Sen. Bill Nelson is coming to Daytona Beach!

Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) is coming to Daytona Beach on August 25th. The Chamber and Tiger Bay will host a 12-noon luncheon at Sunset Harbor Yacht Club.

Sen. Nelson will be discussing the Employee Free Choice Act (Union Card Check), healthcare legislation, Cap & Trade, and federal stimulus funds.

The cost is $25 for Chamber members, $35 for non-members. Please RSVP to Suzy Erdle at (386) 255-0981, ext. 222 or suzy@daytonachamber.com.

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) resigned from Senate today

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) resigned from the Senate today.

Martinez first announced it this morning at a staff meeting, where he said he will not return to the Senate after the August recess.

Last December, Martinez announced he would not be seeking re-election to the Senate, but that he would serve out his full term, which expires in 2011.

This is the second time Martinez has resigned from a high-profile Republican office. He resigned as chairman of the Republican National Committee in October 2007 to focus on his legislative responsibilities.

Martinez’s announcement today creates a unique position for Gov. Charlie Crist (R-Fla.), who is currently the frontrunner for the Republican nomination. Crist could be tasked with appointing a candidate to fill the seat until Martinez’s term expires in 2001.

August Chamber Events

August is shaping up to be a very busy month for the Chamber! Our Government Relations department is hosting a couple big events, and our Chamber Advantage Seminar Series continues with the popular Stephen Covey concept of effective leadership. Join us at some or all of these events!

August 12 - 12noon - Local Government Committee meeting with special guest, Daytona Beach Finance Director Mike Robertson. To attend this lunch meeting, contact Jim Cameron at 566-2140.

August 18 - 5:30pm - Business After Hours sponsored by Encore Catering at the Museum of Arts & Sciences! Food & 2 drinks included with admission. Bring plenty of business cards for the Speed Networking Program! 5:30-7:30pm. $10 Chamber members, $35 guests and future members. RSVP (386) 255-0981, ext. 405.

August 20 - 6-8pm - Daytona Beach Young Professionals Group monthly networking social at Rivergrille on the Tomoka in Ormond Beach. 2 drinks & appetizers included with admission. $5 for YPG members, $10 for non-members.

August 21 - 7:45am - Eggs & Issues Breakfast with guest speakers: Volusia County School Board. Pelican Bay Club, 350 Pelican Bay Drive, Daytona Beach. $20 Chamber members, $25 non-members. RSVP to Gail Miller, (386) 255-0981, ext. 229.

August 22 - 7:30pm - YPG Annual Gala: A Summer White Night - Boardwalk Community Club at Daytona International Speedway. The gala will include dinner, dancing and music. Wear your best white attire! $40 YPG members, $60 non-members. RSVP by August 19 to Katie Conrad, (386) 255-0981, ext. 237 or kconrad@daytonachamber.com.

August 25 - 8:30-11:30am - Chamber Advantage Seminar Series with the Small Business Development Center - Seven Habits of Highly Effective Leaders. Speaker: Nancy Boyle, founding director of Small Business Resource Network and producer/host of “Speaking of Business” television show, will present the key concepts of the Covey Institute’s top effectiveness program. The seminar will include leadership topics such as performance management, execution, collaboration, accountability and trust. Current and future leaders should take advantage of this opportunity to experience these internationally proven success formulas presented in our own backyard. Building 110, room 112 at Daytona State College. Registration and continental breakfast will begin at 8:00 a.m. $45 for Chamber members, $65 for non-members. RSVP to Gail Miller, (386) 255-0981, ext. 229.

August 25 - 12noon - Senator Bill Nelson is coming to Daytona Beach! This luncheon, hosted by The Chamber and Tiger Bay, will be held at Sunset Harbor Yacht Club, 861 Ballough Rd., Daytona Beach. Sen. Nelson will be speaking about the Employee Free Choice Act (Union Card Check), Cap & Trade, healthcare legislation, and federal stimulus funds. $25 Chamber members, $35 non-members. RSVP to Suzy Erdle, (386) 255-0981, ext. 222 or suzy@daytonachamber.com.

Chamber Board fights for small business

Recently, the Board of Directors of the Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber took positions on two critical issues facing the business community.

Issue: Employee Free Choice Act
Background: The original Employee Free Choice Act before Congress would give union representatives greater access to private businesses. EFCA language would also eliminate the private ballot process (Union Card Check), opening workers up to the pressure of unions and their membership.

