Latest news with #HouseBill7033
Miami Herald
01-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Tourism leaders say end of hotel tax revenue would damage Miami-Dade's economy
Tourism surrounds me every day — whether meeting with visitors who come to Miami for vacation or business, working with our highly skilled team members or partnering with local small business owners who support our hotel or entertain our guests. I see firsthand that tourism goes beyond my doors and extends into our community. It isn't just a part of Miami-Dade's economy; it's essential to our livelihood. That's why House Bill 1221 and House Bill 7033 are so concerning. The proposed legislation would reallocate Tourism Development Taxes (TDT) — paid by visitors and designated to fund tourism marketing and other industry programs — toward legislation that could shift funding away from advertising to non-tourism uses. That not only means less visibility for Greater Miami and Miami Beach on the global stage — ceding visitors to other destinations who will be happy to welcome them — but less funding for institutions and programs across Miami-Dade's 34 municipalities that celebrate local cultures. The bill is currently in the senate. We must remain top-of-mind in promoting our destination and protecting the communities that make our destination unique. When visitor numbers drop, the fallout hits real people: the taxi driver, concierge, elevator mechanic, tour guide and shop owner. No TDT means a direct threat to the 200,000 people employed because of the industry. No TDT also means a possible lessening of quality of life for all Miami-Dade residents because a robust tourism industry creates tax revenues that help pay for improvements in education, public safety, transportation and other community services that residents would otherwise have to pay for. And no TDT means a possible hit to everyone's finances. Miami-Dade visitors pay more than $1.1 billion in sales taxes annually, which translates into more than $2,200 in annual savings for each household. Simply, Tourist Development Taxes, or bed taxes, are a benefit, not a burden, to Miami-Dade residents. The TDT is one of the reasons Florida doesn't have a state income tax. Visitors pay their way and it's a tax mechanism that works, creating jobs and real economic impact. And the alternative if the TDT is reallocated? It would become a property tax break, applied as a credit against Miami-Dade County's property tax roll; the projected property tax savings per resident would only amount to approximately $60. Compared to the fact that every dollar invested in tourism marketing yields $63 of economic impact and $3.24 of additional tax revenue, which goes to funding resident services, the answer is clear. HB 1221 and HB 7033 threaten one of our most powerful economic drivers. I urge lawmakers to protect Tourism Development Taxes. Let's not hurt locals and jeopardize an industry for an experiment with minimal upside. Tourism helps us today and will help our economy remain resilient in the future. The TDT is tourism's fuel, so why stop putting gas in the engine now? Julissa Kepner is board chair at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Newsweek
29-04-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Florida Tourism Change Sparks Warning: 'Sounding the Alarm'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Florida's tourism industry leaders are raising concerns over proposed legislation that could dismantle the existing tourism promotion infrastructure. Newsweek reached out to state Rep. Monique Miller, one of the sponsors of the bill, via email on Tuesday. Why It Matters Florida's tourism industry is one of the largest drivers of the state's economy, generating billions in tax revenue and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. Industry leaders are warning that redirecting funding away from tourism promotion could reduce visitor numbers and weaken a vital stream of income for the state. What To Know In Florida the Tourist Development Tax, a levy collected from visitors staying at short-term rentals, has traditionally been used to fund local tourism marketing efforts through Tourist Development Councils. However, two new bills—House Bill 1221 and House Bill 7033—aim to dissolve the Tourist Development Councils and instead redirect the tax revenue to offset property taxes. Tourists relax on the beach in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 18, 2020. Florida's tourism industry is raising concerns over proposed legislation that could affect the industry. Tourists relax on the beach in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 18, 2020. Florida's tourism industry is raising concerns over proposed legislation that could affect the industry. CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images Under HB 1221, counties would have to reapprove their Tourist Development Tax every eight years or lose it, making funding for tourism promotion more unstable or uncertain. Supporters of the proposal argue that shifting the revenue toward property tax relief would ease the financial burden on residents. But tourism industry leaders warn that cutting funding for tourism promotion could hurt the industry and threaten a critical source of income for the state. One industry