The Florida Chamber of Commerce has announced its third round of legislative endorsements for the 2024 elections. These candidates were selected after a comprehensive vetting process conducted by the Florida Chamber Political Institute, which involved interviews with over 100 candidates across five cities over six weeks. More than 80 business organizations participated in this process.

OSHA has introduced a proposed rule titled “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings.” This rule seeks to establish consistent, nationwide standards to protect workers from the dangers of excessive heat. It addresses a wide range of industries, including construction, agriculture, hospitality, manufacturing, and local government. For businesses in Florida, understanding this rule is crucial because it outlines specific requirements that may directly impact daily operations.

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has filed proposed workers' compensation rates for 2025, citing a reduction in both the frequency and severity of claims as key factors influencing this year's rate filing. This improvement is attributed to employers’ ongoing commitment to enhancing workplace safety and advancements in technology, which have collectively reduced workplace injuries and facilitated quicker return-to-work processes for employees.

Today, the Florida Chamber Foundation released its 2024 Florida Business & Economic Mid-Year Report, an analysis of local and national economic data impacting the way Florida conducts business. This annual mid-year report aims to inform Florida leaders about the state's economic conditions, guiding them through the remainder of the year as they plan and budget for 2025. While Florida is creating one in every eleven new U.S. jobs and adding approximately 750 net new residents daily, focusing on key areas will help maintain this momentum.

Florida's economy is marked by notable achievements, including substantial investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and a business-friendly environment under Gov. Ron DeSantis. These factors contribute to Florida's leading position in job growth, low unemployment rate, and high rate of new business formations. Additionally, the state ranks as the number one destination for net in-migration due to its favorable economic conditions and quality of life.

The Florida Chamber Safety Council has introduced a new platform aimed at enhancing workplace heat safety for employers. This comprehensive toolkit includes resources such as heat stress prevention strategies, real-time weather monitoring applications, and continuing education and training opportunities.

Florida is sending 46 athletes to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, representing a diverse array of sports. These athletes hail from various cities across the state and will compete in events ranging from track and field to swimming.

Makayla Buchanan has been selected for the U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program, joining a group of 34 other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals, and association leaders.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce has announced its second round of legislative endorsements for the 2024 elections. These candidates were vetted by the business community through the Florida Chamber Political Institute’s Candidate Interview process, which spanned five cities over six weeks and involved more than 80 business organizations interviewing over 100 candidates for state legislative office.

Recognizing the essential role manufacturing plays in the growth of a diverse economy, one of the Florida 2030 Blueprint’s goals is to significantly grow Florida into a top five state for manufacturing jobs. Since the release of the Blueprint in 2018, Florida has added 58,300 manufacturing jobs, now ranking #11 in the country—surpassing New York and trailing Georgia by 8,000 jobs. In 2010, the Florida Chamber Foundation released the first Trade and Logistics Report. Then-Governor Scott used this report to advocate for deepening PortMiami and accelerating logistics and...

Newly released data on TheFloridaScorecard.org for 2023 shows that if Florida were an independent country, it would be ranked as the 16th largest economy in the world by gross domestic product (GDP). This marks a change from Florida’s previous GDP ranking as the 15th largest economy globally. Despite this shift, Florida's latest annual GDP stands at $1.58 trillion, reflecting an increase of over $140.4 billion.

Florida's latest 3rd and 8th-grade reading scores were recently released, reflecting progress toward Florida 2030-related education goals. According to TheFloridaScorecard.org, 3rd-grade reading scores increased by 5 percentage points to 55%, while 8th-grade reading scores rose by 4 percentage points to 51%.

The Florida Chamber Foundation's latest report reveals that Florida continues to experience significant net income migration, with over $36.05 billion moving into the state annually. Despite this being $3 billion less than last year, driven by an increase in outbound migration rather than a decrease in inbound migration, Florida remains the leading destination for income migration in the United States. This figure is approximately 3.5 times that of Texas, which ranks second.

The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida 2030 Blueprint aims to elevate Florida to the 10th largest economy globally by 2030. Within this framework, the "Talent Supply and Education" pillar is identified as crucial for achieving this vision.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce has announced its first round of legislative endorsements for the 2024 elections. These endorsements are based largely on the legislators' grades from The Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislative Report Card, which evaluates their commitment to promoting free enterprise and job creation.

Florida’s future and economic success depend on engaging all Floridians, including an often overlooked population: disconnected youth. Ensuring these young Floridians have every opportunity to secure a path to prosperity is essential. However, barriers to obtaining a high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., a GED) often limit prosperity for many of these individuals.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce has unveiled its 2024 "How They Voted" report, naming House Speaker Paul Renner as the Most Valuable Legislator. This recognition highlights Renner's leadership and efforts in passing pro-jobs, Chamber-backed legislative priorities.

The Florida Chamber Health Council unveiled the first business-led mental health research report in the nation this morning. The initiative aims to unite the business community, mental health experts, and policymakers on 25 strategies for creating systemic change to improve mental health outcomes both in and out of the workplace.