FLORIDA — According to a new proposed House budget proposal, the tourism-marketing agency, Visit Florida, would only be funded for three more months and the agency, Economic Florida, wouldn't get any funding at all.
In recent years, House Republican Leaders have opposed funding for these agencies. Back in 2016, Visit Florida came under fire when rapper, Pitbull, revealed he was paid $1 million by the agency for his "sexy beaches" ad campaign.
This House budget plan also says the public-private agency, Space Florida, would get $12.5 million and Visit Florida would get $19 million, but that will only cover funding until October 1st.
The House's proposal was released Tuesday by the chamber's Transportation and Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee. It could potentially be changed by the House in weeks to come, then up for negotiations with the Senate.
The Senate has moved forward with a bill that would give Visit Florida $76 million in funding, which matches the request from Governor Desantis. The Governor also supports Space Florida and seeks to make it a key part of President Trump's Space Force.
