Sine Die

The Florida Legislature just adjourned the 2010 Session "Sine DIe". The tradition of the seargent-at-arms of the House and Senate dropping a hankie in the rotunda signaled the end of a challenging Session.

Goivernor Crist wasn';t in attendance - opting for a fundraiser in Miami.

$70 Billion Approved - Cooling Off Period Begins Today

Early this morning, neogtiators from the House and Sentate completed Conference negotiations on the state's 2010-2011 budget. The Florida Constitution rwequires a 72-hour period between agreement by Conference Committee and final adoption by the HIuse and Senate.

HB 1241 (Patronis) Closes Tourist Tax Loopholes - Passes House

Following a spirited debate, the Florida House passed HB 1241, which clarifies the intent of local-option tourist tax to apply to all transient accomodations. This bill should increase revenue to local DMOs. The bill further defined that service fees charged by Online Travel Agents are not subject to the tourist development tax.

Florida Chamber Weekly Legislative Update - April 23, 2010

Here's the Florida Chamber Weekly Legislative Update for Friday, April 23, 2010.

Crist Decision Time

Governor Charlie Crist has until noon next Friday to make his decision - will he continue running for the US Senate seat as a Rebublican or as an Independent.

His veto of SB6 has driven a wedge in his Republican base.

Early polling indicated Crist's odds of a successful campaign improve if running as an Independent.

Decision time - noon on Friday, April 30. THe same time the Florida LEgislaturwe expects to adjopurn the 2010 Session.

Conference Process - Convoluted

The budget process in Florida is complicated and convoluted. Here's the best primer I've found.

Conference Process Begins

House and Senate leaders signaled readiness to begin the arguouus budget reconcillation process today. Conference was expected to begin Saturday but issues on the timing of the process created the delay. The tow houses must compromise on about $2 billion in spending priorities.

Florida Chamber of Commerce Weekly Update

Florida Chamber Weekly Update

Crist Vetos SB 6 - Teacher Pay Bill - Political Posturing?

Today, Governor Crist vetoed SB 6, the bill instituting merit pay for teacher based on performance. The veto came as a surprise from some Republicans, since the Governor's office indicated early support for the measure.

There is some speculation, that the veto signals Crist's intent to switch his party affiliation from Republican to Independent in the US Senate race. Polls indicate his chances of election are much strongesr in a 3-way race, as Crist continue to trail Marco Rubio in the Republican primary.

Gaetz Wins House Seat - Deutch heads to Congress

Matt Gaetz won the special election for House District 4. Gaetz defeated Democrat Jan Fernald 66 - 34 percent.

State Senator Ted Deutch is headed to Congress after winning a special election on Tuesday to replace former U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler.

Crist Threatens Veto of Education Reform Bill

The education reform bill (SB 6) is expected to pass the House today and go to the Governor. Governor Crist has given the reform a lukewarm reception and hinted at a veto. It is unclear whether supporters have sufficient votes for an override and Crist is desperately needing votes for his Senate run - so he has to carefully wiegh the politiacal cost of either signing or vetoing SB6.

Legislative Update from Chris Thompson, President & CEO, VISIT FLORIDA

The end of last week marked the half-way point of the 2010 Legislative Session. The first four weeks saw both chambers of the legislature move through appropriations deliberations. Given the budget shortfalls and still challenging economic conditions, we’re in as favorable a position as we should expect to be at this point in the process.

In review, VISIT FLORIDA's public funding this year is a total of $25 million with $4.25 million from general revenue and $20.75 million from the Tourism Promotion Trust Fund. The latest projection for the trust fund is $17.6 million this fiscal year which has us an additional $3.15 million down. Consequently, we're a total of just under $14 million down from last fiscal year's high of $35.55 million. Even though the legislature appropriated $25 million for this fiscal year, we only have $21.85 million to invest.

The Senate passed a $69.4 billion appropriations bill which includes a recurring trust fund appropriation of just under $18.2 million for VISIT FLORIDA. The House passed a 67.2 billion appropriations bill which includes a recurring trust fund appropriation of just under $17.7 million and a non-recurring general revenue appropriation of $4.25 million for a total of just under $21.95 million for VISIT FLORIDA. The House total is about the same we have projected to have this fiscal year. The difference between the Senate and House total budgets is primarily due to additional revenues from a still unsettled gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and an estimated $880 million in extra money from the federal government based on the assumption that Congress will extend a higher matching rate for Medicaid until the summer of 2011, which the Senate has already included in its appropriations bill.

Next steps include negotiations between the Senate and the House to arrive at a final appropriations bill. This begins with negotiations between the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House at the highest levels and will continue with the appointment of conference committees in both chambers to iron out the details and differences. The good news is that the House leads the conference committees’ negotiations this year and there is where we have the most favorable starting position. In the meantime we will be advocating for additional and increased funding based on economic and jobs stimulus themes with the leadership in both legislative chambers.

Our initial minimum ask as we head into conference committees negotiations is agreement on a base recurring trust fund appropriation and the balance in non-recurring general revenue appropriation up to a solid $25 million. Privately in the back halls and through back channels, we'll also be proposing an additional $10 million stimulus program based on jobs supported and created and ROI that begins as soon as 60 days after campaigns are implemented.