• Two sided signature cards: this would allow workers to check one side of a card if they want a private ballot or the other side if they wanted to organize by signatures only.
• "Quickie" elections: this retains secret ballot elections overseen by the National Labor Relations Board but it requires them to be held within a 5-14 day timeframe after a union files their petition.
• Access to employees: allowing unions to come into an employer's property to confront workers in lunch rooms, break rooms or other locations can be disruptive to the operations of a business.

Position: The Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber opposes an EFCA "compromise" that threatens to water down the protection of a private ballot, interfere with an employer's right to communicate with their workers, impose binding arbitration, or puts in place one-sided penalties.

Issue: Federal Health Care Proposals (HR 3200 - America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009)
Background: Congress is seeking to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system in an effort to cover uninsured individuals. These proposals could mean rationed health care, employer mandates in addition to higher taxes. Of the new proposals, the most contentious issues are:

• Creation of a "public plan": a government-run plan that would compete with the private sector. The Lewin Group estimates 130 million people would move from private to public insurance, a short step from a single-payer system. This is unfair competition as it ultimately shifts costs to the private sector.
• Employer mandate: a pay or play requirement of mandated health insurance for all employers. Employer mandates limit flexibility and innovation - the foundation of voluntary employer provided health care.
• Minimum coverage: proposing a Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) i.e., specific mandates to be included in health insurance packages. One option being considered to generate revenue for this program is to impose a small business surtax. However, dealing with a sluggish economy and having difficulties obtaining bank loans, a surtax would hit these businesses especially hard.

Position: The Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber opposes legislation that would enact a government-run, public health care plan. Instead, Congress should reform the insurance market and find ways to control costs. People should not be forced to buy into an unaffordable system: the solution should focus on improving the quality and affordability of health care through market-based changes. Market forces and employer autonomy should determine what benefits employers provide rather than Congress. Without serious steps to decrease healthcare spending, any such plan would accelerate the onslaught of a health care financial meltdown.

State Attorney R.J. Larizza to address Chamber members

Florida State Attorney R.J. Larizza will address Chamber members at the next Eggs & Issues breakfast on Friday, July 17th.

The breakfast will be held at Pelican Bay Club, 350 Pelican Bay Drive, Daytona Beach. The cost is $20 for Chamber members, $25 for non-members. To register, contact Gail Miller at (386) 255-0981, ext. 229 or e-mail gail@daytonachamber.com.

Please note that all reservations are considered guaranteed and all no shows will be billed. Cancellations accepted no later than 5 pm Wednesday, July 15. Remember that you can substitute another person from your company if you are unable to attend.

Proposed health care plans and what they mean to you

There are currently some 45 million uninsured citizens in the US. President Obama has made changing the health system a central part of his agenda, arguing significant reform is needed for the nation's long-term economic growth and the government's long-term fiscal health. His first proposed budget includes a $600 billion tax increase to pay for expanded coverage. Congress is drafting a health care reform plan that could have a significant effect on the business community. The portion that all components are concerned with is whether to create a new public insurance plan to compete with private plans.

Below are some of the different plans being considered:

• A new FULL-SCALE PUBLIC PLAN that would piggy-back on the rate-setting powers of Medicare. Any doctors who participate in Medicare would have to participate in this plan and would have to accept the same Medicare payment rates. It is believed that such a plan could operate with lower costs thus allowing more affordable premiums (compared to private coverage). On the other hand, it is believed too stringent reimbursements could drive some financially stressed hospitals into bankruptcy. Others are concerned that a government subsidized public insurance plan might entice many citizens/employers away from private insurance to save money. Proponents want to discourage employers from doing this and encourage competitive private plans that deliver better services at lower costs.
• HALF-SCALE PUBLIC PLAN which would require any public plan to hold the same reserves as private plans and sustain itself from premium income without drawing on the federal treasury. It would probably pay providers higher rates than Medicare but lower rates that most private plans. Again it counts on lower administrative cost to reduce premiums.
• STATE-BASED PLANS such as the new Cover Florida with an option for the federal government to step in after 5 years if the state is not meeting performance standards. Cover Florida (aimed at those who've lost their jobs or work as independent contractors - e.g. area Realtors - and don't have access to group coverage) allows recipients to choose between catastrophic and preventive coverage. The more a customer pays, the more benefits are included. It is offered via private companies.
• PRIVATE NON-PROFIT COOPERATIVES - run for the benefit of their members to compete with profit making insurance plans. The presumed advantage is that cooperatives might be able to charge lower premiums because of their non-profit status. Having existed at the local/regional level for decades, some have gone belly up, and others still provide high quality care at reasonable prices. Some believe that cooperatives would be unlikely to deliver as much savings as a large public plan.

