AIF Recognizes Champions for Business, Scores Legislators in Tallahassee

On Friday, the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) showcased the 2019 Voting Records report for state legislators and honored some of them with the Champions for Business award. AIF explained its criteria in how it scores legislators.

“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,” AIF noted.

“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 forthe business community that allows employers insight as to how legislators are voting on bills that affect their businesses,” said former U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Fla., the president and CEO of AIF “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.”

AIF also recognized some legislators as Champions for Business award recipients/.

“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,” Feeney said. “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 eepresentatives, 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 polices 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 released the following on its award recipients:

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 recognized 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,” said 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.”