Carroll

“Governor, with the down turn in Florida’s economy where many businesses are in dire straits for financial assistance to keep businesses open and retain jobs in Florida, this state cannot be perceived as giving money for new business start ups,” Carrol writes in this letter. “It is very concerning for one company vice others to acquire public funds to open a new business.”

The questions Carroll wants answered and more background after the jump.

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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.”

Rest of the story here.

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.