ORLANDO, Fla. — Almost half of the state tax incentives handed out by the state since 2018 have gone to large companies, many of which were already located in the state.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

A new report from Florida’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability found, “many businesses that had agreements and received incentive payments during the review period were large and had previously existed in Florida.”

“We’ve seen across the county that large companies are the ones who benefit from those economic development incentive programs,” said Kasia Tarczynska a Senior Research Analyst with the nonprofit Good Jobs First.

READ: DISH customers: Call 800-333-3474 & demand they bring back WFTV Channel 9; switch TV providers today

While the report notes that many of the programs are set to either sunset or are winding down, the state report nonetheless found, “64% of the 260 projects that received incentive payments were expansions of existing Florida businesses rather than companies new to the state. Additionally, almost half of the projects that received an incentive payment are at large businesses. Specifically, 128 (49%) of projects that received incentive payments were businesses with more than 1,000 employees.”

“I don’t like corporate welfare,” says Speaker of the Florida House Paul Renner. “We haven’t funded these in several years, look we’re a business-friendly state, we don’t need to give companies money to come here, they’re coming anyway.”

READ: Orlando legend Col. Joe Kittinger dies at 94

Renner notes that the state has recently been focused on putting money into infrastructure, but stressed that where state programs are still offering tax breaks and incentives, the legislature will maintain oversight.

READ: Bad smell in Mount Dora possibly linked to facilities getting worse, residents say

Video: Osceola County deputies say department is trying to discourage them from joining union 9 Investigates has learned the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is handing out paperwork to its supervisors asking them to tell deputies the downfalls of unions. (Shannon Butler, WFTV.com)

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2022 Cox Media Group