UPDATE: The House, after a short debate, passed the bill 111-7.

The $10-million Crist administration small business jobs program known as "economic gardening" isn't growing much except opposition. The Senate on Wednesday voted for the program by a vote of 29 to 11, days after it passed on a 34-5 vote. Another week and it might have been too close to call.

Small businesses can apply for loans of up to $250,000 to create new jobs. But Senate Democratic leader Al Lawson called it "corporate welfare" and a "giveaway," and Sen. Ted Deutch of Boca Raton said the venture is "tainted" by a Palm Beach Post report that the business consultant who drafted parts of the proposal also wants to apply for all or part of a $1.5-million state grant to run it.

Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, the sponsor, said the bill's language requires competitive bidding, and if anyone thinks the fix is in for a particular vendor, "They haven't read the bill. They've read the Palm Beach Post," Fasano said. Florida desperately needs a stimulus program to help keep and grow businesses that are here, he said.

Republicans Paula Dockery and Evelyn Lynn joined nine Democrats in opposition to the bill (SB 38A). The Democrats other than Lawson and Deutch were Sens. Dave Aronberg, Larcenia Bullard, Dan Gelber, Arthenia Joyner, Charlie Justice, Nan Rich and Frederica Wilson.

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