FSHCC News Blog

“As Florida’s trade and logistics industry grows, and prepares to take advantage of the expansion of the Panama Canal, removing the manufacturing and equipment sales tax will help ensure Florida can take advantage of these new opportunities, to double Florida-origin exports and create more high-skill, high-wage manufacturing jobs.”

JUPITER — Gov. Rick Scott made a campaign-style stop at a company that makes turbines for aircraft engines on Tuesday to trumpet the Florida legislature’s passage of a sales tax break for manufacturers.

GET FREE TIPS ON HOW TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS FROM STORM DAMAGES. Weather Expert Offers 2013 Hurricane Season Forecast During SBA/Agility Webinar

On this installment in our ongoing series, listen to an interview with CFO Jeff Atwater as he discusses the impacts of Small Business on Florida’s economy. “4 out of 5 Floridians Go to Work in a Small Business Every Day…They are the key.”

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- With tens of thousands of foreclosure cases clogged in the state's courts, the Florida Supreme Court is signing off on a plan to use lawyers - and not judges - to handle them.

The interpretation of economic data can at times become a rather daunting task. Conflicting reports of economic expansion and contraction can lead individuals to ponder the true direction of Florida’s economy. However, simultaneously viewing these measures can provide us with a sense of the direction and magnitude of economic progress. The recent State Leading Index suggests Florida’s economic growth will outpace that of the national average.

Federal sequestation could hurt Florida’s ability to recover in the aftermath of a hurricane because less money will be available to prepare the National Guard, Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday.

By a 69-27 vote margin, the U.S. Senate passed a bill empowering states to collect sales tax for purchases made online. The measure, dubbed The Marketplace Fairness Act, now goes to the U.S. House of Representatives and is expected to face an uphill battle.

2013 SESSION SUMMARY: Florida Legislature Takes Steps to Make Florida More Competitive By Passing More Than 25 Florida Chamber-Backed Bills. Tallahassee, FL (May 3, 2013) – Leading by example during the 2013 Legislative Session, lawmakers helped make Florida more competitive by passing more than 25 Florida Chamber-backed bills. While Washington remains stuck in neutral, Florida continues to adopt policies that will help small businesses and families by standing up for free enterprise and growing the private sector.

Tallahassee, FL (May 1, 2013) – With Florida-origin exports producing a record-high $66.4 billion in 2012 and record numbers of international tourists visiting the state last year, the Florida Chamber of Commerce applauds Governor Rick Scott for declaring May as Florida World Trade Month. (Follow World Trade Month on Twitter: #FlWorld2013.)