Governor Rick Scott on Tuesday signed HB 959, a bill that lays the groundwork to prevent state and local governments from entering contracts worth $1 million or more with businesses operating in Cuba and Syria.
“The records of the Castro and Assad governments are undeniably oppressive, and have worked in ways that are counter to American interests,” Governor Scott said. “The legislation I’m signing today is designed to protect Florida taxpayers from unintentionally supporting dictators that suppress freedom and the rights of individuals, but we must have a federal partner that will permit this law to become operative.”
That sounds pretty good, right? Surely no one can want the Syrian government led by Bashar Assad to prosper as he guns down innocent civilians seemingly on a daily basis. But Cuba?
Diplomats from Florida's two leading trade partners, Canada and Brazil, have warned that the bill might discourage some of their companies doing business in Florida from further investing and hiring here because they also have contracts in Cuba. That can't be what the governor who is all about boosting Florida's economy can want, right?
This article appears in Apr 26 – May 2, 2012.