February 20, 2013, Gray Rohrer, The Florida Current – The Florida Legislature released the parameters for the study of the state’s gambling economy and laws Wednesday and invited firms to conduct the analysis. Both Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, have set up committees this year dedicated to look at Florida’s gambling laws with an eye to a possible comprehensive overhaul. Read More…..

February 22, 2013, By Margaret Kavanagh, FLORIDA — A new law that went into effect January 1 could hurt tourism in our state, an industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people here in Florida. This law is so controversial, it’s caused an outcry among international travelers and now Florida Highway Patrol officials say they’re not going to enforce it. Visiting from Venezuela on vacation, Jose Osamonao and his mother said he showed his driver’s license from his home county and got a rental car. Osamonao said he loves Florida. He said they are going to the theme parks and doing a lot of shopping.  Read More…

February 21, 2012, written by John Kennedy, Post On Politics – An effort to give cities and counties authority to limit smoking at beaches and parks cleared its first legislative test Thursday — earning unanimous approval from the Senate Regulated Industries Committee. The measure (SB 258) is similar to one sponsored by Rep. Bill Hager, R-Boca Raton, who two years ago successfully got lawmakers to give school boards power to enact tougher anti-smoking restrictions than those contained in state law.  Read More….

March 14, 2013 – Hundreds of tourism and hospitality representatives from across the state came to the state’s capitol Wednesday and met with over 80 legislators and government officials. Thank you to those who made the trip to Tallahassee to lobby on behalf of Florida’s number one industry. Your voice was heard loud and clear – the way to our economic prosperity is through the support and funding of tourism marketing and industry funding. The day’s activities began with updates by The Partnership for Florida’s Tourism CEO’s and high level briefings from Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Adam Putnam, State Senator David Simmons, House Majority Leader Stephen Precourt, Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Ken Lawson, and Deputy Secretary of State for Cultural, Historical and Information Programs Kerri Post. The street party Wednesday evening, which drew well over 500 attendees, featured the band Southern Satisfaction and showcased food, prizes and exhibits from numerous members of the tourism industry and supporting organizations.  In addition to the great music and delicious food, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association hosted a Florida whip popping demonstration and invited legislators to try their hand at cracking the whip. Click this link to watch our highlight video of Tourism Day, along with our legislative update.

March 18, 2013, Breadenton.com — The Jacksonville Jaguars are getting initial support from state legislators to help pay for improvements to EverBank Field.A Florida Senate panel on Tuesday unanimously approved a measure (SB 922) that would guarantee $2 million a year for the next 30 years to help pay for stadium upgrades.The bill still has two more stops before it reaches the full Senate. Read more..

March 18, 2013, Written by Jim Stratton, Orlando Sentinel – Florida’s unemployment rate dipped to 7.8 percent in January, falling below the national jobless rate for the first time in five years, officials said Monday. The rate, down just a bit from December’s revised jobless rate of 7.9 percent, is at its lowest level since November 2008. And since December 2010, Florida businesses have created 282,200 private-sector jobs as the state’s economy slowly heals from the worst recession since the Great Depression. Read more…

(Source: South Florida Business Journal)

New bills under consideration by the Florida Legislature would ease the regulatory burden for restaurants statewide that have a good record with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

According to the bills (HB-795 and SB-842), the department’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants will be permitted to adopt rules for a risk-based inspection process for all licensed food service businesses.

Essentially, the bill will allow regulators to focus on establishments that pose a higher risk to the public, effectively reducing the regulatory burden for businesses that have a positive compliance history with the department.

State Rep. Mike La Rosa, R-St. Cloud, and state Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, sponsored the bill.

“The inspection process won’t change,” said Sandi Poreda, director of communications for the DBPR. “The forms will be the same and the food code won’t change. Instead, it’ll be the frequency at which the callbacks happen. Our inspectors will be freed up to check back with those restaurants that pose a higher risk to the public.”

If the legislation passes, the department will be able to use its 186 state inspectors to focus on repeat offenders by conducting more unannounced inspections.

The department normally performs two unannounced inspections a year on the state’s 45,000 licensed food establishments.

The department also keeps track of establishments that did not have any sanitation or safety violations within the past year. During the week of March 18, 35 restaurants were on the list – the highest amount so far this year, Poreda said.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supports the bill’s push for risk-based inspections, vice president Geoff Luebkemann said.

“If a place that has proven over the course of how many inspections, and they establish that they get it and are executing it, then they earn a lower level of scrutiny,” he said. “The FRLA has been on the record of supporting a robust and effective inspection system. One bad foodborne illness outbreak hurt the entire industry, and not just the business.”

The House bill has passed the Business and Professional Regulation Subcommittee and will head next to the Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee. The Senate bill has passed the Regulated Industries Committee and will head next to the General Government Appropriates Subcommittee.

To see the article: click here.

Governor Rick Scott today announced that since Dec. 2010, Florida has created 294,200 private-sector jobs and Florida’s February 2013 unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 7.7 percent – the lowest since October 2008. Governor Scott made the announcement at Amcor Rigid Plastics USA Inc. in Orlando, a plastics manufacturing company, which opened a new 500,000 sq-ft manufacturing facility in January, hiring 29 employees with a capital investment of $20 million.

