By Kevin Begos
The Tampa Tribune

A proposed state budget released this morning gives $2 million to Tampa’s Riverwalk project – less than half the $4.7 million Mayor Pam Iorio sought.

But Pasco County scored a major coup thanks to Sen. Mike Fasano – who just happens to be a top supporter of Governor Charlie Crist.

The budget has a special category for economic development projects that get paid for with general revenue tax dollars; the total fund is $15.8 million for projects around the state.

So how was that pie divided up? Pasco County: $7.5 million; $4 million for St. Lucie County in South Florida – and crumbs for everyone else.

The Pasco money is designed to help the county lure a major corporation or high-tech business to the area. The project will be managed by the county, which has also pledged $2.5 million, said Greg Giordano, Fasano’s chief legislative assistant.

The project was Fasano’s top legislative priority this year, he said. Pasco officials will be able to use the money however they see fit, including for use to fund corporate tax breaks if they succeed in attracting a new business.

The budget represents only a preliminary agreement between House and Senate negotiators. The full chambers will vote on it Thursday.

Crist can still cut projects as part of his line item veto power, which former Gov. Jeb Bush used heavily.

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