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Appointments by Governor Rick Scott for Monday, May 21, 2018

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Gov. Scott Appoints Ramiro Christen Areces & Elijah A. Levitt to the Miami-Dade County Court

Governor Rick Scott today announced the appointments of Ramiro Christen Areces and Elijah A. Levitt to the Miami-Dade County Court.

Areces, 35, of Coral Gables, is a solo practitioner, and previously practiced with Jorden Burt, LLP. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and his law degree from the University of Miami. Areces fills the vacancy created by the death of Judge Shelley J. Kravitz.

[Read more…] about Appointments by Governor Rick Scott for Monday, May 21, 2018

Gov. Scott to Make Major Announcement Regarding Florida’s Safe Communities

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Tomorrow, May 22nd, Governor Scott will make a major announcement regarding Florida’s safe communities and FDLE’s 2017 unified crime report. In 2016, Florida reached a 46-year low in crime rate.

WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: 9:00 AM
WHERE: Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
501 E. Bay Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202

FDLE agents arrest two on grand theft charges of elderly victim

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Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement today arrested two Pasco County residents on racketeering charges related to theft of more than $480,000 from an elderly victim.

Chet Alan Ragsdale, 45, of 5621 Sea Turtle Court in New Port Richey, faces racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, 28 counts of grand theft, money laundering, 25 counts of forgery, 25 counts of uttering a forged instrument, and dealing in stolen property. Barbara DiCioccio, 52, of the same address, faces charges of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, 25 counts of grand theft and money laundering. Ragsdale and DiCioccio are not legally married but live together as a couple.

In April 2017, FDLE agents launched an investigation after a complaint was filed with the Office of Statewide Prosecution for grand theft. During the investigation, agents learned Ragsdale and DiCioccio worked for the victim. Both had access to the victim’s bank records and accounts. DiCioccio was entrusted with bookkeeping responsibilities.

The investigation revealed several checks made payable to the victim had been deposited into Ragsdale’s account and a joint account he had with DiCioccio. Agents determined DiCioccio would open the mail and give the checks to Ragsdale, who would ask the victim to endorse the checks. The victim believed the checks were being deposited in her bank account but they were not.

Ragsdale and DiCioccio used the money to purchase real estate. Other money was used to pay for credit cards and personal expenses.

Both were taken to the Pasco County Jail . Ragsdale has a bond of $2 million; Dicioccio’s bond is $1.1 million. The Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute.

Danny Burgess Endorses Tommy Gregory for Florida House

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The District 38 state representative says Gregory’s leadership skills and
passion for supporting military veterans make him the right choice

The Tommy Gregory Campaign today announced the endorsement of State Representative Danny Burgess. Gregory is running for the District 73 seat in the Florida House of Representatives, currently held by Joe Gruters, who is running for the Florida Senate.

“Tommy Gregory’s strong conservative leadership will be a welcome addition to the Florida House,” said Burgess. “He is a dedicated patriot, committed to ensuring that Florida’s economy remains strong and Florida is a state where folks from all walks of life, including our veterans, can flourish. I’m proud to support a fellow veteran and JAG, and I look forward to working with him. Plus, we need more Zephyrhills Bulldogs in office!”

Burgess was elected to represent District 38 in the Florida House of Representatives in 2014, and he currently serves as Chair of the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee. At 18, he was the youngest person ever elected to the Zephyrhills City Council, and at 26, he was elected Zephyrhills’s youngest mayor.

Like Gregory, Burgess is from Pasco County, where both men graduated from Zephyrhills High School. They also share the distinction of both having served in the JAG Corps. Burgess is currently a JAG in the Army Reserves, and Gregory served as a JAG for most of his 20 years on active duty in the United States Air Force.

“I’m proud to have the support of a leader like Danny Burgess,” said Gregory. “He shares my passion for serving our country, strengthening our communities, and making sure our veterans are fully supported. He is a dedicated public servant, and I’m excited about working with him to keep Florida on the right track.”

Paid by Tommy Gregory, Republican, for State Representative

Nelson to file bill to hire more mental health counselors in schools

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) announced today – in the wake of recent school shootings in Florida and Texas – that he’s filing legislation to hire more mental health professionals in schools across the country.

According to a 2016 report from the Florida Association of School Psychologists, Florida has one school psychologist for every 1,983 students.

The data, compared to the nationally recommended ratio of between 500 and 700 students per psychologist, shows the Sunshine State has only one-fourth of the school psychologists it needs to properly care for its students. And the lack of available mental health professionals in Florida’s schools is one of the reasons why only a small percent of children in Florida who need mental health services receive them.

“We can’t allow what happened in Parkland and in Texas to become the new normal in this country,” Nelson said. “We have to do more to protect our kids in school and ensure that any student who needs mental health services is able to get them.”

The legislation, which Nelson says he plans to file as early as Wednesday, would require the U.S. Department of Education to conduct a study to determine which areas of the country have a shortage of school mental health professionals. The bill would also provide federal education grants to colleges and universities that partner with low-income school districts to train school counselors, social workers, psychologists and other mental health professionals in the underserved school districts that need them the most.

Finally, to encourage metal health professionals to work in these school districts, Nelson’s bill would establish a federal student loan forgiveness program for mental health professionals who work at least five years in a low-income school district.

Nelson says he started working on the measure in the wake of the Parkland tragedy but last week’s shooting at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas created a new sense of urgency in getting it approved.

The lack of mental health professionals at schools in Florida was one of several issues raised in the wake of the tragic shooting in Parkland, Florida earlier this year. In response to the tragedy, the Florida Legislature approved $69 million to provide additional mental health resources in schools in Florida.