For more information about these plans, or other issues affecting your business, contact Jim Cameron, Government Relations at (386) 255-0981, ext. 226.

Volusia/Flagler Property Tax News

Volusia and Flagler's taxable property valuations dropped about 18 percent and 16.6 percent respectively in 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by county property appraisers. These declines range from 10.6 percent in DeBary; 16.8 percent in Palm Coast; and almost 24 percent in Deltona and Ponce Inlet. (The determinations are based on property values as of Dec. 31, 2008.)

These figures (and subsequent adjustments) will be used by local governmetns during the next several months to prepare their budgets and property tax rates for the upcoming year.

VCARD's June 5 forum analyzed this process of assessing property values, particularly focusing on the recent economic downturn's impact on property valuations and the assessment process. The forum included an indepth presentation by Voulsia County Property Appraiser Morgan Gilreath. Thanks also to the other participants: Attorneys Mark Watts (Cobb Cole) and Mark Hall; Appraiser Cliff Fisher; and Program Coordinator Ron Nowviskie (Root Organization).

FYI - Legislation passed during the reecnt session (HB521) lends more support to property owners who challenge a county property appraiser's assessment of their property value. The new law refines the "presumption of correctness" for property appraisers when their assessments are challenged, thus giving the impacted property owners equality in the process. Previously, they held the burden to prove the assessor was wrong.

Volusia Day in Tallahassee - April 1st!

Make plans to attend Volusia Day in Tallahassee on Wednesday, April 1.

The event will take place in the Senate Office Building portico with seating for 200+ along with displays highlighting Volusia County.

We have invited a variety of speakers including Governor Charlie Crist, State CFO Alex Sink, DOT Secretary Stephanie Kopelousis, Education Commissioner Eric Smith, Sens. Evelyn Lynn and Carey Baker, Reps. Dorothy Hukill, Dwayne Taylor, Pat Patterson, and other legislative leaders.

Several important issues will be discussed, including balancing the State budget, ecnomic stimulus projects, health care and transportation. The main issue of discussion for the day will be education.

Refreshments will be available throughout the day with hotdogs served at noon.

The Chamber is currently seeking sponsors to cover the expenses for the day. Current sponsors include Embry-Riddle, Aeronautical University, International Speedway Corporation, Food Supply, and Waste Pro. We also need volunteers to help with setup committee, food committee and clean up.

As a means to show support for K-12 education funding, the Volusia Council of Governments (VCOG) has arranged for 4 buses (2 from east Volusia and 2 from west Volusia) to travel to Tallahasee departing at 6a.m. and returning around 8:30 a.m. There is NO COST to attend. To RSVP for bus transportation (including breakfast and dinner), please contact Mary Curran at the VCOG office at (386) 226-0422.

Gov. Crist comes to Daytona Beach to promote Cover Florida health insurance plan

Gov. Charlie Crist recently met with Daytona Beach residents at the Daytona Beach Board of Realtors to discuss the Cover Florida health care initiative. With an estimated 4 million uninsured Floridians, Crist said this initiative gives Floridians options in a time of high unemployment and financial uncertainty. Seven of 12 Cover Florida plans available in Volusia and Flagler have monthly premiums averaging $155 or less.

Under the Cover Florida plans, recipients can choose two general types of coverage: catastrophic or preventive. The more a customer pays, the more benefits that are included, such as screenings, office visits, surgery, and durable medical equipment.

Cover Florida is targeted to people who have lost their jobs or work as independent contractors - e.g. area realtors - and don't have access to group coverage. The program is open to people ages 19 to 64 who have been uninsured for at least 6 months or more and recently lost insurance because of unemployment, the death of a spouse or divorce.

Florida Healthcare/Blue Cross and Blue Shield are offering a Cover Florida plan locally. For more information, visit this website.

The Chamber was at this press conference because Affordable Health Insurance for Small Business was the top-ranked legislative issue according to a recent Chamber member survey.

Eggs & Issues breakfast scheduled for March 13, 2009

Break out of your shell...join us for Eggs & Issues! The latest installment of this hot-topic breakfast series will be held on Friday, March 13, 2009 at 7:45 a.m. at Indigo Lakes Banquet Center in Daytona Beach.


Frank Bruno, Volusia County Council Chairman, will be speaking about the coordinating of local government services. You won't want to miss this!


The cost for this breakfast is $20 for Chamber members, $25 for non-members. Registration and breakfast begins at 7:45 a.m. To register for this event, contact Gail Miller at the Chamber at (386) 255-0981, ext. 229 or e-mail gail@daytonachamber.com.


