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Policy & Legislative Priorities
GUIDING PRINCIPLE
Remaining competitive both nationally and internationally is imperative to Florida’s future and continued success- MUNICIPAL
- Support policies that protect local Home Rule authority for municipalities.
- Support continued state and local investment and partnership to keep Phillies Spring Training in Clearwater, supporting jobs, tourism, and local revenue.
- Establish balanced vacation rental regulations that protect both property owners and visitors, with clear roles for local and state oversight.
- Oppose unfunded mandates on businesses and residents related to energy diversification.
- Streamline the business permitting process to speed projects and boost investment.
- AFFORDABLE HOUSING
- Support dedicating Sadowski Trust Funds to workforce housing and expanding additional funding sources.
- Ensure local housing trust funds are used exclusively for affordable and workforce housing and rental assistance.
- Support efforts to address the HOA funding crisis caused by new condominium regulations.
- INSURANCE STABILIZATION
- Build on and support implementation of 2022 insurance reforms to stabilize the market and expand access for all Floridians.
- Support reducing auto insurance costs by combating fraud and lawsuit abuse, increasing insurer competition, and lowering premiums while protecting consumers.
- TOURISM
- Support expanding the allowable uses and distribution of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds to better meet local tourism, infrastructure, and community needs.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE
We believe Florida’s beaches are essential to our environment, storm protection, and tourism-driven economy, and that safeguarding these coastal resources is critical to a sustainable future and a high quality of life for residents and visitors.
1. SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
- Support increased investment in clean waterways by funding red tide mitigation and blue-green algae testing to protect daily life and tourism.
- Support the expansion of sustainability programs to strengthen long-term environmental health.
- Fund beach re-nourishment programs to protect and sustain Florida’s coasts.
- Support solutions to address coastal flooding through resilient infrastructure and planning.
We ask that the legislature invest in our waterways and beaches
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GUIDING PRINCIPLE
We believe Florida’s future depends on a strong partnership between the business community, educators, and policymakers to recruit, develop, and retain talent. Every child deserves a world-class education and families should have meaningful choices, so that tomorrow’s workforce is well-prepared and Tampa Bay remains competitive and prosperous.
1. EARLY LEARNING
- Expand access to early learning—increase investment in K2, K3, and VPK programs.
- Update School Readiness eligibility for working families to match Florida’s economy.
- Base School Readiness rates on the cost of quality care, not market rates.
- Allow providers to receive base reimbursement above private-pay rates to meet program standards.
Recruit, train, and reward early learning teachers to improve student outcomes.
We ask the legislature to support early learning programs
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2. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
- Support expanding education and career pathways through more training, apprenticeships, and trade programs, with state funding for Pinellas County Schools (K–12), USF, St. Petersburg College, and Pinellas Technical College.
- Support collaboration among education, business, and government leaders to align education with workforce needs and close the skills gap.
- Support strengthening the early childhood educator workforce by expanding TEACH scholarships and aligning credentials, career pathways, and professional development.
We ask the legislature to support state funding of programs administered by local school boards and higher education institutions.
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GUIDING PRINCIPLE
We believe a growing Florida must remain a healthy, sustainable place to live, work, play, and learn. Because healthcare is a major economic driver and attracts patients worldwide, ensuring access to affordable, high-quality care for all is essential to our state’s wellbeing and prosperity.
1. PROVIDER SHORTAGE SOLUTIONS
- Support strengthening Florida’s medical liability climate to attract and retain top healthcare professionals.
- Implement reasonable liability protections for healthcare providers and businesses at the state and federal levels.
- Support expanding medical education and targeted training to address workforce shortages and population growth.
- Support removing barriers to the insurance market for independent practices and small businesses to improve access to care.
2. INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
- Support long-term telehealth access with coverage and payment parity policies made permanent after the pandemic.
3. MEDICAID FUNDING
- Support increasing Medicaid funding to strengthen access to care.
- Protect Medicaid programs and reimbursement rates, including behavioral health funding.
5. MENTAL HEALTH
- Increase focus for mental health awareness, support and services.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE
To safeguard the residents, infrastructure, and economy, we commit to advancing policies that enhance hurricane resiliency through proactive planning, innovative solutions, and community engagement to ensure a sustainable and secure future.- Support investing in resilient infrastructure by upgrading stormwater systems, electrical grids, coastal defenses, and critical facilities like hospitals and emergency centers.
- COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS AND RECOVERY PROGRAMS
- Support funding for hurricane education, evacuation planning, and grants for storm-resistant upgrades. Support uniform, expedited post-storm permitting and regulations to speed community recovery.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE
We believe Florida’s long-term prosperity and safety depend on sustainable, reliable transportation systems including highways, rail, seaports, airports, and protected funding streams that move residents, visitors, and goods efficiently and keep our economy strong.
1. TRANSIT
- Support development of multi-modal transportation options, road infrastructure improvements and development of emerging technologies to build a regional system to solve present congestion and address future transit and transportation challenges.
- Support development of transit solutions for Clearwater’s critical thoroughfare- State Road 60 between Tampa International Airport and Clearwater Beach.
We ask the legislature to support development and expansion of public transit services.
2. INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUTER SERVICES
- Support the Transportation Trust Fund preservation to provide adequate funding each year for the increasing requirements of infrastructure.
- Plan development for dedicated funding for the sustainability of regional transit solutions in Tampa, Downtown Clearwater and Beaches Corridor.
We ask the legislature to support regional transit funding for projects and infrastructure.
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3. REGIONAL GROWTH AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
- Support the consolidation of the Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) into a single Tampa Bay MPO to enhance the region’s ability to secure increased federal, state, and local funding. A regional MPO can streamline decision-making, prioritize critical transportation projects, and ensure strategic investments.