Politics
The future of manufacturing is here — let’s seize it
Right now, manufacturing in America is at a pivotal moment.
President Donald Trump and congressional leaders have made growing manufacturing in the U.S. a top priority — expanding our industrial base, increasing investment and creating jobs. Now, it’s up to all of us — manufacturers, educators and policymakers — to turn that vision into action.
That’s why the National Association of Manufacturers is in Miami this week as part of our Competing to Win Tour — highlighting the policies, workforce initiatives, and innovations that will shape the future of manufacturing. We’re here in Florida — home to more than 14,000 manufacturers and 353,400 manufacturing jobs — to focus on what’s ahead.
At Miami Dade College, we’re meeting with students and administrators to ensure that the next generation has the tools and skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. The choices we make today will define the future of manufacturing — not just in Miami, but across America.
One of the most important choices ahead involves tax policy. The 2017 tax reforms fueled a historic manufacturing resurgence — delivering investment, wage growth and job creation. 2018 was the best year for manufacturing job creation compared to the previous 21 years. Since then, manufacturers have been able to reinvest in their businesses, expand operations and raise wages.
But now, that certainty is at risk. Key tax provisions have expired, and more will lapse at the end of 2025. A new NAM and EY study found that if tax reform is not extended, it could put nearly 6 million jobs at risk, including more than 1.1 million manufacturing jobs. Florida alone could lose 399,000 jobs and $36 billion in wages.
Manufacturers are calling on Congress to act now — before rising uncertainty slows investment even more and costs jobs.
That means maintaining the 21% corporate rate, the 20% pass-through deduction and the rates that small and family-owned manufacturers pay. We also need tax incentives that help businesses expand — like immediate R&D expensing to drive innovation, enhanced interest deductions so manufacturers can finance growth and full expensing for new equipment and machinery.
Manufacturing is a capital-intensive industry. We plan in terms of years, not months or days.
Tax certainty fuels investment, but investment alone is not enough. As manufacturers modernize and expand, they need a workforce ready to power the next era of industry.
That’s especially true as artificial intelligence accelerates manufacturing modernization — enhancing efficiency, bolstering safety, expediting innovation and improving product quality. According to surveys by the Manufacturing Leadership Council, most manufacturers see AI as a “game-changer” for the industry and 96% say they plan to increase AI investments by 2030. But AI is not about replacing jobs — it’s about creating them.
A recent NAM AI report confirms that AI will change jobs more than it will replace them. One-third of manufacturers expect to hire more workers because of AI, not fewer. But we have to prepare today’s workforce for tomorrow’s technology.
That’s why manufacturers in Florida and across the country are equipping workers with AI-driven skills. Miami-Dade College is helping to lead the way with one of the nation’s pioneering AI education programs — training students for high-paying, high-tech manufacturing jobs of the future.
Miami’s evolving economy is perfectly positioned to take advantage of AI-driven manufacturing. Florida companies are already integrating AI into precision manufacturing, aerospace engineering, biomedical devices and advanced materials production. Miami Dade is ensuring that students here are first in line for these opportunities.
Even beyond AI, manufacturers are facing a workforce challenge. A Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte study projects a shortfall of 1.9 million manufacturing jobs by 2033. We must act now to fill that gap and ensure the industry continues to thrive.
Miami-Dade College’s new AI and advanced manufacturing programs are a national model — bringing industry and education together to create direct career pathways. With more than 400,000 open manufacturing jobs today, these programs are essential to ensuring that workers have the skills to succeed.
Manufacturing in America isn’t at a crossroads — it’s moving forward. With tax certainty, AI leadership and more talent, this decade can be the strongest era for U.S. manufacturing in history. But to truly seize this moment, we must also curb excessive regulations, secure energy dominance, fix our broken immigration system, expand trade opportunities and achieve real permitting reform. Each of these priorities strengthens the foundation for manufacturing growth, ensuring that companies can invest, hire and innovate right here in the United States.
Manufacturing built this country. Now, let’s create the future.
___
Jay Timmons is president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers. Brewster Bevis is president and CEO of the Associated Industries of Florida.
