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Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce
Quarterly Government Relations E-News
September 5, 2017
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Each Week, the Daytona Regional Chamber sets up meetings with elected officials and attends numerous City, County and School Board meetings. 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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Hurricane Irma - Business Sector Update
In the event that the Volusia County Emergency Operations Center is activated, the Chamber's team, Nancy Keefer and Jim Cameron will be working the ESF 18 desk and will keep you informed as necessary. In the meantime, should you need additional information, call Jim at 566-2140.
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County, School Board and Cities to Adopt
FY 2017-18 Budgets in September
Prior to each Fiscal Year, the Chamber provides a Local Government Budget/Tax Rate chart which allows you to compare different budgets and millage rates. This chart includes links for more in depth information and how to contact your local elected officials.
Click here to see Local Government Budget/Tax Rate Chart.
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Florida Constitution Revision Commission Update
Florida's 37-member Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is charged with reviewing/proposing revisions to the state's Constitution. Like our own Volusia Charter Review Commission, any amendment to the State Constitution goes straight to the voters, November 6, 2018 (no judicial review, executive veto or legislative input). In addition, the CRC's amendments are not limited to a single subject (a requirement for other such ballot measures).
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| Sen Hutson with Chamber's Legislative Committee |
Senator Travis Hutson meets with
Chamber's Legislative Action Committee
On August 11, the Committee (Chair Bob Williams - Halifax Health) met with Senator Travis Hutson to discuss issues for the 2018 legislative session. Committee members represented economic development, healthcare, real estate, cities, building industry, education and other interests.
During our dialogue, Sen Hutson commented on numerous business-related issues.
* Workers' Compensation - "it'll be will be revisited again this session but look for more business-friendly legislation later on."
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| Sen Latvala discusses economic development & tourism issues |
Senator Jack Latvala meets with
Chamber's Legislative Action Committee
On September 5, the Committee (Chair Bob Williams - Halifax Health) met with Senator Jack Latvala. He chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee and recently declared his candidacy for Governor. A long-time friend to Volusia County, he sponsored legislation that is helped redevelop our beach side.
Discussion ensued around the 2018 legislative session whereby Latvala stated that he will maintain a leadership role in funding economic development and tourism as he did in the last session.
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Karla Radka, Bill Oakley, Michelle Barth, Jim Cameron at Goodwill construction site
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Chamber Hosts Congressional and State Administrative Staff
On August 18, the Chamber hosted Michelle Barth (from Sen Bill Nelson's office) for its latest "staff visit day" to maintain relations with our Congressional representatives.
The day included -
- a meeting with Radio Talk Show Host Big John who briefed her on several city and county issues Including homelessness and 1st Step Shelter
- a "hardhat tour" of the new GoodWill facility to open in December in DeLand with hosts President Bill Oakley and CEO Karla Radka to discuss future plans for job training.
- Volusia Emergency Operations Ctr to meet with Operations Director to discuss hurricane preparedness plans, protocol and the overall teamwork involved.
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London Rotundo, Zane Beard, Tabitha Zane, Drew Meiner,
Cong Ron Desantis, Jerry Volas (at TopBuild) |
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Sen Nelson discusses Issues with Government Relations Committee
Senator Bill Nelson meets with
Chamber's Government Relations Committee
On August 23.
Chamber's Government Relations Committee held a roundtable discussion with Senator Bill Nelson. Main topics included healthcare insurance and tax reform.
Senator Nelson is "optimistic that the Senate can approve healthcare legislation now that gridlock was broken with their recent vote regarding Affordable Care Act (ACA)".
NOTE -
Senate leaders had considered budget reconciliation as a means to repeal ACA, which stalled by a decisive vote by Sen John McCain. Senate rules dictate that the budget measure expires September 30, meaning any repeal effort beyond that date would need 60 votes to overcome a Democratic filibuster.
Click here
for more information.
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Len Marrinaccio, Cong Ron Desantis, Moore Hallmark, Nancy Keefer
Chamber Hosts Congressman Ron Desantis for Eggs & Issues breakfast and visits with local businesses
On August 10, the Chamber hosted Cong Ron Desantis for its Eggs & Issues breakfast morning to discuss current business-related issues before the House and Senate.
As for healthcare, Desantis said, "The only way we'll get to affordable premiums is to allow employers leeway to opt out of onerous Affordable Care Act (ACA) regulations. At the same time, the Senate plan does not repeal all ACA taxes."
Desantis reiterated his support for full repeal of the ACA but also stated his "support for tax-free Health Savings Accounts."
Click here
for more information.
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| Cong Desantis meets with Teledyne Marine team |
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Eggs & Issues Breakfast
Thursday, September 14, 7:30 am
LPGA Clubhouse, 1000 Champions Dr Daytona Beach
Speaker - Volusia School Supt Tom Russell
Topics - FY 2017-18 budget, District Cost Differential funding formula, education accountability legislation, strategic plans....
Cost is $15 for Chamber members (advance RSVP) $20 day of event.
Questions? Contact Jim Cameron at 566.2140. To RSVP, contact Ken Phelps at 523-3675.
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Constitutional Amendments (Legislative and Citizen Initiatives)
Currently, there are 24 ACTIVE initiatives to amend the Florida Constitution. Some are "passively active" while others are aggressively seeking voter signatures to go on the November 2018 ballot.
