EMPLOYER Summer 2006 • Vol. 6, No. 2

Persistence of Vision By Jacquelyn Horkan

What’s Inside hey were victories 16, 33, even 75 years business community will have to work with in the making. a new governor, Cabinet, Senate president, and Common Sense In 1931, amid the economic and House speaker, along with at least 40 new What’s Next? T social turmoil of the Great Depression, the lawmakers. Their performance during the 2006 by Barney T. Bishop III Legislature enacted a tax on intan- Legislative Session proves the value of the last Lawmakers Make gible personal property that represented eight years of political efforts by AIF. Fairness Legal money saved and invested. It also shows that the battle must begin by Jacquelyn Horkan In 1973, the Florida Supreme Court anew. Eight-year term limits mean constant Lawmakers Say rendered a decision that left any economically turnover in top elected offices, which can Good Riddance successful company or individual at the translate to eternal life for disastrous policy to Pernicious Taxes mercy of an unfair legal system. choices and failed solutions. by Keyna Cory In 1990, confronted by an economic down- Every law, regulation, and court decision State Debt v. turn and declining state revenues, state made by Florida’s various branches and arms Private Capital lawmakers enacted a temporary per-drink of government, no matter how negative, by Gerald Wester tax on alcoholic beverages sold in bars, creates some group devoted to protecting the More Than a Glitch restaurants, and lounges. status quo. They are the groups AIF must by Monique Cheek In 2006, efforts led by AIF to repeal each battle every time it lobbies for changes that Florida’s IT Past, of these destructive policies finally met with will promote the prosperity of Florida’s Present, and Future success. business owners and managers, the workers by Frank Meiners In the following pages we outline these and they employ, and the citizens they serve. Outsourcing & Client- other victories won on behalf of Florida’s As new lawmakers enter the public fray, Service Contracts employers. None of these accomplishments they lack institutional memory and experi- by Peter Harris would have been possible without the leader- ence and must be educated anew about why ship and support of Gov. , Senate something that seems like a good idea to one The Innovation Economy President Tom Lee (R-Brandon), and House of these interest groups has already been by Peter Harris Speaker Allan Bense (R-Panama City). tried and failed. Those three gentlemen share something in The 2006 Legislative Session may have 2006 Legislature common besides their pursuit of economically been the best in AIF’s 80 years of advocacy, Acts to Protect Consumer Privacy wise public policies. For Gov. Bush, Sen. Lee, but there’s no time to bask in the glow of our by Nick Iarossi and Rep. Bense, the 2006 Session was the last success. It’s time to get back to the hard work they would spend in their respective seats of of ensuring Florida’s future prosperity. Fair Share power. Sen. Lee wants to become the state’s by Jacquelyn Horkan next chief financial officer. The political Jacquelyn Horkan is a freelance writer Session Business horizons for the governor and House speaker who has covered business and politics Report remain unclear. for more than 20 years 2006 AIF Lobby Team Their departure means that next year the (e-mail: [email protected]).

A publication of ssociated Industries of Florida Service Corporation Common Sense

What’s Next? By Barney T. Bishop III In the pages of this newsletter, you’ll read all about those victories. They are the answer he 2006 legislative session may have to the question, “What has AIF done for me been our best session ever, but at AIF lately?” But at AIF we’re not satisfied with T we’re already asking ourselves, what’s resting on our laurels. We always keep next? asking, “What’s next?” Our state’s economy is dynamic and ever- Right now, the answer to that is elections. changing, somewhat like a man-made force of Our priorities are clear. We must protect those nature. And like our environment, our legislators who fought on the front lines in economy can be helped along or it can be the fight to repeal joint and several liability. destroyed by the actions of the people who We must also begin the process of educating try to control it. But one thing is for certain, it up-and-coming legislators about the complex never stays the same. needs and positive contributions of Florida’s Florida’s economy has surprised everyone business community. lately. It’s zipping along at a record pace, As I am writing this, we are in the midst of EMPLOYER outperforming pretty much every other state our candidate interviews, which allow FBU in the nation. Neverthless our business members the opportunity to meet candidates Published by climate has fundamental weaknesses, some of for legislative office and find out their views Associated Industries which were fixed in the last session but some on business issues. In every election year of Florida Service of which remain. since 1992, AIF members have toured the Corporation to inform readers about issues One of our greatest strengths and weak- state during the campaign season to evaluate pertinent to Florida’s nesses lately has been our hurricane-prone prospective office-holders and determine business community. geography. Recovery from the last two storm which will receive their support. © 2006. All rights seasons is fueling our economy, but building It’s all part of our commitment to ensuring a reserved. an economy on destruction is not a sure path positive business climate because, now more PUBLISHER Barney T. Bishop III to prosperity. Those storms have exposed the than ever, a good economy begins with poli- perils in our seriously underfunded property tics, and politics begin with campaigns. If we ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Stephen B. Trickey and casualty insurance market. A collapse don’t get the right folks elected, we’ll get the there would swamp all of the positive effects wrong policies enacted. EDITOR Jacquelyn Horkan of the rebuilding effort. In the 2006 Session, We’re also knee-deep in planning for the legislators took significant action to address next legislative session, so if you’ve got any DESIGNER J. Gregory Vowell that weakness, but whether or not the solu- ideas or comments you’d like to make, let us tion they offered will be enough or will come know. It’ll help us answer the question, EDITORIAL OFFICES 516 North Adams St. in time remains to be seen. “What’s next?” Post Office Box 784 Lawmakers took a number of other steps Tallahassee, FL that will help boost continued economic Barney T. Bishop III is president & CEO of 32302-0784 Associated Industries of Florida and Phone: (850) 224-7173 growth by removing anti-prosperity laws and Fax: (850) 224-6532 taxes while creating incentives for business affiliated companies E-mail: [email protected] expansion. (e-mail: [email protected]).

