News

Florida Consumers Feel Better Off Than a Year Ago, Hinting at Economic Resilience Amid Uncertainty

As uncertainty surrounding inflation, tariffs, and GDP fluctuations dominates headlines, consumer sentiment is rising into the limelight. When the economy is unpredictable, it becomes even more important to understand how consumers feel—and Florida stands out. As some policies are implemented, and others continue to be up in the air, Florida’s consumers are more optimistic than they were a year ago. That optimism is grounded in a strong economy: with a $1.74 trillion GDP, Florida would…

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Florida Chamber Foundation Releases Comprehensive Research Report on Aligning Florida’s Math Education to Future Workforce Needs

The Florida Chamber Foundation has released its newest research report, Aligning Math Education to Workforce Needs: Insights From Florida’s Employers, highlighting the urgent need for action in closing math education gaps in Florida. Growing Florida to a Top 10 global GDP means making the Florida 2030 Blueprint goals a reality. One set of goals involve strengthening Florida’s talent supply and education. As Florida focuses on talent and job growth, a major factor in achieving this goal…

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Hard Work Remains Following Conclusion of 2025 Regular Legislative Session in which Local Businesses & Consumers Prevail 

Florida’s Regular Legislative Session by the Numbers: 1,951 Bills and PCBs filed; approximately 245 bills passed both chambers Florida Chamber of Commerce testified over 150 times on legislation impacting job creators Florida Chamber is analyzing approximately 5,000 regular session votes cast by lawmakers and will release its annual Legislative Report Card with our forthcoming How They Voted publication $4.4 billion difference in House and Senate budgets, requiring the legislature to return to finish the budget and other…

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Statement on the Passage of HB 1205 – Amendments to the State Constitution by Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce

“The Florida Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Floridians on the passage of HB 1205 as it is a much-needed step in the right direction to protect Floridians and the Florida Constitution they live under from out-of-state and special interests. We are grateful for Governor Ron DeSantis, Senators Erin Grall and Don Gaetz and Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka for their leadership in protecting Florida’s Constitution. For decades, the Florida Chamber has led the effort to safeguard…

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Florida Legislature Continues to Advance Legislation that Reverses Course on Recent Legal Reforms; Budget & Tax Discussions Ongoing

Florida’s 60-day legislative session is scheduled to end next Friday, May 2nd, and the Senate President and House Speaker have suggested they will not finish on time due to ongoing negotiations on the state budget, the one item legislators are required to pass each year, and the annual tax package. Initially, the House and Senate were $4.4 billion apart in spending plans, and the biggest sticking point is the tax package. Both sides announced they…

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New Florida Business Alliance for Early Learning Project Drives $8 Million Investment from Naples Children & Education Foundation in Early Learning for Collier County

A groundbreaking study by the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Business Alliance for Early Learning and the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) has identified key challenges in early learning availability, affordability, and workforce stability in Collier County. The findings will support NCEF’s commitment to invest $8 million in Collier County, aimed at transforming the local early learning landscape and expanding access to high-quality child care for families. 44% of Collier kindergarteners enter kindergarten ready to learn,…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Signs Trade MOU During CEO Delegation Trip to the UAE

This week, the Florida Chamber of Commerce announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, formalizing a strategic partnership to expand trade, investment, and long-term economic collaboration between Florida and the United Arab Emirates. Katie Yeutter, COO and CFO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce (right), pictured signing a Memorandum of Understanding at AIM Congress 2025 with His Excellency Khaled Al Fahim, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce Board Member. The…

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Floridians Can Celebrate Lower Insurance Premiums on the Two-Year Anniversary of Successful Reforms

Every Floridian can celebrate the two-year anniversary of significant reforms that are stabilizing and decreasing insurance premiums for property and auto owners. With nation-leading cuts to insurance rates, lawmakers should allow the positive changes that are benefiting Floridians to continue. “The facts are crystal clear – insurance rates are stabilizing or dropping for Floridians,” said Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber. “We cannot go backwards to the days when meritless litigation led…

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Florida’s 1.74T Economy Has the 2nd Fastest Growth Rate in the U.S.; Florida Sees Largest Housing Market Supply in Years

Part one of a two-part April series of research Florida By The Numbers is now available. Florida Chamber Foundation Vice President of Research, Dr. Keith Richard, takes us on a journey through some of the recently released Florida 2030 Blueprint metrics impacting Florida’s future as a top-10 global economy. Some of the metrics covered in this update include: From the Innovation & Economic Development Pillar – According to recently released data on Florida’s gross domestic product (GDP), Florida is now a $1.74T economic…

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Florida Moves Up in Manufacturing Employment – Now Ranked #10!

Florida has officially surpassed Georgia to become #10 in the nation for manufacturing employment, marking another step forward toward our Florida 2030 Blueprint goal of being a Top 5 state for manufacturing jobs by 2030. Currently, Florida has: 421,400 manufacturing jobs in Florida – an increase of 3,100 over the last year (+0.7%). 5,600 more manufacturing jobs than Georgia (#11). 29,700 jobs away from North Carolina (#9). 142,900 jobs away from Illinois (#5). This momentum is a testament to Florida’s thriving manufacturing sector…

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New Florida Chamber Foundation Policy Research Report Makes Case for State Median Income to Become the Eligibility Measure for School Readiness

Informed by the Florida Business Alliance for Early Learning Project, the Florida Chamber Foundation’s new School Readiness policy research report makes the case for a shift in the School Readiness program’s eligibility criteria from the Federal Poverty Level to State Median Income to ensure more working families have access to affordable, quality child care. This change aims to bolster Florida’s workforce and strengthen Florida’s economy in pursuit of the following Florida 2030 Blueprint goals: Ensuring…

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New Florida Chamber Foundation Research Report Highlights K-12 Math Proficiency Gaps and Solutions

The Florida Chamber Foundation has released a new research report, Math Matters: Bridging Gaps for Florida’s Future Workforce, calling attention to the vital role math proficiency plays in shaping Florida’s future workforce. Based on the Florida 2030 Blueprint goals aimed at strengthening Florida’s talent supply and education, the report highlights the state’s current challenges and offers recommendations to improve math outcomes for K-12 students in Florida. The math report’s findings reveal that over 128,600 Florida…

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Florida’s Economy is Taking Shape in 2025. Here’s How.

Florida’s economy continues to evolve and grow. For leaders to strategize and maximize their opportunity in Florida’s economy, it means having the right data at your fingertips. As we prepare for the release of Florida’s first-of-2025 labor market data at the end of the month, where we will provide our next Florida By The Numbers video update, the Florida Chamber Foundation research team is sharing the following trending insights into Florida’s economic landscape. New metrics reflecting…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses Brian Hodgers in House District 32 Race

TALLAHASSEE, FL (March 6, 2025) – The Florida Chamber of Commerce continues to unite Florida’s business community to help make Florida more competitive and today endorsed Brian Hodgers in the House District 32 race to fill the seat being vacated by Representative Debbie Mayfield as she runs in the Senate District 19 special election. Hodgers underwent a thorough vetting by the business community as part of the Florida Chamber Political Institute’s Candidate Interview process. “Florida created…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses Nathan Boyles in House District 3 Race 

The Florida Chamber of Commerce continues to unite Florida’s business community to help make Florida more competitive and today endorsed Nathan Boyles in the House District 3 race to fill the seat vacated by former Representative Joel Rudman resulting from his resignation to run in the Republican primary for Congress in the 1st Congressional District. Boyles underwent a thorough vetting by the business community as part of the Florida Chamber Political Institute’s Candidate Interview process.…

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