Gov. Charlie Crist explains tax relief measure he signed for Florida businesses

Courtesy photo. The following is from Gov. Charlie Crist's weekly Notes from the Capitol:

This week I visited five major metropolitan areas to highlight a tax cut Isigned into law last week. House Bill 7033, which passed unanimously by the Florida Legislature on the first day of the 2010 Legislative Session, reduces Florida's unemployment compensation tax for two years by delaying changes to the unemployment tax calculation methodology.

After hosting the first event in Tallahassee with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Retail Federation and House and Senate members, I visited the Central Florida Partnership at the Orlando Chamber of Commerce, the Tampa Bay Partnership and the Ft. Myers Chamber of Commerce before ending the day at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, home of the Senate bill sponsor, Rudy Garcia.

I am proud of our legislators for acting so quickly on behalf of Florida businesses. This new legislation will prevent the unemployment tax rate from rising from $8.40 per person to more than $100 for each employee. The potential increase would stifle businesses from creating jobs.

Taking action now enables over 474,000 Florida businesses to retain more than $1 billion over the next two years. The savings will allow our companies to invest in business expansion and job creation.

I look forward to working with the Legislature as we continue to create new economic opportunities for all of Florida's businesses and the people of our great state.

Charlie Crist