From the Desk of PSC Commissioner Lisa Polak Edgar: PSC Approves Stipulation for FPL Nuclear Cost Recovery

Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) by a 3 to 2 vote today approved Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) Motion of Stipulation and Deferral for nuclear cost recovery. The Stipulation allows the Commission to further investigate actual and proposed costs for the company’s nuclear projects while also protecting ratepayers.

Supported by the Office of Public Counsel and Florida Industrial Power Users Group, the Stipulation permits the Commission to determine prudence and reasonableness of FPL’s nuclear costs during nuclear cost recovery hearings next year. In January, a typical 1,000 kilowatt-hour FPL customer bill will reflect a monthly increase of 33 cents for carrying charges and other nuclear expenses. Costs recovered from ratepayers will be subject to refund pending further review. … Continue Reading

Statement by Governor Charlie Crist Regarding the French National Railroad Participation in the High Speed Rail Project

“I have been made aware of a concern that has been raised about a company and their participation in Florida’s High Speed Rail project and its involvement with the Holocaust during World War II. I, like many others, have been touched by the stories told of those tragic days in world history, and am personally offended by this latest information.

“Therefore, I have instructed our Secretary of Transportation, Stephanie Kopelousos, and her team to review these allegations and insure that all prospective participants in Florida’s High Speed Rail project strictly meet all the qualifications criteria under state and federal law. ”

CONTACT: GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394

Labor Day Message from Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo

As our nation takes time to honor the achievements of American workers this Labor Day, we at the Agency for Workforce Innovation applaud the more than 9.2 million dedicated men and women who compose the workforce of our great state. The resilience, the talent and the ingenuity demonstrated by Florida’s workforce and our business community are helping pave the road to economic recovery while well-positioning our state for the new decade ahead. … Continue Reading

Oakland Park Wins Florida Realtors® 2010 ENVY Award

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 3, 2010 – Oakland Park, a traditional neighborhood development between the historic towns of Oakland and Winter Garden in Central Florida, has won the 23rd Residential Environmental Award from Florida Realtors®. The award, popularly known as the ENVY, was presented at the state association’s recent 94th annual Convention and Trade Expo at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla.

2010 Florida Realtors President Wendell Davis noted the ENVY Award recognizes the one residential development – Oakland Park – that best preserves Florida’s natural quality of life. It has become a coveted award to win for builders of top-quality, environmentally responsible communities in the state. During the convention’s Awards Luncheon, Davis presented the award to representatives for Castle & Cooke, Oakland Park’s development company: John Rinehart, vice president of operations and Bob Hennen, vice president of sales and marketing. … Continue Reading

Florida Realtors® Awards $5K Scholarships to College-bound Students

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 3, 2010 – For three recent Florida high school graduates now starting college classes, their freshmen year may be a little easier thanks to the $5,000 state scholarship awards each received from Florida Realtors®. The students’ winning essays were written on the topic “How Does a Realtor Professional Benefit the Community?”

The state winners are Dominic DeLucchi of Pensacola, a 2010 graduate of Escambia High School; Kelly Haskins of Lakeland, a 2010 graduate of George Jenkins High School; and Jordan Bender of Lake Mary, a 2010 graduate of Seminole High School. … Continue Reading

Florida Realtors® Honors Award Winners at Convention: Cynthia Shelton Named 2010 Realtor of the Year

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 3, 2010 – Florida Realtors® recognized Cynthia Shelton, CCIM, CRE and CIPS, and the 2009 president of Florida Realtors, as 2010 Realtor of the Year. CCIM, CRE and CIPS are special designations awarded upon completion of required courses that provide additional training and expertise; they stand for Certified Commercial Investment Member, Counselor of Real Estate and Certified International Property Specialist, respectively.

The Realtor of the Year award – one of several – was presented at the state association’s recent 94th annual Convention & Trade Expo at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla. “All I can say is thank you,” a visibly surprised Shelton said upon accepting the award. “Aren’t you proud to be Florida Realtors?”

