Florida's Economic Future with David Jolly, Economic Club of Miami, Downtown Miami

Описание: Recorded October 21, 2025 at the Economic Club of Miami: a conversation with former U.S. Rep. and Florida gubernatorial candidate David Jolly and longtime WPLG Local 10 senior political reporter Michael Putney. Introductory remarks: Francisco Gonzalez, Executive Director.

About the speakers:
David Jolly — Florida native and former Member of Congress (2014–2017) from Pinellas County. In Washington he focused on veterans and seniors, public safety, and environmental protection, and earned national attention for anti-corruption efforts featured on 60 Minutes. Known for an independent streak, he’s spent the last eight years as an MSNBC political analyst with work appearing in TIME, USA Today, The Washington Post, The New York Times, CNN, and NBC. He holds a B.A. from Emory and a J.D., cum laude, from George Mason. Jolly is now a candidate for Governor of Florida.

Michael Putney — Senior political reporter at WPLG Local 10 since 1989 and longtime host of This Week in South Florida. Earlier career stops include The National Observer, Time Inc., and The Miami Herald (Tropic magazine, then columnist). A two-time Emmy winner and leading voice on Florida and Cuba coverage, he’s known for incisive, fact-driven interviews. Putney studied at Deep Springs College and earned a B.A. in English from the University of Missouri. Outside the newsroom: father to Mia; enjoys cooking, reading, tennis, and travel.

Opening remarks by Francisco Gonzalez, executive director of the Economic Club of Miami.

The conversation was focused on the topic: "Florida's Economic Future." The event took place in Downtown Miami.

To learn more about The Economic Club of Miami, visit: https://www.econclubmiami.org/

To learn more about how to become a member of the club, visit: https://www.econclubmiami.org/membership

00:00 – Welcome & club growth (35 → 325 members)
00:45 – New member recognition + how to join
01:07 – Year-in-review: Fed Govs, candidates, Brightline CEO, Thiel & Lonsdale
02:32 – Speaker intro: Michael Putney
03:47 – Speaker intro: David Jolly
04:46 – “Is Florida’s economy in good shape?”
05:55 – Jolly: Growth vs. affordability; “economy is leaving people behind”
07:25 – ALICE households: 51% of Floridians are working yet financially vulnerable
09:02 – Affordability priorities: housing, insurance, Medicaid expansion
10:06 – Insurance plan: State catastrophic fund; 60–70% premium relief (X-Wind example)
11:27 – Is homeownership out of reach? Supply, insurance, taxes, interest rates
12:43 – Local control, Live Local Act, and workforce/affordable housing strategy
13:41 – Budget = values: targeted housing near jobs; retaining young talent
14:41 – State vs. local decisions (Key West cruise ships, SB 180)
17:32 – Property taxes debate; DeSantis repeal talk; “show the math”
18:02 – Using TDT (tourist taxes); long-term revenue outlook
20:26 – Fix for first-time buyers: new homestead/step-up ideas
21:19 – Jolly’s evolution on reproductive rights & role of faith
23:52 – Breaking with GOP on Trump, guns, campaign finance; policy shifts through service
28:09 – Gun policy: background checks, storage, licensing debates
29:14 – Registration gap & path to victory: values-based coalition
31:56 – Why 2026 is different from 2022; governor’s race ≠ presidential referendum
34:59 – Audience Q&A begins
35:21 – Q1: Government shutdown—who’s to blame and why?
39:12 – Hialeah & ACA enrollments context (Putney)
39:37 – Q2: Miami Dade College land/Trump library deal; executive actions & Alligator Alcatraz
42:03 – Q3: Eliminating property taxes? First-time buyer relief vs. regressive sales taxes
43:55 – Q4: Ending DC brinkmanship; day-one executive moves (Surgeon General, Education)
45:43 – Building a $30B state catastrophic fund (sovereign-fund model)
47:52 – Q5: Immigration—“tall walls, wide gates”; crime myths vs. data
51:13 – Q6: Small business support & Florida’s 10–20 year economic horizon
53:24 – Q7: Evolution on the ACA; from repeal votes to exchange enrollment
58:55 – Closing thanks & event wrap