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CRC Meeting Schedule Week of January 8-12

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MEDIA ADVISORY

The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) noticed the following meeting schedule for the week of January 8-12, 2018. CRC meetings are open to the public. Members of the public wishing to address CRC committees will be provided an opportunity to speak at the direction of the respective committee chair. Visit flcrc.gov/Committees for additional information on CRC committees.
The Interim Calendar is available on the CRC Calendars Page at flcrc.gov/Meetings/Calendars.
Monday, January 8

  • No scheduled meetings

Tuesday, January 9

  • No scheduled meetings

Wednesday, January 10

  • No scheduled meetings

Thursday, January 11
NOTE: Some meetings on this date will be held at locations outside the Capitol Complex. Visit committee pages for location details.

Friday, January 12

On Legislature’s opening day, advocates to “Awake The State” for a Florida that works for every Floridian

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MEDIA ADVISORY

As the 2018 legislative session kicks off, advocates will gather at The Capitol to “Awake The State” for a Florida that works for every Floridian, not just the wealthy and well-connected. Local and state leaders along with advocates will call on Gov. Rick Scott and his allies in the Legislature to pass a budget that invests in hardworking Floridians, not more massive corporate giveaways.
The capital city event will be part of a series of statewide actions and events promoting a just state budget, and pushing back against the failed economic policies of the previous eight years under Gov. Rick Scott that have left everyday Floridians mired in “Rick’s Recession”.
Schedule for Tuesday, January 9th:
WHO: Crishelle Bailey, FAMU student and Planned Parenthood volunteer
Julio Calderon, Organizer for the We Are Florida campaign, Florida Immigrant Coalition
Barbara DeVane, Lobbyist for Florida NOW
Aliki Moncrief, Executive Director of Florida Conservation Voters
Rich Templin, Ph.D., Legislative and Political Director of the Florida AFL-CIO
Karen Woodall, Executive Director of the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy
WHAT: Tallahassee press conference unveiling Awake The State’s priorities for a Florida that works for every Floridian.
Additional press events will be held across the state including in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Tampa, New Port Richey, Orlando, Jacksonville, Cocoa, and Stuart.
WHEN: Tuesday, January 9th at  approximately 12pm (or immediately after the Governor delivers his State of the State address and the Democratic legislative leaders make their response).
WHERE: Florida State Capitol – Fourth Floor rotunda
400 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
For a listing of events in other cities visit AwakeTheState.com.

Diverse State and National Corporations and Organizations Urge CRC to Put Energy Freedom on the Ballot

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Constitution Revision Committee to Decide on Proposal 51 on Friday

A diverse array of organizations — from the global retail giant Walmart to a conservative think tank — is calling for the Florida Constitution Revision Commission to give Floridians the opportunity to choose their electricity provider by putting Proposal 51 on the 2018 ballot.
Representatives of the organizations will conduct a media conference call tomorrow, Tuesday, January 9 at 2 p.m. The Florida Energy Freedom coalition will convene Proposal 51 advocates from national and regional corporations, non-profits and research organizations to voice their support  of “electric choice” as outlined in Proposal 51. This proposal gives consumers the freedom to choose their electricity provider which advocates say will lead to an increase in efficiency, jobs, and innovation. During the conference call, members of Florida Energy Freedom will discuss the reasons for their support and take questions from the media.


What: Media Conference Call
When: Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 2:00pm (ET)
Where: Conference Line Number:
(888) 392-4560
Access Code: 4985488
Who:
Walmart
Chris Hendrix, Director of Markets & Compliance
Infinite Energy
Darin Cook, Co-CEO
Earth Stewardship Alliance
Jim Presswood, Executive Director
The Perryman Group
Ray Perryman, President & CEO
Florida Energy Freedom
Rich Blaser, President & Chairman
Reason Foundation
Spence Purnell, Policy Analyst
Pat Wood
Former Chairman of Public Utility Commission of Texas & Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Retail Energy Supply Association
Phil O’Connor, Author of 2017 Report

Appointments by Governor Rick Scott for Friday, January 5, 2017

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Gov. Scott Announces Eight Appointments to Multiple State Boards

