December 2, 2015

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today applauded Governor Rick Scott’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2016-17 that will foster a pro-business environment, and called on Florida lawmakers to support the budget.

“The Governor’s $79.3 billion budget proposal for FY 2016-17 will foster a pro-business environment, having a positive impact on Florida employers and employees,” said AIF President & CEO Tom Feeney.  “As the Florida affiliation of the National Association of Manufacturers, AIF joins the Governor in calling for the elimination of the sales tax on manufacturing equipment and income tax reduction efforts. One billion dollars in tax cuts, including reducing commercial lease sales tax, will help accelerate job growth and prosperity for our state.”

“AIF asks Florida lawmakers to support the Governor’s budget proposal that will not only create jobs, but develop a competitive approach to economic incentives that will allow Florida to close on top corporate development opportunities confidentially with a process accountable to Florida taxpayers,” continued Feeney. 

“Having served 12 years in the Florida Legislature, including two as House Speaker, and 6 years in Congress, I have never witnessed the intense bipartisan voter frustration that a decade of stalemate under President Obama and the U.S. Congress has generated. Florida legislators, having partnered with Governor Scott to make Florida the fastest growing state economy in the U.S., have a chance during the 2016 Legislative Session to further distinguish themselves as statesmen (contrasted with D.C. rhetoricians). By adopting a budget based upon Governor Scott’s proposal, including his pro-growth, pro-jobs tax cut agenda, Florida leaders can elevate the state and make it the gold standard for 49 other states and a malfunctioning federal government,” concluded Feeney.

Known as “The Voice of Florida Business” in the Sunshine State, AIF has represented the principles of prosperity and free enterprise before the three branches of state government since 1920. A voluntary association of diversified businesses, AIF was created to foster an economic climate in Florida conducive to the growth, development, and welfare of industry and business and the people of the state.

For more information on AIF, please visit AIF.com and follow @VoiceofFLBiz.

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