Florida Senate and House agree on budget number
Earlier this week, the Speaker of the House and the Senate President agreed on a
$ 83 billion dollar budget. Now it is up to the members through the conference committee process to iron out the details.
Joint House and Senate Conference Committee begin work
Thursday evening, the legislature’s
joint conference committees began to negotiate the details of the budget, and they are expected to work over the weekend. The Legislature has until Tuesday to finalize a budget to finish session by the May 5
Sine Die date. Once the budget it completed, there is a constitutionally required 72 hour “cooling off” period before the legislature can vote.
Governor Scott still pushing for funding for Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida
As the legislature begins budget negations,
Governor Rick Scott continues to emphasize the importance of Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida for creating jobs in the state.
This week in Tallahassee:
In addition to the beginning of budget negotiations, there were a few bills moving through the process that the Chamber is watching and or supporting.
Public Transportation Commission bill
The Florida House passed
HB 647 sponsored by Representatives Jamie Grant and Jackie Toledo. The bill allows for the elimination of the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission. The bill will head to the Senate for approval.
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Supports HB 647
Upcoming Events
Register for the Legislative Wrap Up on May 19th. Learn more about what the Hillsborough delegation has to say about the 2017 Legislative Session.
As things are changing in Tallahassee, Washington D.C. and here in Hillsborough County, the Tampa Chamber is watching those issues that are important to the community and your business.
Here is some of what we are watching:
- Federal budget
- Proposed Federal Tax Plan
- Possible changes to the Affordable Health Care Act
- Possible changes with the relations between the U.S. and Cuba
- Appropriations request rule changes in Tallahassee
- Medical Marijuana and what that means to Tampa Bay
- Workers’ Comp. Rate
- Premium Transit Study
- Regional MPO
