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TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed legislation Friday aimed at expanding public notice when road work is planned, but signed into law two dozen other measures including stricter regulation of controversial pain clinics.
Among the proposals approved are specialty license tags for "Endless Summer" and the Fraternal Order of Police, along with another provision easing state requirements for a planned "Hispanic Achievers" tag.
The governor also approved stricter tattoo regulations — prohibiting the inking of anyone under age 16, except for medical reasons. Those under age 18 seeking a tattoo would have to be accompanied by a parent or permanent guardian under the bill (HB 729), which also requires tattoo artists to be licensed by the state Health Department.
But Crist's veto Friday of a transportation bill drew the anger of Senate sponsor Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, who said the move was another sign of "this governor's bad judgment." Bennett said his proposal was designed to give businesses notice and a chance to protest if road access changes were planned that could affect them.
In his veto letter, Crist said the measure was flawed by failing to more precisely identify "affected property owners," and could lead to confusion.
"These businesses need to be protected," Bennett said. "But clearly this governor thinks he is smarter than 160 members of the Legislature."
Crist, however, drew praise from a longtime ally, Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, for approving legislation (SB 2272) that increases regulation for pain clinics and the physicians that own them or work there. Such facilities occasionally become "pill mills," freely dispensing prescriptions and used by drug abusers doctor-shopping for medication.
"One day soon, Florida will no longer be known as the pill mill capital of the South," Fasano said.
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