Mark Wilson

As Florida emerges from one of the worst recessions in history, there is still much work to be done. The decisions made in the next 60 days in Tallahassee can either speed our recovery or bring it to a grinding halt. While Florida transitions from a low-cost, low-wage state to an innovation center with higher wage jobs and a knowledge economy, Florida’s businesses and families are counting on lawmakers to make policy decisions that support a robust recovery in our state and set the table for greater economic opportunities in the future.

The Florida Chamber’s 2010 business agenda provides a roadmap to achieve these goals. Our specific proposals fall within three primary areas lawmakers should focus on this session to improve the economy now: Do No Harm, create a “Jobs for Florida” package and further reform our education system so today’s children have increasing opportunity as they move into the future workforce.

DO NO HARM

Our members represent Florida businesses that range from the very smallest to the largest employers in Florida. They have weathered the worst economic storm in recent memory. Today, those businesses are emerging stronger and smarter. They are ready to expand and put people back to work. As House Speaker Larry Cretul recently said, “we cannot tax, regulate or litigate our way to prosperity.”

Fair and predictable tax system

A tax on small business is a tax on job creation, and we will fight any proposal to raise business taxes or create new fees that will hinder job creation, economic growth or productivity. We ask the Legislature and governor to immediately reduce the $1.2 billion unemployment compensation tax increase scheduled to hit businesses next month.

In addition, there is one tax solution we support. Remote sales tax on Internet purchases is a legally owed existing tax, and Florida’s failure to collect the tax puts our state’s retailers at a competitive disadvantage. We support legislation to streamline Internet sales tax collection, so Florida can start capturing as much as $2 billion in sales tax revenue that currently goes uncollected.

Lawsuit abuse reform

Florida is ranked as having one of the most unfair legal systems in America and we need to fix this. Businesses need the predictability of knowing they are responsible for their actions, not those of others, and therefore we will pursue lawsuit abuse reform at every opportunity.

Property insurance