The timing is bad even by state lawmakers' standards. Just as Floridians are seeking concealed weapons permits in record numbers, the legislature pulls the plug - kind of.
Lawmakers, in a last-minute bid to balance the budget, siphoned off $6 million from the agency that administers these permits. According to state Ag Commissioner Charles Bronson, the loss will seriously hamper the ability of the Division of Licensing to do its job.
"As you are well aware," Bronson wrote Gov. Charlie Crist recently, "the Division has unprecedented growth in the number of people applying for licenses, resulting in a tremendous backlog of applications to be processed ... We simply cannot process all of these applications in a timely manner ...."
Whatever money is available, says Bronson, needs to go toward hiring more workers and buying better computers.
And talk about unintended consequences. By law, the state must issue a concealed weapons permit within 90 days of receiving a completed application requesting one. In the end, some permits may have to be issued without even a criminal background check. Nobody wants that.
Governor, we join Commissioner Bronson in urging you to veto this wrongheaded legislation. Simply put, lawmakers took money they shouldn't have. Make them give it back.
Local News
Our View - Give it back (May 22)
- Local News
-
- Showers possible for Memorial Day
-
5th grader belts a rendition of "I Will Always Love You"
A Suwannee County fifth grader mesmerized students, parents and faculty during the Suwannee Intermediate School Spring Talent Show Thursday evening.
Brittanie Powell performed “I Will Always Love You” which was immortalized by the late Whitney Houston. It was Brittanie’s first performance and she selected the song a few weeks ago after watching a contestant perform it on American Idol. -
Pournelle receives valedictorian title
The only SHS senior with a 4.0 GPA was left out previously due to district policy
- Jeep driver receives serious injuries following collision with semi trailer
- Mayo woman loses unborn child in car crash
-
Suwannee Democrat obituaries - May 25, 2012
Agnes Barr Taylor
Bobby Roberts
Clifton E. Riley Sr.
- SHS spring game tonight
-
Suwannee County's vals and sals
Editor's note: In today's paper (May 25) salutatorian is above Mara Lance's photo. Lance is a Suwannee High School valedictorian.
SHS
Valedictorians
Laura-Kaitlyn Boatright
Mara Magee Lance
Salutatorian
Christopher Cole ThomasBHS
Valedictorian
Robert Hansen
GPA - 3.83
Salutatorian
D’Vonte Cherry
GPA - 3.76
-
Democrat Morning Update for Friday, May 25
Good morning. This is what's happening in your county today.
-
FCAT 2.0 math and reading results
Suwannee falls right in line with state averages
- More Local News Headlines
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
