Florida Business Associations Endorse Seminole Compact

FRA, FUBA and FR&LA Declare Support for Compact

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. April 16, 2009

APRIL 16, 2009 - Citing the need for jobs and investment to kick-start Florida's flagging economy, three of Florida's leading business groups declared their strong support today for the Seminole Compact negotiated by Gov. Charlie Crist.

The Florida Retail Federation (FRA), the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FR&LA) and the Florida United Businesses Association (FUBA) endorsed the Compact and called for its ratification to create new Florida jobs and spur hundreds of millions in new investment and economic impact.

"The Seminole Compact is exactly the invigorating jolt of investment that Florida needs to strengthen our ailing economy," said Rick McAllister, president of the Florida Retail Federation. "We support the Compact and call for its ratification as soon as possible."

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has committed to significant expansion at four of its casino complexes if the Florida Legislature ratifies the Compact, which will create 45,000 new Florida jobs that will stay in Florida and cannot be outsourced.

"Many Florida workers, families and businesses are suffering from this economic downturn and are looking to Tallahassee for leadership to help pull our economy out of this slump," said Tom Stahl, executive director of the Florida United Businesses Association. "Ratifying the Seminole gaming compact now would be a good first step in helping get Florida's economy back on its feet."

According to economic projections, the Compact will inject hundreds of millions of dollars into Florida's economy in the form of payrolls by direct employment by the Tribe, as well as millions more from construction jobs, development contracts and an economic multiplier effect that will ripple through thousands of businesses across Florida.

"The economic benefits from ratifying the Seminole Compact would not be limited to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, but would ripple across all of Florida's economy," said Carol Dover, president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. "That is why we endorse the Seminole Compact and support its ratification by the Florida Legislature."

There is no other plan under legislative consideration today that offers so many new jobs and so many needed dollars at a time when Florida is losing both.

Education groups including the Florida Education Association, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents and the Florida School Boards Association have also endorsed the Seminole Compact as a ready solution to help stave off devastating cuts in education.

The Compact would yield $288 million to the state budget this year, with a minimum of $2.5 billion in additional funds over the next 25 years, and the governor has called for 95 percent of these funds to support education.

The Florida Retail Federation is a statewide trade association founded in 1937 to protect Florida's retailers by lobbying the state Legislature and by providing cost-saving services. FRF was founded to promote a healthy, free enterprise system in Florida, and its purpose is to strengthen and support a favorable business environment where retailers and their suppliers can grow and prosper.

The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association was established in 1946 to represent Florida's restaurant industry. Since that time, the scope of FRLA's representation has expanded to include the entire hospitality industry including lodging establishments, restaurants and thousands of suppliers to the industry.

The Florida United Businesses Association (FUBA) is a lobbying and trade association representing small businesses in the state of Florida. As the Small Business Watchdog in Tallahassee, FUBA is both a lobbyist in the State Capitol and a source for education on state laws and regulations that affect Florida businesses.