Governor Rick Scott today announced seven reappointments and one appointment to multiple state boards.
Florida Gateway College District Board of Trustees
Dr. Athena Randolph, 60, of Lake City, is co-owner of Randolph Medical Practices. Dr. Randolph is reappointed for a term beginning January 5, 2018, and ending May 31, 2019.
Kathryn McInnis, 71, of Old Town, is a retired occupational specialist for the Dixie County School Board. She is reappointed for a term beginning January 5, 2018, and ending May 31, 2021.
The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Florida Keys Community College District Board of Trustees
Kevin Madok, 55, of Big Pine Key, is the clerk of courts for Monroe County. Madok is reappointed for a term beginning January 5, 2018, and ending May 31, 2020.
This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Lake-Sumter State College District Board of Trustees
Bryn Blaise, 29, of the Villages, is the construction manager for the Villages Commercial Property Management Blaise is appointed to fill a vacant seat for a term beginning January 5, 2018, and ending May 31, 2019.
Bret Jones, 38, of Clermont, is the principal attorney and owner of the Law Offices of Bret Jones, P.A. Jones is reappointed for a term beginning January 5, 2018, and ending May 31, 2021.
Marcia Butler, 73, of the Villages, previously taught in the Pinellas County school system. Butler is reappointed for a term beginning January 5, 2018, and ending May 31, 2021.
Tim Morris, 59, of Leesburg, is the vice president of Ernie Morris Enterprises, Inc. Morris is reappointed for a term beginning January 5, 2018, and ending May 31, 2021.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Board of Occupational Therapy
Dr. Daniel Calvo, 40, of Lakeland, is the regional consultant of clinical services for Accelerated Care Plus. He is reappointed for a term beginning January 5, 2018, and ending October 31, 2021.
This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Gov. Scott Reappoints Robert “Blake” Gable
to Florida Gulf Coast District Board of Trustees

Governor Rick Scott today announced the reappointment of Blake Gable to the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees.
Gable, 46, of Naples, is the chief executive officer at Barron Collier Companies. He has served as a board member of the Immokalee Foundation and as a trustee of the Greater Naples YMCA. Gable received his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and his master’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University. He is reappointed for a term beginning January 6, 2018, and ending January 6, 2023.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Gov. Scott Reappoints Two to Florida A&M University Board of Trustees

Governor Rick Scott today announced the reappointments of Kelvin Lawson and Dr. Matthew Carter to the Florida A & M University Board of Trustees.
Lawson, 54, of Jacksonville, is a vice president at Acosta Sales and Marketing. He previously served as the director of national accounts for Johnson and Johnson. Lawson received his bachelor’s degree from Florida A & M University. He is reappointed for a term beginning January 5, 2018, and ending January 6, 2021.
Dr. Carter, 65, of Tallahassee, is an attorney and business consultant on energy, economic development, and education with Carter and Associates. He is a United States Army Veteran and previously served as a member of the Board of Governors of the State University System. Dr. Carter is reappointed for a term beginning January 6, 2018, and ending January 6, 2023.
The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

West Palm Beach woman starts the new year with $1 million Scratch-Off prize

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The Florida Lottery announces that Sally Benjamin, 50, of West Palm Beach, claimed a $1 million prize in the $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $748,000.00.
Benjamin purchased her winning ticket from Publix, located at 6820 Okeechobee Boulevard in West Palm Beach. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The $25 game, $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH, launched in February and features more than $549 million in total cash prizes, including two top prizes of $10 million and 46 prizes of $1 million! Overall odds of winning are one-in-2.89.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 68 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $784 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2016-17.

PIFF releases 2018 legislative priorities

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The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida (PIFF) today released its 2018 legislative priorities, which address the most critical issues facing the property and casualty personal lines markets in Florida. This list, which will be released annually immediately before the start of the legislative session, includes recommended law changes designed to fix problems in the consumer insurance markets, and identifies issues that PIFF members believe are detrimental to the health of these markets.

“Our overriding goal as a trade is to advocate for a healthy, competitive market for insurance products to the benefit of all Floridians,” stated Michael Carlson, president of PIFF, which recently welcomed Farmers Insurance to its membership. “In 2018, we believe the key priority should be to meaningfully address assignment of benefits (AOB) reform in a way that reduces fraud and abuse, and thereby reduces costs.”

