We spent a lot of time on this website over the past few weeks discussing the manufacturing tax breaks pushed by Governor Scott. As I have stated regularly, these tax breaks have not worked in the past and Florida despite being the 4th most populated state ranks 43rd in manufacturing. Our low ranking exists in spite of previous failed attempts by Republican Governors Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist to stimulate our manufacturing sector.

Tax incentives can work if they are targeted in a more specific fashion, something Florida Republicans still do not realize. Virginia has for example,  attracted five new Fortune 500 companies to its state in the past decade with targeted tax incentives and an aggressive effort of elected officials to target existing company relocation. Florida has attracted zero, with former Governor Charlie Crist striking out on a few high profile companies that could have moved to our state. While having the fourth largest population in the country and total Republican control of state government for 14 years, Florida ranks just 11th in Fortune 500 company headquarters.

Yet Senate Democrats with exception of three who deserve our thanks (Senators Jeff Clemens, Arthenia Joyner and Minority Leader Chris Smith) uniformly rubber-stamped Governor Scott’s latest tax giveaway which was contained in HB 7007. When the bill returned to the House for final passage a united Democratic caucus whipped by Leader Perry Thurston and incoming leader Darryl Rouson remained united in staking out the true progressive position on this issue. A handful of Republicans even joined the Democrats on the vote for final passage which was 68-48.

I understand the Senate is a “collegial” body which explains to an extent the number of conservative Republicans who become more moderate after moving across the capitol. But all too often in recent years we have seen 39-0 or 37-3 votes (such as this one) on critical issues where Democrats do not feel they can win. The number of votes that split along partisan lines have been far fewer in the Senate for over a decade now, and while it does indicate a certain maturity in the upper chamber that the lower chamber lacks, in too many cases Democrats are abandoning the guiding principles of the party.

For all the tax incentives and rhetoric of Republicans in the legislature and executive branch they have proven over the past decade they are consistently unable to attract heavy industry to the state. Interestingly, Republicans in neighboring southern states have fared much better at attracting large corporations to either relocate or set up major manufacturing operations. Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina have all been wildly successful in transitioning their economies towards more manufacturing. Florida on the other hand has repeatedly failed in this effort under three different Governors and several different Republican legislative leaders.

The manufacturing tax credit, another giveaway by Republican legislators to special interest was  given a boost by Senate Democrats and now can be classified as a “bi-partisan” measure. Progressives need to hold the Senate Democrats accountable for this vote.