2016 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY STATEMENT
STATE ISSUES
AGRICULTURE/WATER
TRANSPORTATION
Work with our Florida Chamber partners in supporting the • Fully fund regional transportation priorities including
the Central Polk Parkway.
expanded use of alternative water supplies and projects in
addition to implementing and creating science-based policies • Advocate for investment in transportation and
infrastructure that improves and expands major trade
that encourage alternative water investments.
and freight conditions.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
• Create a new $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund that
is more effective for winning competitive job projects.
• Support $20 million of recurring funding of Florida’s
business brand to market Florida as a business friendly
state via Enterprise Florida.
• Oppose any state action and/or preemptive local
actions regarding labor/employment laq that would
be detrimental to business, such predictive scheduling
mandates, “ban the box,” and minimum wage increases.
• Oppose eddorts to move Florida’s incentive program to
“pay as you go.
HEALTHCARE
• Develop public/private partnerships to better enhance
and develop road projects.
TAXATION
Business Rent Tax
• The Chamber supports a one percent reduction this
year in the Business Rent Tex, with the ultimate goal
being to fully phaser out this tax over the next six
years. This will allow $287 million to remain in the
hands of Florida’s job creators, allowing them to
hire additional employees, make improvements and
reinvest back into their businesses.
Manufacturing and Equipment Tax
• Support a permanent sales tax exemption for
manufacturing machinery and equipment.
E-Fairness
• Work to secure Florida’s future and ensure a healthy
quality of life by supporting proactive and innovative
• Support “e-fairness” efforts through legislative
policies that will deliver greater access and quality of care,
action to require internet-only retailers to collect and
control escalating healthcare costs and promote a healthy
remit sales tax as requred by state law.
population by expanding insurance coverage for eligible,
low-income Floridians only if certain prerequisites are put
in place.
LOCAL ISSUES
TORT REFORM
CITY OF LAKELAND & LAKELAND REGIONAL
• Eliminate Florida’s reputation as a haven for “badHEALTH
faith” insurance lawsuits so that consumers benefit
from affordable liability insurance.
• The Chamber joins the City of Lakeland,
• Ensure our worker’s comp system is fair and not
inflated by trial lawyer tactics & unnecessary costs.
• Expand public-private investment options to include
direct investment in infrastructure projects, including
water or wastewater systems, communication
systems, power systems, transportation systems,
renewable energy systems, ancillary or support
systems, or other strategic infrastructure needs.
and Lakeland Regional Health in support
of the continuation of Florida’s Certificate
of Need process to ensure patient access to
vital health care services.