Florida Senate talks tax cuts

This year's tax cut package is significantly smaller than the one sought by Governor Rick Scott.

The tax cut package has a ten-day back-to-school tax-free holiday. Veterans will be able to shop tax-free on Veterans Day each year and the package includes sales tax exemptions on feminine products and diapers.

"Each of these things are going to really help the consumer in the long run to keep more money in their pockets and be able to use their money the way they feel fit to help our economy," said Senator Kelli Stargel.

Political Gadfly Brian Pitts chastised the committee for taking cash away from real needs.

"Can we afford it? Concerning DOC [Department of Corrections], no. Concerning health appropriations, no. And concerning education, no we can't afford it," he said.

Businesses aren't totally happy either. The tax on commercial rentals drops two-tenths of a percent, from 6 percent to 5.8 percent.

Governor Scott wanted it cut in half, then eliminated next year. The Florida chamber hopes that comes later.

"Well, the allocation was low overall this year. We heard a lot about the financial outlook and so this is a good first step," said Carolyn Johnson with the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

The exemptions have support among senate Republicans, but Senate Democrats showed their disdain for the bill in Monday's committee vote.

Senator Oscar Braynon said, "We're one of the lowest-taxed states in the union and I think at some point we have to make a decision, do we want to pay for the services that we're supposed to give to Floridians or not?"

Democrats may see the tax cuts as overbearing, but Governor Scott is likely to argue they don't go far enough. He called for over $600 million in cuts. This package is just under $300 million.

Last year's sales tax holiday was only three days long.