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Terry Rhodes

State’s DHSMV seeking permission to use drones

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The state’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) will ask lawmakers next session to consider legislation to “allow law enforcement to use drones for traffic crash management.” But the law in question, the Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act, includes an exception for “aerial mapping” as long as the drone is being operated safely. The proposed bill is part of a “legislative concepts” package Executive Director Terry Rhodes plans to present at next Tuesday’s Florida Cabinet meeting. The measure…

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Rick Scott declares state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Matthew

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Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for all of Florida as Hurricane Matthew barrels toward Jamaica and Haiti. Heavy bands from the Category 4 storm have already flooded streets and sent many people to emergency shelters in the two countries. Two deaths have already been reported in Haiti, bringing the total for the storm to at least four. “If Hurricane Matthew directly impacts Florida, there could be massive destruction which we haven’t seen since Hurricane Andrew devastated Miami-Dade…

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Agency seeks to improve driver’s license failure rates

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Florida’s highway safety executive director says her agency is working through issues with the new written driver’s license exam as it tries to improve failure rates. Terry Rhodes said Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles officials are studying results and looking to get rid of bad questions, the Tampa Bay Times reported. “I would just ask for your patience,” Rhodes said during a monthly Cabinet meeting. The state shifted to a new 50-question exam in January. Statewide, almost three out…

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Mike Fasano to Tallahassee: My office will be open, how about yours?

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano wants to know what plan the Florida Department of Highway and Safety & Motor Vehicles has if the state has to shut down because of a budget impasse. Fasano — a former lawmaker — sent a letter to Executive Director Terry Rhodes on May 4 questioning what plan will be in place if the state doesn’t have a budget on July 1. Fasano said he had concerns about the operation of his office as…

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