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CFO Jimmy Patronis’ Statement on Attorney General Bondi’s Lawsuit Against Major Opioid Manufacturers and Distributors

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Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding Attorney General Pam Bondi’s announcment that her office has filed an action in state court against some of the nation’s largest opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in the national opioid crisis:

“Attorney General Pam Bondi has been a fearless warrior against the opioid epidemic. She is the leader Florida families impacted by this crisis can count on. No matter how big the opponent is, she has taken on every facet of this epidemic.

“Opioids have taken lives, destroyed families, and threatened our first responders’ safety and resources. From investigating fraudulent drug treatment centers to the exponentially higher prescribing rates in the workers’ compensation system, my office has seen the impacts of the opioid epidemic first-hand as we continue working to protect Floridians. National data shows that in 2016 injured workers who were prescribed opioids received three times the US prescribing rate. The opioid crisis has seeped into the workers’ compensation system, and is the foundation for unscrupulous drug treatment centers who victimize individuals for their own personal gain.

“I’m honored to serve with Attorney General Bondi on the Florida Cabinet, and fully support her efforts to combat our state and nation’s opioid epidemic.”

RoadWatch Advisory for State Road 64 at 5th Street West in City of Bradenton

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will be making repairs to the railroad crossing on SR 64 (Manatee Avenue West) at 5th Street West. The repairs require SR 64 (Manatee Avenue West) be closed to traffic at 5th Street West.

The closure begins at 11 p.m. Thursday, May 31 and will remain in effect for approximately four weeks.

Please follow the established detour routes and plan additional travel time.

US 41 southbound traffic to westbound SR 64: Use 3rd Avenue West.

US 41 northbound traffic to westbound SR 64: Use 9th Avenue West.

SR 64 westbound traffic: Use US 41 (S Tamiami Trail) and 9th Avenue West.

Temporary two-way traffic (east/westbound) on SR 64 (Manatee Avenue West) between 5th Street West and 7th Street West: Two-way traffic (east and westbound) will temporarily be implemented on SR 64 (Manatee Avenue West) between 5th Street West and 7th Street West for business access. Please use caution as this is a change from the current one-way traffic pattern.

Commissioner Adam Putnam’s Statement on Attorney General Bondi’s Lawsuit Against Major Opioid Manufacturers and Distributors

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today participated in Attorney General Pam Bondi’s announcement of a lawsuit against major opioid manufacturers and distributors. The following are excerpts from his remarks:

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to stand beside you as your partner on the Cabinet in fighting the scourge that is the opioid crisis and to be joined by so many men and women who are on the front lines, by the family members who have suffered and sacrificed so much because of the pain of the opioid crisis in our state.

“Our first responders, our EMTs, our fire rescue, our law enforcement officials, who not only are protecting the public, but are putting themselves at risk even with a simple traffic stop.

“As we have traveled the state and unpeeled all of the layers of this opioid crisis, the sad, recurring theme is this: in every community, they’ve had to add staff to the Medical Examiner’s Office and add space to the morgue. That is how serious the opioid crisis is.

“I know that Attorney General Bondi does not take this lightly, and when she brings a lawsuit of this magnitude on behalf of the residents of the third largest state in the country, you’re already in the crosshairs.

“This lawsuit will result in the resources for additional treatment, prevention, awareness, additional facilities, like this, additional tools and support for the men and women in law enforcement, so that we can break the hold that this opioid crisis has on our state and on our nation.

“Our legislative leaders have led the way, Speaker Corcoran, Senator Simpson, Representative Boyd, and Attorney General Bondi who has been a national leader in shutting down pill mills, a global leader in saving our children from human trafficking and now, yet again, serving and protecting Floridians in shutting down the opioid crisis that’s hollowing out our communities.”

