Florida Citrus Mutual CEO Mike Sparks issued the following report: “Governor Rick Scott signed the $70 billion state budget today and did not veto the $2 million appropriation for citrus research. Consequently, this money will go straight to the Citrus Research and Development Foundation to supplement grower box tax dollars in FY ’12-’13. At current production levels the $2 million equates to roughly 1.2 cents per box.
“We have been talking to the governor and his staff quite a bit over the past year and we really think he has come to understand the importance of our $9 billion industry and the fact we must beat HLB to remain viable. Of course none of this would have been possible without the outstanding efforts of Sen. JD Alexander and Rep. Denise Grimsley, two of our industry’s strongest allies.
“Mutual certainly appreciates Governor Scott’s decision today.”