Letter to the Editor: Commission Listens to Citizens
Re Tampa Bay Times Editorial, “Key Panel Devolves into Farce”
By Carlos Beruff, Chairman, 2017-2018 Constitution Revision Commission
October 30, 2017
“This Times editorial misrepresents how the Constitution Revision Commission is actively incorporating ideas and proposed constitutional amendments submitted by Floridians. Direct sponsorship of a public proposal is only one of several ways public input is incorporated in the CRC process. To assert that only six public proposal submissions were advanced by the CRC is an intellectually dishonest statement.
“… As we reviewed these public proposals, comments and ideas, it became clear that hundreds of citizens were proposing similar changes to the Florida Constitution.
“For example, nearly 600 public proposals submitted to the CRC were related to the issue of E-Verify. In response, one CRC commissioner recently filed a proposal on the same topic so it can be more thoroughly vetted and considered in the committee process.
“At CRC public hearings held across the state, many Floridians came before the CRC to present their ideas to commissioners. Two of the most popular topics were the restoration of felon rights and repeal of the alien land law. Both issues have been picked up by commissioners who have created proposals reflecting those ideas in the appropriate legal language. …”
CLICK HERE to read the entire Letter to the Editor by CRC Chairman Carlos Beruff.
ICYMI: Panama City News Herald: “Patronis helps state weather the storms”
“Patronis helps state weather the storms”
Panama City News Herald
Story by John Henderson
October 29, 2017
Click HERE to read the full story.
Jimmy Patronis has been a traveling man since he began his job as the state’s chief financial officer on July 1. In fact, at the rate he’s going, his on-the-job mileage by November will match the earth’s circumference.
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Since starting the job, Patronis has driven to all corners of the state, urging people to get their insurance information in order before hurricanes Irma and Nate and helping them avoid contractor fraud after them.
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Florida’s CFO oversees the state’s accounting and auditing functions and unclaimed property, monitors the investment of state funds and manages the risk management program for the state. The CFO also handles licensing and oversight of insurance agents and agencies, as well as funeral homes and cemeteries.
The CFO also oversees insurance fraud investigations, workers’ compensation coverage and serves as state fire marshal and a member of the Florida Cabinet.
As CFO, Patronis is in charge of the state’s checkbooks while overseeing an agency with about 2,000 employees and a budget of $298 million.
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After the storms, he traveled to areas hit by the storm, advising residents on how to expedite their economic recovery. He said before the storm left the state line, he and his team in a 24-hour period made stops in Tampa and the counties of Charlotte, Manatee, Lee, Hendry, Orange and Duval.
“We were helping people understand how to respond,” he said. “But more importantly, warning them of the fraud that follows a storm.”
Patronis said he’s learned a lot about the job in the four months in office, including the excellent condition of the state’s finances.
“Because of the credit worthiness of the state and what we have in keeping cash reserves, it has allowed the state to borrow money really almost cheaper than any other state in the union,” he said. “In the time since Gov. Scott has taken office, there have been billions of dollars in savings just in interest payments, and that’s real money that goes to education, health care, roads, infrastructure.”
Industry Alert: Cyber Security Resources for Businesses
The month of October is recognized as Cyber Security Awareness Month, designed to raise awareness about cyber security and staying safe online. The Florida Office of Financial Regulation reminds all Florida businesses to engage in smart cyber security practices and to take steps to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of a cyber incident.
Typically, the purpose of a cyber breach is to steal or exploit information. As we have seen in recent months, large companies are targets of cyber attacks. But small businesses are not immune, potentially because they may have less security than a large company and they likely hold more digital information than an individual. Ensuring compliance with best practices for cyber security and reducing your risk is the best way to ward off a cyber threat.
If your organization is impacted by a cyber breach, make sure you understand your obligations to consumers under Florida’s Information Protection Act. The Florida Information Protection Act of 2014 was passed to better protect Floridians’ personal information by ensuring that businesses and government entities take reasonable measures to protect personal information and report data breaches to affected consumers.
Below are some resources to assist businesses in creating a cyber security policy and action plan.
- The Federal Communications Commission offers helpful cyber security tips to protect your business, including training employees and creating back-up copies of important data.
