Minimum Wage Workers To Get Pay Raise Jan. 1
Several new laws take effect January 1, restricting this and cutting that, but one welcome law is an increase in Florida's minimum wage.
Watch CBS News
Several new laws take effect January 1, restricting this and cutting that, but one welcome law is an increase in Florida's minimum wage.
President Barack Obama is set to meet with Congressional leaders at the White House Friday to try and reach a compromise to steer the country clear of the looming fiscal cliff.
President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a bill banning Americans from adopting Russian children, part of a harsh response to a U.S. law targeting Russians deemed to be human rights violators.
The next time your boss complains that employees are simply not getting the job done, remind them it could always be worse; he could be in charge of Congress.
A memorial service is scheduled for Friday in Tampa to remember the life of former gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride.
In an effort to prevent a work stoppage at Florida's ports this weekend, Gov. Rick Scott held a conference call with port executives Thursday to discuss the impact of a possible strike.
From a political standpoint, 2012 proved to be another raucous year in South Florida. Amid echoes of, "Let people vote!" in our ears, with the images of long lines still haunting our memories, Florida was once again the center of attention.
A proposal filed Thursday would bar drivers under age 18 from using wireless phones or other communications devices while they are behind the wheel.
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Much of the talk over the next week will not center around the New Year or football, but instead on the so-called "fiscal cliff." It's a catch-all term that's being applied to a massive round of austerity and tax increases set to go into effect on January 1, 2013. But what exactly makes up the fiscal cliff? It starts with the so-called "Bush Tax Cuts" passed in 2001 and 2004. At the time, then-President George W. Bush pushed through two major tax hikes immediately after the government began running surpluses at the end of the Clinton administration. Bush's tax cuts dropped the rates for all Americans, though Democrats argue they disproportionately helped the wealthiest Americans the most. The tax cuts were set to sunset, or end, in 2010, but another deal between President Barack Obama and Republicans in Congress extended them to December 2012. If both parties can't agree on what to do about the tax cuts, the overall tax rates will revert to what they were in 2000 under President Clinton. According to CBS News, this would impact 88 percent of taxpayers with their taxes rising by an average of $3,500 a year. For a family making between $50,000 and $75,000 a year, the average tax bill would jump by $2,400. The loss of the extra revenue for the families would impact their spending power, which then would hamper businesses, which would turn and cut jobs to continue making profits. But the tax hike in overall rate isn't the only tax that will be impacted. A payroll tax cut was enacted in 2010 to help give the economy some stimulus, but both sides appear willing to let that tax cut expire and let payroll taxes rise by 2 percent in 2013. Tax hikes make up only half of the fiscal cliff. The other half is made up of deep spending cuts/austerity that could cripple the government and contractors nationwide. During the 2011 national debt crisis started by Congressional Republicans, a deal was finally struck to increase the nation's debt limit, but a sequester was put on the military and domestic spending. The sequester was put in place to try and spur government action. As part of the deal, both Republicans and Democrats put together a joint committee to seek trillions in deficit reduction. Republicans refused to allow any tax/revenue increases and Democrats balked at major changes to Social Security and Medicare. When both sides declared failure, the sequester kicked in. It imposes deep spending cuts to domestic discretionary spending as well as deep defense department cuts for military spending. Democrats oppose the discretionary spending and Republicans oppose the defense cuts. According to CBS News, budget cuts of 8-9 percent would hit most of the federal government, from law enforcement to the military to weather forecasting. Only a few areas, like Social Security benefits and Veterans affairs, will be spared the deep cuts. Still, the cuts would be phased in slowly over the next decade, which could help minimize the damage if they are not repealed in early 2013. Even if the nation goes off the "fiscal cliff," Congress can pass tax cuts in early 2013 and make them retroactive to any date they so choose. Congress can also choose to delay or cancel any spending cuts they wish. Some pundits believe this is the likeliest scenario to happen. Because Republicans refuse to allow any tax increases, the belief is that both parties will allow the country to go off the "fiscal cliff." At that point, President Obama can put together a massive tax cut package and send it to Congress. Neither party is likely to oppose a tax cut package, but Obama would have the ability to call for the cuts to be applied to only those making less than $250,000 or another similar level. Republicans and Democrats could quickly pass that measure and both sides could declare victory over the other. The tax rate damage would be averted, but both sides would have to deal with the spending cuts in the sequester. The depth of the spending cuts will likely depend on how much revenue is gained from the tax cuts. Cutting taxes for those below $250,000 and letting the others rise will generate significantly more revenue, which can help minimize the cuts to some degree. However, in exchange for allowing the cuts, Republicans may demand other cuts to programs to offset the overall cost of the cuts. It would create a problem because if Democrats balked at other cuts, Republicans may have to choose between voting against a tax cut, or allowing the cuts to go through without any offsets. One key element of any deal will be the debt ceiling. The last time Republicans wielded the debt ceiling as a weapon, the nation's credit rating was dropped for the first time in history and hit the economy hard. Treasury secretary Timothy Geithner said Wednesday the nation will hit its borrowing limit on December 31. Geithner and the Treasury Department will take "extraordinary" measures to allow the government to keep functioning for a few months. However, at a certain point, Geithner will run out of options. If Congress doesn't authorize a hike in the debt ceiling, the U.S. will default on its bills. This could cripple not only the U.S. economy, but also the global economy. President Obama wants a grand deal on tax cuts and everything to include a two-year automatic extension on the debt ceiling. Republicans have balked at this proposal and another showdown could be in the works in 2013. Republicans will want massive offsets in exchange for any hike in the debt ceiling, which Obama and Democrats are likely to oppose. It all sets up for a very hectic end of 2012 and beginning of 2013. In the middle of it all, a brand new Congress will be sworn in and have to deal with all of the issues immediately if no deal is struck before then, which is looking increasingly less likely. But what exactly makes up the fiscal cliff?
