East Central Florida, like the rest of the Sunshine State, is facing its greatest economic challenge in decades. Not only has the local economy slowed down, but the scheduled end of the Space Shuttle program puts thousands of Space Coast workers at risk of losing their jobs. The only thing more dangerous to any community looking to recover from a recession are politicians threatening to raise taxes, hike fees and over-regulate our state’s economy.

That’s what some politicians think should be done to close our state’s budget gap. But as a businessman and community leader, Thad Altman understands exactly why that’s not the path Florida needs to take in 2010 and beyond, and he has the knowledge and experience to fight for the tax relief and jobs-creating policies families and small businesses need to get back on track.

Thad supported the largest tax cut in state history in 2008, and as Chairman of the Finance and Tax Committee in the state Senate is leading the effort to pass a comprehensive tax cut for Florida small businesses to help them weather the economic crisis and keep Floridians working while creating new jobs. Thad understands that government cannot drive us out of a recession, and that small businesses must have the freedom and capital they need to create jobs. His efforts to keep taxes low and fight big government regulations have earned him support from Florida’s strongest voices for small businesses like the Associated Industries of Florida and the National Federation of Independent Business.