TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis held a video conference with the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce to give insight on issues including COVID-19 response and recovery, business liability protections, and the state of Florida’s fiscal health and economy. CFO Patronis served on the Executive Committee of Governor Ron DeSantis’s Re-Open Florida Task Force.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “I was glad to join the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce today to discuss important issues impacting our state as well as the Panhandle business community. As we work to safely re-open our state, and as a former small business-owner myself, I’m committed to supporting Florida’s small businesses. Today, I discussed the need for vital legislation next year to take away incentives for lawyers to engage in predatory ‘sue and settle’ tactics and shield our small businesses from liability for COVID-19 related claims. We must not allow our state’s recovery to be derailed by the constant threat of lawsuits that will put people out of business and inevitably increase insurance rates for all Floridians.

“It was great to hear directly from local Chamber leadership today and address their questions and concerns related to COVID-19 recovery. Thank you to the entire team at the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce for working tirelessly to help us build a better, stronger Florida.”