“Cynthia Shelton is an able and capable person who enables others,” 2010 Florida Realtors President Wendell Davis said upon announcing Shelton’s honor. … Continue Reading

Ron Sachs Communications Adds to Award-Winning Team with Four New Hires and Promotion

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Ron Sachs Communications recently added to its award-winning public relations team with four new professional staff hires and a staff promotion. These professionals bring a variety of experience to the Florida firm, which is routinely ranked among the top independent public relations firms in Florida and one of the top 100 firms nationally. … Continue Reading

Agency for Workforce Innovation and Workforce Florida, Inc. Release Joint Statement in Support of Workforce Development Month in Florida

TALLAHASSEE – Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo and Workforce Florida, Inc. President and CEO Chris Hart IV released the following joint statement today in support of the proclamation issued by Governor Charlie Crist recognizing September as Workforce Development Month in Florida: … Continue Reading

FSU Football Fans Advised to Make Early Arrival Part of Game Plan

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –– As the Florida State University Seminoles gear up for the first of seven home football games this season, FSU police are reminding football fans that their own game day strategy should include getting an early start to Doak Campbell Stadium.

The first home game will be Saturday, Sept. 4, when the Seminoles take on the Samford Bulldogs. Kickoff is at noon.

“Football fans should arrive early to enjoy pre-game activities and camaraderie, and, of course, to help keep traffic stress-free,” said FSU Police Chief David Perry. … Continue Reading

18 Florida companies to receive Governor’s Business Diversification Awards

Annual program honors outstanding contributions Florida’s economy

ORLANDO, FL (August 31, 2010) – Eighteen Florida companies representing 12 counties will receive 2010 Governor’s Business Diversification Awards for exceptional contributions they made last year toward statewide economic diversification. … Continue Reading

Real Estate Licensees Can Apply for Oil Spill-Related Claims with NCA

TALLAHASSEE—This week, Florida Realtors® secured damages for real estate sales associates and brokers who experienced loss of personal income as a result of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.   Florida-licensed real estate brokers can now file claims for economic damages through an industry-specific Web site, GulfREClaims.com.  NCA Claims Administration Professionals is processing these claims. … Continue Reading

Florida Realtors®: Real Estate Professionals Receive $16M Allocation from BP Oil Spill Fund

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 23, 2010 – Florida Realtors® and four other state Realtor organizations successfully negotiated with Kenneth Feinberg, administrator of the new Gulf Coast Claims Facility handling the British Petroleum (BP) Oil Spill Fund, for a special allocation for real estate professionals’ claims for loss of income or loss of sales due to the Gulf oil spill.

From the special allocation, $16 million is initially available to pay claims to real estate professionals in Florida. Along with other local businesses in the Gulf Coast states, real estate has experienced significant economic harm since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

“This is great news for Realtors and real estate professionals in Florida, as well as those in our neighboring Gulf Coast states, who are suffering from the loss of their livelihood because of the oil spill crisis,” said 2010 Florida Realtors President Wendell Davis, a broker with Watson Realty Corp. in Jacksonville. “Many real estate claims for loss of income due to the oil spill have been in limbo, leaving people with no way to pay their bills, take care of their families or keep their businesses going. Providing this special allocation is a positive, responsive action on Mr. Feinberg’s part — one that will help people move forward and reclaim their lives.” … Continue Reading

Florida’s Commercial Spiny Lobster Season Off To A Great Start

Supply is plentiful and demand is high, according to commercial fishing industry index

TALLAHASSEE — Early indicators are pointing to a good spiny lobster season, say Florida’s commercial fishermen who began harvesting the prized seafood delicacy earlier this month.

Florida’s commercial spiny lobster season opened August 6 and runs through March 31.  Spiny lobster is one of Florida’s top commercial seafood products in dockside value.  Ranking third behind shrimp and stone crab claws, Florida’s spiny lobster harvest was $13.2 million last season.  The bulk of the harvest comes from Monroe, Miami-Dade and Broward counties. … Continue Reading

Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Proposed Federal Water Mandates That Lead to Higher Consumer Costs

~New Mason-Dixon poll shows Floridians do not approve of the EPA’s proposed costly new water regulations or politicians who support them~

TALLAHASSEE— Driven by concerns over paying higher bills, Florida voters are overwhelmingly opposed to new federal water regulations for the state that would cost the average household an additional $700 per year and resoundingly reject candidates who support the rate-increasing mandates. A new poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research of 625 likely Florida voters shows that 61 percent of Floridians are against the water regulations if the regulations were to result in a $700 increase in their water bills.

