Associated Industries of Florida Announces the
2008 Champion for Business Award Recipients
Key State leaders awarded for their commitment to Florida's business community
May 15, 2007

Tallahassee, Fla. – During the 2008 Legislative Session, Florida’s elected officials created new public policy aimed to serve the best interests of the state’s economy and residents.  Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) applauds state legislators’ ongoing support for Florida’s economic future throughout session and recognizes an esteemed group of legislators as the 2008 Champion for Business award winners.

“AIF is honored to present these legislators with the fifth annual Champion for Business award,” said AIF President and CEO, Barney Bishop.  “Their contribution to the business community through strong and vigorous advocacy is greatly appreciated by our organization as well as businesses throughout the state.”

The 2008 Champions for Business award recipients are chosen for their dedication to Florida’s prosperous future and support for initiatives which will help to jumpstart the economy and encourage business growth.  AIF instituted the Champion for Business award in 2003 to acknowledge law-makers who do more than vote for business by providing leadership on key legislation. A Champion for Business is a legislator who takes risks for their belief in the free-enterprise system, who defies the status quo when it is harmful to our state’s competitive climate and who faces down opponents of the growing prosperity of Florida’s citizens.

Among others issues, recipients of this year’s awards provided leadership in areas such as Florida’s space program, workforce and education development, Ad Valorem taxation, secondary metal theft and their legislative commitment to programs included in AIF’s Economic Stimulus Package.

The 2008 Champions for Business award recipients include:

Sen. Mike Bennett (R - Bradenton) – A multiple recipient of this award, Sen. Bennett is   acknowledged this year for his efforts to pass legislation dealing with the Administrative Procedures Act.  His legislation provides additional incentives to state agencies to adopt their policies using the required rulemaking process.
Sen. Mike Fasano (R - New Port Richey) -  In addition to being an early supporter of AIF’s Economic Stimulus Package, Sen. Fasano was extremely influential in preventing members of the House from raiding close to $700 million from the State Transportation Trust Fund.
Sen. Mike Haridopolos (R – Melbourne) – A three-time winner of this award, Sen. Haridopolos co-sponsored one of the few property tax relief bills passed by the Legislature, SB 2080.  This    legislation implements recommendations from the Auditor General report on Value Adjustment    Boards and brings much needed fairness to this process.
Sen. Bill Posey (R - Rockledge) – Sen. Posey filed numerous space industry bills this year, but none as important as his legislation providing limitations on liability for commercial space firms and their subcontractors who provide human spaceflight services from Florida launch sites.
Sen. Jeremy Ring (D - Margate) – Sen. Ring sponsored SB 2310 which allowed existing funds in the Florida State Retirement System (FRS) to be utilized by stimulating the economy and investing $2.1 billion into specific businesses across Florida.
Rep. Thad Altman (R - Melbourne) - Rep. Altman was the key person in the House of      Representatives on all issues regarding space, as he sponsored a number of bills advancing the aerospace agenda.  He ensured the passage of HB 1373, which expands the Qualified Defense Contractor Tax Refund Program to qualified space contractors.
Rep. Anitere Flores (R - Miami) – Rep. Flores’ leadership on education and workforce development issues are greatly appreciated by AIF.  Rep. Flores has crafted legislation designed to enhance Florida’s curriculum standards and bring them inline with the current needs of employers in Florida.
Rep. Peter Nehr (R - Tarpon Springs) – By sponsoring and passing one of AIF’s priority bills for the 2008 session, HB 909, relating to Ad Valorem taxation, Rep. Nehr is a true Champion for Business. This legislation will provide Floridians with a standard procedure by which they can challenge their local property appraiser’s assessment of the value of their property.
Rep. Ray Sansom (R - Ft. Walton Beach) – For his commitment to economic development innovations in Florida, Rep. Sansom is recognized for his strong support of AIF’s Economic Stimulus Package. As Chairman of the powerful House Policy and Budget Council, Rep. Sansom allowed the business community to present the package before the Council, allowing ample time for discussion on the recommendations.
Rep. Baxter Troutman (R - Winter Haven) –Rep. Troutman led the charge to bring relief to the countless number of secondary metal theft victims. His legislation will help law enforcement find thieves and make it harder for them to sell the stolen property.

In addition to presenting Champion for Business awards, AIF’s Florida Securities Council, Florida Energy Council and Florida Maritime Council awarded state leaders with the 2008 Council Awards. This year marks the first time a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) was recognized as a Champion for Business award recipient by the Florida Securities Council.  AIF recognizes CFO Alex Sink for her fiscally- responsible proposal to reduce the risk associated with the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Although, SB 2156 did not survive the final days of session, CFO Sink is recognized for taking the initiative to reduce the threat Floridians might face in the event a major storm makes landfall in our state. 

Other 2008 Council Awards include:

AIF Financial Securities Council Award
Sen. Al Lawson (D - Tallahassee) – Senate Legislator of the Year - Sen. Lawson debated strongly against extending the freeze on Citizen Property Insurance Corporation’s rates and against the establishment of dangerous regulatory reprimands against private insurers and warned members of the Senate on the dangers of more government intrusion in the marketplace.
Rep. Dennis Ross (R - Lakeland) - House Legislator of the Year - Rep. Ross held firmly to his beliefs that excessive regulatory rules are not the way to bring back the private insurance market to Florida. Many of the onerous provisions included in the original version of SB 2860 were successfully removed by Rep. Ross.
AIF Florida Energy Council Award
Rep. Paige Kreegel (R - Punta Gorda) – Legislator of the Year – As Chairman of the House Energy Committee, Rep. Kreegel understood the major implications surrounding the omnibus energy package passed by the Florida Legislature. His mastery of the complex scientific issues surrounding climate change and renewable energy also came in handy during debate on this contentious bill.
AIF Florida Maritime Council Award
Rep. Kevin Ambler (R – Tampa) - Legislator of the Year – Rep. Ambler single-handedly fought on behalf of Florida port tenants against legislation being considered by the House. The legislation    would have increased the cost of security screenings for employees working in one of Florida’s 14 deep water ports and greatly hindered the state’s competition with other mega-ports of the Southeast.

In addition, Honorable Mentions for the Champion of Business award were presented to Rep. Dean Cannon (R - Winter Park), Sen. Lee Constantine (R - Altamonte Springs), Rep. Maria Sachs (D - Delray Beach), Rep. Franklin Sands (D – Weston) and Rep. Jack Seiler (D – Pompano Beach).  These individuals worked on behalf of the business community on issues relating to expanding commuter rail, outlawing secondary metal theft, creating additional foreign language programs in schools statewide, championing the My Safe Florida Home program and protecting private property rights.

“AIF is proud to recognize these Florida officials for their strong advocacy and support of business community,” said Bishop. “They are strong activists for improving Florida’s business climate and we honor their valiant efforts to champion issues which are critical to AIF members and the state’s business community.”

For more information on AIF’s 2008 Champion for Business award recipients, visit www.aif.com.