• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Submit News
  • Contact Us

Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

  • Soup Du Jour
  • People
  • Government
  • Campaign
  • Business
  • Education
  • Insights
  • Video
You are here: Home / Government / Florida Chamber of Commerce Financial Impact Study Shows Proposed Energy Ballot Measure Will Cost $1.2 Billion Annually

Florida Chamber of Commerce Financial Impact Study Shows Proposed Energy Ballot Measure Will Cost $1.2 Billion Annually

Posted on August 12, 2019

Florida Chamber of Commerce logo

In advance of today’s state Financial Impact Estimating Conference (FIEC) to determine portions of the economic impact of a ballot initiative to restructure Florida’s electricity market, the Florida Chamber of Commerce today pointed to independent financial impact research showing that the proposed amendment will cost $1.2 to $1.5 billion annually to state and local governments.

“Voters deserve to know the facts – this price hiking electricity related ballot measure is a drastic and costly proposal that will drive up costs on Florida’s families, consumers and local businesses,” said Mark Wilson, President and CEO, Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Studies by Charles River Associates shows that the proposed restructuring of Florida’s electricity market would have an adverse financial impact, in terms of lower tax revenues and increased costs, of $1.2 to $1.5 billion or more per year to Florida’s state and local governments, and ultimately, to taxpayers. That means less funding for vital local services, including fire departments and first responders, and likely higher taxes for consumers and local businesses.

Chief among revenue losses are:

  • Franchise Fees – $650 million
  • Gross Receipt Tax — $270 million to $320 million
  • Municipal Public Service Tax — $200 million to $300 million
  • Property Tax — $60 million to $140 million

Topping the list of higher costs are:

  • Administrative Costs — $30 million to $80 million
  • RTO or ISO – impact of higher rates — $20 million to $25 million

“We cannot secure Florida’s future with regulatory policies that will make our state less competitive and electricity more expensive,” Wilson added.

When the FIEC originally met on the energy regulation proposal in March, they did not determine the financial impact that drastically changing Florida’s electricity market would have on Florida’s communities – despite the empirical evidence presented by expert economists.

At the urging of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, lawmakers passed and Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law HB 5 requiring a financial impact estimate on both the state and local communities.

“Although the Florida Chamber has already conducted its analysis, we urge the FIEC to provide the financial transparency of the new law stemming from House Bill 5 to provide voters more comprehensive transparency on this mandate that will drastically increase electricity costs,” said Wilson.

Established in 1916 as Florida’s first statewide business advocacy organization, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and the state’s largest federation of employers, chambers of commerce and associations aggressively representing small and large businesses from every industry and every region. The Florida Chamber works within all branches of government to affect those changes set forth in the annual Florida Business Agenda, and which are seen as critical to secure Florida’s future. The Florida Chamber works closely with its Florida Political Operations and the Florida Chamber Foundation. Visit FloridaChamber.com for more information.

Share this article! Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Filed Under: Government Tagged With: Florida Chamber of Commerce

Primary Sidebar

    Submit News    

Florida DBPR Opens Entry Period for Annual Quota Beverage License Drawing

A total of 35 licenses are available in 19 Florida counties The Florida Department of Business and … [Read More...] about Florida DBPR Opens Entry Period for Annual Quota Beverage License Drawing

FDOT Receives Grants Totaling $37 Million to Enhance Transportation Safety

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been awarded two grants which support Florida’s commitment … [Read More...] about FDOT Receives Grants Totaling $37 Million to Enhance Transportation Safety

FDOT District Four Community Traffic Safety Team Encourages Everyone to Slow Down

Back to School Means Sharing the Road The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and our Community … [Read More...] about FDOT District Four Community Traffic Safety Team Encourages Everyone to Slow Down

Keep in Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Newsletter signup

Stay in the loop! Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive a brief recap of the week's most popular stories.

Footer

News

  • Soup Du Jour
  • People
  • Government
  • Campaign
  • Business
  • Education
  • Insights
  • Video

About Us 

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Submit News
  • Contact Us

Keep in Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021
Terms & Conditions

© Copyright 2022 Capital Soup · All Rights Reserved ·