LOOKING AHEAD: SUMMARY OF AIF'S KEY BUSINESS POSITIONS

The following is a listing of additional issues that AIF will be involved in (as of December 15, 2011) for the upcoming 2012 Session. These issues and our positions can change based on amendments. When our position does change, it will be noted in both the Daily Brief and Weekly Update reports that AIF provides to members and legislators throughout the session.

For specific information on AIF's 2012 Session priorities please check out our 2012 Session Priorites Publication

ENIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

• Encourage the Florida Legislature to ratify the proposed numeric nutrient criteria rule proposed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 
• Support the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s proposal to have a statewide Environmental Resource Permit (ERP). 
• Support state funding for alternative water supply programs.
• Oppose any attempts by the Legislature to pass a “bottle bill” to help pay for recycling efforts. 
• Support comprehensive solid waste programs to increase recycling rates.
• Oppose changes to the current contamination notification laws.
• Oppose the enactment of fees on tire or landfill disposal and water severance taxes.

HEALTH CARE

• Encourage the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to approve the waiver requested by Florida for the implementation of important reforms to Florida’s Medicaid Program.
• Oppose the addition of new health care provider or benefit mandates.
• Support creating broad-based funding sources to enhance access to health care services.
• Support efforts to redistribute ad valorem tax dollars in a manner that creates equity in funding for all providers based upon their levels of service to Medicaid, uninsured and underinsured residents of a district.
• Support the elimination of the Low Income Pool (LIP) Council achieved during the 2011 Legislative Session.
• Support the extension of the current sovereign immunity protections to physicians and hospitals.
• Support efforts to maximize our state’s opportunities to receive federal matching dollars for Medicaid funding.
• Support a comprehensive cost study to be performed on the 52 provider and benefit mandates that are currently in law.
• Support increased transparency and accountability when a public hospital is sold or leased.
• Oppose the expansion of ad valorem taxing authority of state taxing districts for the funding of health care facilities

INFRASTRUCTURE

• Support efforts to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of the current Development of Regional Impacts (DRIs) process.
• Support full appropriation of the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Fund monies.
• Oppose sweeping any funds from the State Transportation Trust Fund for non-transportation expenditures. 
• Support the re-direction of increased tag and title fees into the State Transportation Trust Fund to benefit transportation projects.

INSURANCE

• Support legislation that will reduce workers’ compensation costs to Florida employers while helping Florida restore its vibrant economic position.            
• Support legislation to reduce Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claims costs.
• Support legislation to return Citizens to an insurer of last resort. 
• Support legislation to clarify the way long term care insurance policies are defined in Florida.            

LEGAL & JUDICIAL           

• Support legislation establishing a 60-day time frame during which an insurer may investigate and, if warranted, offer policy limits to settle a liability claim.
• Support legislation that addresses the standards used in expert witness testimony.
• Oppose claim bills that set dangerous legal precedents.
• Support adequate funding for our state’s legal system.
• Support existing caps on non-economic damages arising from medical malpractice lawsuits.
• Support reforms to the Judicial Nominating Commission process.

TAXATION & BUDGET

• Oppose any legislation that seeks to permanently provide online travel companies with an unfair tax advantage.
• Support efforts to enforce the fair collection of state sales tax.
• Support efforts to provide employers relief from the ever-escalating increases in unemployment compensation taxes.
• Support the complete elimination of sales tax imposed on the purchase of manufacturing equipment and machinery.
• Support the Governor’s efforts to increase the corporate income tax exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 and exempt any business – with less than $50,000 in tangible personal property – from paying the Tangible Personal Property Tax.
• Support the improvement of the voluntary single sales factor formula for apportioning corporate income taxes.
• Oppose structural changes to the Corporate Income Tax such as combined reporting or the “throwback” rule, or any other so-called “loophole” issue.
• Support sales tax holidays for school and hurricane supplies.
• Support a comprehensive update of the Communication Services Tax (CST) statute.
• Support legislation that seeks to repeal ch. 205 F.S., otherwise known as the “Local Business Tax Act.”
• Support efforts to continue the process of modernizing the Florida Retirement System.