Our overall advocacy in Tallahassee has never been stronger including Chris Hart and his team at the Office of Tourism, Trade & Economic Development in the Executive Office of Governor Charlie Crist; the Partnership for Florida's Tourism including the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, the Florida Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, the Florida Attractions Association and the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds; and the leadership and lobbying teams associated with Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Orlando. We also have had outreach to and from the big three business trade associations, namely the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Retail Federation. In addition, we never take for granted the advocacy each and every one of you has provided leading up to and throughout this legislative Session.

There are a number of talking points we have been using to advocate for VISIT FLORIDA funding, with the elevator speech version as follows:

"Tourism Marketing Works"

"VISIT FLORIDA is part of the solution to Florida's economic challenges!"

• Every 85 visitors to the Sunshine State support 1 Florida Job;

• VISIT FLORIDA marketing efforts significantly influenced 26.7% of all Florida visitors supporting

- 20.3 million visitors,
- $15.8 billion in spending,
- $948 million in sales tax collections
- and 238,000 Florida Jobs;

• VISIT FLORIDA generates $55 in tourism spending and over $3 in new state sales tax collections within 60 days of campaign completion for every $1 the state of Florida invests in tourism advertising; and

• The Florida tourism industry invests almost $2 in VISIT FLORIDA marketing programs for every $1 the state of Florida invests.

Stay connected and engaged in our advocacy platform at www.floridastourismcounts.org – the official web site of the Partnership for Florida’s Tourism.

Stay connected to VISIT FLORIDA and hear all the latest Florida tourism industry news and insights at Sunshine Matters - the official corporate blog of VISIT FLORIDA.

We will provide additional updates as needed during the next four weeks of Session.

Until then, thanks again for your ongoing advocacy and support of Florida’s statewide tourism industry.

Together we are VISIT FLORIDA!

Regards,

Chris Thompson

President and CEO
VISIT FLORIDA®
(850) 205-3802
www.VISITFLORIDA.com

April 13 - All Eyes on Florida Special Election

Next Tuesday, some Floridans will be voting in 2 regions of the state.

US House District 19, vacated by Rep. Robert Wexler, will be an interesting race. The traditional Democrat stronghold will be tested as Republican Edward Lynch and Democrat Ted Deutch battle for the seat. US House district 19 includes portions of Broward and Palm Beach counties. The ooutcome could havew significant political implications - the first COngressional race since the national health care vote.

Also next Tuesday, voters in Florida House District 4 (Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties) will elect a representative to replace Ray Sansom, who resigned following numerous ethical questions were raised.

Holiday Break - Back to Work Tomorrow

Legislators are taking a long holiday weekend in observance of Easter and Passover. They return to Tallahassee tomorrow for the final 24 days of 2010 Session.

Florida Chamber of Commerce Tackles Performance Pay for Teachers

Though not one of our priority issues, the Florida Chamber is supporting a bold initiative to reward classroom teachers based on performance. Of course, the teacher's union opposes any challenges to the status quo - preferring to reward excellence and mediocrity equally.

The misinformation campaign of the teacher's union has been massive.

Here's more from the Florida Chamber:

As we enter the second half of this year’s Legislative Session, the Florida Chamber-backed education reform package is now at the forefront of a heated controversy between the union and education reform advocates. To help raise awareness of how important education reform is to all Floridians, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is actively spreading the word about how this legislation will not only support Florida’s teachers in a positive manner, but also help ensure our state has a highly skilled, dynamic workforce in the future. We believe this legislation is vitally important to every Floridian, as well as the future of our state.

To ensure our members have the opportunity to get the actual facts about this important reform package, the Florida Chamber has created a special Web site, www.classroomflorida.com, with the most accurate, up-to-date information on this important issue.

Please take a moment to visit the Web site and get the facts on critical issues that have the ability to transform the way we educate Florida’s students, including the "right-size" class size amendment, raising graduation standards and higher performance pay for high-quality teachers. We also encourage you to share this email with others who would like to help support Florida’s teachers. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter, just click the links on the Classroom Florida home page. Thanks for helping us keep the focus on Classroom Florida, where the jobs begin.

Parental Wavier - Required Language

This is the language that will be required on all parental waivers in Florida. This must be printed on all waivers in a font size 5 points larger than the rest of the waiver:

NOTICE TO THE MINOR CHILD’S NATURAL GUARDIAN

READ THIS FORM COMPLETELY AND CAREFULLY. YOU ARE AGREEING TO LET YOUR MINOR CHILD ENGAGE IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITY. YOU ARE AGREEING THAT, EVEN IF (...name of released party or parties...) USES REASONABLE CARE IN PROVIDING THIS ACTIVITY, THERE IS A CHANCE YOUR CHILD MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIVITY BECAUSE THERE ARE CERTAIN DANGERS INHERENT IN THE ACTIVITY WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED OR ELIMINATED. BY SIGNING THIS FORM YOU ARE GIVING UP YOUR CHILD’S RIGHT AND YOUR RIGHT TO RECOVER FROM (...name of released party or parties...) IN A LAWSUIT FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, TO YOUR CHILD OR ANY PROPERTY DAMAGE THAT RESULTS FROM THE RISKS THAT ARE A NATURAL PART OF THE ACTIVITY. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO SIGN THIS FORM, AND (...name of released party or parties...) HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO LET YOUR CHILD PARTICIPATE IF YOU DO NOT SIGN THIS FORM.