Absent congressional action, American families, workers, and businesses will be hit with the largest tax increase in American history at the end of next year.
“While the impact of a massive tax increase on individual Americans is clear, it is critical for policymakers to understand that the expiration of many pro-growth business tax reforms from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) also will dramatically increase costs for families and customers, harm main street businesses, reduce take-home pay for workers, and result in the loss of innovation and American jobs,” said Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Pro-growth tax policy doesn’t just grow the overall U.S. economy; it raises wages for American workers and improves standards of living. Maintaining and improving pro-growth tax policy ensures that the U.S. remains globally competitive, retaining and attracting businesses, jobs, investment, and innovation here at home.” This letter is the latest effort in the Chamber’s comprehensive education and advocacy blitz in support of maintaining a pro-growth tax code that builds a robust economy that benefits all Americans. This summer, the Chamber put forth the Growth and Opportunity Imperative for America, a series of policy recommendations that will help the United States reach a goal of 3% annual real economic growth. The Chamber also unveiled a new resource for policymakers and candidates detailing how a pro-growth tax code benefits American workers, businesses, and the economy. Recent polling from the Chamber shows a majority (80%) of voters are concerned that increasing taxes would result in higher prices and 93% believe American families and businesses are already paying enough in taxes. Small businesses say that a competitive tax code means local economies grow and prosper, while workers across the country benefit from higher paychecks and more job opportunities. This week, the Lakeland Chamber joined the Florida Chamber in voicing opposition to the passage of Amendment 3 "Adult Personal Use of Marijuana." The Florida Constitution is meant to protect fundamental rights, establish the framework of government and outline basic principles. The Lakeland Chamber has held a longstanding position opposing any proposed constitutional amendment that could be accomplished by statute or budget. As written, Amendment 3 does not adequately protect the interests of business in the State of Florida. A RESOLUTION OF THE LAKELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPPOSING AMENDMENT 3 “RECREATIONAL USE OF MARIJUANA” The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce joins the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association in opposition to the passage of Amendment 3 “Recreational Use of Marijuana.” Constitutional Amendments significantly limit the ability of a transparent and accountable legislative process to craft policy. The Lakeland Chamber has a longstanding position opposing any proposed constitutional amendment that could be accomplished by statute or budget. Enshrining drugs in Florida’s foundational document is dangerous policy. Florida’s reputation as a family-friendly destination for tourism is critical to our state and local economies. As written, Amendment 3 does not include any restrictions on the time, place or manner of use and does not enable communities to regulate or control the location of shops selling marijuana. A June 2024 study conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City showed that in post-legalization states, per capita state income rose by about 3%, housing prices rose by 6% and population grew by 2%. At the same time, substance use disorders increased by 17%, chronic homelessness increased by 35% and arrests increased by 35%. As the nation’s 3rd largest state and the 16th largest economy in the world, our state’s continued economic success is threatened by Amendment 3. Amendment 3 does not define a relationship to the long-standing Florida Clean Air Act which prohibits most indoor smoking in public places. This intentional omission creates uncertainty about property rights and businesses’ ability to set restrictions on their own properties. As written, Amendment 3 does not adequately protect the interests of business in the State of Florida. ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LAKELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, this 28th day of August, 2024 Learn more from the Florida Chamber about the impacts of Amendment 3 at https://flbizagainsta3.com/
Following a rigorous application process, the Lakeland Chamber Foundation announces finalists and honorees for the 2024 ATHENA Leadership Awards, recognizing professional excellence, service to community and leadership development. Founded more than 30 years ago, ATHENA International has honored more than 7,000 women leaders from hundreds of cities and eight countries. The Lakeland Chamber Foundation is a licensed ATHENA Award Community. The 2024 ATHENA Awards Finalists demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their businesses or professions; provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community; and actively assist women in achieving their full leadership potential.  2024 ATHENA Leadership Award Finalists:
Michelle Ledford, MADE LKLD Teresa Martinez, Polk State College Tracey Tedder, Florida Southern College 2024 ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award Finalists: Kassia Alamm, EMERGE Lakeland & Straughn Trout Architects Rachael Savinon, CPS Investment Advisors Emily Shiver, New Life Veterinary Hospital The 2024 ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award Recipient, Marriott Vacations Worldwide, will be honored for their organizational culture that encourages women employees to achieve the full leadership potential. Finalists will be honored, and recipients will be announced at the 2024 ATHENA Leadership Awards Program on September 10, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at Haus 820. Keynote Speaker Vera Jones, a former sportscaster and basketball analyst, will share her story of resilience and inspiration in the face of her son’s diagnoses with blindness. For additional information, including past ATHENA Award recipients and event registration, please visit https://www.lakelandchamber.com/athena-awards.html.  With more than 100 Leadership Lakeland Alumni and friends in attendance at Thursday’s Opening Reception at Springhill Inn & Suites, Class XLI Chair, Palemeschia “Pal” Powell (Class XXIX, Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum at Florida Southern College) introduced the 30 members of Leadership Lakeland Class XLI. Will Link (Class XXXI, Reed Mawhinney and Link.) will be serving as Chair-Elect.
