Last year, Florida state lawmakers approved legislation assigning a four-mile stretch of roadway in Palm Beach to be named after President Donald Trump. The honorary naming of the designated portion of Southern Boulevard to President Donald J. Trump Boulevard was signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last summer, and the naming ceremony was held early this year.
Now, lawmakers have their sights set on naming a Palm Beach airport after the 47th president, and this week, SB 706 moved one step closer to becoming law.
Commercial Service Airports: SB 706
On Tuesday, lawmakers serving on the Senate Transportation Committee voted unanimously, 9-0, to advance SB 706, which will rename Palm Beach International Airport to “Donald J. Trump International Airport.” The legislation would allow the state to preempt local officials from naming all major commercial airports.
Transportation Committee members, including three Florida Senate Democrats, amended the measure to stipulate that the name change would also need FAA approval and would come with a commercial rights agreement to allow the use of the airport's new name at no cost in advertisements, promotional materials, and airport branding.
Update: HB 167 - Former Phosphate Mining Lands
Legislation that would help multi-billion-dollar phosphate giant Mosaic avoid lawsuits related to radiation on its former mining sites was voted favorably by the Senate Rules Committee, 22-0, clearing its last stop on its way to the Senate floor. The committee includes five Democratic members, one Independent, and 16 Republicans.
Sponsored by Representative Lawrence McClure and championed by Senate President Ben Albritton, the legislation will make it easier to redevelop the more than 200 square miles of former phosphate mines Mosaic owns across the state
Heated Tobacco Products: SB 754 / HB 377
Under current Florida law, heated tobacco products are taxed at a rate similar to other tobacco products. HB 377 and its companion, SB 754, which recently cleared their first committee hurdles, would create a new statutory definition of “heated tobacco products” and exempt them from the current high cigarette and tobacco product tax rates, leading to a lower tax rate more in line with vape products.
Philip Morris International argues that because heated tobacco products do not involve combustion or burning, they offer a less harmful alternative for smokers and should be taxed differently from cigarettes. Critics of the companion measures say it's a big favor to big tobacco, and note Phillip Morris’ political contributions to state lawmakers, including Gov. DeSantis.
Notably, Philip Morris is ramping up sales of its IQOS device, a non-combusting electronic nicotine “heat stick” that can release a nicotine aerosol without combustion/heat.
On the House side, the measure was reported favorably by the Ways and Means Committee, and on the Senate side, the Regulated Industries Committee gave the measure a unanimous thumbs-up.
State Lotteries: SB 530 / HB 1401
These two identical companion bills would make certain updates to lottery rules and operations, including authorizing debit card purchases at automated lottery ticket vending machines.
The Senate version cleared the Senate Regulated Industries Committee unanimously on Tuesday, and the House version is currently moving through the House Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee.
The bills also include a provision establishing criminal penalties for lottery ticket theft and fraudulent prize claims.
Email your Manatee County legislators and let them know what you think of these bills:
Senator Jim Boyd: boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov
Rep. Will Robinson: Will.Robinson@flhouse.gov
Rep. Bill Conerly: Bill.Conerly@flhouse.gov
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kmskepton
Done. emails sent. I can’t believe I actually have to write an email telling representatives to say NO to renaming airports after trump. They are a pathetic bunch of kiss-ups. Their legacy will be one of shame.
Sunday, February 1 Report this
pattybeenutty
Trump's name should not be on anything. He is a convictedfelon and pedophile.
Sunday, February 1 Report this