Senator Wilton Simpson Opens District Office, Plans Canned Food Drive

CONTACT: Rachel Perrin Rogers, 850.487.5018

SENATOR WILTON SIMPSON OPENS DISTRICT OFFICE, PLANS CANNED FOOD DRIVE

Trilby, Fla. — Senator Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby) is pleased to announce the opening of his New Port Richey Office.

“The New Port Richey office is located at 5612 Grand Boulevard,” said Senator Simpson. “We’re hosting an open house on Saturday, December 1, from 10am – 1pm. I welcome constituents to drop in and meet myself and my staff.”

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Governor Rick Scott Appoints Three to the North Central Florida Regional Housing Authority

CONTACT: GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 717-9282
media@eog.myflorida.com

Governor Rick Scott Appoints Three to the North Central Florida Regional Housing Authority

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointments of Lannie D. Cardona, Scott Guthrie and Dale E. Soles to the North Central Florida Regional Housing Authority.

Cardona, 69, of Cedar Key, is the former executive director of the Nature Coast Business Development Council. He is appointed for a term beginning November 26, 2012, and ending November 26, 2016.

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RPOF: SHOCK: Florida Democrats Oppose Plan to Lower College Tuition Costs

SHOCK: Florida Democrats Oppose Plan to Lower College Tuition Costs
FLDems website insults college students seeking affordable degrees as “Wal Mart” shoppers

Backed by state education experts and business leaders from across Florida, Governor Rick Scott today announced a bold challenge to Florida colleges and universities to create an affordable college degree program that would offer Bachelor’s Degrees in certain fields for just $10,000.

“I am issuing a challenge to our state colleges to find innovative ways to offer a bachelor’s degree at a cost of just $10,000 in fields that will provide graduates with the best opportunity for employment.”
—Governor Rick Scott

Dr. William D. Law, Jr., President of St. Petersburg College, immediately accepted the Governor’s challenge and stood with Governor Scott to announce a pilot program at the school.

Florida Democrats immediately insulted college students or their families looking to save money on tuition by comparing the plan with the low cost business model of Wal Mart and making the condescending claim that low-cost college degrees are nothing more than a “gimmick.”

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Governor Rick Scott Appoints Carey Baker as Lake County Property Appraiser

CONTACT: GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 717-9282
media@eog.myflorida.com

Governor Rick Scott Appoints Carey Baker as Lake County Property Appraiser

Tallahassee, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott today announced the appointment of Carey L. Baker as Lake County Property Appraiser.

Baker, 49, of Eustis, is the Lake County Property Appraiser-elect. He is currently serving as a First Sergeant in the Army National Guard. Baker served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000-2004 and the Florida Senate from 2004-2010. He was awarded “Senator of the Year” in 2009 by the Florida Association of Property Appraisers.

He will fill a vacancy created by the death of Ed Havill and is appointed for a term beginning November 26, 2012, and ending January 7, 2013.

# # #

Gov. Scott Announces Six Additional Colleges Accepting “Governor’s $10,000 Degree Challenge”

CONTACT: GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 717-9282
media@eog.myflorida.com

Gov. Scott Announces Six Additional Colleges Accepting “Governor’s $10,000 Degree Challenge”

ORLANDO – Today, Governor Rick Scott was joined by college leaders at Valencia College to announce that six additional colleges have accepted the “Governor’s $10,000 Degree Challenge,” including Valencia College, Santa Fe College, College of Central Florida, Daytona State College, Seminole State College of Florida and Broward College. Earlier in the day, the Governor announced the challenge and that St. Petersburg College was the first to agree to create a $10,000 degree program.

Governor Scott said, “I am issuing a challenge to our state colleges to find innovative ways to offer a bachelor’s degree at a cost of just $10,000 in fields that will provide graduates with a great opportunity for employment. As a former community college student myself, I know how important it is for us to keep costs low while increasing skills training and career readiness for students. Working with the Florida Legislature, this $10,000 degree challenge will undoubtedly jumpstart the dreams of many Floridians. We are excited to see a total of seven Florida colleges already stepping up to the plate to enter the challenge and support the future of Florida families – and I’m hopeful even more colleges will step up to meet the challenge.”

