One change that may be on the horizon, as America endeavors to navigate its way thought the current fiscal hurricane, is the reassertion of the State government as a primary seat of influence and economic identity.  With Washington assuming the specter of a gridlocked and partisan driven labyrinth, the government that is closer to home seems, to many, to be more in touch and more responsive to the electorate.  At least that is the view of a new generation of politicians like Steve Crisafulli.  Sharing the rich heritage of the agricultural entrepreneurs that made “Indian River Citrus” one of the most sought after brands in the country, Crisafulli wants to bring that same pioneering tenacity to the Florida House of Representatives from District 32.

SCB: Your family heritage is in the agricultural field and you were the president of the Brevard Farm Bureau.  Why is the agricultural industry often overlooked in terms of the economic output of our county and the state?

SC:  When most people think of Florida’s economic engine they immediately think of high-tech and tourism, which is especially true on the Space Coast.  However, agriculture and related production is the largest industry group in Florida; we are sixth in agricultural production nationwide and first in cattle production.  Even in Brevard agriculture remains a formidable source of economic diversity to the region.

SCB:  From citrus, to construction, to the state capitol, how has your business background influenced you politically?

SC: I think it is important to remember that serving as an elected official wasn’t originally viewed as a profession, but an avocation.  I like that tradition and I still work as a builder/developer.  In fact, of the twenty-seven Representatives in this freshman class, seventeen are businesspeople.  Individuals with that background, I believe, bring a practical and pragmatic approach to government.

In business you have to ask: Is it actually working?  And, can we afford it?  What is more, Tallahassee generally scores only the expense of a budget item or how much it costs.  The equally and even more compelling question is, “What was the benefit?”  I have co-sponsored legislation that actually incorporates a cost/benefit analysis into the legislative process.

SCB: In many southern states, it appears the governor is the primary advocate for economic development.  What can and should Tallahassee do to stimulate growth?

SC: Unfortunately, Florida’s success has contributed in part to its failure.  Because we have such great weather, incredible beaches, good schools and relatively low taxes, we assumed business would beat a path to our door.  We didn’t foresee other states that were out in front, marketing themselves as being business-friendly and offering substantial incentives to locate to their region.  Now we have to play catch up.

Compounding the problem, due to the current economy and cutbacks at the Space Center, we are in more of a ‘crisis management’ instead of a ‘strategic management’ mode.  Thankfully, the Legislature approved $100 million for economic development statewide, of which $32 million is going to Space Florida to address the Space Shuttle workforce issues and attract or retain new business.

SCB:  What do you think can be done to stimulate the space industry?

SC: Currently the general perception is that Florida is a launch facility only.  SpaceX, for instance, builds in California, tests in Texas and launches here.  Yet, we have the people and the potential to do all three functions in a more cost effective way: Build-Test-Launch.  What we need is legislation that would incentivize companies to locate more of a turnkey operation in Brevard.  We have some existing infrastructure assets, like access to rail, a world-class port and an existing highly-trained workforce, but other infrastructure issues remain.  Also, the idea of U.S.-based commercial space development has yet to be defined.  We once enjoyed 100% of the world’s commercial space market, now we hold just 20% and most of the countries that are capturing that business have a well defined government/private partnership.

Frank Dibello, president of Space Florida and Chris Hart, president of Workforce Florida are doing an admirable job.  However, having rested on our laurels we are not out in front, but again playing catch up.

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