Clay County Man Arrested on Charges of Child Pornography Possession

TALLAHASSEE, FL – A Clay County man has been taken into custody on charges
of child pornography possession after investigators with the Attorney
General’s CyberCrime Unit discovered multiple images of child pornography
in the man’s possession. Jeffery James Hartsell, 41, was arrested this
morning by law enforcement with the Attorney General’s CyberCrime Unit
with assistance from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. … Continue Reading

Attorney General to Give CyberSafety Presentation in Davie High School Tomorrow

To: Interested Media
Date: April 19, 2010
Subject: Attorney General to give CyberSafety Presentation in Davie high
school tomorrow

Members of the Media,

Attorney General Bill McCollum will give a CyberSafety Education
presentation to the students of Nova High School tomorrow afternoon.
Members of the media wishing to attend are encouraged to arrive early to be
cleared by school security prior to gaining admission and should report to
the school’s front office upon arrival. … Continue Reading

Statement by Rep. Luis R. Garcia, Jr. Regarding Republican Attempts to Misguide Floridians About The Reapportionment Process

The following is a statement from Representative Luis Garcia (D-Miami) regarding the despicable Republican attempts to misguide Floridians about the reapportionment process:

“As a proud Hispanic and member of the Florida Hispanic Caucus, I am extremely troubled by the late-session introduction of an amendment that will gut the protections for Hispanic voters that are contained in Fair Districts Amendments 5 and 6 on the November ballot. … Continue Reading

Statement by Governor Charlie Crist Regarding the Florida House’s Approval of the Compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida

“I want to thank Speaker Larry Cretul, Chairman Bill Galvano and the Florida House of Representatives for ratifying the compact with the Seminole Tribe and helping establish a more prosperous future for our children and our state. I look forward to signing this legislation that secures the immediate use of hundreds of millions of dollars that will directly benefit the people of Florida, as well as $1.2 billion during the compact’s first five years. This compact benefits both the tribe and our entire state by improving the quality of life for all Floridians.” … Continue Reading

House Passes Seminole Indian Gaming Compact

~Measure limits gaming, generates jobs, revenue~

TALLAHASSEE, FL – This afternoon the Florida House passed a gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe that limits gaming and its expansion in Florida and guarantees the state a minimum of $1 billion over five years. The House passed Senate Bill (SB) 622 by a vote of 74-39.

“For 20 years, Florida has been negotiating with the Seminoles on the issue of gaming. Governor Crist’s 2007 compact – which was invalidated by the Supreme Court – and the U.S. Department of Interior’s refusal to enforce the law placed the Legislature in a difficult position. I am proud that we were able to develop a compact that both limited gaming and brought the state more revenue than the prior proposed compacts,” said Representative Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton). … Continue Reading

Representative Adams Leads Move to Reinstate State Retiree Health Subsidy

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Representative Sandy Adams (R-Oviedo) issued the following statement regarding the reinstatement of the state retiree health care benefit subsidy under House Bill (HB) 5701:

“I am pleased to have worked in partnership with Speaker Cretul and Chairman Rivera in finding a solution that allows us to reinstate the state retiree health care benefit subsidy. While I recognize the need to study this issue further, I am happy we are not taking the broad brush approach originally contemplated in HB 5701.” … Continue Reading

Statement by Rep. Joe Gibbons on the Reapportionment Measures Proposed by the Legislature

State Representative Joe Gibbons (D-Hallandale Beach) offered the following statement:

“It is difficult to think of a right more hard-won than the ability of African Americans to vote and participate equally in elections. That is why it is crucial that we have minority protections, such as those expressed in the Fair Districts Amendments 5 & 6. … Continue Reading

Crist/Kottkamp Administrative Schedules – April 20, 2010

GOVERNOR’S SCHEDULE
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2010

11:45pm FINISH LINE RALLY FOR LAUREN’S KIDS “WALK IN MY SHOES 2010″
Location: Historic Capitol
Address: 400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399 … Continue Reading