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Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. Offers Research-Based Verticy Learning Reading Program at Paladin Academy in Florida

Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. Offers Research-Based Verticy Learning Reading Program at Paladin Academy in Florida

(Pembroke Pines, FL, November 26, 2012) — Nobel Learning Communities, Inc., a network of U.S. private schools, announced that it has purchased the Verticy Learning program for students at its Paladin Academy school for students with mild learning differences. Paladin Academy, located in Pembroke Pines, Florida, will participate in Verticy Reading, a research-based phonics and spelling program.

Verticy follows the Orton-Gillingham instructional approach –- the gold standard for teaching students who struggle to read. The Verticy curriculum was developed collaboratively between Calvert Education Services and the renowned Jemicy School, and is operated by Calvert Education Services, a nonprofit subsidiary of the Calvert School in Baltimore.

“Verticy is a tremendously powerful program that helps struggling readers become successful readers, as shown by outside research,” says Richard Rasmus, CEO of Calvert Education Services.

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Digital Instructional Materials Work Group to Hold Next Meeting Via Webinar

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
PRESS OFFICE
(850) 245-0413

DIGITAL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WORK GROUP TO HOLD NEXT MEETING VIA WEBINAR

Tallahassee, Fla., November 26, 2012 – The Digital Instructional Materials Work Group will hold their next meeting via webinar tomorrow. During the webinar, the work group will discuss moving to digital instructional materials with representatives from the Florida Association of District Instructional Materials Administrators.

WHAT: Digital Instructional Materials Work Group Webinar

WHEN: Tuesday, November 27, 2012
10:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time

CALL-IN NUMBER: (888) 670-3525 Toll Free or (720) 389-1212

ACCESS CODE: 686 559 9751

To join the online meeting, go to https://suncom.webex.com/suncom/j.php?ED=162263227&UID=1280024482&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D and click “Join.”

For more information, visit Digital Instructional Materials Work Group.

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About the Florida Department of Education: The department’s mission is to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient education system by providing them the chance to expand their knowledge and skills through world-class learning opportunities. Serving more than 3.5 million students, 4,200 public schools, 28 colleges, 188,000 teachers, 47,000 college professors and administrators, and 318,000 full-time staff throughout the state, the department enhances the economic self-sufficiency of Floridians through programs and services geared toward college, workforce education, job-specific skills, and career development. Florida ranks first in the nation for teacher quality, first in the nation in advanced placement participation, and first in the southern region for graduation rate and degrees awarded by the Florida College System. For more information, visit www.fldoe.org.

President Gaetz Announces Key Senate Leadership Positions

CONTACT: Daniel Dawson, (850) 487-5184

PRESIDENT GAETZ ANNOUNCES KEY SENATE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Names Majority Leader and Deputy Leader

Tallahassee – Florida Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) today announced key members of his leadership team. President Gaetz named Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (R-Ft. Myers) as Majority Leader and Senator Tom Lee (R-Brandon) as Deputy Leader and Whip.

Senator Benacquisto, Majority Leader
“As Majority Leader, Senator Benacquisto will be responsible for working with members of the Republican Caucus to ensure the Florida Senate advances an agenda that keeps taxes low, removes burdens to private sector job creation, and works to further bind investments in education to the realities of today’s economy,” said President Gaetz. “Her previous experiences in local government and in the private sector, as well as her reputation for building consensus in the Florida Senate, make Senator Benacquisto a natural choice for this important position.”

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Florida College System Responds to Governor’s $10,000 Degree Challenge

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
PRESS OFFICE
(850) 245-0413

FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR’S $10,000 DEGREE CHALLENGE

Tallahassee, Fla., November 26, 2012 – Today at colleges in St. Petersburg and Lake Nona, Florida, Governor Rick Scott challenged Florida’s state colleges to create bachelor’s degree programs that cost no more than $10,000, in what he hopes will be Florida’s response to the problem of rising college costs and student debt. A number of presidents of Florida College System institutions stepped up to answer his call.

