Florida's Winning Formula

Ensuring Florida remains an attractive destination for businesses, residents, and students

BY MARK WILSON

FLORIDA’S REPUTATION as a top state for local business and a growing population hub is no accident—it is the result of deliberate policy choices made by our Governor and legislature, and outlined in the Florida 2030 Blueprint. These policies focus on maintaining a thriving economy while enhancing the quality of life for Floridians.

For example, the recent defeat of Amendment 3—a pro-drug proposal that would have been detrimental to local businesses, law enforcement, and the broader community—reinforces Florida’s commitment to preserving a balanced and prosperous environment and keep Florida, Florida. Below, we highlight three key actions that strengthened Florida’s appeal, and three pitfalls avoided to preserve its competitive edge.

Three Actions Taken to Enhance Florida’s Attractiveness

1. Strengthening the Future of Work and Higher Education Excellence: Florida is leading the charge in workforce development by addressing talent gaps and aligning education with industry demands. Through initiatives like Future of Work Florida, Florida emphasizes collaboration among business leaders, educators, and policymakers to prepare residents with in-demand skills. These programs not only prepare a robust talent pipeline but also position Florida as a key driver of economic growth and innovation

2. Tackling Lawsuit Abuse (House Bill 837): The passage of historic lawsuit abuse reform in 2023 improved Florida’s legal climate, reducing frivolous lawsuits, increasing transparency in lawsuit damages while tackling billboard lawyer windfalls and unfair divisions of liability. These changes lowered costs for businesses and families alike, enabling reinvestment in growth, communities and innovation.

3. Flattening Fiscal Cliffs: Addressing fiscal cliffs was essential for helping families transition toward self-sufficiency. For example, reforms in childcare assistance ensured families could maintain childcare, providing a pathway to stability and long-term economic partnership. These reforms also supported employers by widening the pool of reliable workers, demonstrating a balanced approach to workforce development.

Three Policies Avoided to Preserve Competitiveness

1. Streamlining Workforce Regulations (House Bill 433): Florida’s leadership addressed barriers to workforce flexibility by rejecting restrictive policies such as predictive scheduling and prevailing wage mandates that have proven detrimental in other states. This approach ensures Florida remains an appealing location for diverse industries, innovation, and talent.

2. Rejecting Excessive Tax Increases: Florida’s legislature steered clear of tax hikes, particularly on local businesses and property owners, instead opting to return more capital into local businesses, communities and economies through targeted tax cuts. This approach has fueled economic growth and kept Florida competitive on a national scale.

3. Avoiding Government Overreach in Housing Markets: While addressing housing affordability, Florida rejected rent control measures that could hinder development. Instead, the focus remains on incentivizing affordable housing projects and streamlining zoning processes to meet growing demand.

Florida’s success lies in its strategic approach to policy-making—addressing challenges head-on while avoiding pitfalls that hinder growth elsewhere. As the top state for income migration and higher education, with the lowest debt per capita and the 15th largest economy in the world, Florida exemplifies the power of effective leadership. By balancing probusiness policies with initiatives that enhance quality of life, Florida has cemented its reputation as a place where local businesses thrive, families flourish, and opportunities for earned success abound. The Florida Chamber remains committed to its ongoing efforts to secure Florida’s future.

Mark Wilson is president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.