From the Editor

Southwest florida's business community will likely be keeping an eye on State Sen. Burt Saunders during the coming legislative session.

The Republican senator, who represents District 37 (which covers much of coastal Collier and Lee counties), has taken on two key roles dealing with economic development, an important topic that's the focus of our issue this month. Saunders, a Naples resident and attorney with Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, has been named chairman of the senate committee on commerce, economic opportunities and consumer services. He's also the senate's representative on the board of Enterprise Florida, the state's economic development arm.

At a pre-legislative luncheon hosted by The Economic Development Council of Collier County, and at other meetings with business leaders in recent months, Saunders has pledged to direct his efforts during the session (which begins on March 4) to growing Florida's economy, in part by attracting high-wage industries.

That's a big goal, particularly when three major issues-high workers' compensation insurance premiums in the manufacturing industry, a medical malpractice crisis that's forced some doctors to leave Florida, and troubles in our public education system that can make or break an employer or employee's decision to relocate-threaten the stability of the economy of the state and our region.

Saunders tells me he sees a business-friendly environment in Southwest Florida and believes Lee County, in particular, is doing what it needs to do to attract new business. "The business in Southwest Florida is as good as any in the state. I don't think our problem is competing with other regions of the state. The problem we have is Florida's competitiveness with other states," Saunders says. "Unfortunately for Southwest Florida, [the state is] burdened with workers' compensation, medical malpractice and public education issues."

These crises, if unresolved, could lead a company with high-paying jobs in industries such as biotech and high tech to choose another area of the country over Southwest Florida. Economic incentives and projects that show a commitment to planning for the future, such as the continued development of Florida Gulf Coast University and the expansion of Southwest Florida International Airport, would not be enough.

Saunders predicts with optimism that legislators will reform worker's compensation by driving down premium costs for employers-manufacturer's premiums currently average two percent more than the rest of the nation. "That two-percent difference makes Florida noncompetitive for manufacturing jobs," he says.

His goal: to help resolve some of these issues, amid tough budgetary constraints and without raising taxes. "We need to get ourselves out of budgetary problems by growing the economy," he says.

That goal has won Saunders an enthusiastic response from area business leaders. Now let's stay tuned to see what he accomplishes in Tallahassee.