2 Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 Legal&Judicial

From left to right: Lawmakers Make Gov. Jeb Bush, House Speaker Fairness Legal Allan Bense, and Senate President By Jacquelyn Horkan Tom Lee, listen to remarks by very business owner who has ever been sued, paid liability insurance Rep. Don Brown E premiums, or watched as lawsuits at the April 26th caused prices to climb, knew that Florida’s signing of civil justice system needed a fix. HB 145. At the heart of the problem was something called the doctrine of joint and several liabil- ity, which made each defendant in a lawsuit responsible for making sure the plaintiff received the entire damage award. If one or more defendants couldn’t pay, the others had to make up the difference. Joint and several liability was originally intended to apply only to sets of defendants who worked together to harm a plaintiff. Only later was it expanded to apply to all defendants voted to abolish joint and several liability. Both even if they didn’t know each other. women also helped stave off efforts to gut the Since 1973, Associated Industries of Florida bill by defeating an amendment, cloaked as a has fought to restore balance and equality to compromise, which was actually proposed by Florida’s system of lawsuits. In 1986 and opponents of lawsuit reform who wanted to 1999, those efforts resulted in landmark laws retain this unfair doctrine. that were attacked by trial lawyers and erased At the ceremonial signing of HB 145 into from the lawbooks by Supreme Court justices. law, Barney Bishop, AIF’s president and CEO, This year, however, thanks to the leader- best described the impact of this ground- ship of Gov. Jeb Bush, House Speaker Allan breaking legislation. Bense (R-Panama City), and Senate President “The judicial process will now assign Tom Lee (R-Brandon), joint and several damages fairly,” he said, “based on the degree liability is no longer the law of the land in of fault, instead of allowing for lawsuits Florida. Also deserving recognition are Sen. targeting the wealthiest defendants, even if Dan Webster (R-Winter Garden) and Rep. they were least at fault.” Don Brown (R-DeFuniak Springs), the spon- Effective Date: Upon becoming law sors of the bills that repealed the doctrine of Senate Vote: 27-13 joint and several liability. House Vote: 93-27 Credit for victory on this front must also go Final Action: Approved by governor; to a pair of senators who normally would not Chapter No. 2006-6 be considered stalwart supporters of business. Nevertheless, in the face of heavy-handed A Joint & Several Effort lobbying by the trial bar and pressure from Members of the Florida Coalition for Legal their party leaders, Sens. Larcenia Bullard (D- Reform, the group founded by AIF to pursue ) and Mandy Dawson (D-Fort Lauder- improvements to the state’s civil justice dale) followed the dictates of conscience and system, found plenty of other reasons to

Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 3 Legal&Judicial

celebrate during the 2006 Session. money from corporations, most of which While the business community had been ends up lining the pockets of attorneys rather divided over strategies for lawsuit reform, than their clients. To make matters worse, Persuaded by the 2006 marked the year when other leading these class action suits sometimes occur argument that business associations were persuaded by the when plaintiffs have suffered no injury. coalition and AIF to make repeal of joint and Lawmakers took steps to cure this injustice American several liability the focus of the reform efforts. by enacting HB 7259, which was filed by Rep. companies should During the debate over joint and several David Simmons (R-Altamonte Springs). The spend more on liability, Sen. Mike Haridopolos (R- bill limits class-action membership to Florida research than Melbourne) gave the best justification for residents in most instances and requires each lawyers, the lawsuit reform when he cited a recent U.S. class member to allege and prove actual News and World Report study. The magazine damages. It applies to four areas of the law: Florida found that American companies spend motor vehicle licenses, unfair and deceptive Legislature also approximately $195 billion a year on research trade practices, consumer protections, and enacted three and development costs, which helps improve motor vehicle leases. other lawsuit lives. At the same time, those businesses More than any other person, except the spend more money — $205 billion a year — lawmakers who voted in favor of it, AIF reform bills. on litigation expenses, which line the pocket lobbyist Ron Book deserves the credit for of the privileged few. passage of HB 7259. Without his long hours Persuaded by the argument that American of hard work and persuasive skill, Florida companies should spend more on research businesses would still be prey to many of than lawyers, the Florida Legislature also these abusive class action lawsuits. enacted three other lawsuit reform bills. Effective Date: July 1, 2006 Senate Vote: 40-0 Construction Contracting House Vote: 115-0 HB 1089 changes the statute of repose for Final Action: Approved by governor; suits against construction professionals from 15 Chapter No. 2006-117 years following the completion of the project to 10 years. This measure was part of the global Supersedeas Bonds tort reform package advocated by AIF and the HB 841, filed by Rep. Frank Attkisson (R- Florida Coalition for Legal Reform. Kissimmee), levels the playing field and This brings Florida’s statute of repose in provides greater access to appellate courts for line with the laws of most other states. Short- deep-pocket defendants. The bill places a $50- ening the statute of repose from 15 to 10 years million cap on supersedeas bonds, which should help developers find affordable defendants must file when they appeal a liability insurance and will, in the long run, judgment against them. lower construction costs. The new law allows judicial discretion on Effective Date: July 1, 2006 the application of the bond and amount, up to Senate Vote: 37-0 the cap. It also allows for discovery in the House Vote: 116-0 event of suspected dissipation of assets. Final Action: Approved by governor; Effective Date: July 1, 2006 chapter No. 2006-6 Senate Vote: 40-0 House Vote: 119-0 Class Action Reform Final Action: Approved by governor Studies of court records indicate that since 1997, class action lawsuits filed against U.S. Jacquelyn Horkan is a freelance writer companies have increased anywhere from 300 who has covered business and politics percent to 1,000 percent. These lawsuits are for more than 20 years typically a strong-arm attempt to collect (e-mail: [email protected]).

4 Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 Taxation Lawmakers Say Good Riddance to Pernicious Taxes By Keyna Cory

axes come and taxes go, but this year they mostly went. T Several of AIF’s top-priority tax exemptions were granted during the 2006 Session. The first victory was the repeal of the intangibles tax. For the past few years, lawmakers have whittled away at the tax on savings, which was imposed during the Great Depression on the value of stocks, bonds, notes, and other items of intangible personal property. Thanks to the perseverance of Rep. Fred Brummer (R-Apopka) and Sen. Jeff Atwater (R-North Palm Beach) in getting HB 209 enacted, the remaining vestiges of this tax are gone. The citizens and businesses in the state of Florida will no longer have to pay what Gov. Jeb Bush has called an “insidious” tax. sales tax exemption to machinery and equip- AIF members also scored success on ment used predominately for research and another of their long-term priorities. For years development activities. It also expands that AIF has led the effort to eliminate the sales tax exemption to include the design or assembly on machinery and equipment used in manu- of space or defense technology products. That facturing, which has placed our state’s manu- latter category now includes space-flight facturers at a competitive disadvantage. vehicles and components of any of the items Neighboring states do not levy this surcharge covered in the new definition. The space on products produced there, resulting in industry is an important sector of Florida’s lower costs of production for them. economy and AIF has always supported Over the last decade, lawmakers have legislation that would help keep this industry made some revisions to the manufacturing- alive and well. machinery-and-equipment tax. This year, SB 1198 by Sen. Atwater, commonly known thanks to HB 69, sponsored by Rep. Matt as the piggy-back bill, also passed, pegging Meadows (D-Lauderhill) and Sen. Atwater, the provisions of Florida’s income tax code to the sales tax has been eliminated, as long as those in the federal tax code.This piece of the purchase increases output by at least 10 legislation, though typically non-controver- percent. Also exempted from sales tax will be sial, is vital to Florida corporations because it machinery and equipment used by busi- frees them from the burden of having to keep nesses that produce tangible personal prop- one set of books for the state and another set erty pursuant to federal procurement rules. for the IRS. Rep. John Quinones (R-Kissimmee) joined And let’s not forget the “drink tax.” Back in Sen. Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey) to 1990, the Florida Legislature responded to a give Florida’s manufacturing sector another dramatic drop in revenues by enacting a boost when he filed HB 415. That bill gives a number of short-term tax fixes, including

Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 5 Taxation

SB 1198 is vital this sin tax on the sale of alcoholic Senate Vote: 36-1 to Florida beverages purchased for consumption on House Vote: 115-0 the premises of the vendor. This short-term Final Action: Approved by governor; corporations A New Day Dawning? fix survived for 16 years, although the rate Chapter No. 2006-57 because it frees was reduced by one-third in 1999, and again SB 1198 (income tax piggyback) them from the in 2000. Effective Date: Upon becoming law burden of having As of 2006, the drink tax was levied at a Senate Vote: 40-0 House Vote: 120-0 to keep one set of rate of 3.34 cents per 1 ounce of spirits or 4 ounces of wine, 1.34 cents per 12 ounces of Final Action: Approved by governor; books for the beer; and 2 cents per 12 ounces of cider. The Chapter No. 2006-46 state and another amount of the cost to collect the tax is greater HB 7105 (per-drink tax) set for the IRS. than the amount of tax collected. Rep. Effective Date: July 1, 2007 Brummer again came to the rescue of Vote: 38-0 businesses by filing HB 7105, which finally House Vote: 117-2 gets rid of this mess. While the Senate agreed Final Action: Approved by governor; to eliminate the tax, the upper chamber also Chapter No. 2006-162 extended the effective date to July 1, 2007, HB 1269 (local business tax) which means that Florida restaurants and Effective Date: January 1, 2007 bars will have to collect the tax for one Senate Vote: 40-0 more year. House Vote: 119-0 Florida lawmakers also added a tax — Final Action: Approved by governor; well not really. The Legislature simply Chapter No. 2006-152 changed the name of the Local Occupational License Tax Act to the Local Business Tax Act. New Approach to Agency Fees HB 1269 by Rep. Joyce Cusack (D-Deland) Over the years, the Florida Legislature has implemented the name change to reflect that authorized programs to regulate various the license tax is really a tax on business. professions, businesses, and products “to Under the new law a person who pays promote public health, safety, and welfare for occupational business taxes will receive a our citizens.” These programs set standards, receipt for payment rather than a certificate. license providers, conduct inspections, and The legislation specifies that “changing the enforce compliance. Funding for regulatory name of the item issued by local governments programs ranges in amount and comes from from occupational license tax to local business three major sources: user fees, federal funds, tax may eliminate some fraudulent misrepre- and general revenue. sentations.” Last December, the Office of Program HB 209 (intangible tax) Policy Analysis and Government Account- Effective Date: January 1, 2007, unless ability (OPPAGA) issued a report suggesting otherwise noted that the Florida Legislature should consider a Senate Vote: 31-9 uniform process to determine appropriate House Vote: 100-20 funding levels for the 190 regulatory pro- Final Action: Awaiting action by governor grams administered by the state. In the 2004- HB 69 (manufacturing machinery & equipment) 05 fiscal year, these programs received $677 Effective Date: July 1, 2006 million in funding with general revenue Senate Vote: 38-0 providing $29 million. House Vote: 118-0 In other words, most regulatory programs Final Action: Approved by governor; in Florida are not currently self-supporting. In Chapter No. 2006-56 fact, fewer than half of the state’s regulatory HB 415 (R&D tax break) programs are statutorily required to be sup- Effective Date: July 1, 2006 ported solely by user fees and federal funds.

6 Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 The OPPAGA report found that in some cases the programs that are required to be self- supporting received general revenue anyway. CS/CS/SB 1678 by Sen. Atwater changes that. The bill provides legislative intent stating that regulatory costs should be borne DISASTERDISASTER PREPAREDNESSPREPAREDNESS solely by the regulated. Fees must be reason- able and take into account the differences in the types of regulated professions and busi- nesses. Starting next year , each state agency must examine its fee structure and oversight early 40 percent of the small businesses that close after a to ensure that it is operating efficiently. disaster never reopen. Regulatory fees must be examined to ensure N The last two hurricane seasons acted as strict teachers to that they adequately cover both direct and indirect costs. many Florida businesses, large and small, that had to learn the Agencies will include this information in lessons of disaster preparedness the hard way. their legislative budget requests and will A disaster preparedness plan helps ensure your business review regulatory fee structures at least every continuity. Since your employees are an essential part of your five years. operations, you should also do what you can to help them For those of you who are regulated by a return to work as quickly as possible. state agency, this will be good news for certain businesses and professions and bad When you develop your plan, take your employees’ needs news for others. Some fees will decrease into consideration. while others will increase. The Legislature Urge them to make their own preparedness plans. wants the agencies to live within their means, Think about staggering work schedules before a storm hits so just as you must do in your business. that your employees can make their homes disaster-ready. Agencies with inadequate fee structures Make sure you know evacuation routes and other emergency will need to offer alternatives to make their information so that you can pass it along to your employees if regulatory programs totally self-sufficient or demonstrate that a program provides sub- need be. stantial benefit to the general public to justify Some low-income families cannot afford to stockpile baby a partial subsidy from other state funds. The formula, diapers, water, and non-perishable food items. Some cosmetology board actually backed legisla- employers keep a supply of these items on hand to dole out tion this year to increase its fees because of a according to employee needs. predicted shortfall arising from an inadequate Even if a storm doesn’t hit your area, remember that some fee structure. AIF will be watching the legislative budget employees may have family members in hard-hit locations. Keep process next year to determine how this new in mind that they may be distracted by concern about relatives system will affect the business and profes- and might need to take time off. sional community. Effective Date: July 1, 2006 Resources Senate Vote: 37-0 House Vote: 118-1 Family Preparedness Guide, available for download from the Final Action: Approved by governor; Department of Health (doh.state.fl.us). Chapter No. 2006-93 To prepare a customized business or family disaster plan, visit Keyna Cory is the president of Tallahassee-based the Florida Division of Emergency Management Web site Public Affairs Consultants, Inc., and Chief Lobbyist (floridadisaster.org). for AIF (e-mail: [email protected]).

Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 7 Insurance State Debt v. Private Capital By Gerald Wester

