AIF Honors Rick Scott, Florida Legislators

Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) announced its “Champions for Business” award winners on Thursday. 

“Each year, AIF looks forward to honoring those elected officials who defend Florida’s competitive climate and go above and beyond to make the Sunshine State a place where businesses and families can prosper,” said former U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Fla., the president and CEO of AIF. “AIF is grateful to this year’s ‘Champions for Business’ for both their hands-on and behind-the-scenes efforts to support business-friendly legislation. Each recipient has demonstrated a deep commitment to making a difference in the state of Florida by being strong and forceful advocates for the business community and working to allow Florida companies to have the ability to operate free of overly burdensome state regulation and taxation.”

AIF honored Gov. Rick Scott for backing cutting taxes on cellphone and cable TV services. The leaders of the Florida Legislature--Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island--were honored for fighting to improve the business climate. Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Jacksonville, was honored for pushing Medicaid expansion in the Senate. Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, and Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar, were praised for leading the charge on the cellphone and TV services tax cut. AIF honored Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, and Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Fort Myers, for their work to reform energy exploration while Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-Lehigh Acres, was praised for his work on water issues.