2 015 Champions forBusiness otes provide tangible evidence of whether or not a legislator upholds the ability of Florida companies to operate free of overly burdensome state regulation and taxation. VIt is a valuable tool used by AIF and the business community to determine which legislators running for re-election deserve our support. Yet, voting records only tell part of the story. A Champion for Business is a legislator who takes risks for his or her 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 oppo- nents to the growing prosperity of Florida’s citizens. The Champion for Business is evidence that, in our efforts to let our members and their legislators know who has been good for business and who has been bad, we leave no stone unturned. This year, AIF selected those legislators who we deem are strong and forceful advocates for the business community. In our collective wisdom, the Governor and these nine legislators are the epitome of what a Champion for Business should be. Wheth- er they proposed an important bill, authored a key amendment, or toiled behind the scenes, these legisla- tors are the ones who made a difference this session. The Champion for Business award symbolizes our gratitude for extraordinary efforts by legislators on behalf of the business community. AIF Voting Records • 2015 21 2015Champions forBusiness Governor Rick Scott Senate President House Speaker Steve is receiving his Andy Gardiner Crisafulli (R-Merritt third AIF Champi- (R-Orlando) is Island) is receiving on for Business receiving his first his fifth AIF Award and is only AIF Champion for Champion for the second Gover- Business Award. Business Award. nor to receive the Associated Indus- Associated Indus- award in its thirteen year history. tries of Florida salutes President tries of Florida applauds Speaker Cris- Associated Industries of Florida Gardiner for his stalwart leadership afulli for his critical leadership in salutes Governor Scott for his stead- in fostering a better business climate fostering a better business climate in fast leadership and staunch pro-busi- in Florida as well as his work to pass Florida as well for his effort in advo- ness agenda which has bolstered meaningful health care reform cating for comprehensive water policy economic growth in the state of legislation. Because of President in the state of Florida. The Depart- Florida. This legislative session Scott Gardiner’s courage to face the debate, ment of Environmental Protection signed HB 33A, a broad-based tax the Florida Senate developed market projects there will be a water shortage package, into law. HB 33A will bring based solutions for employer’s health of 1.3 billion gallons of water per day relief to many Floridians; from care costs that passed through the by 2030, which makes efforts like this Florida’s farmers, to Florida’s stu- Florida Senate with bipartisan critical to Florida’s future. With dents, and to any Floridian who owns support. We proudly recognize him Speaker Crisafulli’s efforts, a sci- a cell phone. Governor Scott’s legisla- as a 2015 “Champion for Business.” ence-based approach to addressing tive priority of reducing taxes on current, and future statewide water Florida’s families by over $400 million needs passed the Florida House. We will promote and solidify our state’s proudly recognize him as a 2015 standing as one of the best to live and Throughout “Champion for Business.” conduct business. We proudly recognize him as a 2015 “Champion the 60 days of Sen. Aaron Bean for Business.” (R-Jacksonville) is lawmaking, receiving his first AIF Champion for these were the Business Award. Associated Indus- leaders we tries of Florida salutes Senator Bean for crafting the turned to Florida Health Insurance Affordabili- ty Exchange Act and leading its when the bipartisan passage through the Florida Senate. This important business legislation would provide a pri- vate-sector, free-market solution to community address Florida’s health care market- place by insuring more Floridians and needed someone alleviating the costs of uncompensat- ed care which burden businesses and we could families throughout the state. We proudly recognize him as a 2015 depend upon. “Champion for Business.” 2222 AIF AIF VotingVoting RecordsRecords •• 20152015 Whether they proposed an important bill, authored a key amendment, or toiled behind the scenes, these legislators are the ones who made a difference this session. Sen. Dorothy Hukill Resource Management (Division) to Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Port Orange) is establish safer and more effective (R-Shalimar) is receiving her practices for oil and gas drilling, receiving his Second AIF Cham- production, and exploration activities second AIF Cham- pion for Business within Florida. AIF supported the pion for Business Award. Associated need to maintain appropriate permit- Award. Associated Industries of ting laws to protect the environment, Industries of Florida salutes Senator Hukill for her to enhance efficiency between Florida salutes Rep. Gaetz for his leadership in reducing taxes on