2015 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY STATEMENT

STATE ISSUES

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISMEnterprise 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.

TORT REFORMFair 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.

AGRICULTURE/WATERWork 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.

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.

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.

GUARDIAN AD LITEMSupport 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.

HEALTHCAREWork 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 LOOPHOLESupport 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.

TRANSPORTATIONAdvocate 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.

2015 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY STATEMENT

EDUCATION ISSUESK-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 COUNTYThe 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 state-of-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 PolicyJarvis Kendrick, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union

Committee MembersMike 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

PresidentCorydon G. Skeates, Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce

Vice President, Public AffairsRich Roy, Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce

Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce35 Lake Morton Dr | Lakeland, FL 33801

PO Box 3607 | Lakeland, FL 33802(863) 688-8551 | LakelandChamber.com