FRLA's Legislative 2021 Priorities Get to Know FRLA's Government

Get to Know FRLA’s Governmental Relations Team Government relations is a year-round job at FRLA with activity occurring every day in the legislature, the governor’s office, the cabinet and the executive branch. Thanks to the GR Team for managing all aspects of FRLA’s advocacy.

Samantha H. Padgett serves as the General Counsel for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. In this role, Samantha provides legal advice and services to the association and its leadership and serves as an advocate for the restaurant and lodging industries at the federal, state, and local levels.

Ms. Padgett previously served for 10 years as the Vice President and General Counsel of the Florida Retail Federation (FRF).

Ms. Padgett is a member of The Florida Bar. She graduated cum laude from the University of Florida College of Law and received her B.A. from Emory University. She has served on the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, the University of Florida Center for Retailing Executive Advisory Board and the Florida Recycling Partnership Board of Directors.

Richard Turner is the Senior Vice President of Government Relations for FRLA. Richard has been with FRLA since 2002. Prior to joining FRLA, Richard served 17 years in various state agencies. His last position prior to FRLA was as Division Director of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, DBPR. The final repeal of Florida’s Alcoholic Beverage Surcharge in 2008, saving the hospitality industry millions is his fondest legislative memory although there have been many. He has been a member of the Florida Bar for over 30 years. Mary Rose McCarron has been with FRLA since September 2018. She is the Legislative Analyst and Event Coordinator for the Government Relations Department. Mary Rose graduated from Saint Leo University in Tampa, Florida, with a degree in social work. Her last position prior to FRLA was as Foster Care Recruiter and Licensing Specialist at Boys Town.

Amendment 2 Recap by ASHLEY CHAMBERS

Florida voters passed Ballot Amendment 2, which will raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026, beginning with its first increase to $10 an hour by the end of September 2021. The amendment barely passed the 60% mark required, with a final tally of 60.8%.

FRLA was heavily engaged in the Florida minimum wage battle since it was announced as a proposed Ballot Amendment. This past summer, we joined small businesses across the state to launch Amendment 2 Hurts You through SAVE FLORIDA JOBS, a campaign against Ballot Amendment 2.

FRLA members and staff worked tirelessly to spread awareness about the catastrophic effects this mandated wage increase would have on our industry. With very little money for digital media ads, we had an amazing push that resulted in substantial earned media. Our efforts reached millions across Florida, and we are proud of how we moved the discussion and educated voters.

We scored essential victories as multiple editorial boards, even those of the most liberal media outlets in Florida, sided with us against the amendment, warning voters against the potential effects. They noted that it is not the right time for this costly amendment, that it is simply too risky, and that it would cause the economy to tank and people to lose jobs. We were thrilled with each of those victories. With financial devastation and serious constraints from the COVID-19 pandemic, we simply were not able to raise the cash needed to sustain a serious offensive.

To those of you who donated to our cause and helped us to get digital ads out, mailers in mailboxes, radio ads running, internet searches prioritized, and more — THANK YOU. We could not have accomplished all that we did without your support. Many of you worked countless hours on top of your real jobs to participate in virtual debates, media interviews, community presentations, voter demonstrations, and COUNTLESS Zoom calls as our Task Force crossed legislative, media, governmental and community outreach.

Despite all of these efforts and a true grassroots campaign across the state, Ballot Amendment 2 passed. While we are very disappointed in the outcome, we truly believe we did everything we could, given our constraints and COVID-19 impacts.

So, what happens now? The first step in this process is for the minimum wage to increase to $10 an hour by Sept. 30, 2021. This is the largest increase in the path to $15. We have spoken with many of you who say this puts your business at serious risk even in Year 1. We will be with you every step of the way to be certain you understand the requirements. Again, thank you to everyone who put their blood, sweat and tears into this fight.

2021 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Legislative Priorities for the 2021 Legislative Session

Liability Protection

The threat of legal liability for claims related to COVID-19 looms large over businesses struggling to survive. We support the adoption of legislation that clearly outlines how liability claims related to COVID-19 should be addressed and allows only meritorious claims to be heard.

Vacation Rentals

Proper licensing, safety and sanitation, and collection of taxes is critical for all who provide lodging for Florida’s visitors. Appropriate regulation of vacation rental properties and hosting platforms will ensure that basic requirements are met and appropriate taxes are collected and paid.

ALCOHOL REGULATIONS Codify “Alcohol-To-Go”

During the pandemic, the governor permitted through executive order what is colloquially known as “alcohol-to-go.” This regulatory change allowed many Florida restaurants to supplement their revenue through increased sale of alcoholic beverages to accompany take-out food orders. The relaxing of these regulations during the pandemic demonstrated that the sale of alcohol in this manner can be practically and safely accomplished. Allowing this process to continue will directly benefit restaurants that continue to struggle financially.

Increase Licensure Opportunities for Hospitality Businesses

We support reducing lodging facility room requirements and restaurant square footage requirements for establishments applying for specific alcoholic beverage licenses. This will encourage the development of new businesses and increase the operational flexibility and financial success of existing businesses.

Cooperative Advertising

We support alcohol manufacturers and certain licensed vendors being permitted to cooperate to advertise special events. The marketing and promotion of notable events at some of Florida’s most popular destinations will increase tourism and spending in Florida. Such agreements will not compromise the independent decision-making capacity of the businesses who are parties to these agreement, and it will result in positive economic impacts to the state.

TOURISM MARKETING Protect Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Dollars

Voters in each Florida county approved collection of the TDT for the sole and specific purpose of funding the promotion and marketing of Florida tourism. Using these funds as they were originally intended, for the promotion and marketing of tourism, has never been more crucial as Florida continues to recover from the pandemic. New authorized uses, no matter how well-intentioned, must be rejected.

Increase Funding for VISIT FLORIDA to $75 Million

The tourism industry is the backbone of Florida’s economy. As Florida seeks to recover from the economic destruction of COVID-19, the marketing and promotion of Florida has never been more important. Increased funding is necessary to increase tourism and facilitate recovery from the pandemic’s devastating impacts to this industry.

TAXATION Property Tax Relief

Tourism-dependent businesses will struggle to pay their property taxes because of the financial impact of the pandemic. We support offering meaningful payment deferrals and installment payment plans. We also support the waiving of penalties for payments that are late or incomplete due to the pandemic’s impact on a business.

Tax Credits

Tax credits can provide much-needed relief and support for Florida’s struggling businesses. Tax credits for the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can help offset the increased expense businesses have incurred in purchasing this necessary equipment. Tax credits for the hiring of new personnel can provide financial incentives and support to make more job opportunities available for Floridians.

Main Street Florida Funding

Florida Main Street needs increased investment to support recovery and increased economic development in Florida’s historic downtown commercial corridors. We support the appropriation of nonrecurring funds to The Florida Department of State Division of Historical Resources to expand the Florida Main Street Program and help these important centers of community and commerce to grow and thrive.