Gov. Rick Scott said he is still reviewing a bill that many anti-Castro Miamians support but that the Florida Chamber of Commerce says could harm economic growth in Florida.

Scott, speaking Thursday on South Florida Spanish-language station 1020 AM, said he will be briefed on the impact of House Bill 959 before the May 5 deadline to sign, veto or allow the bill to become law without his signature.

HB 959 would prohibit companies with business operations in Cuba or Syria from bidding or entering into contracts worth $1 million or more with government agencies in Florida.

The state would also have to include provisions to void contracts with businesses that become engaged in trade with the two nations.

Scott said it’s important to pressure Cuba.

“We all know we need political freedom in Cuba,” Scott said. “I am very committed to making sure that we continue the pressure on the Cuban government, to make sure there is freedom in Cuba.”

Scott was interviewed in English, with the interviewer translating the governor's comments to his audience.

Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, sponsor of HB 959, sent a letter to the governor Tuesday suggesting that the bill will send a message that the state of Florida will not tolerate oppressive regimes.

"Many of our constituents have fled communist Cuba, leaving everything behind to find refuge in our great state," Garcia wrote. "By signing this bill, you will be honoring our commitment to them and acknowledging their perilous plight toward freedom."

However, the Florida Chamber of Commerce has warned that Canada and Brazil, two of the state’s top trading partners, have threatened to look elsewhere because of their existing business ties in Cuba.

Mark Wilson, Chamber president, has said the bill sends the wrong message and it may be unconstitutional for Florida to establish its own foreign policy separately from the federal government.

“The Florida Chamber agrees with Governor Scott that we should do everything we can to ensure freedom in Cuba and that we help the people of Syria who are suffering from violent extremism," Edie Ousley, Chamber vice president of public affairs, stated in an email responding to Scott's comments on 1020 AM.

"However, our members remain concerned about the constitutionality of this bill, as well as the message it sends to our major trading partners Brazil, Canada and Colombia -- especially just weeks ahead of the governor’s trade mission to Spain.”

The State Board of Administration is already prohibited from investing state funds in companies that do business with Cuba or any other nation the president of the United States has applied sanctions against.

The bill was approved 115-0 in the House and 39-1 by the Senate. Sen. Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami, cast the lone vote against the bill.



Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.