Speaking to a room full of Sarasota business leaders Thursday on the eve of Florida’s two-month legislative session, House Speaker Richard Corcoran passionately defended eliminating taxpayer-funded business incentives, an issue that has roiled Florida politics in recent weeks.

Corcoran spoke at a packed lunch event sponsored by the business-oriented Argus Foundation. Many business leaders defend the use of incentives and the crowd at the Sarasota Yacht Club included incentive supporters such as Jesse Biter, a wealthy Sarasota entrepreneur who has sharply criticized Corcoran on the issue.