Capitol Chatter: Feb. 10

Small business tax breaks working through committees
Still aiming at goosing the Florida economy, a House committee approved a series of tax breaks that should save small businesses millions of dollars, allowing them to reinvest in their companies and employees.

The bill includes expanding the corporate income tax exemption for small businesses -- a proposal by Gov. Rick Scott that picks up where last year's efforts ended — plus nine other tax changes.

Following up on a 2010 Scott campaign pledge, last year lawmakers approved an exemption on the first $25,000 of business income. This bill expands that to the first $50,000, providing a modest $10 million in additional tax relief. The bill also allows for increasing exemptions in future years.