However, there are some lawmakers in Florida that seem to get it. They’re talking about getting the government out of the way through deregulation in order to help the economy.
A February 16 TampaBay.com article tells the story. Unfortunately, the article starts off with a decidedly biased, anti-deregulation tone, but much of the rest of the piece provides some interesting information.
For example, it is noted in the article:
Associated Industries president Barney Bishop has been passing out a booklet headlined "Economic Stimulus Package 2.0." It prioritizes something called "Regulatory Relief," which says, "Policymakers must look at reductions in regulatory red tape as a way to stimulate business activity.''
Bishop pointed to impact fees that local governments charge developers to help pay for roads, schools, sewer lines and other public facilities for new residents. He suggested a temporary suspension of those fees, as well as easing the challenge to such fees in the future.
Senate Bill 630, sponsored by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, would block local governments from collecting impact fees on new development through 2012. Another Bennett bill, Senate Bill 360, calls for eliminating most state growth-management review of big, new developments proposed for Hillsborough County and a host of other cities and counties around Florida.
The home builders, meanwhile, want to reduce the number of agencies that have a say on development permits. Matthews called it "less overlap, less duplication."
The answer to our current economic woes – state by state and nationally – is, in part, about getting government out of the way, so entrepreneurs and investors can take risks, create and build. That requires substantive and permanent tax and regulatory relief. These lawmakers in Florida are pointed in the right direction.
Raymond J. Keating
Chief Economist
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
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