June 14, 2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today released its 2019 Voting Records report and announced its 2019 Champions for Business award recipients.  

AIF’s Voting Records report, a legislative scorecard for the business community which tabulates the voting conduct of each member of the Florida Legislature during the 2019 Legislative Session, demonstrates a slight increase from last year in the Florida Senate, with 84 percent of the Senate voting in favor of the business community, and a slight decrease in the Florida House, with the House voting in favor of the business community 90 percent of the time.

“For the last 44 years, AIF has published our Voting Records report, which tabulates votes on issues that have the largest impact on the business community, be it a fiscal or a regulatory impact, as a resource for the business community that allows employers insight as to how legislators are voting on bills that affect their businesses,” said AIF President & CEO Tom Feeney.  “AIF is proud to advocate on behalf of Florida’s business community, taking an active role in helping to advance measures that support the free-enterprise system and prosperity for Florida families, and opposing legislation that would make it more expensive and difficult for Florida businesses to operate, damaging our competitive climate.”

View an electronic version of AIF’s 2019 Voting Records report and the Voting Record Database

Also, today, AIF announced its 2019 Champions for Business award recipients, which recognizes legislators that provided outstanding support on critical issues to AIF and members.

“Every year after the legislative session has concluded, AIF is proud to honor Florida lawmakers who are unwavering advocates for the business community with our Champions For Business award,” continued Feeney. “These legislators, whether they introduced or ran an important bill, proposed meaningful changes to a bill or continually met with fellow lawmakers and constituents to comprise and hammer out differences, had a significant, positive impact during the 2019 Legislative Session. We applaud and thank each and every one of these Senators and Representatives, who help continue to make Florida the best place to live, work and do business.” 

“At AIF, our mission is to advance policies on behalf of our members that benefit Florida’s businesses community, and protect our state’s job creators and their employees, and we take pride in being the voice of Florida business,” said AIF Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs Brewster Bevis. “Our 2019 Champion for Business award recipients are Florida lawmakers we consider to be strong allies on this front, who agree we must work to advance policies that support economic prosperity and growth here in the Sunshine State. We thank Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for continuing to ensure Florida has a competitive business environment.”

AIF recognizes the following lawmakers for actively serving Florida’s business community during the 2019 Legislative Session.

Senator Doug Broxson (R) is receiving his first AIF Champion for Business Award. AIF applauds Senator Broxson for his committed work to legislate reform of Assignment of Benefits (AOB). His steadfast drive to curb AOB abuse will keep insurance rates low for individuals residing and doing business in Florida.

Senator Joe Gruters (R) is receiving his second AIF Champion for Business Award. AIF applauds Senator Gruters for his efforts in fighting against various pieces of legislation that would have been harmful to Florida’s employers. Senator Gruters’ dedication to Florida’s business community has positively affected the state’s economic climate. 

Senator Kelli Stargel (R) is receiving her second AIF Champion for Business Award. AIF applauds Senator Stargel for her diligent work to reform the Dangerous Instrumentality Doctrine, as well as leading efforts to pass the tax package and reform the corporate income tax. Her committed work in advocating for tax relief proved Senator Stargel to be a driving force behind the reduction of taxes imposed on Florida’s businesses. 

Representative Bryan Avila (R) is receiving his first AIF Champion for Business Award. AIF applauds Representative Avila for his sponsorship of the tax package and reform of the corporate income tax. Representative Avila tirelessly shepherded this legislation to bring tax relief to Floridians and Florida businesses alike.

Representative Jamie Grant (R) is receiving his second AIF Champion for Business Award. AIF applauds Representative Grant for fighting to make it harder to amend the Florida Constitution. His committed work ensures the Constitution will empower the representative government to achieve its purpose.  

Representative Tom Leek (R) is receiving his first AIF Champion for Business Award. AIF applauds Representative Leek for his work on tort reform and his diligent effort to pass reforms to the Dangerous Instrumentality Doctrine. His dedication to eradicate unfair vicarious liability will have a positive impact on our state’s employment growth and the business community.  

Representative Paul Renner (R) is receiving his first AIF Champion for Business Award. AIF applauds Representative Renner for fighting to make it harder to amend the Florida Constitution. His diligent work ensures the Constitution will empower the representative government to achieve its purpose.

Representative Bob Rommel (R) is receiving his first AIF Champion for Business Award. AIF applauds Representative Rommel for his committed work to legislate reform of AOB. His unwavering determination to end AOB abuse will keep insurance rates low for those residing and doing business in Florida.

AIF also recognizes the following 11 members of the Florida Legislature who have achieved a 100 percent voting record for the 2019 Legislative Session.

Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (R) 
Senator Doug Broxson (R) 
Senator Bill Galvano (R) 
Senator Travis Hutson (R) 
Senator Kathleen Passidomo (R) 
Senator David Simmons (R) 
Senator Wilton Simpson (R) 
Senator Kelli Stargel (R) 
Representative Charles Clemons (R) 
Representative Heather Fitzenhagen (R) 
Representative Jay Trumbull (R)

“These lawmakers showed a commitment to sound policy that supports Florida’s employers and job creators,” continued Feeney. “Not only does this score encompass votes to pass legislation beneficial to businesses, it includes votes to defeat policies that would have a detrimental impact on businesses and their employees. We applaud all 11 lawmakers highlighted in our Voting Records for helping make Florida the best place to do 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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