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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston (D-Fort Lauderdale) issued the following statement: “A legislative session is underway that holds the potential for significant bipartisan progress on many issues important to Floridians. Today, I read heartfelt remarks by House Speaker Will Weatherford acknowledging that his family has benefited from a Medicaid-funded safety net program. … Continue Reading
TweetGOVERNOR RICK SCOTT’S SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013 8:00am-9:00am STAFF AND CALL TIME Location: The Florida State Capitol Building Address: 400 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 9:00am-12:00pm CABINET MEETING Location: The Florida State Capitol Building Approx. 12:15pm-12:30pm POST CABINET MEETING MEDIA AVAILABILITY Location: The Florida State Capitol Building 2:30pm-3:00pm DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES DAY PRESS CONFERENCE Location: The Florida State Capitol Building (Second Floor, Rotunda) 3:00pm-3:45pm PHOTO OPPORTUNITY Location: The Florida State Capitol Building 3:45pm-4:15pm STAFF AND CALL TIME Location: The Florida State Capitol Building 4:30pm-5:30pm STAFF AND CALL TIME Location: The Governor’s Mansion Address: 700 North Adams Street Tallahassee, FL 5:30pm-6:50pm FLORIDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CAPITOL DAY RECEPTION Location: The Governor’s Mansion ### LT. GOVERNOR JENNIFER CARROLL’S SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013 9:30am-10:00am STAFF AND CALL TIME Location: The Florida State Capitol Building 10:00am-10:30am MEETING WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS Location: The Florida State Capitol Building 10:30am-11:00am STAFF AND CALL TIME Location: The Florida State Capitol Building 11:00am-12:00pm BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND MEETING Location: The Florida State Capitol Building 12:00pm-1:00pm STAFF AND CALL TIME Location: The Florida State Capitol Building 1:00pm-1:30pm 2013 PRUDENTIAL-DAVIS PRODUCTIVITY AWARDS BRIEFING WITH FLORIDA TAXWATCH Location: The Florida State Capitol Building 1:30pm-2:00pm STAFF AND CALL TIME Location: The Florida State Capitol Building 2:00pm-2:15pm MEET AND GREET WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION STUDENTS Location: The Florida State Capitol Building 2:30pm-2:45pm MEET AND GREET WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA STUDENT GOVERNMENT SUPREME COURT Location: The Florida State Capitol Building 3:00pm-6:00pm STAFF AND CALL TIME Location: The Florida State Capitol Building ###
TweetContact: Melanie Etters 850-414-7551
Melanie_Etters@apd.state.fl.us or
Jay Schleuning 850-443-5096
jay@arcflorida.org
Advocates Call on Lawmakers to Support Governor Scott’s Proposal To Fund the Waiting List
Tallahassee, Fla. —Floridians with developmental disabilities, their
families, friends and caregivers will gather at the Florida Capitol on
March 7 for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day 2013, co-sponsored by
the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC), The Arc of Florida,
and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). During a news
conference, supporters of individuals with developmental disabilities will
call on lawmakers to fund essential programs and services for individuals
with developmental disabilities, especially Governor Rick Scott’s budget
recommendation to provide additional funds for Florida’s waiver waiting
list.
The waiver waiting list is composed of more than 20,000 individuals with
developmental disabilities who have been waiting for services such as
supported employment, supported living, respite care, and transportation
services. Some individuals have been waiting for many years to enroll onto
the APD Medicaid waiver.
“We appreciate Governor’s Scott’s recommendation to provide $36 million for
the APD Medicaid waiver waiting list for the first time in eight years,
said Barbara Palmer, APD Director. “APD currently provides services to
about 30,000 individuals with developmental disabilities, and we look
forward to serving those on the waiting list who have the most critical
needs with this additional funding.”
