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I believe Florida is headed in the: |
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Right Direction
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Wrong Direction
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No Direction
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I don't know
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Additional Comments: |
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In thinking ahead to 2020, do you expect your business to hire more employees, lay off employees or remain the same? |
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Hire more employees
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Lay off employees
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Remain the same
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No Response
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Generally, which issues most concern you in running your Florida business? (select all that apply) |
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Lowering the cost of doing business in Florida
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Reducing government regulations and red tape
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Infrastructure investments (roads, water, rail, airports, seaports, communication, etc.)font>
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Health care costs
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Florida’s lawsuit abuse problem
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Targeted tax reform and reducing government fees
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Lowering workers’ compensation costs
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Expanding business retention and recruitment efforts
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Finding a trained, or trainable, workforce
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Other: |
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Improving Florida’s Talent Pipeline For A Better Workforce |
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Talent is Florida’s most important economic development tool. Yet there are more than 289,700 Florida jobs looking for talented workers, and 353,000 Floridians looking for jobs – a clear signal that Florida has a talent gap that needs bridging. From early learning to lifelong opportunities, the Florida Chamber is committed to improving Florida’s talent pipeline for a better workforce. |
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EARLY LEARNING: Right now, 58% of Florida third graders are reading at grade level, but by 2030, the Florida Chamber has a goal that 100% of third graders read at grade level. Knowing how important early childhood development is to Florida’s future workforce, do you believe high-quality early learning systems should be a priority for the Florida Legislature? |
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Strongly Agree
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Agree
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Unsure
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Disagree
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Strongly Disagree
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K-12: Florida’s K-12 educational success holds top rankings in several national and international benchmarks. Towards continuous improvement, which of the following areas do you think our graduates and future employees need additional emphasis? |
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Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
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Industry and Professional Certifications
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Financial Literacy
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Civics and understanding how government works
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Other: |
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WORKFORCE: When people apply for employment at your company, what is their current workforce situation? (Select one) |
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Overall workforce has good technical and soft skills (e.g. leadership skills, communication skills, ability to work with a team, etc.)
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Workforce has good soft skills but requires retraining for specific technical skills
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Workforce has technical skills but lack soft skills
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Overall workforce lacks both technical and soft skills
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HIGHER EDUCATION: In terms of hiring new employees for your company, where does your business currently find talent? (Select all that apply) |
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State Colleges
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State Universities
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Out-of-state Universities
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Regional Workforce Programs
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Other: |
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HIGHER EDUCATION: Talent is Florida’s economic driver. Which part of the higher education system should receive additional taxpayer funding (select all that apply): |
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Need-based scholarships (income-based)
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Merit-based scholarships (academic achievement-based)
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Campus Infrastructure (buildings, equipment, labs, dorms, etc.)
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Existing funding is already sufficient
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Existing funding is too high and should be re-directed elsewhere
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Other: |
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TALENT SUPPLY & EDUCATION: When it comes to talent supply and education policy, what else should the Florida Chamber know as we advocate for the business community before lawmakers in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.? |
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Creating Quality Jobs By Diversifying Florida’s Economy |
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As the Florida Chamber unites businesses to grow Florida’s economy, we continue to believe that by building on Florida’s foundational industries – tourism, agriculture and construction – and investing in innovative next generation sectors, such as aerospace, modeling and simulation and logistics, bio and life sciences, and manufacturing, Florida can continue to attract a world class workforce and lead the way in job creation.
