Week of June 3, 2010
GREEN LIGHT: Green taxing districts are a go after Gov. Charlie Crist last week signed off on a state bill allowing local governments to set up programs to help property owners fund energy-efficient home improvements. Several local governments, including Miami-Dade County and a municipal cluster in South Dade, have been waiting for the green light to issue bonds and lend volunteer property owners money to finance costly energy-efficient improvements like solar panels. Borrowers would pay down the debt through a special assessment on their property tax bill. Now, state approval in hand, it's up to the local governments to actually enact the taxing programs. FILM'S A GO: Filmmakers now have more reason to choose Florida: Gov. Charlie Crist on Friday signed SB 1752, an economic development package including $242 million in transferable tax credits to be offered over five years to filmmakers and television crews filming in Florida. State film-industry players had been pushing for better incentives for years to stay competitive with other states. Applications for the tax credits are to be accepted starting July 1. FULL SPEED AHEAD: The Florida Department of Transportation intends to move forward on projects as planned after Gov. Charlie Crist put the brakes on the Legislature's move to sweep $160 million from the state's Transportation Trust Fund. "The department will use this money to continue to enhance and improve the state's transportation system," the department said in a statement. Still, the roadblock's not fully cleared yet. It's been reported legislators may fight the governor's veto. Complete coverage, including The Insider and all information columns, is available in the e-edition. Sign up at www.miamitodaynews.com |
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