Bill Heneghan
On Friday, February 28, The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) honored State Senator for District 10, David Simmons with the ‘2013 CFHLA Public Servant of the Year Award.’ This annual award recognizes elected leaders who have shown dedication to the advancement of the Central Florida tourism and hospitality industry.
Senator Simmons has been a tireless advocate of the hospitality industry throughout his tenure in the state legislature and is committed to preserving the integrity of the Tourist Development Tax, which was created by hoteliers in 1977 to support destination marketing efforts. Importantly, during the 2012 legislative session, Senator Simmons supported a 55 percent increase in annual funding for VISIT FLORIDA in the amount of $54 million for fiscal year 2012-2013, and an increase the following year to $63.5 million. In addition, during the 2013 legislative session, Senator Simmons sponsored the successful passage of Senate Bill 726, relating to the regulation of family or medical leave benefits for employees, which effectively protects Florida’s businesses from a patchwork of local government mandates requiring specific employee benefits not otherwise regulated by state or federal law.
CFHLA Congratulates Senator Simmons for continuing to advance the tourism and hospitality industry through his leadership in the state legislature.
