News

How to Apply for Financing- Your Questions Answered

Listen to the Florida Chamber’s Small Business Council (SBC) Coronavirus Small Business Loan webinar featuring SBC Chair Glenda Hood, the Small Business Administration Regional Director Ashley Bell, and President of the Small Business Development Network Mike Myhre. Register now for our next webinar, Tuesday April 7

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Florida Legislature Takes Steps to Keep Florida’s Momentum Going

Lowers Cost of Living, Reduces Cost of Doing Business, Prepares for Future Growth, Protects Florida’s Constitution and Prepares for Virus’ Impact TALLAHASSEE, FL (March 19, 2020) – Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature took steps during the 2020 Legislative Session to keep Florida’s momentum going. Lawmakers passed 12 Florida Chamber-backed bills that lower the cost of living, reduce the cost of doing business, prepare for future growth, protect Florida’s Constitution, and recognizes the unprecedented…

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Lawmakers Vote to Protect Florida’s Constitution

Provide Floridians Greater Transparency on Proposed Amendments TALLAHASSEE, FL (March 11, 2020) – Today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce applauds the Florida Legislature for passing a bill that will provide Florida voters with greater information about proposed constitutional amendments and better protect our state’s foundational document. Today’s bill passage comes on the heels of polling showing broad bipartisan consensus among Florida voters that it’s too easy for special interests to pass amendments to Florida’s Constitution.…

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Florida Chamber Applauds Lawmakers for Passing Legislation Increasing Access to Healthcare Providers

Expanding Scope of Practice Particularly Helpful in Rural and Underserved Communities TALLAHASSEE, FL (March 11, 2020) – The Florida Chamber of Commerce applauds the Florida Legislature for today passing a bill that will provide Floridians greater access to healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved communities. With the passage of HB 607 by Representative Cary Pigman, registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants will be able to practice medicine to the fullest extent of their formalized education…

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Lawmakers Pass Legislation to Invest in Water Quality to Protect Florida’s Environment

TALLAHASSEE, FL (March 11, 2020) – The Florida Chamber of Commerce applauds the Florida Legislature for passing a bill that will help protect Florida’s environment by making long-term investments in water quality. With 4.5 million more Floridians expected to call Florida home between now and 2030, there is an increasing need for protecting Florida’s natural resources. Under SB 712 by Senator Debbie Mayfield, Florida is Investing in Water Quality by: – Collecting improved water data,…

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Investing in Water Quality Essential for Protecting Florida’s Environment, Representative Bobby Payne Says on Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line

TALLAHASSEE, Fla (March 5, 2020) – With 4.5 million more Floridians expected to call Florida home between now and 2030, long-term investments in water will be essential, Representative Bobby Payne says on the latest edition of the Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line. HB 1330, sponsored by Representative Bobby Payne, is specifically designed to protect the health of Florida’s water systems by collecting improved data, increasing inspections and investing in septic to sewer conversations. “I would say…

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New Statewide Survey Shows Broad Bipartisan Support for Protecting Florida’s Constitution

Likely Voters Say It’s Too Easy to Pass Amendments to Florida’s Constitution & Lawmakers Should Take Action TALLAHASSEE, FL (March 5, 2020) –There is broad bipartisan consensus that it’s too easy to pass amendments to Florida’s Constitution, and the legislature must take action to prevent special interests from taking advantage of the system, according to the latest statewide survey of likely Florida voters released today by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “While the Florida Legislature…

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Florida Chamber Chief Economist Dr. Jerry Parrish Details The Coronavirus’ Threats on Florida’s Economy

“With companies cutting their GDP forecasts, 30-year mortgages at an eight-year low, and manufacturers idling their factories because of supply-chain issues, all of this is having an effect on Florida’s economy.” – Dr. Jerry Parrish TALLAHASSEE, Fla (February 25, 2020) – Florida Chamber Foundation Chief Economist Dr. Jerry Parrish says Florida should be “concerned, but not panicked” about the coronavirus’s threats on Florida’s economy. “Yesterday the Dow dropped by more than 1,000 points, companies are cutting…

