Governor Rick Scott Appoints John O’Rourke to Florida Prepaid College Board

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of John G. O’Rourke to the Florida Prepaid College Board.

O’Rourke, 61, of West Palm Beach, has been the president of J.G. O’Rourke and Associates since 2009. Previously, he was senior vice president and chief financial officer of The GEO Group Inc. from 1991 to 2009. A 20-year career officer with the United States Air Force, he has served on the Board of Directors for Boys Town of North Florida since 2009 and previously served on the board for Boys Town of South Florida for three years. O’Rourke received a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University, a master’s degree from the University of North Dakota and is a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College. He succeeds Anthony C. Krayer and is appointed for a term beginning February 3, 2012, and ending June 30, 2014.

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Florida House of Representatives Approves State Legislative and Congressional Maps

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida House of Representatives today approved House, Senate and Congressional maps after receiving thousands of suggestions from Floridians from across the state. Floridians joined House members throughout the eight-month process in helping to produce maps that meet state and federal redistricting standards.

“The House, Senate and Congressional maps passed by the House of Representatives are the product of many months spent talking to Floridians about what they want to see in the maps that form Florida’s districts for the next decade,” said House Speaker Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park). “I commend Chairman Weatherford and the Members of the Redistricting committee and subcommittees for making this the most open and transparent redistricting process in Florida’s history.

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Statement by Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner on House Passing Redistricting Plans

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, released the following statement today regarding the Florida House passing redistricting plans:

“I’d like to thank House Reapportionment Committee Chairman Will Weatherford for his hard work and steady leadership resulting in today’s passage of the redistricting plans.

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Representative Geraldine Thompson Outraged Over Rejection of Gaming Amendment Concerning Minority, Women and Veteran Business Enterprises

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Earlier today, House Bill 487, a bill that would grant casino licenses to major developers, was declared by its sponsor to be defeated for the year. Regardless, Representative Geraldine Thompson (D-Orlando) has raised concerns about the treatment of an amendment she offered that would have ensured participation for minority, women and veteran business enterprises should resort destinations ever be built in Florida.

Representative Thompson issued the following statement:

“In an effort to provide hope and help to populations in Florida that have historically been left out of economic opportunities in the state, I offered an amendment to House Bill 487 that would have established a 30-percent participation goal for minority, women and veteran business enterprises if resort destinations are built here. The goals would have involved veterans, minorities and women in the construction, development, and provision of goods and services to the resorts.

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Attorney General Bondi’s Statement on Decision to Postpone Consideration of Mega Casino Resort Bill

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Attorney General Pam Bondi issued the following
statement in regards to the decision by the House of Representative’s
Business and Community Affairs Committee to postpone consideration of the
mega casino resort bill.

“Allowing casino gambling to pervade Florida would compromise the safety of
our communities and destroy the character of our family-friendly state. I
hope that the decision to postpone consideration of the mega casino resort
bill is an indication that our leaders will not allow the expansion of
gambling in Florida.”

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Governor Rick Scott’s Weekly Radio Address

MEMORANDUM

DATE: February 3, 2012

TO: Interested Media

FROM: Brian Burgess, Communications Director
Executive Office of the Governor

RE: Governor Rick Scott’s Weekly Radio Address

Attached please find Governor Rick Scott’s weekly radio address. Learn more about Governor Scott’s work to bring jobs to Florida by eliminating job-killing regulation, holding government accountable and making sure Florida has the best educated workforce.

Click here for the video version of the Weekly Radio Address.

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Governor Rick Scott Appoints Two to Florida Elections Commission

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointments of Leslie Scott Jean-Bart and Barbra A. Stern to the Florida Elections Commission.

Jean-Bart, 39, of Jacksonville, has practiced law with Farah and Farah P.A. since 2001. Her community involvement includes serving on the Better Jacksonville Plan Citizens Oversight Committee from 2001 to 2005 and on the Florida Justice Association Board of Directors since 2010. Jean-Bart received bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Miami. She succeeds William Hollimon and is appointed for a term beginning February 3, 2012, and ending December 31, 2015.

