SunSentinel Mention

December 13, 2019

Peter Moore, P.E., F.ASCE, ENV SP, LEED AP

President, Chen Moore and Associates

Last week: Last week, Florida TaxWatch celebrated its 40th annual meeting at the Breakers. It was a fantastic event with speakers including former Senator LeMieux, former Governors Martinez and Graham, Congressman Mast and Governor Desantis. While the many accomplishments of Florida TaxWatch were highlighted, the focus on the meeting was the inextricable link between the environment, and resiliency, to Florida’s economy was the larger overall theme. Floridians wants, and deserve it all – jobs, the environment and a great place to live!

Looking ahead: For those in South Florida, it sometimes goes unnoticed that the last Legislative Committee Week wrapped up Friday. I don’t know about anyone else reading the SF#100, but there are dozens of bills impacting my business. From potentially eliminating my professional license, to changing the thresholds allowable for public agencies to hire professional services and a bill allowing a separate license for structural engineers, there are big changes possible for those that don’t get involved. I’m looking forward to an exciting session in the coming new year!

SunSentinel Mention

December 6, 2019

Peter Moore, P.E., F.ASCE, ENV SP, LEED AP

President, Chen Moore and Associates

Last week: Last week there was much discussion about a Constitutional Amendment in Florida about raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Let me be clear, all my employees already make more than this rate, but I think government impacting business decisions is bad policy. Currently, the $8.46 hourly rate is nearly 17% higher than the Federal rate, and just moving is to $10 would be another 18% higher. Preliminary numbers show about 200,000 jobs would be lost if implemented, but factoring in indirect jobs, this would be over 500,000 jobs which will disproportionately impacting the most needy.

Looking ahead: Billions of dollars in federal funding—along with congressional representation—are at stake for Floridians in the 2020 census. While children aged 0-5 have been a historically hard to enumerate population, children can also play a critical role in explaining the importance of the census to their parents and other relatives. This rings especially true for those who live in immigrant households, as children and teens can help mitigate fear and mistrust of the census that has permeated immigrant communities. With an estimated 2.5 million people becoming Florida residents since 2010, we must achieve nothing less than a complete count!

SunSentinel Mention

November 29, 2019

Peter Moore, P.E., F.ASCE, ENV SP, LEED AP

President, Chen Moore and Associates

Last week: Last week, HB 707 was filed that essentially sunsets all licensure in Florida that is run through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). In rolling groups over five year, every profession will have licensure eliminated unless the legislature takes action to continue the license that benefits the public safety, health and welfare. As a citizen of Florida, I’m in favor of removing needless barriers to entry for some professions, but as a Licensed Professional Engineer, I sincerely hope that the Legislature recognizes the importance of engineers to the public’s well being.

Looking ahead: For the past 40 years, Florida TaxWatch has led the way, serving as the eyes and ears of Florida’s taxpayers. TaxWatch has made Florida a better place to work, live, play, and run a business by shaping some of the most significant policy reforms on businesses, residents, and the Sunshine State’s quality of life over these past four decades. Next week, TaxWatch celebrates those 40 years at the 40th Annual Meeting to be held at the Breakers. I’m certainly looking forward to celebrating those unsung heroes.