Last week, Governor DeSantis signed into law the state’s $101.5 billion budget - the largest in state history. Included in the budget is $6.7 billion dollars for public works and environmental projects, $1,000 one-time bonuses for educators and first responders and $169 million in tax relief. The Governor vetoed $1.5 billion in total spending, including $1.35 billion from federal funds received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Thanks to the leadership of Governor DeSantis, this budget remains focused on fiscal responsibility and providing tax relief to Floridians. The budget leaves $9.5 billion in reserves, including more than $1.2 billion in revenues collected above the April revenue estimates, maintaining ample resources to respond to hurricanes and other unforeseen circumstances.

Florida is the 23^rd state in the nation to end the extended federal unemployment benefits. The $300 weekly federal benefit will officially end on June 26. Extended benefits, funding, and operations will continue for three other remaining federal unemployment programs: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation – all of which are all scheduled to expire September 4, 2021. The state’s unemployment rate of $275 per week will continue. With the state transitioning away from these additional benefits, it is the hope that critical jobs will be filled to meet the hiring demands of the business community.

Recently, Florida House Bill 1159 was signed into law, which allows parents or guardians to request that their K-5 public school student be retained for the 2021-2022 school year in their current grade level, provided that such a request is made for academic reasons. Parents wanting to hold their child back must submit, in writing, a retention request to their school's principal that specifies the academic reasons for the retention. Requests must be submitted on or before June 30 to be considered. There will be a collaborative discussion between the school principal, teachers and parents to determine the appropriate decison.

This evening, the City of Boca Raton will hold their first in-person regular City Council public meeting since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a resident and/or business owner within the city, the return to in-person meetings allows you the ability to engage in this civic process. By attending, you have the opportunity to be seen and heard by your elected officials and provide input on important issues that come before the Council.

Speaking of Boca Raton City Council - join us this Thursday, June 10^th at 11:30 am as Boca Raton Mayor, Scott Singer, provides us with a review of the city’s strategic planning meeting in which the Council identified goals and priorities for the upcoming year.

JES Media, the publisher for the Chamber’s annual magazine, is now accepting space reservations for the 2022 Edition. This 200-page marquee publication is the guide to living, working, learning, and playing in the greater Boca Raton/Boynton Beach area. In addition to its comprehensive editorial content, it includes a Membership Directory. Special sections include 561 Faces Business Profiles, a New Member Showcase and a Dining Guide. For information on advertising opportunities and deadlines, contact Bruce Klein at brucek@bocamag.com.

Looking for a quick way to find an event, register for an event, and receive pop-up notifications of important Chamber, County, City of Boca Raton, and City of Boynton Beach information? Download the Boca Chamber App – found on the App Store and Google Play Store. Keep your Chamber at the tip of your fingers! You can also stay up to date on all Chamber activity by visiting us at bocachamber.com.

We continue to provide you with valuable virtual and in-person experiences. Most virtual programs are recorded and available for you to access on the Boca Chamber’s YouTube Channel. Hit the subscribe button to find out when new content is posted on our channel.

6/9 – 12:00 p.m. In-Person Boynton Beach Lunch & Learn - SOLD OUT

6/10 – 7:45 a.m. In-Person Membership Breakfast

6/10 – 5:30 p.m. In-Person Exclusive Trustee Legislative Reception

6/15 – 5:30 p.m. In-Person PULSE (Professionals Under 40) After Hours Network

6/17 – 11:45 a.m. In-Person Successful Women In Business Luncheon

2000 N.W. 19^th Street

Say GOOD-BYE to Zoom and join us at our first in-person After Hours Networking event in more than a year. Our Summer Network Party will be held at Crazy Uncle Mikes on Tuesday, June 22nd. Don't miss this opportunity to network and come party like it is 2019! Click here to register.

This past Friday, the Chamber held its 51^st Annual Golf Classic at the Boca Raton Resort and Club. Sponsored by Truist Bank, the tournament enjoyed Chamber of Commerce weather and a field of 100 golfers. A big thank you to Chamber Board member Jason Aube and team Truist for their Title Sponsorship, as well as our many other sponsors and players. Congratulations to team Northwestern Mutual who came to play once again and claimed their third Chamber Classic championship in four years with an incredible score of 19 under par!