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Statement by Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson Regarding House Mega-Casino Gambling Bill

“The Florida Chamber of Commerce would like to commend Rep. Erik Fresen, Chairman Doug Holder and the members of the House Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee for effectively closing the books on this year’s distracting mega-casino debate. For all intents and purposes, today’s decision to postpone consideration of the gambling legislation is a decision to let what happens in Vegas stay in Vegas and frees up the Florida Legislature to address critical issues facing our state.

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AIF Statement re: House BCA TP of Destination Resorts Bill

Statement By:
Brewster Bevis, Vice President of External Relations, Associated Industries of Florida
Regarding the House Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee’s
Decision to Temporarily Postpone Destination Resorts Legislation

“Since its founding, Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) has advocated for policies that are in the best interest of Florida’s businesses. And, since this economic downturn began, our focus has been on helping the business community create jobs so more Floridians can get back to work.

The construction and operation of three Florida destination resorts will open up employment opportunities for nearly 100,000 Floridians, helping us move almost 10 percent of the state’s jobless off the unemployment rolls. Destination resorts will also bring a minimum $6 billion in up-front, private-sector investment that will help jumpstart our economy. Additionally, this proposal will add strong regulation to Florida’s gaming structure and result in a net reduction in slot operations in the state. … Continue Reading

Benacquisto Aims to Strengthen Accountability in Abuse Reporting

Senate Bill 1816 Unanimously Passes its First Committee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Ft. Myers, is the sponsor of a bill to protect children from abuse by strengthening the law requiring adults to report abuse they witness occurring. Senate Bill 1816, Protection of Vulnerable Persons, made progress this week when it passed unanimously from the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. … Continue Reading

Fourth District Court of Appeal’s Denial to Certify Important Foreclosure Investigation Case for Florida Supreme Court Review

MEMORANDUM
*Revised: Please note that there are currently seven pending investigations
into law firms for possible misconduct in foreclosure cases.

Date: Feb. 2, 2012

To: Interested media

From: Jenn Meale, Communications Director for the Attorney General’s
Office

Re: Fourth District Court of Appeal’s Denial to Certify Important
Foreclosure Investigation Case for Florida Supreme Court Review

On Feb. 1, 2012, the Fourth District Court of Appeal denied the Office of
the Attorney General’s request to certify that its recent decision in Law
Offices of David Stern, P.A. v. State of Florida passes upon a question of
great public importance. The Fourth DCA’s denial of the request for
certification means that the Attorney General’s Office is now precluded
from seeking any further review of the decision in Stern.

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Florida PSC Enhances Public Access and Participation in PEF Settlement Agreement Process

TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) will consider the Progress Energy Florida (PEF) Settlement Agreement (Agreement) proposing January 2013 rate changes on February 20 to accommodate the utility’s request for an expedited review. Because of PEF’s broad Agreement requests, the PSC is taking additional steps to ensure an open and transparent public process.

“Public participation is always an integral part of the PSC decision-making process,” said PSC Chairman Ronald A. Brisé. “Because of the unprecedented nature of this particular case, we are taking extraordinary steps to ensure the public has the opportunity to provide input in the PSC process of reviewing this Agreement.”

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Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater Regarding Settlement with Prudential Insurance Company to Return Unclaimed Dollars to Floridians

TALLAHASSEE— Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today released the following statement regarding Florida’s settlement with Prudential Insurance Company of America and its affiliates, which will allow the Department of Financial Services to recover unclaimed insurance benefits owed to Floridians.

