First Committee Week in Tallahassee - Florida Chamber Update - WINTER HAVEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

First Committee Week in Tallahassee - Florida Chamber Update

1/15/2017

The Florida Legislature gathered for its first week of committee meetings and numerous important issues were discussed. Below you will find updates from the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The Florida Chamber is a state-wide advocacy organization of which the Winter Haven Chamber is a member. We don't always agree on everything as we have to look at things through the Winter Haven lens, but we do rely on them for information throughout the session.

Below are their notes on several hot topics this week.

Healthcare

Ensuring Florida remains the best place to live, work, and play has been a top priority for the Florida Chamber for the last 100 years. This means a strong focus on policies that seek to drive down the cost of care shifted onto businesses as well as support for innovations that will result in greater access and quality outcomes for Floridians.
Below is a summary of healthcare conversations the Florida Chamber monitored this week. To learn more about any of these issues, please contact me at [email protected].

The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee heard an update from the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs on VA healthcare issues,
An update on the State’s Medicaid Program was heard in a variety of Healthcare committees, including: The House Health & Human Services Committee, the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, and the Senate Appropriations Committee,
The House Health Innovation Subcommittee heard an overview of the Certificate of Need Program from the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), which included a panel discussion featuring Florida Chamber member Florida State University, and
House Speaker Richard Corcoran (R-Lutz) briefed Florida Chamber Board members in town for the Leadership Fly-In on his perspectives and philosophies surrounding the overall healthcare conversation.
Federal Healthcare Watch: Early this Thursday morning, the United States Senate passed a budget resolution that sets the stage for a bill that could repeal major pieces of the Affordable Care Act – also known as Obamacare. Friday, the United States House of Representatives approved the same resolution by a 227-198 vote margin. The House and Senate resolutions allow for the repeal bill to be drafted and introduced, which could occur as early as January 27, 2017. That legislation would still need to be passed by both the House and Senate, before being sent to President-Elect Donald Trump for his signature.

Water Solutions

The Florida Chamber continues to advocate for Florida’s water future by supporting science-based infrastructure investments and initiatives that allow Florida to grow while protecting our precious natural resources. We will continue to fight against unneeded, government-mandated regulations that place undue burdens on Florida’s businesses.
Below is a summary of water conversations the Florida Chamber monitored this week. To learn more about any of these, please contact me at [email protected].

The Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee heard several presentations, including a presentation from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) regarding the implementation of the comprehensive water reform bill that passed last session with the Chamber’s support,
The House Natural Resources & Public Lands Subcommittee also received an update from FDEP regarding the implementation of last year’s water bill,
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources hosted a workshop on Everglades restoration and options to reduce Lake Okeechobee discharges. Presenters included the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FDEP and a representative from the University of Florida, who discussed various water quality and storage measures, in addition to other subjects, and
Senator Wilton Simpson (R-Spring Hill) briefed Florida Chamber Board members in town for the Leadership Fly-In on his perspectives on Florida's long term water quantity needs, including potential reclaimed water legislation he is drafting.

Seminole Compact and Gaming

The Florida Legislature gathered for its first week of committee meetings in the New Year this week. Two gaming-related conversations were set to occur, but the Senate Regulated industries Committee cancelled their Wednesday, January 11, 2017, meeting, leaving only House Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee’s panel discussion on the Seminole Compact.
The panel discussion featured:

State Economist, Amy Baker,
Jonathan Zachem, Deputy Secretary, Department of Business & Professional Regulation, and
C. Jason Maine, General Counsel, Department of Business & Professional Regulation.

For over twenty years, the Florida Chamber has been opposed to the expansion of gambling in Florida, especially Las Vegas style casinos, as we believe they are contrary to our family friendly brand and not the type of economic development we need.

Additionally, the Florida Chamber supports a renewed state compact with the Seminole Tribe because that is the best way to limit the expansion of gambling in Florida and contain it to tribal lands.
Included in the House Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee’s meeting packet was a list of “anticipated major policy issues,” which included:

Seminole Gaming Compact,
Voter Control of Gambling Expansion,
Slot Machine Gaming,
Decoupling of Live Racing or Games,
Designated Player Card Games, and
Daily Fantasy Sports.

Additionally, Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) briefed Florida Chamber Board members in town for the Leadership Fly-In on his perspectives regarding a number of issues, including potential gaming legislation, that could come before the Legislature this session. Late yesterday afternoon, Senator Galvano filed gaming legislation in the Senate, details of which can be found here.

Education

One of the most common concerns we hear from businesses of all sizes is the need for a qualified workforce and highly-trained talent pool. The Florida Chamber believes a talented workforce is Florida’s best long-term economic development strategy. From early learning to lifelong learning, Florida wins when we match business needs with talent.
Below is a summary of education presentations from the first Committee Week of 2017 that the Florida Chamber monitored this week. To learn more about any of these issues, please contact me at [email protected].

The House Education Committee heard several presentations and had important conversations regarding the purpose of education and closing the opportunity gap,
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K – 12 Education hosted a workshop on assessments and funding,
The House Pre-K – 12 Innovation Subcommittee listened to presentations on the impact of school choice and learned more about Florida’s school choice programs. Florida Chamber Board of Governors’ member Step Up for Students was featured during this meeting,
The House Pre-K – 12 Quality Subcommittee listened to presentations on effective teachers and how to retain effective teachers for turnaround schools,
The House Post-Secondary Education Subcommittee heard a presentation on post-secondary attainment, during which the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Jobs 2030 report was mentioned,
Senate President Joe Negron’s higher education package was filed (SB 2 and SB 4), and
Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) and House Speaker Richard Corcoran (R-Lutz) briefed Florida Chamber Board members in town for the Leadership Fly-In on a wide-range of education issues they anticipate seeing this session.

WH Chamber note: As you may have read in the News Chief there is discussion of bringing back the debate on state colleges (like Polk State) being able to offer Baccalaureate degrees. This Chamber supports State Colleges being able to offer such degrees and will continue to advocate for that this session. Polk State has been able to quickly react to the needs of our community's workforce and businesses.

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