Attorney General Bondi Sues Major Opioid Manufacturers and Distributors

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Attorney General Pam Bondi today filed an action in state court against some of the nation’s largest opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in the national opioid crisis. The complaint names as defendants opioid manufacturers Purdue Pharma L.P., Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cephalon, Inc., and Allergan plc and related companies, and opioid distributors AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation, Cardinal Health, Inc., McKesson Corporation, and Mallinckrodt LLC and related company.

“We are in the midst of a national opioid crisis claiming 175 lives a day nationally and 15 lives a day in Florida, and I will not tolerate anyone profiting from the pain and suffering of Floridians,” said Attorney General Bondi. “The complaint I filed today, seeks to hold some of the nation’s largest opioid manufacturers and distributors responsible for their role in this crisis and seeks payment for the pain and destruction their actions have caused Florida and its citizens.”

The opioid manufacturers allegedly used a campaign of misrepresentations and omissions about the use of opioids to doctors and consumers in order to increase prescriptions and opioid use, including false statements about the addictive nature of opioids and omissions of the severe risks posed by taking opioids. The opioid distributors allegedly shipped inordinately high volumes of opioids to customers in Florida and failed to report these suspicious orders of opioids, thereby fueling widespread diversion of opioids throughout the state.
   
The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the opioid manufacturers used front organizations and key opinion leaders to promote false messages about opioids.  This conduct was particularly abhorrent because the front organizations and key opinion leaders appeared to be neutral advocates for the use of opioids to treat chronic pain but were actually paid mouthpieces of the manufacturers. The distributors failed in their duties under Florida law to stop the suspiciously high orders of opioids they received.  Instead, the distributors placed profit over safety and continued filling the suspicious opioid orders. In the complaint filed in Pasco County Circuit Court, the Attorney General’s Office alleged that the defendants’ actions violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, the Florida RICO Act, and violated common law public nuisance and negligence. The complaint seeks damages, injunctive relief, restitution, and civil penalties for defendants’ conduct.

To view the complaint, click here.

To view some of the Attorney General’s additional efforts to combat opioid abuse, click here.

Power Play: Florida’s Big Power Companies Maintain Grip on State Capitol

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Political Contribution and Lobbying Dollars
Result in Policies Harmful to Consumers

Tomorrow, May 16, a new report entitled 2018 Power Play Redux: Political Influence of Florida’s Top Energy Corporations authored by Integrity Florida will reveal how Florida’s four investor owned utilities’ political spending on state level candidates, political parties, and political committees grew to more than $43 million in the 2014 and 2016 political cycles.

2018 Power Play Redux is an update of Integrity Florida’s 2014 Power Play report.The political spending highlighted in the forthcoming report continues to lead to a policy environment that negatively impact customers.  This report will be a helpful reference to reporters covering the upcoming primary and general election seasons.

A tele-press conference will be held tomorrow to discuss the report’s key findings and recommended policy options, and to provide information on contributions to date in the current 2018 election cycle.

When: Wednesday, May 16 at 11:00 ET a.m.

Who: Ben Wilcox, Integrity Florida

Susan Glickman, Florida Director, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

George Cavros, Florida Energy Policy Attorney, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

Where: Dial in Number – 727-258-5789 PIN: 97609

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.

SunRail’s Southern Expansion is Connecting Communities

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Poinciana Community Train Tour Event this Saturday

Poinciana is the place to be this weekend for those who want to know more about SunRail’s 17-mile southern expansion and new service scheduled to open late summer. On Saturday, May 19, SunRail is hosting a Community Train Tour at its Poinciana Station located just east of S. Poinciana Boulevard, north of Old Tampa Highway. This is the first of four community train tours, held at each new station along the southern expansion. This Saturday’s tour runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Connectivity information, to and from the station, is also available as LYNX representatives are attending as well.

This is a chance to learn how SunRail can make the commute fast, easy and affordable, as well as less stressful. SunRail is moving people throughout the region by providing work and leisure opportunities; connecting communities. The new expansion adds four new stations; Meadow Woods in Orange County and Tupperware, Kissimmee and Poinciana in Osceola County, with Poinciana Station as the southern terminus.

