Peter Schorsch
Noting several missed opportunities, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is giving faint praise to lawmakers for their efforts during Session to keep Florida competitive.
While the 2017 Legislative Session could have been much worse, the Chamber said Friday it should have been much, much better.
“Thanks to the thousands of businesses that stood with the Florida Chamber to help make Florida more competitive during the 2017 Florida Legislative Session,” said Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson. “While lawmakers did pass important legislation, we look forward to future opportunities to lower costs on families and businesses, and to putting Florida’s 244,800 unemployed Floridians back to work.”
Lawmakers closed out policy issues Friday – with a quasi-sine die – announcing their intention to pass the new state budget Monday.
With that, the Chamber released its 2017 Legislative Summary, subtitled: “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.”
The summary not only recaps the annual 60-day Session, knocking lawmakers for not finishing on time, but offers a “more comprehensive outline” of items passed — and what is unfinished business.
Florida’s 2017 Session by the numbers:
— 3,131 — Bills filed this session.
— 217 — Bills that have passed thus far.
— $83 Billion — The 2017-2018 state budget.
— 125+ — Florida Chamber testimony/weighing in support/opposition to legislation.
— 4,784 — Total scored votes taken thus far this session.
— 31 — Local chambers collaborating and advocating the Florida Chamber’s Business Agenda in Tallahassee this session.
