From healthcare to tax relief, here are the issues NFIB/Florida lead on.
The 2016 Legislative Session ended last Friday, and over the course of it, you heard us talk a lot about small business tax cuts. Unfortunately, the business rent tax cut that NFIB and Governor Rick Scott advocated hit the chopping block in the final hours of debate after a plan to ameliorate the rise in education spending gained some last-minute steam in the Senate. But we still achieved a lot for small business.
Here are some of this year’s victories:
- We were integral in passing legislation to prevent business owners and employees from being hit with surprise medical bills through balance billing.
- We fought to give consumers more information on healthcare costs and the quality of care through healthcare transparency legislation.
- We stopped a very bad mandatory paid sick leave bill that would have impacted every small business in Florida, regardless of the number of employees you have.
- We stopped an amendment that would have reintroduced “joint and several liability” to Florida.
- We also defeated a bill that would have increased your litigation and insurance costs by allowing prejudgment interest in all tort cases.
- We delivered permanent sales tax relief on the purchase of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
After the legislature passed a record-high $82.3 billion budget, rumors spread that the Governor would dole out a large helping of vetoes this year. His veto list was announced this week – check it out here.
How do you think the 2016 went for small business? NFIB/Florida wants to know, so we’re planning to get out and talk business and bills with some of our members over the spring and summer. We’re beginning to schedule meetings around the state this April. If you’re interested in getting together or possibly hosting a meeting of your fellow NFIB members and small-business-owner peers, send us an email at [email protected].
Bill Herrle
Executive State Director
NFIB/Florida