Future train tour dates:
Tupperware: 3205 Orange Ave., Kissimmee • Saturday, June 16: 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Meadow Woods: 120 Fairway Woods Blvd., Orlando • Saturday, June 23: 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Kissimmee: 320 Pleasant Street., Kissimmee • Saturday, June 30: 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator at [email protected].

Persons who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Roger Masten, c/o SunRail, 801 SunRail Drive, Sanford, FL  32771; or by phone at (321) 257-7161; or by email [email protected].

SunRail currently runs 32-mile daily service, stopping at 12 stations, Monday through Friday, between DeBary in Volusia County to the Sand Lake Road Station south of Orlando. For more information about SunRail, including fares, station locations as well as schedule and hours of operation, please visit sunrail.com. Please be careful around trains, railroad crossings, and while at station platforms. Be smart. Be safe.

Ocala woman claims top prize in new THE PRICE IS RIGHT Scratch-Off game

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The Florida Lottery announces that Nina Holloway, of Ocala, claimed a $1 million top prize in the new THE PRICE IS RIGHT Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $770,000.00.

Holloway purchased her winning ticket from Top Discount Beverages & Food, located at 7141 East Highway 25 in Belleview. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.

The $5 game, THE PRICE IS RIGHT, launched on April 19, 2018, and features more than $59 million in prizes, including six top prizes of $1 million! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.19.

Scratch-Offs are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, generating more than $784 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in FY 2016-17, and comprising approximately 68 percent of ticket sales.

Diaz Posts Impressive Fundraising Numbers

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The State Representative has raised nearly $550,000 for his Florida Senate bid

The Manny Diaz Campaign today announced that he has raised a total of $548,010. That amount includes $325,810 for his campaign, combined with the $222,200 that his political committee, Better Florida Education, has brought in since the 2016 election. Diaz has represented District 103 in the Florida House of Representatives since 2012 and is seeking the District 36 seat in the Florida Senate.

“These numbers represent real momentum for our vision for Florida “ said Diaz. “I’m grateful and encouraged by the strong support we’re seeing from so many friends and concerned citizens who are investing in our campaign. We’re going to keep working hard to grow our team, and I look forward to continuing to work hard to strengthen and expand educational opportunities in Florida.”

During April, the campaign raised $36,400 and Better Florida Education raised $37,500. He has nearly $299,000 cash on hand.

ON THE WEB:  votemannydiazjr.com

Paid by Manny Diaz Jr., Republican, for State Senator

Post-9/11 Veteran Rep. Brian Mast and Reporter Leo Shane To Be Honored By Post-9/11 Veterans

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On June 6, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the leading voice of the Post-9/11 generation of veterans, will host its second annual “IAVA Salutes” event to recognize individuals who have demonstrated tremendous courage and leadership in support of the veterans community at its annual IAVA Salutes event in Washington D.C.

IAVA will honor Leo Shane with the Award for Leadership in Journalism for his excellence in reporting on veterans issues on Capitol Hill. IAVA will also honor Representative Brian Mast (FL-18) with the Award for Leadership in Government for his focus and effectiveness in ensuring veterans remain a priority on Capitol Hill.

“This is a historic event honoring two of our nation’s greatest veterans advocates. Congressman Brian Mast is a combat-wounded Afghanistan veteran who has consistently put country over self. Congressman Mast is a leader on critical veterans issues in Washington, including sponsoring IAVA supported legislation on toxic exposures and cosponsoring IAVA-led legislation on women veterans,” said Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and CEO of IAVA. “We are also honored to have the opportunity to recognize Leo Shane, one of the most dedicated and effective reporters covering veterans issues. Leo’s reporting has changed the course of history for veterans, holding leaders in Washington accountable to our nation’s veterans and ensuring veterans stories are told.”

In 2017, the first annual IAVA Salutes event honored ABC News Correspondent Martha Raddatz and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and featured live music and veteran leaders from across the country.