News

Florida Chamber of Commerce Appoints John Doolittle to Lead Health Council; Florida Chamber Leadership Cabinet Launches Mental Wellness Institute to Improve Behavioral Health for Workforce, Veterans/First Responders & Youth

The Florida Chamber Leadership Cabinet on Safety, Health, and Sustainability—the Chamber’s entity guiding statewide efforts to improve workplace safety, employee health, and environmental outcomes—has appointed John Doolittle as Director of the Florida Chamber Health Council, one of its three core councils. Within the Health Council, Doolittle will also lead the launch of the newly established Mental Wellness Institute, a business-led initiative focused on improving behavioral health outcomes for Florida’s workforce, veterans and first responders, and…

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Statement from Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation – Florida’s 3rd-Grade Reading Scores Up Two Percentage Points, Now at 57%

“We are encouraged by the increase in Florida’s 3rd grade reading scores, reflecting the hard work of educators, the business community, and students alike. While we celebrate the positive momentum seen in 50 of our 67 school districts, we turn our attention to the nearly 95,000 Florida students who are not yet reading at grade level. I would like to congratulate Franklin County for being the biggest percentage mover, going from 40% to 60% on…

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Florida Chamber Foundation, in Partnership with Helios Education Foundation, Launches Game-Changing Florida Talent Center Data Hub to Strengthen Statewide Talent Pipeline

Access the Florida Talent Center Data Hub HERE. The Florida Chamber Foundation, in partnership with Helios Education Foundation, is proud to announce the launch of the Florida Talent Center Data Hub, a first-of-its-kind, public-facing tool designed to support Florida’s long-term workforce readiness and economic growth. The Florida Talent Center Data Hub, launched at today’s 2025 Florida Learners to Earners Workforce Solution Summit, brings together cradle-to-career education and workforce data into a centralized, user-friendly platform. Designed…

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National Inflation Sees Slight Increase, While The Fed Holds Interest Rates Steady

In a time of economic uncertainty, there are many factors that influence the direction of an economy. At a policy level, decisions from the Federal Reserve play a big role in determining the course of the nation. The Federal Reserve functions with two goals: keeping prices stable and moving the country towards maximum employment. The adjustment of interest rates is used as a tool to accomplish this dual mandate. If the Federal Reserve wants to…

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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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