While the Florida Chamber of Commerce is continuing its efforts to ensure businesses statewide can regain their economic footing while also keeping workers and customers safe in our COVID-19 reality, today we’re also acknowledging the important work by members of the Florida Legislature and releasing the 2020 Legislative Report Card.

During the 2020 Legislative Session, lawmakers passed 12 Florida Chamber-backed bills that lower the cost of living, reduce the cost of doing business, prepare for future growth, and protect Florida’s Constitution. The legislative report card is an annual opportunity to recognize members of the Florida Legislature who placed making Florida more competitive through private-sector job creation, above special interests and their attempts to protect the status quo.

“Transparency and accountability are essential in the legislative arena, and our legislative report card helps small businesses, taxpayers and voters know if their elected officials voted to secure Florida’s future with pro-business votes,” said David Hart, Executive Vice President, Florida Chamber of Commerce.

After tabulating more than 4,000 votes cast during the 2020 Legislative Session, the Florida Chamber’s Legislative Report Card shows:

107 lawmakers earned an A or B; 52 earned a C, D, or F.
Average GPA for both legislative chambers was 86 percent.
Senate GPA was 89 percent, up from 84.59 percent in 2019.
House GPA was 85 percent, up from 77.59 percent in 2019.
Many lawmakers earned higher grades this legislative session with their renewed focus on important competitiveness issues that:

— Strengthened Florida's school choice options to serve even more students,
— Increased access to healthcare by expanding scope of practice for advanced registered nurse practitioners,
— Invested in Florida's economic development and tourism marketing programs,
— Protected the environment with long-term water quality investments,
— Ensured Florida remains the Sunshine State, not the 'melanoma state,' by preempting scientifically dubious local bans on proven sunscreens,
— Protected Florida's Constitution from special interests buying their way onto Florida's ballot,
— Invested in Florida's rural communities with cost-effective economic development efforts, and
— Fully funded Florida’s affordable housing program.

Transparent Grading Process

The Florida Chamber’s legislative grading process is both transparent and accountable. The Florida Business Agenda (FBA) was announced prior to the 2019 Legislative Session,The Florida Business Agenda, outlined in Where We Stand, was hand delivered and mailed to each member of the Florida Legislature.Florida Chamber leadership met with numerous newspaper editorial boards, and legislators and staff in advance of session. Most importantly, prior to each vote graded on the report card, a “Your Vote Matters” letter outlining the pro-business position and the Florida Chamber’s intent to score the vote was transmitted to voting members of the legislature – in total, about 4,000 scored votes letters were transmitted in advance.

Click to see the 2020 Legislative Report Card.