Maps heading to house floor
Posted: January 27, 2012

I do not believe the proposals are constitutional, but if the Florida Supreme Court affirms that Amendments 5 and 6 were followed to the letter and spirit of the law, I will be satisfied with the maps and honored to run for and represent whatever district my home is in. Whether the district leans Democrat or Republican, I am confident that the voters will look past party labels and vote for the person that will best represent them and fight for them day in and day out.

Bill to protect Online Travel Cheats is back
Posted: January 11, 2012

Amid a debate in the Florida Legislature last year over a bill that would have given amnesty to online travel companies for past due taxes and protected these corporate giants from paying these taxes in the future, I sent my colleagues in the Legislature internal memos from Expedia and other travel companies. These compelling documents provided direct evidence that these large corporations have long been advised by their attorneys and accountants that they owe back taxes to the State of Florida.

Thankfully, the bill to protect these tax avoiders failed to become law. Meanwhile, I have repeatedly encouraged state revenue authorities to fulfill their obligations to Florida citizens and to collect past-due taxes owed to the state by online travel firms.

This week, legislation similar to last year's proposal was refiled for the 2012 session. House Bill 1393, if approved, would prevent Florida from collecting at least $500 million owed by the online travel industry along with millions of dollars in potential future payments that could be used for important Florida priorities like education, health care for working families, and strategies for creating more jobs for Floridians.

Let's be clear: This ill-conceived legislation doesn't stop a new tax. Rather, this bill simply gives big, out-of-state corporations a competitive advantage over our local hotels and businesses with brick-and-mortar establishments. And what's worse, the bill signals to these corporate giants that Floridians tolerate their behavior of ignoring their obligations as corporate citizens of our great state.

I find this sort of special treatment that's narrowly tailored for big business extremely offensive. If you agree, I hope you will help me fight it. Should HB 1393 get assigned to a House committee for discussion, I will let you know how to contact the committee chair so that you can urge them to stand up for small businesses in Florida and the tourism industry and to not schedule the legislation for a vote.

Florida needs your voice in the legislative process so that special treatment for corporate giants like online travel companies doesn't become the law in this state.

Improving our guide dog laws
Posted: December 19, 2011

Our current laws related to service animals and guide dogs are woefully inadequate and out of step with recently revised federal regulations. That's why I am honored to join with State Senator Mike Bennett (R-Bradenton) on legislation to revise the law related to service animals, providing more rights to Floridians with disabilities and to individuals who train guide dogs.

House Bill 1077 prohibits discrimination of guide dog owners as it relates to housing accommodations, allows for the use of guide dogs in public and private schools, and provides a punishment to those who knowingly and fraudulently represent themselves as the owner or trainer of a guide dog.

Passage of this bill will give needed protections to our most vulnerable citizens and their beloved guide dogs. I am thankful to Southeastern Guide Dogs for their support.

He doesn't care about us
Posted: November 29, 2011

Governor Rick Scott recently said he doesn't "want to take money out of the private sector", even if collecting taxes is the fair thing to do. That is what he said. This is the same governor who has been more than willing to take money from children, seniors, and the disabled. But not out-of-state retailers. The governor doesn't want to hurt them. Seriously. Before you get outraged, think about how refreshing it is that the governor has the guts to admit that he cares more about corporations than he does his own constituents and small business owners right here in Florida. He has finally confirmed our suspicions. He doesn't care about you, me, or our state. His sole reason for living, for running for office, and for being Governor, is to look out for people just like him. I hate to assign such a motive, but I'm not aware of any evidence to the contrary. It's really sad.

Victory for docs, patients, common sense
Posted: September 14, 2011

Earlier today, U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke, an appointee of President George W. Bush, ruled that the new Florida law interfering with a doctor’s right to discuss gun safety with a patient violates the First Amendment Rights of both the doctor and the patient. I agree.

The Court’s ruling also reflects that a doctor merely asking a question of a patient does not violate that patient’s Second Amendment Right to own or bear arms, and with that, I also agree.

As the sponsor of the bill to repeal this dangerous and misguided law, I am extremely pleased with this ruling and applaud Judge Cooke for recognizing the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship.

This is a victory not just for the medical community and for those who seek their care, but for common sense.

Statement on tenth anniversary of 9/11
Posted: September 11, 2011

"Let us remember not only the agony of 9/11, but how we channeled our pain into something positive and powerful." Those words were recently tweeted by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. I agree.

Our nation's rallying cry following 9/11 was "never forget," and while we haven't forgotten the terror of that day, the unity we forged in the immediate aftermath of the attacks would be unrecognizable today. It was positive, powerful and, sadly, fleeting.

Today, our leaders and our people are more divided, not less. Our governments in Washington and Tallahassee are fractured, if not completely broken. Common ground is something that many politicians are running from, whereas seeking it was once considered a virtue.

It is appropriate that this 10th anniversary be marked by a somber and reflective mood. However, the very best tribute we can pay to the nearly 3,000 victims and their families is to rededicate ourselves to more problem solving and less point scoring and partisanship.

Let's do it again. And let's never forget.