Chamber scores solid session

MANATEE — Manatee Chamber of Commerce officials said they scored victories in seven out of 10 issues that came up for bills in the Legislative session completed March 9.

“We were not able to accomplish everything, however work force issues and technical school funding were the big winners this session,” said Neil Spirtas, the chamber's vice president of public policy & small business. 

One of the bigger victories, said Spirtas, was in unemployment compensation rate increases. Under bills passed in the both the Senate and the House, those rates were reduced from an anticipated $817 million increase to about $550 million by extending the time period. 

Moreover, Bradenton attorney Will Robinson, the chamber's legislative committee chairman, said he was encouraged by some other, more locally focused, moves. Those include: the retention of the Bradenton Bridge's correctional institute; $5 million in funding for the Nathan Benderson Park rowing facility; and economic development incentives, particularly for manufacturers.

The bills will next go to Gov. Rick Scott for approval.