2015 Distinguished Advocates
The Florida Chamber’s Distinguished Advocate Award recognizes legislators who championed key Florida Business Agenda legislation. The award is designed to acknowledge legislators who ensured consideration of the business community’s legislative priorities and who fought tirelessly for the passage of pro-jobs legislation.
Florida Senate
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Senator Jeff Brandes(R) St. PetersburgSen. Brandes filed legislation to help fix Florida’s broken legal climate. |
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Senator Nancy Detert(R) VeniceSen. Detert advocated to make Florida more competitive by continuing to fight to keep high-wage film jobs in Florida. |
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Senator Alan Hays(R) UmatillaSen. Hays helped Florida’s legislature implement Amendment 1 in a fiscally responsible manner. |
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Senator Dorothy Hukill(R) Port OrangeSen. Hukill empowered Florida’s businesses by championing efforts like permanently eliminating the tax on manufacturing equipment and machinery. |
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Senator John Legg(R) LutzSen. Legg fought for Florida’s students by successfully championing a law, which will require fewer and better tests without compromising Florida’s rigorous accountability standards |
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Senator Wilton Simpson(R) TrilbySen. Simpson successfully passed legislation that helps Florida accommodate smart growth by streamlining sector and smart management plans, and clarifying freight logistics zones. |
Florid House of Representatives
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Representative Ben Albritton(R) BartowRep. Albritton helped Florida’s legislature implement Amendment 1 in a fiscally responsible manner. |
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Representative Matt Caldwell(R) Lehigh AcresRep. Caldwell continued to advocate for sustainable, long-term water solutions for Florida. |
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Representative Richard Corcoran(R) LutzRep. Corcoran held strong against opposition from special |
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Speaker Steve Crisafulli(R) Merritt IslandRep. Crisafulli led the charge as Speaker of the House on issues |
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Representative Manny Diaz, Jr.(R) HialeahRep. Diaz tirelessly advocated for numerous Florida Chamber education and talent priorities like expanding school choice options and supporting rigorous accountability standards. |
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Representative Katie Edwards(D) SunriseRep. Edwards passed legislation that protects private property rights. |
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Representative Erik Fresen(R) MiamiRep. Fresen helped Florida’s students by advocating for school |
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Representative Matt Gaetz(R) ShalimarRep. Gaetz advanced legislation that provided $400 million in targeted tax cuts to Florida small businesses and families. |
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Representative Mike Hill(R) PensacolaRep. Hill filed legislation to fight measures that would further |
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Representative Larry Metz(R) GrovelandRep. Metz, a former Florida Chamber Most Valuable Legislator, continued to support legal reform efforts in Florida. |
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Representative Mike Miller(R) Winter ParkRep. Miller advocated to make Florida more competitive by continuing to fight to keep high-wage film jobs in Florida. |
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Representative Ed Narain(D) TampaRep. Narain encouraged investments in Florida’s R&D Tax Credit Program, which would motivate more companies to look |
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Representative Marlene O’Toole(R) The VillagesRep. O’Toole remained a champion for Florida’s students by supporting fewer and better tests without compromising Florida’s rigorous accountability standards. |
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Representative Kathleen Passidomo(R) NaplesRep. Passidomo protected Florida businesses by taking up and |
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Representative Cary Pigman(R) SebringRep. Pigman remained a champion of scope of practice bills that would allow nurse practitioners to practice to their full ability. |
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Representative Lake Ray(R) JacksonvilleRep. Ray successfully passed legislation that helps clarify freight logistics zones. |
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Representative Ross Spano(R) RiverviewRep. Spano fought to empower and protect Florida’s teachers by continuing to push for the educator liability insurance program. |