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Tim Wu to Present ‘Is First Amendment Obsolete?’ at Stetson University

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Author of Net Neutrality theory explores role of universities in free speech

Stetson University will host Tim Wu, author, policy advocate, and professor at Columbia Law School, who will present, “Is the First Amendment Obsolete: Free Speech, the Internet and the University.” Best known for developing the theory of Net Neutrality, Wu also directs the Poliak Center for the study of First Amendment Issues at Columbia Journalism School.

Wu’s speech will be Wednesday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m., at Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, 32723. The presentation is one in a series of speeches for Stetson University’s Social Justice Lecture Series.

In addition to his work on Net Neutrality, Wu writes about private power, free speech, copyright, and antitrust. In 2014, he ran as the progressive Democrat candidate for lieutenant governor of New York. His award-winning book The Master Switch (2010) has won wide recognition.

Wu is a contributing writer at NewYorker.com and a former contributing editor at The New Republic. In 2013, National Law Journal included him in “America’s 100 Most Influential Lawyers,” and in 2014 and 2015, he was named to the “Politico 50.” He formerly wrote for Slate, where he won the Lowell Thomas Gold medal for Travel Journalism. In 2015, he was appointed to the Executive Staff of the Office of New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman as a senior enforcement counsel and special advisor.

Central Florida Commuter Rail Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting March 7, 2018

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The Central Florida Commuter Rail Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meets Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at LYNX Central Station, in the 2nd floor Multipurpose Room, located at 455 N. Garland Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801. The TAC is comprised of appointed city and county officials.

This meeting site is conveniently located near the LYNX Station platforms. Please check SunRail arrival and departure times at www.sunrail.com.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. 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  3277; or by phone at (321) 257-7161; or by email [email protected].

Questions? Please contact Steve Olson of the Florida Department of Transportation at [email protected] /386-943-5479.

Please be careful around trains, railroad crossings, and while at station platforms. Be smart. Be safe. For more information about SunRail, including fares, schedule and station locations, please visit www.sunrail.com.

More than 1,000 Floridians Attend CRC Public Hearings in Central and Northeast Florida

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More than 1,000 Floridians attended public hearings held by the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) on February 19 in Melbourne at Eastern Florida State College’s Maxwell C. King Center and on February 20 in Jacksonville at the University of North Florida’s Adam W. Herbert University Center as part of its’ “Road to the Ballot” public hearing tour.

At Eastern Florida State College, more than 240 individuals requested to speak before the CRC and approximately 600 attended the public hearing. At the University of North Florida, more than 210 individuals requested to speak before the CRC and approximately 500 attended the public hearing. Both public hearings began at 1:00 PM and extended past the noticed end time of 7:00 PM local time.

All Floridians who attended the public hearings and wanted to speak were given an opportunity to be heard by the CRC. To watch the public hearings held in Melbourne and Jacksonville, visit the Florida Channel’s website which has a page dedicated to all CRC public hearings and meetings. Complete transcripts of the public hearings, appearance forms and documents received will be available online at flcrc.gov/Meeting/PublicHearings as soon as possible.

There are three remaining stops on the CRC’s “Road to the Ballot” public hearing tour in 2018:

NORTHWEST FLORIDA PUBLIC HEARING
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
1:00-7:00 PM CST
University of West Florida
Conference Center & Ballroom
11000 University Parkway, Building 22
Pensacola, FL 32514

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PUBLIC HEARING
Monday, March 05, 2018
1:00-7:00 PM EST
The Westin
5951 Silver King Boulevard
Cape Coral, FL 33914

TAMPA BAY AREA PUBLIC HEARING
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
1:00-7:00 PM EST
University of South Florida – St. Petersburg
University Student Center
200 6th Ave S
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Visit flcrc.gov/Meetings/PublicHearings for details on upcoming public hearings and to view information and documents from previous CRC public hearings held in 2018 and 2017.

FAMU to Close Out Black History Month with Annual Harambee Festival

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Florida A&M University (FAMU) will conclude its celebration of Black History Month with its annual Harambee Festival on Saturday, February 24, 2018, at Tallahassee’s Cascades Park, located at 1001 S. Gadsden St., from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.

A cultural celebration designed to inspire unity in the community; this year’s festivities will include live entertainment by a variety of local artists and the nationally acclaimed performance group Tallahassee Nights Live.

Attendees will also enjoy African drum and dance performances, spoken word, cultural art displays, eclectic jewelry, African design showcases, international food, presentations from the University’s colleges and schools, and educational classes focused on health, food, and empowerment.

The celebration will kick off with greetings from FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and include remarks from County Commissioner Nick Maddox, Mayor Pro Tempore Curtis Richardson, Council on Culture and Arts Director Audra Pittman, Visit Tallahassee Director Kerri Post, and Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Chair Heidi Otway.