“As the primary access point to higher education in Florida, the Florida College System stands ready to meet the needs of our state. A $10,000 bachelor’s degree from one of our institutions provides students with access to high quality, affordable degrees in critical workforce areas,” said Randy Hanna, chancellor of the Florida College System.

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Teacher and Leader Preparation Implementation Committee to Hold Meeting in Leesburg

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
PRESS OFFICE
(850) 245-0413

TEACHER AND LEADER PREPARATION IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE TO HOLD MEETING IN LEESBURG

Tallahassee, Fla., November 26, 2012 – The Race to the Top Teacher and Leader Preparation Implementation Committee will meet tomorrow and Wednesday, November 27 and 28, 2012, in Leesburg.

On Tuesday, the committee will analyze teacher preparation program accountability data and recommend performance targets. On Wednesday, the committee will review the current approval process for educational leadership preparation programs, and discuss data needed to assist in making recommendations for an accountability model.

The committee represents Florida’s diversity in culture, community and region, and consists of postsecondary representatives, teachers, principals, district administrators, superintendents, and school board members.
The meeting will be available for viewing via webcast at www.fldoe.org and at http://www.fldoe.org/committees/tlp.asp.
WHAT: Race to the Top Teacher and Leader Preparation Implementation Committee

WHEN: Tuesday, November 27, 2012
12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012
8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Lake-Sumter State College
Everett E. Kelly Convocation Center
Magnolia Room
9501 U.S. Hwy 441
Leesburg, Fla.

For more information about the committee and its continuing work, visit Teacher and Leader Preparation Implementation Committee.

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About the Florida Department of Education: The department’s mission is to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient education system by providing them the chance to expand their knowledge and skills through world-class learning opportunities. Serving more than 3.5 million students, 4,200 public schools, 28 colleges, 188,000 teachers, 47,000 college professors and administrators, and 318,000 full-time staff throughout the state, the department enhances the economic self-sufficiency of Floridians through programs and services geared toward college, workforce education, job-specific skills, and career development. Florida ranks first in the nation for teacher quality, first in the nation in advanced placement participation, and first in the southern region for graduation rate and degrees awarded by the Florida College System. For more information, visit www.fldoe.org.

Florida House of Representatives’ Committee Assignments for the Upcoming Legislative Session

MEMORANDUM

To: Members of the Florida House of Representatives

From: Will Weatherford, Speaker

Date: November 26, 2012

Re: Committee Membership

Pursuant to House Rule 7.5, please find attached the committee assignments for the upcoming Legislative Session. With input from Members, I have made committee and subcommittee assignments that align your talents and experience with the policy needs of our state. I look forward to getting started during the upcoming interim committee week.

House_Committee_Assignments

POWERBALL® Excitement Sours with Record $425 Million Jackpot

MEDIA CONTACT:
FLORIDA LOTTERY COMMUNICATIONS
(850) 487-7727

POWERBALL® EXCITEMENT SOARS WITH RECORD $425 MILLION JACKPOT
~ Lottery Players will be Lining up Nationwide to make History with Wednesday Night’s Draw ~

TALLAHASSEE – History will be made Wednesday night when millions of players vie for the biggest POWERBALL® jackpot ever offered by the game. Wednesday’s estimated $425 million jackpot is currently the largest in the world, and is generating excitement among both the game’s loyal players as well as many who will be playing for the first time.

“We are thrilled that this series of POWERBALL jackpot rollovers has generated approximately $45 million in unanticipated revenue for education in our state,” said Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell.

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Are You the Newest Millionaire? Second Million-Dollar-Winning Ticket Selected in the 25th Anniversary Millionaire Raffle™

CONTACT: LOTTERY COMMUNICATIONS
(850) 487-7727
WWW.FLALOTTERY.COM

ARE YOU THE NEWEST MILLIONAIRE? SECOND MILLION-DOLLAR-WINNING TICKET SELECTED IN THE 25th ANNIVERSARY MILLIONAIRE RAFFLE™

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Lottery today held the second of seven drawings in the 25th Anniversary MILLIONAIRE RAFFLE™, which offers the best odds of winning $1 million among all Lottery games currently on sale! The one-million-dollar-winning ticket number and the location where the ticket was purchased are listed below. Fifty other players won $1,000, and all of the winning numbers are available on the Florida Lottery website at www.flalottery.com.

