Let's Talk Business

Legislative Update - March 17, 2023

The Florida Legislature began its 60-day 2023 Legislative Session on March 7 with a State of the State address by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and speeches by Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo outlining their goals. Aside from their stated intention to move quickly forward with gun control, abortion, transgender and other issues, the Legislature is expected to move quickly on issues of importance to the business community. Click here for an update on the

Bob Porter

Legislature Sends Additional $700M in Hurricane Relief to Gov. DeSantis

Another $700 million is soon on the way for communities recovering from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Last week, the Legislature sent a bill (SB 2B) to Gov. Ron DeSantis that would establish an emergency bridge loan fund and replenish the state’s catastrophe fund.

Bob Porter

Leadership St. Johns Class of 2023 Starts the New Year

The 24 members of the Class of 2023 embarked on their eight-month journey on the road to servant leadership this weekend. Class members attended a 2-day offsite retreat at the Guy Harvey Resort in St. Augustine Beach.

Bob Porter

Bringing St. Johns County Workers Home

Last summer, the Northeast Florida Builders Association approached the Chamber with a proposal to address parts of this impending housing “crisis” facing SJC. Since then, the Chamber’s Essential Worker Housing Coalition has worked to refine the builder’s proposal to provide housing for our targeted employees.

Bob Porter

Public Policy Outlook 2023

Expect to see a full schedule of business-related legislation this spring as the State Legislature prepares for the 2023 Session which runs from March 7 – May 5 in Tallahassee. Big ticket issues such as a continuation of the property insurance legislative review, Visit Florida funding, affordable workforce housing, and funding for numerous NE Florida hurricane relief and emergency resilience will be at the forefront. Why are these issues important to Chamber members?

Bob Porter

St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Supports Sales Tax Referendum

The St. Johns County Chamber’s Board of Directors has unanimously approved a motion to support the proposed one-cent sales tax increase. "There is no question that St. Johns County’s infrastructure is in serious need of repair and replacement if it is to keep up with our growth and economic vitality so important to the quality of life here in the county," said Michael Scine, St. Johns County Public Policy Committee Chair. "Estimates of the deficit are in the $500 million range. If approved by St Johns

Jamie Johnson

Affordable/Workforce Housing Task Force Update

Bob Porter

Florida Constitutional Amendment #3

Florida Constitutional Amendment #3, the Additional Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Certain Public Service Workers Amendment, was approved by the State Legislature and is on the November 8 ballot in Florida as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.

Bob Porter

The Chamber Commemorates Graduates of Leadership St. Johns 2022

Jamie Johnson