FAMU employees, students, and other Tallahassee community members founded the original Harambee festival in Tallahassee more than 20 years ago. Since it’s resurgence in 2016, the annual festival has drawn thousands of attendees from as far as South Carolina and Miami to celebrate the contributions of African-American culture.

The FAMU Harambee Festival is free to the public.  For more information and a schedule of performances and classes, visit FAMU.edu/Harambee.

UNF Opera Ensemble Presents 10th Anniversary Production of ‘La Bohème’

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In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the University of North Opera Ensemble in the School of Music presents “La Bohème,” a classic opera by Giacomo Puccini, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 9, and Saturday, March 10, as well as 3 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at the Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theater, Building 14A.

“UNF Opera is proud to present this timeless classic as an anniversary production celebrating a decade of opera at UNF and abroad,” said Dr. Krzysztof Biernacki, associate professor of voice and director of opera at UNF. “The last 10 years have been a time of exceptional growth for this young ensemble. We take pride in the fact that the School of Music provides some of the finest undergraduate and graduate vocal training in the state.”

This is the first time the UNF Opera Ensemble has presented a full production of “La Bohème,” the world’s most popular opera, on the University’s campus. The production features a cast of 25 singers, 14 children and an 18-piece community orchestra. This fully staged and costumed production will be sung in Italian with the English translation projected above the stage.

At first glance, “La Bohème” is the definitive depiction of the joys and sorrows of love and loss; however, it reveals the deep emotional significance hidden in the trivial things—a bonnet, an old overcoat, a chance meeting with a neighbor—that make up our everyday lives. The production will be directed by Biernacki and conducted by Curtis Tucker, artistic director of First Coast Opera, Northeast Florida’s premier opera company.

UNF Opera has successfully produced over 20 opera productions in the last decade, including American opera classics, such as “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” “The Consul” and “Street Scene,” as well as operatic all-time favorites, like “Magic Flute,” “Marriage of Figaro,” “La Traviata” and “Barber of Seville.” Since 2010, UNF Opera has participated in a study abroad program in the Czech Republic. The program involves study and performance of at least two full operas in established European opera theatres with professional orchestras as well as master classes, individual coaching and open-air orchestra concerts.

Since 2008, UNF Opera has produced over 20 complete productions, including six complete operas in Europe during its annual opera study abroad program in the Czech Republic. Traditional operas include the “Magic Flute,” “Marriage of Figaro,” “La Traviata,” “Barber of Seville” and “Cosi Fan Tutte,” among others. UNF Opera has also produced other 20th-century American works, such as “The Consul,” performed in the Lazzara Performance Hall in 2011.

Comprised and cast from both undergraduate and graduate voice majors, the UNF Opera Ensemble focuses on skill development, stagecraft and theatrical experience through production and performance of complete operatic works suitable for student voices. The UNF Opera Ensemble also engages in community outreach, student recruitment and promotion of operatic arts in the community through production of special concerts, educational programs and school performances.

Tickets for this performance cost $25 for adults and are free for UNF faculty, staff and students with proper identification. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online here. For more information about this performance, contact the UNF School of Music at (904) 620-2961 or email [email protected].

The Music Flagship Program provides music majors and non-music majors alike the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding and ability in all aspects of music at a level relevant and appropriate to their needs and interests and to prepare music majors for careers as performers, teachers, composers, arrangers and professionals in the music industry and its supporting fields. Our students experience transformational learning opportunities through international study abroad programs, interaction with world class guest artists and community based performance and pedagogical programs.

Students Lead the Cry at Rally by Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, LWVFL

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Students led the cry demanding gun law reform at a Wednesday afternoon rally in Tallahassee, as thousands gathered in support at the Historic Florida Capitol. Hosted by the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence and the League of Women Voters of Florida, the young people raised up their voices with intelligence and grace just one week after 17 people were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School by a 19-year-old using a military-style assault weapon.
“The League of Women Voters of Florida is honored to stand with these courageous, passionate, and fierce students and this movement for safe gun legislation in Florida,” said Pamela Goodman, president of the state League. “We support their call for a ban on assault weapons in our state and vow to speak to every legislator in every office, committee, and session until our officials adjourn in 2½ weeks. Hear the bills, debate them, and pass them.”
Patricia Brigham, co-chair of the Coalition and 1st vice president of the Florida League agreed. “Today we heard the voices of our future voters. Through the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the many others who rallied by the thousands at the Capitol, we are seeing the tide turn toward responsible gun reform before our eyes. Our students are leading the way.”
For the past two legislative sessions, the Coalition and League have supported a ban on the sale of military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.

FDLE arrests man in identify theft scheme targeting teachers

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One suspect still at large

Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Office of Executive Investigations, with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, arrested Ralph Alonso Everett Jr. of Miami for organized scheme to defraud, reemployment assistance fraud and criminal use of personal identification. A second man, Isaiah Lewis also of Miami, is at large. The pair is accused of stealing the identities of teachers statewide and using their information to collect unemployment benefits.

