Governor Rick Scott wants the state to eliminate the tax on the purchase of manufacturing equipment.
Scott says getting rid of the sales tax will spur the manufacturing sector to create jobs.
Flanked by employees at the Vistakon- Johnson and Johnson’s facility in Jacksonville, Scott says the vision care company is just the kind of business that can benefit from the tax relief.
The company is the largest producer of disposable contact lenses in the world. It produces and distributes lenses from facilities in Jacksonville and Ireland.
Scott says the Florida needs to eliminate any unnecessary hindrances to manufacturing growth to be able to compete with other states.
Scott says he’d like to see the tax cut go in effect by July. He says an expected billion dollar budget surplus will help offset its cost.
Jacksonville State Representative Lake Ray says he supports eliminating the tax on purchasing equipment. He says more manufacturing jobs will lead to more trade, which will benefit Florida’s ports and transportation industries.