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Winter Garden man claims $2 million POWERBALL prize

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Bobby Bell poses with his family and oversized check after claiming a $2,000,000
prize from the POWERBALL drawing held on Saturday, November 11, 2017.

The Florida Lottery announces that Bobby Bell, 56, of Winter Garden, claimed a $2 million prize from the POWERBALL® drawing held on November 11, 2017. The winning ticket matched all five of the white ball numbers, but did not match the Powerball.
Bell purchased his winning ticket from RaceTrac, located at 10751 West Colonial Drive in Ocoee. The retailer will receive a $5,000 bonus commission for selling the winning POWERBALL ticket.
The next POWERBALL drawing will be held tonight, November 15, at 10:59 p.m. ET with an estimated $103 million jackpot. National POWERBALL drawings are broadcast live, in high-definition, from the Florida Lottery’s state of the art draw studio in Tallahassee. Florida Lottery game drawings are broadcast on 17 carrier stations throughout the state. Drawings are also available for viewing on the Florida Lottery website. Winning numbers are available on the Lottery website, at retailers statewide and by phone at (850) 921-PLAY.

Gov. Scott: Securing Florida's Future Budget Includes $178 Million Investment for Florida's Veterans

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On Monday, Governor Rick Scott announced his proposal for $178 million in total funding to support active military, veterans and their families in Florida as part of his 2018-2019 recommended budget. He also announced his support for a proposal being considered by the Constitution Revision Commission to provide free tuition to the families of fallen first responders, state law enforcement officers and military members who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Governor Scott’s $178 million investment for Florida’s active military, veterans and their families includes:

  • $200,000 for search and rescue vessels and protective equipment for our National Guardsmen to use during deployment;
  • Nearly $8 million to begin operations at the Lake Baldwin State Veteran Nursing Home, which will allow this facility to serve more than 110 veterans in the coming year;
  • $2 million for Building Homes for Heroes to build and modify homes for veterans who were severely injured while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan;
  • $2 million for the Florida Defense Support Task Force, which helps support our military and defense communities and the many families who rely on them; and
  • $2.7 million to support veterans looking to obtain employment, start their own businesses and make Florida their home, including $1 million for Veterans Florida to continue their mission of helping veterans find great jobs at Florida businesses.

Click here to view the Securing Florida’s Future Budget complete budget.
Click here to view the Securing Florida’s Future Budget highlights.
Click here to view the Securing Florida’s Future Budget FAQ.

Florida Lottery reminds players to give and play responsibly this holiday season

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This holiday season, the Florida Lottery is reminding players to remain cautious of Lottery-related scams and theft, while also supporting responsible play by preventing underage gambling.
“As the holidays approach, the Lottery is encouraging players and retailers to remain vigilant of scams and to play responsibly,” said Secretary Jim Poppell. “We are committed to protecting the integrity of the Florida Lottery, and will continue to do all we can to prevent fraud and underage play.”
The Lottery works diligently with local, state and federal law enforcement throughout the year to protect our players, but scam attempts increase dramatically during the holidays. The Florida Lottery will never contact players to inform them that they have won a prize unless they have entered a promotional game or second chance drawing. Never answer an email, phone call, letter or social media message asking for personal or financial information to process your prize; or asking for your social security number or credit card information. To report a lottery scam, consumers should contact the Florida Lottery’s Division of Security at (850) 487-7730.
The Florida Lottery is committed to increasing awareness of underage gambling issues to consumers, retailers and other stakeholders. Our games are designed to be a fun, low-cost form of entertainment that can make a great stocking stuffer for players 18 or older. Lottery games are not child’s play, and it is imperative players remember to give responsibly this holiday season. For more information and other tips to protect yourself, please visit flalottery.com.

Gov. Scott Appoints Two to Medical Examiners Commission

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Governor Rick Scott today announced the appointments of Sheriff James “Harrell” Reid and State Attorney Jeffrey Siegmeister to the Medical Examiners Commission.
Sheriff Reid, 70, of Jasper, currently serves as the Sheriff of Hamilton County. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. Sheriff Reid is appointed to fill a vacant seat due to the resignation of Sheriff Paul Beseler, for a term beginning November 14, 2017, and ending August 21, 2021.
State Attorney Seigmeister, 49, of Live Oak, currently serves as the State Attorney of the Third Judicial Circuit of Florida. He received his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Florida. Seigmeister is appointed to fill a vacant seat due to the resignation of Angela Corey, for a term beginning November 14, 2017, and ending July 1, 2019.

