Tax Extenders are (almost) Here

By Julia Thomas | December 16, 2015

In what has replaced Santa Claus as the most anticipated December arrival [for U.S. taxpayers at least], Congress reached a bipartisan agreement to retroactively extend numerous tax benefits that expired at the end of last year. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH) was announced by Congress late last night.  PATH needs…

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It’s Official – The FAA Will Require Consumer Drone Registration

By Julia Thomas | December 15, 2015

The registration website will go live next Monday, December 21, 2015. There will be no fee for the registration for the first 30 days. The FAA announced on December 14, 2015, that it will implement a streamlined and user-friendly web-based registration process for UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or drones) weighing more than 0.55 lbs. but…

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Must-reads to Understand Florida and its Water

By Julia Thomas | December 10, 2015

If you’ve ever been subjected to the punishment of having to read dense government reports that analyze our water problems, the last thing you’re probably looking for is a book-length treatise on water issues. I’m going to recommend some reading on water, and I promise that you won’t feel like you’re being punished. As a…

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Michael Minton to Host Florida Chamber Regional Briefing in Palm Beach/Treasure Coast

By Julia Thomas | November 25, 2015

Dean Mead’s Michael D. Minton, shareholder and managing partner in the firm’s Fort Pierce/Port St. Lucie Office, will be co-hosting the 2015 Florida Chamber Regional Briefing in Palm Beach/Treasure Coast with Florida Chamber Foundation Chair, Pamela Rauch on November 30, 2015. David Hart, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs and Political Operations will give an Overview of the…

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Some Sunshine for Florida Citrus Growers in the Battle Against Citrus Greening

By Julia Thomas | November 23, 2015

Earlier today the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) announced that its researchers have developed genetically modified citrus trees that show enhanced resistance to citrus greening. These citrus trees may also have the potential to resist canker and black spot. IFAS noted that the commercial viability of these new citrus trees…

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Drones: One Registration Number Per Owner

By Julia Thomas | November 20, 2015

The Federal Aviation Administration’s Task Force (“Task Force”) on drone registration is expected to recommend that the agency require drone operators to obtain a single registration number, but will not require unique identification of individual drones, according to people familiar with the matter.[1] The Task Force is expected to provide its recommendations regarding drone registration…

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FDA Finalizes Produce Safety Rule

By Julia Thomas | November 18, 2015

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety rule first proposed in January, 2013, is now final.[1] The rule establishes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption.[2] Subsequent to the rule proposed in 2013, a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking was issued…

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