The Senate Transportation Chairman appears to be making good on his promise to make it easier for low-income people to keep their driving privileges.

In a state notorious for a lack of public transportation, losing a driver’s license usually means losing a job.

That’s why Republican Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg is backing a bill that would prevent the state from suspending a poor person’s license just because he can’t pay a fine.

Leon County Public Defender Nancy Daniels says the idea makes sense. If the bill passes, welfare recipients and anyone else who can document low income would have the option of performing community service.

“Many citizens are losing their drivers licenses in Florida for non-driving related activity and for poverty.”

Under the bill, a motorist’s unpaid fine would no longer jump 40 percent when it gets handed off to a debt collector.

And juveniles could no longer lose their licenses for non-driving related offenses like underage drinking and smoking.

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