Florida Governor Bush wants the Legislature to set aside millions for business investment.

Years after Florida’s first effort to jump-start venture capital investment in the state fizzled in controversy, Gov. Jeb Bush will arrive in Tampa today to announce a new proposal aimed at pumping $75-million into start-up companies.

The plan, dubbed the Florida Capital Formation Program, is just one of five economic development proposals totaling $630-million that the governor will ask state lawmakers to include when they write a 2006-07 budget this spring.

Florida’s state coffers are expected to be flooded with cash next year, thanks in large part to the increased sales tax collections from rebuilding after two active hurricane seasons. Lawmakers are likely to have $3.2-billion more to spend than originally expected.

Bush’s pitch: Set aside a big chunk of that for business investment.

By JONI JAMES

Full Story: http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/30/State/Bush_wants_funds_for_.shtml