Latest news with #CarlosGuillermoSmith
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘A big deal for Central Florida': Hotel tax shakeup gains momentum
A tax package advancing in the Florida Senate could shake up how Orange County spends tens of millions of dollars in hotel tax revenue, potentially directing money from tourism advertising to mass transit and other transportation needs. The changes, green-lighted by the Senate's Finance and Tax Committee on Tuesday, could allow more than $50 million to be shifted from Visit Orlando, the region's tourism development organization, to public projects like expanding SunRail. The proposal eases a requirement that at least 40% of Orange County's roughly $360 million in hotel taxes go to tourism marketing and advertising. Visitors pay the tourist development tax when they stay in hotels and short-term rentals. Getting the item into the Senate's tax package is a 'big deal for Central Florida,' said Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, who introduced the hotel-tax changes. But it still faces significant hurdles, including potential opposition of tourism industry lobbyists, and the question of whether the state House and the governor will go along. Smith's proposal softens the mandatory spending requirement for tourism promotion to no more than $50 million, or about half of what is spent currently by Visit Orlando. Smith has been critical of Visit Orlando, saying it subsidizes Walt Disney World's and Universal Studios' corporate marketing budgets. 'Government spending on advertising is not acceptable,' Smith said. In past years, the Republican-dominated Legislature has shown little appetite to restructure the tourist development tax. But this year, Senate leaders meshed Smith's proposal into an overall tax bill. It was given initial approval Tuesday with little discussion. The change, if signed into law, 'gives Orange County the ability to invest hotel tax dollars into our transportation needs,' he said. 'We can finally use that TDT revenue to link Sunrail to the (Orlando International) Airport… and upgrade our Lynx buses.' Having a reliable mass transit system connected to Orlando's airports and major attractions is key to making Central Florida a world-class resort destination, Smith said. Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, another advocate for overhauling tourist development taxes, called the development 'very significant.' Visit Orlando's leaders, however, argue they deliver an economic return that benefits the community and extends to all parts of the tourism industry. In addition to promoting Orlando's brand globally, the organization works to attract conventions, gather economic data and forge community partnerships. Visit Orlando reports that about 40% of its members are small businesses. Visit Orlando and the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association did not respond to emails Tuesday seeking comment. Swifties or SunRail? Orlando lawmakers question hotel tax spending Visit Orlando's marketing efforts have included television ads that aired during the Summer Olympics, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and other major events, including a $600,000 spot that ran during Taylor Swift's on-demand concert movie featured on the Disney+ streaming platform. In addition to tourism promotion, tourist development tax revenue is used for the Orange County Convention Center, sporting venues, and the arts and museums. The tax package will be hashed out between the House and Senate during the final weeks of the legislative session, which is scheduled to end May 2. In addition to the hotel tax change, the Senate's $2.1 billion tax relief proposal also includes a permanent elimination of the sales tax on clothing and shoes under $75. House Speaker Daniel Perez is calling for lowering the sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%, which is estimated to produce $5 billion in savings.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida bill could allow agencies to withhold names of officers who shoot people
Florida law enforcement officers who use deadly or harmful force could have their names shielded from the public under a proposed state law. The proposal would prohibit law enforcement agencies from releasing any public record that identifies the officer for 72 hours after they shoot someone or use other force that causes 'great bodily harm.' But even after that 72-hour period expires, an agency head can decide to indefinitely withhold the officer's information if they deem it necessary. The proposal comes in a larger bill meant to shield the identities of crime victims. A 2018 constitutional amendment known as Marsy's Law protects some personal information of crime victims. But the Florida Supreme Court in 2023 ruled that did not include the blanket right to redact their names. The ruling came after Tallahassee police officers fatally shot people in two separate incidents. Their agency withheld the officers' names because the officers said they were victims because they were assaulted by the people they shot. Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, said he's sponsoring the legislation because of that Supreme Court ruling, saying victims' names should be protected. But he said he's still working on the language about withholding police officers' identities. The bill has moved through one committee in both the House and the Senate, where it received only one no vote, from Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando. Smith said he thought the 72-hour cooling-off period was reasonable to delay releasing an officer's name. But he expressed concern about giving an agency 'subjective' discretion to exempt officers' names indefinitely. The bill would allow for an officer to choose to waive the public records exemption at any time. Meanwhile, another bill moving in the House would prohibit officials from including an investigative file in an officer's personnel file if that investigation didn't result in any disciplinary action. It has not been heard in the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, would also require all complaints against a law enforcement officer be signed under oath. And it would require that an officer be told the names of all people making complaints against them. The bill was unanimously supported by Republicans and Democrats during its first House committee. But the Florida Sheriffs Association opposes it. The association did not return a request for comment, but Fabricio said the Sheriffs Association didn't want the sworn complaint requirement to be codified across the board.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Officers who shoot people could have names withheld under Florida bill
