We will have our 2026 Legislative Priorities ready for our visit up to Tallahassee in the first quarter. Before that we will formally present our priorities to our local delegation in early November. These presentations are a cornerstone of our advocacy efforts, ensuring that our elected officials hear directly from the business community about what matters most.

Among the priorities from 2025 that will carry over into 2026 are:

• Support for continued insurance initiatives that foster a competitive and stable market.
• Monitoring the “Live Local” Act to ensure affordable housing solutions meet the needs of both our workforce and residents.
• Advocating for continued disaster recovery support, including extended loan payoff terms and reduced interest rates for impacted businesses.
• Tracking the reduction of Florida’s corporate income tax, with the expectation that it will continue to be fully phased out.

We will join forces in support of others including the City of Venice, Sarasota County, the Economic Development Corporation, and the Board of Realtors where they don’t conflict with our policy. These include:

• Promoting work-based learning initiatives tied to local employment opportunities for students from kindergarten through postsecondary education.
• Supporting expansion of and investments in workforce education and training programs, ensuring our talent pipeline remains strong and future ready.
• Support eco-system initiatives, including water quality improvements and beach renourishment efforts.

Some of these priorities will continue to appear on our 2026 list. What remains constant is our commitment to representing the voice of our business community with clarity, unity, and purpose.

New in 2026 will be the property tax reform which will more than likely be the number one issue debated in Tallahassee this year. Our members will shape the direction and ranking on this in the survey.

We encourage all local businesses to stay engaged in this process. Your insights shape our advocacy efforts, and together we can ensure that the Venice Area remains a thriving place to live, work, play, and run a business.

Why should your business be a Chamber Member: In today’s fast-moving economic and legislative landscape, having a strong, unified voice advocating for your business is not just helpful, it’s essential. That’s exactly what the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce provides.

When you are a Chamber member, you’re not just joining a network, you’re gaining a seat at the table. We listen to our members, gather input across industries, and turn that insight into action. Whether it’s shaping policy, monitoring legislation, or speaking directly to elected officials, we make sure your concerns are heard, and your interests are represented.

Our annual Legislative Priorities are built entirely from member feedback. If there’s an issue affecting your industry, we want to know about it, and we’ll go to bat for it. From insurance reform and disaster recovery to workforce development and environmental sustainability, our advocacy is driven by what matters most to our business community.

Membership means: Representation; We speak on your behalf at the local city, county, state, and federal level. Influence: Your voice helps shape the policies that impact your bottom line. Connection: You become part of a coalition of businesses working together for shared success.

Let us be your voice, join the Chamber, and together we can build a stronger, more resilient business environment.

For more information on Chamber membership contact Andrea Arnold our Membership Director at 941-800-1420 or aarnold@venicechamber.com