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AIF Announces Its 2014 Champions For Business'

The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) announced its 2014 'Champions for Business' award recipients, which recognize elected officials who supported pro-business legislation during the 2014 legislative session. Governor Rick Scott, Senator Joe Negron, Representative Steve Crisafulli, and Representative Seth McKeel were among those who received awards for supporting bills that reduced taxes, modernized Florida's technology infrastructure, and protected managed healthcare practices. AIF has recognized over 90 elected officials with 146 'Champion for Business' awards since 2003.

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56 views

AIF Announces Its 2014 Champions For Business'

The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) announced its 2014 'Champions for Business' award recipients, which recognize elected officials who supported pro-business legislation during the 2014 legislative session. Governor Rick Scott, Senator Joe Negron, Representative Steve Crisafulli, and Representative Seth McKeel were among those who received awards for supporting bills that reduced taxes, modernized Florida's technology infrastructure, and protected managed healthcare practices. AIF has recognized over 90 elected officials with 146 'Champion for Business' awards since 2003.

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For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 1, 2014


Contact
Sarah Bascom, [email protected], 850.294.6636
Kristen Bridges, [email protected], 850.545.1917

AIF Announces its 2014 Champions for Business


AIF Recognizes Elected Officials for Being Strong Advocates for Florida Business
Tallahassee, Fla. Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today announced its 2014
Champions for Business award recipients. These non-voting awards are given to those elected
officials who have proven to be strong and forceful advocates for Florida business.
At AIF, we are proud to recognize those elected officials who have supported business-friendly
legislation during the 2014 Legislative Session, said AIF President & CEO Tom Feeney. AIF
thanks this years Champions for Business for their dedication to improving the business
climate in the Sunshine State and striving to make Florida a premier location to live, work and do
business.
The 2014 Champion for Business recipients include:
Governor Rick Scott is receiving his second AIF Champions for Business Award and is only the
second Governor to receive the award in its 11-year history. As a longtime friend to the business
community, Governor Scott proved once again this year to be an ally by signing various pieces
of important legislation promoting the states business climate and helping Floridas families.
Perhaps most notably, Governor Scott signed Senate Bill 156, which rolled back vehicle
registration fees that will save taxpayers $395 million. This tax reduction was a large portion of
Governor Scotts efforts to cut taxes by $500 million, a goal which he and the Legislature
accomplished this session. Under the Governors leadership, Florida has become one of the most
attractive states in which to live and conduct business and AIF is committed to working
alongside the Governor to continue this progress.
Senator Joe Negron (R-Palm City) is receiving his fourth AIF Champions for Business Award.
His legislation, SB 156, rolls back vehicle registration fees to pre-September 2009 levels, which
will benefit every family or business that owns a vehicle to the tune of $395 million in reduced
taxes. AIF supported SB 156 from its inception because it leaves more money in the pockets of
Floridians and encourages growth and job creation for businesses, especially those with a fleet of
vehicles.

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ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF FLORIDA | PAGE 2


Representative Steve Crisafulli (R-Merritt Island) is receiving his fourth AIF Champions for
Business Award. As the Speaker-designate, Representative Crisafulli demonstrated critical
leadership by helping to defeat efforts to undermine step therapy. Step therapy is a progressive
approach to drug treatment that says patients should only be prescribed higher cost medication if
lower cost, lower risk medications do not work. Eliminating this component of managed medical
care would dramatically increase health care costs for patients and employers. SB 1354 and
House Bill 7113 were the principal bills intended to make it easier for medical providers to
override step therapy procedures. Under Speaker-designate Crisafullis leadership, these bills
were never passed by the Florida House of Representatives.
Representative Seth McKeel (R-Lakeland) is receiving his second AIF Champions for Business
Award. His legislation, HB 7073, aims to modernize the states IT infrastructure and ensure
Florida is no longer the only state in the nation without a Chief Information Officer. This
necessary legislation creates the Agency for State Technology (AST) that will develop and
implement information technology standards, develop technology policy and consolidate
services where applicable. HB 7073 brings Florida in-line technologically with other states and
aims to increase coordination among agencies. The AST will boost bottom lines in Floridas
business community through streamlined interactions and increased efficiency.
Senator Jeremy Ring (D-Margate) is receiving his third AIF Champions for Business Award.
Senator Ring was instrumental in developing the IT governance legislation that was signed into
law this session. Florida was the only state without a Chief Information Officer, which HB 7073
creates along with the Agency for State Technology (AST). The AST with an effective Chief
Information Officer at the helm will modernize the states IT infrastructure, while making data
storage and cross-agency communications more efficient. Businesses will benefit from the new
agency through simplified interaction with a more efficient government.
Speaker Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel) is now a four-time recipient of the AIF
Champions for Business Award. A strong advocate for education, Speaker Weatherford played a
tremendous role in the passage of HB 851, which extends in-state tuition rates to undocumented
students who graduate from a Florida high school or earn a GED. Under Speaker Weatherfords
leadership, future generations of Floridas children will be enabled to get a higher education
and/or specialized degree, obtain good paying jobs and become contributors to our state's
economy. Creating these opportunities for students will ensure an educated workforce and give
Floridas businesses a competitive edge.
Senator Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater) is receiving his third AIF Champions for Business Award.
Senator Latvala championed the in-state tuition legislation, HB 851, in the Senate. By
sponsoring similar legislation and helping to maneuver HB 851 through the Senate, he has
shown his commitment to expanding access to education for all of Florida's students who
graduate from a Florida high school or earn a GED. Improving our workforce through education
will be a key ingredient of job creation and will also ensure businesses continue to locate to
Florida.
Representative Jeanette Nunez (R-Miami) is receiving her first AIF Champions for Business
Award. This year, Representative Nunez is being recognized for sponsoring and passing HB 851,

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ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF FLORIDA | PAGE 3


which puts a freeze on rising college tuition and extends in-state tuition rates to all Florida
students, regardless of immigration status. Equal access to higher education opportunities will be
crucial as our state grows and prospers to guarantee that the growing demand for an educated
workforce is met.
Senator Bill Montford (D-Tallahassee) is receiving his first AIF Champions for Business
Award. Senator Montford demonstrated his dedication to protecting Floridas robust agricultural
industry when he stood with the industrys stakeholders in order to strengthen food security and
keep Floridas agricultural producers competitive.
Representative Richard Corcoran (R-Lutz) is receiving his first AIF Champions for Business
Award. Rep. Corcoran is being recognized for his vital role in protecting step therapy as an
approach to control costs and mitigate risk for patients. Step therapy is a progressive approach to
drug treatment that says patients should only be prescribed higher cost medication if lower cost,
lower risk medications do not work. SB 1354 and HB 7113 were the principal bills proposed that
would have negated the benefits of step therapy for patients and businesses alike. Through the
efforts of Representative Corcoran, these bills never passed the House of Representatives.
Since 2003, AIF has given a total of 146 Champions for Business' awards to 92 different elected
officials. These non-voting awards are separate from its annual Voting Records report, which
is calculated based on how Florida legislators cast votes on bills that affect the business
community.
For more information on AIF, please visit AIF.com and follow @VoiceofFLBiz.
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