Despite philosophical differences, Florida lawmakers finishedĀ theĀ special overtime session this afternoon by passing a $78.8 billion state budget that was hammered out between the chambers over a 20-day special session.
Ā The 2015 Special Session A sine die was bittersweet for the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
In a statement, the Chamber noted that lawmakers passed 232 bills of the 1,795 bills introduced ā including 20 Chamber-backed measures.
The 2015-2016 budget ā passed by the House 96-17 at around 6 p.m. Friday The spending plan, officially known as the General Appropriations Act of 2015, was approved by the Senate about a half hour earlier.
The Legislature had passed a $427 million tax reduction package, separate from the budget, earlier in the week.
āWhile Florida lawmakers passed 20 Florida Chamber-backed competitiveness measures and helped stop 12 attacks on Floridaās business climate, the 2015 legislative sessions will likely be known for missed opportunities,ā said Chamber CEO Mark Wilson.
Wilson added that, as expected, lawmakers were able to finish the 20-day scheduled Special Session A before the budget expired June 30, despite the inability to pass the budget during the 60-day regular session. Those philosophical differences on health care that bogged down the Legislature during the regular session resulted in some crucial votes missed on āpro-business priorities.ā
āFlorida voters are paying attention,ā Wilson warned.
State lawmakers are hovering slightly underwater with voters. According to a recent Chamber political poll, 41 percent disapprove of the job the Florida Legislature is doing while only 40 percent approve.
āAlthough the League of Women Votersā push to expand Medicaid failed, the Florida Chamber of Commerce looks forward to further uniting Floridaās business community behind our āSmarter Healthcare Coverage in Floridaā plan in the coming session,ā Wilson added.
Among the list of disappointmentsĀ in the 2015 session, according to the Chamber, includes failing to vote on securing Floridaās water future; ending what the Florida Hospital Association calls an eight percent ācost shiftā on Floridians; phasing out sales tax on commercial leases; ending a $500 million āannual bailoutā of government pensions; and resolving Floridaās ābroken and unfair legal system.ā
In contrast, the Florida Legislature did haveĀ some successes on the organization’sĀ agenda. Among Chamber-backed priorities that passed:
-
Targeted Tax Reform:
Communication Services Tax ā Reduces cell phone and TV taxes. ($226 million savings)
R&D Tax Credits ā Increases the cap from $9 million to $23 million for 2016.
Sales Tax Holiday ā 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday.
Enterprise Zones ā Allows current businesses receiving incentives to continue receiving them for three years.
- Championing Educational Reforms for a Globally Competitive Workforce:
Bright Futures Scholarships ā Changes community service requirements to include workplace-based internships.
Personal Student Learning Accounts ā Expands the pool of students eligible for the Florida Personal Learning Scholarship Account Program. ($55 million)
Digital Classrooms ā Establishes classroom digital technology standards.
Educational Professional Practices ā Establishes teacher liability insurance through the state of Florida.
- Infrastructure and Transportation Investments:
Investing about $10 billion in Floridaās transportation and infrastructure.
- Strengthened Floridaās Economic Development Efforts:
Market Florida ā $10 million investment in Floridaās first statewide business climate marketing effort.
Economic Development Toolkit ā $43 million to help attract and keep businesses inĀ Florida.
International Export Grants and Programs — $1 million for export assistance grants and international programs for small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Military Base Protection and Defense Reinvestment ā A $1 million investment to continue protecting and improving Floridaās military bases.
Space Florida ā A $17.5 million investment in space projects and infrastructure.
- Amendment 1 Implementation:
Better management of land Florida already owns (over $700 million total).
Securing Floridaās water future by focusing on springās protection ($38 million), Everglades ($58 million) and non-Amendment 1 water projects ($50 million).
- Addressed Floridaās Forthcoming Doctor Shortage:
A $100 million investment in Floridaās medical residency education.
A comprehensive list of supported legislation in the recently ended regular and special sessions is available at the Florida Chamberās 2015 Legislative Summary Report.
āOn behalf of the Florida Chamber, I appreciate the dozens of local chambers of commerce and business associations that partnered with us and worked tirelessly to pass as many pro-business issues as possible,ā said Chamber Executive Vice President David Hart.
As for the future, the Chamber announced that its Political Operations Team is already interviewing candidates for 2016 elections, and the Policy Department is already developing the groupās 2016 Florida Business Agenda.
