The '''Florida Chamber of Commerce''' is an organization devoted to the advocacy of private businesses in the state of Florida.
This Chamber originated in 1912, and included its first continuing group in 1916, the ''Florida Tick Eradication Committee''.<ref name=FCweb>http://www.flchamber.com/mx/hm.asp?id=about_history{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Florida Chamber of Commerce history, accessed on 16 February 2009</ref> As the group expanded and accepted new responsibilities, it became the ''Florida Development Board'', then the ''Florida State Chamber of Commerce'', before assuming its current name in 1975.<ref name=FCweb/>
According to the Florida Chamber of Commerce, they have ''played a major role in the areas of taxation, transportation, right-to-work laws, tort reform, growth management, economic development, and international trade.''
The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board criticized the chamber as being nakedly politically biased.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Board|first=Orlando Sentinel Editorial|title=For the Florida Chamber's report card, an F is like making the honor roll {{!}} Editorial|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/editorials/os-op-florida-chamber-legislature-report-card-20210622-disgqwf54ndmtgt4cadqh6srlq-story.html|access-date=2021-06-23|website=orlandosentinel.com}}</ref><ref>[https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/editorials/os-op-florida-chamber-legislature-report-card-20210622-disgqwf54ndmtgt4cadqh6srlq-story.html?outputType=amp "For the Florida Chamber’s report card, an F is like making the honor roll | Editorial"]</ref>
In May 2020, The Chamber urged the governor to re-open the state from coronavirus lockdowns, advice which was incongruent with CDC Guidelines in safely reopening businesses that had been forced to close to protect Floridians' lives. Ron DeSantis declared, ‘I’m not singing their tune’ at a press conference on May 14.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 14, 2020|title=FL Chamber says it's ready for reopen Phase 2. DeSantis: 'I'm not singing their tune'|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article242736161.html|website=Miami Herald}}</ref> Then, the very next day, Governor DeSantis changed his tune at another press briefing. On May 15, he ordered a "full phase 1" reopening, and then the state moved to "Phase 2" on June 3, despite rising cases and deaths from the virus. "I mean ... go enjoy. Have a drink. It’s fine," DeSantis said."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dobrzyn|first=Erin|date=2020-06-03|title=Gov. Ron DeSantis says most of Florida will enter phase 2 of reopening Friday|url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/06/03/gov-ron-desantis-says-most-of-florida-will-enter-phase-2-of-reopening-friday/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=WKMG|language=en}}</ref>
This all happened at the same time Data Scientist, and Whistleblower Rebekah Jones was fired<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-24|title=State Records Show Rebekah Jones Fired For Violating Health Department Policy On Public Remarks|url=https://miami.cbslocal.com/2020/05/24/state-records-show-rebekah-jones-fired-violating-health-department-policy-public-remarks/|access-date=2021-06-23|language=en-US}}</ref> from her job for an email she sent on May 15th. She was tasked with managing the state's "Covid dashboard" which was recognized for being an excellent platform by national media. She was fired for refusing to manipulate data.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Woman who designed Florida's coronavirus dashboard gets removed; leaders demand answers|url=https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/investigations/10-investigates/florida-coronavirus-dashboard/67-aad7f1ff-32fc-4acd-99bf-5665c45f98dd|access-date=2021-06-23|website=wtsp.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Theisen|first=Steven Lemongello, Tiffini|title=Manager of Florida's coronavirus dashboard says she was removed after disputing order to 'censor' data|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/coronavirus/os-ne-coronavirus-designer-of-florida-coronavirus-data-removed-20200519-pqcrhrduwvh5xp6huxhgymlnde-story.html|access-date=2021-06-23|website=orlandosentinel.com}}</ref>
The current president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce is Mark Wilson.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 25, 2025 |title=State House halts investigation into Hope Florida, Casey DeSantis-linked foundation, amid lack of cooperation |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/house-halts-hope-florida-probe-casey-ron-desantis/ |work=CBS News |access-date=August 4, 2025}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.linkedin.com/companies/florida-chamber-of-commerce LinkedIn profile of Florida Chamber of Commerce]
Category:Organizations based in Florida