Contact: Erin Gillespie
(850) 617-7737
Commissioner Putnam Announces Legislation to Protect Children from Becoming Victims of Identity Theft
New Legislation Would Allow Parents to Freeze Their Child’s Credit to Prevent Fraud
Tallahassee, FL –Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced legislation that would enable parents to protect their children from the growing crime of identity theft.
The legislation, introduced as SB 566 and HB 493, would require the nation’s three consumer reporting agencies to allow parents or guardians to open a credit record for their child and freeze it, preventing others from using that child’s personal information to open fraudulent accounts. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Nancy Detert and Rep. Heather Dawes Fitzenhagen.
At the press conference today to announce the legislation, Commissioner Putnam stood with a group of children and highlighted the growing problem of this crime. “Studies indicate that one out of every 10 children is a victim of identity theft.. That means one of these children in front of you will be a victim,” he said.
TweetContact:
Ryan Duffy, (850) 717-5618
Statement by Speaker Will Weatherford on His Family’s Personal Experience as Uninsured Floridians
Tallahassee, FL – The following statement was released today by House Speaker Will Weatherford regarding his personal experience as an uninsured Floridian.
“Yesterday, I spoke about the death of my brother Peter and my family’s personal struggles. The hospital bills that accumulated from the wonderful care Peter received were insurmountable. We did not have health insurance because we couldn’t afford it.
“In speaking with my father prior to sharing this story, he believed the safety net that supported us was as a result of private and government funded charity. He did not believe that we were enrolled in Medicaid. After being questioned further by a reporter, my father recalled signing paperwork that may have resulted in Peter receiving Medicaid assistance after his surgery.
“As a result, my family worked to verify exactly what form of the safety net helped us in our time of need. Today, we learned that Peter was covered under the Medically Needy program, which is a temporary month to month form of assistance, while at All Children’s Hospital.
TweetContact: Roy Miller (727) 224-7274
roywmiller@aol.com
Carolyn Eastman joins The Children’s Campaign as Communications Director
TALLAHASSEE FL—The Children’s Campaign is pleased to announce the addition of Carolyn Eastman as Communications Director for the agency. Eastman has served as communications officer for many of Florida’s leading public and private entities including: Tropicana Dole Beverages International, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Carlton Fields law firm. Her work has earned more than 30 awards of distinction in communications. Prior to joining the Campaign she served for twelve years as the Director of Communications for the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County- the county’s largest strategic grant maker for children-funding approximately 80 programs.
As Communications Director, Eastman will coordinate media relations, publications, electronic communication and external relations for the agency.
TweetFor more information:
Matt Walker, UF Law Communications
352-273-0650, mlwalker@law.ufl.edu
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – More than a year after the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, many legal, social and cultural questions raised by the case are still being discussed across the country. The Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations will analyze a number of these questions during the 10th annual CSRRR Spring Lecture, which will bring together experts from nine different departments at UF along with keynote speaker, New York Times op-ed columnist Charles Blow.
“At Close Range: The Curious Case of Trayvon Martin,” will take place March 20, at the University of Florida Levin College of Law in the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom, HOL 180. The panel presentations will be from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and Blow’s keynote lecture will be from noon – 1:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public and law school parking restrictions will be lifted in the green lots.
TweetContact:
John Lucas
Phone: 850.245.0150
john.lucas@myfloridalegal.com
Attorney General Bondi’s Office Executes Timeshare Resale Fraud Sweep and Sues Four Central Florida Companies
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office has sued four Central Florida timeshare resale companies for alleged deceptive and unfair trade practices. According to the lawsuits, A1 Marketing Unlimited, Access Travel Network, Inc., International Timeshare Exchange/Network, and Travel Buy Owner/CFL Ventures acted as telemarketers and used false promises to entice consumers to pay between $400 and $2,500 in up-front fees for advertising services to sell or rent their timeshares.
The Attorney General’s Office obtained immediate orders enjoining International Timeshare Exchange/Network, Travel Buy Owner/CFL Ventures, and the companies’ owners from operating the businesses and participating in any further timeshare resale activities. Further, the Attorney General’s Office obtained orders freezing the companies’ assets in an effort to preserve them for future consumer restitution.
