A more enlightened Legislature would take a more balanced approach to lessen the pain. It could make it easier to collect the state sales tax on Internet sales as a House committee approved on Tuesday. It could start closing sales tax exemptions on goods and services. It could attract more federal matching dollars in health care, social services and unemployment compensation. It could free millions in private gifts to universities waiting for public matching dollars. Instead, Gov. Rick Scott and the Republicans who control the Legislature have backed themselves into a corner by focusing solely on cutting spending and refusing to raise revenue.
Florida will never cut its way back to prosperity. Businesses and families cannot be expected to invest their futures in a state that cares so little about investing in its institutions and its people.
I wonder what it will take before voters wise up?
