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CONTACT
INFORMATION
FMMC
325
John Knox Rd,
Suite L103
Tallahassee, FL 32303
866-437-6534
phone
850-222-3019 fax
www.FlaMedMfg.org
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Chairman's Message
Once again we are called upon
to participate in the great American system of democracy by casting
our votes in the election. Regardless of your political
inclinations, it is incumbent upon all citizens to cast their vote to
determine the outcome of the current election cycle. We
encourage all of our members and newsletter readers to remember to
vote on election day or in advance of the deadline. We would
hope that you keep in mind the positions of the various candidates
and the numerous ballot initiatives that may impact our business
environment in the years to come and cast your vote accordingly.
Once the election has
been settled (at least we anticipate having the results!) we
will be privileged to have the insights of former Florida
Governor Bob Martinez who will speak at the November 18th FMMC
Executive Briefing.
Geary A. Havran
FMMC Chairman
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November Executive Briefing
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
FMMC Executive Briefing/Breakfast
"The Elections are over. What can we expect
now?"
In this important
post-election briefing, FMMC's special guest speaker Gov. Bob
Martinez will provide members with an insightful analysis of the new
political landscape and discuss the implications for Florida's
business climate.
November 18, 2008
7:30 am - 9:00 am
Feather Sound Country Club
2201 Feather Sound Drive
Clearwater, FL 33762
Special Guest Speaker:
Gov. Bob Martinez of Holland & Knight
Sponsored by:
Please visit FTSI by clicking www.foodtechservice.com.
To register online please click www.FlaMedMfg.org.
For directions to Feather Sound Country Club click www.feathersoundcc.com.
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Sponsorships Available
FMMC Executive Briefing breakfast sponsorships and 2009 Device
Symposium sponsorships are available to member companies. Both of
these sponsorships afford FMMC member organizations an opportunity to
support FMMC, facilitate networking, and educate the Florida Device
Industry about your company's products and services. For more
information on sponsorships or for information about joining and
becoming a member of the Florida Medical Manufacturers' Consortium
please contact Heather Erato at 866-437-6534.
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Florida Medical Device Symposium
An Annual Event
Presented by Florida Medical Manufacturers' Consortium, Inc.
April 7-8,
2009 - Save the Date!
The next Florida Medical Device Symposium has been
scheduled. Be sure to mark your calendar and reserve your room as
this is an event you will not want to miss! FMMC is excited to bring
you exemplary educational sessions, dedicated networking time, and
vendor displays!
Hotel Reservations
To make a reservation, call Marriott Tampa Waterside
Hotel & Marina at (800) 228-9290 and a request a room for the
Florida Medical Device Symposium to receive the special room rate of
$199.00. To receive this special rate, reservations must be
made by Friday, March 13, 2009.
For more information on the
Symposium click here.
Click here to
visit Marriott Tampa Waterside Hotel & Marina.
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Membership News
UniClean
Expands Servcies
Uniclean Cleanroom Services, Florida's only cleanroom laundry
facility, recently added comprehensive cleanroom cleaning and
maintenance programs that will help ensure that cleanroom facilities
are operating within specified classification goals. The company also
carries cleanroom disposable items and provides weekly delivery
service. In addition, Uniclean carries a diverse line of cleanroom
compatible furnishings including work surfaces, shelving, chairs, and
more.
Uniclean is an ISO certified garment company that offers sterile and
non-sterile garment delivery service tailored to your company needs.
For more information contact:
Mike
Vasquez at 727-459-1180.
To find out how to benefit from a membership
in the FMMC or to join FMMC online click www.FlaMedMfg.org/membership.htm.
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Capitol Notes
Workers' Compensation Reforms Compromised
On October 23rd, the Florida Supreme Court overturned Murray v.
Mariners Health/ACE USA, thereby severely undermining recent reforms
that have significantly reduced costs and insurance premiums in
Florida's workers' compensation system. Specifically, the
Court's ruling reinstates hourly attorney fees associated with
workers' compensation claims, a prime driver of claim costs -
excessive attorney involvement.
In 2003, major legislative reforms were made to
Florida's workers' compensation system by reducing legal fees, court
costs, and widespread fraud and system waste. Florida's
workers' compensation insurance rates have significantly decreased
for five straight years since the passage of the 2003 reform
legislation. And, based on recently approved rate filings,
average workers' compensation insurance premiums are slated to
decrease 18.6 percent statewide next year.
Over the past five years, Florida has progressed from
having among the highest workers' compensation rates in the nation to
offering affordable and competitive workers' compensation insurance
for all businesses. The removal of this important component of
workers' compensation reform increases the likelihood of future rate
hikes. The Florida Legislature will likely attempt to readdress
this issue next year.
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Spreading
the Word: Florida Chamber seeks your feedback on important tax issue
The 2008 Florida Legislature approved HB 5065 (Chapter 2008-206)
which included the annual corporate income tax code update (piggyback
to federal law) and further provided for decoupling of Florida's
income tax code from two provisions of the federal law authorizing
temporary increases in expensing and depreciation allowances for
capital assets placed in service during 2008. Thus Florida passed
legislation designed to avoid the reduction in state revenues that
otherwise would have occurred had they simply piggy-backed the
federal law.
The Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) has issued Taxpayer Information Publication No. 08(C) 01-02 interpreting
the legislation as requiring permanent loss for Florida tax purposes
of any amounts taken as bonus depreciation for federal purposes. This
change to bonus depreciation could have significant impact to your
business both this year and next. Failure to fix this issue
will have serious fiscal ramifications on many employers and their
decisions to purchase assets. Take a moment to download the issue summary and the Taxpayer
Information Publication from DOR. Please contact the Florida
Chamber (info@flchamber.com) if the bonus depreciation issue has an
impact on your business.
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FMMC Announcements
Help the FMMC Earn $$
The FMMC could earn up to $250 per employer referral and a chance to
win a $5,000 bonus for being the Top Referring Business Association
of the Year.
How It
Works:
Post your job openings with WorkNet Pinellas at no fee and/or sign up
for WorkNet Wednesday, WorkNet's monthly job fair series.
What To Do:
Register your company and post your job openings on the
www.worknetpinellas.org/business-associations webpage or by
clicking here. You
may also select to participate in WorkNet Wednesday at this
time.
*Be sure to enter FMMC as your association in order for the referral
to count!
Eligibility:
Only Pinellas County employers are eligible to participate.
Job openings must pay at least $12.00 per hour.
Personal
Assistance:
Once you submit a job order, you will be contacted by a WorkNet
Pinellas staff member for personal assistance in helping make the job
match.
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Other Events & News
Pinellas Area Federal Contractors Association Launched
On October 1, 2008
the Pinellas Area Federal Contractors Association (PAFCA) was
launched at a kick-off event with special guest U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill
Young. The newly formed nonprofit business league and economic
development association is committed to marketing the Tampa Bay
region's federal contracting capabilities and promoting collaboration
and contracting opportunities among regional businesses.
For more information click www.floridafederalcontractors.org/.
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