industry and the state, and to ensure leadership in reducing taxes on Florida’s families and businesses by clear communications of appropriate Florida’s families. His sponsorship over $400 million. HB 33A, a broad- standards are clearly communicated. and steadfast work on this legislation based tax package designed to bring We proudly recognize him as a 2015 will promote and solidify our state’s relief to Florida’s families and busi- “Champion for Business.” standing as one of the best states to nesses, will promote and solidify our live and conduct business. Rep. state’s standing as one of the best Rep. Matt Caldwell Gaetz’s successful work onHB 33A states to live and conduct business. (R-Lehigh Acres) is will provide Floridian families with Senator Hukill worked very closely receiving his over $400 million in tax reductions. with the bill sponsor, Rep. Matt Gaetz, second AIF Cham- HB 33A was signed into law by during this year’s Special Session to pion for Business Governor Rick Scott on 6/16/2015 and pass a tax package that would not Award. Associated took effect on 7/1/2015. We proudly only fit within the state’s budget but Industries of recognize him as a 2015 “Champion also give back to Florida’s families Florida salutes Rep. Caldwell for his for Business.” and businesses. HB 33A was signed leadership in sponsoring the Water into law by Governor Rick Scott on Resources legislation. Caldwell Rep. Ray Rodrigues 6/16/2015 and took effect on 7/1/2015. successfully sponsored HB 7003, (R-Fort Myers) is We proudly recognize her as a 2015 which aims to create an interagency receiving his first “Champion for Business.” agreement to develop and implement AIF Champion for a uniform water management system Business Award. Sen. Garrett Richter regarding, water supply planning, Associated Indus- (R-Naples) is consumptive water use permitting, tries of Florida receiving his fifth and resource protection programs. salutes Rep. Rodrigues for successful- AIF Champion for Rep. Caldwell’s legislation puts forth ly championing the Regulation of Oil Business Award. broad-based, comprehensive water and Gas Resources legislation aimed Associated Indus- policy for the state of Florida that at growing Florida’s on-shore energy tries of Florida takes into account current and future industry while providing safeguards salutes Senator Richter for champion- water needs. We proudly recognize for the environment. This legislation ing the Regulation of Oil and Gas him as a 2015 “Champion for sought to revise the Oil and Gas Resources legislation aimed at Business.” Program under the Department of growing Florida’s on-shore energy Environmental Protection’s (DEP) industry while providing safeguards Mining and Minerals Regulation for the environment. This legislation Program in the Division of Water sought to revise the Oil and Gas Resource Management (Division) to Program under the Department of establish safer and more effective Environmental Protection’s (DEP) practices for oil and gas drilling, Mining and Minerals Regulation production, and exploration activities Program in the Division of Water within Florida. We proudly recognize him as a 2015 “Champion for Business.” AIFAIF VotingVoting RecordsRecords •• 20152015 2323 Past AIF Champions for Business Winners 2014 Champions for Business 2011 Champions for Business 2007 Champions for Business Gov. Rick Scott – Motor Vehicle Rollback Rep. Chris Dorworth – Property Tax Reduction Rep. Trey Traviesa – Telecommunications Speaker Will Weatherford – In-State Tuition Rep. Doug Holder – Unemployment Compensation Rep. Charlie Dean – Tort Reform Sen. Joe Negron – Motor Vehicle Rollback Rep. Dorothy Hukill – Insurance Reform Rep. Alan Hays – Property Insurance Sen. Jack Latvala – In-State Tuition Rep. Marlene O’Toole – Tort Reform Rep. Rich Glorioso – Transportation Sen. Jeremy Ring – IT Governance Rep. Jimmy Patronis – Environmental Permitting Sen. Bill Montford – GMO “Protecting Florida Rep. Will Weatherford – Tort Reform 2006 Champions for Business Agriculture” Rep. Trudi Williams – Water Policy Governor Jeb Bush – Support of Business Agenda Rep. Seth McKeel – IT Governance Rep. John Wood – Property Insurance Reform Speaker Allan Bense – Tort Reform/Repeal of Joint Rep. Jeanette Nunez – In-State Tuition Rep. Rich Workman – Pension Reform & Several Rep. Richard Corcoran – STEP Rep. Dana Young – Port Security Senate President Tom Lee – Tort Reform/Repeal Rep. Steve Crisafulli – STEP Sen. JD Alexander – Immigration Reform of Joint & Several Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff – Judgment of Interest Rep. Marty Bowen – Agriculture 2013 Champions for Business Sen. Anitere Flores – Immigration Reform Rep. Don Brown – Tort Reform/Repeal of Joint & Gov. Rick Scott – Tax Reform Sen. Jack Latvala – Port Security Several Sen. Garrett Richter – Expert Testimony Sen. Joe Negron – Medicaid Reform Rep. Fred Brummer – Tax Reform Sen. Joe Negron – Health Care Sen. Garrett Richter – Tort Reform Rep. Mike Davis – Affordable Housing Sen. John Legg – Education Sen. Jeremy Ring – Single Sales Factor Rep.