TITLE
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE BEACON COUNCIL IN URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PASS URBAN JOB CREATION INVESTMENT ACT LEGISLATION OR SIMILAR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEGISLATION

BODY
WHEREAS, the Urban Job Creation Investment Act would authorize the creation of economic development zones within the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, under the Act, businesses located in designated zones could apply for certification to receive certain benefits including a 50 percent reduction in the amount of state sales tax imposed; and
WHEREAS, the Act also would authorize the creation of funds within each designated zone made up of sales taxes collected within each program zone that would be used to finance redevelopment projects in the zone; and
WHEREAS, the Act would create:
1. A one-time $1,500 corporate tax credit for each new full time employee hired that is a resident of a program zone and has been unemployed for a minimum of 90 days or was dependent on public assistance,
2. A 50 percent tax credit against sales tax paid by certified businesses within the zone on the purchases of depreciable items,
3. Subsidized unemployment insurance costs for employees who earn less than $4,500 per quarter as determined by the local zone development corporation,
4. A tax credit against the corporate business tax of 8 percent; and
WHEREAS, the Act would establish a sales tax revenue floor for each program zone reflecting current sales tax revenue that is generated in the program zone, and addressing any negative fiscal impact the Act could have on state revenue; and
WHEREAS, incremental sales tax revenue that is generated in excess of the floor in each program zone would be placed in a fund to be used for the economic development purposes of the Act and each zone could apply for additional funds that may be generated for other projects and improvements within the zone; and
WHEREAS, bills were filed for consideration during the 2012 session entitled the Urban Job Creation Investment Act, SB 588 by Senator Rene Garcia and HB 1413 filed by Representative Michael Bileca, but these bills did not pass; and
WHEREAS, the Beacon Council is pursuing passage of the Urban Job Creation Investment Act during the 2013 session of the Florida Legislature in an effort to encourage economic development; and
WHEREAS, this Board supports passage of the Urban Job Creation Investment Act and would like to the support the Beacon Council in its efforts,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Supports the Beacon Council in urging the Florida Legislature to pass the Urban Job Creation Investment Act or similar economic development legislation.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade County State Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County's state lobbyists to advocate for the passage of the legislation and action set forth in section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2013 State Legislative Package when it is presented to the Board.