Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMay 9, 2018

The Florida Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday that it’s backing sitting CFO Jimmy Patronis’ bid for a full term in the Cabinet post. Florida Chamber CEO Mark Wilson, Mike Sheely of Allstate Insurance, and Tampa Republican Rep. Jackie Toledo made the announcement La Segunda Bakery in Ybor City. “From ensuring that Floridians have the tools […]

Drew WilsonMay 7, 2018

The Florida Chamber of Commerce on Monday announced 60 endorsements in state legislative races slated for the 2018 ballot. The chamber said the nods were part of “a larger Florida Chamber effort to help elect pro-jobs, pro-business candidates that support private-sector job creation and economic growth.” “Electing pro-jobs, free-enterprise focused candidates to office can and […]

Drew WilsonMay 4, 2018

Public education will only improve when people buy in, Step Up for Students President Doug Tuthill said Thursday at the Florida Chamber of Commerce Summit on Prosperity & Economic Opportunity. “I’m going to start with the good news: public education today is in the best shape that it’s ever been in,” Tuthill said, citing the […]

Drew WilsonMay 4, 2018

Former HUD secretary and U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez said the business community needs to play a much more active role if Florida is to confront and overcome challenges faced in the modern economy. Martinez, now J.P. Morgan’s chairman of the Southeast U.S. and Latin America, spoke on the state of homelessness, employment, and wages during […]

Drew WilsonMay 4, 2018

One of the most pervasive topics of discussion at the Florida Chamber of Commerce Summit on Prosperity & Economic Opportunity was the role affordable housing, or the lack of it, plays in holding back poor Floridians, especially children. A report presented by Anne Ray of the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies provided […]

Drew WilsonMay 3, 2018

It doesn’t take a national, or even a state-level initiative to combat intergenerational poverty, local communities can make inroads on their own according to businesswoman Forough Hosseini. Hosseini, who along with her husband runs ICI Homes, spoke about her efforts to make a difference with impoverished youth in Volusia County during the Florida Chamber of […]

Drew WilsonMay 3, 2018

Education, particularly early education, is a key avenue in the fight against intergenerational poverty, says Children’s Movement of Florida founder Dave Lawrence. Lawrence gave the elevator speech version of his organization’s mission during the Florida Chamber of Commerce Summit on Prosperity & Economic Opportunity. “We are, believe it or not, the most unequal of all […]

Drew WilsonMay 3, 2018

It may be easier to attack symptoms, but Mike Finney says that isn’t the most effective way to make long-term gains in the war on poverty. “I’m Mike Finney, and I’m a recovering kid who grew up in poverty,” Finney said, in an AA-style intro. “I’ve managed to avoid lapsing back into poverty for 44 years.” The […]

Scott PowersMay 3, 2018

The Florida Chamber of Commerce on Thursday endorsed Republican Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam to be the state’s next governor. Putnam joined Chamber leaders Thursday morning at a press conference at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, billed as a “special announcement.” The news came amidst a Chamber conference on poverty and prosperity. “I am proud to have […]

Drew WilsonMay 3, 2018

Florida Chamber of Commerce head Mark Wilson said that Florida businesses need to start working toward solutions on poverty – and fast. Wilson made the remarks during the opening hour of the Chamber’s Summit on Prosperity and Economic Opportunity, held Thursday in Orlando. His talk opened up with a top-level overview of where the Sunshine State […]

Tag: Florida Chamber of Commerce
Kristen Arrington, Anna Eskamani, Jason Brodeur, Keith Truenow, David Smith, Geraldine Thompson at Tiger Bay. Image by Jacob Ogles

Florida Chamber endorses Jimmy Patronis for CFO

Florida Chamber announces ‘first round’ of legislative endorsements

Doug Tuthill: Education improves with a sense of ownership

Mel Martinez: Corporate responsibility is the way forward

Report details plight of Florida’s homeless youth

Forough Hosseini: Local efforts can lead the way in lifting Floridians out of poverty

Chamber Summit: Early education is key for a prosperous Florida

Progress on poverty comes with focus on root causes, not symptoms

Florida Chamber of Commerce endorses Adam Putnam for governor

Businesses need to start on poverty solutions, Chamber head says