News Briefs

+ Rep. Holder to lead legislative subcommittee
Florida Rep. Doug Holder, R-District 70, will serve as chairman of the Legislature’s new Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee. House Speaker Dean Cannon chose Holder for that position.

The subcommittee will consider the state’s role in establishing a business-friendly environment, overseeing matters related to the state’s economic policies and its regulation and licensing of business and consumer-affairs programs.

“The scope of this committee will cover the most critical economic issues facing our state, and I am honored that the speaker has the confidence in me to serve as chair,” Holder stated after hearing the news. “I look forward to working with Vice Chair Brodeur and the other committee members to produce bi-partisan legislation that will support job creation and grow Florida’s economy.”

Holder will continue to serve as co-chair of the Congressional Redistricting Committee and as a member of the Economic Affairs, Redistricting, Health and Human Services and Rules and Calendar committees.

+ Sarasota sales fall 18% in July
The Sarasota Association of Realtors reported a sharp decline in the number of property sales last month.

There were 599 home and condo sales in July, which is down from 728 in June.

However, the 599 figure was 14% higher than the July 2010 figure.

In a sign the local real-estate market is improving, the total inventory of available properties fell to its lowest level in more than a decade.

Nearly 4,500 available homes and condos are currently on the market.

Meetings & agendas
• Development Review Committee — 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, Conference Room Two, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota

• Education Channel Open House — 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, Sarasota Technical Institute complex, 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota

• Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Business Card Exchange — 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, The King George Pub, 525C Superior Ave., Gulf Gate

• Planning Commission — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice