The newly launched Florida General Aviation Caucus focused on the economic impact of general aviation in the state during its Oct. 22 inaugural meeting.
The meeting included Sens. Thad Altman, Jeff Brandes, Rene Garcia, Dorothy Hukill, and Geraldine Thompson as well as Reps. Cyndi Stevenson and Alan Williams. Brandes is an AOPA member. Two other lawmakers, Sens. Greg Evers and Maria Sachs, were represented by staff members.
“We are excited to see the General Aviation Caucus up and running in Florida,” said Jared Esselman, AOPA director of state government affairs. “It’s a great bipartisan venue for state lawmakers to learn more about the importance of general aviation in Florida and consider the impact legislation can have on the GA industry and community.”
During the meeting, Esselman talked about the value of general aviation caucuses and shared detailed information about GA’s economic impact on Florida where the industry supports more than 64,000 jobs at 103 GA airports. Representatives of the Florida Aviation Business Association also spoke at the meeting, discussing the opportunity to stimulate economic growth through a tax cut on the sale of aircraft.
AOPA and Florida Aviation Business Association worked closely with lawmakers to launch the caucus and grow membership.
