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The state’s Economic development agency, Enterprise Florida, clamored for cash this year from the legislature, but were mostly denied. As Matt Galka tells us, while Florida’s Governor lobbied hard for the extra cash, the agency’s executives saw their salaries continue to climb.

Governor Rick Scott fought hard for $250 million dollars of economic incentive cash for Enterprise Florida – a public – private partnership used for economic development.

“We’ve got to continue putting money into Enterprise Florida,” said Scott back in February.

The legislature didn’t agree. The agency got $23 and a half million from the budget that took effect July 1^st.  But while Enterprise Florida said they needed more cash…the agency’s executives saw their salaries going up.

Executive salaries went from nearly $800,500 to $1.4 million over the past six years according to USA Today.

Ben Wilcox with Integrity Florida has consistently questioned whether Floridians were getting a good return on investment.

“Enterprise Florida is funded 90% by Florida taxpayers, they seem to think that they get to play by a different set of rules than other taxpayer funded entities,” he said.

Enterprise Florida’s board voted last week to lay off 12 people and eliminate another 12 positions in a cost cutting measure.

The agency says they need to cut $6 million dollars. The Governor told the board last week it’s because the legislature didn’t properly fund them. Critics in the legislature compared the funding to corporate welfare.

“We see a lot of promises of jobs that are being created but a lot of times those jobs never materialize,” said Wilcox.

Enterprise Florida will also be closing four international offices in an effort to save money.

We reached out to Enterprise Florida Tuesday for comment but they have not yet returned our messages