News

New Education Scores Show Movement Towards Florida 2030 Blueprint Goals

By: Sheridan Morby, Senior Research Economist, Florida Chamber Foundation Florida’s latest 3rd and 8th-grade reading scores were recently released, reflecting progress toward Florida 2030-related education goals. According to TheFloridaScorecard.org, 3rd-grade reading scores increased by 5 percentage points to 55%, while 8th-grade reading scores rose 4 percentage points to 51%. Math scores were also released, showing a slight increase in 3rd-grade math proficiency to 60%, while 8th-grade math proficiency dipped by 1 percentage point to 54%. Click HERE to…

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BREAKING NEWS: Net Income Migration to Florida Remains Above $4M Per Hour, Significantly More Than Any Other State

By: Kyle Baltuch, Executive Vice President, Florida Chamber Foundation As the Florida Chamber Foundation works towards achieving the ambitious Florida 2030 Blueprint mission of growing Florida’s economy to the 10th largest in the world by 2030, the latest income migration numbers are showing that Florida continues to grow at a rapid pace. Once again, Florida is leading the nation, with over $36.05 billion in net income moving into our state each year. While this is…

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Florida Chamber Foundation Releases Florida Workforce Needs Study 2.0 Research to Further Address Florida’s Talent Skills Gaps

Access the Florida Workforce Needs Study 2.0 HERE> The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida 2030 Blueprint established a unifying goal of growing Florida to the 10th largest economy in the world by 2030. Within the Six Pillars Framework outlined in the Blueprint, the “Talent Supply and Education” pillar stands as the first area to address to achieve the bold vision. In response to the pressing workforce crisis faced in Florida and throughout the nation, this morning,…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Announces First Round of 2024 Legislative Endorsements

The Florida Chamber of Commerce continues to unite Florida’s business community to help make Florida more competitive, and today endorsed a bipartisan list of eighty current and former legislators running for election this year. These legislators have a strong track record of securing Florida’s future by regularly promoting free enterprise and job creation. These endorsements are based, in large part, on Legislator’s actual grades earned on The Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislative Report Card. “The Florida…

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Unlocking Florida’s Full Potential: Why Education Matters for Florida’s Disconnected Youth

By: Keith Richard, PhD, VP of Research, Florida Chamber Foundation Florida’s future and economic success depends on engaging all Floridians, including an often overlooked population: disconnected youth. Ensuring these young Floridians have every opportunity to secure a path to prosperity is essential. However, barriers to obtaining a high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., a GED) often limit prosperity for many of these individuals. Florida’s “disconnected youth” are individuals ages 16 to 24 who are not…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Unveils 2024 How They Voted, Naming House Speaker Paul Renner as Most Valuable Legislator

Today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2024 How They Voted publication. A comprehensive review of what passed this legislative session, what didn’t, and what remains unfinished business, How They Voted reveals the Florida Chamber’s 2024 Legislative Report Card, showcasing grades earned by all 160 legislators in the Florida House and Senate based on their votes during the 2024 Legislative Session, and recognizes the Florida Chamber’s Most Valuable Legislator and Distinguished Advocates. “It’s incredible…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Unveils 2024 Legislative Report Card and Distinguished Advocate Award Recipients

Today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2024 Legislative Report Card, showcasing grades earned by all 160 legislators in the Florida House and Senate based on their votes during the 2024 Legislative Session, and also awarded 15 Legislators the 2024 Distinguished Advocate Award. “Florida currently has a $1.62 trillion economy and is continuing to grow and diversify,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Mark Wilson. “I want to thank Governor Ron DeSantis, Senate…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses U.S. Senator Rick Scott for Reelection

Florida Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Mark Wilson stood with former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Rick Scott yesterday in Tampa at a local manufacturing facility to announce the rollout of the “Small Business for Rick Scott” coalition and formally announce the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s endorsement of his reelection to the U.S. Senate. In addition to providing remarks at the press conference, Mark Wilson released the following quote in support of Senator Rick…

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New Florida Chamber Statewide Poll Shows Donald Trump and Rick Scott Begin 2024 Campaigns With Leads, While Governor Ron DeSantis Remains Popular With Floridians

The latest Florida Chamber statewide poll finds both Donald Trump and Rick Scott leading their likely Democratic opponents. Trump and Scott each lead their respective opponents among Hispanics, White voters and older voters. The Florida Chamber’s poll also finds Governor DeSantis retaining strong approval amongst Floridians, with 56% of Floridians giving the Governor a favorable review of his job performance as Florida’s chief executive. Trump, Scott Lead Democratic Opponents in Florida The Florida Chamber’s poll…

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Florida Chamber Health Council Unveils the Nation’s First Business-Led Mental Health Research Report at 2024 Leadership Conference

This morning, the Florida Chamber Health Council unveiled the first business-led mental health research report in the nation aimed at uniting the business community, mental health experts, and policymakers on 25 strategies for creating systemic change to improve mental health outcomes in and out of the workplace. CLICK HERE> to access the report and contact the Health Council to learn how you can get involved with our  efforts to make Florida the healthiest state in…

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Is Florida’s Housing Market in Trouble? The Difference Between Headlines and Analysis

By: Kyle Baltuch, Executive Vice President, Florida Chamber Foundation Over the past month or so, a number of inflammatory headlines have sparked a conversation throughout Florida. Is Florida’s housing market in trouble? Here’s the problem with these headlines. They lack context, rely on seemingly short-sighted analysis, and ultimately jump to a conclusion that may not be correct. These articles paint a picture of a weakening housing market, relying primarily on a couple of distinct points:…

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Additional Staffing and Restructuring to Advance the Florida Chamber Foundation Mission

The Executive Team at the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Florida Chamber Foundation continues to be strategic and intentional in our efforts to execute our 6-year, $105 million strategic plan. This involves continually keeping a pulse on the best way to approach our goals and aligning the right talent and programs along the way. With that in mind, today, our Chamber Foundation is announcing the promotion of Kyle Baltuch to Executive Vice President and Rachel…

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Florida Legislature Passes Multiple Florida Chamber Priorities, Making Florida Even More Competitive

Florida Chamber sees passage of multiple Chamber priorities that create regulatory certainty, improvements in education and workforce, protect critical infrastructure, further address affordability issues, improve access to healthcare and more as Florida continues its path to be the state other states look to for leadership and economic growth Florida’s Legislative Session by the Numbers: 1,901 Bills and PCBs filed; over 320 bills passed both chambers Florida Chamber of Commerce testified approximately 150 times on legislation impacting job…

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‘Live Healthy’ Legislation Focused on Strengthening Florida’s Healthcare Workforce Headed to the Governor’s Desk

By: Sarah Katherine Massey, Director of Talent, Education & Quality of Life Policy, Florida Chamber of Commerce With the Florida Chamber’s support, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo has spent this legislative session prioritizing how to address the current and anticipated future healthcare workforce shortages in Florida. Her healthcare package titled ‘Live Healthy’ is now headed to Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature after passing with overwhelming support. The Florida Chamber of Commerce advocated for efforts to address Florida’s healthcare workforce needs as a robust talent pipeline advances the Florida 2030…

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Inflation Continues to Cool in 2024 but at a Slower Rate Than Expected

By: Sheridan Meek, Senior Research Economist, Florida Chamber Foundation Rising inflation concerns have been on the top of both consumer and business leaders’ minds heading into 2024. Beginning in 2021, inflation in the U.S. started to climb rapidly, hitting its peak in mid-2022. Since then, inflation has experienced a period of cooling, but still remains well above the stable levels from years prior. The first inflation rate release of 2024 shows that inflation is continuing…

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