Boc a Chamber GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY

August 2013 Protecting Business

IN THIS ISSUE: The Latest Legislative News A Moment with PBC Constitutional Tax Collector Anne Gannon www.bocaratonchamber.com LEGISLATIVE UPDATE For Business - For Jobs - For Prosperity ... For Boca Raton

A MESSAGE FROM: Pro-Business Legislative News Troy M. McLellan, CCE, FCCP • Recent changes in the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has left some business and individuals confused about their President and CEO responsibilities. Click here for more information. Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce • Immigration is still at the top of the Federal Government’s agenda. The US Chamber of Commerce has created a website to keep up with the As we begin the 2013 school year, it is certainly appropriate to write changes and decision made by the legislators. Click here to visit the U.S. about the state of education in the state of . Chamber's website on immigration. • Congratulations to the State of Florida! In a survey of 736 CEO Based on Florida Chamber Foundation projections, Florida will need opinions about the best and worst states to do business, Florida rises to to create over 900,000 new jobs between now and 2020 to achieve an the top. Click here to read the entire article. unemployment level of six percent or less. This will only occur with a robust talent pool – educated and trained women and men filling high- • Outreach from citizens is more important than lobbyists to state skilled, technical, manufacturing, agricultural, retail, hospitality, science law makers. In preparation for the 2014 session, this link, "Communicating with the Florida Legislature" is a poll conducted and all of the other jobs that comprise our diverse economy. According by Cate Communications, a Tallahassee-based Democratic consulting to research recently released by the Lumina Foundation, by 2020 close firm will help you maneuver the state landscape. to 60 percent of jobs will require at least a two-year degree, and that means our high school graduation rate is of critical importance. • State Senator Maria Lorts Sachs will be hosting property insurance workshops on September 12th and 13th, 2013. The panel will be comprised of representatives from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Recent reports from several sources have shown Florida’s high school Department of Financial Services, Florida Association of Insurance graduation rate is on the rise, and while we still have room to improve, Reform and Citizens Property Insurance. For more information call the trend is promising. The official data, which is tracked by the Florida Senator Sach’s Palm Beach County office at (561) 279-1427 Department of Education, shows a steady improvement over the past • Palm Beach County Mayor Steve Abrams takes an opportunity to 10 years. In 2002, Florida’s high school graduation rate was a paltry explain the Tri-Rail Coastal Link and All Aboard Florida Project in his 56.5 percent. As of 2012, the figure had risen to 75.5 percent, which latest newsletter. Click Here for the latest news. bodes well for our future job growth potential. There is still a lot of room for improvement, but the trend is definitely in the right direction. • Anne Gannon, the Constitutional Tax Collector, Palm Beach County newsletter Tax Talk available on their web site. Click here for tax information you need to know for your business. High school graduates are 28 percent more likely to be in the workforce, earn 38 percent more on average, and exhibit an unemployment rate • Stay informed about the latest Boca Raton City News. Register here to 44 percent lower than those without a high school diploma. receive all the latest alerts. • The City of Boca Raton Municipal Election will be held March Translation – high school diplomas lead to more workers, more 11th, 2014. At this time, the seats for Mayor and two city council positions employment, and higher paying jobs. The state is on a positive path with (seat A & B) are open. The candidates are: Craig Ehrnst (Seat A), Eric a hopeful eye as we dedicate time and talent to education initiatives. Gooden (Seat B), Susan Haynie (Mayor) and Scott Singer (Seat A). A Moment With... Anne Gannon, Tax Collector for Palm Beach County

1. What are your top three priorities as Tax Collector for Palm Beach County? Expanding and improving the use of technology to increase efficiency, to provide excellent customer service and increasing employee productivity.

2. What do you foresee as being the biggest challenge for the County? Protecting the agricultural reserve and the special environment we enjoy in Palm Beach County while diversifying our economy.

3. What are the responsibilities of your office in county government? My office is responsible for the collection and disbursement of $3.3 billion dollars of taxes for any entity that is authorized to collect taxes, for titling and registration of all vehicles and the issuance of driver licenses. We also act as an agent for Florida Fish and Wildlife.

4. What is your greatest accomplishment while in office? The modernization of our offices through enhanced and more efficient technology.

5. What steps is your office taking with other governmental entities to ensure that Palm Beach County remains the premier location for the relocation of business? By applying the laws fairly whether it is a business or individual taxpayer.

