Crist regrets go-it-alone approach to streamline $42 million to private business, including Port St. Lucie animation company
by Michael C. Bender | October 13th, 2009
Gov. Charlie Crist helps cut the ribbon at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando this month at Walt Disney World. (AP)
Republican Gov. Charlie Crist released a memo Tuesday showing he approached Republican leaders in the legislature, including Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, before approving $20 million in cash incentives for a Port St. Lucie animation company.
Crist did not have to brief the leaders, but the governor said he was uncomfortable with the legislature’s decision in the frantic final days of the lawmaking session this year to remove the few restrictions on the state fund that provides economic incentives to private businesses.
“I regretted that,” Crist said of removing oversight. “It’s important to have both branches involved.”
Read his memo to Atwater and House Speaker Larry Cretul here.
The press release from Wyndcrest/Digital Domain, the company that received $20 million in incentives, here. And the memo from Port St. Lucie attorney Roger Orr regarding the company’s potential land is here.
And even more background on the issue here.
Tags: Charlie Crist, Digital Domain, economic development, Jeff Atwater, Larry Cretul, Quick Action Closing Fund, state budget
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October 13th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
[...] Crist regrets go-it-alone approach to streamline $44 million to … [...]
October 13th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Sorry to hear Gov. Crist was uncomfortable and regrets above. Too bad as a human he doesn’t have similar sentiments toward FL Capital Punishment errors and the fact that 23 FLers were exonerated since 1973.