State Advocacy Agenda

Economic Competitiveness

Support continued reductions in the State corporate income tax.
Support legislative initiatives aimed at reducing the regulatory barriers impacting new business start-ups.
Support prioritization of Economic Development programs and funding of initiatives aimed at helping existing businesses expand and attract new businesses to Florida expand and to attract new businesses to Florida.
Support initiatives aimed at streamlining Florida’s regulatory environment.
Support ongoing efforts to reform Florida’s land development codes that allow Florida property owners and businesses to maximize business expansion and land development opportunities.
Support legislation related to protecting intellectual property rights and Florida’s ability to recruit and retain knowledge-based businesses.
Support Economic Development legislation aimed at improving transportation infrastructure and freight mobility.

Support the continued full funding of the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Funds and continue to oppose any attempt by the state legislature to “sweep” funds into other non-related funding categories.
Support efforts by the state legislature to give counties and municipalities more authority to ease zoning restrictions to allow additional affordable workforce housing to be constructed.
Support additional appropriations and grants to counties and municipalities to assist them in developing affordable workforce housing.
Support amendments to the Live Local Act that encourage private developers to construct additional affordable housing.

Support St. Johns County’s legislative funding requests for: upgrading State Road 16; State Road 206, State Road 207, State Road 208, and County Road 210; completing extensions for County Road 2209 and State Road 312/313.
Support St. Johns County’s request for funding to address beach erosion south of the Guana Reserve.
Support funding for the completion of the feasibility study of a transit rail line between the City of Jacksonville and the City of St. Augustine.

Continue to support prioritization and full funding of “Visit Florida” and the promotion of Northeast Florida’s tourism industries.
Monitor and oppose legislative or regulatory efforts to divert local tourist tax revenues away from localities or to fund other non-tourism-related purposes.
Support St. Johns County-based grant applications relative to capital investment in historic preservation.

Analyze proposed legislative changes to the Florida tax code to determine the effects on St. Johns County businesses. After a thorough review, make recommendations to our constituent legislators, where appropriate. Generally, support measures that make Florida more competitive in comparison to other states.
Support legislation to finally eliminate Florida’s sales tax on commercial rents.

Support legislative initiatives to aid the profitability and expansion of manufacturers in NE Florida.
Support legislative initiatives targeted at reducing the cost of purchasing equipment used in manufacturing.

Continue efforts to enhance the partnership level between the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and our elected state legislative delegation officials and staff.
Strengthen the partnership with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals, and other state advocacy partners to advance economic development in St. Johns County.

Robert W. Porter, Vice President, Public Policy
T: (904) 687-2049
C: (202) 330-1912
E: bob.porter@sjcchamber.com