he 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons (R-Hialeah), provides $715 million in state By keeping forced Florida’s property and casualty monies to reduce Citizens’ $1.7 billion deficit rates artificially T insurance policyholders to confront the resulting from the 2005 hurricanes. The threat of billions of dollars in special pre- remaining $1 billion will be paid by proceeds low, regulators mium assessments. from the sale of state bonds, which will be steadily shifted The funds were needed to meet the cash retired with funds from assessments against hurricane risk to needs of the three state-run insurance entities: all property and casualty policyholders (with the taxpayers Citizens Property Insurance Company; the the exception of workers’ compensation) for up to 10 years. The CAT Fund and the guar- of Florida. Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (CAT Fund); and the Florida Insurance Guaranty anty fund also intend to cover their deficits Association. by issuing assessment-backed bonds. This proposed multi-billion dollar assess- Many lawmakers, including the House ment couldn’t simply be blamed on bad luck. sponsors of the measure, fear that SB 1980’s Rather, it was the result of years of rate rating deregulation provisions do not go far suppression and micro-management by enough to attract the new capital needed to regulators. Insufficient rates resulted in an revive the market. Critics of the bill also believe unacceptable return for investors, which left that Citizens’ rates will not increase quickly property insurance companies unable to raise enough to minimize deficits this year. Although sufficient capital for their Florida operations. dissatisfied with some provisions of the bill, By keeping rates artificially low, regulators they chose to support it because SB 1980 will, steadily shifted hurricane risk to the taxpay- over time, make Citizens’ rates self-sustaining. ers of Florida. Inadequate rates forced insur- The provisions will also temper the regula- ers to decline renewals of more than 500,000 tory environment and provide $250 million policies. Other companies pulled out of for low-cost state loans to entice private Florida.Recently , three major insurers, which insurers to write more property insurance in provided coverage for more than 350,000 Florida. Furthermor e, the bill will provide homeowners, were declared insolvent. $250 million in state matching grants for Meanwhile Citizens, the state-run insurer of homeowners to install storm shutters and last resort, is now Florida’s largest residential otherwise harden their homes against dam- property insurance company. age from future storms. Sen. J.D. Alexander (R-Lake Wales) offered In the final analysis, the bill represents a the best summary of Florida’s dilemma. good first step in weaning the state away “Our options are clear,” he said. “The state from funding Florida’s hurricane exposure can continue its failed policy of funding with state debt and taxes. hurricane property damages after the fact Effective Date: Upon becoming law, except with state debt, which will require new taxes as otherwise noted to pay off the debt, or we can take bold steps Senate Vote: 22-16 to pre-fund Florida’s hurricane exposure with House Vote: 77-39 private capital.” Final Action: Approved by governor; Sen. Alexander’s argument helped win Chapter No. 2006-12 passage of SB 1980, which attempts to strike a middle ground between the obvious need for Gerald Wester is managing partner with increased rates and the need to temper the Capital City Consulting, LLC, a Tallahassee- effect of those increases on policyholders. based lobbying firm and an AIF consultant SB 1980, sponsored by Sen. Rudy Garcia (e-mail: [email protected]).

8 Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 GrowthManagement More Than a Glitch By Monique Cheek

he 2006 Legislative Session was supposed Effective Date: July 1, 2006 to be all quiet on the growth management Senate Vote: 38-0 In the past ten T front. Instead, lawmakers enacted a bill House Vote: 111-6 years impact-fee Final Action: Approved by governor; that will help Florida’s economy continue its revenues have stellar performance. Chapter No. 2006-220 In 2005 the Legislature had recreated the increased by over state’s growth management system in a Impact Fees 500 percent. landmark package that created a pay-as-you- Sen. Lee Constantine (R-Altamonte grow structure. It was the first growth man- Springs) and Rep. Larry Cretul (R-Ocala) took agement reform in two decades. The legisla- the lead in passing legislation that will lessen tion made significant changes in the process of problems associated with inconsistent appli- planning for future growth, while also provid- cation of and continuous increases in impact ing billions of dollars for road building, school fees. These fees are levied by local govern- construction, and water supplies to meet the ments to allay the costs of meeting infrastruc- demands of growing communities. ture demands imposed by new develop- Since that time, some weaknesses and ments. A study by the Legislative Committee technical problems in the bill were identified, on Intergovernmental Relations shows that in including issues involving school and trans- the past ten years impact-fee revenues have portation concurrency. As the experts began to increased by over 500 percent. address those glitches, momentum built for Sen. Constantine and Rep. Cretul filed bills more substantive work on the statutes that that will bring fairness to the impact-fee regulate development of new communities. In process by imposing regulations that local the end, the glitch fixes got tangled up in end- governments will have to follow when of-session politics, but a couple of significant levying impact fees. bills did pass legislative muster. Sen. Constantine’s impact-fee bill passed HB 683 by Rep. Trey Traviesa (R-Brandon) through the Senate but the House companion makes much-needed adjustments to the was not heard on the floor. In an effort to process for approving a development of revive these important provisions, the impact- regional impact (DRI). HB 683 streamlines the fee-regulation provisions were amended onto DRI process by giving businesses an increased SB 1194, another bill sponsored by Sen. share of flexibility. Under the leadership of Constantine. SB 1194, which subsequently was Rep. Traviesa and Sen. Mike Bennett (R- enacted by both chambers, provides an alter- Bradenton), lawmakers reduced unwarranted native process for annexation negotiations government oversight by exempting many between cities and counties. projects from DRI review. Many other projects Effective Date: Upon becoming law will qualify for partial exemptions. Developers Senate Vote: 38-0 were also given incentives for providing House Vote: 117-0 additional affordable housing. Final Action: Approved by governor; The DRI process still contains sufficient Chapter No. 2006-218 safeguards to protect Florida’s natural re- sources and environment, while shedding Monique Cheek is a governmental consultant burdensome costs associated with DRI review with Ronald L. Book, PA, a Miami-based for many projects that will provide much- lobbying firm and AIF consultant needed home and commercial space. (e-mail: [email protected]).

Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 9 CouncilReport

Florida’s IT Past, Present, and Future By Frank Meiners

Although the n 1999, when Gov. Jeb Bush took office, transfer, criticizing it as a step backward in he established himself as the state’s first IT procurement. technology office I Information Age governor. A savvy user During the 2006 Session a bill to implement continues to of communications technology, the gover- much of the 2001 plan for the technology office nor quickly realized that Florida was using never made it out of committee in the House function, an outdated model for procuring and using and was not even introduced in the Senate. assisting the information technology (IT). In passing SB 2518, sponsored by Sen. Despite the governor’s best efforts to Nancy Argenziano (R-Crystal River), law- governor’s office eliminate our IT deficit, however, Florida makers did make some significant changes has yet to make good on a promising start. to the state’s process for procuring contrac- on various IT In 2000, the Legislature created a state chief tual services that result in outsourcing. issues, it has not information officer and a centralized state While the changes do not affect the statu- technology office to provide direction to tory governance of information technology, been allowed to agencies on information technology matters. the bill does create a completely different fulfill the role In 2001, lawmakers expanded the author- process for an agency to procure IT services ity and responsibility of the technology or activities. assigned to it office and consolidated agency IT resources, The guts of the bill require that a busi- by the 2001 such as staff and hardware, under its direc- ness case to outsource be analyzed by state tion in the executive branch. Agency heads agencies prior to outsourcing. There is a Legislature. were required to complete all technology tiered approach governing the level of transactions in consultation with the detail required in the process depending technology office. upon the monetary value of the contract. One provision in the 2001 budget sub- The bill details 16 specific business case jected that consolidation to the approval of requirements and delineates 13 specific the Legislative Budget Commission, which terms that must be included in contracts never voted on the technology office’s resulting from outsourcing. proposals to begin the transformation to a The impact of these changes on the centralized IT agency. Despite that failure, future procurement of information technol- the law remained unchanged and only ogy by the state is unclear at this point. partially implemented. Although the tech- AIF’s IT Council will be observing the nology office continues to function, assist- implementation of SB 2518 closely and will ing the governor’s office on various IT be ready to pursue any necessary changes issues, it has not been allowed to fulfill the through the legislative process. role assigned to it by the 2001 Legislature. Effective Date: Upon becoming law Fast forward to 2005. Gov. Bush pro- Senate Vote: 33-0 posed the transfer of certain duties from the House Vote: 116-0 technology office back to the Department of Final Action: Approved by governor; Management Services (DMS). Since the Chapter No. 2006-224 duties of the technology office are defined in statute, the Legislature would have to Frank Meiners is president of Frank take action to fulfill that plan. Meiners Governmental Consultants, LLC, The governor would end up vetoing the and an AIF consultant legislation enacted to carry through on the (e-mail: [email protected]).