Some of the proposed amendments and initiatives worth watching include (click link for details) -
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| Legislative delegation addresses Chamber audience |
Legislative Delegation Members Recap Legislative Session at
C
hamber's Eggs & Issues Breakfast
On July 13, members of the Volusia delegation provided a recap of their recent session in Tallahassee at the Chamber's Eggs & Issues breakfast. Senators Dorothy Hukill, Travis Hutson and Representatives Patrick Henry, Tom Leek and Paul Renner reviewed several business-related issues. Senator David Simmons and Representative David Santiago were out of town.
Numerous topics such as the budget, workers compensation, and property insurance were mentioned but most of the attention centered on education and health care.
Click here
for more information.
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Debra Muller discusses FY 2017-18 budget
Education Committee Update
On August 2, the Chamber's Education Committee (Chair Heather Vargas - Cobb Cole) met with School District CFO Debra Muller. She stated that under the
ORIGINAL legislative Dept of Education budget (May 8), Volusia's School District faced a $7 million shortfall (with additional state funds and further review, that shortfall is now $1.87 million which the District plans to use Reserve Funds to balance the budget).
NOTE - the Education Committee meets next on September 7 with
School Board Chair Melody Johnson to discuss the Florida District Cost Differential education funding formula.
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2018 Candidates (declared and rumored)
State of Florida
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Governor
- Richard Corcoran (R) ???
- Jack Latvala (R)
- Adam Putnam (R)
- Andrew Gillum (D)
- Gwen Graham (D)
- Chris King (D)
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Agriculture Commissioner
- Matt Caldwell (R)
- Denise Grimsley (R)
- Paul Paulson (R)
- Baxter Troutman (R)
- Michael Christine (D)
- Daniel Sohn (D)
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Attorney General
- Jay Fant (R)
- Ashley Moody (R)
- Ryan Torrens (D)
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CFO
- Jimmy Patronis (R) ???
- Tom Lee (R) ???
- Jeremy Ring (D)
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County of Volusia
County Council At Large
- Dr. L. Ronald Durham
- Percy Williamson
County Council, District 1
- Barbara Girtman
- Pat Patterson*
County Council, District 3
County Council, District 5
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County Judge, Group 2
County Judge, Group 4
County Judge, Group 8
School Board, District 3
School Board, District 5
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US Congress
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Senate
- Bill Nelson (D)*
- Rick Scott (R) ???
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House - District 6
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Florida Senate
Florida House
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Chamber AND Residents Stand United in Support of City's PRO-ACTIVE
Efforts to Address Blight....
On June 17,
a team of representatives from the Daytona Regional Chamber and Beachside Neighborhood Watch along with Mayor
Derrick Henry
and City Redevelopment Director Reed Berger walked through several beach side neighborhood streets in Main Street Redevelopment District. The emphasis was on code enforcement and with this group working together, the intent is to locate new businesses and residents to this area.
Mayor Derrick Henry stated, "I appreciate the invitation to be part of toda
y's walk and found it most informative. You get a different perspective when you see the area in this type format".
Mayor Henry joins Chamber reps & residents to tour Main St
As for the mainland, a team including city Commissioner Paula Reed, Midtown redevelopment reps (Pastor
Danny Fuqua
, Reverend John Baldwin), Save our Neighborhoods Chair Johnnie Ponder, City staff (
Reed Berger
, Charles Bryant, Jerome McCoy) MidTown Community Development Corp Exec
Mykal Tairu
, Chamber reps (Bob Williams, Jim Cameron), beachside neighborhood leaders (
Amy Pyle
,
Sandy Murphy
,
Linda Smiley
) and News Journal reporter Eileen
Zaffario-Kean toured the Midtown redevelopment dis
trict.
Commissioner Paula Reed joins Chamber reps & residents to tour MidTown
Like the previous beachside tours, the main emphasis was Code Enforcement and Redevelopment.
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Mike Garrett outline new plans for Code Enforcement
Chamber and residential reps discuss Code Enforcement with City Permits & License Director Mike Garrett
On July 19
, the Daytona Beach City Commission amended their Code relating to the condemnation of unsafe/dilapidated buildings. The Chamber spoke in support of these measures along side neighborhood leaders.
On July 21,
Daytona Beach Permits/Licensing Director Mike Garrett, gave a presentation to a Chamber businesses and residential group leaders.
He stated Daytona Beach is the epicenter of construction activity for the region and permit numbers are up.
With this many projects, there are challenges to the construction industry including the availability of skilled labor.
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First Step Shelter Makes Progress
First Step Shelter Exec Ronald Durham stated the shelter is likely to open "the first quarter of 2018." It will be an emergency 'come as you are' 100-bed facility for single men and women.
First Step Shelter, Inc, the decision-making entity, has received financial support from Daytona Beach, Volusia County, South Daytona, Holly Hill, Daytona Beach Shores, Ormond Beach, Port Orange as well as private sector donations.
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City Commission discusses ideas to revitalize Main St
Daytona Beach City Commission Hosts Workshop for Main St
On August 30, the Daytona Beach City Commission held a workshop meeting to discuss ideas to reinvigorate Main St area.
Deputy City Manager Jim Morris began the meeting by discussing rules and regulations for Bike Week and Biketoberfest.
Click here
for more information and Commissioners' comments.
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Government Relations E-News is made possible by....
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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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