Ticket Number: 0125079
Retailer: Publix
Address: 12100 S.W. 127th Avenue
City: Miami

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University of Florida Receives Funds for Human Rights Program in Colombia

For additional information:
Jon Mills, Tim McLendon, 352-273-0835
Dr. Phil Williams, 352-273-4703
Dr. Pilar Mendoza, 352-273-4309

University of Florida Receives Funds for Human Rights Program in Colombia

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida faculty, led by the Levin College of Law, the Center for Latin American Studies and the College of Education, will spend the next three years working with two universities in Colombia to enhance the human rights programs at their law schools.

UF will receive nearly $757,200 from the U.S. Agency for International Development through Higher Education for Development to create the Colombian Caribbean Human Rights Center, which will build capacity in human rights among two Colombian Caribbean law schools through rigorous interdisciplinary research, education and community service with emphasis on serving vulnerable populations.

The center will assist regional law schools in training future legal practitioners with knowledge on national and international human rights standards, the skills to support human rights reform in Colombia, and in enhancing outreach initiatives to better serve minorities, displaced persons and other vulnerable populations.

“The faculty at the colleges of law and education, and at the Center for Latin American Studies, possess great depth in international law, human rights and experiential learning,” UF Law Dean Robert Jerry said, “and are very well suited to achieve the goals of this ambitious program.”

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New UF campus at Lake Nona enhances medical, economic impact in region, nation

From the University of Florida
News Desk, newsdesk@ufl.edu
352-392-0186, fax 392-3358
101 Tigert Hall / Box 113075
Gainesville, FL 32611-3075
See ‘Resources for Reporters,’

http://news.ufl.edu/reporters/,

for useful information and links.

New UF campus at Lake Nona enhances medical, economic impact in region, nation

WHAT: A new University of Florida research and education center brings to the Orlando area vital research on new therapies and cures, increased opportunities for participation in clinical research and enhanced access to graduate pharmacy education. The UF Research and Academic Center at Lake Nona will officially open Nov. 30.

The $53 million, roughly 106,000-square-foot facility extends UF’s presence into the greater Orlando area through a variety of colleges, institutes and centers, including the UF College of Pharmacy, UF College of Medicine, UF Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, UF Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology, UF Institute on Aging and UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 30
1 p.m.: Media tours featuring faculty from various research and education programs
6:30 p.m.-7:15 p.m.: Grand opening ceremony kicks off with cocktail reception
7:15 p.m.-7:20 p.m.: Ribbon cutting
7:30 p.m.-7:50 p.m.: Remarks

Speakers:
· Bernie Machen, president, University of Florida
· Winfred M. Phillips, UF senior vice president and chief operating officer
· Rasesh Thakkar, senior managing director, Tavistock
· Dr. Daniel P. Kelly, scientific director, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute at Lake Nona and professor, Diabetes and Obesity Research Center, Cardiovascular Pathobiology Program
· Dr. David S. Guzick, UF senior vice president for health affairs and president, UF&Shands Health System
7:50 p.m.-9 p.m.: Reception and building tours

WHERE: 6550 Sanger Road, Lake Nona, Florida

CONTACT: RSVP by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, to Melanie Ross at 352-273-5810 or mross@ufl.edu.

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Florida TaxWatch Statement on Online Sales Tax and Cyber Monday

Florida TaxWatch Statement on Online Sales Tax and Cyber Monday

TALLAHASSEE- A statement from Florida TaxWatch President & CEO, Dominic M. Calabro:

“As today is “Cyber Monday,” many Floridians will flock to the online shopping world, and in many cases, will see a zero next to the “sales tax” number at checkout. Florida TaxWatch would like to remind all Florida shoppers that while out-of-state retailers do not collect this tax on behalf of the state, Florida law still imposes the tax on such purchases and it’s the responsibility of the consumer to pay it. Unfortunately, countless Florida employers are operating at a significant disadvantage because of out of state companies benefiting from this tax evasion, and we encourage the Legislature to remedy this imbalance during the upcoming Legislative Session, and use the proceeds from proper collection to offset another tax that is currently imposed on Florida businesses and consumers.”