Governor Scott said, “With an unemployment rate of 7.7 percent, the lowest in more than four years, and nearly 300,000 private sector jobs created over the last two years, we have proof that IT’S WORKING. Our efforts to reduce taxes, pay down state debt and grow the economy, demonstrates our success in growing jobs for Florida families. While today’s announcement is great news, we know we have more work to do to ensure that every Florida family that wants a job can get one.”

Over the month, the state experienced an increase of 7,700 private-sector jobs, while 139,200 private sector jobs have been created since February 2012. Since Governor Scott took office, the state’s unemployment rate has dropped 3.4 percentage points, the second largest drop in the nation.

More Jobs Being Created
• Florida has experienced positive annual job growth now for 31 consecutive months.
• Florida job postings increased in February 2013 compared to the previous February by 21,366 (+8.8 percent), for a total of 263,240 openings (seasonally adjusted) according to the Help Wanted OnLine data series from the Conference Board.
• Florida’s job growth month-to-month has been positive for 19 of the last 20 months.
• Florida is expected to create more than 900,000 new jobs by 2018, according to the Florida Economic Estimating Conference.
• The number of available online job openings in STEM-related (sciences, technology, engineering, and math) fields in Florida have increased since last year, up 10.4 percent, for a total of 57,488 postings in February 2013.

Unemployment Continues to Decline
• Florida’s unemployment rate has now declined year-over-year for 28 consecutive months.

Home Sales Robust 
• Home sales remain robust as the backlog of existing homes on the market is down by 32 percent from February 2012 (Florida Realtors).
• Florida housing starts were up over the year in January 2013 (the most recent month available) by 52.6 percent and median home prices were up 12.8 percent in February 2013 over the year.

Economic Growth Trends Up Across State
• A recent U.S. Census Survey reported that Florida experienced an influx of people moving into the state. Florida also led the nation in migrations from Puerto Rico.
• Florida is running a trade surplus of over $24 billion – with $86.8 billion in exports and $62.4 billion in imports in 2011, up from $73.1 billion in exports in 2010 and $53.2 billion in imports in 2010.

Workforce Boards Assisting in Employment 
• In February, the state’s 24 Regional Workforce Boards reported more than 38,000 Floridians placed in jobs.
• More than 426,000 Floridians were placed in jobs in 2012, with 111,173 former claimants finding employment.

To watch the announcement: CLICK HERE.
To view the February 2013 monthly employment data visit:www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.

Joined by Consulates General from countries in South America, Europe and North America, Governor Rick Scott today signed HB 7059 by Representative Daniel Davis relating to drivers licensing into law. The first bill this year to reach Governor Scott’s desk, HB 7059 repeals a law requiring an International Driving Permit for all foreign drivers visiting Florida.

Governor Scott said, “Florida is committed to being the number one tourist destination in the world, and signing this bill into law will ensure that our international visitors continue to come to Florida. Florida has had two consecutive years of record visitation to Florida, which has created thousands of jobs for Florida families.”

“Tourists from all over the world should be able to visit our state and see everything we have to offer,” said Representative Davis. “I thank Governor Scott for his support of this bill and I am proud to join him in this bill signing event.”

Co-Sponsor, Senator Jeff Brandes said, “I am proud that Governor Scott joined the legislature in supporting this bill. This new law will allow all visitors to enjoy what we take advantage of every day here in Florida, while also adding to our economy and supporting jobs for Floridians.”

Representatives from AAA-The Auto Club Group and the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) also joined Governor Scott in signing this bill into law.

“AAA applauds this swift action by the Florida Legislature and Governor Rick Scott repealing the 2012 law that required an International Driving Permit for all foreign drivers,” said Kevin Bakewell, chief public affairs officer for AAA.”This repeal illustrates the state’s commitment to remaining a top US destination for international tourists, including our Canadian neighbors, many of whom call Florida their winter home.”

“Effective immediately, Canadians in Florida can go back to doing what they have always been able to do – drive with peace of mind in the Sunshine State using their provincial driver’s license,” said Jeff Walker, CAA Vice President of Public Affairs. “CAA is pleased that the voices of its members and others were listened to by state officials, and that the state of Florida has removed any uncertainty.”

Will Seccombe, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA said, “Last year, the Florida tourism industry welcomed nearly 14 million visitors from 181 countries who spent $15 billion. We thank Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature for taking quick action to ensure our vital international visitors continue to feel welcome in the Sunshine State.”

Kevin McGurgan, Consul General of the UK said, “I welcome the repeal of the international driving license law. If implemented, this legislation would have unnecessarily affected many of the 1.5 million UK nationals who visit Florida annually.”

The Consulate of Italy said, “We applaud the Governor and Legislature for their quick action in repealing this burdensome requirement, which had raised concerns among many Italians traveling to Florida for business or pleasure. This action will certainly enhance Florida as both a tourism and a business destination for Italian citizens.”

Eva Alexandra Kendeffy, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany said, “The German Consulate General is very pleased that Florida has repealed the international driver license law. This will create legal certainty and facilitate German tourism to Florida. A substantial number of German tourists visit Florida’s manifold attractions and beautiful beaches every year. They will highly appreciate this measure.”

Eliminating the Tax on Manufacturing Equipment
Governor Scott signed the bill at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s International Days, where he also highlighted the importance of eliminating the sales tax on manufacturing equipment and supporting Florida ports, in order to maximize Florida’s international trade.

To view a video message from Governor Scott regarding this bill signing, click here.