Please note that all reservations are guaranteed and all no shows will be billed. Cancellations accepted no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11. Remember that you can substitute another person from your company if you are unable to attend.

Legislators share goals for upcoming legislative session

On February 20, the Chamber's Legislative Action Committee hosted an Eggs & Issues breakfast meeting with Reps. Dorothy Hukill, Dwayne Taylor and Pat Patterson.

The legislative session begins March 3 in Tallahassee and a $4 billion budget shortfall will be the main issue. No legislation will be considered that costs any money.

Rep. Taylor stated that he has filed H 457 to provide for flexibility in a school district's operating budget and deletes restrictions on expenditure of their capital outlay millage for educational facilities.

Rep. Hukill spoke of H 69 which would revise the duties of Space Florida to include supporting development and operation of Space Transportation Research & Development Institute. It also establishes a multi-university Space Transportation Research & Development Institute within OTTED. This is an effort to help offset the impact of the space shuttle program.

Rep. Patterson spoke of legislation regarding excess and surplus lines of insurance as well as legislation that addresses workers compensation attorney fees.

In the upcoming session, the Chamber will continue support for affordable health insurance for small businesses; funding for Florida's Economic Development and Incentive programs; collection sales tax on Internet transactions (via catalogues and TV solicitations) when authorized by Congress; replacement funds for public schools including no new unfunded K-12 mandates for school districts; delay education incentives for the 2009-2010 school year; and support for SunRail to provide regional rush-hour commuter rail service from Kissimmee to Orlando to DeLand.

As we have done for over 20 years, we will continue our walking the halls in Tallahassee and promoting the business viewpoint. In addition, the Chamber's Legislative Status Report will be sent to Chamber members each week and will focus on issues of interest to the Halifax Area business community.

If you would like to receive additional information regarding legislation, please email jim@daytonachamber.com.

Break out of your shell...Join us for Eggs & Issues!

The Chamber will be holding an Eggs & Issues breakfast on Friday, February 20, 2009 at Indigo Lakes Banquet Center in Daytona Beach. Rep. Dorothy Hukill and Rep. Dwayne Taylor will be discussing their priority items for the upcoming legislative session which begins on March 3rd.

The breakfast will begin at 7:45 a.m. The cost to attend is $20 for Chamber members, $25 for non-members. To register, please call or e-mail Gail Miller at the Chamber at (386) 255-0981, ext. 229 or gail@daytonachamber.com.*

*Please note that all reservations are considered guaranteed and all no shows will be billed. Cancellations accepted no later than 5p.m. on Wednesday, February 18. Remember that you can substitute another person from your company if you are unable to attend.

Now accepting applications for Leadership Daytona Class 29!

What is Leadership Daytona?

The purpose of Leadership Daytona Beach is to invest in our community. The future of the Daytona Beach/Halifax Area depends upon well-informed and involved leadership. This course is a 3-month "community orientation" program that educates up and coming leaders of our area's benefits and challenges.

Leadership Daytona is one of nearly 700 similiar programs nationwide devoted to shaping high profile community leaders ready to tackle tough community situations. Initiated in 1981 by the Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber and the Junior League, Leadership Daytona Beach is one of the longest running Leadership programs in the State.

The goals of the program:

• Inform participants about the community in general. A number of state and local officials will address members at each of the 13 class sessions.
• Concentrate on personal leadership activities including Simulated Society (SIMSOC), and Learning the Ropes.
• Provide a teamwork experience with our Community Class project. This will be our thirteenth project as class members "leave their mark" on the community.

Classes of varying formats, including field trips, are held each Wednesday morning (8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) from March 4 to May 27. The program concludes with a graduation dinner on May 28.

Are you or someone you know interested in Leadership Daytona?

Please contact Jim Cameron at 386/255-0981, ext. 226 for further information and for an application. The Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber will be accepting applications for Class 29 until January 15, 2009.

We ask that you carefully consider your answers when completing the application. Our motto is "teaching volunteers in the community to become leaders in the community."

All applications are sent to a Selection Committee and NOT EVERYONE is chosen. Past volunteer experience is extremely important! We're looking for your involvement with any group that benefits the overall community. Social clubs, neighborhood associations, or organizations where you are required to pay dues because of your profession, probably won't be considered highly. We’re looking for something where you volunteer(ed) your time for the benefit of others.

If you are new to the community, please list your volunteer activities at your previous address. Past volunteer work is carefully considered by the selection committee.

45,222 people in Volusia County have already voted!