CONTACT: Chris Barry, Communications Coordinator, cbarry@floridataxwatch.org 850.222.5052

Gulf Consortium Meeting to be held in Sarasota County

Contact:
Cragin Mosteller, (850) 294-9307

Gulf Consortium Meeting to be held in Sarasota County
-Florida’s Gulf Coast counties are joining together to ensure resources made available through the RESTORE Act are invested locally-

TALLAHASSEE – On Wednesday, November 28, 2012 a meeting of the Gulf Consortium will be held in Sarasota County, Florida starting at 9:00am Eastern. Florida’s Gulf Coast counties are continuing the implementaion process for the Gulf Consortium. The Consortium is committed to using the resources made available through the RESTORE Act in a way that is transparent and open to Florida’s citizens and ensuring that these dollars are invested locally for long term economic and environmental recovery.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012
9:00a.m. – 11:00a.m EDT
Hyatt Regency Sarasota
Room: Sarasota EF
1000 Boulevard of the Arts
Sarasota, FL 34326

Media and the general public are invited to attend.

The 21 members of the Gulf Consortium are: Bay, Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Escambia, Gulf, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Monroe, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Santa Rosa, Taylor, Wakulla and Walton.

For more information on the Gulf Consortium please visit www.FACRestore.com

State Surgeon General to Host Symposium on Crisis and Risk Communications in Public Health

Contact: DOH Communications
Jessica Hammonds, Press Secretary
(850) 245-4111

STATE SURGEON GENERAL TO HOST SYMPOSIUM ON CRISIS AND RISK COMMUNICATIONS IN PUBLIC HEALTH

Tallahassee – On Wednesday, November 28, State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong, MD, FACS will participate as part of a panel with community leaders to discuss crisis and risk communications as it relates to public health, and to determine how best to fulfill information needs when challenges to public health emerge. Panelists include:

Kenneth Covington, Co-Chair of the Jacksonville Community Tuberculosis (TB) Coalition
Mike Clark, Editorial Page Editor of The Florida Times-Union
Dr. Dawn Emerick, President & CEO of the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida
Shannon Hartsfield Salimone, co-chair of Holland & Knight’s Data Privacy and Security Team and Regulatory and Litigation Leader for Healthcare & Life Sciences Team

The panel discussion will be moderated by Judi Spann, Senior Director, Communications and Marketing of Compass Management and Consulting.

WHAT: Florida Department of Health’s Surgeon General Symposium on Crisis and Risk Communications in Public Health

WHEN: 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. EST – Wednesday, November 28, 2012

WHERE: Florida State College at Jacksonville, Kent Campus

Room F-128
3939 Roosevelt Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205

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PSC Approves Nuclear Cost Recovery for FPL and PEF

CONTACT: (850) 413-6482

PSC Approves Nuclear Cost Recovery for FPL and PEF

TALLAHASSEE — To help secure a diversified and stable energy future for Florida, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved cost recovery amounts for construction of planned nuclear generating plants and additions to existing nuclear plants for Progress Energy Florida (PEF) and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL).

PEF’s approved recovery of approximately $143 million includes costs associated with construction of its proposed nuclear power plant, Levy Units 1 and 2, and adding capacity to its existing Crystal River 3 (CR3) nuclear generating plant. CR3 recovery includes only prudent 2011 uprate costs, since the Commission approved PEF’s motion to defer 2012-13 CR3 project cost recovery to next year. When completed, PEF’s nuclear projects are projected to add approximately 2,380 megawatts (MW) of new nuclear base load generation to its system, enough energy to power 1.3 million homes.

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Florida League of Cities Financial Services Trusts Honored by Government Finance Officers Association

CONTACT: Teresa Colvin
tcolvin@flcities.com/ (850) 222-9684

Florida League of Cities Financial Services Trusts Honored by Government Finance Officers Association
Trusts Awarded Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the Florida Municipal Loan Council, the Florida Municipal Pension Trust Fund and the Florida Municipal Investment Trust by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).

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