New ad campaign urges lawmakers to support business rent tax cut

A coalition of business organizations is urging lawmakers to support a proposal to cut the tax on commercial leases.

The Cut My Rent by 1 Percent Coalition on Friday released an advertisement calling on lawmakers to cut the business rent tax. The 15-second ad marks the start of the coalition’s  digital ad campaign.

“If you could vote to create a job for her, would you? Would you help him invest in new equipment for his company? Would you vote to help them expand their business,” a voice is heard saying in the digital spot. “You can. Vote to grow Florida businesses. Vote to cut the business rent tax.”

The state House on Thursday voted 96-17 to approve a wide-ranging tax cut proposal. The plan includes cutting the business tax rate from 6 percent to 5 percent in 2017. The proposal also includes a one-year, 1 percent reduction in 2018.

“We hope that when the Senate hears the voices Florida’s business owners, the men and women who are creating jobs right in their districts, they’ll understand that a vote for the business rent tax cut is a vote for the businesses and families in their communities,” said Bill Herrle, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business/Florida, in a prepared statement. “Cutting the business rent tax is critical to growing our economy, and we’re grateful that the Florida House recognizes that. We stand ready to continue to work with Governor Scott and the Legislature to deliver this economically vital tax cut to the Governor’s desk.”

The Cut My Rent 1 Percent coalition is advocating to cut business tax, and has called on business owners to contact lawmakers to urge them to support the cut.

“The business rent tax cut is key to keeping Florida’s economy vibrant and diverse,” said Brewster Bevis Sr., vice president of state and federal affairs for Associated Industries of Florida, in a prepared statement. “We will continue working with the Legislature to ensure that the tax cuts that most benefit our businesses and their employees, and make Florida more attractive to business owners from other states, become a reality.”