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Tallahassee Lawmaker Proposes Tax Credit For Hiring Ex-Felons

Rep. Ramon Alexander (D-Tallahassee).
Ramon Alexander website

Tallahassee’s newest lawmaker is pushing a corporate income tax break for businesses that hire ex-felons.

Tallahassee Democratic Representative Ramon Alexander wants to ease reentry for ex-felons by making it easier to get a job.  He’s partnering with Ocoee Democrat, and Senate Criminal Justice Chairman, Randolph Bracy to offer a work opportunity tax credit.  Under the proposal, most businesses can get a credit equal to 40 percent of the salary of up to five workers.  For minority owned companies the credit jumps to 50 percent.  The measure would take effect in 2018 and cover people hired within three years of their release from prison.

Nick Evans came to Tallahassee to pursue a masters in communications at Florida State University. He graduated in 2014, but not before picking up an internship at WFSU. While he worked on his degree Nick moved from intern, to part-timer, to full-time reporter. Before moving to Tallahassee, Nick lived in and around the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years. He listens to far too many podcasts and is a die-hard 49ers football fan. When Nick’s not at work he likes to cook, play music and read.