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Legislative Link
Led by its 2004 Chair Fred Leonhardt, Chamber and business leaders from around Florida gathered last week in Amelia Island for the Florida Chamber’s annual Summer Retreat to discuss the results of the 2004 legislative session and look ahead to this fall’s elections and the 2005 legislative session.
Although many were disappointed a more comprehensive Constitutional Amendment Reform package did not pass during the session, Chamber members will be gearing up through the VoteSmartFlorida.org program to push hard for voter approval in November of the “No Surprises” measure which will give voters nine months to learn what is actually on the ballot. An update was also presented on the aggressive activities of professional signature gatherers flocking to Florida this year and on the status of a number of troubling ballot initiatives expected to receive enough signatures to guarantee their placement on the November ballot.
The Chamber’s annual Legislative Scorecards for the 2004 session will be unveiled shortly. An advance peek at the rankings indicates there’s some good news and even some pleasant surprises in store on the ratings for several members of the Regional Legislative Delegation this year with an ever-growing number of legislators supporting the important legislative priorities of the Florida Chamber’s Business Agenda.
Looking at the election ahead, Chamber political experts projected few turnovers in seats and little change in the party balance of the legislature. Hotly contested seats such as the one held by freshman Rep. John Quinones (R-Kissimmee), will get a high priority for Chamber support.
Looking ahead: You’ll want to mark your calendars now for June 14th at 2 p.m. when Gov. Jeb Bush or Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings hit the Downtown Marriott for their Orlando Town Hall Meeting to promote the Accessibility to Affordable Health Care initiatives, including Health Savings Accounts, enacted this legislative session. Just click on elsewhere in today’s Every Monday for more details on participating in this important event.
With talk in the air of possible privatization at LYNX plus a new Orange County transportation initiative, you’ll want to be at the June 18th Chamber Trustees Luncheon when Orange County Chairman Rich Crotty will present his annual “State of the County” address. Visit www.orlando.org for additional details.
Our Chamber will host the Florida Chamber’s annual post-legislative session Regional Legislative Awards Breakfast and Briefing on June 29th. This invitation-only event will take a look at the highlights of the 2004 legislative session and celebrate the pro-business accomplishments of our region’s legislators. Immediately following the breakfast, the BusinessForce Executive Board will convene to finalize its schedule and establish procedures for interviewing candidates in regional races it has designated as priorities.
Mike Ketchum is the Vice President of Public Policy for the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and can be reached at 407.835.2464 or mike.ketchum@orlando.org.
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