AIF Ranks Top Business-Friendly Lawmakers

Prominent business advocacy group Associated Industries of Florida ranked incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, as among the most business-friendly lawmakers of the 2010 state legislative session.

Five lawmakers, all in the House, voted in favor of the group's agenda 99 percent of the time this legislative session. In the Senate, Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville, scored the highest, supporting 96 percent of the group's agenda.

The 2010 legislative session was one of the most contentious we have seen in recent years and was marked by tension between legislative leaders and a governor who, toward the end of the session, left the Republican Party, Barney Bishop, president and CEO of AIF said in a press release. Even in light of this uncommon occurrence and a very difficult budget year, legislative leaders appropriately focused on job creation and economic development."

All told, the Legislature cast 14,832 votes on 133 business-related bills. The lowest-ranking lawmakers were Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, and Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, who supported only 46 percent of the AIF agenda.

For a complete listing of lawmaker rankings, visit here.