- The Federal Communications Commission also offers an online tool to help create a customized cyber security plan.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration offers a free web-based course about securing information in a small business.
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers downloadable resources about protecting your privacy and staying safe online.
- The National Cyber Security Alliance offers a framework for identifying and prioritizing online risk.
Miami-Dade Judge: Proceedings for $800 Million I-395 Signature Bridge Must Take Place in Miami
Legal victory brings challenge closer to giving local community the final
say in a bridge design, upholding terms of the FDOT settlement agreement
In a significant victory for the citizens of Miami, a Miami-Dade judge has denied the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) motion to move legal proceedings for the I-395 Signature Bridge project to Tallahassee. This important ruling helps ensure that the voice and vision of the local community will be heard and that the terms of the FDOT settlement will be adhered to.
“The intentional misrepresentations of the truth in this case are staggering, and the FDOT’s continued rejection of the terms – and even existence – of the 2013 negotiated settlement agreement between the City of Miami and the Department cast a cloud of doubt over the Department’s entire process and leadership,” said former Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff. “This legal development is a triumph for the people of Miami who fought to have the design of this signature bridge decided by local citizens – not Tallahassee bureaucrats. We will continue to advocate for local choice to be embraced within this historic bridge for our community.”
In an apparent attempt to distance itself from the terms negotiated during the settlement agreement, FDOT – at multiple times in its motion to dismiss – attempted to question the existence of a settlement agreement by using the term “so-called ‘settlement agreement’” or by referring to it as a “misleading designation.” This is in stark contrast to multiple other communications in which the Department acknowledged both the existence of the agreement and its agreed-upon terms.
For instance, in a May 2017 letter from FDOT District 6 Secretary James Wolfe to Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Secretary Wolfe stated that “the Department actually afforded the advisory committee greater participation in the procurement process than was strictly required under the terms of its agreement with the City.” The letter goes on to state that the “Department’s procurement process fully complied with both the letter and the spirit of its agreement with the City and with applicable state law.”
Sarnoff said FDOT should honor its commitment to allow Miami-Dade residents to decide the design of the signature bridge, which will become an enduring icon of Miami for decades to come. Currently, FDOT is seeking to award the $800 million contract for a design that received “poor” and “fair” marks from the local review committee during the final scoring phase.
“As we move forward with the discovery process, it is our hope that the FDOT will uphold its end of the bargain and embrace the design chosen by the local aesthetic review committee,” Sarnoff said. “That is the satisfactory outcome, and it’s what this community deserves.”
The judge’s order denying FDOT’s motion to dismiss can be found HERE.
Florida Senator Dana Young Re-introduces Bipartisan Legislation Banning Steroids in Dog Racing
Republican and democrat lawmakers are joining forces to protect racing greyhounds from the use of harmful anabolic steroids. Senator Dana Young (R-Tampa) and Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) announced the filing of SB 674 and HB 463 which bans the use of the drugs. The legislation also enacts penalties against dog trainers who continue using them. An identical measure, also sponsored by Rep. Smith, overwhelmingly passed the full Florida House of Representatives during the 2017 session.
Senator Young said, “Greyhounds are gentle dogs, and deserve to be protected. I’m proud to fight for this good bill, and am confident we can pass it this year.” Rep. Smith added, “I will not give up on our bipartisan work to protect racing greyhounds from harmful anabolic steroids. We passed the bill in the House last session and are ready to do it again in 2018. These beautiful dogs are depending on us!”
Female racing greyhounds are routinely administered anabolic steroids to disrupt the process of estrus. This abusive practice prevents the loss of race days and increases profitability for the industry by ensuring females can continue to race alongside male greyhounds. Anabolic steroids push greyhounds beyond their natural limits, cause severe bodily harm, and can also have the effect of improperly doping greyhounds before races.
Currently, twelve of the eighteen greyhound tracks still operating in the United States are located in Florida. Our state’s dog racing industry faced renewed scrutiny in July, after twenty-two greyhounds tested positive for cocaine in Florida. The use of anabolic steroids in dog racing has been outlawed in many other jurisdictions, including Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand.
To read the bills Senator Young has filed in full, please visit FLSenate.gov/Senators/S18.