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CAPITAL & INVESTMENTS: Florida has a number of tools to help businesses diversify, grow, and become more innovative. Which of the following tools do you believe are the most helpful to Florida businesses? (select all that apply) |
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Research & Development Tax Credit
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Manufacturing Machinery & Equipment Tax Exemption
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Export Assistance Grants
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Incubator Programs
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Workforce Training Grants
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Microfinance Loan Program
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State Small Business Credit Initiative
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GrowFL
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Economic Development Transportation Fund or "Road Fund"
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Small Business Development Center
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Other: |
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FLORIDA’S ECONOMIC PORTFOLIO: Florida’s economic development agency, Enterprise Florida, which helps with business retention, expansion and recruitment, is being targeted for closure by some in the legislature. Do you believe that targeted tax incentives should be used for business recruitment and expansion after jobs are created and, or capital investments are made? |
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Yes
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No
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Undecided
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INNOVATION ECONOMY: Florida currently has seven targeted industries to encourage the growth of high-skill, high-wage jobs. Which industries do you believe Florida should continue to try to attract and expand as it seeks to diversify its economy? (Select all that apply) |
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Aviation/Aerospace
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Cleantech
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Defense and Homeland Security
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Financial/Professional Service
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Information Technology
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Life Sciences
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Logistics and Distribution
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Other: |
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GLOBAL TRADE: What should the legislature do to help double Florida product exports and triple serve exports by 2030?. (select all that apply) |
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Provide additional funding for Enterprise Florida efforts
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Provide funding that supports activities that expand international market access for Florida-origin exports
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Support policy initiatives, such as free trade agreements, that expand international market access for these goals
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Maintain support for Enterprise Florida's International offices
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Provide funding to expand grants for small businesses through the Target Sector Trade Grant and Export Marketing plan
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Provide assistance for small and mid-size businesses
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Continue to sponsor trade missions that identify and further business opportunities overseas
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Other: |
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INNOVATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: When it comes to innovation and economic development policy, what else should the Florida Chamber know as we advocate for the business community before the state legislature and Congress? |
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Preparing Florida's Infrastructure for Smart Growth |
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Research from the Florida Chamber Foundation shows that nearly 900 new residents move to Florida daily, and by 2030, Florida’s population will add 4.5 million new residents and 50 million new annual visitors. The Florida Chamber is focused on creating long-term investments in Florida’s energy, water, transportation, telecommunications, agriculture, and other infrastructure.
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TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS: As Florida grows, our infrastructure must be able to accommodate more than three million new drivers by 2030. As transportation modernizes, how should transportation networks be regulated? |
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I support the pre-emption of local and regional ordinances to the state-wide level to avoid the creation of a patchwork regulatory environment throughout 405 cities and 67 counties.
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I believe city and county governments should be able to regulate new technologies and services as they see fit.
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Undecided
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Don’t Know
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Comments/Other: |
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PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: The Florida Chamber has been on the leading edge of helping secure record transportation investments for more than six years. From road expansions to the deepening of ports to accommodate new, larger ships from Asia, and more connections for freight and delivery. In the last six years, have you or your business seen a change in the transportation system in your community? (select all that apply) |
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The transportation system is better than it was three years ago.
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The transportation system is worse than it was three years ago.
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There has been no appreciable change in the transportation system in the last three years.
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The transportation system is better but we must continue to aggressively fund infrastructure to prepare for the growing number of residents and visitors.
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Other: |
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ENERGY: As the nation’s third largest consumer of energy, Florida must continue to meet the demands of our growing population by maintaining source diversity and increasing our energy production. Which policies should Florida pursue to meet this goal? (select all that apply) |
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Investment in alternative energy sources
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Increase energy research and development
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Increase energy conservation measures
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Energy independence
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Increase natural gas capacities
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Advance clean coal technology efforts
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Expand use of nuclear power
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Increase solar, wind, and/or hydro technology investments
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Authorize fracking technologies
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Incentivize the construction of alternative energy infrastructure
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Other: |
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INFRASTRUCTURE & GROWTH LEADERSHIP: Preparing Florida’s infrastructure for smart growth and development is vital to helping Florida become a top 10 economy worldwide. What else should the Florida Chamber know as we serve as the voice for business in the state legislature and Congress? |
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Building the Perfect Climate for Business |
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As one of the nation’s top business climates, Florida must stay the course on being globally competitive. Building the perfect climate for business encompasses everything that goes into the expense side of a business’s profitability and survivability. From Florida’s tax and regulatory climate, to lawsuit abuse reform, commercial insurance like property/casualty and workers’ comp, to private property rights, permitting reform and more.
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COMMERCIAL INSURANCE: Which of the following insurance costs concern your business the most?
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Workers' Compensation
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Unemployment Compensation
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Liability
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Property & Casualty
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Health
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Other: |
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COMMERCIAL INSURANCE: What suggestions do you have to reduce these costs ?
