WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, April 19, Governor Rick Scott joined President Donald Trump for the signing of the Veterans Choice Program Extension and Improvement Act and met with members of his Administration to discuss issues important to Florida. He will be available to the media to discuss his trip to D.C.
WHAT: Media Availability
WHEN: 3:45 PM
WHERE: Outside of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters
441 G Street NW
Washington, D.C.
Governor Scott joins President Trump for Veterans Bill Signing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Governor Rick Scott joined President Trump for the signing of the Veteran’s Choice Program Extension and Improvement Act.
Governor Scott said, “My father served in WWII and I proudly served in the United States Navy and I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to our military and our veterans. I was honored to join him today as he signed this important bill for our veterans.”
Statement by House Majority Leader Rodrigues, SEIA and Vote Solar Following Passage of HB 1351 in Legislative Committee Today
TALLAHASSEE & STATEWIDE: House Bill 1351 unanimously passed the House Commerce committee today. House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, Tom Kimbis with the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) and Scott Thomasson with Vote Solar issue the following statements in response to legislative activity in Florida.
“Today, we took a big step toward passing solar legislation in the House Commerce Committee that will protect Floridians and enact the will of the voters of Amendment 4,” said House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues. “House Bill 1351 is largely supported by the solar industry and will allow for proper consumer protections as well as tax exemptions to take place.”
“The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) applauds the initiative of House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues on House Bill 1351, which protects Floridians by providing them with the critical information they need to make smart decisions when considering solar,” said Tom Kimbis, Executive Vice President of SEIA. “By building off SEIA’s suite of consumer protection materials, policymakers, advocates and consumers will better understand solar transactions. We look forward to continued collaboration between the solar industry and state leaders as Florida adopts helpful consumer protection disclosures that can serve as a model throughout the nation.”
“House Bill 1351 will remove burdensome tax barriers on solar customers and add to the solar job growth in the Sunshine state,” said Scott Thomasson, Southeast Director of Vote Solar. “We look forward to continuing to support Leader Rodrigues and Senator Brandes to honor the will of the 2 million voters who supported Amendment 4 in August.”
ICYMI: Fox & Friends Joins Mast For “Day In The Life” in Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this month, Fox & Friends host Abby Huntsman joined U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) to see what a day in the life in Congress is like. Rep. Mast recounted his journey from 12 years in the Army to serving in Congress. Watch the video:
Link: http://video.foxnews.com/v/5403116699001/
"F-35 Jacksonville" Event
WHAT: F-35 familiarization event with community leaders
WHEN: Friday, April 21, 12 – 4 p.m.
WHERE:
125th Fighter Wing
14300 FANG Dr.
Jacksonville, FL 32218
Media is invited to meet with Maj. Gen. Calhoun and 125th Fighter Wing leadership to learn more about the F-35 Lighting II and why Jacksonville is favorably positioned for this fifth-generation fighter jet. Media will also be able to experience the F-35’s mobile cockpit simulator and discuss the jet’s capabilities with subject matter experts prior to the formal briefings that begin at 1 p.m.
Itinerary:
12:00 -1:00: Media availability with MG Calhoun, 125th FW leadership, and F-35 simulator
1:00 – 1:15: Community leader arrival
1:20 – 1:45: 125th FW mission briefing
1:45 – 2:00: F-35 basing & capabilities briefing
2:00 – 2:15: Jacksonville Airport Authority briefing
2:30 – 2:45: 125th FW Base Tour
2:45 – 4:00: F-15 Static Display & Simulator
3:15 F-15 launch
All news media outlets are asked to arrive at 1130, and RSVP no later than Thursday at noon in order to ensure base access.
Flagler College’s retired association awards scholarship to triple major Chloe Petito
St. Augustine, Fla. — Flagler College student Chloe Petito, a triple major who balances working 35 hours a week with taking six classes, was recently awarded, for the second time, the retired faculty’s annual scholarship of $1,000 on April 17.
“Flagler has helped my dream of graduating from college with no student loan debt,” she said.
Each year, Flagler’s retired faculty, members of Sociable Association of Satisfied Saints (SASS), hold a luncheon to announce the recipient of its scholarship. Petito is pursuing degrees in Accounting, Finance and Economics while juggling work and taking six 400-level classes, three of which are senior seminar or capstone courses.
“Receiving it (the scholarship) a second time only proves further that the Flagler community wants to help and support other Flagler students to achieve their dreams,” said Petito, who graduates this fall.
During Monday’s luncheon, President Dr. William T. Abare, Jr., also recognized the many contributions of retired faculty members and their efforts in helping to establish the college. Incoming Flagler College President Dr. Joseph Joyner was also in attendance.
The SASS scholarship is open to any student with a superior grade point average and financial need, regardless of rank or major field of study. To see photos of the scholarship luncheon, visit here.
