2022 SOUTH PALM BEACH COUNTY LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS AGENDA


BOCA RATON CITY ISSUES 2022

• Improve the time taken for approvals and increase communication with customers regarding Permit Issuance.
• Advocate that business taxes and fees remain unchanged.
• Create a business ready environment through engagement with and support of Palm Beach State College, Florida Atlantic University and Lynn University, Palm Beach County Public Schools in their efforts to partner with the City of Boca Raton and the business community for internships, workforce development and small business training. 
• Support the expansion of Boca Regional Hospital as a center of excellence in healthcare.
• Advocate for the use of public/private partnerships, including public-facing application programming interfaces (APIs), to deliver capital, technology, and infrastructure improvements in the City of Boca Raton.
• Support development of workforce housing programs.
• Support initiatives to harden existing public internet access (City Hall, libraries, schools) to ensure availability after extreme weather events/power outages.
• Support the continuing Town & Gown relationship between city, chamber, university, and community for the reinvention of the 20th Street district, with a focus on infrastructure improvements, streetscapes, and business opportunities.
• Support the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University’s efforts to further integrate its activities with those of the wider business community and Florida Atlantic University to ensure a viable environment for technology entrepreneurs to develop and grow successful companies that create jobs.
• Advocate for a more equitable fee structure, cost reductions, or shifting of fees for our dedicated Boca Raton Fire Services Department
• Support meaningful incentives over fines/fees for sustainable building within the City of Boca Raton.
• Assure the use of the American Rescue Act Funds is transparent and that there is an equitable allocation for business retention, expansion, and infrastructure

BOYNTON BEACH CITY ISSUES 2022

• Advocate that business taxes and fees remain unchanged.
• Improve the time taken for approvals and increase communication with customers regarding Permit Issuance.
• Create short and long-term strategy that identifies tourism growth opportunities within Boynton Beach.
• Support the creation of a business seat on the Art’s Board.
• Support the reduction of the Art’s Assessment fee from 1% to 0.5% on projects that are $10 million and above.
• Propose the elimination of the CRA Advisory Board
• Promote the re-appointment of the two citizen members to the CRA Board.
• Support development of workforce housing programs.
• Support Impact Fee Credit Reimbursements for projects that make non-site related road improvements that add capacity.
• Support and partner with the City of Boynton Beach and Tech Runway at the new Innovation Center.
• Assure the use of the American Rescue Act Funds is transparent and that there is an equitable allocation for business retention, expansion, and infrastructure
• Support and Participation in the City of Boynton Beach’s Economic Development Study

COUNTY ISSUES 2022

• Advocate that business taxes and fees remain unchanged.
• Ensure tourism revenue generating cities receive equitable allocation of tourism investment.
• Advocate Palm Beach County Schools offer life-skills training for students by providing services and experiences that are critical to their future success.  
• Advocate for increased efforts by Palm Beach County Schools to ensure all Palm Beach County’s 3rd and 8th Graders read and perform math at or above grade level.
• Support efforts to increase opportunities for Palm Beach State College and Palm Beach County School District to collaborate on career, certificate, vocational and apprenticeship programs to ensure that students are college and/or work ready.
• Support Florida Atlantic University and the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University in leveraging of its resources and strategic partnerships to enhance and/or develop programs that foster entrepreneurship and expand the region’s high-tech workforce.
• Support private and public efforts to reduce homelessness and increase affordable housing opportunities.
• Continue to support Palm Tran in its efforts to serve South Palm Beach County by further improving and coordinating public transportation circulation between downtowns, the train station, Research Park, and educational facilities.
• Support a regional approach for beach re-nourishment projects by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners.
• Support solutions for and funding of science-based energy and water policy to address Red Tide, toxic algae, and other clean water initiatives.
• Assure the use of the American Rescue Act Funds is transparent and that there is an equitable allocation for business retention, expansion, and infrastructure  

STATE ISSUES 2022

• Advocate that business taxes and fees remain unchanged.
• Support the work of the Department of Correction’s Office of Program and Re-entry.
• Support efforts to create standard operating procedures (such as we have for hurricanes) for Florida for health and safety threats with prescribed actions aligned with data benchmarks. 
• Support the renewal of the Qualified Targeted Industry Refund (QTI) Program or create and fund a similar program that rewards job creation and capital investment by businesses relocating or expanding in Florida
• Oppose any repeal or reduction of the Aviation Fuel Tax, ensuring adequate investment in Florida’s critical airport infrastructure.
• Support the elimination of the statewide sales tax on commercial leases.
• Support the full funding and missions of Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, to provide incentives to bring new businesses and jobs to Florida
• Continue funding for Job Growth Grant Fund
• Support targeted economic development investments and global trade agreements to help Florida remain a leader in international trade.
• Create an improved and HIPAA-protected system to identify those with signs of mental illness, including the appropriate and secure recording of critical information to a central repository with access by all relevant law enforcement and health care agencies.
• Oppose workplace initiatives and/or regulations which seek to inhibit employer rights by expanding employee rights in vague and unenforceable ways that interfere with employer-employee relationships.
• Support passage of statewide guidelines to allow employers the opportunity to continue to have the right to maintain and enforce a drug-free workplace as it relates to the legalization of medical cannabis.
• Support workforce funding for Palm Beach State College to assist with rapid credentialing and retooling in a short amount of time that will give students a competitive edge in securing a high-wage job.
• Support the allocation of appropriate funding of outstanding capital projects at Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach State College.
• Support identifying an alternative funding source for Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funding for K-12, Florida College System, and State University System buildings.
• Support science-based energy and water policy solutions that allow for Florida’s continued economic growth. Support the continued dedicated funding for dune restoration as part of the beach-management funding program.
• Create a film, television, and digital media targeted grant program within the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).
• Support legislation that prohibits the sale of assault rifles.
• Assure the use of the American Rescue Act Funds is transparent and that there is an equitable allocation for business retention, expansion, and infrastructure

FEDERAL 2022

• Support fair workplace rules that protect workers and promote employer flexibility and economic growth, while opposing harmful proposals and burdensome regulations that will generate litigation instead of jobs.
• Promote and advance thoughtful legislative and regulatory changes to permit greater flexibility in benefit design and coverage that will improve health, reduce unnecessary costs, and reward high-value care.
• Support work to strengthen the nation’s educational standards and promote effective workforce training programs.
• Support an immigration policy that encourages employment-based and national security immigration reform as well as job protections for U.S. Citizens.
• Support a national effort to encourage pro-growth energy action that increases diverse energy supplies, improves efficiency, and promotes environmental stewardship while putting Americans back to work.
• Support legislation to end lawsuit abuse and to ensure that businesses receive a fair, efficient, and consistent justice system.
• Support modernization and expansion of our nation’s transportation system, along with our telecommunications (including 5G rollout), energy and water infrastructure.