AIF Launches National Search for New President / CEO

~The state’s leading business advocacy organization retains the services of an international executive recruitment firm~

TALLAHASSEE – Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today announced it has launched a national search for a new president and CEO and has retained the services of Korn/Ferry International, a global provider of talent management solutions.

“For more than 90 years, we have served as a strong and steady voice for Florida’s businesses. We are proud of our rich history of advocacy at both the federal and state levels, and the successes we have achieved for our members, employers and the business community at large. In recent years, we have championed landmark legislation reforming our workers’ compensation system, helped restore Florida’s private property insurance market, provided Florida employers with unemployment compensation tax relief and pushed through tort reform measures that will level the legal playing field for businesses, all while growing our membership dramatically,” said Erika Alba, Chair of the AIF Board of Directors. “As we execute our plan to take the organization to the next level of advocacy success and membership value, it is critical that we find a leader who will build on this momentum and continue AIF’s track record of promoting and protecting the best interests of Florida’s businesses.”

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Florida Manufacturers Urge Congress to Protect Jobs

Now Is the Time for Congress to Stop the NLRB’s Actions

Washington, D.C., September 15, 2011 – Florida manufacturers and small businesses are urging Florida’s congressional delegation to stand up for American job creators this week and pass the Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act (H.R. 2587). The bill’s passage would rein in the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) overreach in dictating where companies can locate their facilities and whom they can hire.

The NLRB’s complaint against the Boeing Company is causing uncertainty for businesses throughout Florida. The NLRB’s action could force the company to halt production, putting thousands of jobs at risk.

“With unemployment at 10.7 percent in Florida, our government should not be creating policies that hurt employers’ ability to create jobs,” said Associated Industries of Florida President and CEO Barney Bishop. “In this difficult economic time, our state’s communities cannot afford to lose a single job, which is why this overreach from the NLRB is very concerning. I ask members of our House delegation to vote to defend jobs and support the Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act to let Florida workers and job creators know they are on our side.”

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Poll Results Show Signs of Trouble in Florida for President Obama

~Democrats and Independents Alike Think President Needs to Stop Attacking Job Creators, Start Compromising to Create Jobs, Improve Economy~

TALLAHASSEE – Poll results released today by Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) demonstrate Floridians’ increasing dissatisfaction with President Obama’s policies and may signal a tough reelection for the President in the Sunshine State. More than half (54 percent) of those polled believe President Obama’s policies have hurt Florida’s economy. A majority of Independents and Ticketsplitters (54 percent and 51 percent respectively) felt these policies have harmed the state, as did nearly a third of all Democrats.

When asked specifically if “…President Obama and other politicians should stop attacking the job creators such as corporations, Wall Street and oil companies and, instead, they should be looking to work with and compromise with business leaders to create jobs and improve the economy,” 71 percent of respondents agreed. A surprising 60 percent of Democrats, 73 percent of Independents and 74 percent of Ticketsplitters agreed with this statement.

“I’m particularly struck by the response to this question, which included words like ‘corporations, Wall Street and oil companies’ – words that typically carry a negative connotation for most Democrats. Despite that, we still saw nearly two-thirds of Democrats answer this question by saying the President should stop attacking these job creators and start working toward solutions,” said Ryan Tyson, AIF Vice President of Political Operations. “President Obama campaigned on a platform of hope and change. Obviously, this is not the kind of change Floridians were after and we’re seeing that reflected in the President’s decreasing popularity. Instead of driving forward policies that will lead to economic growth and job creation, this administration seems to have thrown our economy in reverse. When even three out of 10 Democrats fault the President that is significant.”

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AIF on the Florida Legislature’s Passage of the Student Success Act

Statement By: Barney Bishop III, President & CEO, Associated Industries of Florida Regarding the Florida Legislature’s Passage of the Student Success Act

“Education is in the midst of a transformation. Chalkboards have long since given way to SMART Boards. Textbooks have gone digital. Students are no longer bound by a physical classroom to learn. And, our high school and university graduates aren’t just competing with their neighbors for jobs, but with their peers from halfway across the globe. … Continue Reading

AIF on Senate Passing Crashworthiness Legislation

Statement By: Barney Bishop III, President & CEO, Associated Industries of Florida Regarding the Senate’s Passage of Crashworthiness Legislation

“The need for tort reform in the Sunshine State continues to be urgent. Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) supports common-sense legislation that limits excessive litigation costs and spurs economic development in our state. AIF applauds the Senate’s passage of SB 142, which will overturn a current standard set by the Florida Supreme Court that has unjustly prejudiced juries against businesses for far too long. … Continue Reading

AIF Letter to Senate President Mike Haridopolos

Associated Industries of Florida today sent the below letter to Senate President Mike Haridopolos regarding Destination Resort Legislation. … Continue Reading

AIF on House Numeric Nutrient Water Quality Criteria Bill

STATEMENT BY: Barney T. Bishop III, Associated Industries of Florida President and CEO Regarding House Numeric Nutrient Water Quality Criteria Bill

