CA$H COWS: Tavistock, Disney and others save millions through tax break meant to help Florida farmer
At the Drive Shack golfing center in Lake Nona, golf balls struck from the three-story driving range roll to a stop not far from a few...
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Jan 19, 20212 min read
A national 'tennis heaven' avoids $1 million a year in taxes by claiming a break meant for charities
The USTA National Campus at Lake Nona, a nearly $70 million “tennis heaven” with features like clay courts covered in crushed red brick...
Dec 10, 20202 min read
A little-known tax district is steering millions to Orlando's tourism industry
Late last year, just before Orange County leaders approved a controversial plan to give up $125 million to Universal Orlando for a new...
Dec 1, 20202 min read
Corporate giants like Target, Chevron and UPS exploit Florida's "separate reporting" tax system
One of the world’s biggest retailers, Target Corp. turned a more than $3 billion profit last year — and the company made a lot of its...
Nov 8, 20201 min read
Cigarette giant gave $80,000 to secretive group now behind controversial constitutional amendment
Cigarette giant Reynolds American Inc. gave $80,000 in 2018 to the secretive group that now wants to make it harder to amend Florida’s...
Nov 8, 20202 min read
Osceola County spends big to stop another county from blocking a developer-backed toll road
Using taxpayer money, Osceola County has paid outside attorneys up to $635 an hour to try to stop Orange County from thwarting plans to...
Nov 7, 20201 min read
Secretive group pushing Florida constitutional amendment raised money linked to big businesses
A secretive nonprofit financing a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it far harder to amend the state constitution in the...
Nov 6, 20201 min read
Prominent lobbyist didn’t disclose calls to Orlando airport board members, violating policy
In early July, a lobbyist at a firm run by a top fundraiser to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called four of the governor-appointed members on...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Muscle Mouse: Walt Disney World's political spending swells
Originally published July 26, 2019 Walt Disney World is enormous in almost every way imaginable. The resort, built across 40 square miles...
Oct 4, 20201 min read
Florida is about to give more than $500 million to big corporations
Originally published Aug. 15, 2019 Florida is about to give more than $500 million to some of its biggest corporations. That’s enough to...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Universal Orlando claims millions in tax breaks via program meant to help struggling neighborhoods
Originally published Feb. 2, 2013 For Universal Orlando, the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the summer of 2010 was...
Oct 4, 20203 min read
Universal Orlando still claiming tax breaks meant to help struggling communities
Originally published Sept. 18, 2020 In April, after it had been forced to shut down by the coronavirus pandemic but before it began...
Oct 4, 20201 min read
Leaders suggested their options were limited before $125 million Universal vote. They weren't.
Originally published Dec. 19, 2019 By Jason Garcia and Stephen Hudak Moments before they voted late Tuesday night to give $125 million to...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Universal Orlando seeking $350 million in corporate tax breaks
Originally published Dec. 11, 2019 Universal Orlando is in line for nearly $350 million worth of state tax breaks to build a new...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Universal to get state money to build road to new Epic Universe park
Originally published Aug. 22, 2019 A few days before Christmas last year, after he was elected to the U.S. Senate but before he’d left...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Universal Orlando launches lobbying campaigns for $125 million in public money
Originally published Dec. 13, 2019 By Jason Garcia and Stephen Hudak As Orange County leaders prepare to vote on a controversial $125...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Universal Orlando’s new road deal with Orange County is lopsided, critics say
Originally published Oct. 3, 2019 Universal Orlando and Orange County are negotiating a final deal to split the tab for a new road to the...
Oct 4, 20201 min read
Investment company writes Florida incentive laws, then profits from them
Originally published Jan. 8, 2020 On a Thursday afternoon in the middle of last year’s legislative session, Sen. Bill Montford appeared...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Video-game company helps write Florida tax-incentive law, saves itself millions
Originally published Dec. 30, 2012 During the past three years, even as it has struggled with shrinking tax revenue, the Florida...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Loophole lets theme parks cut tax bills
Originally published May 25, 2011 Disney is avoiding some state and local taxes by selling theme-park tickets and other items to itself....
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