On Wednesday, June 15, 2016, NFIB hosted a lunch at Leadership Council member Ben Pumo's Award-winning Benedetto's Ristorante Italiano 21529 Village Lakes Shopping Dr, Land o' Lakes, Florida 34639, with incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran. Corcoran suggested that one possible route for the legislature is to simply pass once again nearly identical language as it existed in the law before Castellanos. Thanks Ben for hosting this lunch and helping get about 25 NFIB members connected with the incoming Speaker of the House.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Florida’s leading small business association, presented Representative Richard Corcoran with a Guardian of Small Business award for his efforts to oppose Obamacare expansion in Florida.

“Speaker-Designate Corcoran’s opposition to a billion-dollar expansion of Obamacare in Florida has earned him the praise of small business owners across Florida” said NFIB/Florida Executive Director Bill Herrle. “Speaker-Designate Corcoran’s leadership saved small business owners from future tax hikes that could have put their employees’ livelihoods in jeopardy.”

Corcoran earned a 100 percent Voting Record with NFIB/Florida from 2015-2016.

"Almost 70% of all new jobs are created by small businesses in America. To guard those entrepreneurs from the stifling hand of government does more than reward their risk and hard work, it protects the moms and dads who rely on these businesses to feed their families. It also ensures a stable future for working Floridians and vibrancy to our communities, “said Speaker-Designate Corcoran. “I am honored to be recognized by the NFIB but I am more honored to do my part to keep America working."

The NFIB Guardian of Small Business award is the association's highest honor given to lawmakers whose work reflects support and advocacy for the small business community during the previous legislative session.