The purpose of this summary provided by the Communications Department of The Florida Bar is to present media coverage that may be of interest to members. Opinions expressed in the articles are attributable solely to the authors. The Florida Bar does not adopt or endorse any opinions expressed below. For information on previous articles, please contact the publishing newspaper directly.
October 22, 2019
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The Florida Bar
SCAM ALERT: FRAUDULENT EMAIL USES TAX SECTION’S LOGO IN AN ATTEMPT TO STEAL MONEY
The Florida Bar | Article | October 22, 2019
The Daily News Summary features Florida Bar News stories on President John Stewart’s podcast appearance, the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s celebration of Mediation Week and an email scam alert. The Florida Bar is warning members about a fraudulent email that is using the logo of the Tax Section and seeking “donations” to assist “one of our members” who has a sick child. It’s a scam email and should be deleted.
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Legislative
IN NARROW VOTE, SENATE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS UPHOLDING BROWARD SHERIFF’S REMOVAL
Bradenton Herald | Article | October 22, 2019
In a political victory for Gov. Ron DeSantis, a divided Senate Rules Committee voted 9-7 along party lines not to reinstate Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, whom the governor suspended for his actions before and after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The vote came after a nearly 10-hour hearing. The full Senate will vote on the issue Wednesday [Oct. 23].
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Civil Justice
JUDGE RULES TAMPA TAXING HOTEL VISITORS ILLEGALLY
Florida Politics | Article | October 22, 2019
Circuit Court Judge Rex Barbus has ruled that a hotel room surcharge — collected by the city of Tampa on top of its existing maxed-out bed tax — is an “illegal tax,” according to a spokesperson for the Florida House of Representatives, which sued the city over the $1.50-per-night fee two years ago. The state successfully argued that a per-night fee on hotel stays was a charge on an activity that varies over time, and therefore, a tax that was never authorized by the Legislature. The case could impact the ability of all Florida cities and counties to create similar taxing districts.
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Criminal Justice
AS ORANGE’S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMMISSION RECONVENES, COURTS TAKE STEP TO KEEP GUNS AWAY FROM ACCUSED ABUSERS
Orlando Sentinel | Article | October 21, 2019
All Orange County judges are now requiring receipts from accused domestic abusers that their guns have been safely turned over to law enforcement or sold to a certified third-party. State law requires anyone under a protective injunction, a civil order issued after a court hearing on allegations of domestic violence or stalking that prohibits personal contact, to surrender any firearms or ammunition.
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Legal Profession
LAW SCHOOL’S NONPROFIT CONVERSION STUMBLES
Inside Higher Ed | Article | October 21, 2019
Florida Coastal Law School’s application to gain nonprofit status was rejected by the American Bar Association last month in a confidential decision. But Florida Coastal, which has posted improved bar-passage rates after years of dismal numbers, says it’s committed to the change in tax status. The law school submitted a second application to the ABA last week and still hopes to reclassify as a nonprofit institution by next year.
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Tech Tip
HOW MAC USERS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A FEATURE CALLED ‘MISSION CONTROL’
The Florida Bar | Article | October 22, 2019
Use the “Mission Control” feature on MacOS to see previews of, and gain quick access to, all of your open windows, desktop spaces, full-screen apps, and Split View spaces, making it easy to switch between each of them. To learn more tips and tricks for Mission Control read this week’s Tech Tip.