By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-967996.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Lobbyists and industry groups are reflecting on the 2011 legislative session and the myriad of legislation that got through. One of those groups is the state's powerful business lobby, Associated Industries of Florida. Lynn Hatter reports that the head of the group says they got some of what they wanted, but not everything.
Business groups saw the legislature pass rules for state employees to pay into their pensions. They were also behind a bill to revise unemployment compensation and supported a plan to merge three state agencies. But Associated Industries head Barney Bishop isn't ready to call the session a success.
"I think it's important that we don't crow about how much we got because there are a lot of people who are hurting and there are people in Tallahassee who are going to lose their job. And there are people who are going to earn less because they are doing pensions. So I don't think its our responsibility to say it was a great session for us. I think we just say what the plus and minuses are and let other people make those decisions."
Business groups didn't get everything they wanted. A plan to raise rates for the state-owned Citizens property insurance company didn't pass. Nor did a proposal to make internet companies like Amazon pay sales tax to the state.