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Florida’s Top Economic Development Leader Pushes for VISIT FLORIDA and Qualified Targeted Industry Investments

Shares How Florida’s DEO is Helping with Long-Term Hurricane Disaster Relief TALLAHASSEE, Fla (February 25, 2020) – With the Florida Legislature currently putting finishing touches on Florida’s next state budget, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity CEO Ken Lawson tells the Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line that Floridians enjoy a friendly tax climate because of Florida’s visitors contributing to the economy. “By virtue of tourism, we’re not paying a state income tax,” said Lawson. “Out-of-state tourists are…

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Senator Jeff Brandes Calls for Narrowing the Use of Contingency Fee Multipliers – the “Slot Machine” for the Legal Profession – on the Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line

TALLAHASSEE, FL (February 21, 2020) – As the Florida Legislature tackles narrowing the use of contingency fee multipliers, Senator Jeff Brandes tells the Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line that these fee escalators were never designed to be “the slot machines for the legal profession.” In fact, contingency fee multipliers, which are used by trial lawyers to get legal fees two or three times higher than their normal, hourly rate, are only granted in “rare and exceptional”…

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Florida Workforce 2030 Shows Changing Landscape of the ‘World of Work’ Requires New Skills

92% of Industry Leaders Poised to Hire, Yet 81% Concerned About Lack of Employability Skills TALLAHASSEE, FL (February 13, 2020) – Robots, automation, artificial intelligence, new innovations and technology are significantly changing the landscape of what will be required of Florida’s workforce, and the skills that Florida students will need as they plan their future, according to the Florida Chamber Foundation’s latest report Florida Workforce 2030. While industry leaders are poised to hire, they’re increasingly…

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Governor DeSantis’s Legislative Affairs Director Stephanie Kopelousos Shares Insights on EFI, Legal Reform & VISIT FLORIDA on the Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line

TALLAHASSEE, FL (February 12, 2020) – When Governor Ron DeSantis outlined his 2020 legislative priorities during his annual State of the State speech just five weeks ago, he encouraged lawmakers to continue improving on Florida’s bottom-five legal environment by passing meaningful lawsuit abuse reforms. On the latest edition of the Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line, Stephanie Kopelousos, Legislative Affairs Director for Governor Ron DeSantis explains why it’s important to improve on Florida’s bottom-five legal climate. “I…

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Septic to Sewer Conversions in Florida Keys Have Improved Water Quality, and Stand as an Example for Improving Water North of Lake Okeechobee

TALLAHASSEE, FL (February 4, 2020) — Scientists, fishermen, and environmental leaders agree that the success of septic to sewer conversions in the Florida Keys is a shining example of how the same process could be used to improve water quality in the Everglades Basin extending north to Orlando. As part of its ongoing environmental stewardship efforts to help secure Florida’s water future, the Florida Chamber of Commerce today released the latest in a series of…

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Representative Tom Leek Puts Consumers Ahead of Billboard Trial Lawyers with Bill Stopping Scare Tactics Aimed at Seniors

TALLAHASSEE, FL (February 3, 2020) – The Florida Chamber of Commerce continues turning up the pressure on Florida’s bottom five legal climate, joining Governor Ron DeSantis and legislative leaders to take on billboard trial lawyers. Lawsuit abuse impacts all Floridians, costing the average family $4,442 each year in lawsuit abuse ‘taxes.’ On the latest edition of the Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line, Representative Tom Leek explains why it’s important to put consumers ahead of billboard lawyers…

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Florida’s Constitution Shouldn’t Be a Playground for Politics, Representative Jamie Grant Shares on the Latest Edition of the Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 29, 2020) — The Florida Chamber of Commerce has a long history of protecting Florida’s Constitution from special interests’ groups who try to buy their way into Florida’s foundational document. On the latest edition of the Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line, Representative Jamie Grant explains why Florida’s Constitution shouldn’t be a “playground for politics.” Representative Grant is sponsoring HB 7037 which would: • Allow the Florida Supreme Court to ensure that a proposal…

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