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The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce recognizes its responsibility to represent our 1800 members in the legislative process. An integral component of the Chamber's mission is to communicate the views of the business community to our elected policy makers. This year the Chamber is focusing on job creation as a means to overall economic stimulation. With this core mission in mind, the Chamber has identified the following legislative priorities that will advance this focus.
Innovation
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce requests continued funding for critical economic development tools to include International Trade, Targeted Industries, among others designed to attract new jobs and support the expansion of existing local jobs.
- Support capital improvements and development funds to our region’s research facilities, such as the University of South Florida, USF Polytechnic's New Campus, Moffitt Cancer Center, and Tampa General Hospital to ensure further job creation and expansion in the community.
Infrastructure
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce continues to support efforts towards improving the Tampa Bay area infrastructure to ensure better mobility and affordability for businesses keeping in mind the need for transit, energy, and water resource solutions.
- Support High Speed Rail funding & development in our state.
- Support TBARTA in their efforts to secure a funding source.
Talent: Education and Workforce
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce seeks to ensure that our members have better local access to an educated and highly skilled workforce necessary to compete in the 21st Century through support of education funding and access to career education programs.
- Support the authorization of USF’s Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (“Pharm D”) program.
- Support the per pupil and capital outlay funding of all regional universities, community colleges, technical schools, and Hillsborough County Public Schools.
- Support workforce funding in our region to ensure accessibility of employment opportunities.
Business Climate and Governance
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce continues to support the streamlining of government to avoid duplicative and red tape burdens that exist on Florida businesses while working to ensure governments effectively utilize tax payer dollars to work as efficiently as possible.
- Support allowing Florida’s Sea Ports to utilize the federal TWIC card as the sole means of background authorization.
- Defeat Amendment 4 on the November 2nd ballot.
Quality of Life
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce will continue to advocate on the importance of attainable housing, transit, and affordable healthcare solutions to help meet our residents’ needs.
- Support our partners at MacDill Air Force base in addressing key quality of life issues in our community.
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