Government Digest: Apr. 8

Committees OKs E-Verify, ID option

TALLAHASSEE — The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation April 4 that requires employers to verify the residency status of all new hires. Senate Bill 2040 requires that businesses use either the federal E-Verify system or a state-issued identification verification system to ensure that only people who are legally authorized to work in the United States hold jobs.

“This is a Florida-specific solution to address the issue of illegal immigration in our state,” says Senate President Mike Haridopolos, in a press release. “Florida will step up and protect its citizens because the federal government has failed us.”

Specifically the bill requires employers to either register with E-Verify and check all new employees through the system, or obtain from all new employees an enhanced identification card that has been issued by Florida since January 2010. The new ID card requires proof of lawful residence before it can be issued. According to the release, the ID card is the toughest identification standard in the country. The bill has two more committee stops.

Commissioners continue fee cuts

SARASOTA COUNTY —County commissioners approved a resolution March 30 continuing an existing reduction in building permit fees until Oct. 1, 2012. Commissioners approved a 10% reduction in building permit fees for one year on March 23. For more information, contact Greg Yantorno, acting building official, at 941-861-6637.

PublicStuff goes online and mobile

BRADENTON — The city now provides an online and mobile-based venue for citizens and businesses to connect with its leaders and services. Through the platform, users may request things like road repairs, tree trimming, garbage pickup, traffic safety and get help accessing accounts and making online payments. The system is powered by PublicStuff, which has been working with city officials to strengthen lines of communication between the city and its residents and increase efficiency responding to public requests.

The PublicStuff citizen portal enables residents to submit online service requests directly through the city's website in addition to submitting requests through any mobile phone device. People may then track their requests and receive status updates. The online application is at www.publicstuff.com/bradenton. The mobile site is at www.publicstuff.com/iframe/index/bradenton.

LeMieux enters U.S. Senate primary

WASHINGTON — Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux announced he's entered the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Melbourne. Nelson is the only Democrat holding statewide office.

LeMieux served as a placeholder for former Gov. Charlie Crist after being appointed by Crist in 2009 to fill the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Mel Martinez. But Crist was defeated by now U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Miami. LeMieux's only primary opponent so far is Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne. “For too long, politicians have made the easy choice and refused to do anything about our overspending,” LeMieux says in a statement. “Florida needs another common sense voice to join Senator Rubio in Washington and put this country back on track.”

MEETINGS

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

The Murdock Village Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, April 11, at SunTrust Bank Building, 18501 Murdock Circle, suite 502, economic development conference room, Port Charlotte. For more information, call Kathy Knee at 941-627-3023. Note: On March 15, county commissioners held the first of two public hearings on the rezoning of the publicly owned portion of the Murdock Village community redevelopment area to planned development. The second public hearing is scheduled for April 19.

COLLIER COUNTY

County commissioners will hold a public hearing on amendments to the Immokalee area master plan, the future land use element and map series and the conservation and coastal management portion of the comprehensive plan at 9 a.m. April 12, in the Board of County Commissioners chambers, Collier County Government Center, 3299 Tamiami Trail E., Naples.

PINELLAS COUNTY

The Tourist Development Council will meet at 9 a.m. April 13, in the fifth-floor assembly room, Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court St., Clearwater.

For more information, call 727-464-6633.