 2015

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- On the first day of the legislative session, North Florida lawmakers are looking ahead to some of the issues at stake.

Governor Rick Scott sounded familiar themes in his state of the state address, touting an improving economy and more jobs. He pushed the same agenda he's been following for five years, calling for added tax cuts and more money for schools.

Republican State Representative Halsey Beshears of Monticello calls the K-12 funding proposal "fantastic." In previous years, lawmakers have pulled back on education funding because of tight budgets. Beshears says that's hurt rural school districts especially hard.

"All our rural counties have problems with it. They struggle financially because they don't have the property tax base to support that funding. So anytime we can get this help for the state we're going to bring it home for our rural counties," said Beshears.

As for tax cuts, Beshears says any mention of those and you'll hear the Republican house give a hearty cheer. The governor has called for lowering the tax on cable television and cell phone bills, saving the average family about $40 a year. He also wants to eliminate the state sales tax on college textbooks and a sales tax on manufacturing equipment.

Meanwhile, GOP legislative leaders have suggested they will propose additional cuts. Beshears applauds the governor's proposal to touch a broad range of taxpayers, calling it a great approach.

"I can't speak for what the leadership is going to do but they're going to try to find some common ground there and we're going to try to find some way to put dollars back in the Florida people's pockets," said Beshears.

On the other side of the aisle, State Senator Bill Montford, a Tallahassee democrat, says any tax cuts should be considered carefully.

"I'm not opposed to seriously considering any tax cut. But also think we need to go to the next step and see what will it cost us. What services will we not receive if we continue to cut these taxes," said Montford.

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North Florida Lawmakers Talk Legislative Agenda