Alex Sink, Florida’s gubernatorial candidate unveiled today, her Business Plan for Florida, indicating in a statement on her website that, for the state to successfully meet its economic challenges, fresh thinking and a common-sense approach was needed. According to Sink, Florida’s next Governor must be a “Jobs Ambassador, a Turnaround Expert, a Fix-It Governor” for all who live in the state.
“In this crippled economy, Florida’s top job requires a unique skill set and a business mindset in the governor’s office,” Sink said.
Sink’s Business Plan for Florida is built on three (3) tenets:
(i) Reviving the economy in the short-term to create jobs quickly
(ii) Remaking Florida’s economy for the long-term and building a stronger future, and
(iii) Reforming government in order to create a climate of confidence and prosperity
Regarding the short-term revival of Florida’s economy, the Plan articulates a number of measures including stabilizing and expanding small business; creating and keeping jobs in Florida and reviving economic sectors that can create jobs quickly. Much store is put on encouraging small and start-up businesses, while ensuring that there is access to capital. The Plan also envisages tying tax incentives to job creation; streamlining, expediting and cutting red tape and getting tax payer dollars back to Florida.
Remaking Florida’s economy for the long-term and building a strong future rests on investing in key industries such as medical services, renewable energy, creative industries and the arts, aviation/aerospace, emerging technologies, IT, manufacturing and agriculture, among others.
Sink’s vision for Florida is that, the state must not only been seen as a great place to vacation or retire, but also a viable place to start and grow a business.  In this regard, reforming government in order to create a climate of confidence and prosperity is high on the agenda. She has plans to institute a new Florida Performance Score Card with specific targets, to which state government officials will be held accountable.
Running state government like a business and as well, developing a unique partnership with a governor who works with business to grow the economy, is central in executing Sink’s Business Plan for Florida.
Sink’s “Business Plan for Florida–A Vision for Florida’s Economy”, could only be considered a partial one as it does not address social issues including health, education, homelessness, crime, and racism, among others. Perhaps these issues would be the subject of future plans, who knows? We’ll see.
See Full Business Plan Here.