10 Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 Outsourcing & Client-Service Contracts By Peter Harris

hy should government do what private agencies can do better and Wmore cheaply? Privatization or outsourcing of some government functions has long been viewed as a way to improve efficiency and effective- other things, this bill creates a procurement ness. The growth of the outsourcing industry council that will review private-sector recom- To learn more and its importance to Florida’s government mendations for outsourcing, implement about AIF’s IT and taxpayer communities is proof of the standards, and set baseline contract require- success of the effort to transfer certain gov- ments. and Governmental ernment functions to private companies. AIF lobbyists and council members Outsourcing AIF formed the Governmental worked with Senate and House sponsors to Outsourcing Council (GOC) to promote the resolve differences of opinion between councils, contact ability of the private sector to meet the lawyers for the two chambers over whether contracting needs of government. GOC the new procurement council’s authority Jose Gonzalez at members include entities that provide client included contracts that dealt with intangible (850) 224-7173. services to the departments of Health, Chil- services, including those related to health and dren and Families, and Juvenile Justice. law enforcement. Mission critical objectives of the council Members of AIF’s Governmental Outsourcing include: Council argued that service contracts are already • Educating legislators about the impor- subject to a different set of rules designed to tance of governmental outsourcing and protect the taxpayers’ interest. Including the realities of operating a governmental these public health and safety projects under outsourcing entity just as any other the umbrella of the new procurement council business, from the composition of the would adversely impact the delivery of board to executive recruitment and services to Florida’s children, juveniles, retention, and the economics of provid- families, and our mentally impaired or ing client services to Florida’s most addicted citizens. dependent population. Resolution of the dispute was inconclusive. • Advising the state on how to provide Council members will continue working with needed services from the minute the the new procurement council over the sum- procurement decision is made through to mer months to resolve many of the outstand- contracting, oversight and accountability, ing issues relating to client-service contracts rule promulgation, and administration. that were raised by the passage of SB 2518. A significant piece of legislation dealing with the latter objective passed during the Peter Harris is president & CEO of ADG 2006 Session. SB 2518, sponsored by Sen. Business & Governmental Consultants Nancy Argenziano (R-Crystal River), creates and an AIF consultant the Florida Efficient Government Act. Among (e-mail: [email protected]).

Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 11 EconomicDevelopment The Innovation Economy By Peter Harris

nhancing Florida’s economy and public and private sector organizations that developing the state’s workforce is will implement these legislative acts that are E critical to Florida’s long-term prosper- significant to Florida’s future. ity and overall quality of life. Throughout his term, which comes to an Education Quality end next January, Gov. Jeb Bush has commit- The 21st Century Technology, Research, affordable ted his administration to diversifying the and Scholarship Act creates the World Class state’s tax base. This year he announced his Scholars Program and expands the Centers of housing must be own economic development plan to build Excellence Program. The World Class Schol- available to the what he dubbed the Innovation Economy. ars program provides to Florida universities talented and This plan includes three main components, the financial resources to attract researchers skilled workforce the first of which is education. The role of from all over the world. education in the Innovation Economy is to The Centers of Excellence Program will as well as to the develop a skilled workforce and bridge the stimulate the relationships among academia essential service gap between academic research and market- and industry by creating research centers personnel on able technologies. Significant research is focused on key sectors of Florida’s economy. whom Florida’s being conducted by Florida’s 11 state univer- The centers will include the University of communities rely. sities, four major medical schools, and numer- Florida Center of Excellence in Regenerative ous independent colleges and universities. Health Biotechnology, the University of The second component is commercializa- Central Florida Photonics Center of Excel- tion which seeks to harness the innovations lence, and Florida Atlantic University Center produced by the universities and bring them of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine to market through existing business entities Biotechnology. and entrepreneurship. This can only occur in a supportive business climate. Commercialization The final element of the plan addresses the Entrepreneurship is the foundation of a growing need for affordable housing. Quality free market and that’s why the Legislature affordable housing must be available to the supported the extension of eligibility for talented and skilled workforce as well as to Capital Investments Tax Credits to businesses the essential service personnel that Florida’s establishing a new or expanded headquarters communities rely on. facility in one of the many enterprise zones or The Legislature supported this ambitious brownfield areas located throughout the state. agenda by adopting projects in the three The Florida Quick Action Closing Fund, component areas, starting with a $400 million which allows the state to offer cash incentives appropriation to fund education initiatives to companies looking to establish facilities in through various programs. Florida, was also strengthened by allowing AIF devoted substantial resources in more businesses to participate. In addition, support of legislation aimed at providing the Innovation Incentive Program was created affordable housing for Floridians and devel- in order to attract and provide resources for oping a workforce and business environment large-scale research and development projects to meet the challenges of the Innovation that are expected to yield a high return on Economy. Our high priority bills were passed investment. and are expected to be signed by Gov. Bush. We look forward to working with the various (please see page 20)

12 Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 IdentityTheft

2006 Legislature Acts to Protect Consumer Privacy By Nick Iarossi request redaction. HB 1563 extends that deadline to January 2008, in recognition of the awmakers responded to concerns about vast amount of material that the court clerks identity theft and privacy breaches by and county recorders must process. L enacting HB 37, filed by Rep. Sandra Overall, this was a very successful session Adams (R-Oviedo). That bill and its Senate for the business community on privacy and companion, sponsored by Sen. Durell Peaden identity theft issues. In addition to the bills Phishing e-mails (R-Crestview), were informally known as the that passed above, AIF prevented passage of are designed to “security freeze bills.” They allow consumers several flawed proposals, including the to freeze their credit report information to following: look legitimate, prevent unauthorized use of credit or unau- • prohibiting customer information from but are a deceitful thorized viewing without permission from being sent overseas without express way for criminals the consumer. Although this legislation written consent to obtain your initially raised serious concerns among the • creating a public-records exemption for business community, HB 37 was later Social Security numbers personal amended to allow certain entities with exist- • prohibiting marketing calls to cellular information and ing business relationships to obtain credit telephones without consent then commit information regardless of the freeze. These issues and others are sure to resur- identity theft. Another bill passed this session dealt with face during upcoming sessions. AIF will “phishing” scams. These are e-mail messages continue to represent the business community’s that fraudulently claim to originate with a interests to ensure that Florida is a friendly financial institution, credit-card issuer, the place to do business. IRS, or some other legitimate entity. The HB 37 (security freeze) sender promises that if you submit personal Effective Date: July 1, 2006 information such as an account number or Senate Vote: 37-0 Social Security number, the sender will fix House Vote: 117-0 some alleged problem. Final Action: Approved by governor; Phishing e-mails are designed to look Chapter No. 2006-124 legitimate, but are a deceitful way for criminals SB 80 (anti-phishing) to obtain your personal information and then Effective Date: July 1, 2006 commit identity theft. SB 80 by Sen. Dave Senate Vote: 36-0 Aronberg (D-Greenacres) creates the Florida House Vote:120-0 Anti-Phishing Act. This legislation fixes certain Final Action: Approved by governor; jurisdictional issues that prevented enforcement Chapter No. 2006-232 of laws designed to punish this activity. HB 1563 (redacting personal information) On the public-records front, HB 1563, spon- Effective Date: July 1, 2006 sored by Rep. Will Kendrick (D- Carrabelle) Senate Vote: 40-0 deals with an exemption for Social Security House Vote: 113-3 numbers and other personal financial informa- Final Action: Approved by governor tion held in documents kept by circuit court clerks. County recorders and court clerks Nick Iarossi is an attorney with Capital City originally had been given a January 2007 Consulting, LLC, a Tallahassee-based lobbying deadline for automatically redacting that firm and an AIF consultant information. Currently an individual must (e-mail: [email protected]).

Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 13 HealthCare Fair Share by Jacquelyn Horkan

wo bills that never even got a hearing lower percentage of their payroll to health during session provided one of the most insurance to escape the health-care tax. T ludicrous moments for business lobbyists. Union leaders and Maryland lawmakers The AFL-CIO made no secret of the fact that have misdiagnosed both the problem of At one point, union it was targeting Florida for passage of a so- uninsurance and the solution. Large corpora- representatives called Fair Share Health Care Act. This pro- tions are more likely to offer health care insur- surrounded the pair posed legislation would have required private ance than a small company, largely because it is employers with 10,000 or more full-time and cheaper to insure a large group of people. with bullhorns and part-time workers to devote nine percent of Companies that don’t provide health yelled, “AIF, shame their payroll to health insurance. Those who insurance to their employees usually wish on you! AIF, shame did not pay that amount for health insurance they could do so, but they can’t afford the on you!” were required to pay a fee to the state to help cost of premiums. Health insurance costs too with the costs of covering the insured. much in Florida because of the large number During the session, the unions held a rally of health-insurance mandates, which are in the Capitol Courtyard. Barney Bishop, provisions in the law that require insurance AIF’s president and CEO, and Keyna Cory, companies to include coverage of certain the association’s chief lobbyist, attended the diseases, conditions, and treatments. rally to hear what the unions had to say on Health-insurance mandates force people to the Fair Share Health Care Act. pay for coverage they don’t want or to go Bishop and Cory were the only business without. Florida has more mandated cover- lobbyists who dared to venture onto the scene. age laws than all but five other states. At one point, union representatives sur- Fair Share is an attempt to ration health rounded the pair with bullhorns and yelled, care dollars. Not only would it force compa- “AIF, shame on you! AIF, shame on you!” nies to provide coverage they couldn’t afford, It was a meaningless show of bravado by it would require them to spend a set amount the union faithful. Sen. Skip Campbell (D- of money on a benefit. Doing so would Tamarac) and Rep. Susan Bucher (D-West eliminate the incentive to make health care Palm Beach) had agreed to file Fair Share spending more efficient. bills, even though they knew the measures This union-backed boondoggle is unlikely had no chance. Passage of these bills was not to ever make its way into the Florida statutes the point, however. Rather, they were in- via the Legislature, so look for Fair Share’s tended to boost the credibility of the flagging backers to fund a constitutional amendment unions, plagued by falling membership and drive for the 2008 elections. relegated to political obscurity. AIF will continue to work through our Some Fair Share supporters allege that the Health Care Task Force to confront this issue proposals will only affect large corporations. and other trends across the country. If you are The State of Maryland offers proof to that lie. interested in participating, please contact Jose The authors of the nation’s first Fair Share Gonzalez at (850) 224-7173. bill, Maryland lawmakers now want to expand its scope from those with 10,000 or Jacquelyn Horkan is a freelance writer more employees to companies with fewer who has written about business and than 10,000 employees, although the smaller politics for more than 20 years companies will have to devote a slightly (e-mail: [email protected]).

14 Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 SessionBusinessReport

Who stood up for The 2006 Session your business during the 2006 Economic Development Session? By Mark Flynn Check out AIF’s Champions for hen it comes to economic development W programs, unprecedented best describes Business, online the work of the 2006 Legislature. at aif.com The Office of Tourism, Trade & Economic Development (OTTED), which traditionally houses those programs, has a budget that typically fluctuates between $80 and $120 Energy million annually. This year’s budget was By Keyna Cory pumped up to $142 million. In addition to those programs, lawmakers ast fall Gov. Jeb Bush initiated the process increased funding for the Quick Action L to ensure the long-term availability of Closing Fund by $35 million, for a total of $45 adequate energy supplies for Florida. Suffi- million. The Legislature also devoted $200 cient resources of fuel and electricity are a million on a new program to entice compa- matter of public health and safety, as well as a nies that conduct research or other innovative fundamental concern for continued economic activities. prosperity. The $95 million appropriation for the new AIF became the first statewide business 21st Century World Class Scholars Program association to recognize the importance of and expanded Florida’s Centers of Excellence this crucial issue and we applaud Rep. Adam will help make sure Florida’s future Hasner (R-Delray Beach) and Sen. Lee workforce is ready to take on the challenges Constantine (R-Altamonte Springs) for their of a high-tech tomorrow. work in passing SB 888, which encompasses HB 1489 ensures that Florida will continue many of the recommendations contained in as a world leader in the exploration of space the governor’s energy proposal. as the shuttle is retired and replaced by the The new law removes many impediments CEV (Crew Exploration Vehicle). It provides to updating the state’s energy infrastructure $42 million, which will finance a start on and provides incentives for research into building the infrastructure necessary to make alternative and renewable sources of energy. sure Florida remains the premier launch site AIF recognizes that diversity in our energy for space flights. supply is of vital economic importance and The programs just described add up to will continue to explore innovative ways to $524 million. Compare that to the last few meet Florida’s demands for fuel and energy. years when state spending on economic To that end, the association also supports development averaged around $100 million, proposals before the U.S. Congress to explore and you’ll realize how seriously this year’s and drill for oil and natural gas supplies in Legislature was about investing in Florida’s the Gulf of Mexico, as long as it occurs at least future prosperity. 125 miles off of Florida’s coast. HB 1489 Effective Date: Upon becoming law except Effective Date: Upon becoming law as otherwise noted Senate Vote: 39-0 Senate Vote: 39-0 House Vote: 113-1 House Vote: 119-1 Final Action: Approved by governor; Final Action: Approved by governor; Chapter No. 2006-60 Chapter No. 2006-230

Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 15 SessionBusinessReport

Transportation Private Property Rights By Mark Flynn By Jacquelyn Horkan

The guns-in-the- awmakers gave the 2006 budget for the awmakers acted to protect Florida property workplace L Florida Department of Transportation an L owners against unjust seizure of their 11-percent boost, increasing the agency’s property by enacting HB 1567, sponsored by legislation inspired budget to $9.1 billion. That includes $8.2 Rep. Marco Rubio (R-Miami). an invigorating billion for the Transportation Work Program. Last year the U.S. Supreme Court rendered debate on The Legislature also raised the statewide a decision in Kelo v. London that gave govern- constitutional bond cap for turnpike projects from $4.5 mental entities the authority to take a private rights billion to $6 billion. A $2 rental car surcharge citizen’s property through the power of was also made available to local governments eminent domain and transfer it to another if approved by referendum. The potential of private party involved in economic develop- the funding source, if passed in all counties, ment. is estimated at more than $137 million in the HB 1567 places several restrictions on the first year. power of government agencies to use eminent domain to bolster economic development Rules & Regulations projects of private entities. Property can be by Keyna Cory seized if it presents a threat to public health or safety. The bill also provides greater hat a novel approach: Let’s make local protection to citizens who challenge eminent W governments explain their reasons for domain proceedings under the state’s rede- denying applications for development velopment statutes. permits. Effective Date: July 1, 2006 You might think that this would be com- Senate Vote: 37-3 mon practice, but before the 2006 Session, local House Vote: 113-0 governments were not required to provide the Final Action: Approved by governor; applicant with written notice of their decision Chapter No. 2006-11 to issue or deny a license or permit applica- tion. Nor were they required to cite the specific Guns in the Workplace ordinance or other legal authority they relied By Keyna Cory on in determining whether to issue or deny the permit. f nothing else, the so-called guns-in-the- CS/CS/SB 1112 by Sen. Mike Bennett I workplace legislation inspired an invigo- (R-Bradenton) requires local governments to rating debate on constitutional rights during provide notice of denial of a permit along the 2006 Session. with a citation of their authority to do so. The bills, filed by Sen. Durell Peaden (R- This should provide a cost savings to those Crestview) and Rep. Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala) seeking streamlined permitting for various would have allowed a person to store a activities since the local government must firearm in a parked vehicle even if the vehicle now specify the legal basis for its intended was on the property of another person who action. With this information, applicants objected to the gun’s presence. should also be able to expedite correction of The bill’s supporters argued that a vehicle any compliance issues in their permits. is an extension of a person’s home and Effective Date: Oct. 1, 2006 therefore qualifies as that person’s private Senate Vote: 39-0 property. Therefore, a person’s constitutional House Vote: 118-0 right to bear arms could not be abridged by Final Action: Approved by governor; another’s right to control what happens on Chapter No. 2006-88 their property.

16 Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 Voter Registration

So who should decide if a firearm should be allowed on someone else’s private Your Right. Your Duty. property?Which constitutional right tr umps the other?These wer e questions that the Florida Legislature had to decide. o you vote? How about your family members? Your Jon Shebel, AIF’s former president and D employees? CEO began his campaign against the guns-in- Political cynics might say that they stay out of the polling the-workplace legislation late last summer place because their vote doesn’t count. with letters to the editor around the state. His But consider this: In 1988, Rep. Carlos Valdes (R-Miami) opposition was echoed by many in the won his House race by one vote. Just three years ago, Rep. business community. Most AIF members told Ellen Bogdanoff (R-Fort Lauderdale) squeaked into her seat us that they had policies forbidding posses- by just 12 votes. sion of a firearm anywhere in the workplace, And few of us are likely to forget the 2000 Presidential including the parking lot. The Peaden-Baxley Election when 537 Florida voters decided the outcome of the proposal would have forced those employers presidential election. to revoke those workplace policies designed Even if an election is a landslide, taking the time to vote is to protect other employees. Although some AIF members do allow a measure of our devotion to our the principle of self-govern- their employees to possess firearms at the ment. As an employer you can foster those virtues by sponsor- workplace, AIF chose to oppose this legisla- ing a voter registration drive at your work place. It’s easier tion because of members’ safety concerns for than it sounds. both employees and customers. Association Voter registration forms are available from local supervisors lobbyists worked closely with Marion Ham- of elections or online at the Department of Elections Web site mer, lobbyist and board member for the (election.dos.state.fl.us/). That Web site also contains contact National Rifle Association, to craft a compro- information for offices of the elections supervisors around mise that would satisfy both sides. the state. Although Hammer was accommodating, Some supervisors of elections will send a member of their both sides realized that there was no middle staff to your office to help register employees. Or you could ground. distribute copies of the registration forms to your staff by Although the bill did provide some immu- interoffice mail or at an employee function. nity in the event of firearm-related violence in the workplace, the ability to control and You can’t force your employees to vote, or tell them which protect the safety of those on business pre- candidates to support, but you can let them know how mises was of utmost importance. The legisla- specific policy choices will affect the continued prosperity of tion made some progress in committee but their company. An employee registration drive can help them ultimately failed to pass. Similar bills are sure participate in electing candidates who support their ability to to be filed again in 2007, and we will continue continue working at the job of their choice. to follow our members’ request to oppose. There is nothing in Florida law to prevent KEY DATES a gun owner from storing firearms in a vehicle, provided he has the proper permit. AIF chose to oppose this bill because it forced Primary Election • September 5 some private property owners, a.k.a. busi- (must register by August 7 to vote in this election) nesses, to revoke policies against gun posses- sion in the workplace, policies that had been General Election • November 7 adopted through careful consideration of the need to protect the safety of employees and (must register by October 10 to vote in this election) customers. Source: Jack Cory, PA Consultants

Employer Advocate • Summer 2006 17 ssociated Industries of Florid

AIF lobbyists, representing centuries of accumulated experience in politics and government, spent more th

