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Floridians Are Ready to Vote YES on Amendment 4

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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING…

On 150th Anniversary of Florida’s Disenfranchisement Law
Floridians Are Ready to Vote YES on Amendment 4

Florida enshrined disenfranchisement in its constitution 150-years ago today. This law was put in place in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. Today, Florida is one of only four states with a lifetime ban on voting and permanently excludes 1.4 million Floridians, who have served their time and paid their debts to society, from voting. Now is the time to retire this antiquated law by voting YES on Amendment 4 in November. Here’s what Floridians from all walks of life and all parts of the Sunshine State are saying:

[Read more…] about Floridians Are Ready to Vote YES on Amendment 4

New Traffic Pattern on State Road 46

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Drivers need to be aware of an upcoming nighttime traffic shift on State Road (S.R.) 46 (East 25th Street) this Sunday, May 6. Traffic will be shifted on S.R. 46 between Beardall Avenue and S.R. 415.

This shift is related to the current FDOT widening project already underway in the area, and will involve shifting traffic normally traveling on the south side of S.R. 46 to the north side. The new traffic pattern will open at 6 a.m. Monday, May 7.

Please note construction schedules may change due to weather or other circumstances. Electronic message boards have been installed to inform motorists about the road closure, and detour signs will guide traffic. Updates will be available on the Florida Department of Transportation’s Central Florida website.

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.

DCF takes action to remedy Eckerd Connects deficiencies

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Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Mike Carroll today took action to establish specialized oversight of Eckerd Connects, the community-based care, lead agency in Hillsborough County. Child welfare policy and financial experts will be placed on-site to improve child welfare practices, organizational administration, and financial management. In March, Secretary Carroll deployed a team to conduct a comprehensive review of the Hillsborough County child welfare system of care. Today’s actions are a direct result of the preliminary findings by this team.

“We are taking immediate action to address significant issues that have been identified by the review team that has conducted an extensive examination of the local system of care,” said Secretary Carroll. “We have zero tolerance for any management or practices that could result in anything less than excellent care for the children and families we serve. These initial actions will ensure that no time is wasted in correcting deficiencies that must be immediately remedied.”

The review team’s immediate recommendations include bringing a child welfare subject matter expert to work toward systemic stabilization of placements and streamlining the placement process. The preliminary recommendations include 10 directives that address specific issues, such as case management caseload, behavioral health services, and placement availability and stability.

Based on these recommendations, DCF has deployed a nationally-recognized child welfare consultant, Dr. Joyce Taylor, to work directly with Eckerd Connects, on-site, to provide guidance to strengthen their practices and policies. Dr. Taylor is affiliated with Yale University’s Program on Supervision, was formerly the Deputy Commissioner at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, and has assisted other community-based care lead agencies in Florida.

DCF has assigned a financial consultant, Melissa Jaacks, to work directly with Eckerd Connects to review all finances to identify administrative cost savings and develop a sound financial viability plan to avoid future operating deficits. Ms. Jaacks is a certified public accountant, previously served as the assistant secretary for administration at DCF in Florida and the chief of staff of the federal Administration for Children and Families. She also provides financial consulting services for a variety of child welfare agencies.

The review team, which includes independent child welfare experts and department leadership, will provide the department a full report following the conclusion of all activities, including the DCF Inspector General’s management review of placement data and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Child Protective Investigations Division’s child protective investigation related to inappropriate supervision. Following the release of the team’s report, the department will hold a community meeting where the review team will share findings and recommendations with the community.

Nelson visits Puerto Rico as post-storm recovery continues

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) was in Puerto Rico today to meet with local residents and get a firsthand look at several areas still struggling to recover from Hurricane Maria.

The visit was Nelson’s fifth to the island, and third since the storm.

Nelson, who has been an outspoken proponent of providing Puerto Rico additional funding to help the island recover from the hurricane, started the day by meeting with Puerto Rico’s Secretary of Housing Fernando Gil Enseñat in Carolina to get a firsthand look at a recently completed, federally-funded housing project. Local officials thanked Nelson for his help in getting Congress to approve the funding needed for the project.

After seeing the type of work being done to provide additional housing for residents on the island, Nelson headed to Las Piedras, one of Puerto Rico’s most underdeveloped areas where up to 30 percent of the town still does not have electricity after the storm.

“This is unacceptable,” Nelson said about the conditions in Las Piedras. “It’s been eight months since the storm, and we will continue to fight to ensure Puerto Rico is treated the way it should be.”

Before leaving Las Piedras, Nelson got a firsthand look at one of Tesla’s solar energy projects in Barrio Montones. The pilot project, which began in March 2018, provides electricity to 12 homes on top of a mountain that would not otherwise have electricity following the storm. Nelson’s visit to see the solar project comes just days before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is set to hold – at Nelson’s request – an oversight hearing on the island’s ongoing power woes in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The hearing will be held on May 8.

After visiting with residents in Las Piedras, Nelson met with Puerto Rico’s Gov. Ricardo Rosselló and First Lady Beatriz Rosselló.  Nelson expressed his condolences for the nine Puerto Rican Air National Guard members lost this week when their C-130 crashed in Georgia. Nelson and Rosselló then headed to Guaynabo to announce a new housing initiative that will solidify housing for dozens of Puerto Rican families.

