Advocacy Report
By: MIASF Staff
Date posted: Jan 28, 2020 Tue
More than 300 Broward Days participants took the annual pilgrimage to Tallahassee on January 21st for two days of advocacy, discussions, and legislative meetings on issues of importance facing the County. MIASF was represented by Patience Cohn and Kelly Skidmore, who lead the organization’s Marine Industry Impact Team and helped developed its legislative priorities. The team identified the following issues to be highlighted during visits with legislators and agency heads:
· expand sales tax cap on refit and repair
· eliminate sales tax on labor
· support the Marine Research Hub $500,000 appropriation
· support SB0474 by Albritton, which reduces regulations and fees for yacht brokers, among other occupations
· support Enterprise Florida, which helps businesses export products out of State
· highlight Port Everglades’ proactive environmental stewardship and partnership with Port tenants, users, and related agencies
Additional messaging included educating policy makers on the danger of illegal vessel charters, encouraging manufacturing in Florida, protecting small business, enforcing consumer protections against predatory practices, and requesting legislative leaders to urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide the necessary funding to reconfigure and renovate the US. Coast Guard station and marina at Port Everglades.
Many thanks, again, to the participants on the Broward Days Marine Industry Impact Team – International Yacht Brokers Association, Passenger Vessel Association, U.S. Superyacht Association, Port Everglades Association, Port Everglades Pilots Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, AÉRE Marine Group, and Ward’s Marine Electric.
The FEC Railroad bridge on the New River is currently operating under a test deviation that assures a predictable opening for vessel traffic for the first 10 minutes of every hour, as well as staying open in the default position when not in use. In addition, an app named New River Bridge Schedule provides forecast and real time data of the openings and closures of the bridge to facilitate clear passage on the New River. It is free for download and is currently being monitored to maintain accuracy.