LAWMAKERS PROPOSE INCREASING HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT TO 75 MPH By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA A bipartisan measure filed Tuesday could shorten the more than 800-mile drive from Pensacola to Key West to less than half a day of travel. Sens. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, proposed a bill (SB 392) that would allow a 75 mph speed limit on some highways and also boost speeds on other roads. Brandes said the idea is to adjust speed limits on interstates and certain rural highway to accurately reflect what most motorists are already driving. If people are driving within rates theyre comfortable with, we need to adjust the minimum and maximums speeds to what 85 percent of people are already driving, Brandes said. Thats what this bill would allow. The proposal would direct the state Department of Transportation to determine the safe minimum and maximum speed limits on all divided highways that have least four lanes. The DOT would then be able to increase travel on the states limited access highways to 75 mph and raise the maximum posted limit on divided four-lane highways in sparsely populated rural areas from 65 mph to 70 mph. The DOT could also hike speeds by 5 mph, to 65 mph, on other roads they deem safe. Floridas highways have had a 70 mph maximum since 1996, the last time the speed limit was reviewed. In a news release from the senators, they pointed to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration numbers that indicate the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled has consistently declined since 1996. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR VACANCY AT EIGHT MONTHS Gov. Rick Scott gave little indication Tuesday about how the search for a lieutenant governor is proceeding, as the vacancy in the position hit eight months. Im still reviewing it, Scott said. Look, theres a lot of great people around the state that could be great at lieutenant governor, and so were still going through the process. Former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll stepped down March 12. If Scott were unable to fulfill his duties before a lieutenant governor is named, Attorney General Pam Bondi would take over as governor. RICH RAISES LITTLE MONEY IN OCTOBER Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nan Rich collected $8,291 in cash contributions in October, while spending $8,788, according to newly filed campaign-finance reports. Rich, a former Senate minority leader from Weston, has collected a total of $224,065 since opening a campaign account in April 2012. Richs primary opponent, former Gov. Charlie Crist, opened his campaign account Nov. 1, so he will not have to file his first report until December. A recent change in state campaign-finance laws requires candidates to file reports monthly. CRISAFULLI, HAGER, DANISH DRAW CHALLENGERS Rep. Steve Crisafulli, who is in line to become House speaker in November 2014, appears likely to face a re-election challenge next year after Merritt Island Democrat Joseph Murray filed paperwork Friday to run in District 51, according to the state Division of Elections website. Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, was unopposed in 2012 and will have a major fund-raising edge over Murray. Crisafulli collected $9,450 in contributions during October, bringing his overall total to $232,333. Meanwhile, Rep. Bill Hager, R-Delray Beach, also drew a challenge Friday in House District 89 from Boca Raton Democrat David Silvers. Hager raised $2,600 during October and had an overall total of $71,470. Across the state, Rep. Mark Danish, D-Tampa, has drawn a second Republican challenger as he seeks another term in House District 63. Tampa Republican Bret Wedding filed paperwork Friday to join former Rep. Shawn Harrison, R-Tampa, in trying to unseat Danish. Harrison reported raising $8,925 in October, bringing his overall total to $44,735. Danish collected $4,700 during October and had a total of $34,744, according to the Division of Elections website.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 03:33:39 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015