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House votes for optional $2-a-day rental car tax
Today is Day 58 of the 60-day session of the Florida Legislature.
By TIMES STAFF WRITERS
Published May 3, 2006
The Florida House endorsed Tuesday a $2-a-day tax on rental cars in Florida, subject to voter approval in county referendums.
The local option tax is backed as a way of raising more money for local transportation needs. It has broad support in the Senate, but is controversial because dozens of lawmakers who favor it have signed the Americans for Tax Reform "no new taxes" pledge. The provision, sponsored by Rep. Dave Russell, R-Brooksville, was attached to a must-pass transportation bill (SB 1350).
Some unspent campaign funds could be kept
The House passed a bill Tuesday that allows unopposed legislative candidates to keep $50,000 in their campaign accounts if they agree to suspend fundraising for a year. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Supporters, led by Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, said legalizing "rollover" accounts from one election to the next would eliminate year-round fundraising by politicians.
Opponents said the bill would further solidify incumbents' stranglehold on legislative seats because unopposed incumbents could start the next campaign with $50,000 in the bank.
-STEVE BOUSQUET
Senate squelches tuition break for illegals' kids
The Senate moved Tuesday to block in-state tuition benefits for the children of illegal immigrants.
The Senate rejected a proposal to allow 2,000 top-ranked students to qualify for the tuition breaks that Florida residents receive.
-LETITIA STEIN
Judge rejects effort to avoid fee reports
U.S. District Judge Stephan P. Mickle has refused to delay a May 15 deadline for lobbyists to report the fees they earn representing clients before the Legislature.
Mickle, in an order issued Tuesday, did allow three lobbyists to avoid giving sworn statements during the final three days of this year's legislative session.
Attorneys for the Legislature were trying to depose lobbyists Ron Book, Guy Spearman and Ken Plante during the busiest moments of the session, which is scheduled to end Friday.
-LUCY MORGAN
[Last modified May 3, 2006, 01:34:09]
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