Topic: Tourist Taxes

Hispanic Legislative Caucus chief wants an apology for attacks on three members from Miami who don't support the $350 million plan to renovate the team's home stadium.

Port expansion at Canaveral, among the busiest cruise ports in the world, will create more than 3,000 jobs for Brevard County, state officials predict. ... Related Research: Thursday's release from the governor's press office.

Leon County Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis heard arguments from attorneys for Orbitz and Broward County on Monday, but Orbitz received more time and so both sides will return Tuesday. ... Related Research: EDR's fiscal impact analysis of recently proposed legislation affecting tourist development tax.

The Leon County Circuit judge who last month sided with online travel companies in a long-running legal dispute said in a written opinion issued this week that lawmakers should clarify the issue in statute.

Issues such as Internet cafes and taxation of online retailers and travel companies remained unresolved at the end of the 2012 session, but the designated House and Senate leaders for 2013 say they'll be willing to work on them.

In spite of state laws on the issues, confusion still surrounds Internet sweepstakes cafes, Internet sales taxes, the tax rate on hotel rooms sold by online travel companies and what types of pari-mutuel activities are allowed in Florida

As motor vehicles become increasingly efficient, the accompanying decline fuel tax revenue likely will mean a shift to tolls on Florida highways. But will voters balk at such new fees?

The annual report by the nonpartisan watchdog offers 135 ideas to limit state spending. It also suggests ways for the state to boost revenue by more than $500 million.

This week Gov. Rick Scott speaks to The Economic Club of Florida, the 1st District Court of Appeal holds oral arguments in two high-profile lawsuits, and lawmakers will review a new three-year financial outlook for the state.

Pushed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Department of Revenue will consider whether or not to adopt rules related to online booking companies. A bill that would have exempted the companies from taxes did not pass this session.

What passed, what failed, what you need to know about bills dealing with commerce and economic development. Gov. Rick Scott won his bid to centralize economic development efforts in the state, but he did not get control of a large fund to go along with it. After much jostling back and forth, lawmakers did eventually agree to pass an unemployment compensation bill but it does not cut any taxes for employers until 2012.