Letter to the Editor by Richie Kidwell Sunday, July 21, 2019 We couldn’t agree more that residents are the ones to suffer after a storm, caught in a longtime feud between insurance carriers and trial attorneys, hoping to be made whole. Unfortunately, homeowners being left to battle with their insurance carriers is only going to become more prevalent now that …Read More
Accurate census count could mean billions more for Florida: ‘You can’t overstate its importance’ July 31, 2019Stephen Hudak Orlando Sentinel July 31, 2019 | 5:46 PM Central Florida has been shortchanged by the federal government for decades because past census surveys undercounted people living here, elected leaders said Wednesday in a plea to boost participation and collect a more accurate tally of Sunshine State residents next year. (…) Demings and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer were joined …Read More
Legislation will help to reform Florida’s criminal justice system May 12, 2019Opinion Editorial by Rep. Paul Renner Pensacola News Journal May 12, 2019 As state legislators, public safety must always be a top priority. Economic development and good jobs cannot exist where crime is rampant. Statewide, we enjoy a nearly 50-year low in our crime rate. Part of that is attributable to a tough approach toward high risk, violent offenders. However, …Read More
How the Patient Savings Act will work June 20, 2019Letter to the Editor by Rep. Paul Renner Miami Herald June 20, 2019 Healthcare costs continue to rise, squeezing personal budgets and threatening the finances of many Floridians. Working with Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida Legislature passed major healthcare reforms, like the Patient Savings Act, that arm patients with information about healthcare costs and quality and provide new tools to save …Read More
Hospitality industry: Make licenses cheaper, faster and easier January 26, 2011Amid the anti-regulation fervor gripping the Florida Legislature this spring, the head of the state’s largest hospitality trade group on Wednesday urged lawmakers to speed up licensing, target inspections at select hotels and restaurants, and make liquor licenses easier to obtain. Testifying before the Florida House’s Rulemaking & Regulation Subcommittee, Carol Dover, the president of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging …Read More
Florida’s Al Cardenas named chair of American Conservative Union February 10, 2011Former Republican Party of Florida chairman Al Cardenas has been elected chairman of the American Conservative Union, which convened its annual conference today in Washington. The Havana-born Miamian succeeds David Keene, who had held the post since in 1984 and is serving as master of ceremonies at the cavalcade of conservative stars. Founded in 1964, the ACU says it’s the oldest membership-based conservative organization in …Read More
Study Urges Elimination of Obsolete Telecom Regulations March 4, 2011(Gary Rohrer, Sunshine State News) — Regulations designed to moderate the local monopolies of telephone companies are obsolete, and are impeding job growth and investments in new technology, according to a report released Thursday. The report, issued by Citizens for a Digital Future, an Atlanta-based advocacy group that promotes broadband Internet access, shows that increased broadband availability resulting from the …Read More
Support compassionate and cost-saving community care April 2, 2011(Commentary by Mary Unger, Palm Beach Post) — Our state is experiencing difficult economic times. Elected leaders are seeking to meet the challenge of budget shortfalls by cutting services. This exercise takes much wisdom and discernment, because there are Floridians with needs that are bigger than they can handle on their own. One such population is those who have been affected …Read More
Expand ‘virtual’ schools, say lawmakers April 7, 2011(Patricia Mazzei, Miami Herald) – More students could learn from a laptop in their bedroom rather than a whiteboard in a brick-and-mortar classroom under a pair of proposals in the Florida Legislature that would dramatically expand virtual school. The most immediate change: Starting next year, students entering high school would have to take at least one online course to graduate. …Read More
Central Florida’s SunRail project is back on track July 1, 2011Dan Tracy and Aaron Deslatte / Orlando Sentinel / July 1, 2011 Florida leaders this morning gave the go-ahead to SunRail, the long-delayed Central Florida commuter train project. Ananth Prasad, secretary of the state Department of Transportation, made the official announcement during a Tallahassee news conference heavily attended by public-relations staffers working for local governments and business groups backing the project. The …Read More