News

While Chances of a Recession in Florida Are Increasing, Florida’s Economic Diversification Ranking is Also Strengthening

“Since April 2019, the probability of a Florida recession in the next nine months has increased substantially.” – Dr. Jerry Parrish, Chief Economist, Florida Chamber Foundation TALLAHASSEE, FL (August 21, 2019) – The probability of a Florida recession over the next nine months has increased to 34.2 percent, according to Florida Chamber Foundation Chief Economist Dr. Jerry Parrish, in the latest in a series of metrics-based educational videos. While the chances of a recession are…

Read More »

ICYMI: Water Quality Issues Highlight Need to Address Local Water Pollution

It’s poopy water, not sharks, that’s attacking Florida’s beaches.” (Palm Beach Post) TALLAHASSEE, FL (August 16, 2019) – The Florida Chamber of Commerce, as part of its ongoing environmental stewardship efforts to help secure Florida’s water future, is highlighting the importance of addressing local water quality concerns. “With 4.5 million more people expected to call Florida home by 2030, and 50 million more visitors expected each year – on top of the 124.6 million that…

Read More »

Increased Corporate Tax Collections Estimated to Trigger $543.2 Million Statewide Refund

Refunds Offset Collections from Expanded Tax Base Under Federal Tax Cut & Jobs Act TALLAHASSEE, FL (August 14, 2019) – In a meeting of the Florida Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) today, state economists announced that Corporate Income Tax collections increased significantly during the last fiscal year, triggering a refund for corporate income tax payers. The refunds help offset collections from an expanded tax base which is helping pay for the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs…

Read More »

Military & Defense Industry Key to Moving Florida From 17th Largest Economy to 10th Largest Economy in the World

Major General Highlights Oil Drilling Moratorium Expiration, Tyndall AFB Rebuild Jacksonville, Fla. (August 13, 2019) – Florida’s defense industry is playing a major role in efforts to grow Florida from its current 17th largest economy in the world to the 10th largest economy, the Florida Chamber Foundation announced today during the 2019 Military, Defense and Veterans Opportunities Summit. “We want to see Florida grow from the 17th largest economy in the world to 10th largest…

Read More »

Florida Chamber of Commerce Financial Impact Study Shows Proposed Energy Ballot Measure Will Cost $1.2 Billion Annually

“Although the Florida Chamber has already conducted its analysis, we urge the FIEC to provide the financial transparency of the new law stemming from House Bill 5 to provide voters more comprehensive transparency on this mandate that will drastically increase electricity costs.” – Mark Wilson, President and CEO TALLAHASSEE, FL (August 12, 2019) – In advance of today’s state Financial Impact Estimating Conference (FIEC) to determine portions of the economic impact of a ballot initiative…

Read More »

Institute for a Safer Florida Statement on El Paso and Dayton Shootings

CONTACT: Ron Bartlett(813) 545-2399 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (August 4, 2019) – The back-to-back mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton are a heart-breaking reminder that these incidents can happen anywhere. Our hearts and prayers are with the families, friends and communities that are the latest to suffer from this epidemic plaguing our county. These shootings are a solemn reminder of why the Florida Chamber of Commerce created the Institute for a Safer Florida…

Read More »

A Talented Workforce and the Rising Probability of a Recession Leave Florida’s Small Businesses Feeling Uncertain

Latest Florida Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index Survey Shows TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (July 22, 2019)— While Florida’s small businesses continue boosting the state’s economy, finding qualified workers to fill available jobs tops the list of issues keeping small business owners up at night, survey results from the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Third Quarter Small Business Index Survey show.  “Florida’s small businesses continue to be concerned about being able to hire a talented workforce,” said Dr.…

Read More »

Latest Florida Chamber of Commerce Educational Water Videos Echoes Landmark Florida Keys Coral Research Showing Nutrient-Supercharged Water From North of Lake Okeechobee Contributing to Water Quality Concerns

