FLORIDA: Extending Marriage To Same-Sex Couples Could Add $182 Million To State Economy
Extending marriage to same-sex couples in Florida would generate over $ 182 million in spending to the state economy, according to a new study authored by Williams Distinguished Scholar, M.V. Lee Badgett; Williams Public Policy Fellow, E.G. Fitzgerald; and Williams Senior Counsel, Christy Mallory.
“This study confirms that all Floridians benefit from marriage for same-sex couples, not just the LGBT community,” said Badgett.
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the most recent data available, 48,496 same-sex couples live in Florida. Of those couples, the Williams Institute estimates that 50 percent (24,248 couples) would choose to marry in the first three years, a pattern that has been observed in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Over 15,000 marriages would occur in the first year alone, and bring over $116 million in revenue to the state of Florida that year.
Key Findings include:
24,248 in-state same-sex couples would choose to marry in the three years following an opening of marriage to same-sex couples in Florida.
The total spending on wedding arrangements and tourism by resident same-sex couples and their guests would add an estimated $182.2 million to the state and local economy of Florida over the course of three years, with a $116 million boost in the first year alone.
This economic boost would add $ 12.1 million in sales tax revenue to state and local coffers.
Spending related to same-sex couples’ wedding ceremonies and celebrations would generate 875 to 2,626 full and part-time jobs in the state.
Analyses are informed by the methodology that the Williams Institute has used in previous studies of the economic impact of marriage in a number of other states. State-level data, 2010 Census data, and American Community Survey data were all used to estimate the economic impact of extending marriage to same-sex couples in Florida. Estimates do not take into account the impact of same-sex couples from other states who will travel to Florida to marry.
“Study after study has demonstrated that, in addition to significant revenue, marriage for same-sex couples also creates new jobs,” noted Mallory.
The study is available here.
About the Williams Institute
The Williams Institute is dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. A national think tank at UCLA Law, the Williams Institute produces high-quality research with real-world relevance and disseminates its work through a variety of education programs and media to judges, legislators, lawyers, other policy makers, and the public. For more information go to: http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/