2015 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY STATEMENT STATE ISSUES AGRICULTURE/WATER Work with our Florida Chamber partners in supporting the expanded use of alternative water supplies and projects in addition to implementing and creating science-based policies that encourage alternative water investments.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM Enterprise Florida: Work with our Florida Chamber partners to proactively market our state and facilitate economic development efforts. Enterprise Florida: Support the creation of a $40 million trust fund to entice business from out of state to relocate to Florida. International Trade-Ports: Work with our Florida Chamber partners in supporting international trade and logistics industry through a focus on manufacturing, trade and logistics. QTI and Tech Industries: Work with our Florida Chamber partners to support diversifying Florida’s economy through the attraction of businesses in a qualified targeted industry or an emerging technology sector.
HEALTHCARE Work to secure Florida’s future and ensure a healthy quality of life by supporting proactive and innovative policies that will deliver greater access and quality of care, control escalating healthcare costs and promote a healthy population by expanding insurance coverage for eligible, low-income Floridians only if certain prerequisites are put in place.
INTERNET SALES TAX LOOPHOLE Support measures to close the Internet sales tax loophole and streamline sales tax information and definitions to make it easier to preserve the competitiveness of Florida businesses.
TORT REFORM Fair Settlement Reform: Work with our Florida Chamber partners to establish a clearly defined timeline encouraging plaintiff attorneys and insurers to play by the same set of fair settlement rules in Florida courtrooms. Workers’ Compensation Reform: Ensure our workers’ comp system is fair and not inflated by trial lawyer tactics and unnecessary costs.
TRANSPORTATION Advocate for investment in transportation and infrastructure that improves and expands major trade and freight conditions. Develop public/private partnerships to better enhance and develop road projects.
LOCAL ISSUES CITY OF LAKELAND - ENTERPRISE ZONE Legislative recommendation to extend the repeal date of the City of Lakeland’s Enterprise Zone designation beginning December 31, 2015 for an additional 10-year period.
COMMERCIAL REAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF The Chamber supports the repeal and/or reduction of the sales tax imposition on commercial leases until its full elimination.
GUARDIAN AD LITEM Support and endorse the pursuit of the requested funding to reach 100% representation within Florida and Polk County’s 10th Circuit guardian ad litem program to provide care for abused, abandoned or neglected children through advocacy by a designated child advocate.
LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER Support payment of appropriate Medicaid rates to safety net hospitals like LRHMC or the securing of another funding source to replace the loss of intergovernmental transfers through the low income pool.
2015 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY STATEMENT EDUCATION ISSUES K-12 EDUCATION - POLK COUNTY The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes that prioritizing investments in K-12 education and achieving measurable results for students and teachers are both critical to the future of our community. Therefore, the Chamber supports changes to K-12 education that allow a focus on local initiatives and local control, instead of a “statewide” approach. Restoration of the local capital outlay millage to pre-recession levels to cover critical capital needs withing the district. (More information availble through PCPS Legislative Platform)
HIGHER EDUCATION - POLK COUNTY The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes Polk State College, Florida Southern College, Southeastern University and Florida Polytechnic University as important, local ways for the county to produce college degrees and shrink the educational attainment gap, thereby advancing the cause of economic development. Therefore, the Chamber requests the state’s support of the above educational institutions in the following areas: Continued funding of the Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) and Bright Futures (Florida Southern College, Southeastern University Request) The Chamber supports Southeastern University’s request for $750,000 in funding to be allocated for the purchase of the necessary equipment for the simulation laboratory at the stateof-the-art facility for the Southeastern University Nursing Program. (Southeastern University Request) The Chamber supports Polk State College’s request for $3 million in PECO funding to complete the Polk State College Center for Public Safety. (Polk State College Request) The Chamber supports Polk State College’s request for $5.9 million in PECO funding to renovate and remodel the Learning Resource Building. (Polk State College Request) The Chamber supports Polk State College’s request for $16.2 million in PECO funding to renovate and remodel the Fine Arts Building. (Polk State Request) The Chamber supports Florida Polytechnic University’s funding request for construction of the Applied Research Center on the campus of Florida Polytechnic to support research and continue to attract business to the area. (Florida Polytechnic University Request) The Chamber supports Florida Polytechnic University’s funding request to establish two additional research centers to support science, tech and research to continue to attract business to the area. (Florida Polytechnic University Request)
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Vice Chair, Public Policy Jarvis Kendrick, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Committee Members Mike Bradley, Valencia Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center Wendy Dodge, Polk County Public Schools Peter Elliott, Polk State College Angel Gonzalez, CenterState Bank of Florida N.A. Mike Hickman, Hickman Homes, Inc. Michael Spake, Lakeland Regional Health Systems Adil Khan, Clark & Daughtery Medical Group/LRHS John Knowles, Florida Southern College Shane Kunze, Publix Super Markets, Inc. Patti Loftin, Regions Bank Bruce Lyon, Winter Haven Economic Development Council Maria Mahoney, The Mahoney Group, Inc. Maggie Mariucci, Florida Polytechnic University Mike McGee, McGee Auto Service and Tires Matt Mucci, AT&T Mattias Perttula, Southeastern University Trista Otto, Saddle Creek Logistics Services Ana Sanchez, Polk State College Sara Roberts, Polk Vision Laura Rodriguez, Lakeland Vision Rob Tate, Florida Southern College Doug Thomas, City of Lakeland Julie Townsend, Lakeland Downtown Development Authority Ashley Troutman, Woodmen of the World President Corydon G. Skeates, Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President, Public Affairs Rich Roy, Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce 35 Lake Morton Dr | Lakeland, FL 33801 PO Box 3607 | Lakeland, FL 33802 (863) 688-8551 | LakelandChamber.com