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TARGETED TAX REFORM: Of the below taxes, which would be most beneficial to your business if the tax were eliminated or reduced? (Please rank your answers numerically, with 1 being most beneficial.) |
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Business Rent Tax (sales tax on commercial leases)
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Corporate Income Tax
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Insurance Premium Tax
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Business Filing Fees
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Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
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Tangible Personal Property Tax
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Ad Valorem Property Taxes
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I would rather the money be invested in something other than a tax cut
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REGULATIONS: Which of the following government mandates related to employee wages and benefits has or would have the most burdensome impact to your business? (select all that apply) |
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Increase in the Florida only minimum wage to $15 per hour
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Requiring employees to receive paid sick leave (including part-time employees)
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Requiring employees to receive maternity/paternity leave
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Federal Department of Labor overtime rule change
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Affordable Care Act
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Other: |
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LAWSUIT ABUSE REFORM: Lawsuit abuse in Florida makes Florida less competitive. The average Florida family of four is burdened with a $4,442 “lawsuit abuse tax” due to higher costs of living directly tied to Florida’s legal climate. Which of the following lawsuit abuse reforms should lawmakers tackle next legislative session? |
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Fair Settlement Act (Some call this Bad Faith reform)
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Accuracy in Damages
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Medical Malpractice reform
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Third Party Litigation Financing
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Assignment of Benefits Reform for Auto Glass
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Other: |
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BUSINESS CLIMATE & COMPETITIVENESS: When it comes to business climate and competitiveness policy, what else should the Florida Chamber know as we advocate for the business community before the state legislature and Congress? |
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Making Government And Civics More Efficient And Effective |
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As Florida prepares for 26 million residents by 2030, it is vital that our government systems operate as efficiently and business like as practical. With 405 cities, 67 counties and 34 state agencies, we’re fighting for an efficient government that provides the highest return to taxpayers with the lowest burden on job creators and residents.
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MODERNIZING GOVERNMENT PENSION SYSTEM: Florida’s pension system gets bailed out annually with approximately $1 billion, out of a $91 billion state budget. These dollars could go to teachers, roads, healthcare, economic growth, tax cuts, etc. Do you support moving from a deferred benefit model to a deferred contribution model? |
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Yes
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No
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Other
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FLORIDA’S CONSTITUTION: It has recently been reported that special interests and deep pockets will likely spend $5 million on Florida ballot measures proposed for Florida’s Constitution. Do you believe Florida’s Constitution is too easy to amend or is the process about right? |
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Too easy to amend
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About Right
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GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS: With 67 counties and 405 cities, efficiency between state and local government can be cumbersome. Which of the below do you support? (select all that apply.) |
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Support appropriate statewide regulatory structures to avoid a patchwork of incompatible regulations.
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Eliminate overreaching and unnecessary regulations.
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CIVIC & GOVERNMANCE SYSTEMS: When it comes to civic and governance systems policy, what else should the Florida Chamber know as we advocate for the business community before the state Legislature and Congress? |
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Championing Florida's Quality of Life |
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With an increasing population, and visitors from all over the world, it is important that we focus on creating a healthy and sustainable place for Florida’s residents and visitors to work, live, play and learn. This means embracing cost-saving, value driven adaptations to Florida’s healthcare system, breaking the cycle of generational poverty, and stopping the expansion of Las Vegas-style casino gambling.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS: Which of the following policies should the Florida Chamber support? (select all that apply) |
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Promote healthy lifestyles and wellness programs
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Increase access to care through technologies such as telemedicine
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Allow nurses to provide more healthcare services traditionally done only by doctors
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Implement new reimbursement methodologies that pay providers based on outcomes verses only for services provided
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Invest in R&D to develop solutions for chronic healthcare diseases
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Expand coverage to the uninsured
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ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY & PROSPERITY: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 800,000 (or 15.5 percent) of children under 18 years old in Florida are considered to be living in poverty. What, if anything, should policymakers and/or the business community do about it? |
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ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY & PROSPERITY: If you are interested in learning more about the Florida Prosperity Initiative, please let us know and we’ll contact you. |
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Yes, please contact me
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Email:
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SENSE OF PLACE & COMMUNITY: Do you support or oppose the expansion of Las Vegas-style casino-style gambling in Florida? |
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Support
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Oppose
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Undecided
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No Response
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QUALITY OF LIFE & PLACES: When it comes to quality of life policy, what else should the Florida Chamber of Commerce know as we advocate for the business community before the state Legislature and Congress? |
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Thank You |
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Thank you for taking the time to share your views on how we can unify Florida’s business community for good and make Florida more competitive.
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After you click the Submit button below, please take one additional moment to forward the email containing the link to this survey to other leaders in your network, industry, supply chain and region.
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To secure Florida's future, we need your leadership in ensuring we hear from as many job creators as possible.
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