Public Affairs Documents 2018 Legislative Priorities

2018 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY STATEMENT
STATE ISSUES
AGRICULTURE/WATER
Support a healthy, competitive and stable insurance
market while reducing fraud that drives up rates.
Support Florida's water future by supporting
infrastructure investments and science based solutions
that allow our state to grow while protecting our most
precious natural resources. Support targeted training and expanded access to
key health education programs that will help serve
Florida’s rapidly growing population.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM TAXATION
Support an appropriate level of funding for
Enterprise Florida's toolkit to attract and
retain high-skill, high-wage jobs and
investment to our state. The Chamber supports a reduction in the
state's Business Rent Tax, with the ultimate
goal being a complete phase out.
Support an appropriate level of funding for
Visit Florida to further its work in establishing
Florida as the No. 1 travel destination in the
world by strengthening Florida's share of the
global travel market.
Support legislation to improve municipalities'
use of Community Redevelopment Agencies
(CRAs) that will allow them to continue their focus on
strategic improvements within the community.
Support continued funding for programs that promote
and expand exposure to arts & culture in Lakeland,
Polk County and across the state.
EDUCATION
Continue to place a focus on STEM initiatives.
Champion training and vocational programs to
ensure Florida has a workforce prepared to
satisfy the needs of a diversifying economy.
HEALTHCARE
Encourage medical education opportunities and
provide training targeted towards key health education
programs to serve Florida's rapidly expanding
population.
Create a competitive tax system that puts money
back into small business and families and
eliminates uncompetitive tax policies.
TRANSPORTATION
Support funding for Florida's transportation trust
fund so that the continuation of infrastructure is
available.
Work with FDOT to encourage that funding is
advanced at the local level for the I-4/State Rd 33
Interchange (Exit 38).
Make funding of the Central Polk Parkway a
priority in support of continued growth of our
region.
Provide funding for capacity expansion of I-4 through
Polk County.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
The Chamber encourages the Florida Legislature to
implement reforms to address attorney's fees in
order to keep Workers' Comp rates in Florida
affordable for job creators, help keep the Workers'
Comp system functioning, and protect employers
and employees from additional, unreasonable rate
increases.