Trump presidency will impact tourism, environment, agriculture

TAMPA (FOX 13) - The election of Donald Trump to the highest office in the land could have direct impacts on Florida due to his past dealings here, and his plans for the future.

President-elect Trump is a part-time Florida resident and he could impact some critical Florida issues.

MILITARY

"He's going to get rid of people who aren't doing their job," says 68-year-old Vietnam veteran, Wes Thompson.

Thompson needs a kidney transplant and believes Mr. Trump can fix issues with the VA.

"I think he's going to open it up so that a vet can go to an independent doctor outside the VA and get service," Thompson said, hopeful. 

MacDill Air Force Base and other Florida bases could grow under Mr. Trump's promise to "rebuild our depleted military." 

TOURISM

Tourism is Florida's largest industry. Hotel executive Keith Overton believes Mr. Trump knows what service industry businesses need.

"We hope there's a rollback of this over-regulation," says Overton, president of Tradewinds Island Resort on St. Pete Beach. "It's all kinds of issues related to labor, to the Federal Trade Commission. It would be incredible if that could be rolled back quickly and efficiently."

AGRICULTURE

It's not clear yet how the president-elect's "Build a Wall" immigration stance may affect Florida agriculture. It's the state's second largest industry and depends heavily on migrant labor.

In Ybor City immigrants held hands and prayed after the election was called.

"I just want to let you know that as an undocumented woman in this country, I'm with you," said a young woman to group of about a dozen.

ENVIRONMENT

In a state where the environment is critical, activists worry Mr. Trump will stall efforts to restore the Everglades and pull out of international climate change agreements.

"What he said about the environment and clean energy was horrible," says Frank Jackalone of the Sierra Club.

Jackalone makes a list of what he sees as Trump's weaknesses on the environment, but others welcome a changing tide in Trump's Florida back yard.