Tallahassee, Fla. (July 18, 2019) – On the heels of a landmark 30-year study of ailing Florida Keys coral showing nutrient-supercharged water from as far north as Orlando contributing to the harmful impacts on our coral reefs, the Florida Chamber of Commerce today released the latest in a series of educational water videos which points to 97 percent of water going into Lake Okeechobee coming from north of the lake – Kissimmee, and most of the contaminated water originating on the…

Read More »

Florida Chamber of Commerce Files Reply Brief with Florida Supreme Court Validating Position That Energy Proposal is Unconstitutional

Proposed Amendment Violates Single Subject Rule, Engages Logrolling, and Alters and Performs Functions of Multiple Branches of Government Florida Chamber Files Reply Brief With Supreme Court TALLAHASSEE, FL (June 21, 2019) – The Florida Chamber of Commerce today filed a reply brief with the Florida Supreme Court restating its alignment with Florida’s Attorney General Ashley Moody, that the state’s high court should strike down the unconstitutional energy proposal. The Florida Chamber’s reply brief outlines the…

Read More »

Florida Chamber of Commerce Names Representative Bob Rommel 2019 Most Valuable Legislator

Also Announces 18 Distinguished Advocate Award Recipients ORLANDO, Fla. (June 20, 2019) – The Florida Chamber of Commerce today awarded Representative Bob Rommel with the 2019 Most Valuable Legislator (MVL) award for his leadership in tackling Florida’s ‘Judicial Hellhole’ label. The MVL presentation was made during the Florida Chamber’s Board of Directors meeting in Orlando. The Florida Chamber’s MVL award is the business community’s premier legislative award honoring a single lawmaker for their outstanding legislative…

Read More »

In Global Talent War for Jobs, State Leaders Turn to Florida Chamber Foundation’s Learners to Earners Workforce Summit To Help Prepare Florida’s Talent for Jobs of the Future

Orlando, Fla. (June 18, 2019) – With talent quickly becoming the economic development tool of choice, Florida is in a global talent war for jobs, statewide leaders attending the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Learners to Earners Workforce Summit said today. As Florida prepares to add 4.5 million more residents and create 1.5 million more jobs by 2030, we must set Florida up for success and remain globally competitive by ensuring we have a strong talent pipeline…

Read More »

Florida Chamber of Commerce Signs MOU With Israeli Chambers of Commerce to Strengthen Trade and Investment Partnerships Between Florida and Israel

Tel Aviv, Israel (May 29, 2019) — Building on Florida’s once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Florida’s economy into a global hub for trade, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce and the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) promoting greater cooperation, strategic partnerships, and trade and investment between Israel and Florida. The MOU was signed during the Governor’s Business Development Mission to Israel – Tel Aviv…

Read More »

Focusing on Florida’s Most Distressed Zip Codes is Key to Tackling Poverty in Florida

Business Leaders Say at Florida Chamber Foundation’s Summit on Prosperity & Economic Opportunity WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (May 23, 2019) – Addressing and eliminating poverty in just 16 of Florida’s 983 zip codes would have an enormous impact, reducing the state’s poverty level for children 18 and younger by 10 percent statewide, business leaders said today. That revelation was just one of many crucial points made today as more than 150 statewide business leaders, health…

Read More »

Florida Chamber of Commerce Applauds Florida Supreme Court For Adopting Higher Expert Witness Standards

Ends Six-Year Court Battle TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 23, 2019)— The Florida Chamber of Commerce applauds the Florida Supreme Court for today issuing an opinion adopting Florida’s expert witness standards to the higher Daubert standard, and eliminating junk science from Florida’s court. This is a significant move that ends a six-year old battle in which the previous court’s attempts to undermine the Florida Legislature by keeping in place the weaker Frye standard in place. “This is…

Read More »

Florida Chamber of Commerce Releases 2019 Legislative Report Card

98 Lawmakers Earn A’s and B’s; 59 Earn C’s, D’s, and F’s TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 21, 2019) – Ninety-eight members of the Florida Legislature earned A’s or B’s on the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Legislative Report Card, and helped lower the cost of living and cost of doing business on families and job creators, while also preparing for future growth and protecting Florida’s constitution, the state’s leading voice of business and largest federation of…

Read More »