House Subcommittee Passes Bill to Defund VISIT FLORIDA and abolish TDCs

March 29, 2023 6:13 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

March 29, 2023


Yesterday, the Florida House Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee passed a Proposed Committee Bill that would, if implemented, defund VISIT FLORIDA and produce the implosion of our county’s TDCs.  


This bill is not a new tourism marketing funding model as it was characterized to the subcommittee – this bill is an intentional, systematic scheme to dismantle our state’s tourism marketing infrastructure – both VISIT FLORIDA and your county’s TDC.


Governor DeSantis and the Florida Senate have demonstrated their support of our state’s tourism industry and the continuation of our work to create jobs and generate tax revenues for the state while creating lifelong memories and contributing to the quality of life for Floridians and our state’s tourists. They have proposed funding VISIT FLORIDA with $100 million and $80 million respectively for the fiscal year 2023-24.


This is week 4 of the 9 week Legislative Session so there’s still a lot of time for your voice to be heard. Moving the Florida House into a position of reason will require the voices of our industry and every Floridian who benefits from our state’s strong tourism base to be heard.


Please thank Governor DeSantis and your Senator for their support of VISIT FLORIDA. Contact your Representative and share with them the impact of defunding VISIT FLORIDA and destroying your county’s tourism marketing organization will have on your business. Demand that they be accountable to their constituents and not to political forces in Tallahassee. 


Thank you,


Bill

Bill Lupfer

President & CEO

Florida Attractions Association

PS- If you’re in the district of a member of the Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee, please refer to their vote on the Florida Tourism bill and communicate with them accordingly.


PCB RRS 23-02 Florida Tourism by Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee

Voting in Favor of the Bill & Against Tourism Marketing


Rep Tyler I. Sirois (Republican) Merritt Island Email  Twitter

Rep Lauren Melo (Republican) Naples Email  Twitter

Rep Carolina Amesty (Republican) Orlando Email  Twitter

Rep Peggy Gossett-Seidman (Republican) Boca Raton Email  

Rep Jeff Holcomb (Republican) Spring Hill Email

Rep Randy'' Scott Maggard (Republican) Zephyrhills Email Twitter

Rep Patt Maney (Republican) Ft. Walton Beach Email

Rep Fiona McFarland (Republican) Sarasota Email Twitter

Rep Will Robinson Jr. (Republican) Bradenton Email Twitter

Rep Jason Shoaf (Republican) Live Oak Email Twitter

Rep David Silvers (Democrat) West Palm Beach Email Twitter

Rep 'Brad' Yeager (Republican) New Port Richey Email Twitter

Voting Against the Bill & In Favor of Tourism Marketing


Rep Joe Casello (Democrat) Boynton Beach Email  Twitter

Rep Angie Nixon (Democrat) Jacksonville Email Twitter

Rep Susan L. Valdes (Democrat) Tampa Email Twitter

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