“Making false promises and charging up-front fees for timeshare resales are blatant violations of the Florida Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Floridians should report this activity to my office immediately.”
TweetGood afternoon,
Our professional staff has reviewed the latest actuarial study from Milliman and derived from it the projected annual savings of the House Pension Reform bill (HB 7011). Please note, out year estimates cannot account for intervening variables and variations in assumptions, such as a change in investment strategy and earnings. Such variables and assumptions variations will affect the reliability of the estimates. Summary of the cost/savings analysis include:
* An estimated $9.8 billion in savings to taxpayers in 2042-43.
* An estimated $2.1 billion in savings to taxpayers in 2023-24.
TweetTALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office has sued four Central Florida timeshare resale companies for alleged deceptive and unfair trade practices. According to the lawsuits, A1 Marketing Unlimited, Access Travel Network, Inc., International Timeshare Exchange/Network, and Travel Buy Owner/CFL Ventures acted as telemarketers and used false promises to entice consumers to pay between $400 and $2,500 in up-front fees for advertising services to sell or rent their timeshares. … Continue Reading
TweetCONTACT: Tim Couet, 850-487-5017
PARCC ASSESSMENTS
Tallahassee, Florida, March 4, 2013 – Today the Florida Department of Education released the initial projected testing time for the PARCC evaluations. The PARCC evaluation is the testing mechanism intended to replace the FCAT in the near future to test the Common Core Standards. The Florida Department of Education determined that due to the thorough and more detailed nature of the PARCC that the testing time would increase by a net eight days.
“The key in understanding what the Department of Education released today is that the our state will move forward with implementing the Common Core Standards, but the testing mechanism we choose and the implementation of Common Core are two distinctly different things,” stated Senator Legg. “It is essential that our testing mechanism be one that doesn’t create undue burden for our teachers but remains effective showing that Florida’s children are learning and will be competitive in the world market. I look forward in working with Commissioner Bennett to ensure we have an evaluation system that is workable for our schools, teachers, and students.”
###
TweetEnterprise Florida announces proposals for 2013 Legislative session
ORLANDO, FL (March 6, 2013) – The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors has identified the following as economic development priorities for the Florida Legislature during its 2013 session.
· Removal of the QTI and QDSC per company award caps (Senate Bill 236/House Bill 4013) – This legislation would remove the per company cap for these programs and encourage companies to continue to invest in Florida and create additional jobs.
· Update of the Innovation Incentive Fund approval process – Mirroring the Innovation Incentive Fund approval process after the Quick Action Closing (QAC) Fund will allow for a much quicker response to competitive projects.
· Manufacturing machinery and equipment tax exemption (Senate Bill 518/House Bill 4013) – Reducing the productivity requirement simplifies the process and allows the manufacturer to focus on equipment purchases without worrying about qualifying for a sales tax exemption, and thus, making Florida’s manufacturing sector more competitive with other states.
TweetORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONER ENDORSES CORTES
Commissioner Jennifer Thompson, small business owner and long time Orange County resident, supports Cortes for House District 30.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2013 Contact: Matt Mohler
Phone: 850-222-8156
E-mail: mmohler@flstrategies.com
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Today, the Bob Cortes for State House Campaign announced the endorsement of Orange County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson. Thompson is the latest prominent local leader to publicly support Cortes, joining a group that includes former United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Hans Hertell, Orlando City Commissioner Tony Ortiz, Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger, former State Representative John Quinones, and former Seminole County Commission Chairman Fred Streetman.
“Bob has been leading our community for years now as city commissioner, a small business owner, and a parent,” said Orange County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson. “His strong work ethic and integrity make him the right man to stand up for us in the state legislature.”
