Tampa Bay Chamber Chair Edwin Narain and Chair-Elect Rob Ledford recently met with members of the Florida Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C. to advocate for key federal policies impacting the Tampa Bay region’s workforce and military community. Our leaders met with Reps. Kathy Castor, Laurel Lee, Mike Haridopolos, and Greg Steube and the offices of Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Anna Paulina Luna, Aaron Bean, Vern Buchanan, focusing on two major priorities: adjusting Federal Locality Pay for federal employees in Tampa Bay and expanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include military spouses.
The Chamber emphasized the importance of revising the methodology used to determine the Tampa Bay MSA to better reflect the occupational wage comparisons between federal and non-federal positions in our region – a key factor in determining a region’s eligibility to be considered for Federal Locality Pay. A more accurate comparison would ensure equitable compensation for federal employees, particularly those stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, supporting both recruitment and retention efforts.
Additionally, the Chamber advocated for the inclusion of military spouses in the WOTC program. Military spouses face an unemployment rate of 21%, significantly higher than the national average, due to frequent relocations and limited job opportunities near military installations. The proposed Military Spouse Hiring Act seeks to address this issue by offering tax incentives to employers who hire military spouses, thereby enhancing financial stability for military families and contributing to overall military readiness.
These advocacy efforts align with the Chamber’s Vision 2026 plan, which focuses on enhancing quality of life for military families and strengthening the local economy. By addressing these federal policy areas, the Tampa Bay Chamber continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting the region’s military community and workforce development.
