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Senator Kelli Stargel announces June Mobile Office Hours

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Community Office Hours

Senator Kelli Stargel’s staff will hold “mobile office hours” on Wednesday, June 25, 2018, to assist constituents with state agency concerns.  “We want to be available to everyone in my district  that may have a need of assistance.   This is an opportunity to speak with my professional staff in person,” said Senator Stargel.

You can meet with Rachel Barnes at either of the following places:

10:00 – 11:30 at the Clermont City Hall, 2nd Floor conference room

2:00 – 4:00 at the Cooper Library, (2525 Oakley Seaver Dr,), 2nd Floor.

Please contact Rachel Barnes at 863-668-3028 or [email protected] if you want to schedule a meeting time with her so you have a dedicated time to meet.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Provides Update on Franklin County Wildfire

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam issued the following update on the Lime Rock Road Fire in Franklin County:

Lime Rock Road Fire (Franklin County):

  • Approximately 950 acres and 80 percent contained.
  • Approximately 38 structures destroyed. Law enforcement officers with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as well as the State Fire Marshall’s office will assess structure loss and damage today.
  • Approximately 25 Florida Forest Service personnel are on scene with 7 dozers and 5 engines.
  • The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families impacted by this devastating wildfire as well as the entire Franklin County community. First responders from across the region sprang into action and rushed to the scene of this fast-moving wildfire, helping to prevent even more destruction. Florida has a year-round wildfire season, and I encourage Floridians to be vigilant,” said Commissioner Adam Putnam.

The Florida Forest Service urges residents to be cautious with fire and heat sources and to remember the following:

  • Develop and implement a family wildfire action plan;
  • Call 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office immediately in the event of a wildfire;
  • Obey Florida’s outdoor burning laws;
  • Never burn on windy days;
  • Always keep a water source and suppression tools on hand when burning yard debris;
  • Never leave an outdoor fire or hot grill unattended; and
  • Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Gov. Scott: FDOT Begins Process for Privately Funded High-Speed Rail from Orlando to Tampa

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Governor Rick Scott today  announced that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has begun the process to allow for private investment in a high-speed rail connection from Orlando to Tampa. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott: FDOT Begins Process for Privately Funded High-Speed Rail from Orlando to Tampa

Governor Scott’s Former Deputy General Counsel joins Shutts & Bowen as Partner

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Firm Bolsters Government & Business Practice
with Recruitment of Ben Gibson

Ben Gibson has joined Shutts & Bowen LLP as a partner in its Business Litigation Practice Group in the firm’s Tallahassee office. Gibson’s statewide practice is focused on serving government, political, and corporate clients, involving government affairs, appellate, litigation and administrative matters. [Read more…] about Governor Scott’s Former Deputy General Counsel joins Shutts & Bowen as Partner

Statement by Adam Putnam on Florida’s Upgraded Credit Rating, Fiscal Health

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement today after Moody’s Investors Service announced it updated Florida’s general obligation (GO) rating to Aaa from Aa1, giving Florida triple-A credit ratings from all three major credit rating agencies.

“Putting Florida’s economy back on track through strong fiscal management practices and reducing our state’s debt has been the top priority of Governor Scott, the Chief Financial Officer, the Attorney General and mine since taking our positions.

“Today, thanks to the hard work of many, Florida has triple-A credit ratings from all three major credit rating agencies and has paid down $9 billion in state debt.

“But Florida’s economic success story is not over and complacency is not a strategy, we must continue to do all that we can to make Florida’s economy and finances as strong and resilient as possible.”

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Stetson University Receives $210,000 Grant for Prison Education Project

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Funding will help grow Daytona Beach initiative

The Stetson University Community Education Project has been awarded a $210,000 grant, which will be used to expand classes for incarcerated men in Tomoka Correctional Institution, as well as begin offering college credit for courses this fall. [Read more…] about Stetson University Receives $210,000 Grant for Prison Education Project

Vivan Casals Muñoz Endorses Diaz

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Diaz continues to consolidate the support of local elected officials
with his latest endorsement by Hialeah City Council President Muñoz.

The Manny Diaz Campaign today announced the endorsement of Hialeah City Council President Vivan Casals Muñoz. Diaz has represented District 103 in the Florida House of Representatives since 2012 and is currently seeking the District 36 seat in the Florida Senate. Muñoz is the latest of a number of local elected officials to back Diaz.

“Manny Diaz really demonstrated his leadership abilities in the Florida House,” said Muñoz. “While he has been at the forefront of issues like education reform, he has never taken his eye off the importance of policies that support a strong economy and pressing constituent needs in his district. He is ready to continue leading in the Florida Senate, and I’m proud to support him.”

[Read more…] about Vivan Casals Muñoz Endorses Diaz

Sen. Bill Nelson to visit Homestead, Fla. facility for immigrant children Saturday

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) will be in Homestead, Fla. Saturday to visit the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children and speak to some of the 94 children there who were separated from their families and find out exactly what’s being done to reunite them with their families. [Read more…] about Sen. Bill Nelson to visit Homestead, Fla. facility for immigrant children Saturday