TweetContact:
Jenn Meale
Phone: 850.245.0150
jennifer.meale@myfloridalegal.com
Attorney General Bondi Announces Legislative Priority to Protect Taxpayers’ Money from False Claims Against the Government
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—With the 2013 legislative session underway, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that one of her top priorities is a bill that will enhance Florida’s False Claims Act and better protect taxpayers from false or fraudulent claims seeking money from the State of Florida. She thanks Senator John Thrasher and Representative Dana Young for sponsoring Senate Bill 1494 and House Bill 935, which would strengthen the office’s ability to protect taxpayers by enhancing its investigative and prosecutorial authority, including giving the office the power to issue subpoenas in non-Medicaid cases.
“Expanding our subpoena power and updating this important law will allow us to better protect taxpayers’ hard-earned money by stopping unscrupulous individuals or companies that seek to defraud the government,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi.
TweetCONTACT: COURTNEY HEIDELBERG
(850) 617-3102
HIGHWAY SAFETY’S CYBER CHIEF GARNERS NATIONAL RECOGNITION
~ Magazine names Russo among Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers of 2013 ~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Government Technology magazine and the Center for Digital Government recently named the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Director of Cyber Security, Mike Russo, on its list of Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers of 2013. The annual Top 25 list acknowledges the hard work and innovative ideas that make our communities safer, more successful and better places to live. Government Technology features the announcement, along with a feature on Russo, on its website at http://www.govtech.com/top-25/.
“The Department is pleased to see Mike Russo recognized at a national level for the innovative work he has done for Florida’s law enforcement community and state government,” said DHSMV Executive Director Julie Jones. “The need for governments to enhance cyber security is growing by the day as thieves and fraudsters use more advanced techniques.”
Mike Russo
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
PRESS OFFICE
(850) 245-0413
SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS GET HELP TO DETERMINE RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR NEW COMMON CORE ASSESSMENTS
Tallahassee, Fla., March 6, 2013 – The Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) has announced a new planning tool and guidance for schools and districts that will help them get ready for new, 21st century assessments in the 2014-2015 school year. Florida is one of 45 states and three territories working to implement Common Core State Standards and one of 18 governing states leading the partnership’s assessment development effort. Florida also serves as PARCC’s fiscal agent.
While the new standards will be clearer and fewer, they call for students to have deeper understanding of what they learn. New assessments will be computer-based, use different techniques to measure learning, and ask students to apply what they have learned. Test items will resemble classroom work students do during the school year and will be less like a conventional fill-in-the-bubble or short-answer test. Examples of the item prototypes are on the PARCC website.
TweetTALLAHASSEE, Fla.—With the 2013 legislative session underway, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that one of her top priorities is a bill that will enhance Florida’s False Claims Act and better protect taxpayers from false or fraudulent claims seeking money from the State of Florida. She thanks Senator John Thrasher and Representative Dana Young for sponsoring Senate Bill 1494 and House Bill 935, which would strengthen the office’s ability to protect taxpayers by enhancing its investigative and prosecutorial authority, including giving the office the power to issue subpoenas in non-Medicaid cases. … Continue Reading
TweetCommissioner Adam Putnam Announces Legislation to Protect the Identity of Children 1 in 10 Kids Become Victims of Identity Theft Before Age 18 Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will announce legislation that will prevent children from becoming victims of the crime of identity theft. Commissioner Putnam will be joined by Sen. Nancy Detert and Rep. Heather Dawes Fitzenhagen, who are the two sponsors of the legislation, along with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Col. James Previtera and child advocate Jack Levine, of 4Generations Institute. … Continue Reading
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Sachs Media Group this week released its annual Capitol Press Corps Guide, the resource to find and connect with reporters who cover Florida from the capital city. The pocket-sized 2013 guide is a listing of all major news outlets in Florida that have capital bureaus, including contact information for individual reporters who cover issues of statewide importance. The 2013 guide includes reporters’ Twitter handles, recognizing the growing importance of social media in reporting. Supplies are limited. To request a hard copy, email herbie@sachsmedia.com.
