The Florida Chamber of Commerce today unveiled its 2015 Competitiveness Agenda and announced it will focus its resources and expertise to advance a jobs, growth and opportunity agenda.
The press release said, “The Florida Chamber’s 2015 Competitiveness Agenda is Florida’s business agenda to build on securing Florida’s future through private-sector job creation, economic growth and greater opportunities for all Floridians.”
Chief among the Florida Chamber’s 2015 Competitiveness Agenda are:
- Lowering the cost of living and the cost of doing business through targeted tax reforms,
- Launching a major regulatory reform initiative,
- Securing long-term, sustainable solutions for Florida’s water needs, and
- Championing additional education reforms for a globally competitive workforce.
Florida Chamber Foundation’s Chief Economist Jerry Parrish projects that Florida will add approximately 250,000 new private-sector jobs in 2015 and grow by approximately 280,000 new residents, but the Chamber isn’t becoming complacent.
“The Florida Chamber encourages our state’s leaders to rally around a common bipartisan cause – and that cause is stronger and sustainable economic growth – in order to expand opportunities for all Floridians,†said Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “Florida is in competition for private-sector jobs with other states, and therefore we must ensure a tax, regulatory and litigation climate that is welcoming to job growth, ensure that we have a talented workforce to fill those jobs and ensure that Florida’s water and transportation resources are sustainable to meet the long-term needs of our growing population.â€
Here is how the broke down their wish list:
LOWERING THE COST OF LIVING ON FLORIDA FAMILIES
- Reducing cell phone taxes (communication services tax),
- Reducing taxes on commercial leases,
- Preventing “hurricane taxes†through property insurance reforms,
- Eliminating the $1.4 billion “hidden healthcare tax†on insured Floridians,
- Reducing the $3,400 per family “lawsuit abuse tax,â€
- Further reducing the corporate income tax, and E-Fairness.
VIGOROUSLY PURSUING ADDITIONAL REGULATORY REFORM
- Aligning local regulations to more closely mirror Florida’s regulatory framework – especially in the area of multi-jurisdictional permitting processes and workplace regulations, and
- Continue pushing back on burdensome federal regulations that kill jobs and stifle innovation.
SECURING FLORIDA’S WATER FUTURE
- Identifying and investing in cost-effective water projects,
- Identifying and developing sustainable water resources,
- Promoting private investments in surface water storage and water quality improvement,
- Promoting regional water supply solutions, and
- Prioritizing the use of science-based regulatory programs.
CHAMPIONING EDUCATION REFORM FOR A GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE
- Championing school choice,
- Supporting global standards for college and career readiness,
- Leveraging innovation via digital and virtual education,
- Supporting global standards for college and career readiness, and
- Empowering teachers through professional development and benefit options.
A complete listing of the Florida Chamber’s 2015 Competitiveness Agenda which outlines more than 30 priorities the Florida Chamber will be lobbying, tracking and scoring this legislative session, is outlined in Where We Stand and available at www.FloridaChamber.com.