Your Voice, Your Future
Advocacy Newsletter - May 9, 2025
| | What's Happening in Advocacy | | |
Stay informed with our advocacy newsletter! Get updates on key local, state, and federal issues, upcoming events, valuable resources, and ways to take action. Learn about policy changes, and discover opportunities to engage with your community. Stay connected, stay empowered, and make a difference.
Together, we’re building a stronger voice for the business community!
| | FL Dept. of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue during our May Eggs & Issues Series moderated by Maryam Ghyabi-White | |  | From left to right: Daytona Regional Chamber Board Chair Michael Sznapstajler, Mayor of Daytona Beach Shores Nancy Miller, President & CEO of Ghyabi Consulting & Management, Secretary of the Florida DOT Jared Perdue, Volusia County Councilman Matt Reinhart, Daytona Regional Chamber President & CEO Nancy Keefer, Volusia County Councilman At-Large Jake Johansson, and District 5 DOT Secretary John Tyler. | | | Daytona Regional Chamber's April Eggs & Issues Series, "Economic Development w/ Cyrus T. Callum from the Daytona Beach International Airport" | | | Daytona Regional Chamber President & CEO Nancy Keefer addresses Eggs & Issues attendees, emphasizing the critical role of advocacy in advancing our region’s priorities. | | | Inside The Issues - Local | |
Linkage Fees Update
While the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce was pleased to suggest an opportunity to dedicate funds through a Housing Trust Fund in partnership with the City of Daytona Beach to support residents facing housing challenges, we believe the decision to adopt this recommendation in addition to, rather than in place of, a linkage fee is ultimately counterproductive. Such an approach risks discouraging new development that brings higher-wage jobs to our community. We continue to oppose the implementation of linkage fees on new development due to their limited effectiveness and the narrow legal scope within which they can meaningfully address affordable housing needs.
The Daytona Beach city commission voted 5-2 on April 16th to approve linkage fees.
Click Here to read Our Official Position
Related News Articles
Daytona Beach Hosting Public Workshops on Impact Fee Changes
The City of Daytona Beach is hosting two community workshops to discuss proposed changes to impact fees.
Workshop Details:
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Monday, May 19 at 5pm - Schnebly Recreation Center, 1101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32118
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Tuesday, May 20 at 5pm - Cherry Cultural & Educational Center, 925 George W. Engram Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114
These workshops provide an opportunity for residents, business owners, developers, and other stakeholders to learn about the proposed adjustments to impact fees and to offer input on how these changes may affect the community. Engaging in these discussions is vital for ensuring that the city's development aligns with the needs and expectations of its citizens.
Related News Articles
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Volusia Approves Affordable Housing Incentives
On May 6th, the Volusia County Council voted to approve Affordable Housing incentives, 6-1.
Here's what to know:
It adopts new incentives to encourage affordable housing, such as: waived permit fees, deferred impact fees, density bonuses, and expedited approvals for eligible developments.
Related News Articles
| | Inside The Issues - State | |
Legislative Updates
The Florida Legislature's regular session has been extended until June 6th to finalize the state budget and address unresolved legislation.
The Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, representing over 900 members, has been actively engaged in advocating for regional business interests during this session. Key legislative developments with potential impacts on the Chamber's priorities include:
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SB 1664 – Withdrawn from consideration during the 2025 Legislative Session. This bill served as the Senate companion to HB 7033, addressing the Tourist Development Tax (TDT). While SB 1664 maintained local control and safeguarded tourism revenue streams, it also introduced language that could have significantly altered the distribution of those funds, raising concerns about long-term impacts on local tourism investment strategies.
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SB 1242 – Withdrawn from consideration during the 2025 Legislative Session. This bill proposed a gradual phase-out of Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs), which play a vital role in revitalizing underserved areas and supporting local economic development. Its withdrawal helped preserve the current structure and funding of CRAs for the time being.
As the legislative session progresses, the Daytona Regional Chamber remains committed to monitoring developments and advocating for policies that foster a favorable business environment in the region.
