The Tampa Bay Chamber led a delegation of business and community leaders to Washington, D.C., to advocate for issues critical to our region’s workforce, military community, and long-term economic resiliency. During the visit, Chamber representatives met with key staff from the offices of Representatives Laurel Lee, Gus Bilirakis, Daniel Webster, Scott Franklin, Randy Fine, and Greg Steube, discussing legislative priorities that directly impact Tampa Bay’s competitiveness and quality of life.
Federal Locality Pay
One of the top priorities discussed was Federal Locality Pay for MacDill Air Force Base. MacDill’s civilian workforce faces mission-critical staffing shortages, with some units operating at only half capacity due in part to uncompetitive federal pay rates. Tampa Bay’s exclusion from the federal government’s 53 locality pay areas means employees are paid under the “Rest of U.S.” rate which is well below compensation in regions with comparable costs of living. The Chamber urged federal leaders to add the Tampa Bay MSA to the list of approved Federal Locality Pay areas, ensuring pay equity for MacDill’s essential civilian personnel and strengthening the base’s ability to recruit and retain top talent.
Emily Farkas with Emily Farkas Consulting and a 25-year Air Force veteran shared firsthand how the lack of federal locality pay at MacDill Air Force Base impacts recruitment, retention, and mission readiness—underscoring the critical need for competitive pay to sustain the talent that keeps our nation secure.
Military Spouse Employment
The delegation also championed support for the Military Spouse Hiring Act (H.R. 2033/S.1027), which would extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to employers who hire military spouses. With a 21% unemployment rate, five times the national average, military spouses face significant barriers to sustaining careers due to frequent relocations. Expanding WOTC eligibility would incentivize businesses to hire and retain these highly skilled professionals, directly improving financial stability for military families and enhancing workforce participation
As a small business owner, Cammie Chatterton with Bay Food Brokerage shared how the Work Opportunity Tax Credit helps offset training costs often shouldered by employers. Further explaining how incentives like this make it easier for businesses to hire military spouses who are talented professionals that bring adaptability, commitment, and leadership to their teams.
Disaster Resiliency
Finally, the Chamber emphasized the growing importance of disaster resiliency - ensuring that fedarl policies support infrastructure investment, business continuity, and recovery efforts in the face of hurricanes and other natural disasters. Through these discussions, the Tampa Bay Chamber reaffirmed its role as the voice of business, advocating for policies that strengthen our workforce, support military families, and ensure a resilient future for our region.