The investigation began in 2016, after the DEO’s fraud investigation team identified a pattern of suspicious reemployment assistance claims. Losses to the State of Florida are in excess of $50 thousand.

The investigation identified over 100 employees associated with 65 different school board districts that had their identities illegally used to submit fraudulent reemployment assistance claims from February through December 2016. Although Everett and Lewis attempted to defraud DEO of over $200 thousand in fraudulent claims, DEO’s fraud identification team was able to identify the fraudulent activity which significantly reduced loss to the state.

Investigators believe Everett and Lewis defrauded DEO by filing fraudulent claims utilizing identities of school board employees across the state and several individuals from the healthcare sector. The money was disbursed from DEO into fraudulent bank accounts under the control of Everett and Lewis. The funds were subsequently withdrawn from ATMs throughout Miami.

FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said, “Thanks to the swift, diligent work of the DEO team, FDLE agents and Department of Labor, these criminals were stopped in their tracks and losses to Florida citizens mitigated.”

Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of DEO said, “DEO is incredibly thankful for our partnership with FDLE to arrest criminals who steal from Floridians and the Reemployment Assistance Program. Our team is committed to safeguarding taxpayer dollars while providing Floridians a financial bridge to their next job.”

Everett was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on $80,000 bond while Lewis remains at large. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute the case.

The investigation is on-going and there could be additional arrests.​

Florida Senate Democrats Vow to Push for Assault Weapons Ban

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Caucus promises to attach their gun safety amendments to any viable legislation

The Senate Democratic Caucus on Wednesday unanimously agreed to push for an assault weapons ban, and vowed that they would seek to attach their gun safety amendments to any viable legislation as the 2018 legislative session hurtles to an end.

“The one single thing each and every one of these killings had in common was access to and possession of an assault rifle, a military weapon of war that has been repeatedly turned on our own children and citizens,” said Senate Democratic Leader Oscar Braynon (D-Miami Gardens), adding that the majority of mass shootings involving assault rifles were committed by individuals over the age of 21, and not every perpetrator was officially classified as mentally ill.

“So long as assault rifles like the AR-15 are legally sold in this state, so long as they are not banned, their threat to civilians will remain in every school, every mall, every movie theater, every nightclub, and in every place the public gathers.”

The gun safety measures filed by Democrats, including SB 196, a ban on assault weapons, have been bottled up in the committee process while pro-gun measures have been moving through the Senate. This week was the first time pro-gun bills were pulled from consideration, one week after the massacre at Stoneman Douglas High School.

With no guarantee that these controversial measures will remain off the table, Senate Democrats said that they are ready to file their assault weapons ban and other gun safety bills as amendments should they reappear.

These amendments include:

  • SB 196 Assault Weapons Ban
  • SB 218 Trigger Locks
  • SB 838 Sale & Delivery Through Licensed Dealer
  • SB 456 Bump Stock Ban
  • SB 1476 Firearms Registry
  • SB 400 Mental Health Screening
  • SB 530 Risk Protection Order

The 2018 legislative session is scheduled to conclude on March 9th, 2018.

Florida Council for Safe Communities leader calls for impact of violent video games to be addressed

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John Giotis, Chairman Emeritus of the Florida Council for Safe Communities, today released the following statement about the response to the Parkland school shooting:

“As the families affected by last week’s unspeakably tragic school shooting bury their loved ones and continue to grieve, we must figure out a way to come together to keep this from happening again. As an educator and a child advocate, my hope is that we find the correct response going forward, not a knee-jerk reaction

“Whether new gun legislation is passed or not—and that will certainly be looked at—we should realize the limits of those laws. For example, the Columbine shooting occurred five years after President Clinton successfully pushed an assault weapons ban. We must also discuss the impact of violent video games on our youth. In a 2015 report, the American Psychological Association stated that “research demonstrates a consistent relation between violent video game use and heightened aggressive behavior.” Many of the killers involved in similar shootings in recent years were avid violent video game players, including Seung-Hi Cho of Virginia Tech; Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris of Columbine; Adam Lanza of Newtown; and the most recent murderer, Nikolas Cruz of Parkland.

“Like with many of the most vexing problems in our culture, we should look at every aspect of this life-or-death issue and be willing to take an all-of-the-above approach to meaningful and effective changes. I continue to pray for Parkland, and I hope that out of this latest senseless tragedy we create sound public policy that actually addresses the root-causes of school shootings.”

ICYMI: CNN: Caldwell Defends 2nd Amendment Rights

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Representative Matt Caldwell, candidate for Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, today joined CNN to defend the Second Amendment and discuss real solutions to the devastating tragedy in Parkland.

Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture oversees the concealed-weapon license system and safeguards the Second Amendment. As a candidate for Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Caldwell is the principled conservative in the race and the only candidate who has consistently received an A rating from the NRA.