SB 1730 - Passed during the 2025 Legislative Session, introduces key updates to Florida’s Live Local Act aimed at accelerating affordable housing development by streamlining approvals, expanding eligible sites, and clarifying local government roles. These changes could significantly impact housing and economic development efforts across regions like Greater Daytona.
Click Here to learn More
HB 451 - Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
Click Here to learn More
HB 541 - Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
Click Here to learn More
HB 817 - Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
Click Here to learn More
HB 859 - Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
Click Here to learn More
HB 947 - Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
Click Here to learn More
Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant Program
As a leading voice for economic development and regional prosperity, the Daytona Regional Chamber urges the Florida Legislature to preserve the full funding of the EASE Grant. This investment in our future workforce ensures we remain competitive, both as a region and as a state.This program provides vital tuition assistance to thousands of Florida students attending independent, nonprofit colleges and universities. Students from Keiser University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Bethune-Cookman University stand to lose substantial funding if this grant is reduced or eliminated as part of the budget process.
Cutting or restricting access to this grant would jeopardize the pipeline of skilled, career-ready graduates our local industries rely on, from aerospace and engineering to healthcare and business.
Click Here to learn More
| | | | Inside The Issues - Federal | |
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The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 introduced several tax provisions that are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025.Key expiring provisions include reduced individual income tax rates, an increased standard deduction, expanded child tax credits, and modifications to estate tax exemptions.Without legislative intervention, these provisions will revert to pre-2017 parameters starting January 1, 2026.
Click Here to learn More
H.R. 1109, the Litigation Transparency Act - The bill seeks to address the growing practice of third-party litigation funding, where investors finance lawsuits in exchange for a portion of any potential settlement or award.Proponents argue that such arrangements can lead to conflicts of interest and may influence litigation strategies.By mandating the disclosure of these financial interests, the legislation aims to promote transparency and integrity within the civil justice system.
Click Here to learn More
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Ready to Lead?
Join Free Candidate & Community Leadership Training
May 13–14
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Thinking about running for office or getting involved in your community?
Join the Florida Institute for Political Leadership’s Training School & Community Leadership Training – a free, non-partisan, two-part online training designed for future candidates, campaign staff, and engaged citizens.
Dates:
Tuesday, May 13 | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET
Preparing to run & organizing your campaign
Wednesday, May 14 | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET
Fundraising & running your campaign
Open to everyone – no cost to attend!
Learn from state and local political experts, elected officials, professors, and community leaders.
Register now: www.FIPL.org/Register
Questions? Email: info@fipl.org
Proudly co-hosted by the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce and partners across Florida.
| | | We actively represented the interests of the business community through a range of advocacy efforts, including presenting comments before the Volusia County Council in opposition to a proposed countywide moratorium and advocating at a Daytona Beach City stakeholder meeting on linkage fees. We also participated in the Florida Chamber Legislative Fly-in, further engaging in statewide policy discussions. In addition, we signed on in support of several coalition letters, including: urging Congress to permanently extend pro-growth tax reforms and another backing the Third-Party Litigation Coalition, and urging the preservation of the federal deduction for state and local business taxes (B-SALT). | | |
Our Director of Advocacy, David Robinson, and Cornerstone Committee Chair, Jessica Cobb of Cobb Cole, recently joined us for an episode of the Crest of the Wave podcast.
Missed the interview?
Click Here
| | | Our Cornerstone Committee convenes monthly to collaborate on strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening advocacy efforts for the business community. | | | |
Join Us for the 2025 Intercity Trip to Charleston, SC
August 25–27, 2025
Explore innovative solutions and ideas on affordable housing, resiliency, and tourism with fellow community and business leaders during our upcoming Intercity Trip to Charleston, SC. This is a unique opportunity to learn from one of the Southeast's most dynamic cities while building valuable connections.
Dates: August 25–27, 2025
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Topics: Affordable Housing | Resiliency | Tourism
Spots are limited to 25 participants
If you're interested in attending, please reach out to David Robinson at david@daytonachamber.com to reserve your spot today!
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