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SRQ DAILY Jan 25, 2016

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"We see high school graduation rates are not what it should be, and we are actively doing something to change that. That is why I like this kind of job. "

- Amy Farrington, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
 

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[Real Estate]  2015 Proves to be Banner Year

As expected, 2015 proved a record-setting year in Sarasota and Manatee counties in terms of units sold. Agents in the two-county region closed out the year with an all-time record of 20,691 in combined closed transactions, 1,302 sales above last year’s numbers, according to statistics released by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee. 

[Policy]  Buchanan Bill Changes SSN Reporting Rules
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Just as tax filing season opens nationwide, a new law drafted by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, and signed into law by President Barack Obama should start shielding many employees from identity theft by letting employers leave Social Security numbers off of W-2 forms. “This common-sense measure will help safeguard millions of Americans from the devastation of identity theft,” Buchanan said. “By limiting the use of Social Security numbers on tax forms, we can help keep hardworking Americans’ personal information out of the hands of criminals.”

The Taxpayer Identification Protection Act, a part of the tax extenders bill, becomes law at a time when tax-related identity theft has been on the rise. Theft of W-2 forms, often out of mailboxes, opens up many victims to problems as identity thieves misuse Social Security and other personal information found on the forms. Now, employers are only required to include the last four digits of a Social Security Number on the tax forms, which by law are recieved by all employees earning more than $600 in a year.

The Federal Trade Commission identified Florida as the state with the highest per capita rate of identity theft. Buchanan’s office reports that more than 800 complaints of such theft were filed in the Sarasota-North Port-Bradenton area alone. Treasury officials say senior citizens are particularly likely to be targeted by identity thieves, who can use information obtained on W-2s to file false tax claims. 

[Advocacy]  Farrington Focuses on Policy for Chamber
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Amy Farrington, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s newest vice president, is no stranger to the world of public policy. She previously worked as director of government affairs for the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, but also worked for the Florida House of Representatives and for the state Division of Elections. The attorney has lived in Sarasota since 2008, working most recently for ShelterBox USA, but now takes over as the Chamber’s vice president of Public Policy and Sarasota Tomorrow initiatives.

What are the top policy issues for the Chamber that you plan to address?  The Chamber covers state, county and city issues. We are following the state agenda with transportation funding. The business rent tax is a big issue; we are trying to reduce that. We do have a city priorities council that is looking at, issues like Bayfront 2020 and affordable housing for the city and city. We always look at transportation and transit issues, such as the Fruitville streetscape. We did support having the issue of moving the city election placed as a referendum to the voters; we haven’t picked if one side is good or bad, just that we should let voters decide. Right now at the county level, our focus is on the comprehensive plan update, which is where we are putting most of our efforts.

What drew you into Sarasota and to this job? My husband has lived here most of his life and has worked for Sarasota and for Manatee counties. With this job, I just happened to see it. I wasn’t even looking around for a job; I was at ShelterBox, which was a job I did love, in order to be a part of the solution. I should say that we are doing Sarasota Tomorrow, and that is all about being part of the solution. We see high school graduation rates are not what they should be, and we are actively doing something to change that. That is why I like this kind of job. 

[Exec Moves]  March Joins RE/MAX Platinum

Realtor Wendy March joined the Osprey office of RE/MAX Platinum Realty. A new homes specialist, she focuses on the abundant new construction in Sarasota and Manatee counties. March was previously with Neal Communities, one of the leading residential builders in the area. Prior to moving to Florida in 2009, she was a real estate agent with Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors in Hockessin, Delaware, specializing in the luxury real estate market.  

RE/MAX Platinum Realty

[Real Estate]  Shear Paradise Salon Buys Space

Shear Paradise Salon purchased 2,626 square feet of retail space on Destination Drive from the 3983 Destination company. The sale price was $400,000. Steven Larkin, an agent with Michael Saunders & Company, handled the transaction. 

Michael Saunders & Company

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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