February 22, 2016 
Dear Friends,
  
As we enter our seventh week of session, Subcommittees and Committees will meet less, and we will spend more time on the House Chamber floor debating and voting on legislation.  I continue to work with my fellow legislators on both sides of the aisle to make sure we find solutions to the challenges we face in our state.  I was also thrilled to have spent time with so many constituents during Dade Days and Florida Keys Day in Tallahassee!
I will continue to keep you up-to-date with periodic newsletters letting you know about bills under consideration and any new laws that are passed.  As always, thank you for your confidence in my service. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me.
Regards,

 
  
Holly Raschein
State Representative, District 120
  
 
2016 Session Update
  
    
Unanimous Bipartisan Support for 
HB 41 - Discharge of Firearms on Residential Property 
 
I am a lifetime member of the NRA and a strong supporter of the 2nd amendment but I think any responsible gun owner would agree that public safety is paramount. I am proud to have co-sponsored HB 41 Discharge of Firearms on Residential Property; by unanimous vote this bill passed both chambers of the Florida Legislature. It's important to note that in addition to bipartisan support, all the stake holders involved from law enforcement to gun-rights groups, came together on this. It now awaits Governor Rick Scott's signature.
The law prohibits recreational discharge of firearms in certain residential areas, defined as "one or more dwellings units per acre". I am confident that the passage of this bill creates safer communities across our state. 
  
  
SB 576 - Public Educational Facilities
 
Currently Florida Keys Community College is authorized to provide on-campus student dormitory residences limited to 100 beds. Due to the continued lack of affordable student housing in the surrounding community, as well as geographic and transportation challenges, the demand for student housing exceeds FKCC's capacity. 
 
Last week I presented a bill on the House floor that authorizes an additional new 200 beds at FKCC.  The bill received unanimous support from my House colleagues, and the Senate companion, sponsored by Senator Anitere Flores, had also already received unanimous approval so SB 576 is now ready to go to the Governor for his signature.  Another victory for District 120!
  
 
Florida House Passes Tax Cut Package
 
The Florida House is #DownOnTaxes and passed a $1 billion tax cut package.  House Bill 7099 provides meaningful tax relief that, in my view, will not only make Florida a more affordable state to live, but also a better place to open and expand a business. Some of the major components include:
 
  • A permanent cut to the business rent tax.
  • A permanent elimination of the sales tax on the purchase of manufacturing equipment.
  • A 10-day Back to School sales tax holiday.
  • An extension of the sales tax exemption on college textbooks and course supplies.
  • The creation of additional 1-day sales tax holidays to encourage shopping at small businesses, purchasing new technology, and purchasing hunting and fishing equipment.
  • Expanded eligibility for tax relief for disabled veterans and the spouses of deceased veterans who sacrificed their lives for our country.
 
I am proud to support this great tax cut package. I believe cutting taxes will provide needed relief for Florida's families and help our small businesses continue to invest and grow, keeping Florida a national leader in job creation.
    
Florida, A Military Friendly State
  
I am proud to have voted yes alongside my legislative colleagues for three important bills benefiting our US Service Members and their children last week.
  
House Bill 1157 , relating to Postsecondary Education for Veterans, expands current law to allow veterans to earn college credit for college-level training and education acquired during their military service.
 
House Bill 799 , relating to Out-of-State Fee Waivers for Active Duty Servicemembers, creates a fee waiver for active duty service members residing outside of the state at the time of enrollment in a Florida postsecondary institution. I believe this bill is continuing efforts to make Florida the most veteran-friendly state in the nation by making post-secondary education more affordable for active duty service members.
 
SB 7016, Children in active-duty military families face unique educational challenges. This bill reauthorizes the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which enables member states to uniformly address educational transition issues faced by military families. 
 
 
Florida Welcomed Record 105 Million Tourists in 2015
 
This week, Visit Florida and Governor Rick Scott announced Florida welcomed a record 105 million tourists in 2015. 2015 marked the fifth consecutive year of record tourism in Florida and eclipsed the previous high of 98.5 million tourists in 2014. Of the 105 million tourists, a record high 89.8 million were domestic visitors and 15.2 million were international tourists from across the globe. In addition, record tourism helped lead to strong job growth with a record 1.2 million Floridians employed in the tourism industry, a 5% increase from 2014. This is great news for our state and in my view proves that Florida is the best state in America to visit.
  
          Welcome to the Florida House!
House Messenger
Tessa Eggers
 
Tessa served as House Messenger for a week during this Session. A Key West High School Junior, Tessa is a smart and talented young lady. She spent her time working throughout the entire Capitol Complex, besides delivering messages she assisted the members during committee meetings. It was wonderful to have you on board, a big Thank You! for a job well done.
In This Issue
Links
Contact Us
District Offices:

(305) 453-1202 phone

(305) 453-1204 fax

99198 Overseas Highway, Suite 10

Key Largo, FL 33037

 

OR

 

(305) 242-2485 phone

43 North Krome Avenue, Suite 202

Homestead, FL 33030

 

Capitol Office:

(850) 717-5120 phone

319 The Capitol

402 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, Fl 32399

Our Staff

Erin Muir
Legislative Assistant

 

Kate DeLoach

District Aide

 

Jesika Davis

District Aide

SAVE THIS DATE!
    
      FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION
   
Join me as we distribute fresh nutritious food to those that need it the most.
  
         Saturday, April 16, 2016
          10:00am until 1:00pm
     Farm Share Distribution Center
           14125 SW 30th Street
           Homestead, FL 33033
  
For more information contact:
Jesika Davis (305) 242- 2485 or
Representative Holly Raschein | | holly.raschein@myfloridahouse.gov | 99198 Overseas Hwy, Suite 10
Key Largo, FL 33037