GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT’S SCHEDULE
FOR
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

10:00am-11:30am 841st ENGINEER BATTALION TROOP FAREWELL CEREMONY
Location: Miami Dade College North Campus
Address: Bldg 5000, 11380 NW 27Avenue
Miami, FL 33167

# # #

LT. GOVERNOR JENNIFER CARROLL’S SCHEDULE
FOR
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

NO SCHEDULED EVENTS

# # #

GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT’S SCHEDULE
FOR
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012

NO SCHEDULED EVENTS

# # #

LT. GOVERNOR JENNIFER CARROLL’S SCHEDULE
FOR
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012

NO SCHEDULED EVENTS

# # #

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.

The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

# # #

CONTACT: LANE WRIGHT
(850) 717-9282

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.

“I am proud of the members of the House of Representatives who voted to uphold the constitution and respect the will of Floridians by approving the redistricting maps today. There are incumbents that may not return as a result of the newly adopted maps,” said House Redistricting Committee Chairman Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel). “ The new districts, which will be in effect for the next decade, are the culmination of a transparent process which produced a better product.”

The redistricting maps approved by the House of Representatives include:

· State House Map SJR 1176 (plan H000H9049: Google Maps , PDF map, Data and More Info)
· Congressional Map SB 1174 (plan H000C9047: Google Maps, PDF map, Data and More Info)
· State Senate Map: SJR 1176 (plan S0009008: Google Maps, PDF map, Data and More Info)

Since the process began, more than 4,700 citizens attended 26 statewide public meetings and more than 1,600 appeared before the committee and subcommittees. Thousands of others participated online via Facebook, Twitter, email, and by watching via the Florida Channel online. The committee received hundreds of additional written suggestions for redistricting maps and 177 public submissions of redistricting plans – up from only four in 2002. There were also more than 34,000 visitors to FloridaRedistricting.org, 520 page likes on Facebook and 800 Twitter followers.

Copies of the maps are available online. As the maps make their way through the clearance process, Floridians can continue visiting FloridaRedistricting.org for updates.

# # #

Contact:
Katie Betta, (850) 488-1450
Ryan Duffy, (850) 487-814

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.

“Chairmen Gaetz and Weatherford and committee staff should be credited for maintaining a swift and deliberative redistricting process. We look forward to receiving the maps for final action in the Senate.”

# # #

Media Contact: Allison Aubuchon, APR | (850) 487-5184 | aubuchon.allison@flsenate.gov

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.

“I am not committed to an expansion of gambling. However, if resorts come to Florida, I believe there should be clear and specific goals for underutilized segments of the state’s population.

“The Republican majority on the Subcommittee on Business and Consumer Affairs voted unanimously against the amendment and to exclude minorities, women and veterans from participation in the development of resort destinations in Florida. Members of the Subcommittee and the Republican majority in the Legislature have focused a great deal of attention on creating jobs in Florida.

“They have given tax breaks and other incentives to big business and corporations but have done precious little to help business owners who have traditionally been locked out of the free enterprise system.

“While I am a member of the NAACP, which was founded in 1908 to advance opportunities for people of color, I think there is another NAACP at work in Tallahassee, and that is the National Association for Advancement of Certain People. I am saddened that my colleagues work for jobs and economic appointments, but only for certain people, namely, their friends and those in positions of power.”

###

CONTACT: Office of Rep. Geraldine Thompson
(850) 488-0760

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.”

# # #

Contact:
Jenn Meale
Phone: 850.245.0150
jennifer.meale@myfloridalegal.com

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.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call Governor Scott’s press office at (850) 717-9282.

# # #

Weekly Radio Address Friday, February 3, 2012

Last year, I traveled the state and listened to Floridians. I quickly learned that their number-one concern is the quality of their children’s education. That’s why my proposed budget called for an additional $1billion in education funding.

Today, I would like to thank the Florida House of Representatives for fulfilling my billion-dollar request. Educating our children will give them the skills to compete for higher paying jobs and will make Florida attractive to employers in the years to come. This investment will not pay off immediately, but it is the foundation for long-term prosperity in Florida.

I remain confident that the Senate will also put Florida’s children first when they begin budget negotiations. As I have stated before, I will not sign a budget that does not include a significant increase in funding for education. On this, I cannot budge.

I look forward to another week of session in Tallahassee; I hope you have a great weekend.

# # #

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.

Stern, 38, of Fort Lauderdale, has practiced law with the Law Offices of Bohdan Neswiacheny since 2003. She served on the Fort Lauderdale Community Appearance Board from 2010 to 2011 and on the board of directors for the Florida Comprehensive Health Association from 2009 to 2010. Stern received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a law degree from Nova Southeastern University. She succeeds Julie Kane and is appointed for a term beginning February 3, 2012, and ending December 31, 2015.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

# # #

CONTACT: LANE WRIGHT
(850) 717-9282

“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.

“We are pleased House members are putting the mega-casino question on the back burner. Now, lawmakers can intensify their focus on the pressing issues that are critical to Florida’s business community including lowering unemployment insurance rates, reducing workers’ compensation costs, closing the internet sales tax loophole, continuing to improve education and helping small businesses grow. With a few more weeks left in the Legislative Session, with the mega-casino issue quickly moving into the rear-view mirror, we look forward to working hand-in-hand with lawmakers to pass the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 business agenda.”

# # #

Contact: Ryan Banfill
(850) 222-1996

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.

Today, the House Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee heard testimony from people across the state who support the jobs and economic opportunity the destination resort industry will bring Florida. We appreciate the subcommittee’s time and thoughtful consideration of the views shared today. On behalf of Florida’s business community, we encourage the Legislature and Florida Senate, which still has a destination resorts bill in motion, to continue the dialogue on this important proposal.

AIF believes destination resorts can be part of the solution to creating the high-quality, well-paying jobs Floridians need now. We look forward to working with the Legislature on this proposal, and others, which will bring more jobs to Florida.”