Business
Florida Small Businesses Ask for Legislation that “Levels the Playing Field”
Published
6 years agoon
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – The Florida House Ways and Means Committee held a panel on legislation aiming to require out-of-state sales businesses to begin collecting sales taxes on items when those sales occur in Florida.
The new legislation, comprised of State Bill 50 and House Bill 15, follows state laws passed in South Dakota in 2018 after a case against home retailer Wayfair, which requires that businesses collect sales tax if they had 200 sales transactions a year or $100,000 in sales within the state.
Debbie Harvey, president of surf store Ron Jon Surf Shop and former president of the Florida Chamber of Small Commerce, indicated during the panel that the lack of a sales tax for online retailers outside of Florida allows them to offer prices between six and seven percent cheaper.
“We believe strongly in giving back, but this lack of enforcement puts me at a disadvantage over those that don’t give back to the state of Florida,” she said.
Larry Sinowitz, president of BrandsMart USA, a local electronics retailer, said that they can compete with major players like BestBuy and Costco because of fair competition, but are “getting killed by people who come into our market and not follow the rules.”
Clara Arrington of DotcomFurniture tells that some customers walk into showrooms, even try outfits on, take a picture of the label and then purchase the product online. The practice is informally known as “showrooming.”
Tim Nungesser, Legislative Director of The Florida Small Business Association, the local chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) confirms that the current laws hit small businesses the hardest. “State legislature has set the speed limit at fifty, and effectively for the past decade that the Department of Revenue says ‘ignore that limit’, and you have people driving at eighty,” he said.
Nungesser added that the issue is “complex” and while the NFIB remains neutral on the bills, he said they would oppose making the remote sales tax collection retroactive and extending it to services.
However, “having a streamlined tax collection service is certainly something we would support, particularly for out-of-state owners.”
The legislation, in general, gets a pass from online trade association Netchoice, since it follows many guidelines set by South Dakota v. Wayfair, explained Netchoice president Steve DelBianco. He added, however, that with the current legislation, the money collected by Florida would not be “new” money.
“Of the top 25 e-commerce retailers…forty percent are collecting from Florida. It will bring incremental revenue but not from the top twenty-five,” he said. “The money that comes in is from the Florida consumers that buy from those dealers.”
Mike Shutley, Amazon Senior Manager for Public Policy with Special Focus for State and Local tax policy for Amazon, spoke “on behalf of marketplace facilitators to collect the sales and use tax on Florida to facilitate third party sales.”
Amazon has invested 9.5 billion in Florida since 2010, creating over 40,000 jobs for Floridians, according to Shutley. “What you may not know is that there are more than 140,000 small business sellers and independent authors in Florida reaching customers around the world through Amazon marketplaces products and services,” he added.
All these small sellers and authors would be sometimes “confused” by the many state laws, and enacting a market facilitator law would resolve that confusion, he said. “This legislation is crucial to protecting small businesses.”
Florida-based retailers do have to collect a sales tax and remit them on purchases made outside of the state since only 22 states have a streamlined sales tax system.
“This legislation cannot protect Florida sellers from the burdens that are imposed by other states,” said NetChoice’s DelBianco. “Florida can lead by example and try to make it as simple as they can for businesses to collect when people from out of state make purchases, but you can’t with HB 15 protect Florida companies from the burdens.”
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Juan Carlo Rodriguez is a politics and entertainment reporter for Florida National News. | info@floridanationalnews.com
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Business
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson Listed as Speaker for Global AI, Supply Chain Summit
Published
1 week agoon
October 9, 2026Organizers say the Oct. 26–27 conference will bring together business leaders, policymakers and technology professionals for discussions on global commerce, digital transformation and industry innovation.
DALLAS, TX (FNN) — Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson is listed as an invited speaker for the Global Procurement, Supply Chain, AI & Logistics Summit and Global Recognition Awards 2026, scheduled for Oct. 26–27 in Dallas, according to an announcement from the event’s organizer.
The American Association of Procurement, Supply Chain and Tourism Management, known as AAPSCM, said the two-day summit will take place at the AC Hotel & Residence Inn Dallas by the Galleria, 5460 James Temple Drive.
The conference will focus on artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience, innovation and the future of global commerce.
Mayor listed among international speakers
Organizers identified Johnson among the invited speakers joining executives, policymakers, academics, consultants and professionals in procurement, supply chain management, technology and logistics.
The announcement describes participants as coming “from the United States and around the world.”
According to the release, Johnson is listed among speakers participating in the Oct. 27 program. The announcement does not specify the subject or time of his remarks.
AI, forecasting and digital transformation
The second day’s agenda includes a session on artificial intelligence and machine learning in inventory management, forecasting, and sales and operations planning.
An executive leadership session titled “Driving Innovation & Digital Transformation” is scheduled to follow.
The program will examine technology’s role in procurement, logistics and supply chain operations, with an emphasis on how leaders respond to changing business conditions.
Awards to recognize industry achievement
The summit will also include procurement and supply chain awards, followed by Global Excellence Awards recognizing individuals, organizations and industry leaders.