Senate passes bill requiring U.S. amateur athletic organizations to report sexual abuse

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The U.S. Senate today passed legislation led by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and others to require amateur athletics governing bodies to report sexual abuse allegations immediately to local or federal law enforcement, or a child-welfare agency designated by the U.S. Justice Department.
The legislation, known as the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act, would ensure that aspiring U.S. Olympic athletes can report allegations of abuse to an independent entity to investigate, and to make sure that all national governing bodies follow the strictest standards to prevent and detect child abuse. The bill was filed earlier this year in the wake of recent allegations of sexual abuse against personnel involved with USA Gymnastics, USA Swimming and USA Taekwondo.
“It’s a stain on our country that many of our own young Olympic athletes were sexually abused for years by the very adults they entrusted to train them and keep them safe,” said Nelson. “No individual deserves to have their dream or moment of Olympic gold stolen from them by the actions of a sexual predator. These heinous crimes and the culture that allowed them to go undetected and uninvestigated for so long must end.”
Specifically, the bill amends the Ted Stevens Amateur and Olympic Sports Act, which governs amateur athletics governing bodies – including USA Gymnastics and USA Swimming, which establish rules and policies for their respective sports. It also reforms the law that allows victims to sue sex-crime perpetrators by extending the statute of limitations because it’s often difficult for children to recognize that they have had crimes committed against them until much later on into adulthood.
The legislation is supported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), National Children’s Alliance, Rights4Girls, University of Utah Law Professor Paul Cassell, Child Sex Crime Victims’ Lawyer James Marsh, Crime Victims Expert Steve Twist, National Crime Victims Center, National Association of VOCA Administrators, Child USA, National Organization for Victim Assistance, ToPrevail, ChampionWomen, National Children Advocacy Center, the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence and Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).
The bill now heads to the House for final approval.

First DCA Says Emergency Generator Rule Remains in Effect; Agreeing with Governor Scott

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The First District Court of Appeal today rejected a motion by the nursing home industry to invalidate the Governor’s life-saving emergency generator rule. The Court in a one-page order denied the nursing home industry’s claim that the emergency generator rule is not in effect as the appeals process continues. According to FS120.56(3)(b) and legal precedent, the Governor’s emergency rule remains in full effect. Yesterday, to make these important rules permanent, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and the Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) published their proposed permanent rule.
Governor Scott said, “I am glad that the First DCA rejected another challenge to our life-saving emergency generator rule. By having this emergency rule in full effect, we are ensuring that facilities across Florida are coming into compliance and are installing generators to keep their patients safe during a disaster. Instead of focusing on law suits, these interest groups should focus on ways to keep their patients safe.”

State Senator Passidomo Files Bipartisan Affordable Housing Legislation

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Senator Passidomo & Representative Shaw Join
to Stop Sweeps of State and Local Housing Trust