Photo caption: Scholarship recipient Chloe Petito (third from right), with members of Flagler’s retired association
Regarding Governor Scott's $100M Tourism Spending Proposal Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2017
Contact: Jennifer Fennell, 850-222-3767
STATEMENT: Regarding Governor Scott’s $100M Tourism Spending Proposal
Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations
Here’s what representatives of Florida’s tourism industry are saying about Governor’s Scott’s proposal to increase tourism spending to $100 million:
“As a small business owner reliant on state and local tourism promotion – and one of the 19.89 million Floridians who depend on the $11.3 billion in taxes our visitors contribute to our economy – I am extremely grateful to Governor Scott for encouraging an increase in VISIT FLORIDA funding. Most tourism businesses are small businesses and don’t always have the resources necessary to make our voices heard in such a competitive industry. Fortunately, our partnership with VISIT FLORIDA enables us to make a name for ourselves in target markets across the globe. An increase in marketing funding will continue to grow the Sunshine State’s vibrant tourism industry and many more hardworking Floridians will be employed as a result. Every 76 visitors to our state employs one person in the tourism industry, so increasing visitation is key to economic growth and record-breaking employment numbers.” – Mark McHugh, President and CEO of Gatorland in Orlando
“Along with thousands of other Floridians employed in the tourism industry, I wholeheartedly thank Governor Scott for fighting for our state’s number one industry with his VISIT FLORIDA budget proposal. A budget of $100 million keeps Florida on the same playing field as beach-brimmed competitors such as California, and the increased funding means the Sunshine State will maintain its status as a top destination. I’m sure the 49 other states in our country and many international destinations would love to see Florida to reduce its tourism budget, and their desire to capture our market share is precisely why this increase is needed. In the last fiscal year alone, Florida’s tourism industry generated $108.8 billion in travel-related revenue for our state. Imagine what VISIT FLORIDA can help us achieve in years to come should Governor Scott’s budget recommendation be accepted.” – Heidi Dennis, General Manager of Pelican Grand Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale.
“Over my 33 years in the tourism industry, I have witnessed the return on investment tourism promotion has yielded for Florida. Governor Scott truly understands these economic principles and I appreciate his unwavering support of the 1.4 million Floridians employed by our industry. Tourism promotion puts paychecks in the hands of industry employees, and it also keeps money in every Floridian’s pocket. The revenue generated by tourists helps pay for critical government services, such as education, public safety and infrastructure maintenance, so Florida doesn’t have to impose a state income tax on its residents to cover these costs. Today’s announcement by Governor Scott to increase tourism marketing funding not only demonstrates his commitment to the tourism industry, but to the financial wellbeing of all Florida families.” – Clark Hill, General Manager of the Hilton Naples in Naples
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Florida’s Hospitality Industry Celebrates Governor Scott’s Announcement for Increased Funding for VISIT FLORIDA
(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) applauds today’s announcement by Florida Governor Rick Scott recommending a $24 million increase in the state’s investment in VISIT FLORIDA. This funding amount is in addition to the Governor’s $76 million recommendation and would allocate a total of $100 million for the state’s destination marketing corporation in the budget for
fiscal year 2017-2018.
“We are extremely grateful for the Governor’s continued leadership and foresight to increase the state’s investment in Florida’s tourism industry. This announcement comes at a critical time when lawmakers are proposing dramatic cuts to VISIT FLORIDA’s budget. Florida’s economy depends on visitors selecting the Sunshine State as their leading destination. By providing VISIT FLORIDA with the tools necessary to boost visitation, we’re injecting tourist spending into local businesses and promoting job creation across all sectors of the state’s economy,” said Carol Dover,
President and CEO of the FRLA.
According to the Office of Economic Demographic Research’s Return on Investment study of VISIT FLORIDA, for every $1 the state invests in VISIT FLORIDA, the state sees a $3.20 return. In 2016, Florida welcomed a record number of tourists with 112.8 million visitors to the state.
The FRLA represents and serves more than 10,000 independent and household name members across the state, including hotels, restaurants, theme parks and attractions.
Commissioner Adam H. Putnam to Host Media Availability on Florida Wildfires
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Nearly 80,000 acres within state fire jurisdiction have burned due to wildfires in 2017, a more than fourfold increase from the same timeframe in 2016. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and State Forester Jim Karels will hold a media availability today to discuss these wildfires and forecasted wildfire conditions.
Event: Media availability on wildfires
Date: Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Time: 2 p.m.
Location:
Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture
The Capitol, PL-10
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, Fla. 32399
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com or call 1-800-HELP-FLA.
News Alert: Media Availability for Westbound and Eastbound I-4 Traffic Shifts
Who: FDOT PIO, I-4 Ultimate PIO, SGL Area Construction Representative
What: Traffic shifts occurring overnight on April 20 and in early May will shift westbound Interstate 4 (I-4) and eastbound I-4, respectively, to newly constructed, temporary bridges.
Where: Top level of the GEICO Garage, 400 W. South St., Orlando (no large vehicles permitted)
When: Thursday, April 2010 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Safety gear is NOT required for this event.
Due to height restrictions at the GEICO Garage no large media trucks are permitted. The first floor of the GEICO Garage is limited to a maximum clearance of 8’ 2”. Clearance on second floor and higher is 7’ 2”
