Still, the majority of industry observers hailed the Legislature's package as a breakthrough that keeps the state in a competitive position for high- wage jobs.
   John Adams, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida (EFI), the state's public- private economic development arm, says the leaders in Tallahassee delivered "the leading nationwide solution on this issue. This solution doubles our re- insurance fund, expands property coverage and allows coverage beyond hurricanes. Also, it allows higher deductibles in exchange for lower premiums."
   Adams estimates that total savings to typical Florida insurance consumers will average about 40 percent per year. "We did a strategic plan for the state on economic development, and insurance came up as the No. 1 issue," he says. "The Legislature delivered a benchmark package that will become the model for how Florida competes. This is very big news."
   Adams especially likes the increase in the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund from $16 billion to $32 billion. "That helps me take care of a bunch of companies," he notes. "This is an investment in the future of our competitiveness."
   As Florida diversifies its economy beyond tourism, agriculture and retirees into high- tech industries like biotechnology, video game development, and modeling and simulation, preserving affordable access to the Sunshine State lifestyle is a top priority.
   Seay says that Florida's quality of life – including education – is a big reason why she and her $7.8- billion firm are staying put in Orlando. "I raised two daughters here that recently graduated with computer science degrees from engineering schools," says Seay, who moved to Central Florida in 1990. "My younger daughter started at the University of Florida in Gainesville and then transferred to the engineering school at UCF. We've hired Ph.D.'s, Master's and B.S. students from UCF. We often hire them as interns and then bring them on as permanent employees."
   Seminole Community College put together a specialized training program for SAIC workers. "We fund research at different schools," Seay adds. "We are funding the robotics program at the University of South Florida in Tampa."
   When asked for the company's long- term view, Seay doesn't hesitate. "We have our eye on another empty lot here. We will just keep on expanding. Both of our buildings sit on a very pretty lake here in the Research Park. This is a nice, comfortable setting with picnic tables and a very large patio where our employees can take their laptops out and work."
   Last year, SAIC was joined in the Orlando facility investment parade by CuraScript, Bank of New York and Lockheed Martin.