Government Is the Problem … Still
The Tampa Times is reporting on a new survey of small businesses in Florida. More than 800 business owners were interviewed, and the results suggest that there are five issues inhibiting recovery in the Sunshine State.
- Economic uncertainty
- An inability to get financing
- Florida’s growth management process
- Government regulations
- Taxes
Of these five, only one is a private sector problem – what progressives might call a “market failure.” But even that needs to be qualified, for as we know federal policy heavily influences banking decisions. The other four are all government problems and particularly local government problems.
Ever since Governor Rick Scott de-fanged the Florida Department of Community Affairs that oversaw the state’s stringent growth management laws, the decision to have or not have comprehensive plans rests with city and county governments. Most of them kept things just as onerous as before. As for taxes and regulations, Florida tends to score well relative to other states. Again, it comes down to individual county and city taxes and regulations that create the uncertainty small business owners are worried about.
In order to jump start the economy, local governments need to lighten the load.
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