Public Affairs Documents 2016 Legislative Agenda

2016 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY STATEMENT STATE ISSUES AGRICULTURE/WATER TRANSPORTATION Work with our Florida Chamber partners in supporting the • Fully fund regional transportation priorities including the Central Polk Parkway. expanded use of alternative water supplies and projects in addition to implementing and creating science-based policies • Advocate for investment in transportation and infrastructure that improves and expands major trade that encourage alternative water investments. and freight conditions. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM • Create a new $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund that is more effective for winning competitive job projects. • Support $20 million of recurring funding of Florida’s business brand to market Florida as a business friendly state via Enterprise Florida. • Oppose any state action and/or preemptive local actions regarding labor/employment laq that would be detrimental to business, such predictive scheduling mandates, “ban the box,” and minimum wage increases. • Oppose eddorts to move Florida’s incentive program to “pay as you go. HEALTHCARE • Develop public/private partnerships to better enhance and develop road projects. TAXATION Business Rent Tax • The Chamber supports a one percent reduction this year in the Business Rent Tex, with the ultimate goal being to fully phaser out this tax over the next six years. This will allow $287 million to remain in the hands of Florida’s job creators, allowing them to hire additional employees, make improvements and reinvest back into their businesses. Manufacturing and Equipment Tax • Support a permanent sales tax exemption for manufacturing machinery and equipment. E-Fairness • Work to secure Florida’s future and ensure a healthy quality of life by supporting proactive and innovative • Support “e-fairness” efforts through legislative policies that will deliver greater access and quality of care, action to require internet-only retailers to collect and control escalating healthcare costs and promote a healthy remit sales tax as requred by state law. population by expanding insurance coverage for eligible, low-income Floridians only if certain prerequisites are put in place. LOCAL ISSUES TORT REFORM CITY OF LAKELAND & LAKELAND REGIONAL • Eliminate Florida’s reputation as a haven for “badHEALTH faith” insurance lawsuits so that consumers benefit from affordable liability insurance. • The Chamber joins the City of Lakeland, • Ensure our worker’s comp system is fair and not inflated by trial lawyer tactics & unnecessary costs. • Expand public-private investment options to include direct investment in infrastructure projects, including water or wastewater systems, communication systems, power systems, transportation systems, renewable energy systems, ancillary or support systems, or other strategic infrastructure needs. and Lakeland Regional Health in support of the continuation of Florida’s Certificate of Need process to ensure patient access to vital health care services.