Finally, Nelson visited Caño Martín Peña Ecosystem Restoration Project to get a firsthand look at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ project to clean out the once-navigable channel that’s now clogged with debris. Now blocked, the clogged canal poses a serious health threats to the nearly 26,000 residents who live in nearby communities as untreated sewage entering the canal is unable to properly move through it.

Attorney General Bondi Files Lawsuit Against Farm-to-Table Restaurants’ Deceptive Claims

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Attorney General Pam Bondi today filed a complaint against Icebox Cafe, L.C. and Icebox Cafe at MIA, LLC, Miami restaurants, for allegedly supplying non-locally sourced or sustainable products as claimed on restaurant menus. Icebox Cafe at MIA, a self-proclaimed farm-to-table eatery, allegedly misled customers by claiming the restaurant received state certification as a local provider and sold local products. However, national food distributor, SYSCO, provided much of the food sold.

“Many Floridians want to know where and how their food was grown, and we will not stand for any restaurant misrepresenting the origin of the produce they sell to deceive customers seeking locally-sourced, fresh food,” said Attorney General Bondi.

Farm-to-table is a growing movement for consumers looking for a more health-conscious lifestyle, willing to pay top dollar for the freshness and uniqueness these restaurants provide. Attorney General Bondi’s Office along with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are currently looking into the business practices of so-called farm-to-table restaurants across the state to ensure consumers are not being deceived.      

The Icebox Cafe eateries are allegedly in violation of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, as a result of allegedly making false or misleading statements, as well as material omissions regarding the food products offered and sold to consumers.

Some examples cited in the complaint include:

  • Claiming one restaurant sold produce from Paradise Farms, in Homestead with no record of purchase from this source;
  • Offering fish such as wild salmon, with no invoices substantiating that claim; and
  • Falsely professing to create Garden-to-Glass and Farm-to-Bar cocktails made with ingredients often picked from a nearby garden.

The Attorney General’s complaint seeks permanent injunctive relief against the defendants. The companies also face civil penalties for violations of FDUTPA.  

To view a copy of the complaint filed, click here.

I-4 and I-95 Interchange Temporary Closures

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I-4 Eastbound Ramp to I-95 Southbound, S.R. 400/Beville Road Eastbound

As part of the Interstate 95 (I-95) Widening and Systems Interchange Reconstruction Project, upcoming construction activities will require a temporary closure of State Road (S.R.) 400 (Beville Road) eastbound and Interstate 4 (I-4) exit 132B towards I-95 southbound. The closure will start during the afternoon on Sunday, May 6, through early morning of Monday, May 7.

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

  • Eastbound I-4/Beville Road traffic: Use exit 129 towards U.S. 92 (International Speedway Boulevard), merge onto I-95 southbound and take exit 260A to Beville Road.
  • I-4 eastbound to I-95 southbound/exit 132B: Use exit 129 towards U.S. 92 (International Speedway Boulevard) east to I-95 southbound.
  • Please note that the I-4 exit 132A to I-95 northbound will remain open.

Please note construction schedules may change due to weather or other circumstances, and if this happens, the closures will take place Monday night. 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.

Incoming Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson Sets the Record Straight

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In letter to federal government, AHCA’s false claims belie the facts

Incoming Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville) on Friday called on Governor Rick Scott’s Agency for Health Care Administration to immediately retract its misleading claims that no legislative objections or concerns were raised over its plan to gut a critical safeguard protecting Florida’s seniors and families facing catastrophic health care emergencies.

“AHCA omitted key facts in its letter to the federal government seeking to amend its Medicaid waiver, promoting the move as an efficiency tool. In reality, despite both opposition and concern raised by myself and other Democrats, the main intent was to free up $38 million for general revenue, surrendering $60 million in federal matching dollars while saddling seniors, the disabled, and their families with massive medical debt.”

At issue is a waiver to the state’s Medicaid program sought by Scott’s Administration to eliminate “Medicaid retroactive eligibility,” which allows Medicaid to cover unpaid medical bills for up to 90-days from the date of application. Florida Medicaid only covers certain low income individuals: pregnant women, children, a limited number of parents who meet stringent income limits, people with disabilities, and senior citizens. While the waiver now being sought would continue the retroactive coverage of Medicaid-eligible pregnant women and children, seniors and the disabled – including veterans – would lose this extended period, and bear the heaviest financial consequences.

In its April 27, 2018 letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, AHCA’s Deputy Secretary for Medicaid claimed: “We are not aware of any concern or opposition raised by any member of either party regarding this provision during extensive budget debate.”

The record refuting that statement follows. During the March 9th, 2018 Senate floor debate on HB 5001, the General Appropriations Act, Democratic Senators Audrey Gibson, Jose Javier Rodriguez, Kevin Rader, and Victor Torres all expressed concerns and raised questions about the need for the cut.

“Contrary to AHCA’s alternative facts, Senate Democrats did raise both opposition and concerns during the budget debate on the Medicaid retroactive eligibility cuts. Attempting to sell this as a bi-partisan blessing on bad policy is an untruth.”