“Associated Industries of Florida thanks Rep. Trudi Williams (R-Ft. Myers) and the members of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee for taking a stand against the punitive water quality criteria the EPA has imposed on our state. With today’s vote, they have moved HB 239 forward and made it clear that Florida does not welcome onerous and expensive mandates from federal bureaucrats. … Continue Reading

Statement By: Barney Bishop III, President & CEO, Associated Industries of Florida Regarding Gov. Rick Scott’s First State of the State Address

“Gov. Rick Scott has outlined a sound strategy to move Florida forward. From the beginning, his mantra of “jobs” has struck a responsive chord among Floridians, more than a million of whom are out of work right now. And, his “jobs budget” sets the right tone considering the financial dire straits we are facing. Just like any family or business struggling with less income, we as a state are going to have to cut back expenses. It’s a disappointing reality, but the fact is we cannot produce new income out of thin air. When the Governor calls for shared sacrifice, we know it is a bitter pill but it is also the medicine we must take.

We are mindful of the Governor’s vision of a state where rules and regulations will be measured by the yardstick of whether they create or impede jobs.

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AIF Independent Review Debunks Conclusions of Everglades Foundation Economic Report

TALLAHASSEE – Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today released two independent peer reviews of the Everglades Foundation Economic Report, which discredit the study’s conclusions and methodologies. Although the Foundation’s October 2010 report was taken at face value and widely reported on, economic and hydrologic expert reviews commissioned by AIF reveal the Everglades Foundation report grossly over-stated the economic benefits of Everglades restoration. Using realistic economic methodologies and hydrologic realities, the purported benefits do not reach the minimum $46.5 billion stated in the report and will not even cover the $11.5 billion needed to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). … Continue Reading

Associated Industries of Florida Urges Dosal to Pay Their Fair Share to Florida

TALLAHASSEE – Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) is urging lawmakers to support legislation that would require all tobacco manufacturers that sell cigarettes in Florida to pay their fair share toward the state’s burgeoning Medicaid costs. Under the 1997 Tobacco Settlement Agreement, the handful of major manufacturers that sold almost 99 percent of cigarettes in Florida agreed to pay the state hundreds of millions of dollars annually to help defray some of the state’s health care costs. However, a group of small tobacco companies, including Miami-based Dosal Tobacco Corporation, were not required to sign the agreement due to their miniscule market share–less than 1 percent-of Florida’s cigarette sales at that time.

For nearly 14 years, Dosal and the other “Non-Participating Manufacturers” (NPMs) have been able to increase their market share because their omission from the Settlement has enabled them to sell cheaper priced products. Today, NPMs account for one out of five packs of cigarettes sold in the state and more than 80 percent of these sales are by Dosal alone. If legislation fails to pass, these figures will only continue to grow. This is a glaring loophole since the price of their products does not have to include Settlement money which is paid by their competitors to the state. Forty-eight states have already adopted an equivalent surcharge on NPM products.

“It’s time for our Legislature to derail Dosal’s tobacco gravy train. Florida smokers should not avoid paying important dollars for health care based solely on the brand they choose to smoke. It also gives Dosal and the other NPMs a decidedly unfair competitive advantage — an intolerable advantage that cannot be condoned any longer,” said Barney Bishop III, President and CEO of Associated Industries of Florida. “AIF strongly supports our state’s business community and all businesses operating in the same industry must be held to the same standards.”

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AIF on Gov. Scott’s Decision to Reject the Tampa to Orlando High Speed Rail Project

Statement By:
Barney Bishop III, President & CEO, Associated Industries of Florida Regarding Gov. Rick Scott’s Decision to Reject the Tampa to Orlando High Speed Rail Project

“While Associated Industries of Florida has been a proponent of bringing High Speed Rail to Florida, and was hopeful we could do so with the backing of private-sector investment, we understand and respect Gov. Scott’s decision to reject the Tampa to Orlando project. Given these tough economic times and a past culture of deficit spending, we recognize that Floridians do not have an open checkbook and we as a state cannot afford to operate on credit. We look forward to working with Gov. Scott on growing Florida’s businesses and putting paychecks in the hands of our unemployed citizens.”

AIF on Governor’s “Jobs Budget”

Statement By: Barney Bishop III, President & CEO, Associated Industries of Florida Regarding Gov. Rick Scott’s Budget Recommendations

“Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed ‘Jobs Budget’ sends a strong signal that he is serious about getting Florida’s financial house in order.  Government at all levels has ballooned beyond our ability to pay for it.  By cutting more $5 billion in government spending and simultaneously sending $2 billion back to taxpayers, this Governor is counting on the fact that taxpayers know how best to spend their own money – better than government bureaucrats. … Continue Reading

AIF to Participate in National High Speed Rail Summit

Washington, D.C. – Tomorrow, Barney Bishop III, President & CEO of Associated Industries of Florida, will participate in a panel discussion at the High Speed Rail Summit hosted by the U.S. High Speed Rail Association.  Panelists will discuss ways to promote high speed rail in a changing political and economic climate.  Other panel participants include Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL), Michael Kehs of Hill & Knowlton, Steven Anderson of InfrastructureUSA.org, Manfred Ohrenstein of Ohrenstein & Brown, LLP, and Stuart Sirota of TND Planning.

The summit will be held:

Tuesday, February 8, 2011
12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
Alion Conference Center
1100 New Jersey Ave. SE
Washington, D.C.

For more information on the High Speed Rail Summit, visit http://www.ushsr.com/dcprogram.html

AIF on U.S. Senate Healthcare Repeal Vote

Statement By:Barney Bishop III, President & CEO, Associated Industries of Florida Regarding U.S. Senate Vote on Healthcare Repeal

“Americans, Floridians and, most certainly, Florida’s business community have long been waving the red flag when it comes to ObamaCare.  A poll released this past August by Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) revealed that more than half of Florida voters (53 percent) oppose President Obama’s healthcare plan.  November’s election results underscore the country’s distaste for this mandate Congress rushed to cram down our collective throats.  It’s expensive, it hurts businesses that create jobs – jobs that, coincidentally, often provide health care insurance – and it ultimately won’t produce the promised results. … Continue Reading

Statement By: Barney Bishop III, President & CEO, Associated Industries of Florida Regarding Gov. Scott’s Proposal to Form a New Department of Commerce

“Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) applauds Gov. Rick Scott’s proposal to create a 21st Century Department of Commerce that will share his laser focus on economic development and job creation. Bringing new businesses to the state and putting more Floridians back to work requires taking a different approach then we are now.

By establishing a new Department of Commerce to orchestrate all of Florida’s business development activities, we can better coordinate efforts and harness the collective strengths of each entity responsible for facilitating employment opportunities in the Sunshine State. The fact that Gov. Scott will be so engaged in this new agency, to the point where it will be elevated to ‘plaza level’ status, is more than encouraging. It’s the promise of a new day when Floridians aren’t looking for work, but actually getting to work.

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Statement by: Barney Bishop III, CEO and President of Associated Industries of Florida Re: President Obama’s Order for an Administration-Wide Effort to Review, Reduce or Streamline Federal Regulations on Businesses

“If President Obama is looking for job-crushing rules that need to be stopped, he needs to look no further than the Environmental Protection Agency and its unprecedented numeric nutrient mandate for Florida. This draconian rule will impede job creation, raise the cost of doing business in Florida and hit every Floridian hard in the pocketbook.

“Governor Rick Scott recently signed an executive order freezing new regulations that will hamper job growth in Florida and I applaud President Obama for following suit and recognizing the harm overregulation has on employers, employees and job creation.”

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Florida Charitable and Business Groups Urge Gov. Scott to Eliminate Hurricane Taxes

TALLAHASSEE — During his first week as governor, charitable and business groups throughout the state delivered a letter Gov. Scott urging that he prioritize eliminating the hurricane taxes on insurance premiums. The letter speaks directly to the issues associated with Citizens Property Insurance Corporation and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (Cat Fund), citing important information from a Florida TaxWatch report related to the potential shortfalls these state-run entities have faced because of limiting bonding capabilities.

“We all know there is a glide-path to stability our elected leaders can take to better protect the business and charitable organizations throughout our state,” said Barney T. Bishop, III, president of Associated Industries of Florida. “We hope that Gov. Scott realizes how dire this situation is, and will make eliminating the hurricanes on insurance premiums and reforming Citizens and the Cat Fund a top priority during his tenure as Florida’s governor.”

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AIF on the Formation of a Florida High Speed Rail Coalition

Statement By: Barney Bishop III, President & CEO, Associated Industries of Florida Regarding the Formation of a Florida High Speed Rail Coalition

“Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) has, for years, been a strong advocate of bringing high speed rail to our state.  That is why AIF is announcing the formation of a coalition we will spearhead to ensure this valuable project remains on track.  We are in the process of assembling the coalition, which will include the private-sector companies that want the jobs, the work and the prestige that will come from being a part of Florida high speed rail. … Continue Reading

Statement By: Barney Bishop III, President & CEO, Associated Industries of Florida Regarding Gov. Scott’s Appointment of Kurt Browning as Secretary of the Florida Department of State

“Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) commends Gov. Rick Scott on his decision to reappoint Kurt Browning as Secretary of the Department of State (DOS) and welcomes Sec. Browning back to state government. With his 26 years as the elected Pasco County Supervisor of Elections and more than three years previously served as the head of DOS, Kurt is an outstanding choice and absolutely the right man for the job. During his tenures as both the Secretary of State and Supervisor of Elections, elections ran smoothly, efficiently and accurately. He knows the business of running on election inside and out, having also served as a past president of the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections and was appointed to Gov. Jeb Bush’s election reform task force. Sec. Browning’s hands-on style and collaborative approach have earned him the respect of officials on both sides of the aisle, as well as that of his fellow Supervisors of Elections.

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Statement By: Barney Bishop III, President & CEO, Associated Industries of Florida

Regarding the Inauguration of Governor Rick Scott and Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll

“With the inauguration of Florida’s 45th Governor, we usher in a new era for our state and the way in which our state is run. On behalf of our members, Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) welcomes the leadership of Governor Rick Scott and Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll who will approach the business of our state from a pro-business point of view and retool state government in a way in which Floridians will receive necessary services at a price we can all afford. … Continue Reading