DEAR FLORIDA EMPLOYER: OFFICERS Barney T. Bishop III President & CEO of Associated Industries of Florida By standing up for your right to 20… former aide to state Treasurer Bill Gunter … succeed, free from government former executive director of the Florida Democratic Party … more than 27 years of experience in intrusion and interference, Associated legislative and political affairs … areas of expertise include appropriations, criminal justice, and Industries of Florida helps companies behavioral health care issues … B.S. in political like yours grow. & judicial communication from Emerson College in Boston. For most of this century, wherever Mary Ann Stiles, Esq. and whenever governmental officials General Counsel Emeritus of Associated Industries of Florida ... managing partner in the law firm of have met, Associated Industries has Stiles, Taylor, & Grace, P.A. ... more than 33 years made sure they listen to the voice of legislative and lobbying expertise before the Legislature and other branches of government ... of the state’s employers. graduate of Hillsborough Community College, Florida State University, and Antioch Law School. We champion the value of hard Tamela Ivey Perdue, Esq. work and productive endeavor and General Counsel and Shareholder with the law firm of Stiles, Taylor & Grace, P.A. … more than the incentive offered by the ability 14 years legislative and legal experience, to make a profit. We make sure representing insurers and the business community on workers’ compensation and other legal issues government officials understand the ... established legal practice specializing in workers’ consequences of their actions on compensation defense … formerly worked in the Florida Senate … B.S. from Lee University and J.D. the ability to succeed in Florida. from Stetson University. Chris Verlander Like it or not, the decisions made Senior vice president — corporate development of in Tallahassee can make the Associated Industries of Florida ... more than 26 years of expertise in insurance lobbying activities difference between success and ... former president (1994-1997) and vice failure in commerce. When those chairman (1997-1999) of American Heritage Life Insurance Company ... B.S. from Georgia Tech decisions are made, Associated and M.B.A. from the University of Florida. Industries speaks out on the side of success. DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS Jose L. Gonzalez If your company does not belong Coordinates AIF’s lobbying team and all research to Associated Industries, please and advocacy efforts for the association … Master’s degree in Public Administration with consider the benefits of joining. a specialization in Public Policy and a Bachelor’s With your support, we can grow in degree in Political Science from the University of Florida. our mission to promote a vigorous economy, filled with the promise of “The AIF staff is extremely competent and abundance for every person who calls Florida home. highly respected as one of the best lobbying groups in Tallahassee, and is, as a result, Barney T. Bishop III very effective in representing business.” PRESIDENT & CEO Lance Ringhaver, President – RINGHAVER EQUIPMENT COMPANY da 2006 Lobbying Team han 10,000 hours in the Capitol during the 2006 Legislative Session advocating for your business interests.

CONSULTANTS Keyna Cory (Chief Lobbyist) H. Frank Meiners President, Public Affairs Consultants, a public President, Frank Meiners Governmental 006affairs and governmental relations consulting firm Consultants, LLC ... formerly with BellSouth as ... more than 21 years of experience representing their Executive Director in Tallahassee where he a variety of clients, from small entrepreneurs to lobbied communications issues ... graduate of Fortune 500 companies, before the Florida the University of South Florida in Mathematics Legislature ... majored in political science at the and of the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University of Florida. University ... will be covering information technology issues for AIF. Robert P. Asztalos Partner with the Buigas, Asztalos & Associates and Jim Rathbun the Director of Governmental Affairs for Delta President of Rathbun & Associates ... more than Health Group ... directed the Nursing Home 17 years of experience representing individuals profession’s litigation reform campaign in 2000-01 and entities before the Legislature, state agencies, and served as the Director of the Heal Healthcare in and the governor and Cabinet ... formerly worked Florida Coalition ... Master’s degree in Legislative with the Florida House of Representatives and Affairs and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science served as staff director of the House Republican from George Washington University. Office ... B.S. from Florida State University.

Ronald L. Book, Esq. Guy Spearman, Esq. Principal shareholder of Ronald L. Book, P.A. … President, Spearman Management, Inc., govern- former special counsel in Cabinet and legislative ment relations consulting firm ... 32 years of affairs for Gov. … formerly worked experience representing a variety of clients from for the Florida House of Representatives … small business owners to Fortune 500 companies 34 years of experience in government and ... graduate of Auburn University and Florida legislative activities … areas of expertise include State University College of Law. legislative & governmental affairs … graduate of the University of Florida, Florida International John Thrasher, Esq. University and Tulane Law School. Florida’s Speaker of the House from 1999-2000 Mark Flynn ... While leading the House, helped to pass Vice president of J. Keith Arnold & Associates ... some of the landmark reforms advanced by Gov. former economic development executive with Bush, including an overhaul of the state’s entire extensive experience representing business on a system of education ... the new medical school broad range of issues including growth at FSU, John’s alma mater, honors his name... management and transportation ... has also John was elected to his first term as a state worked for both a member of Congress and a representative and was re-elected without member of the Florida House of Representatives ... opposition in 1994, 1996, and 1998. graduate from the University of South Dakota with Gerald Wester a B.S. in mass communications. Managing Partner, Capital City Consulting, LLC ... Peter Harris, Esq. former chief deputy over Florida Department of President and CEO of ADG Business & Governmental Insurance’s regulatory staff ... more than 30 Consultants ... more than 15 years of experience years of lobbying experience ... expertise in successfully designing and implementing substantive insurance, banking, and health care issues ... legislative, governmental and management Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Florida programs for business and government ... effectively State University. worked with key policy makers in all branches of government … graduate of the University of Miami Mike Zagorac and Florida State University College of Law. Former senior vice president, public affairs for Hill & Knowlton, Inc. ... former vice president of Nick Iarossi, Esq. public affairs for the Jack Founding partner of Capital City Consulting, and vice president of the National Association of L.L.C. ... formerly worked in the Florida Senate, Chain Drug Stores ... more than 37 years of the Florida House of Representatives and the experience in media and public relations, Office of Insurance Regulation ... expertise in community affairs, and environmental issues ... banking and insurance, privacy and public Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and records, health-care, procurement, pari mutuels, M.B.A. degree from American University. technology, and education ... graduate from the Florida State University College of Law. (continued from page 12) bution Tax Credit Program. This program Affordable Housing promotes private sector participation in Getting the ideas to market and then revitalization by offering tax credits for For up-to-date bringing the business to Florida is only the projects that promote homeownership for information beginning of fostering an Innovation low-income Floridians. Economy. Along with the growth of new Another measure adopted by the Legisla- on business business comes the expansion of Florida’s ture involved the Florida Land Trust Act issues, visit workforce, and this will require the develop- which will now provide a flexible method for http://aif.com ment of affordable housing to ensure a high the acquisition and disposition of real estate quality of life in the Sunshine State. and additional financing options. The Legislature approved a wide-ranging The process for creating a Community affordable housing bill that includes the Redevelopment Agency was also modified creation of the Community Workforce Hous- during this year’s session. These agencies are ing Innovation Program. This program now authorized to contract with nonprofits, provides grants and incentives to developers faith-based organizations, or other eligible of affordable home ownership and rental groups to provide affordable housing for projects. Eligible projects must target counties Florida’s expanding workforce in targeted where housing costs are high or counties that areas of the state. face significant population growth. They Each of these programs addresses the must provide workforce housing as well as state’s increasing need for affordable housing for essential service personnel such workforce housing by increasing the number as firefighters, nurses and teachers. of providers and by making incentives The bill also establishes a requirement that available to developers. local governments identify surplus lands and, where appropriate, make these lands avail- Peter Harris is president & CEO of ADG able for purposes of affordable housing. Business & Governmental Consultants The Legislature also approved a housing and an AIF consultant

initiative to expand the Community Contri- (e-mail: [email protected]).

PERMIT NO 904 NO PERMIT

P.O. BOX 784 TALLAHASSEE, FL 32302-0784 FL TALLAHASSEE, 784 BOX P.O.

TALLAHASSEE FL TALLAHASSEE

516 NORTH ADAMS STREET ADAMS NORTH 516 US POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE US

ssociated Industries of Florida Service Corporation Service Florida of Industries ssociated STANDARD PRESORTED