Floridians have a brighter future thanks to tireless work from Governor Rick Scott, Senate President Joe Negron, House Speaker Richard Corcoran, and other legislative leaders. Over the 2017 legislative session, a wide range of policy priorities of The James Madison Institute (JMI) were passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor in the key areas of education, economic prosperity, and private property rights.
“The 2017 Florida Legislative Session was an important session for Florida’s future,” said JMI President and CEO Dr. Bob McClure. “The entire team at JMI worked hard to educate and inform state legislators on policies that significantly advance limited government, personal liberty, and economic freedom.”
One of the policy areas most positively influenced by legislation enacted during the 2017 legislative sessions is school choice. JMI’s J. Stanley Marshall Center for Educational Options weighed in on a number of education proposals that were adopted into law, including:
- Expansion of the Gardiner Scholarship for students with unique abilities
- Expansion of the Tax Credit Scholarship
- Digital education access
- Schools of Hope
- Summer use of Bright Futures Scholarships
JMI’s Centers for Economic Prosperity and Property Rights were also active during the legislative session promoting the principles of limited government and advocating for an environment that encourages growth and innovation. Significant victories in those areas included:
- Ridesharing legislation
- Cottage food expansion
- Economic development
- Everglades restoration
“Protecting property rights in the Everglades, allowing free markets to flourish in the transportation industry, and increasing educational opportunities for Florida’s children are just a few of the ways the Florida Legislature stepped forward and showed the nation that freedom and liberty work,” added Dr. McClure.
While there were still a number of important issues left undone during the legislative session, JMI will continue to advocate for the tried and tested principles of free markets and limited government as we look toward the 2018 legislative session and beyond.
To review the James Madison Institute’s complete 2017 Legislative Summary report, click here.
The James Madison Institute
Founded in 1987, The James Madison Institute (JMI) is Florida’s oldest and largest nonpartisan, nonprofit research and educational organization. JMI is dedicated to advancing such ideals as economic freedom, limited government, federalism, traditional values, the rule of law, and individual liberty coupled with individual responsibility. All JMI publications are available online at www.jamesmadison.org.
