As state Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, gears up for her last regular session in Tallahassee, she says film will be one of her personal top priorities. But she does plan on taking a different approach this year, one that learns from “past mistakes” and which seeks to encourage filmmakers to headquarter permanently in the Sunshine State. “Film should be an indigenous industry in the state of Florida,” Detert said. “I don’t think you should fly in here and make a movie, get paid and fly back to Los Angeles. We should do more to recruit the film industry as a permanent industry in our state.”

Desert made the remarks to Sarasota City Commissioners Monday night as she briefed them on upcoming issues in the Legislature. The Venice Republican has been one of the state’s most vocal champions for film, but in the last two sessions saw film incentives legislation she sponsored eventually die. Along the way, she has made enemies with the Koch Brothers-funded Americans for Prosperity political committee, but she remains convinced a bigger film industry in Florida means jobs in a variety of sectors.

She notes the industry has been especially kind to the Sarasota area, where Ringling College of Art and Design just broke ground on a production facility. From familiar film work for actors and camera techs to indirectly supported industries like caterers, florists and a host of other work, a production can spread a substantial amount of wealth in a region. And while the average annual pay for jobs created by companies receiving state incentives runs around $44,000, that figure for the film industry is around $70,000. “It makes perfect sense to me.” 

But Detert wants more than incentives. In a “film reform package” she plans to introduce in session this year, she is expected to call for a substantial shift in operations for the Florida Film Commission, moving it out from the Department of Economic Opportunity and instead putting it under the auspices of Enterprise Florida. Among other changes, that would mean relocating the agency to Orlando. “I want to see an empowered film commissioner, and one who has a passion for the industry, who reaches our and brings film into Florida,” Detert says. 

Read more at SRQ Backlot

I’m always on the hunt for tasty and authentic Mexican fare. Sarasota has no shortage of great Italian restaurants but you have to search more closely to find the great Mexican joints. Recently, my roommate, Melissa, and I wandered into the strip mall on Tuttle and 12^th looking for lunch and we happened on Mariscos Azteca, which bills itself as a Mexican seafood restaurant. We were pleasantly surprised by the excellent, fresh pork tamales and crunchy shrimp empanadas and the Mexican-style tacos are delicious—I tried the Al Pastor (pork), which was seasoned perfectly and topped with cilantro and onion on a soft corn tortilla. At only $2.25 per taco, you can’t beat this deal for a quick lunch stop. A table full of regulars next to us ordered the Whole Fried Tilapia, which looked and smelled heavenly; I can’t wait to go back and try it. 

Mariscos Azteca, 1100 North Tuttle, 941-954-5500

PayServ Systems announced Allan McCall joined the firm as assistant vice president of Broker Relations to further develop a growing portfolio through strategic relationships with commercial brokers. McCall spent the last 3 years at Valek Insurance and Bonds and has worked in the insurance industry for over 40 years. 

PayServ Systems

Manatee County Schools’ Food and Nutrition Services department accepted the bronze Best Practice Award for Increased Expansion and Participation in the USDA Summer BreakSpot Challenge. The award was for sponsors who showed the greatest expansion in participation between 2014 and 2015 in summer feeding programs. The award was presented by USDA Food and Nutrition Services Southeast Regional Administrator Robin Bailey at the 2016 Summer BreakSpot Summer Partners Meeting held in Tampa.  

Manatee County Schools

Today, we're saluting pizza. The humble pie of takeout and a gourmet delicacy with a creative smattering of toppings. Both versions are delicious. And both have a cult-like following. Pizza may just be the most versatile food, and in some cases the quickest to pick up if you’re in need of a quick bite between busy weeknight or holiday plans.

So where do you, the readers of SRQ Daily, turn when nothing but the best will do. What's your favorite spot to order up a cheesy pie? Last year, Il Panificio took home the title of best slice in Sarasota in our annual Best of SRQ Local competition. Edging in as close finalists was Rico’s Pizzeria and Pasta House, receiving an honorable mention. Make sure to vote in our 2016 Best of SRQ Local Competition and while you’re at it, let us know your favorite ribs spot too!

Reader Robert Holzler let us know why Rico’s was his favorite, “Rico’s makes an awesome white pizza. It is literally the only pizza my wife will eat. We like taking the entire family because the kids can get single slices made just the way the want them and we don’t have to buy a different pizza for every member of the family.” Is your vote with Robert? Or are you a fan of somewhere different altogether? 

The 2016 Best of SRQ Local polls are open now through February 15th, 2016 at SRQMAG.com/bestofsrq. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite.