James Madison Institute promotes Logan Padgett to senior vice president

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.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch has released a report titled "From Roads to Roots: A Review of Florida’s Highway Landscape Spending," advocating for the establishment of an upper limit on landscape spending by the legislature. The report acknowledges the value of highway landscaping and suggests that policies should be implemented to better protect investments in this area.

Brad Close, President of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), recently appeared on WCCF-AM 1580 in Fort Myers to discuss the importance of making the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent. He emphasized that Congress should act to prevent an impending tax hike on Florida's small businesses.

The motion, filed on behalf of Jason Baez, challenges a $547,850 lien by the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC). The lien was instituted in July 2024 after Baez settled a lawsuit against FDC officers who beat him so severely that he lost an eye. If allowed to stand, FDC would take back the money it paid to settle the lawsuit, leaving Baez with debt and a lifelong disability when he is released from prison.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch has released a commentary titled "Florida’s Water Supply: Could Florida Experience a Significant Water Supply Shortage by 2025?" According to a June 2024 report from the Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR), Florida may face a water supply shortage as early as next year, with increasing severity projected through 2040.

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.

Florida TaxWatch released a commentary titled "Social Determinants of Health: Education Access and Quality," the second installment in a five-part series examining social determinants of health. These are environmental conditions, such as age and economic background, that affect individual health. The focus of this commentary is on the link between education access and quality and overall health and well-being.

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.

A new school year is underway in Florida, bringing new opportunities for students participating in the nation’s largest school choice programs.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel published an op-ed by Zack Magin, owner of Tropic Machine Products and a member of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Ft. Lauderdale. In his piece, Magin emphasized the significance of the Small Business Deduction for his enterprise and outlined the potential consequences if Congress does not make it permanent.

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.

A new report from Florida TaxWatch, an independent, nonpartisan research institute, reveals that Indian River State College generates substantial economic benefits for its service area (Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties) and the state of Florida. The report, titled "An Independent Assessment of the Economic Impacts of Indian River State College," underscores the college’s role as a key driver of workforce development and economic growth in the Treasure Coast region and beyond.

Patricia Levesque, Executive Director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, issued a statement in response to the Florida State Board of Education’s recent decision on the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program performance metric.

The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) praised members of the North Carolina General Assembly for their historic veto override votes on critical election integrity reforms. The Legislature passed Senate Bill 747 in mid-August and presented it to Governor Roy Cooper on August 18. Governor Cooper vetoed the bill on August 24. Today, the Senate overrode the governor’s veto by a vote of 30-19 and the House by a vote of 72-44.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla — Yesterday, the New College of Florida discarded hundreds of library books focused on LGBTQ+, diversity, and religious studies topics, including collections from its former Gender and Diversity Center. Neither students nor the public were given the opportunity to acquire or adopt these books before they were discarded or damaged, as provided by FS 273.

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.

Tallahassee, Fla – Today, Florida TaxWatch released its 2024 update: "Are Floridians Ready to Go Back to School? Not Without More Teachers," an analysis of Florida’s teacher shortage. In Florida’s FY2023-24 state budget, education was one of the largest consumers of taxpayer dollars; however, a teacher shortage prevents these funds from being effectively utilized.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has released new radio and video ads in Florida as part of its ongoing efforts to urge Congress to pass the Main Street Tax Certainty Act. This legislation aims to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent, preventing a significant tax increase on small businesses.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Aug. 13, 2024) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, announced the second round of legislative endorsements from NFIB Florida’s PAC. The PAC is comprised of NFIB Florida members from throughout the state.