With the Legislature meeting in Tallahassee next week as its regular session begins, the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) unveiled its legislative priorities on Friday.
“We are pleased to release our ‘2016 Session Priorities’ publication that outlines the focus of our advocacy efforts for this session,” said former U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Fla., the president and CEO of AIF, on Friday. “During the 2016 legislative session, we are proud to stand up for the issues relevant to our members and work to create a business-friendly climate to benefit our state. Among the myriad of issues before the Florida Legislature, we intend to focus on water, workers’ compensation, information technology and energy, among others.”
AIF’s priorities include supporting Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed $1 billion tax cut which includes eliminating the manufacturing sales tax and lowering the commercial lease tax from 6 percent to 5 percent.
Feeney praised Scott’s proposal on Friday.
“This year, Florida leaders have an opportunity to elevate the state and make it the gold standard for 49 other states by adopting a budget that includes a pro-growth, pro-jobs tax cut agenda,” Feeney said. “One billion dollars in tax cuts will help accelerate job growth and prosperity for our state.”
On other issues, AIF continued its support for expanding gaming, including destination casinos, in Florida. The group also backed immigration reform while opposing mandating businesses to use E-Verify when hiring employees. On education, AIF backed expanding Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs including more medical training, better preparing students for the workforce and using more technology, including greater online instruction. AIF also backed reforms to insurance and the judicial system, investments in transportation and ports, more energy exploration and options, including the Keystone XL pipeline, and a comprehensive water policy for the Sunshine State.
Feeney sounded an optimistic note for the session.
“AIF congratulates Gov. Scott and the Florida Legislature on making Florida one of the best places to do business in the United States, and looks forward to working with our state’s leaders on the issues relevant to the multitude of industries that fuel Florida’s economy this session,” Feeney said.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
