I would like to thank all who participated in our 2010 Legislative Session Constituent Survey. Your input has helped in setting priorities and decision making. If you have not had a chance to complete our short issues survey, please take a moment and share your opinions at www.senatorvictorcrist.com.
Last week the Florida Senate and House of Representatives passed two different budget proposals that are still approximately $2.7 billion dollars apart. These are not final budgets but merely preliminary posturing for a legislative budget conference where both chambers will come together to agree on a final product. Please rest assure that we are making every effort to ensure Florida has a balanced budget that provides for economic growth, education, human services, transportation, public safety, and access to our justice system without raising taxes.
Working with my colleagues, we made improving the economy a top priority. The following are some of the bills I have co-sponsored that will help to create jobs, reduce tax burdens, and improve our economy.
- To help jumpstart real estate sales, Senate Bill #1254 – Property/Annual Assessment/Exemption; this joint resolution proposes amendments to the State Constitution to reduce from 10 percent to 5 percent the limitation on annual assessment increases applicable to non-homestead real property. The joint resolution, which needs 60 percent voter approval in the November election, would offer a “property tax break” for all persons applying for a Florida homestead exemption for the first time beginning in 2011.
- To help Floridians make their “back to school” dollars stretch further, Senate Bill #514 – Sales Tax Exemption/Books/Clothing/School Supplies; research has shown that customers increase their spending during these tax-free periods; therefore, stimulating economic activity in our state and helping consumers buy more with less. This legislation specifies a period during which the sale of books, clothing, and school supplies is exempt from the sales, use, and other transactions tax.
- To help our small businesses grow opportunities, Senate Bill #1472 – Research Commercialization Matching Grant Program; this legislation will assist small or startup companies that take advantage of federal and state partnerships to accelerate their growth and market penetration. Program applicants must meet several criteria, such as having attracted funding from non-government sources.
- To help protect, sustain and grow Space and Clean Technology employment in Florida, Senate Bill #1188 – Spaceflight; this legislation will attract new commercial space-related business to Florida and help retain our premier space program and shuttle workers who face impending lay-offs. It will provide for corporate income tax credits for commercial spaceflight projects.
- To grow our Film and Entertainment Industry, Senate Bill #1430 – Entertainment Industry Economic Development; this legislation will help attract and cultivate lucrative, new film and entertainment employers throughout Florida. It will revise the entertainment industry financial incentive program to provide corporate income tax and sales and use tax credits to qualified entertainment entities rather than reimbursements from appropriations.
On your behalf I am working extremely hard to examine budgets and legislative priorities to ensure a comprehensive budget and good, solid legislation are enacted. With your help and input, we will make Florida a better place to live, work, raise children, and prosper. To see a complete list of bills that I have sponsored and co-sponsored, please visit my member page.
Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving you in the Florida Senate. After 18 years of legislative service I will be leaving the Senate in November and look forward to working with you during my last legislative session. |
