• One of the major things to keep an eye on, the “jobs package” bill, SB 1752, that includes tax incentives meant to spur economic growth, was rolled into a third reading by House members on the floor Tuesday.
• A few other measures with local ties that were rolled into third reading during Tuesday’s House session: Sen. Tony Hill’s measure, SB 206, regarding an academic scholarship signing day similar to those for high school football; Sen. John Thrasher’s measure, SB 2470, regarding the creation of a Florida Regional Transportation Study Commission to further look into the viability of a regional transportation entity and measure, SB 704, regarding allowing judges to consider domestic violence injunctions when sentencing murderers; and Sen. Stephen Wise’s measures, SBs 166, 366 and 1072, regarding allowance of children with cystic fibrosis to take pancreatic enzymes in school, increasing penalties for drug paraphernalia sales and changes in the juvenile justice code, respectively.
• Coming and going: In what looks to be a busy week of legislation, Gov. Charlie Crist signed four different bills, HB 295 (Food Service Inspections) and SBs 350 (Tomato Food Safety), 2440 (Liability Releases) and 2060 (Sovereign Immunity), Tuesday and took in two more. He has a week to sign off on the two new measures, SB 464 regarding military affairs and SB 2054 that would change road designations.
• Speaking of heading to Crist’s desk: Several years ago, City Council member Stephen Joost sponsored legislation that would allow the installation of red light cameras at numerous busy intersections in Jacksonville. It was halted due to the debate over their legality, but a uniform standards bill, HB 325, on the issue is heading to Crist’s desk after the Senate approved it Tuesday with a 30-7 vote.