Florida Chamber of Commerce Jobs Agenda

[dougskiles]

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/472000/roger-bull/2011-10-20/florida-chamber-commerce-unveils-jobs-agenda

The Florida Chamber of Commerce released it 2012 legislature agenda to increase private sector jobs. Some of the recommendations:

Talent Supply & Education

o Advocating for expanded use of technology in the classroom to support Florida's transition into the new economy,
o Maintaining Florida's status as a national leader in producing a talented workforce through high-value programs like the Quick Response Training program,
o Promoting more flexibility, efficiency and performance in higher education and increasing the number of STEM baccalaureate degrees, and
o Enhancing parental choice in education.


Innovation & Economic Development
o Further transforming Florida's economy through the trade, logistics, manufacturing aerospace and related industries,
o Continue to pursue Research and Development activities to build on Florida's economic diversification and burgeoning innovation brand,
o Strengthening Florida's manufacturing base by making Florida more competitive by providing targeted and timely incentives, and
o Investing in intermodal connections and viable inland ports in order to achieve the goal of doubling Florida-origin exports and increased manufacturing activity.

Infrastructure & Growth Leadership

o Eliminating regulatory roadblocks and incentivizing governments to turn to the private sector to speed-up shovel ready transportation projects,

o Stopping the federal Environmental Protection Agency's Florida-only numeric nutrient criteria rulemaking (A Florida-specific water mandate),
o Supporting the creation of science-based water quality standards to protect Florida's natural resources, and
o Advocating for a comprehensive energy policy that increases energy independence and promotes sustainable economic growth.


Business Climate & Competitiveness

o Reforming Florida's no-fault auto insurance system (PIP) to cut down on fraud and abuse â€" a billion dollar problem that raises the cost of living for Floridians,
o Stabilizing and lowering unemployment compensation tax increases for Florida's job creators,
o Ensuring workers' compensation premiums are fair and not inflated with unnecessary costs by closing the loophole on drug repackaging contracts that are inflating the price of medication and responsible for nearly one-third of the 8.9 percent increase and costing Florida employers an additional $100 million annually, and
o Ensuring the taxpayer subsidized Citizens Property Insurance Corporation becomes the insurer of last resort, not first resort.

Civic & Government Systems
o Closing the Internet sales tax loophole and supporting E-fairness for Florida based retailers,
o Removing duplicative, outdated, obsolete rules, permitting processes and statues,
o Streamlining the permitting process to limit excessive costs on employers and encourage efficiency for business development and job creation,
o Supporting a one-stop shop venue that provides existing and new businesses with permitting, licensing and regulatory assistance, and
o Supporting 401(k)-style defined contribution retirement programs for new government employees.


Quality of Life & Quality Places
o Supporting medical legal reform efforts aimed at stabilizing health care costs,
o Protecting Florida's future by maintaining our longstanding opposition to the expansion of casino gambling in Florida.
o Addressing issues surrounding the talent gap of medical students educated in Florida leaving the state for their residency program and not returning to practice medicine in Florida.

Submitted by Roger Bull on October 20, 2011 - 12:52pm

[tufsu1]

brought to you from the same people that endorsed Rick Scott....and then quickly flip-flopped and fell into step behind his decision to nix high speed rail

[Ocklawaha]

brought to you from the same people that endorsed Rick Scott....and then quickly flip-flopped and fell into step behind his decision to nix high speed rail

Guess that depends on how you see it...

IMO, Killing Florida's absolutely flawed, nonviable HSR project gave America insurance that HSR will live to see another day, with or without the Grand Old Party. There is simply no way in hell that a state with a current rail passenger commitment of ZERO, is going to fill these flying trains. Expecting tourists to fill them because 'they ride trains in England or Peru, was a pipe dream. At best it wouldn't have covered even it's basic operating expenses, failed, shut down, and shifted to a much more logical commuter-corridor type train service or a better route for CSX phosphate shipments.

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

I was hoping for that commuter-corridor type train service myself.  That would have easily happened once the infrastructure was put in place and they figured out that it couldn't survive on tourist and Mickey alone.