Politician on a mission

Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran brought some sizzle back to the annual task of previewing what the Legislature will — and won't — do in during its session.

Corcoran, specifically, targeted how much the state doles out for job incentives and tourism marketing, and he's come out in fighting mode. For starters, Florida Gov. Rick Scott's requests, for $76 million for Visit Florida and $85 million for Enterprise Florida, has no chance of making the next state budget, says Corcoran, R-Land O' Lakes. (The budget fight is separate from pending bills that could eliminate
Visit Florida or Enterprise Florida.)

And while a multipronged opposition has already formed against his plans, Corcoran says he will remain steadfast in his fight for transparency in government spending. “There are cockroaches everywhere, and I think you're seeing that,” Corcoran said at an Associated Press meeting for reporters and editors in Tallahassee late last month. “You turn on the lights, and there's Enterprise Florida and you say, let's take a closer look...”