“My Leadership Lakeland experience was so meaningful, and I’m still connected to many of the organizations and people I encountered during my year,” said Pal Powell. “I’m proud to continue those traditions with a new class of leaders.” Congratulations to the class members: Tayler Baldick, Director of Community Engagement & Human Resources, Stuart's Plumbing Chanel Dedes Bellotto, President, Skate World Diana Braswell, Partner | Physician Laboratory Director | Dermatopathologist, Watson Clinic Kylia L. Carswell, Director of Family Engagement, Polk County Public Schools Coady Cheek, VP Professional Relationship Manager, Bank of Central Florida Katie Worthington Decker, Senior Vice President, Lakeland Economic Development Council John Demming, Director of Safety, Security & Emergency Management, Lakeland Regional Health Takiyah Nicole Dixon, Director, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce John F. Doran, Executive Director, Publix Super Markets Charities Christopher Heath Frederick, Director of Public Works, City of Lakeland Cindy Glover, Editor, LkldNow Chris Hammond, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Allen & Company Eric J. Jackson, Financial Advisor, CPS Investment Advisors Matt Keen, Associate Attorney, Peterson & Myers, P.A. Cheryl Lee Kimball, Police Captain, Lakeland Police Department Guy Eber LaLonde, III, Owner, Lakeland Moonwalk/Under One Tent Events Ashley Loute, Vice President of Assets, Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County Lindsey Martin, Assurance Manager, CliftonLarsonAllen Arden Mitchell, Director of Admissions, Florida Southern College Nathaniel Pearson, Dean and Professor, Southeastern University Ryan C. Rogers, SVPII/Regional Manager, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Landon Joseph Schneider, Associate Attorney, Reed Mawhinney & Link Jacob Michael Schner, Sales and Leasing, The Ruthvens Brandon Silk, Commercial Insurance Advisor, Brown & Brown Mary Terry, Director of Operations, Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine Haley Lynn Tonge, Trust & Wealth Advisor, Citizens Bank & Trust William M. Wainwright, Director of Housing, Parker Street Ministries Kelsey Elmhorst Wesche, Marketing & Project Coordinator, Rodda Construction Heather Willis, Major Account Executive, Boring Business Systems T.J. Wright, Chief Operating Officer, YMCA of West Central Florida Together, these class members will complete a rigorous schedule of monthly day sessions from October through May. Each session features hands-on experiences that engage class members in all aspects of Lakeland and Polk County. Leadership Lakeland is an annual program designed to identify leadership and enhance existing leadership in our community. The program unites leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to improve their ability to lead effectively, offering its members a broad range of experiences and insights about the community, its people, its needs, and its services.
On August 6, 2024 nearly 300 people gathered in Munn Park to hear from the candidates vying for their votes on August 20. Representatives from presenting Sponsor Orlando Health were joined by local City Garage Motorsports racing team displaying their sponsored car.
The candidates and sponsors were led to the park by the Lakeland High School drumline just as the Straw Poll opened for voters to cast their ballots. Thanks to our sponsors: Presenting Sponsor: Orlando Health Senatorial Sponsor: Lakeland Electric Gubernatorial Sponsors: Spectrum by Charter Communications, A-C-T- Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc, Gulf Coast Avionics Corporation, State Representative Jennifer Canady, State Representative Josie Tomkow And supporting vendors: Ax-Caliber Axe Venue & Coffee House, MABE Production & Installation, Blankskriptz Filmz, LLC, COhatch, Evolve Entertainment, Premier Parties, LLC, Two Men and a Truck, Jet’s Pizza, Sam’s Club Lakeland Highlands Road Early voting begins August 10, 2024 and the primary will be held August 20, 2024. Several local races will be decided on August 20, and many races are on your ballot regardless of your party affiliation. Visit PolkElections.org to find your sample ballot, early voting locations or your August 20 precinct.
Photo Slideshow from BlankStriptz Filmz.
On June 20, members of the Chamber’s board of directors, committees and staff visited New Haven, Connecticut on Lakeland Linder International Airport’s new commercial flight with Avelo Airlines!
While there were plenty of opportunities to try New Haven’s famous apizzza, the group also spent Friday visiting with community leaders and workforce champions. To begin our day, we met with Dave Feinberg and Marcia LaFemina of MATCH Connecticut, a manufacturing training center with community focus. During our visit, Marcia explained how MATCH was envisioned, created and funded to bring technical training and wrap-around support to job seekers who are interested in careers in manufacturing. As a manufacturer herself, Marcia knows firsthand the value of skilled labor, and her innovative vision creates paid training opportunities through contract manufacturing services. From MATCH, we traveled to the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce where we met with President & CEO Garrett Sheehan and Vice President, Economic Development & Workforce Initiatives Anne Benowitz. Garrett and Anne told us how they’re using the Talent Pipeline Management system from the US Chamber Foundation to support the workforce needs in the 15-city region. We also met Jesse Phillips, GNHCC’s Coordinator of Inclusive Growth. Jesse’s role focuses on improving access for BIPOC-owned businesses, including supplier diversity programs. Ginny Kozloski from REX Development was our guide for the balance of the day. First stop… City Hall. Deputy Economic Development Director and Small Business Resource Center Director Cathy Graves shared an overview of the programs and resources the City offers to support entrepreneurs. We were joined by Joe Williams, Community Foundation of Greater New Haven’s Mission Investment Company Director. Joe gave an overview of TCFMIC and shared stories about their investments in underserved small businesses and entrepreneurs. Before we finished at City Hall, University of New Haven’s Director of Economic Development Rob Thompson shared an overview of their newest programs to help connect UNH students to the business community – especially small businesses. Through programs like Helping Hands, community partners and donors help subsidize internships in non-profits and small businesses. Our day wrapped with a tour of the newest bioscience office in New Haven. Part of the “Downtown Crossing” project reclaiming about 10 acres of land over a highway, 101 College Street is already home to several companies including the bioscience co-working space BioLabs. The development includes several public-private partnerships like green space and public art, and provides for a classroom inside BioLabs where high school students will have direct access to bioscience equipment. On Saturday, the group members found plenty to keep them engaged. Some boarded the train and visited family and New York City. Others toured the libraries, museums and art galleries at Yale University. Some even found themselves visiting lighthouses along the coast! Our visit to New Haven was full of great information, interesting places and delicious food – not to mention wonderful friends and colleagues. Traveling with us were:
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