Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2017

The head of the Florida Chamber of Commerce Thursday defended the state’s handout of economic incentives, but said they were only ever meant to stoke job creation in a targeted way. “In very, very limited cases, incentives are in play,” said Mark Wilson, the organization’s president and CEO. “We shouldn’t be using incentives for every job we create. In fact, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 19, 2016

The Florida Chamber has a message for its members: Go vote. The statewide business advocacy organization’s employer-to-employee news and information program launched its “Let’s Get Local” campaign this week. The get-out-the-vote program is meant to encourage employees to vote in the general election. “There’s more to this election than just the top of the ticket,” […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 26, 2016

A solar power amendment is poised for passage, according to a new poll by the Florida Chamber Political Institute. The survey found 66 percent of Florida voters would support solar power initiative, while 16 percent of respondents said they would vote against it. “The Florida Chamber supports the solar energy policies in Amendment 1 and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 29, 2016

The Florida Chamber of Commerce stands by its assertion that a high number of unlikely voters have already cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary. The Tampa Bay Times reported last week that the political team at the Florida Chamber of Commerce had noticed a trend in the number of people rarely voting in primary elections. The […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 17, 2016

The Florida Chamber of the Commerce is looking to the future, and how it can help military veterans succeed. The Florida Chamber Foundation kicked off its Military, Defense and Veterans Opportunities Summit on Wednesday with a discussion about how the businesses can prepare for the next phase of Florida’s growth. The statewide business advocacy group […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 15, 2016

The Florida Chamber of Commerce is going digital. The statewide business advocacy group is poised to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on digital advertising targeting likely primary voters in key legislative races. The campaign, according to a memo obtained by FloridaPolitics.com, will feature 15-second biographical spots on mobile devices and social media, and will […]

Jim RosicaJuly 1, 2016

A request to increase worker’s compensation insurance rates has now gone up to nearly 20 percent, stoking ire from the state’s business lobby. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), an umbrella organization representing insurers, filed the request Friday with state insurance regulators. It blames recent state Supreme Court rulings for the hike. The Florida Chamber […]

Jim RosicaJune 9, 2016

The state’s business lobbying groups called for legislative action Thursday after a Florida Supreme Court decision earlier that day on the worker’s compensation law. The court’s 5-2 ruling for injured St. Petersburg firefighter Bradley Westphal strikes down a provision in the law limiting the time that injured workers can get temporary disability benefits. (Story here.) Three justices, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 2, 2016

The most important tool in the economic development toolkit might have little to do with tax incentives. Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said Thursday that talent is “replacing the tax incentive as the economic tool of choice” in Florida. This should encourage business, community and education leaders to prioritize […]

Jim RosicaMay 31, 2016

The National Federation of Independent Business/Florida is adding its voice to the business groups decrying a proposed 17 percent hike in the cost of workers’ compensation insurance to employers. The rate increase “is a $623 million tax on workers in Florida that will go primarily to workers’ compensation attorneys,” NFIB/Florida Executive Director Bill Herrle said in […]

Tag: Mark Wilson

Florida Chamber head still bullish on incentives (with an explanation)

Florida Chamber: ‘Every vote counts and makes a difference’

Solar amendment supported by 66% of Floridians, new poll finds

Florida Chamber stands by assertion that there are a high number of “unlikely voters” in primary

Florida Chamber focuses on military and defense industry, veterans during summit

Florida Chamber makes big digital investment in key legislative races

Florida Chamber warns of increasing worker’s comp rates

Business lobby upset over worker’s comp decision

Florida Chamber Foundation encourages business, education leaders to focus on talent pipeline

NFIB/Florida joins groups opposed to workers’ comp hike