TALLAHASSEE — Florida law enforcement officers who use deadly or harmful force could have their names shielded from the public under a proposed state law. The proposal would prohibit law enforcement agencies from releasing any public record that identifies the officer for 72 hours after they shoot someone or use other force that causes 'great bodily harm.' But even after that 72-hour period expires, an agency head can decide to indefinitely withhold the officer's information if they deem it necessary. The proposal comes in a larger bill meant to shield the identities of crime victims. A 2018 constitutional amendment known as Marsy's Law protects some personal information of crime victims. But the Florida Supreme Court in 2023 ruled that did not include the blanket right to redact their names. The ruling came after Tallahassee police officers fatally shot people in two separate incidents. Their agency withheld the officers' names because the officers said they were victims because they were assaulted by the people they shot. Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, said he's sponsoring the legislation because of that Supreme Court ruling, saying victims' names should be protected. But he said he's still working on the language about withholding police officers' identities. The bill has moved through one committee in both the House and the Senate, where it received only one no vote, from Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando. Smith said he thought the 72-hour cooling-off period was reasonable to delay releasing an officer's name. But he expressed concern about giving an agency 'subjective' discretion to exempt officers' names indefinitely. The bill would allow for an officer to choose to waive the public records exemption at any time. Meanwhile, another bill moving in the House would prohibit officials from including an investigative file in an officer's personnel file if that investigation didn't result in any disciplinary action. It has not been heard in the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, would also require all complaints against a law enforcement officer be signed under oath. And it would require that an officer be told the names of all people making complaints against them. The bill was unanimously supported by Republicans and Democrats during its first House committee. But the Florida Sheriffs Association opposes it. The association did not return a request for comment, but Fabricio said the sheriffs association didn't want the sworn complaint requirement to be codified across the board.
Miami Herald
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Florida bill could allow agencies to withhold names of officers who shoot people
Florida law enforcement officers who use deadly or harmful force could have their names shielded from the public under a proposed state law. The proposal would prohibit law enforcement agencies from releasing any public record that identifies the officer for 72 hours after they shoot someone or use other force that causes 'great bodily harm.' But even after that 72-hour period expires, an agency head can decide to indefinitely withhold the officer's information if they deem it necessary. The proposal comes in a larger bill meant to shield the identities of crime victims. A 2018 constitutional amendment known as Marsy's Law protects some personal information of crime victims. But the Florida Supreme Court in 2023 ruled that did not include the blanket right to redact their names. The ruling came after Tallahassee police officers fatally shot people in two separate incidents. Their agency withheld the officers' names because the officers said they were victims because they were assaulted by the people they shot. Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, said he's sponsoring the legislation because of that Supreme Court ruling, saying victims' names should be protected. But he said he's still working on the language about withholding police officers' identities. The bill has moved through one committee in both the House and the Senate, where it received only one no vote, from Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando. Smith said he thought the 72-hour cooling-off period was reasonable to delay releasing an officer's name. But he expressed concern about giving an agency 'subjective' discretion to exempt officers' names indefinitely. The bill would allow for an officer to choose to waive the public records exemption at any time. Meanwhile, another bill moving in the House would prohibit officials from including an investigative file in an officer's personnel file if that investigation didn't result in any disciplinary action. It has not been heard in the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, would also require all complaints against a law enforcement officer be signed under oath. And it would require that an officer be told the names of all people making complaints against them. The bill was unanimously supported by Republicans and Democrats during its first House committee. But the Florida Sheriffs Association opposes it. The association did not return a request for comment, but Fabricio said the Sheriffs Association didn't want the sworn complaint requirement to be codified across the board.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legislation aimed at protecting Florida state parks stuck in committee
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — What all started with a leaked proposal to build golf courses and pickleball courts at state parks last year has now resulted in legislation that aims to protect natural grounds from those very acts. Efforts to protect Florida's natural grounds was a bi-partisan hit with many supporters rallying over the summer, but with no further movement in the last few weeks at the capitol, what is the hold up to push the 'State Park Preservation Act' across the finish line? Gov. DeSantis proposes $1K rebate checks to cover Florida homeowners' property tax Last summer, hundreds protested against possible plans to further develop wild spaces, and that fight to protect Florida's state parks continues at the statehouse.'I think we were all dismayed last summer when suddenly out of nowhere these plans were revealed to pave over out state parks,' said State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando). Led by both Republicans and Democrats, Senate Bill 80 and its house companion aims to not only preserve state land but also requires public hearings for future park plans and puts in place an advisory board that will report back to the legislature. While lawmakers and advocates support those efforts, there may be some gaps in the language, leaving room for future prospects to find loopholes to build over state parks. 'We can't possibly list every use inappropriate, but we can cover our bases. By explicitly stating we will not permit uses that disturb and harm the resources of our state parks,' said Gil Smart, Friends of the Everglades Policy Director. When asked whether the bill had any luck in the senate, President Ben Albritton (R- Wauchula) said, 'We'll see what happens.' 'We will see where it ends up going. I am certainly supportive of making sure that we're protecting our state parks and that we are showing Floridians that this natural space matters. But again, this issue is like a lot of issues, it's really about achieving balance,' Albritton said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
