By Sascha Cordner
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-981379.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida's Alligator industry is trying to bounce back, after Governor Rick Scott vetoed money that would have helped market alligator meat and skin. As Sascha Cordner reports, the Florida Alligator Marketing and Education Committee is trying to come up with ways to get the industry back on its feet.
Scott has said the state should not be in the business of marketing Gator meat. At Tuesday's meeting, the Alligator Marketing Committee lightheartedly addressed the Governor vetoing their 150-thousand dollars that was appropriated in the budget.
Genie Tillman: "I don't know why we've been so offensive to the Governor. [laughs] Do we not wash out rubber boots when we go to Tallahassee?"
Allen Register: "Could be, it might be those Lakeport loafers that are turning him off, I don't know."
Genie: "I guess! We need to wear our alligator boots up there and maybe we'll get more noticed."
Committee members did get a dose of good news: the state department of Agriculture has money in a trust fund of about 195-thousand dollars for the alligator industry. Some marketing suggestions included leaning the gator industry more towards leather, not meat. They are also looking into making themselves more marketable through the entertainment industry.