Focus on Manatee | Get involved in your democracy. Your community is depending on it
Having a voice and being counted – the foundation of our American democracy depends upon citizen-driven involvement and leadership. This year, that importance is front and center as our nation, state, and community take part in important elections, elected officials consider policy and our nation undertakes the 2020 Census. The results of these processes will have lasting influence.
Our state elected officials are entering their final week of the regular legislative session. It is not too late to share your thoughts with our senators and representatives about the Florida budget and bills that affect issues important to you.
From the business community’s perspective, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce is continuing to communicate our position that affordable housing trust fund dollars should be used solely for housing and not raided for other purposes. We are tracking legislation on water quality and voicing our support of funding for VISIT Florida and the Job Growth Grant Fund. We are advocating for a continued reduction in the commercial lease tax and a fair playing field for local businesses by requiring online retailers selling in Florida to collect and remit sales tax. We are watching appropriations for important local and regional projects that impact education, workforce development, and infrastructure, among other issues.
Early voting for the Presidential Preference Primary has started and five polling stations are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through March 14 in Manatee County. For voters not utilizing mail-in ballots or early voting, the Presidential Preference Primary election will be held on March 17 at all designated polling locations across the county. We urge you to participate in voting – every time. As we head towards the August primaries and November general election we encourage you to educate yourself on the issues and candidates and exercise your right to have a voice through elections at all levels of government.
Finally, the importance of an accurate count of those living in our community through the 2020 U.S. Census cannot be understated. A count of less than 100% means that our community loses out on significant dollars as well as representation – and we will lose out for 10 years until the next Census.
Did you know that the Census influences how more than $675 billion in federal funding is distributed locally? Those are dollars bound for states and communities and we do not want anything less than 100% of what our community should receive. It also determines how many seats our state will have in Congress. We cannot afford to have less of a voice than our population deserves.
Estimates tell us that in the 2010 Census Manatee County had a 74% response rate and the most under-counted population was children 4 and under. Can we afford to lose out on important resources for our youngest and most vulnerable community members? Census results will be used as a basis for state, local, and federal officials to determine how to allocate and spend billions of dollars for critical public services including schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, and more.
As a business organization, the Chamber understands that Census data also drive decisions related to private sector businesses. The Manatee Chamber urges you to complete the Census yourself and talk to everyone you know about the importance of an accurate count through 100% participation in the Census. For more information, visit www.census.gov.
Jacki Dezelski is president and CEO of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.