News

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…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Governor DeSantis Signs Infrastructure Bill Into Law

Governor DeSantis, Florida Legislature Take Steps to Prepare Florida’s Infrastructure for the Future By Signing SB 7068 Into Law, Elected Leaders Prepare for the 4.5 Million More Residents & Millions of New Drivers Expected by 2030 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 17, 2019) – The Florida Chamber of Commerce congratulates Governor Ron DeSantis for signing a bipartisan supported infrastructure bill into law, and joining the Florida Legislature in preparing for the millions of more residents and drivers…

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Governor Ron DeSantis Approves Tax Reform Package Lowering the Cost of Living on Families and Reducing Cost of Doing Business on Job Creators

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 15, 2019) — With the stroke of a pen, Governor Ron DeSantis today approved a Florida Chamber of Commerce-backed tax reform package that lowers the cost of living on families and reduces the cost of doing business on job creators. “At the Florida Chamber we know that a competitive and equitable tax system creates jobs and strengthens the economy,” said Mark Wilson, President and CEO, Florida Chamber of Commerce. “We thank Governor…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Leads Delegation of Job Creators to Washington, D.C.

Advocacy Efforts Focus on Trade, Private Sector Job Growth and Economic Prosperity WASHINGTON D.C. (May 14, 2019) — The Florida Chamber of Commerce is taking its advocacy efforts to Washington, D.C. this week, in support of private-sector job creation, international trade, and creating more opportunities for economic prosperity. The Florida Chamber’s delegation includes business leaders from across Florida, representing small businesses and the state’s largest employers, and will include meetings with Florida’s Congressional Delegation, federal agencies…

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Florida Legislature Takes Steps to Make Florida More Competitive

Lowers Cost of Living, Reduces Cost of Doing Business, Prepares for Future Growth and Protects Florida’s Constitution TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 4, 2019) – Six months after the launch of Florida’s next strategic plan, commonly known as the Florida 2030 blueprint, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature took steps during the 2019 Legislative Session to make Florida more competitive. Lawmakers passed 20 Florida Chamber-backed bills that will help lower the cost of living on families, reduce…

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