With representatives from the 30 diverse statewide organizations that make up the Sadowski Coalition joining her in front of the Florida Senate Chamber doors in the State Capitol in Tallahassee, State Senator Kathleen Passidomo today announced she has filed bipartisan affordable housing legislation. This legislation, Senate Bill 874, would prohibit the sweep of the State and Local Housing Trust Fund. State Representative Sean Shaw is the sponsor of the House companion bill, House Bill 191.
Senator Passidomo was joined by Representative Shaw and Senate and House Co-sponsors, as well as Sadowski Coalition Facilitator Jaimie Ross and representatives from the Sadowski Coalition, including Danielle Scoggins, senior public policy representative for the Florida Realtors.
“I’m honored to announce today that I have filed legislation, Senate Bill 874, to stop the sweeps of the State and Local Housing Trust Fund,” said Senator Passidomo. “With this legislation, this much-needed funding can become a certainty, and we can begin to use all of our available housing resources toward solving our affordable housing problem. Florida’s state and local housing trust fund programs are national models – they work, but only to the degree that they are funded.”
Governor Rick Scott’s budget proposal, released today, showed a significant reduction in sweeps of Florida’s state and local housing trust funds. The Governor’s ’17-18 budget proposed a $224M sweep, while the ’18-19 budget proposes a much lower $91.8M sweep, affirming the Governor’s commitment to affordable housing in the wake of a disastrous hurricane season.
“…we are on the right track. And hopefully, SB 874 and HB 191 can bring us that much closer to the end goal of using all affordable housing trust fund monies toward their intended purpose – affordable housing,” said Senator Passidomo.
“I filed HB 191 in the House before our housing needs were exacerbated by Hurricane Irma and the displacement of our fellow Americans by Hurricane Maria,” said Representative Shaw. “Florida is proud to open our arms to our fellow Americans from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands who need refuge or intend to establish a new residence here. We must have more housing opportunities to make that happen, and it is time we stop the sweeping of affordable housing trust fund monies.”
“This year marks 25 years since the Sadowski Act became law with bipartisan support in Florida,” said Jaimie Ross, president and CEO of the Florida Housing Coalition, and facilitator of the Sadowski Coalition. “This landmark legislation was intended to create a source of funding for affordable housing that could be relied upon. There were no sweeps of the housing trust funds during the first 10 years. We need to bring back that norm. This legislation is intended to do that. The timing could not be better.”
“Florida Realtors has been a proud supporter of the state and local government housing trust funds from the very beginning because our members understand that every community relies on dependable and accessible housing options to stay vibrant and healthy,” said Carrie O’Rourke, vice president of public policy for Florida Realtors, which is a member of the Sadowski Coalition. “We applaud Senator Passidomo and Representative Shaw for being leaders on this important issue and for calling attention to one of the biggest hurdles facing the continued economic prosperity of our state. Only by working together can we solve Florida’s affordable housing problem.”

Gov. Scott: Florida Highway Patrol Deploys Law Enforcement Assistance to Puerto Rico

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Governor Rick Scott today announced the deployment of 50 Florida Highway Patrol members to Puerto Rico in response to an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request from the Puerto Rico Police Department. Troopers participating in this detail will be conducting security operations and traffic control in and around the city of San Juan. The detail is scheduled to last one month.
Governor Scott said, “Florida remains committed to helping Puerto Rico after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. In response to their request, we are sending 50 FHP troopers to assist the Puerto Rican Police Department with their security operations and traffic control needs. I want to thank these brave men and women for sacrificing time away from their families during Thanksgiving to serve in Puerto Rico. We will continue to work with state, federal and local partners to assist Puerto Rico in any way that we can.”
Director of the Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gene S. Spaulding said, “I am extremely thankful for the Troopers who have volunteered to be away from their families during Thanksgiving to assist our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico. I’m proud of the men and women of FHP who always rise to the occasion, and I am confident that they will continue to uphold the Patrol’s core values of courtesy, service and protection.”
As part of its mission and statutory authority, the FHP routinely provides assistance to fellow law enforcement agencies following natural disasters or emergencies, and will not overextend its available resources or jeopardize its ability to respond to a current or emergent need.

Statement by CARE FL Chairman Regarding Senate Transportation Committee’s Passage of High Speed Rail Safety Act

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The Florida Senate Transportation Committee today passed Senate Bill 572 by Senator Debbie Mayfield, which establishes the Florida High Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act.
Brent Hanlon, chairman of Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida (CARE FL), released the following statement regarding the committee’s passage of the bill.
“Today’s vote by the Senate Transportation Committee demonstrates the commitment our elected leaders have to the safety and well-being of Florida residents and to the taxpayers.
“Residents of the Treasure Coast region have repeatedly expressed concerns about the ill-conceived All Aboard Florida rail project that will allow 32 trains to crisscross through pedestrian communities at high rates of speed. How can we expect school children, pedestrians, motorists and first responders to navigate through all this additional high-speed rail traffic?
“Sen. Mayfield’s proposal is desperately needed because AAF and its leaders have fought the residents of our community every step of the way by not only rejecting our safety concerns and repeated requests for the implementation of safety measures, but by also shifting the costs of any necessary safety upgrades to the taxpayers.
“According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there have been 48 rail related deaths in Florida this year. And more than half of those deaths occurred in South Florida where they have both freight and passenger rail. There is currently no law or regulation governing high speed rail safety in our state.
“We thank Senator Mayfield for her unwavering commitment to safety and thank the members of the Senate Transportation Committee for hearing our concerns.”

