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Sarasota County

Sarasota County, Airbnb agree on rental tax collections

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Sarasota County has reached an agreement with online lodging and hospitality company Airbnb for the collection of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) for short-term rentals, a deal that will result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in new revenue for the county. The Sarasota County Commission Monday approved the voluntary collection agreement, in which the Sarasota County Tax Collector will begin the reporting, collection and remittance of applicable TDT funds, otherwise known as the “bed tax,” on Airbnb’s short-term rentals and accommodations starting May…

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Sarasota County school bus drivers file wage theft suit

in Local Courts/Top Headlines by
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Should school bus drivers get overtime pay for being stuck in traffic or “sweeping (out) the bus”? A group of current and former Sarasota County school bus drivers says “yes” in a federal lawsuit filed this week in Tampa. They sued the county school board for “wage theft” for not being paid for a long list of time-consuming parts of the job. All their examples made up what they call “not paying employees for time worked beyond the time estimated by…

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Nora Patterson announces more than 150 local endorsements in SD 23 race

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Republican Senate District 23 candidate Nora Patterson announced Wednesday that she had received endorsements from more than 150 from local leaders. “It hasn’t always been easy finding common ground on issues of concern. But I’ve learned that standing on principle and working for solutions, not grandstanding, gets the job done for the people. Standing on principle doesn’t sit well with the lobbyists and special interests, but I don’t work for them, I work for the people – always have, always…

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Republican Alex Miller enters race for Ray Pilon’s HD 72 seat

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

House District 72 has drawn its first Republican candidate since current Rep. Ray Pilon announced he would vacate the seat to run for the Senate. Businesswoman Alexandra Miller filed Monday, joining Democrat Edward James in the race for the Sarasota County seat. “I’m not a politician. Like you, I am concerned for the future and believe we can build a better Florida. I will bring a unique perspective to the Florida House,” Miller said in an announcement. Miller, who runs…

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Pinellas on board with state-funded pesticide disposal

in The Bay and the 'Burg by

For the second year in a row, the Florida Legislature is including $100,000 in its state budget for pesticide disposal services. Pinellas County, in turn, is spreading the word. Through a program called Operation Cleansweep, Florida farms, groves, nurseries, pest control services, greenhouse operations and golf courses can all take advantage of a one-time, EPA-approved pesticide disposal service. The first 750 pounds of removed pesticides, per business, will be disposed of at no cost to the owner. A hazardous waste…

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Ray Pilon won’t run for Senate, opts for final term in HD 72

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

State Rep. Ray Pilon, claiming “unfinished business,” will not run for the state Senate, instead choosing to seek a last term in the Florida House for 2016. The Sarasota Republican faces Democrat Edward James III in the House District 72 race, making it possibly one of the most competitive races in the state. Pilon told reporters that recent polling showed he would have been competitive in the race for the seat now held by Venice Republican state Sen. Nancy Detert, who…

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