State Sen. Gary Siplin has the right goal in promoting investment in economic development. But his proposal to tap county tourist taxes is the wrong way to reach it.

Central Florida governments especially could use a dedicated-dollar source to help add high-paying jobs to the region, which depends too heavily on low-wage work.

Mr. Siplin, an Orlando Democrat, wants to let counties use up to 2 percent of tourist taxes for economic development. His proposal is especially ill-timed.

Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty recently agreed to commit tourist taxes to help pay for a new or renovated arena, performing-arts center and major upgrade to the Citrus Bowl -- uses allowed under current law. Changing the law now to allow spending on economic development could siphon limited funds away from those projects.

Talk of diverting tourist taxes to roads and schools also is misguided. Transportation and education would quickly swallow up tourist taxes, and those needs already have other, larger funding sources.

There are better ways to raise dollars for economic development. For example, Mr. Siplin also has proposed letting local governments with convention centers recoup half the sales taxes from those facilities for economic development -- an idea we support.

But counties don't have to wait on the Legislature. This year alone, property-tax revenues grew $171.7 million in Central Florida. By setting aside a small percentage of those dollars for economic development, counties would make millions available for job-creating investments.