– Proposed Legislation Gains Support of Large and Small Companies across the State –
(Tallahassee, Fla.) – More than 200 Florida businesses, large and small, have declared their support for the Florida Competitive Workforce Act. The measure is currently before state legislators through House Bill 33 filed by State Rep. Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo) and Senate Bill 156 filed by State Sen. Joe Abruzzo (D-Wellington). The Competitive Workforce Act will update Florida’s anti-discrimination law, which will create uniformity across the state and help to attract and retain the best employees.
While it is illegal to discriminate in employment, housing and public accommodations based race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap or marital status, the gay and transgender community is currently left out of statewide non-discrimination protections. For this reason, Florida employers are backing the Competitive Workforce Act, which will give the state a competitive advantage in today’s evolving marketplace.
“The campaign to promote passage of the Florida Competitive Workforce Act has gained a tremendous amount of momentum since the bills were filed in the Florida House and Senate,” said coalition spokesperson, Christina Johnson. “Since that time, the Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce coalition has gained several major employers and also launched our grassroots campaign, Florida Competes.”
The coalition unveiled Florida Competes in December 2014. This effort includes business leaders, lawmakers, faith leaders, members of the LGBT community and concerned residents who have come together across party lines with a single goal: to pass the Florida Competitive Workforce. The website, www.FLCompetes.org, serves as the information portal of the grassroots campaign.
“As part of our grassroots campaign, we now have a field team in place who have been effective in reaching out to small business owners and local leaders throughout the state who believe that anti-discrimination measures must be in place among the LGBT community. To date, we have garnered the support of more than 200 small businesses, along with a host of volunteers who are writing letters and making phone calls in support of this legislation,” Johnson added.
Currently in Florida, 28 municipalities protect more than 50 percent of residents from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce believes that passing these protections statewide is a sound business strategy and will draw the best and the brightest workforce to our state.
The coalition is led by Patrick Geraghty, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Florida Blue in Jacksonville; John Tonnison, Executive Vice President and Worldwide CIO of Tech Data Corporation in Clearwater; and Philip Dinkins, Senior Vice President of DTZ in Tampa. They serve as president, secretary and treasurer of Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce, respectively.
The 23 members of the coalition are the AmericanAirlines Arena, Bilzin Sumberg, C1Bank, Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, Carnival Corporation, CSX, Darden, Florida Blue, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Haskell, HSN, Marriott, the Miami HEAT, NextEra Energy, Office Depot, Inc., On Top of the World Communities, Raymond James, St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, Tech Data, the University of North Florida, Walt Disney World Resorts, Wells Fargo and Winn Dixie. A list of more than 200 Florida businesses and organizations that support the Competitive Workforce Act is provided by city below.
Altamonte Springs
Marc It Sold!
Meehle Law
Brockman Insurance Group
Ignacio Hidalgo MD PA
Saul Cornell Violins
St Andrews Tavern
Bartow
Tim Jones Barbershop
Cape Canaveral
Euro Kafe
Cape Coral
Colvia LLC
De Leon Cleaning/ Janitorial LLC
Dixie Roadhouse
Rockade
Clearwater
Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza Clearwater
Cocoa
Bohemian Lair
Fernandina Beach
Music by Pegge LLC
Fort Lauderdale
Coastal Preferred Properties
Dickey Consulting Group
Intercity Taxi
Landscapes by Jared, LLC
Michael Kimmey PA (Real Estate)
Fort Myers
The Gathering Place
Visuality
Gainesville
Humble Pie
Whey Natural! USA
Jacksonville
All About Events Jacksonville LLC
Sweet Theory Baking Co
5 Points Antiques
Avondale United Methodist Church
Black Sheep Restaurant
Bobbie G. O’Connor & Associates
Catering by Liz Grenamyer
City Xtra Magazine
Corner Taco
Diversions Specialty Gift Store
Down to Earth Farm
Fans & Stoves Antique Mall
First Coast Multi-Lines Agency
Kris Graham Photography
My Well Being
Rain Dogs
Southern Roots Filling Station
Steven Romero Photography
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
The Frazier Group
The Jenks House Bed & Breakfast
Uptown Lifestyle Concierge & Excursions
Jacksonville Beach
Willman Consulting, Inc.
Key West
Cocco and Salem Gallery
The Gardens Hotel
Kissimmee
Earl Harris Photography
Lake Mary
Barbery & Associates, CPA
Lakeland
Brooke Pottery
Divicious Deli & Coffee Shop, LLC
Fresco’s Bakery & Bistro
Lakeland Downtown Development Authority
Palace Pizza Inc.
Satya Life Yoga
Tony’s Studio B
Whimsy Boutique
Melbourne
Tony Kostandinus Gyros
Unconditional Love, Inc.
