2014 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY STATEMENT STATE ISSUES AGRICULTURE/WATER Work with our Florida Chamber partners in supporting the expanded use alternative water supplies and projects in addition to implementing policies that encourage alternative water investments. •
DID NOT PASS: legislation stalled establishing the Florida Springs and Aquifer Act identifying springs in need of protection.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM Enterprise Florida: Work with our Florida Chamber partners to make a proactive approach in attracting jobs and new businesses to our state by supporting Enterprise Florida, the state’s lead economic development agency, in its mission to facilitate job growth for Florida’s businesses and citizens •
SUCCESS: $71 million was allocated in the state’s budget for Enterprise Florida’s economic development incentives
International Trade-Ports: Work with our Florida Chamber Partners in supporting the goal of doubling Florida-origin exports in the next 5 years by doubling Enterprise Florida’s international budget, ratifying regional trade agreements and focusing state policy makers attention on international business. •
SUCCESS: funding was allocated in the state’s budget for offices in China and Japan to expand trade opportunities for Florida businesses
PENSIONS Work with our Florida Chamber partners to support modernizing the Florida Retirements System to make both state and local public employee pensions sustainable and consistent with those offered by the public sector. •
DID NOT PASS: legislation was defeated that would allow local governments with underfunded pension programs to shore up liabilities
HIGHER EDUCATION - POLK COUNTY Support SB 84 and HB 35, allowing veterans of the Armed Services to qualify as residents of the state of Florida for tuition purposes. (Polk State Request) •
LOCAL ISSUES DETROIT TIGERS/SPRING TRAINING RETENTION Support the state’s current legislation (F.S. 288.11631) and funding mechanism for retention and attraction of MLB Spring Training, with the following modifications. •
Authorize the payment (reimbursement) of up to $20M in state funding, for single MLB franchise training in FL community, to be paid in twenty equal payments over 20 years, as opposed to the current language, which spreads the same amount over a 30 year period.
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Under section 2, sub-section 2, support changing of the penalty (claw back) provision language to reflect a payback based on the unfulfilled obligation of the initial agreement by the MLB team.
SUCCESS: HB 7095 changed the process for professional stadiums to be eligible for state funding, reduced distribution payments from 30 years to 20 years and modified “clawback” provision
LAKELAND LINDER REGIONAL AIRPORT Support in securing funding for operation of the airport’s control tower for the week of Sun ‘n Fun’s International Fly-In •
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DID NOT PASS: legislation was defeated that would provide a specific time frame for insurers to pay out a claim
MONITORING: Lakeland Linder Regional Airport is fully finded through 2014. Legislation is moving through US House and Senate for 2015 funding
PEACE RIVER CENTER CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT & TRIAGE CENTER
TORT REFORM Fair Settlement Reform: Work with our Florid Chamber partners establishing a clearly defined timeline encouraging plaintiff attorneys and insurers to play by the same set of fair settlement rules in Florida courtrooms.
SUCCESS: aspects of both bills were rolled into HB 7015, providing in-state tuition to veterans
Support of capital outlay funding in the 2014-15 budget for renovation of the Gateway facility to a crisis stabilization unit and Triage Center. •
SUCCESS: $2 million in funding was allocated in the state’s budget for the construction of a new crisis stabilization unit in Lakeland
SALVATION ARMY
Accuracy in Damages Reform:Work with our Florida Chamber partners to ensure juries are given a clear picture of true medical costs when deciding current and future medical damage awards in personal injury cases.
Support reinstatement of $500,000 appropriation in the state budget for the Salvation Army and the George W. Jenkins Community of Hope project.
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DID NOT PASS: Legislation was defeated that would require juries to receive information on the actual amount paid on a medical bill in certain lawsuits
SUCCESS: Funding was allocated for the construction of a disaster reflief warehouse in Polk County as an integral part of the County’s emergency response