159 new laws went into effect in Florida on July 1st. A sampling: HB 7099- the $129.1 million package exempts sales taxes on food and drinks sold by veterans’ organizations; revises how taxes are calculated on alcohol and tobacco sales for cruise ships within Florida waters; on pear cider; and on an excise tax on aviation fuel. It Read more about New Laws Went into effect July 1st[…]
DOCS V. GLOCKS The full Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in the continuing “docs v. glocks” battle over physician rights to discuss firearms possession within patients’ homes on June 21st. Over the past two years, a three judge panel of the Court has ruled three times in favor of the law. OPEN Read more about Legal Updates[…]
SCHOLARSHIP AUDIT A routine audit at the Department of Education discovered that a small percentage of students receiving Personal Learning Scholarships, named Gardiner Scholarships this past session after Senate President Andy Gardiner, were later classified as ineligible to receive the scholarship money this school year because they re-enrolled in public school. Jacksonville-based Step Up for Read more about Issues of Interest[…]
Hurricane season officially began on June 1st. Tropical storm Colin, the third-named storm of the season, made landfall on June 6th making most of the central part of the state a soggy mess. Mild to moderate flooding occurred along the west coast but fortunately, the winds were light. It was a clear reminder that hurricane Read more about Hurricane Season[…]
STATE OF EMERGENCY Following the shooting in Orlando on June 12th, Governor Rick Scott issued a state of emergency for Orange County and requested an Emergency Declaration under the Stafford Act from President Barack Obama. Two GoFundMe accounts have brought in over $4 million and several other community groups, including the Orlando Magic, have donated Read more about Issues of Interest[…]