Governor Rick Scott’s Securing Florida’s Future Budget Fights to Support At-Risk Youth and Families

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Governor Rick Scott today announced his Securing Florida’s Future budget, which invests an additional $42.1 million into Florida’s juvenile justice system for a total of $593.4 million. This funding will support the continuation of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s (DJJ) reform efforts and its core mission of reducing juvenile delinquency, increasing public safety, and providing the services at-risk youth and their families need in the coming years to transition youth back into their communities and guide them towards successful adulthood.
Governor Scott said, “Florida has made tremendous progress in reforming our juvenile justice system, with our state experiencing the lowest levels of juvenile arrests in more than forty years. The Securing Florida’s Future budget continues to invest in effective programs and services that have been proven to help our youth and their families. I am also proud to recommend a 10 percent pay raise for the recruitment and retention of detention and probation officers, who have the responsibility of working with youth in DJJ care.”
“Governor Rick Scott has remained steadfast in his dedication to transforming Florida’s juvenile justice system, and the Securing Florida’s Future budget demonstrates his unwavering support for providing the best outcomes for youth and for the thousands of dedicated staff who work to better the lives of those we serve,” said DJJ Secretary Christina K. Daly. “I want to thank him for his leadership in recognizing the needs of our youth, families and staff, ensuring safer communities and a better Florida for us all.”
Highlights from Governor Scott’s Securing Florida’s Future budget include:
$13 million to increase the number of available residential commitment treatment beds to ensure capacity for youth adjudicated to non-secure and secure residential commitment programs. Sufficient residential commitment treatment beds are necessary to ensure youth receive the required treatment to appropriately address their needs without undue delay. 
$8 million in pay raises for juvenile probation and detention officers to support officer recruitment and retention and to reward these officers for their life changing work in the juvenile justice system.  The State of Florida has more than 2,000 juvenile detention and juvenile probation officers who work around the clock to protect and rehabilitate Florida’s at-risk youth and keep families and communities safe.
$9 million to continue and expand evidence-based prevention programs. Effective prevention programs have been a critical component in improving the juvenile justice system in Florida. This funding will improve public safety by providing prevention programming to additional youth while also continuing funding levels for current services.
$11.6 million to provide the necessary repairs and maintenance of detention, probation, and residential facilities. This funding will support security improvement and life safety projects, electrical upgrades, and ensure proper compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
$317,150 for the establishment of the Office of Youth and Family Advocacy within the Office of the DJJ Secretary. The Office will serve as a firsthand resource working directly with youth and families to foster communication and amplify their voice in the ongoing improvement of the juvenile justice system. This Office will continue to enhance DJJ’s robust improvement measures and give youth and their families the advocates they need to be successful.
What they are saying…
Stacy Gromatski, President and CEO of the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, said, The Florida Network would like to thank Governor Scott for his continued focus on prevention and early intervention funding in the Securing Florida’s Future budget. Investing in prevention and early intervention programs, which also provide parenting support and skill development services for families, will keep even more children out of the juvenile justice system and on the path to becoming successful young adults.”
Christian Minor, Executive Director of the Florida Juvenile Justice Association, said, “Florida’s juvenile justice system serves as a national model for others and Governor Scott’s budget will keep our state at the forefront by providing for prevention, intervention, and residential treatment services. This comprehensive approach will help to effectively reach all youth that come into contact with our system and guide them in the right direction.”
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Pinellas County Sheriff said, “I applaud Governor Scott for including additional juvenile residential commitment treatment beds in his recommended budget, as well as the funds to ensure we have high quality, experienced staff to serve Florida’s youth and families. This funding demonstrates his commitment to public safety and to strengthening our communities.
To view the complete list of Governor Scott’s budget recommendations, CLICK HERE.