For Immediate Release Thursday, February 27, 2014 Contact Sarah Bascom, sarah@[Link], 850.294.6636 Kristen Bridges, kristen@bascomllc.
com, 850.545.1917
AIF Announces its 2014 Legislative Priorities
Taxation, Water, Gaming & Health Care Among AIFs Top Legislative Priorities for 2014 Tallahassee, Fla. The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today released its 2014 Session Priorities publication, which outlines its legislative agenda on behalf of its members for the 2014 Legislative Session. Among the myriad of issues before the Florida Legislature, AIF will focus its advocacy efforts on taxation, water, gaming and health care, to name a few. Today we released our 2014 Session Priorities publication that outlines the focus of our advocacy efforts for this session, said AIF President and CEO Tom Feeney. Among the many important issues that AIF intends to focus on are taxation, water, gaming and health care. Additionally, we are happy to see job growth is on a steady path to recovery, and we believe proemployment policies can continue to expedite the recovery of our workforce here in Florida. As the 2014 Legislative Session commences next week, AIF is dedicated to continuing its tradition of utilizing these guiding principles as outlined and working diligently to support these issues on behalf of the business community over the course of the 60-day session, said Feeney. As outlined in AIFs 2014 Session Priorities publication, below are AIFs top legislative priorities for the 2014 Legislative Session. An electronic version of the publication can be found at [Link] 2014 Session Priorities: Taxation: This legislative session, there will be numerous legislative proposals revolving around Governor Rick Scotts stated priority of reducing taxes by $500 million. AIF continues to advocate for reducing the motor vehicle license tax, as well as reducing the sales tax on commercial energy consumption. AIF also supports efforts to reduce the state communications services tax (CST). Florida has the third-highest taxes on communications services in the nation when you combine the state CST rate with the average local CST rates. Additionally, AIF supports longstanding tradition of pre-paid calling services being taxed using sales tax at point of sale. Lastly, AIF supports reducing Floridas sales tax on commercial real estate leases. Florida is currently the only state in the nation to impose such a tax.
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ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF FLORIDA | PAGE 2
Water: This legislative session, AIF will be encouraging lawmakers to support a comprehensive statewide water plan to address our current problems and plan for future needs, advocating for science-based solutions and adequate funding for badly needed programs, supporting alternative water supply options, and highlighting the need to fund regional projects that are in line and ready to deliver results. In addition, AIF is excited to announce the formation of the AIF Florida H2O Coalition that will focus on comprehensive water policy here in the state. Gaming: This legislative session, the discussion of bringing integrated resorts to Florida will continue and AIF strongly encourages the Legislature to consider their effect on the states existing pari-mutuel industry before approving any proposals. Pari-mutuels should be given the ability to compete in order to provide the best entertainment value possible, including Class III gaming as long as the local county or municipality approves such action. AIF supports strong regulation and the creation of an independent gaming commission, as well as a competitive bid for a limited number of Integrated Resort Licenses in counties where Class III slot machines are currently authorized. Additionally, AIF supports any proposal that will allow free market bidding, ensuring premier development companies will build world-class destinations in our state and bring tremendous direct and indirect economic benefits to Florida businesses and the state. Health Care: This legislative session, AIF expects health care to continue to be a main topic. A healthy and productive workforce is vital to Florida employers and the states economy as a whole. AIF is dedicated to reducing the cost of quality health care for employers and Floridians, while increasing accessibility. AIF will advocate for inventive solutions, including transparency, telehealth services and removing regulatory scope of practice obstacles for qualified health care professionals. AIFs 2014 Session Priorities publication is distributed to all 160 members of the Florida Legislature, Florida Cabinet, agency heads of the executive branch and AIFs membership. For more information on AIF, please visit [Link] and follow @VoiceofFLBiz. ###
