Abacoa & Alton Neighbors October November 2020

N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 0 | Abacoa &Alton N E I G H B O R S 7 Each year, the Florida State Legislature convenes for a 60-day Legislative Session – a time when policies and the balancing of the state budget are met with support and opposition from all areas and industries. And just like clockwork, hundreds of community leaders and stakeholders from Palm Beach County make their way to Tallahassee to take part in Palm Beach County Days, which is always held the first two days of the Legislative Session. What makes these Days so unique is what comes from the collaboration from both the private and public sector – between the County, the local League of Cities, education counterparts, and the local chambers of commerce – a true voice of partnership and advocacy. One of these local chambers is the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, and through its Government Affairs Committee, it creates what it calls its Prosperity Agenda, which includes promoting initiatives with the hope of results in four key areas: a prosperous economy, high quality of life, smart and connected region, and regional leadership. It is a blueprint, an advocacy arm that stretches to the state capitol with a purpose of influencing our state legislators to take action on behalf of the constituents they serve. The Prosperity Agenda is developed and utilized by those who sit on the Government Affairs Committee and engages the ten municipalities and businesses from within the Palm Beach North region. The two days spent in Tallahassee are jam packed with back-to-back meetings with not only Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation members but also legislators in leadership positions in the Florida House and Senate and Cabinet members. Palm Beach North’s engagement in these two days also is a way to show support for the Legislative Delegation’s priorities amongst their colleagues. Additionally, it gives participants the opportunity to see their state government in action and is a way for local leaders to connect on common issues they all support. Some collaborative priorities that have been successful in the past include funding for the Florida Job Growth Grant, FAU’s Jupiter Life Science Initiative, Enterprise Florida, key logistics initiatives, sustainable water and environmental policies, local beach and inlet management funding, and essential services housing – just to name a few. These achievements would not have been possible without those who are actively involved in Palm Beach North Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. Rachael Bonlarron, Executive Director for Community Engagement and Special Assistant to the President at Palm Beach State College, and Dave Markarian, Managing Partner at The Markarian Group, serve as co-chairs of the Government Affairs Committee. If you are interested in engaging with the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce and the Government Affairs Committee, please contact Whitney West at Whitney@pbnchamber.com. PBN CHAMBER SERVES AS UNIFIED VOICE OF BUSINESSES During Legislature’s Palm Beach County Days By Rachael Bonlarron COMMUNITY NEWS Whitney West, PBN Chamber Dave Markarian, Co-Chair of the Government Affairs Committee  Rachael Bonlarron, Co-Chair of the Government Affairs Committee DENTAL SPA AT ABACOA visit us at: www.dentalspaatabacoa.com 1155 Main Street • Suite 105 • Jupiter, FL • 33458 NO INSURANCE... NO PROBLEM Ask Us About Our VIP Dental Insurance Plan Thepatientandanyotherpersonresponsible forpaymenthasaright torefuse topay,cancelpayment orbereimbursed forpayment foranyotherservice,examinationor treatment that isperformedasaresultof andwithin72hoursofresponding to theadvertisement forreduced feeservices,examinationor treatment. Dental Implant Service (D6010, D6056, D6059)