6. Personally, what do you appreciate most about Palm Beach County? Palm Beach County is a very special place to live. We are so fortunate to have a thriving agricultural community, beautiful beaches, world class hotels and restaurants and citizens who care about our community.

This is the trip you can't plan on your own! The Palm Beach County Chambers of Commerce Washington Fly-In!

Have conversations with National Representatives! Ask questions of the Pundits! Meet with members of Congress to discuss key issues including Healthcare Legisla- tion, Immigration Policies, Federal Deficit, Job Growth Initiative, Defense Issues and more! See the beautiful monuments and landmarks! Join your fellow business and community leaders and take the "Voice of the Palm Beach County Business Community" to the Congressional Delegation October 28th - 30th, 2013.

Visit www.bocaratonchamber.com/washingtonflyin to register, for the agenda, and hotel information. legislator look-up Federal & State Officials Lois Frankel, District 22 FLORIDA HOUSE OF Priscilla A. Taylor, Vice Mayor, District 7 UNITED STATES SENATE 2500 N. Military Trail, Suite 490 561-276-1350 West Palm Beach, Florida 33431 REPRESENTATIVES [email protected] Marco Rubio www.myfloridahouse.gov 8669 NW 36th Street, Suite 110 Phone: 561-998-9045 Hal Valeche, Chair, District 1 Miami, FL 33166 1037 Longworth House Office Building , District 90 561-355-2201 305-418-8553 Washington, DC 20515 2300 High Ridge Road, Suite 161 [email protected] B40A Dirksen Senate Office Building Phone: (202) 225-3026 Boynton Beach, FL 33426 Paulette Burdick, District 2 Washington, D.C., 20510 www.frankel.house.gov 561-374-7850 561-355-2202 202-224-3041 Alcee L. Hastings, District 20 [email protected] [email protected] www.rubio.senate.gov 2701 West Oakland Park Blvd., Suite 200 Bill Hager, District 87 Shelley Vana, Vice Chair, District 3 Bill Nelson 561-676-7911 301 Yamato Rd., Ste. 1240 561-355-2203 413 Clematis Street, Suite 210 2353 Rayburn Office Building Boca Raton, FL 33431 [email protected] West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Washington D.C. 20515 561-470-6607 Mary Lou Berger, District 5 Phone: 561-514-0189 202-225-1313 [email protected] 561-355-2205 www.alceehastings.house.gov Fax: 561-514-4078 Kevin Rader, District 81 [email protected] 716 Senate Hart Office Building Patrick Murphy, District 18 9045 LaFontana Blvd., Suite 117 Jess R. Santamaria, District 6 Washington, DC 20510 2000 PGA Blvd., Suite A3220 Boca Raton, FL 33434 561-355-6300 202-224-5274 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33408 561-218-5010 [email protected] www.billnelson.senate.gov 561-253-8433 [email protected] 1517 Longworth House Office Building Irving L. “Irv” Slosberg, District 91 CITY OF BOCA RATON UNITED STATES Washington, D.C. 20515 Council HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 7499 W. Atlantic Avenue, Suite 200 202-225-3026 Delray Beach, FL 33446 www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us , District 21 www.patrickmurphy.house.gov 561-496-5940 201 W. Palmetto Park Road 8177 West Glades Road, Suite 211 STATE SENATE [email protected] Boca Raton, FL 33432 Boca Raton, FL 33434 www.flsenate.gov 561.393.7708 561-470-5540 Local Officials Mayor Susan Whelchel 1024 Longworth House Office Building – District 25 12300 West Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 200 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS [email protected] Washington, DC 20515 www.pbcgov.com Wellington, FL 33414 Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie 202-225-3001 301 N. Olive Avenue 561-791-4774 [email protected] www.deutch.house.gov West Palm Beach, FL 33401 [email protected] Commissioner Anthony Majhess Steven L. Abrams, Mayor, District 4 [email protected] Maria Sachs, District 34 561-276-1220 955 N.W. 17th Avenue, Suite E Commissioner Michael Mullaugh [email protected] Delray Beach, FL 33445 [email protected] 561-279-1427 Commissioner Constance J. Scott [email protected] [email protected]

BLU-PAC IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Business Leaders United Political Action Committee The Boca Chamber's Government Affairs Committee meets the 2nd Thursday Supporting candidates who support of every month at the Boca Chamber from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. a pro-business environment in US Chamber Info: www.uschamber.com • Florida Chamber of Commerce Info: www.flchamber.com Boca Raton Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce: www.bocaratonchamber.com • (561) 395-4433