Florida could divert tax revenues, normally used for tourism marketing, to tax refunds, as part of a bill that passes through the state legislature.
Why is it important?
Florida County is currently collecting taxes on hotels, known as the Tourism Development Tax. Currently, at least 40% of this tax must be spent on tourism marketing. Critics warn that changes to this setup will take away the community the money they need to sell their destinations, create employment opportunities and support the tourism industry that drives economic growth.
What do you know
Palm Bay Republican leader Monique Miller has introduced a bill (HB 7033) that requires these taxes collected from hotels by 2026 to be spent on official projects, contracts, or property tax refunds.
On Tuesday, the Florida House Budget Committee moved forward with the bill.
AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell
What people are saying
Republican Florida Representative Linda Cheney supported the plan during the committee meeting. “My residents asked me [for] This is 30 years. ”
Debbie Mayfield, a Republican representative from Florida, objected, saying: “I want to give citizens property tax relief, but I don’t think this is the right way to do that.”
“We’re excited to announce that we’re a great opportunity to see the Amelia Island Tournament and Visitors Bureau,” said Paul Bales, vice president of the Amelia Island Tournament and Visitors Bureau. “I stand before you affect the tourist tax. This is not a tax cut, it’s a job seeker. Tourism on Amelia Island itself accounts for 36% of jobs in Nassau County. Without marketing, Florida will lose visitors.
“We’re a big fan of the world,” said Wyman Duggan, a Republican representative of Florida. “In the end, this approach to tourist tax is something we can do now. We can potentially do that on a tentative basis. It doesn’t necessarily have to be permanent. It may be the beginning of a way to make tentative relief.”
Florida Executive Director Robert Crocking Destinations I told Florida politics: “The proposal holds the risk of disrupting the tax base that allows more than 2 million Floridians, from hotel workers to small business owners, and allowing Florida’s income-exempt status.”
What will happen next
If the bill’s HB 7033 could become law, the Florida home and the Senate must pass it before the House session ends on May 2nd.