leader said they are "sounding the alarm" over the bill, while another said the changes could put Florida's tourism economy "on a never-ending treadmill of uncertainty." What People Are Saying Robert Skrob, executive director of the Florida Attractions Association, said: "For weeks, we've been sounding the alarm about House Bill 1221 by Representative Monique Miller (R)—a proposal that would force all Tourist Development Taxes (TDTs) to expire every eight years, placing Florida's tourism economy on a never-ending treadmill of uncertainty." He added that a new amendment "not only maintains the damaging 8-year sunset provision—it completely eliminates the ability of counties to use TDTs for their intended purpose: promoting tourism." Milton Segarra, President and CEO of Discover The Palm Beaches, said: "If we disrupt that balance to the level of what this particular legislation is proposing, to really defund this model, it will have very negative impacts, including the loss of thousands of jobs, not only here in Palm Beach County, but across the state." Rep. Monique Miller told the House State Affairs Committee: "Tourists flock here to spend their money. This bill gives local governments more control over these taxes and the power to use tax revenues to make Florida more affordable for its residents." "People are losing their homes. We have to bring them relief. This is a way to bring them immediate relief." What Happens Next The proposal has been passed by the state House and now faces deliberation by the state Senate. Tourism industry leaders are likely to continue lobbying against the bills and warning lawmakers about the long-term economic risks.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bills pass in the House that threaten Tourism Development Tax and the community
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Despite local lawmakers speaking out against House Bill 7033 and House Bill 1221, they both passed in the House Friday morning. Representative Griff Griffitts took to Facebook to publicly share his opposition. HB Bill 1221 passed in a 62-45 vote. HB 7033 passed with a 78-29 vote. The reality of the bills' impacts on the tourism development tax continues to weigh on tourism organizations. 'The House of Representatives voted to put forward two bills. One was a local option sales tax bill. And the second one was the overall House tax package that included provisions that pretty much wipe out, first of all, councils as they exist now. I mean, TDCs would be abandoned or dissolved by the end of the year,' Bay County TDC Executive Director Dan Rowe said. You can see the TDC's impact in Bay County just about everywhere you look, especially in recent months. With projects such as updating Econofina Creek amenities, the beach re-nourishment project in Mexico Beach, extra funding for Panama City Beach Police to battle spring break, the Ed Hickey, ADA beach access, and countless others. Tarpon Dock Bridge Update All of the projects have enhanced the Bay County experience for visitors and locals alike. 'It's about the 30,000 people in Bay County that are employed either directly or indirectly by the tourism industry. I mean it's their livelihoods, it's their businesses. I mean, we're trying to make sure we're doing our part just to keep, you know, Panama City Beach and Bay County's best foot forward. So that we will continue to attract people on a year-round basis because getting people here throughout the year really does, you know, helps us to stabilize our local economy and employment also allows us to attract new things,' Rowe said. The TDC is also involved in the turtle monitoring efforts, the Publix Sports Park, public safety, and countless signature events. While the push from legislation includes redirecting tourism development taxes to offset residents' property taxes, residents could still face other financial burdens. 'There will be future storm events, and beach renourishment helps us protect against those. So that was on the backs of our local residents, you know, people across Bay County, whether or not just people living on the beach, but everywhere in Bay County, would be forced to pay that bill. The same with lifeguards, the same with a lot of other things,' Rowe said. House bills do need companion Senate bills to move along. Rowe says he has faith in the Senate. 'But the one that did pass this, you know, the House is, you know, the tax package in the Senate has a tax package. It does not include, you know, the devastating impacts to the tourist development tax that the House did. And so when they pass the final version of their tax package, then you know, both the Senate President and the Speaker of the House will appoint, you know, representatives to negotiate the deal,' Rowe added. Until the House and Senate agree on the tax package bill, nothing is certain. Which is why it's important to monitor the legislative process and voice any concerns to your senators and representatives. The legislative session was originally intended to end next Friday. It's still unclear how much longer the session will last, but with the potential economic impacts these bills would have on Bay County, we will continue to provide updates. Learn more about HB 7033 and HB 1221. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