In May of last year, a similar settlement was reached with John Hancock Life Insurance Company which will result in the delivery of approximately $9.5 million in unclaimed insurance benefits owed to Floridians.  Both settlements stem from the insurance industry’s longstanding practice of using the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File to discontinue recipients’ annuity payments but not using the same file to determine that death benefits are owed after the deaths of insured individuals. … Continue Reading

Leading Community and Business Groups Support Destination Resorts

CAMACOL, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Brickell Homeowners Association Recognize the Significant Benefits Destination Resorts would have on Tourism, Jobs and the Economy

Miami, FL – Several leading community and business groups are urging lawmakers in Tallahassee to support legislation that will open the door to destination resorts in Florida and the billions of dollars in new investment that will result from their development. In the last week alone, the Latin Chamber of Commerce of the United States (CAMACOL), the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC), and the Brickell Homeowners Association have passed resolutions voicing their support for destination resorts in recognition of the economic boost the projects are projected to bring. … Continue Reading

Florida CFO Jeff Atwater Announces Arrest of Miami Clinic Owner for Filing Fraudulent PIP Claims

TALLAHASSEE—Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced today the arrest of a Miami clinic owner for submitting fraudulent Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claims from his unlicensed clinic.

Juan M. Dieguez, who also used the false identity Jorge R. Gonzalez, is charged with operating a health care clinic without a license, grand theft and insurance fraud following an investigation by the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF). Dieguez has owned and operated Venetian Rehab Center, located at 434 SW 12th Ave., since October 2010, but was arrested while working at another clinic, Therapy-Diagnostic, Tech Medical. Dieguez was booked into the Miami Dade County Jail on Friday and is being held on $65,000 bond. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. … Continue Reading

Governor Scott and Florida’s Cabinet Support Ban on “Internet Cafes”

Tallahassee, Fla. – Representative Scott Plakon (R-Longwood) today commented on the support House Bill 3, Simulated Gambling Prohibition and Community Protection Act, which would ban gambling establishments (“internet cafes”), has received from Governor Scott and Florida’s Cabinet Members. The bill passed favorably today by the House Economic Affairs Committee.

“These strip mall casinos are an expansion of gambling and operate because of loopholes in current law,” said Representative Plakon. “I appreciate the support of Governor Scott and the entire Florida Cabinet as we continue to work diligently to move this legislation forward.”

“These store front casinos are impacting Florida’s neighborhoods and families,” said Governor Scott. “They are and should be illegal. Representative Plakon’s bill closes this loophole and I commend his dedication to shutting down these establishments.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, “Representative Plakon’s bill will stop the proliferation of strip mall casinos throughout the communities of our state. This type of gambling has never been authorized by the Legislature, and I support the efforts to close any loopholes that are currently being taken advantage of.”

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UF Research: Blueberry Wine Has More Antioxidants Than Many Grape-Based Wines

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Blueberry wine can provide more potentially healthy compounds than white wines and many red wines, according to a new University of Florida study.

Researchers with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences measured antioxidant content in a Florida-produced blueberry wine and compared it to published reports of antioxidant content in white and red wines made from grapes. Antioxidants are compounds that may offer cells protection from damaging molecules called free radicals.

The researchers found the Florida wine, produced from southern highbush blueberries, had more antioxidants than all of the reported white wine values and all but 20 percent of the reported values for red wines, which are considered high in antioxidants.

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Statement by Florida Chairman for Romney for President Adam Putnam

TAMPA, FL — Adam Putnam, Florida Chairman for Romney for President and Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, issued the following statement in reaction to the results of Florida’s Republican primary election for president.

“Today, the state of Florida chose Mitt Romney to be our Republican nominee for president. He has the private sector experience and a far-reaching jobs program that can lead this country in the right direction. … Continue Reading

Statement by Representative William Snyder on the Passage of SB 1880 in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee

Tallahassee, Fla. – State Representative William Snyder (R-Stuart), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the Senate Criminal Justice Committee’s passage of SB 1880 to curb human trafficking.

“Thanks to the leadership of Senator Flores, our state is one step closer to confronting a crime that exploits the most vulnerable among us and has no place in our communities.  Human trafficking is a serious crime that requires stricter penalties – especially in Florida, due to our geography, rapidly growing population and high number of visitors every year.” … Continue Reading

Attorney General Bondi’s Statement on the Passage of the Human Trafficking Bill in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Attorney General Pam Bondi released the following
statement on the passage of Senate Bill 1880, the Human Trafficking Bill,
in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. SB 1880 is sponsored by Senator
Anitere Flores and the House version, House Bill 7049, is sponsored by
Representative William Snyder. … Continue Reading