Remaining competitive both nationally and internationally is imperative to Florida’s future and continued success. AMPLIFY Clearwater supports continued focus on creating a more attractive business climate that allows our employers to thrive and create jobs. 

GUIDING PRINCIPLE

Our goal is to support policies at local and state levels that improve economic investment and growth. Our goal is to make Clearwater the premier location to own and operate a business. AMPLIFY Clearwater works with the City of Clearwater and Pinellas County to improve the experience of business owners and operators. We feel strongly that we should simplify the business startup process and encourage efficiencies between agencies. Our members believe that by advocating for investment in available workforce housing, improved public transportation, and having a strong economic growth plan that, collectively, we can build a more vibrant and attractive community to live, work, learn, invest and play.

1. MUNICIPAL

• Oppose reduction of Home Rule authority to municipalities
• Preserve the statewide program that assists local governments with maintaining Spring Training Facilities
• Repeal the state preemption of vacation rental property laws to allow local governments to regulate such properties to protect the health and welfare of their residents, visitors and businesses
• Ensure all Local Housing Trust Fund monies are used exclusively to finance affordable and workforce housing programs and rental assistance programs
• Oppose unfunded mandates on businesses and residents as it relates to the diversification of energy supply
• Advocate for an efficient experience throughout the business permitting process to optimize economic investment

2. TORT AND REGULATORY REFORM 

• Create a competitive tax system that keeps investments in the pockets of small business and families and eliminates uncompetitive tax policies 
• Support efforts that protect businesses from costly and unnecessary regulations and government mandates
• Reforming Florida’s bottom-five ranked legal climate, a system currently creating a $3,400 “tax” for families each year
• Support of tort reform and civil liability involving business related vehicle insurance

   

3. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

• Restrict Sadowski Trust Funds for workforce housing and expand other funding opportunities

   

4. INSURANCE REFORM & COMPETITION

• Continue to improve upon reforms made in the 2022 special session to stabilize the market and allow for creative solutions for the issues

   

TOURISM

Tourism is our state’s top economic driver. We will support and advocate towards importance of restoring funding levels for VISIT FLORIDA to their original total of $75 million. Florida’s economy depends on the visitors that VISIT FLORIDA attracts. Florida’s tourism industry was responsible for welcoming 137 million visitors in 2022 alone. Florida visitors contributed $85.9 billion to Florida’s economy and supported over 1.5 million Florida jobs. According to Office of Economic and Demographic Research, for every $1 the state invests in VISIT FLORIDA $3.27 in tax revenue is generated. VISIT FLORIDA serves over 13,000 tourism industry businesses.