Tougher texting-while-driving bill hits Florida Senate opposition

Mar 1, 2018

A measure aimed at toughening Florida’s texting-while-driving law was positioned Wednesday for a final House vote, but has run into trouble from lawmakers worried it may be used to target black motorists.  John Kennedy reports via the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20180228/tougher-texting-while-driving-bill-hits-florida-senate-opposition

Jimmy Patronis can’t stop, won’t stop for first responders

Mar 1, 2018

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, also the state’s Fire Marshal, Thursday applauded a Senate panel’s unanimous approval of a workers’ compensation insurance bill that could provide expanded benefits to first responders with job-related post-traumatic stress disorder, FloridaPolitics.com reports. http://floridapolitics.com/archives/257780-jimmy-patronis-cant-stop-wont-stop-first-responders

Roofing company owner guilty in $1.7M tax fraud case

Mar 1, 2018

The roofing company owner devised a scheme to conceal the amount of wages earned by undocumented employees to avoid paying more than $1.7 million in federal income, Medicare and Social Security taxes, and more than $1 million in Florida worker …

Gun package in deep trouble in divided Florida House

Mar 1, 2018

As the Legislature’s elaborate but hurried response to the massacre heads to the full House, opposition is growing. The House bill (HB 7101) is in serious trouble as members of both parties keep finding reasons to vote against it.  The …

House and Senate Agree on Funding Plan for Florida Public Schools

Mar 1, 2018

Lawmakers continued negotiations Wednesday on a new $87 billion-plus state budget, after reaching agreement on several major issues, including a funding plan for public schools.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Lloyd Dunkelberger reports via SunshineStateNews.com. http://sunshinestatenews.com/story/house-and-senate-agree-funding-plan-public-schools