The state's crackdown on pill mill operations has led to the same types of clinics popping up in Georgia. The presence of painkillers and prescription drugs in the deceased declined in Florida last year, prompting state officials to declare victory.
The number of people asking for unemployment benefits last week dropped to the lowest level since March 2008, according to the Labor Department.
While much of the focus with the ongoing austerity crisis on Capitol Hill has been overall tax rates, both President Barack Obama and Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner have agreed on one tax principle: ending the payroll tax holiday.
Former President George H.W. Bush has seen his condition worsen in a Houston, Texas hospital, his spokesman said Wednesday. Jim McGrath said the former president's fever has progressively gotten worse over the last two days and called the fever, "stubborn."
President Barack Obama cut his vacation short Wednesday and returned to Washington to continue negotiations on the rapidly approaching fiscal cliff. But, even with that move, a growing number of Americans believe no deal will be reached and the blame is falling on the GOP.
The Florida Democrat who defeated Janet Reno for the party's gubernatorial nomination in 2002 but lost to Republican Gov. Jeb Bush will be remembered this week in Tampa.
Marco Rubio's tough approach toward Venezuela could influence U.S. policy as Trump's secretary of state.
Trump in a statement said the two will work to "dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies."
Waste Management wants to add another 100 feet to Monarch Hill Landfill.
Immigrants across South Florida are expressing growing anxiety over possible mass deportations, a campaign promise by President-elect Donald Trump.
But international travel continued to lag behind pre-pandemic levels.
Florida coach Billy Napier is getting a fourth season to try to get the Gators back to their winning ways.
A Florida man has filed a federal lawsuit against Jacksonville sheriff's officers who severely beat him last year after he ran from a traffic stop.
The Marion County Sheriff's deputy told authorities that he accidentally shot and killed his girlfriend while cleaning his gun.
The American Automobile Association said this is a dangerous time of year for young drivers.
Florida insurance companies made money last year for the first time in seven years.
Trump in a statement said the two will work to "dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies."
If Trump selects Rubio as Secretary of State, DeSantis would gain the power to appoint a temporary Senate replacement.
Control of the U.S. House rests on just over a dozen races where winners have not yet been determined.
The long-awaited ruling, related to presidential immunity, could have profound consequences for the case.
President-elect Donald Trump and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida were once political rivals.
Jim interviews Rosanna "Rosie" Cordero-Stutz who was elected this week as the sheriff of Miami-Dade; and Jim talks to the executive director of the Florida Women's Freedom Coalition about what's next for abortion in Florida.
Jim and his guests focus on the early voting numbers we are seeing locally and statewide, specifically the impact the huge Republican turnout thus far might have once all the votes are counted.
Jim sits down with key stakeholders in some of Florida's most contentious ballot initiatives.
Jim DeFede speaks to two individuals on both sides of legalizing recreation marijuana with Amendment 3.
Republican Rosanna Cordero-Stutz and Democrat James Reyes faced off for a debate as Miami-Dade's sheriff.
The packaging label omitted a key ingredient, prompting a Food and Drug Administration recall.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has long been used to combat compression sickness in divers. But at a hospital in Israel they're using it to address a very different malady - post-traumatic stress disorder - for military veterans and survivors of terror attacks.
Republicans' newly won control of the Senate may have buoyed Kennedy's odds of a role in the Trump administration.
Cheese processed at plant in Lena, Illinois, may be tainted by bacteria that can cause serious and fatal infections.
More than half a million smart electric space heaters recalled after 113 reports of overheating, federal agency says.
These gifts from Stanley, Apple, AllTrails and more won't bust your budget.
From top-rated smart mugs to cold brew starter kits, we've rounded up the coffee lover presents to gift this Christmas.
Just in time for the holiday season, Nintendo has released Nintendo Switch bundles and special editions.
For that authentic grilling experience, you can't beat a charcoal grill. We've rounded up the best grill options.
Discover the best tech gifts during the 2024 holiday season that your friends and loved ones will absolutely adore.
Miami-Dade is considering four possible sites, including two that are 2 miles or less from the city of Miramar.
A viral TikTok recipe that includes melting Jolly Ranchers landed a 9-year-old in the hospital with severe burns.
The American Automobile Association said this is a dangerous time of year for young drivers.
A string of recalls connected to Wisconsin-based supplier Schreiber Foods has now extended to Aldi stores after similar recalls at Hy-Vee and other grocery chains.
There are two sales tax holidays for hurricane supplies
Brown says performing never gets old.
Mattel apologizes for inadvertently directing people to pornography site instead of one promoting upcoming film.
For the second consecutive year, producer and songwriter Édgar Barrera leads the nominations.
"Sunday Morning" looks back on the life of a music giant: producer, composer and arranger Quincy Jones, who died last Sunday at age 91.
Judith Jamison, an internationally acclaimed dancer who later served as artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for two decades, has died at age 81.
