Education Group Wrote Fla. Law to Protect Its Corporate Aid

A new Florida law expanding corporate tax breaks for contributions to a scholarship program was drafted by the nonprofit group that offers the student aid, says The Florida Times-Union.

Step Up for Students, in Tampa, composed and submitted the bill to Republican state Rep. Mike Horner, who subsequently asked the organization to break down each provision in the measure on a “cheat sheet” so he “would not embarrass myself or you” in legislative debates, according to e-mails reviewed by the Jacksonville newspaper.

Step Up for Students pays for private-school attendance for thousands of low-income youths in northeastern Florida, and is the only organization that offers the tax-credit scholarships.

The measure signed into law in June raises the amount companies can give to the program from 75 to 100 percent of their corporate income tax liability.

An analysis the charity prepared for Rep. Horner said the bill’s goal was “insulating” the scholarship program from future policy changes that could limits its support.

According to the Times-Union, many legislators sponsor bills drafted by lobbyists and other interest groups. Explaining his use of the practice, Rep. Horner said, “I’m not an expert. I talk to my constituents, industry experts, the executives to learn about issues that are important.”

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