Governor Studies Hotels' Tax-Extension Cry

ORLANDO-Gov. Jeb Bush and the Florida Department of Revenue are reviewing a plea by at least 24 Florida hotels, including 14 Orlando area properties, for an executive order that would give them more time to pay their property and sales taxes. The state’s deadline is March 31. Hoteliers want a 90-day extension.

The Sept. 11 terrorist attack and a soft tourism season following the New York and Washington, DC catastrophes sharply sliced occupancy and revenue at the hotels, leaving over-leveraged properties in a financially vulnerable state.

Industry insiders doubt the governor and his Cabinet will agree to an executive order but tell GlobeSt.com a creative extension strategy may still be worked out from Tallahassee.