Lt. Governor Kottkamp to Attend Leadership Orlando Class 79 Session

Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp will attend the Leadership Orlando Class 79 Session tomorrow, Tuesday, April 20, 2010. … Continue Reading

Governor Crist and First Lady Carole Crist to Host Governor’s Symphony Reception

Governor Charlie Crist and First Lady Carole Crist will host the Governor’s Symphony Reception, tomorrow, Tuesday, April 20, 2010. The event will benefit the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and the “Neighbors to the Rescue – Haiti Fund.” … Continue Reading

Governor Crist to Meet with Florida Keys Day Representatives

Governor Charlie Crist will meet with Florida Keys Day Representatives tomorrow, Tuesday, April 20, 2010. … Continue Reading

Governor Crist to Attend the Finish Line Rally for Lauren’s Kids “Walk in My Shoes”

Governor Charlie Crist will attend the Finish Line Rally for Lauren’s Kids “Walk in My Shoes 2010″ event tomorrow, Tuesday, April 20, 2010. … Continue Reading

Two Public Corruption Bills Earn Unanimous Passage Through Senate Committee Legislation Filed by Sen. Gelber Will Fight Public Corruption

TALLAHASSEE, FL – This afternoon, two bills sponsored by Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) combating public corruption were passed unanimously by the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice. … Continue Reading

Jeff Kottkamp For Attorney General: Kottkamp Receives Endorsements from Two More Florida Sheriffs

~21 of 28 Republican Sheriffs have endorsed Jeff Kottkamp~

TALLAHASSEE – Adding to his overwhelming support from Florida’s law enforcement community, Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp today announced two additional sheriffs have endorsed his candidacy for Attorney General. … Continue Reading

Bill McCollum For Governor: In Case You Missed It: 500,000 New Jobs For Florida

“Bill McCollum outlines his campaign’s economic plan”
ST. PETERSBURG TIMES
By Justin George … Continue Reading

Joe’s Non-Netbook Video Demonstrates Need for District Purchasing Flexibility for Technology

This video, Joe’s Non-Netbook, shows how our kids learn differently today. A book is NO LONGER enough. Our schools know that and want more. To reach Florida’s students and to prepare them for bright futures in the 21st century, global economy, we must continue to innovate and update our teaching tools. … Continue Reading

Governor Crist Commends Floridians for Buying ENERGY STAR Appliances

~ 72,700 rebates reserved within 36 hours ~

www.rebates.com/florida –     www.energystar.gov

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today commended Floridians who purchased ENERGY STAR appliances and reserved $17.5 million in rebate funds in the first 36 hours of the ENERGY STAR Appliance Rebate Program.  … Continue Reading

Holly Benson For Attorney General: Campaign Update: April 19, 2010

History will soon be made in a Federal courthouse in Pensacola, Florida.

Last week U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson and attorneys for the US Department of Justice and attorneys for the State of Florida hammered out a preliminary schedule to hear arguments on the case in which Attorney General Bill McCollum and attorneys general from 13 additional states are challenging the health care reform legislation recently passed by Congress. The schedule: … Continue Reading

Poor Quality Teachers May Prevent Children From Reaching Reading Potential, Study Finds

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – When it comes to early reading, a bad teacher can prevent children from reaching their full potential.

That’s the finding of a new Florida State University study published in the April 23 issue of the journal Science. The study, “Teacher Quality Moderates the Genetic Effects on Early Reading,” may put an end to a longstanding scholarly debate about the amount of influence teachers have on students’ reading achievement. … Continue Reading

House Passes Comprehensive Reforms To Provide Better And More Stable Care, Address Medicaid Fiscal Challenge

~Measure improves quality of care, results in reduced costs~

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Today the Florida House passed bi-partisan Medicaid reform measures that take advantage of a managed care model to improve care and provide significant savings to the rapidly growing Medicaid program. … Continue Reading