UT to Renovate Riverside Center on Campus to Address Student Needs

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Renovation will greatly increase size of Career
Services and post office, and will add 10 classrooms

The University of Tampa’s Riverside Center, which was built in 1962 on the Hillsborough River and has supported various administrative and academic functions over the years, will undergo a major renovation this summer and fall. The renovation will allow for significantly increased space for Career Services, classrooms, conference rooms and for a transformed post office.

The current building, which is a mix of single-story, story-and-a-half and two-story spaces, will become two-story throughout, but will remain approximately the same footprint. The renovation will add nearly 20,000 square feet for a total of 54,000 square feet. The project is expected to begin in early May, and to be fully completed for the Spring 2019 semester. However, the post office, language lab and some administrative spaces are expected to be complete by the Fall 2018 semester.

Highlights of the renovation include:

  • Career Services, which helps students transition from college to career, will have an additional 5,000 square feet to incorporate spaces for placement services, including interviewing, corporate recruiter meetings, receptions, employer programs and numerous student programs to aid career exploration and job search. An adjacent multipurpose room will open onto a patio that overlooks the Hillsborough River.
  • Classrooms and conference spaces account for an additional 4,500 square feet. The new building will feature 10 classrooms and conference rooms, which include two state-of-the-art language labs. Many of the classrooms will feature views of the Hillsborough River and downtown Tampa.
  • UT’s post office will be totally redesigned and modernized to account for current trends in student use, in which students do not receive significant amounts of first class mail, but do receive numerous packages via Amazon, USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc. In fact, last year post office staff handled 10,000 packages the first week of fall semester, and more than 100,000 during the academic year.

The new building will also include space for faculty offices to help keep pace with the rapid addition of new employee hires. The Office of Admissions’ presentation room will be expanded, as will Admissions’ logistics space for managing mailings to prospective students. Development and University Relations, Human Resources and Public Information and Publications will also benefit from redesign and expanded spaces.

“The new Riverside Building will benefit the UT community in many ways,” said UT President Ronald Vaughn. “I believe students will especially benefit from the expansion of Career Services and the addition of classrooms and study spaces, and I think they will particularly enjoy a modernized, functional post office.”

The project architect is Andy Dohmen of Design Styles Architecture and the general contractor is Dave Tavlin of Crossroads Construction.

Construction of the building will be paid for through individual gifts and University funds.

In alignment with UT’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the building will be designed and constructed to be a candidate for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification of the U.S. Green Building Council.

The renovation will also be enhanced by landscaping, new sidewalks and outdoor, riverfront seating.

When it opened in May 1963 the Riverside Center was known as the Student Center and included a bookstore, dining center, library and student lounges. It was built soon after the completion of the McKay and Smiley residence halls, when UT was attempting to build out a more complete campus, as well as manage its post-war enrollment increase. It was expanded in 1969, and the building last received a facelift in 2009.

Gov. Scott to President Trump: U.S. Should Withdraw from Iran Deal

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Governor Rick Scott today sent a letter to President Donald Trump expressing his support for the U.S. to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. The Governor has been extremely supportive of standing with the United States’ ally, Israel. Later this month, the Governor will attend the opening of the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. See Governor Scott’s letter to President Trump below, or click HERE.

May 4, 2018

The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Trump:

Florida is home to a vibrant Jewish community and has the third largest Jewish population in the nation. I have had the opportunity to visit Israel twice as Governor to lead economic development missions with Florida business and education leaders, and later this month, I will travel to Israel as the United States officially opens its embassy in Jerusalem. Moving the embassy was very important to me and I appreciate the action you took to make it happen.

As Governor, I have worked aggressively to demonstrate Florida’s unwavering commitment and support for Israel. In Florida, we have continued to take action to stand firmly with Israel and our Jewish community by signing sweeping legislation to prohibit the state from investing in and contracting with companies that boycott Israel, and investing funds to secure our Jewish Day Schools after they faced continuous bomb threats.

However, the greatest issue that I believe impacts Israel at this moment is the reckless Iran deal spearheaded by President Obama. I have continued to be very vocal about the dangers of the Iran deal, and I believe we must withdraw and scrap it entirely. I do not believe this agreement can be fixed – we need a complete reset. The information presented by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week further confirms the urgent need to withdraw.

As you continue to review this topic, I urge you to withdraw immediately to ensure the safety of the United States, Israel and all of our allies. Thank you for your leadership on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Rick Scott
Governor

Broward County man claims top prize in $2,000,000 24 KARAT CASH Scratch-Off game

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The Florida Lottery announces that Renford Lewis, 55, of Lauderdale Lakes, claimed a $2 million top prize in the $2,000,000 24 KARAT CASH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,600,000.00.

A frequent Lottery player, Lewis said he plans to use his winnings to help his siblings, his seven children and his nieces and nephews.

He purchased his winning ticket from Sunshine, located at 1601 North State Road 7 in Lauderhill. The retailer will receive a $4,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.

24 KARAT CASH offers four top prizes of $2 million! This $10 game also features more than 152,500 prizes from $100 to $10,000. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-3.57.

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.