Florida’s High Tech Leaders

Call for Property Tax Reform

 

ITFlorida Makes the Business Case for Reducing Property Tax Burdens

 

 

Tallahassee, Fla., April 16, 2007 – The Board of Directors of ITFlorida today announced its support of legislative action to reform the negative impact property taxes and rising cost of living have on the state’s economy.  ITFlorida leadership focused on the business case for property tax reform, pointing to affordable cost of living as a key factor in the state’s capability for growing a high tech workforce.

 

"Florida’s leaders, both in the public and private sectors, have been working to shape Florida’s economy into a center for high tech success," said Jim Albert, Chair of ITFlorida and President of Idea Integration in Jacksonville.  "We have made tremendous progress but now are in danger of losing ground because of Florida’s escalating cost of living and property tax burden."

 

Albert referenced many of Florida’s successful high tech initiatives of the past decade, including the recruiting of Scripps Florida, Burnham Research Institute, Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, and SRI International; the creation of the NAP of the Americas; the establishment of the Centers of Excellence and Eminent Scholars programs within the university system; and the launch of Florida Lambda Rail, a national high-speed research network initiative for research universities and technology companies.

 

Together, ITFlorida and its coalition represent over 100,000 high tech professionals.

 

"It is making it more difficult to recruit top talent and companies to Florida," said Albert.  "This is a critical issue facing the state.  We urge our elected leaders to find the best solution from the various proposals."

 

ITFlorida leaders pointed out that, while Florida is a growing state with growing needs, the increase of 136 percent in property tax levies over the last decade far outpaces the 25 percent population growth or even 78 percent growth in state of Florida tax collections during that same time period.

 

 

About ITFlorida

ITFlorida's mission is to make Florida a leader in high tech advancement by serving as an umbrella organization comprised of both public and private technology leaders for high tech in the state, providing guidance to the state on technology issues and initiatives; guiding the Governor, the Legislature, and Enterprise Florida on the strategic technology direction and initiatives of the state; and working to ensure the successful integration of technology infrastructure statewide.

 

 

####