As the election nears, early voters have turned out in record numbers. According to Volusia County Department of Elections, 45,222 people have already voted in the election! (As of Wednesday, October 29).

This November, there are several proposed constitutional amendments which will be voted on, and we want you to be prepared when you head to the polls. Click here to read about the amendments.

Click here to view a sample ballot.

How is the Federal Government financial rescue package progressing?

The US Government's $700 billion financial rescue effort is only a few weeks old - but word is getting around that it's already morphed into something far broader and more ambitious than its original intent.

The speed and severity of the nation's economic problems simply may have forced it to change. First, the Treasury added direct investment in banks to its plan to buy up troubled mortgage-based assets. Second, it now seems primed to partially guarantee some home mortgages in an effort to stem a rush of foreclosures sweeping through US neighborhoods.

Further modifications could be coming. Insurance companies and auto firms are also arguing that their credit arms are vital financial institutions now suffering from a cash-flow crisis and they want some of the bail-out money. Other industries may seek to be included, particularly if Congress holds a post-election, lame-duck session to consider additional moves.

The federal government in fact may still be able to set limits on who/what needs to be rescued. But in any case, with all of the financial turmoil, a $700 billion commitment that seemed large at the beginning of the month appears smaller at the end.

At a recent Senate Banking Committee hearing, a Treasury official overseeing the bailout, said the US remains committed to the plan's first intention - the purchase of bad mortgage-based securities that are cluttering the books of financial institutions.

While the Treasury hasn't actually bought any bad loans yet, it has moved ahead with an infusion of cash into the nation's nine largest banks with an additional 20 smaller regional banks slated to receive government money.

One story making the news is about some of these banks using its new government cash to buy other banks or to pay dividends to investors or executive bonuses. While these uses are allowed under rescue bill provisions, questions are coming forth whether they'll help jump-start lending to cash-starved US businesses.

What are your thoughts on the progress of the Emergency Economic Recovery Act?

Managing the Homelessness in Daytona Beach

The DB City Commission is hosting a workshop regarding the homeless on Wednesday, October 15, from 4-5:15 pm at City Hall. Last year, the Chamber's Homeless Issues Committee worked to facilitate a 10-Year-Plan to End Homelessness for the Volusia-Flagler Coalition for the Homeless - a blueprint to guide the community on how to address the issue in the coming years.

A major point was that we not necessarily seek continued funding but to "redirect" money that is already being spent and use if for different purposes. For example, Halifax Health has a physician at the Homeless Assistance Center each week to treat the individuals for routine ailments. At the same time, this saves Halifax Hospital significant money in their ER.

The Chamber is also encouraging other Volusia communities to recognize their responsibilities regarding homeless individuals in their own backyard instead of letting it be perceived as just a "Daytona problem."

The Chamber sees addressing the homeless as an economic development issue, i.e., any community with an overflow of homeless has an evermore difficult hurdle to land new business.

How would you suggest we seek to manage the homeless situation in the Daytona Beach area? Has the local homeless situation had an impact on your business?

Emergency Economic Recovery Act

On Monday, September 29, 2008, the House rejected 205-228 a proposed financial rescue package (Cong. Mica and Cong. Feeney voted NO) so it went back for adjustments.

Two things happened the following week before the House then approved a revised financial package by a 263-171 vote (Cong. Mica and Cong. Feeney voted NO).

1. Stock and especially credit markets responded quickly and negatively to the first House vote, threatening a financial market meltdown.
2. The Senate then sweetened the package by increasing the FDIC insurance limit from $100,000 to $250,000 and including the popular tax "extenders" (AMT relief, deduction for state sales taxes, credits for alternative energy and R&D, and more).

On Wednesday, October 1, they approved the package by a 74-25 vote (Sen. Martinez voted YES; Sen. Nelson voted NO).

The rescue provisions of the final package authorize the Treasury Department to buy up to $700 billion in troubled financial assets in several stages, beginning with $250 billion immediately. Treasury will receive an equity stake in financial institutions which choose to participate. Those companies also face limits on the compensation of top executives. Programs to help homeowners avoid foreclosure would be strengthened and expanded. Congress, the GAO, a new inspector general, and a new oversight board will monitor all aspects of the program.

Many agree that the rescue package is far from perfect, but proponents said it should avert a much worse financial crisis.

Monday, October 13, 2008 - stocks are up more than 500 points today as Wall Street seeks to recover from last week's devastating losses. However, there is no doubt we're going to experience a credit crunch, and obtaining a loan or a line of credit is going to become more complex.

How are these developments going to affect your business plans for the future?