GOVERNOR CRIST AND SENATOR JONES SIGN BILL TO PROTECT FLORIDA DRIVERS

In a public ceremony outside the St. Petersburg Police Department, Governor Crist and Senator Jones signed legislation which increases liability insurance requirements for those convicted of drunk driving.  State Rep. Rick Kriseman co-sponsored the bill with Senator Jones.

As of Oct. 1, anyone with a history of driving under the influence must carry bodily injury coverage in the amount of $100,000 per person in a crash, $300,000 for two or more persons and $50,000 for property damage.  

Jeff Luhrsen, chairman of the Public Policy Council for Mothers Against Drunk Driving – Florida, joined them for the bill signing ceremony at the St. Petersburg Police Department.  “I am certain that this law will provide some justice to DUI victims,” said Luhrsen. “I thank our legislators and the people’s governor for enacting this very strong victim’s rights law.”

The legislation also expands consumer protections of volunteer drivers. Automobile insurance companies can no longer deny an application, impose a surcharge or increase rates for volunteer drivers.

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TAX REFORM PACKAGE TO BE APPROVED BY VOTERS

The latest tax reform package on the table, which must be approved by voters Jan. 29th, would increase the homestead exemption from $25,000 to about $40,000, provide an average tax savings of $240 and add portability on tax savings from the Save Our Homes cap.

The tax package is a move in the right direction, and if approved would allow people to move more comfortably from home to home and help jump-start the real estate industry.

Stay tuned for more details and analysis of this legislation.