Organizers said the awards program includes more than 35 categories spanning procurement, supply chain management, artificial intelligence and logistics.
The announcement describes the awards as recognizing “achievement, innovation and leadership.”
Executives and decision-makers expected
AAPSCM said it expects attendees to include chief executives, chief procurement officers, chief supply chain officers, chief operating officers and technology leaders.
The anticipated audience also includes procurement directors, logistics professionals, government representatives and specialists in AI and digital transformation.
About the organizer
AAPSCM describes itself as a U.S.-based nonprofit professional organization that supports professional development through certification, education, training, membership, conferences and international collaboration.
Event and registration information
- Event: 2nd Global Procurement, Supply Chain, AI & Logistics Summit & Global Recognition Awards 2026
- Dates: Oct. 26–27, 2026
- Venue: AC Hotel & Residence Inn Dallas by the Galleria
- Address: 5460 James Temple Drive, Dallas, Texas 75240
- Organizer: American Association of Procurement, Supply Chain and Tourism Management
- Registration: aapscm-conferences.org
- Organization: aapscm.org
Business
Hola at the Park Set for Oct. 3 in Altamonte Springs; Admission Free
Published
3 weeks agoon
October 1, 2026Florida National News and FNN News en Español will provide on-site coverage of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Cranes Roost Park.
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (FNN) — Hola at the Park will bring Hispanic culture, local businesses and live entertainment to Cranes Roost Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 2 to 6 p.m.
Hosted by the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and presented by AdventHealth, the event celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month through food, entertainment, entrepreneurship and community connections.
According to the chamber’s event announcement, admission is free, the celebration is open to the community and no registration is required.
FNN to Spotlight Businesses and Community Voices
Florida National News and FNN News en Español, official media sponsors, will be on location covering the festivities.
The FNN team will spotlight chamber representatives, sponsors, participating businesses and community leaders, while sharing attendees’ perspectives throughout the afternoon.
Coverage will highlight the people, businesses and cultural traditions contributing to the celebration.
Food, Entertainment and Family Activities
The chamber’s announcement lists authentic cuisine, live entertainment, local businesses, wellness experiences, community resources, networking and family-friendly activities among the event’s offerings.
Attendees will have opportunities to explore Hispanic traditions, connect with entrepreneurs and learn about organizations serving Central Florida.
A Waterfront Setting in Uptown Altamonte
Cranes Roost Park, located in Uptown Altamonte, features a waterfront setting with scenic walkways around Cranes Roost Lake and the Eddie Rose Amphitheater and floating stage.
The park will serve as the gathering place for an afternoon celebrating Hispanic heritage and the connections between culture, business and community.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
- Time: 2–6 p.m. EDT
- Location: Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs
- Host: Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando
- Presenting sponsor: AdventHealth
- Admission: Free and open to the community
- Registration: Not required
Vendor Inquiries
For information about vendor opportunities, contact the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando at info@hispanicchamber.com or events@hispanicchamber.com.
Business
ALDI to Launch Seven Ready-Made Meals in October, With Single-Serve Dishes Under $8
Published
3 weeks agoon
September 29, 2026The refrigerated lineup includes five single-serve dishes and two family-size meals.
BATAVIA, Ill. (FNN) — ALDI will begin rolling out seven ready-made meals in select stores in early October, with single-serve dishes priced under $8 and family-size options under $15. The grocer expects the full lineup to be available nationwide by January 2027.
The collection includes five single-serve meals: beef Bolognese spaghetti, beef brisket with white mac and cheese, butter chicken and rice, a chicken burrito bowl, and chicken fettuccine Alfredo. The two family-size dishes are chicken and bacon mac and cheese and a meat lovers pizza bake.
“Our shoppers are looking for meals that fit into busy lives,” said Joan Kavanaugh, vice president of national buying for ALDI U.S. She said the company developed the lineup with shoppers’ budgets and demand for convenient meals in mind.
Price and preparation
ALDI said the single-serve meals contain 30 to 46 grams of protein each. The family-size dishes contain 16 to 22 grams per serving. The company announced price limits for the two sizes but did not list a price for each individual meal.
“We tested hundreds of recipes as we developed this collection,” said Terry Jackson, head of food at Kitchen Food Company, ALDI’s supplier for the meals. Jackson said the team focused on flavor and ingredients while developing the dishes.
The meals are refrigerated, not frozen. ALDI says the single-serve dishes can be heated in a microwave, while the family-size meals are prepared in an oven. Shoppers should follow the directions on each package.
2026 Hispanic Chamber Hola at the Park. Uptown Altamonte Springs, Florida at beautiful Cranes Roost Park Saturday, October 3, 2026 (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM) (EDT)
When and where to find them
The meals will be stocked in the refrigerated meals section near the front of ALDI stores. Availability will vary during the rollout, which begins in select markets in early October and expands through the fall. ALDI also plans to offer additional meals through its limited-time ALDI Finds assortment each month over the following year. corporate.aldi.us
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