Brain Basket
Hometown News
Jotkoff Financial Group
Scentsy Fragrance
Scisser Me Timbers
Space Coast Progressive Alliance
Tabone’s Po Boys
Miami
Leonor Murciano Fine Arts
Junior and Hatter
Orange Pedal Bicycle Shop
Pop Communications
2 Guys Company
A Bella Casa
Amazon Services Inc.
Arc & Arrow Creative Group
Augustin Gainza Fine Cuban and Latin American Art, Inc
Azucar Ice Cream
Beria Parfums
Britto Charette LLC
Caballero Appraisal Services & Assoc., Inc.
Car2Go
Cole, Scott and Kissane PA
CrepeMaker
Danilo Gonzalez Gallery
Design Suites Miami
El Cristo Restaurant
Flash Studios
Fortis Development Group
Gabriel Productions International
Golden Desire, Inc
Granda Entertainment, LLC
House of Art
I.M. Unique Salon, Inc
Ibiza Bijoux Corp
Irrera Fashion Boutique
James Whitney Ray Incorporated
Keller Williams Real Estate
Kreative Gardens Inc
Leonor Marciano Fine Arts
Little Havana Cigar Factory
Little Havana Visitors Center
Madeline Beauty Salon Corp
Maderas Rainforest Conservancy
Marta G Ismail Gallery
Mega Shoes, Inc.
Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
Moyi’s Antiques and Collectibles
Obrapia Enterprises, Inc
R House
Reveal Boutique
Rupees Inc
Tabelina
Top Cigars
White Glove Standards Inc.
Windridge Yacht Center
Wynwood 250 LLC
Wynwood Business Improvement District
Zoffinger Interiors
332 Collective
Panther Coffee
Zak the Baker
Threadcount
Miami Beach
729 Meridian Avenue LLC
Collins Park Neighborhood Association
Hahne Real Estate
Heather Davis Productions Inc.
Lion Agency
Sobe Miami LLC, Palace Bar
Source Events
Southeast Bankers Mortgage Corporations
Strang Adams, PA Attorneys at Law
Tio Gazpacho LLC
Miami Shores
Pridelines Youth Services
Middleburg
Carry On For Our Son Corporation
Naples
Capriccio Ristorante & Lounge
Daniela’s Restaurant
IM Tapas
The Greek Gourmet – Naples
North Miami
Image Plus Graphics
Laser Light Litho Corp
North Miami Beach
Aids Healthcare Foundation
Ocala
Grafito, Inc
Ocala Rehabilitation Associates, PA
Orange Park
North Florida Biomedical Services, Inc
SCBTwo
Orlando
Diana Marie Events
Bill Bennett Boot Camps
Law Offices of George E. Carr, P.A
82 South
Balance Orlando
Bar Codes
Ember
Hancock Davis Group
BMC Counsulting
Ego Lab
Heavenly Inkz Tattoo
Jonathans Super Shine & Shoe Repair
Olde 64
Orlando Hold ‘Em
Quick Drop of Orlando
Suarez Law Group
Superior Craftsman Services, LLC
Whiskey Dicks
Palm Bay
R.U.C.C
Tropical Wellness
Animal Love Inc
Operation Tupperware
Rex Mullen Realtor
Palm Coast
Robert G. Cuff, P.A.
Pembroke Pines
CareerXChange Inc.
Pensacola
First Day Ent
Pinellas Park
Saunders & Walker PA
Rockledge
Mrs Mango and Company LLC
Space Coast Center for Independent Living
Saint Petersburg
Edge of 9
Law Offices of William K. Saron, P.A.
Strategic Campaigns LLC
Andersons Networking & Computer Repair
Tallahassee
On 3 Public Relations
Tampa
James Group International
James Law Group
PFLAG Tampa
Aaron Berger PA
Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza Tampa
Hamburger Mary’s
MC Film Festival Store
One Fine Day, Inc.
Spinal Connections of Tampa Bay, LLC
Tebella Tea
The Dogs Bollocks
The Oxford Exchange
Tribeca Color Salon
Two Gals and a Glue Gun, LLC
Urban Body Clothing
Ybor City Wine Bar
Zimmer Accounting Service Incorporated
Wilton Manors
Divine Mercy New Catholic Communities
Winter Haven
Ed’s Pet Motel
Winter Park
Lee Alan Realty
LomasLaw, P.A.
Falk Research Associates, Inc.
Jenna Michele Photo
First Alliance Insurance
Morgan White-Davis Martinez
City Unavailable
Grayson Rogers LLC
Crazy Cuz Custom Creation
Eyes on You Photo Events
Marta Neira Photography
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