During the Florida Senate Session on April 9, 2008, the Florida Senate designated November 3-7, 2008 as Florida Manufacturers Week by Senate Resolution.  Senator Atwater presented the Senate Resolution and recognized representatives on hand in the Senate Gallery from the First Coast Manufacturers Association and Capital Region Manufacturers Association. The group was also welcomed by Senator King. To read the resolution go to Resources/Reports on this web page. Plan now to attend the 5th Annual Manufacturers Summit, November 5-6, 2008 in Jacksonville, FL, as a part of our celebration of Florida Manufacturers Week. 

HB 503 Firearms in Motor Vehicles has become law in Florida.  It will go into effect July 1, 2008. The Florida Chamber will be filing a lawsuit to have the law struck down by the courts.  If you wish to contribute to the legal fund, contact MAF Executive Director Nancy Stephens This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for information on how to do so.

On an 18-74 vote on April 24, 2008 members of the Florida Tax and Budget Reform Commission approved CP 0002 that will reduce property taxes by the required local effort for school taxes, but replace that revenue with revenue gained from removing sales tax exemptions, increasing the sales tax rate, or a variety of other ways. Since the state will be looking to replace $10 billion, that places tremendous pressure on the Legislature to repeal remaining sales tax exemptions.  If all of the targeted sales tax exemptions, including fifteen tax exemptions enjoyed by manufacturers were repealed, the state would only raise $2 billion.  Instead of judging tax exemptions on their merit, legislators will be under great pressure to find the money!

The proposal next goes to the November ballot for the people to vote on.  If approved by the voters, sales tax changes would occur in 2010.    You may find more information on the proposal at http://www.protectfloridasfuture.com/

There is interest in forming a group to educate the voters on the negative consequences of CP 0002.  If you would like to contribute to a public education campaign to try to defeat the proposal at the ballot box, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it