“Floridians are deeply concerned about the economy and the impact it is having on their personal incomes,” said Brad Coker, managing director of Mason-Dixon Polling & Research. “It’s clear candidates who support these new water regulations risk the ire of 60 percent of Florida voters. The poll shows supporting these regulations is a loser for anyone trying to get elected or reelected.” … Continue Reading

The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Will Patrol College Towns in Preparation for School Year

TALLAHASSEE—Millions of students will be going back to school in August, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco will patrol college towns to prevent underage youth from obtaining alcohol.  From Aug. 9 through Aug. 22, ABT agents from around the state will focus their efforts on areas surrounding college campuses to ensure compliance with underage drinking laws and retailer compliance with alcoholic beverage sales. … Continue Reading

Kenya business reps matched w/ Fla. companies to boost exports

Goal is to boost Florida exports by connecting Kenyan buyers to Florida vendors

ORLANDO, FL (August 6, 2010) – More than 500 appointments with Florida building and construction vendors await a delegation of Kenya buyers from 8:30 a.m. -5 p.m. August 11-14 at the Marriott Biscayne Bay in Miami. … Continue Reading

US Senate & Gubernatorial Candidates Address Transportation Builders Today

~ Candidates share vision for Florida’s future with FTBA members at annual convention~

ORLANDO – Today, the Florida Transportation Builders’ Association (FTBA) welcomed gubernatorial candidates, along with current governor and US Senate candidate, Charlie Crist at the Association’s annual convention in Orlando where candidates outlined their respective transportation platforms. More than 400 FTBA members were addressed by gubernatorial candidates CFO Alex Sink (D), Attorney General Bill McCollum (R) and Rick Scott (R), as well as Independent US Senate candidate Governor Charlie Crist. On the heals of a tumultuous legislative session where multimillions of dollars were poised to be raided from the State Transportation Trust Fund, FTBA members focused on the gubernatorial candidates’ visions to protect the trust fund and Florida jobs. … Continue Reading

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation Issues First License Under New Law Helping Military Spouses

TALLAHASSEE—This week, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued the first license under a new law that helps military spouses get licensed to work in Florida.  The new law, passed during the 2010 Legislative Session and sponsored by Representative Ritch Workman and Senator Mike Fasano, makes it easier for spouses of active duty members of the Armed Forces who are transferred to Florida obtain a professional license. … Continue Reading

AWI Issues Guidelines for Customers Receiving Unemployment Compensation Extensions

Benefits being paid as scheduled; many customers can begin claiming weeks Monday
TALLAHASSEE – The Agency for Workforce Innovation began paying benefits this week to many Unemployment Compensation customers who were affected by recent federal legislation.  For details about the legislation, follow this link.

Payments for customers with continuing claims who are currently enrolled in the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program began on Monday, August 2.  Customers whose benefits had lapsed but may be eligible for EUC under the new law may begin claiming retroactive weeks beginning Monday, August 9.  Customers who may be entitled to payments under the Extended Benefits (EB) program can apply online or begin certification for retroactive EB weeks as necessary, beginning Monday, August 9, as well. … Continue Reading

Governor Crist Meets with South Florida Tourism Industry Leaders

~ Listens to recommendations for encouraging travel to Florida in wake of oil spill ~

www.visitflorida.com/floridalive =   www.visitflorida.com/fishing

FORT LAUDERDALE – Governor Charlie Crist today met with tourism and hospitality industry leaders in Fort Lauderdale to hear their recommendations for promoting Florida as a vacation and travel destination in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Although Florida has seen only sporadic sightings of tar balls on Northwest Florida beaches, tourism industry leaders have seen cancellations and declining reservations statewide. … Continue Reading