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Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce
Quarterly Government Relations E-News
January 9, 2017
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Each Week, the Daytona Regional Chamber sets up meetings with elected officials and we also attend numerous meetings throughout the County. Below is a recap of our recent activity along with information for upcoming events. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Cameron at 386.566.2140.
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Local Government
Committee Meets
with County Chair Ed Kelley
On December 7, the Local Government Committee (Cheryl Coxwell, - Chair, International Speedway Corp) met with
then-County Chair Elect Ed Kelley where they discussed the current issues including homelessness, economic development including various projects including Tanger Outlet Mall, ERAU's Research Park and others.
The group meets next with
Daytona Beach City Commissioner Aaron Delgado on January 11.
The Chamber will soon present present its recommendations for 2017 to the Volusia County Council, Daytona Beach City Commission and other local entities.
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Education Committee meets with
School Board member Carl Persis
On December 7, members of the Chamber Education Committee (Heather Vargas, Chair) met with newly elected Board member Carl Persis. Several topics were discussed including the budget, technology in the classroom, and new sales tax revenue. Persis likes the idea of a budget oversight committee to include local financial professionals...."It reassures the public how money is spent." In addition, one of his top priorities is is to improve the graduation rate and provide more guidance at the middle school level and he wants to link education with more realistic occupations and earning potential. The Education Committee is seeking judges for the Tomoka Regional Science Fair on January 28 (see below). The Committee's next meeting on February 1 will be with new Campbell MS Principal Jerry Picott. |
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| Legislative Committee Chair Cheryl Coxwell |
Legislative Committee Presents
2017 Priorities to Delegation
On December 19, Legislative Committee
(Cheryl Coxwell - Chair, International Speedway Corp) relayed the Chamber's views on numerous issues to come before the 2017 legislative session.
Some of the topics discussed included....
*support legislation to address the recent 14.5 Worker's Compensation rate increase,
*support a new Fla-specific Medicaid waiver to provide affordable healthcare,
*support funding for DBPR to curb unlicensed contracting,
*oppose legislation that would add pre-judgement interest on damages from the date an injury/tort occurred,
*support water quality funds for the Mosquito Lagoon to address septic tanks,
*higher education facility building projects,
*increase K-12 education Base Student Allocation by 5%
*support legislation to require vacation rental properties to register/collect sales tax,
The Chamber's Committee will be adding other local capital funding projects next month.
The County, School District as well as numerous cities agencies presented their requests as well.
The Legislative session runs March 7 - May 5. The Chamber has begun its plans for Volusia Days March 21-22 where it will lobby alongside other local entities in support of these and other capital projects (see details below).
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Rep Patrick Henry, Rep Paul Renner, Rep David Santiago,
Sen Travis Hutson, Sen David Simmons, Rep Tom Leek |
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Chamber Eggs & Issues Breakfast
Thursday, January 12, 7:30 am
LPGA Clubhouse, 1000 Champions Dr Daytona Beach
Speakers -
Carol Kilian
, Chair, Daytona Beach Economic Development Advisory Board;
Emory Counts
, Economic/Community Development Director;
Dennis Mrozek
, Planning Manager,
Hardy Smith
Government Relations Administrator
Topic -
Current Status of Daytona Beach Economy
$15 for Chamber members (advance RSVP) $20 day of event or
Event Sponsors
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50th Annual Tomoka Regional Science Fair Needs Judges
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It is
Saturday, January 28 at Spruce Creek HS and the Chamber is working with Volusia School staff in seeking judges....7:30 am to 12 noon
Judges begin the day with a 7:30 breakfast/training session in the Media Ctr sponsored by Heart of Volusia followed by students interviews 9 am - 12 noon.
- Junior Division for grades 6-8
- Senior Division for grades 9-12
Categories include Animal Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Behavioral/Social Sciences; Intelligent Machines, Robotics, Systems Software, Biochemical & Health Services, Mathematics & Computational Sciences, Cellular/Molecular Biology/Biochemistry, Astronomy, Engineering or other areas.....they're in dire need of
Chemistry and Physics judges
Judges from all industries, professions are welcomed! Approximately 100 judges will be needed for this event. What does it cost to judge? Zero! Nothing!
Can you be one of them?
However, there are 2 ways to participate......
If you have any questions, contact Felecia Martinez - 255-6475 ext 20686 or email [email protected]
or Jeremy Blinn, Secondary Science Specialist at 255-6475 ext 20553 or [email protected]
Your participation is appreciated.
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Volusia Days in Tallahassee set March 21-22
Chamber members and local officials are encouraged to join the Chamber's Volusia Days trip to Tallahassee on March 21-22. This is our opportunity to lobby legislators and other state officials on issues of concern to Volusia County.
On March 21, we begin with a 12-noon luncheon at the Old Capitol (downstairs) with members of our Volusia delegation. Afterwards, 4 individual teams will split up to meet with various House and Senate committee members to discuss local water projects, road projects, education issues, employer issues as well as other topics. That evening, there will be a reception/dinner with our Volusia delegation members and other special guests.
On Thursday, March 22, attendees will hear various Florida officials (invited) including Pam Stewart, State Education Commissioner; Chris Hart, President of Enterprise Florida; Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of Dept of Economic Opportunity; Ken Lawson, Dept of Business & Professional Regulation, and others.
More information will be forthcoming.
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| Frank DiBello addresses Chamber audience at ERAU |
Chamber Hosts Space Florida President Frank DiBello
On December 13, Space Florida President Frank DiBello addressed a Chamber luncheon to discuss new opportunities with the expanding private sector space industry and it's potential impact for the central Florida economy.
The Chamber wants to make
sure that Volusia gets its share of this new business!
It was pointed out the Space X, Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance are planning more frequent launches and will becoming more visible in the next few years.
In addition to aerospace, DiBello said, "there will be more potential for IT and
communications companies to locate in Volusia".
He stated ERAU's aeronautical research park is a major plus in our favor. At the
same time, infrastructure in central Florida will play a significant
role......shovel ready properties with water and sewer are important because
potential companies want to begin operating within 18 months.
In addition to the luncheon, DiBello met with the News Journal Editorial Board
as well as Dr Karen Holbrook (ERAU), Keith Norden, (Team Volusia), Rick Karl & Rob Ehrhardt (Volusia EDC), Kent Sharples (CEO Business Alliance), Deb Denys
(Volusia County Council/Space Volusia) and Nancy Keefer (Chamber).
He was provided a tour of ERAU's MicaPlex facility.
Look for news to come!
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Click here to go to the Chamber's Advocacy page which includes members of our Congressional delegation, Legislative delegation, County Council, School Board, and well as area cities.
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Any questions regarding this e-newsletter should be directed to Jim Cameron, Sr Vice President, Government Relations, 386.523.3673.
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Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce |126 E. Orange Ave., Daytona Beach | 386.255.0981 |
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