Some mental health professionals have said the funding approved by the Legislature is a good first step, but still not enough. They also say even more will be needed to hire mental health professionals in areas that have been traditionally hard to staff, such as rural and low-income school districts.

To help address those issues, among others, Nelson’s legislation would create federal-grant funding and student-loan forgiveness opportunities specifically for the counselors and higher-education programs that work to provide services in the districts that need them the most.

Matt Caldwell Remains Undefeated With 5th Straw Poll Victory

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Grassroots activists from Northwest Florida gathered in Clay County on Saturday afternoon for a straw poll held by the Clay County Republican Executive Committee. Caldwell defeated his opponents and won the straw poll for Commissioner of Agriculture with 46.5% of the vote, making it 5 for 5 in major markets across Florida. Baxter Troutman followed with 31.5%, while Denise Grimsley and Mike McCalister received 18% and 4% respectively.

Matt Caldwell said, “I am honored to win in Clay County and continue to grow our grassroots team across Florida. We are running a true, statewide race and reaching all corners of the state to connect with voters. We will continue to outwork our opponents and fight for conservative issues as Commissioner of Agriculture and on the Florida cabinet.”

Brian Swensen, spokesperson for Caldwell’s campaign said, “Momentum is on our side and we are the only campaign running the same way that we would govern: in all 67 counties, both communities big and small. We will continue that same work ethic and statewide focus when elected.”

Previously, Caldwell trounced his opponents and won the straw poll for Commissioner of Agriculture held by the Lee County Republican Executive Committee with 91% of the vote and the straw poll held by Southwest Florida Young Republicans with 73% of the vote. He also won the statewide straw poll held by WBOB in Jacksonville with 60%, followed by Grimsley with 24% and Troutman with 16%. In Orlando, a statewide straw poll was held by the Florida Republican Women’s Network where Caldwell edged out Grimsley, 50% to 46%.

Since launching his bid for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture in May 2017, Representative Caldwell has traveled over 65,000 miles across the Sunshine State.

Political advertisement paid for by Matt Caldwell,
Republican, for Commissioner of Agriculture.

SACE Statement on Southern Company’s Proposal to Sell Gulf Power to NextEra Energy

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On Monday, May 21 Southern Company announced it has entered into agreements to sell Gulf Power Company, Florida City Gas and the entities holding Southern Power’s interests in Plant Oleander and Plant Stanton to NextEra Energy for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $6.475 billion. NextEra is the parent company of Florida’s largest investor-owned utility Florida Power & Light (FPL).

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy issued this statement in response:

While Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is still reviewing this deal, it raises concerns that any one monopoly utility would control such a significant percentage of Florida’s energy market. Such consolidation of control may limit competition at a time when we need more and not less.

Lastly, the Florida Legislature has never authorized the Florida Public Service Commission to review the sale of a utility as to whether it is in the best interest of consumers, so there is no protection of the public’s interests. Because there is a long history of FPL’s influence with policymakers resulting in policy outcomes not in the best interest of consumers and the environment, the impact of this proposal should be closely examined.

About Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Founded in 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices that work to address the impacts of global climate change and ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at cleanenergy.org.

Nighttime Detours Begin Tuesday in Volusia County

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U.S. 92 Eastbound, I-95 Northbound Ramp to U.S. 92

Construction activities will require multiple temporary nighttime closures and detours this week. U.S. 92 eastbound (International Speedway Boulevard) traffic near the Interstate 95 (I-95) interchange will be detoured Tuesday-Thursday nights, and the I-95 northbound Exit 260C/U.S. 92 (International Speedway Boulevard) ramp will be closed with a detour on Tuesday night.

Detours will be well marked. Travelers are advised to slow down, and follow the detour signs through construction zones. Posted detours are:

  • U.S. 92 eastbound traffic: Take Tomoka Farms Road to Bellevue Avenue to Williamson Boulevard to U.S. 92
  • I-95 southbound to U.S. 92 eastbound traffic: Take State Road 400 (Beville Road) to Williamson Boulevard to U.S. 92
  • I-95 northbound to U.S. 92 traffic: Use exit 260A towards State Road 400 (Beville Road) to Williamson Boulevard to U.S. 92

Please note construction schedules may change due to weather or other circumstances, and if this happens, the closures may be rescheduled. Updates will be available on the Florida Department of Transportation’s Central Florida website, CFLRoads.com.

Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT Communications Office at 386-943-5479 or [email protected].

FDOT advises drivers to slow down and use extra caution in construction zones.

Blacklidge Qualifies By Petition

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The House District 69 candidate has secured more than the required
number of valid petition signatures to qualify for the ballot

The Ray Blacklidge Campaign today announced that he has qualified for the ballot by petition. The Florida Department of State has verified 1,158 petition signatures, one more than the required 1,157. Blacklidge, a Republican, is running for the District 69 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.

“This is an important milestone for our campaign, and our momentum continues to grow,” said Blacklidge. “Qualifying by petition was an important goal for me because it allows us to invest campaign resources in getting our conservative message out rather than in paying a hefty qualifying fee. I’m very grateful to the friends and neighbors who signed petitions and worked hard to complete this effort, and I look forward to continuing to connect with District 69 voters.”

Blacklidge has an extensive background as an entrepreneur with a record of protecting consumers and fighting fraud. He currently works as an insurance executive and attorney in the management of a Florida-based insurance company.

House District 69 covers the south Pinellas beach communities from Redington Shores to Fort DeSoto, as well as portions of St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Kenneth City, and Pinellas Park. With 36 percent of the district’s voter registration, Republicans maintain a slight lead over the Democrats’ 35 percent. Independents and minor parties make up 29 percent of the district.

Paid by Ray Blacklidge, Republican, for State Representative