The 2012 Legislature made two changes that affect the amount of reemployment tax businesses will have to pay in 2013. Heavily supported by FRLA, the Legislature reduced the increase in tax rates by extending the recoupment period for the trust fund from three years to five years. The Legislature also reduced the taxable wage base to $8,000 effective January 1, 2012 through 2014. On January 1, 2013, this taxation policy change will reduce the unemployment compensation tax increase by nearly $50 per employee, saving  employers $549 million over two years.

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NRA) – Employers should not wait until 2014 to determine the impact on their business.  Now is the time to understand the law’s requirements and what it will take to comply. For the 10 steps to take now to prepare for the health care law click here.

February 20,2013 , Associated Press – TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –  Gov. Rick Scott announced plans Wednesday to expand Medicaid coverage to roughly 900,000 more people under the federal health overhaul, a surprise decision from the vocal critic of President Barack Obama’s plan. Scott said he will ask the Legislature to expand the program under a bill that would expire in three years, after which it would require renewed legislative support. He’s the seventh Republican governor so far to propose expanding the taxpayer-funded health insurance program.

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MANDATORY PAID LEAVE CLEARS FIRST COMMITTEE
The Florida House’s Local and Federal Affairs Committee met this evening to debate State Representative Steven Precourt’s (R-Orlando) paid leave preemptive measure, House Bill 655. The 18-member committee, by a vote of 10 to 7 and 1 excused, passed the bill allowing it to be sent onto the next stop, the House State Affairs Committee. The FRLA is actively engaged in this legislation and will continue to provide updates as the bill is scheduled to be heard in committee in both the House and the Senate.

For more information on HB 655, please click here.

Thank you for your support of this paid leave preemptive measure. Please continue to check the FRLA’s “Government Relations” website link for Session updates.

If you have any questions, please contact FRLA headquarters in Tallahassee, Florida, at 888.372.9119 or jreynolds@frla.org

February 20, 2013, Steve Bousquet, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau – TALLAHASSEE — In dramatic fashion, Rep. Darryl Rouson of St. Petersburg narrowly won a caucus vote Wednesday night to be leader of House Democrats in 2014. Rouson defeated Rep. Mia Jones of Jacksonville, 23-21, after the two deadlocked on a 22-22 vote and a second round of balloting was held. Lawmakers voted by secret ballot, so who switched sides and why remains a mystery.

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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..