Governor urges permanent decision over fate of Visit Florida
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has urged lawmakers to make a decision once and for all over the long term future of Visit Florida.
New legislation was proposed to push back Visit Florida’s so-called ‘sunset’ date to October 1, 2028, effectively extending its life for another eight years.
"At some point, you just need to make a decision on it, rather than have it hanging on a thread every year," DeSantis said.
"I think the Senate is very supportive. I think there’s a lot of people in the House that are supportive of it."
DeSantis hopes something permanent can be agreed so there is ‘not a constant battle every year.’
"I think it’s a pretty important agency. It’s nice to have all these corporations coming in, but to me, tourism is still our No. 1 industry," said Sen. Ed Hooper, who proposed the extension.
Rep. Mel Ponder also filed a similar bill in the House.
"Last week, economists from the Florida Legislature confirmed that Florida’s economy relies on tourism. That’s why I have been such a strong supporter of the tourism industry," Ponder said.
Visit Florida CEO Dana Young said she was confident the agency’s future will be secured for a few more years yet.
Visit Florida has been under threat for several years since the fallout over a $1 million payment to rapper Pitbull to promote state tourism.
That led to further scrutiny over its use of public funds, and saw its annual budget trimmed from $76 million to just $50 million.
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