9 Investigates: The future of Visit Florida

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — With state lawmakers headed back to Tallahassee for a special session Wednesday, there are new questions about spending at the state’s tourism arm, Visit Florida, and its deals promoting businesses that are also major political donors.

Florida Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran earlier this year singled out a fishing show paid for by Visit Florida called “Bass 2 Billfish,” in which Visit Florida paid the production company, MAT Media, $2.8 million over five years for the show, allowing the group to keep the advertising revenue from the syndicated show.

MAT Media also has a contract with Visit Florida for a $2.4 million for a cooking show featuring celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.  According to state records from the Florida Department of Elections, one of the owners of MAT Media, Pat Roberts, has given more than $48,000 to Scott, the RPOF, and Scott’s inaugural committee since 2014.

Roberts has been involved in state tourism for decades, and in a phone interview with 9 Investigates said he does not feel the campaign contributions have ever played a factor in Visit Florida decisions.

“I have worked with Republican governors and Democratic governors for years to promote the state and I have never felt there was a quid pro que,” said Roberts.

Still, given the spending at Visit Florida and its reliance on taxpayer money, lawmakers have spent the last year questioning how that money is spent and why decisions are being made.

“It just looks bad, it’s like a vicious circle of politics,” said UCF political science professor Dr. Aubry Jewitt. “It opens up the question of whether the politicians are making the best decisions for Florida taxpayers.”

A review of published contracts from Visit Florida finds other instances where the taxpayer-funded group does business with big political donors.

According to state campaign disclosures, Disney has given more than $30,000 to Gov. Rick Scott and $252,503 in in-kind to his PAC, Let’s Get to Work.

At the same time, Visit Florida has spent more than $33,000 this year for events on Disney property. While Disney is the largest employer in the state, Visit Florida also has done business with Sea World, a company that has given Scott’s PAC $30,000 since 2012.

Both the governor and Visit Florida deny any connection between contracts and political donations.

“Governor Scott believes in transparency and accountability for any taxpayer dollar used and he is glad that Visit Florida’s new president and CEO Ken Lawson has enacted reforms to meet that goal,” wrote a spokesperson for Scott.

“The governor expects all of Visit Florida’s contracts to be based entirely on getting the best return on investment for Florida taxpayers as they continue to bring record numbers of visitors to our state.”

“When deciding on whether to enter into a contract or agreement, Visit Florida focuses on how that agreement will bring visitors to Florida and its return on investment for taxpayers,” wrote Visit Florida in a statement to 9 Investigates.  “If the project does not meet our requirements, we terminate it. Since becoming president & CEO of Visit Florida, Ken Lawson has enhanced the organization’s accountability and transparency, including posting all of our contracts online for the public to easily access.”

These concerns by lawmakers come as Visit Florida has seen its budget swell from $25 million in 2009 to an expected $76 million this upcoming year as part of budget negotiations.

The governor has been an outspoken advocate for Visit Florida, going on a multi-day cross-state tour to push for increased funding for Visit Florida.

Cox Media Group