The signs have been out, the mailboxes have been full and another primary election is officially behind us. Now, attention turns to November.
At the CEP, our interest in election season is centered on public policy and its impact on the business community. Decisions made in Tallahassee and here at home can affect businesses, employees, property owners and communities in ways both large and small. Part of our role is helping Marion County’s business community stay informed about those issues and better understand what they could mean locally.
And this November, there is more to watch than the names on the ballot.
Florida voters will consider three proposed amendments to our state constitution, each bringing a different conversation with potential implications for businesses and communities across the state.
One deals with Florida’s Budget Stabilization Fund, commonly known as the state’s “rainy day fund,” and how much the state can set aside to prepare for economic downturns, hurricanes and other unexpected needs.
Another hits especially close to home here in Marion County. Voters will consider a proposed property tax exemption for certain tangible personal property used in agriculture and agritourism. With agriculture and the equine industry playing such a significant role in Marion County’s economy and identity, this is an issue with clear local relevance.
The third proposed amendment brings property taxes into the conversation more broadly. Changes to property tax policy can have implications for homeowners, businesses and local governments, making it an issue that touches many parts of a community. As with any proposed constitutional amendment, understanding both the immediate and longer-term impacts is an important part of the conversation.
That is where statewide issues become local ones.
Much of the CEP’s work involves issues that intersect with public policy — from workforce and infrastructure to economic development and the overall business climate. We regularly work with businesses, local governments and community partners, and we know these issues rarely have simple answers.
Over the next several months, there will be plenty of attention paid to the candidates running for office. We also hope to use this space and our other CEP platforms to share information about the issues appearing alongside those names on the November ballot and why they may matter here at home.
You don’t have to follow politics every day to recognize that decisions made at the ballot box can eventually find their way to Main Street.
With the primary behind us, there is plenty to learn and discuss before November.
