Legislative Update from Rep. Danny Burgess

2017 Florida Legislative Agenda 

The Chamber’s Board of Directors presents the following 2017 Legislative Agenda to inform our members about the issues the Chamber will be monitoring and advocating for in 2017. It should be noted that this list is not all inclusive, and may be modified during the year. This agenda is in conjunction with the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Transportation and Infrastructure Investments

We recognize that investing in Florida’s infrastructure is necessary to meet our state’s long-term needs. The Florida Chamber will work with the Florida Transportation Builders Association, Floridians for Better Transportation, and other partners to identify additional resources to fund critical infrastructure needs and will oppose the redirection of money from the State Transportation Trust Fund for non-transportation related purposes.  The Florida Chamber also supports prioritized investments in the strategic intermodal systems and future corridors, which improve and expand major trade and freight corridors.

* Oppose any raid on the State Transportation Trust Fund.

* Eliminate the regulatory roadblocks and incentivize governments to turn to the private sector to speed up shovel ready projects.

* Support emerging technologies and industry needs associated with autonomous, connected, networked and electric vehicles.

* Maintain and expand current investments in seaport, spaceport, and airport projects and intermodal logistics centers.

Tax

We support fairness and equity in Florida’s tax system and discourages government to be in the role of determining winners and losers through unfair tax policy.

* Clarifies that Florida never intended to tax the service fees of third parties who market hotel rooms. Provides confidence to retailers that customers are paying correctly.

* Support “e-fairness” efforts through legislative action to require internet-only retailers to collect and remit sales tax as required by state law.

* Support eliminating or reducing the business rent tax.  Florida is the only state in the country that charges a sales tax on commercial leases.

* Support decreasing the Corporate Income Tax rate or increasing exemptions to the Corporate Income Tax rate so businesses see a savings.

* Extend the 10 percent cap on ad valorem taxation increases for non-homestead residential real property that is scheduled to sunset in 2019.

Workers’ Compensation

We support policies that ensure workers’ compensation premiums are fair and not inflated by unnecessary costs. Read our Resolution