President Mike McGraw:
2023, Florida Realtors President Mike McGraw. Here to say congratulations and thank you. We had an exceptional year in the world of advocacy. When I say we, I mean “WE” because of your commitment and generosity, our collective realtor voice helped deliver ten notable legislative victories this year with a recap of the fantastic accomplishments you helped make happen. Here's Florida Realtors Vice President of Public Policy Andy Gonzalez.

Andy Gonzalez
We worked with lawmakers to expand the Hometown Heroes program and inject another $100 million into it. That expansion was part of The Live Local Act, the most comprehensive and groundbreaking housing strategy in Florida. In three decades. This new law gives us the largest investment of state dollars in housing programs ever at $811 million. And it invests more than $1.5 billion over the next ten years to increase affordable rental inventory across Florida.

Andy Gonzalez
Lawmakers passed a statewide ban on rent control and the Live Local Act. We passed a statewide preemption of burdensome tenant related ordinances that were disrupting local housing markets. We successfully advocated for $1.1 billion, improving Florida's water quality and addressing pressing environmental issues. Realtors like you and other volunteers around Florida collected 37,000 lbs., that's 18 tons of trash and debris from Florida waterways.

Andy Gonzalez
We worked with lawmakers to shield appraisers and brokers from frivolous lawsuits. We passed new property insurer accountability measures. We advocated for clarifications to the condo reforms, increasing safety and transparency in those buildings. We even add another cut to the business rent tax on top of the huge cut is expected to kick in next summer. 2024 will be election focused right after the legislative session. To help our members,

Andy Gonzalez
we're adding an additional key contact meeting at Mid-Winter on how to be a key contact during an election year. It goes without saying that 2024 will be an exciting year and I'm looking forward to working with you all to make it successful. On behalf of the entire public policy staff here in Tallahassee and around the state, thank you for your hard work and your support.