for the planned Brevard
Zoo Aquarium.
The morning meetings
were followed by a
luncheon featuring an
update from Florida Gov.
Ron DeSantis. Among
his many relevant points,
the governor emphasized
the strength of Brevard’s
business community,
commitment to space
exploration and exciting
new endeavors as we
launch Americans once
again from U.S. soil.
He also reinforced
his commitment to
ensuring the water
quality of our lagoon as
part of his support for
environmental issues
and the sustainability
of Florida’s natural
resources.
The afternoon was
packed with further
legislative member
meetings, including a
discussion with Senate
President Bill Galvano.
Then, attendees were
apprised by many of
Florida’s Executive
Branch leaders.
Those included an
in-depth briefing by
Florida Department
of Environmental
Protection Deputy
Secretary John Truitt,
where he discussed
current water quality
legislation in play
and even delved into
the area of National
Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System
permitting issues.
Breakfast was followed
by group appointments
with multiple leaders
including Fine, Altman
and Department of
Economic Opportunity
Executive Director Ken
Lawson. Sen. Wright
(R-14) gave a tour of the
Senate chambers.
During each meeting,
the participants
discussed the needs
of Brevard’s business
community and
presented legislators
and Cabinet leaders
with the 2020 Brevard
County Joint Chambers
Legislative Agenda.
“The strength of having
75+ community leaders
converge on Tallahassee
with a joint legislative
agenda is priceless,”
said Nancy Peltonen,
President and CEO of
the Greater Palm Bay
Chamber of Commerce.
“Our consolidated
message is well received
and the critical needs
of Brevard County
become the focus. It is an
excellent experience for
both the legislators and
the attendees.”
The Chambers thanked
Fine for his ongoing
leadership on issues
important to all Brevard
citizens, specifically
for championing water
quality and care for the
Indian River Lagoon.
They also noted his
continued support for
Junior Achievement and
That was followed by
briefings from Space
Florida’s President and
CEO Frank DiBello and
Visit Florida’s President
and CEO Dana Young.
“Our annual Tallahassee
fly-In is such a great
opportunity for our
members to connect
with, not only Brevard
County’s legislative
delegation, but with
both the legislative and
executive leadership of
our state,” said Michael
Ayers, President and
CEO, Melbourne
Regional Chamber.
“It is important for
legislators to hear about
the priorities of the
business community and
we thank the Orlando
Melbourne International
Airport for making this
trip financially feasible
for our members.
“Collaboration is our
greatest opportunity for
success as a region, and it
is exciting to see all of the
pieces coming together,
agencies engaging with
one another and sharing
the overall vision for our
future. It was impressive to
see the reputation of our
area and our delegation
in the State Capitol,
and a reminder of how
important it is for us to
remain engaged on not
only a regional level, but a
state and federal level, as
well, to make sure we can
continue to see the growth
and prosperity in our own
neighborhoods.”
SPONSORS OF BREVARD
DAY AT THE CAPITOL
march ‘20 // 027