As you know FCOC hired lobbyist firm Rick Watson & Associates to pursue legislation in Tallahassee that, if approved, would give sales tax relief to all Florida crane owners. This effort is being pursued vigorously right now as the 2015 Tallahassee legislative session begins formulating bill language. State legislators want facts and figures early in the process that explain the positive economic impact this new law would have if approved. Jobs in the Florida crane industry are good paying jobs and they want to know how many new jobs will be created. As part of FCOC’s effort to support Rick Watson & Associates we must provide certain data about Florida crane ownership. I need your help in getting this data and information pulled together. I am not asking for your internal costs or any confidential data. CONFIDENTIALITY will be strictly adhered to. The information we use publicly will be a “range” of cost or data but will not include names, area of Florida or any other clue regarding where or how this information is determined. It’s very important that information we use and provide can be substantiated should we be challenged during the legislative process. 

EXAMPLE of job title “Range” information required: 
Certified Crane Operator = $16 to $18 dollars per hour +benefits 
Qualified Riggers = $13 to $15 dollars per hour +benefits 
Qualified signal person = $12 to $14 dollars per hour +benefits 
Qualified Maintenance & repair technician = $13-$15 dollars/hour + benefits
Qualified CDL tractor / trailer driver = $15 to $17 dollars per hour +benefits 
Qualified Assembly / Disassembly Director = $16-$18 dollars/hour +benefits

Why Florida Needs A Sales Tax Exemption on Purchase of Building Cranes

ECONOMIC HARDSHIP: 

1. Florida’s non-residential construction industry is one of the last areas in the US to start recovering from the 2007-2008 recession- an 8 year lag 
   
2. Many areas of Florida are still well below the 2007-2008 levels of construction activity 
   
3. Many Florida crane owners went out of business or had to sell off portions of their underutilized crane fleet to reduce debt so as to survive. 
   
4. Fewer working cranes have caused an exodus of skilled and trained crane and rigging personnel who have left the Florida crane industry. 
   
5. Contiguous states exempt the purchase of building cranes from sales tax putting Florida at a competitive disadvantage. 
   

GOOD PAYING JOBS ARE CREATED FOR EVERY CRANE THAT IS ADDED TO EXISTING FLEETS IN FLORIDA INCLUDING: 

1. Certified crane operators 
   
2. Qualified signal persons 
   
3. Qualified Assembly/Disassembly Directors 
   
4. Qualified Lift Director 
   
5. Qualified Maintenance and repair technicians 
   
6. Additional qualified tractor/trailer drivers who transport crane components around Florida from one job site to another. 
   

SAFETY CONCERNS: 
Cranes manufactured starting in 1995 are much safer due to technology features designed and built into them. Cranes older than 1995 do not have the newer safety devices designed and installed by the crane manufacturer. Today’s certified crane operator is trained, qualified and certified on joy stick crane controls, electronic overload devices and other safety features. 

RECOMMENDATION: 
Pass a sales tax exemption for a two years for new and used Crawler, Rough Terrain, All Terrain, Boom Trucks, Truck Cranes and Tower Cranes. The exemption would apply to the cost of the crane equipment on the vehicle. John Wessel will contact crane manufactures and determine what % of sales price represents crane components versus vehicle chassis.