Post Views: 0
President Donald Trump’s second term has just begun, but a Florida Senator is confident his plan for the future presidential library is poised to success.
Sen. Jason Brodeur, who is carrying the bill (SB 118) that gives Florida’s state government control over any presidential library in the state, is telling OANN host Matt Gaetz that bipartisan support and a favorable path in committees present positives for the bill’s future.
Brodeur, a Republican from Central Florida, observed that there wasn’t even a “cursory backlash” from Democrats.
“Everybody seemed to get that Florida’s never had a presidential library, and that’s pretty neat, no matter what party you’re in,” Brodeur said.
He also noted that in both the Senate and House, the legislation only has two committee references. The Senate bill cleared Community Affairs last week, meaning it could be on the floor early in next month’s Legislative Session.
The bill reserves to the state “all regulatory authority over the establishment, maintenance, activities, and operations of presidential libraries.” It blocks “counties, municipalities, or other political subdivisions from enacting or enforcing any ordinance, resolution, rule, or other measure regarding presidential libraries unless authorized by federal law.”
Central to the legislative premise is the idea that such libraries are “unique national institutions designated to house, preserve, and make accessible the records of former presidents.”
The bill uses the definition of a presidential library adopted federally in 1986 by an act of Congress when Ronald Reagan was the chief executive, encompassing “research facilities and museum facilities,” and enshrining them as part of the National Archives system.
The federal legislation actually applied to Presidents after Reagan, such as George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as it took effect for Presidents inaugurated for their first terms after 1985, which was when Reagan’s second and final term as President began.
The Rules Committee will be the next stop for this proposal. From there, the full Senate would get to vote on it.
Rep. Alex Andrade’s House companion bill (HB 69) has two committee stops ahead. It has yet to be heard.
Post Views: 0
Another presidential poll finds Florida’s Governor taking the bronze medal.
Gov. Ron DeSantis got 7% in the CPAC 2025 straw poll vote, narrowly trailing Steve Bannon (12%) and far behind Vice President JD Vance (61%).
Other Florida politicians also had some backing.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has 3% support, while Sen. Rick Scott is at 1%.
DeSantis continues to be at or below 10% in straw or scientific polls.
An Echelon Insights survey conducted between Feb. 10 and Feb. 13 found the Governor of Florida at 10% support, 29 points behind Vance.
Other polls have shown DeSantis far behind Vance as well.
A January survey from McLaughlin & Associates showed DeSantis at 8%, behind Vance and Donald Trump Jr.
DeSantis was also at 8% in an Echelon Insights poll of the theoretical contest conducted last year, with Vance nearly 30 points ahead of him.
DeSantis’ comments about his future intentions have been all over the place, meanwhile, but he clearly is not closing the door.
“Oh, I haven’t ruled anything out,” DeSantis said in February 2024, addressing the 2028 question during a call with people who pledged to be his delegates at the GOP Convention.
“We’ll see what the future holds,” DeSantis said to a radio host in Iowa in January of last year.
While Vance appears to be the runaway favorite this far out, Trump made news on Super Bowl Sunday when he said Vance was not the 2028 Republican heir apparent during a Fox News interview, though Trump did call the former Ohio Senator and best-selling author “very capable.”
“It’s too early,” the President said.
Post Views: 0
Jason Brodeur upbeat about state role in planning of Donald Trump library
Ron DeSantis finishes behind JD Vance, Steve Bannon in 2028 CPAC straw poll
Marco Rubio speaks to Ukrainian official, suggests UN can help bring peace with Russia
-
Entertainment8 years agoThe final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
-
Entertainment8 years ago
Mod turns ‘Counter-Strike’ into a ‘Tekken’ clone with fighting chickens
-
Politics8 years ago
Congress rolls out ‘Better Deal,’ new economic agenda
-
Tech8 years ago
Microsoft Paint is finally dead, and the world Is a better place
-
Tech8 years ago
Hulu hires Google marketing veteran Kelly Campbell as CMO
-
Tech8 years ago
Ford’s 2018 Mustang GT can do 0-to-60 mph in under 4 seconds
-
Politics8 years ago
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
-
Tech8 years ago
Mobile Google CEO Promises 11 Daydream-compatible phones