May 31, 2017

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today released its “2017 Voting Records” report, showcasing how decisions made by Florida lawmakers during the 2017 Legislative Session directly impact Florida employers and employees. 

For the last 42 years, AIF has published its Voting Records – the definitive legislative scorecard for the business community, calculating more than 208,966 votes on 1,955 bills with 848 legislators. 

“Each year, AIF works with members of the Florida Legislature advocating for issues of importance to Florida’s families and businesses,” said AIF President & CEO Tom Feeney.  “This session, AIF faced a variety of tough issues on behalf of Florida’s business community, including opposing any measure that would have made it more expensive for businesses to operate, such as prejudgment interest and fighting to preserve the insurance premium tax salary credit.”

“Additionally, AIF was a proud advocate for Florida’s business community, actively engaging on measures, such as reducing the business rent tax, addressing the workers’ compensation system, making 5G wireless technology a reality and protecting productive private agricultural land,” continued Feeney.  “While AIF accomplished many of the items it set out to accomplish this session, this year’s Voting Records vary from what we’ve seen in years’ past.” 

For the 2017 Legislative Session, AIF’s Voting Records report the lowest percentages since 2002 for both the Florida Senate and Florida House, with the Senate voting in favor of the business community only 74 percent of the time and the House voting favorably only 79 percent of the time.  Additionally, this is the lowest Republicans have been since 2002, and the lowest overall for the entire Florida Legislature since 2002.

“At AIF, it is our mission to ensure Florida job creators excel and Florida families benefit from a pro-business environment,” said AIF Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs Brewster Bevis.  “To add to the accomplishments that Tom laid out, AIF helped ensure policy that would have raised prescription drug prices by freezing prescription drug formularies and changing step therapy protocols were defeated, and helped in the effort to pass meaningful rideshare legislation.  Although Florida’s business community had to fight back initiatives that would have negative impacted our state’s small and large businesses, we did make some headway this session; and, we thank Governor Rick Scott and the Legislature for continuing to give our state the opportunity to have a vibrant, competitive business environment.”

In addition to the Voting Records, AIF will be announcing its 2017 Champion for Business Awards, which recognizes elected officials who have proven to be strong and forceful advocates for Florida business.

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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