2018 PIFF priorities include:

  • Eliminating the AOB cost driver, which is the cause for homeowners’ premium increases in Florida, by addressing the “one-way” attorney fee law to eliminate claims abuse and unnecessary litigation;

  • Thoughtfully addressing the costs of any repeal of the Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, and including reasonable reforms to Florida’s third-party “bad faith” law as part of any repeal;

  • Restoring fairness to the law by fixing Florida’s unfair “bad faith” laws to require third-party claimants to comply with the law that applies to first-party claimants;

  • Preserving a proven, transparent, and performance-based premium tax credit which has created high wage jobs in Florida; and

  • Maintaining Florida law that governs when prejudgment interest may be awarded to claimants in negligence actions, which will avoid unnecessary cost increases.

“We look forward to engaging with our allies and partners in the legislature to promote positive policy outcomes in the coming year that will truly benefit consumers,” Carlson added.

Commissioner Adam H. Putnam Opens Second Camp Dedicated to Wounded Veterans

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today opened the second camp dedicated to providing outdoor, recreational opportunities at no cost to wounded veterans who participate in Operation Outdoor Freedom.
Peace River Camp, located in Arcadia and managed by the Florida Forest Service, consists of: a bunkhouse with three rooms and 20 beds, a screened outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, a dining area, and a restroom facility. The camp is located in Peace River State Forest, which spans 5,000 acres. The camp will be used by eligible veterans participating in Operation Outdoor Freedom events.
“I want Florida to be the most veteran friendly state in the nation, and Operation Outdoor Freedom is one small way we can show our appreciation for the men and women who have given so much for our country,” stated Commissioner Adam H. Putnam. “This is a permanent commitment from the State of Florida to the men and women who put it all on the line to make our liberties and our freedoms, that we so often take for granted, even possible.”
Since 2011, Operation Outdoor Freedom has hosted 438 outdoor events, and 3,368 veterans have participated in the program.
For more information on Operation Outdoor Freedom, click here.

U.S. Airman Celebrates 23rd Birthday with $1 Million Scratch-Off Prize

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Kyle Graziano poses with his oversized check after claiming a
$1 million prize in the $10,000,000 FORTUNE Scratch-Off game.

The Florida Lottery announces that Kyle Graziano, 23, of Valdosta, Georgia, claimed a $1 million prize in the $10,000,000 FORTUNE Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee, one day before turning 23. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $792,000.00.
Graziano, a member of the United States Airforce, said he and his family were on the way to Orlando to visit relatives when he stopped at a gas station for a soda and picked up a Lottery ticket. “I never imagined that this ticket would be a winner. My wife and I are going to save the money for our daughters to use for college.”
Graziano purchased his winning ticket from Johnson & Johnson, located at 8191 State Road 6 West in Jasper. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The $25 Scratch-Off game, $10,000,000 FORTUNE, features more than $623 million in total cash prizes, including 46 prizes of $1 million and four prizes of $10 million. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-2.88.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 68 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $784 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2016-17.

FDLE to Host Child Safety Fair February 10th

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Fort Myers Regional Operations Center will be hosting a “Child Safety Fair” as part of FDLE’s 50th Anniversary. The fair will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm in the parking lot of FDLE’s Fort Myers Regional Operations Center located at 4700 Terminal Drive in Fort Myers.
The event is open to the public and is free of charge. State and local law enforcement agencies along with other safety organizations will have activities for children and their parents including:

  • SWAT and K-9 Demonstrations
  • Fire Safety
  • Free Bike Helmet Giveaway (while supplies last)
  • Fingerprinting
  • Escape House
  • Free Car Seat Checks
  • Cybersecurity Awareness Presentations
  • Smokey the Bear

Please join FDLE and local public safety agencies for a fun day of activities for the whole family.
FDLE’s mission is to promote public safety and strengthen domestic security by providing services in partnership with local, state and federal criminal justice agencies to prevent, investigate and solve crimes while protecting Florida’s citizens and visitors.
For Further Information Contact:
Larry Long
FDLE Fort Myers Regional Operations Center
(239) 278-7170
Gretl Plessinger, Jessica Cary or Jeremy Burns
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001