Posted: January 11, 2012

Amid a debate in the Florida Legislature last year over a bill that would have given amnesty to online travel companies for past due taxes and protected these corporate giants from paying these taxes in the future, I sent my colleagues in the Legislature internal memos from Expedia and other travel companies. These compelling documents provided direct evidence that these large corporations have long been advised by their attorneys and accountants that they owe back taxes to the State of Florida.

Thankfully, the bill to protect these tax avoiders failed to become law. Meanwhile, I have repeatedly encouraged state revenue authorities to fulfill their obligations to Florida citizens and to collect past-due taxes owed to the state by online travel firms.

This week, legislation similar to last year's proposal was refiled for the 2012 session. House Bill 1393, if approved, would prevent Florida from collecting at least $500 million owed by the online travel industry along with millions of dollars in potential future payments that could be used for important Florida priorities like education, health care for working families, and strategies for creating more jobs for Floridians.

Let's be clear: This ill-conceived legislation doesn't stop a new tax. Rather, this bill simply gives big, out-of-state corporations a competitive advantage over our local hotels and businesses with brick-and-mortar establishments. And what's worse, the bill signals to these corporate giants that Floridians tolerate their behavior of ignoring their obligations as corporate citizens of our great state.

I find this sort of special treatment that's narrowly tailored for big business extremely offensive. If you agree, I hope you will help me fight it. Should HB 1393 get assigned to a House committee for discussion, I will let you know how to contact the committee chair so that you can urge them to stand up for small businesses in Florida and the tourism industry and to not schedule the legislation for a vote.

Florida needs your voice in the legislative process so that special treatment for corporate giants like online travel companies doesn't become the law in this state.