Attorney General Bondi Encourages Floridians to Participate in Drug Take Back Day Tomorrow
Attorney General Pam Bondi is urging Floridians to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Drug Take-Backs allow the public to take expired or no longer needed prescription drugs to local drop-off points for proper disposal.
“Responsibly disposing of unnecessary prescriptions is an easy way to help us combat the national opioid epidemic,” said Attorney General Bondi. “Keeping expired drugs around the house can pose a danger to children and may tempt a friend or relative struggling with addiction. Prevention is the best way to stop drug abuse, and by participating in Drug Take Back Day, Floridians can do their part to help fight this crisis and save lives.”
Prescription drugs should be disposed of responsibly and never flushed down the toilet—as some medications cannot be completely removed by treatment systems and may end up in drinking water, lakes and streams.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducts Drug Take-Backs in conjunction with state and local law enforcement. Floridians can find nearby participating locations by clicking here.
Senator Torres echoes calls from United Way for FEMA housing assistance in Central Florida
As the rising number of Hurricane Maria refugees from Puerto Rico continues to pour into central Florida, state Senator Victor Torres (D-Orlando) echoed calls for FEMA to immediately dispatch emergency housing to temporarily shelter these families as they search for ways to rebuild their lives.
“The impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria are placing huge demands on our public services,” said Senator Torres, who gave impassioned testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday when he called on state Senate members to increase funds for state education, healthcare and housing needs. “We need to focus on building and expanding more housing options for Floridians and evacuees from the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico who are seeking refuge in our great state.”
Earlier this week, Central Florida Heart of Florida United Way Executive Director Jeff Hayward called on the Federal government, through FEMA, to engage in providing support for additional housing options in central Florida. Prior to Hurricane Irma and Maria, central Florida was already dealing with a shortage of available workforce housing. Based on the market value of rental properties in central Florida, workers would need to make $20.00 per hour in order to afford rent in the area.
Senator Torres’ district includes both Orange and Osceola counties which contain the highest concentration of Puerto Ricans living in Florida. FEMA has designated Florida as a Host-State for evacuees from the islands and approved costs could be eligible for 100 percent reimbursement by the federal government. Senator Torres is working with local and state officials for FEMA approval of both the deployment of mobile housing units and authorization of TSA (Temporary Sheltering Assistance) for evacuees to receive rental housing funds.
For more information please contact Al Yorston at (407) 846-5187
ICYMI: Insurance Journal: Florida Reports More Than $9 Million Recovered for Insurance Consumers in Q3
Insurance Journal
October 27, 2017
Click HERE to read the full story.
Assistance provided to Floridians by from Florida’s insurance consumer helpline led to the recovery of nearly $9.3 million in the third quarter of 2017, according to a statement from Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. Recoveries included insurance claim payments and premium refunds that consumers sought the Department of Financial Services’ help collecting.
The helpline assists Floridians with financial and insurance-related matters, including disaster preparation and insurance fraud, as well as questions and complaints regarding auto, home, health, life and small business insurance. Between July 1, 2017 and Sept. 30, 2017, the helpline’s insurance specialists answered 70,454 calls and opened nearly 4,500 assistance requests. Nearly $9.3 million was recovered on behalf of 1,307 consumers.
Since January, the helpline has answered more than 211,000 calls, opening nearly 14,000 assistance requested and helping return a total of $25.9 million back to Floridians.
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“As many families continue to navigate the post-storm claims process, I encourage them to call us if they reach a roadblock of any kind. Our experts will advocate on their behalf, and quite possibly, secure a positive outcome to a problem that seemed otherwise unsolvable. We’re only one call away, and we’re always ready to help,” Patronis said.
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Floridians can contact the insurance consumer helpline toll-free by calling 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).
PSC Encourages Conservation at Home for Energy Awareness Month
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the United States consumes 18% of the world’s energy. October is National Energy Awareness Month, and the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is encouraging Florida consumers to lower their energy usage.
“Energy conservation begins at home,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “The energy savings impact from even small habit changes, such as turning off lights and ceiling fans, is surprising. Having a do-it-yourself home energy audit will show you problems that, when corrected, can really have an impact on reducing heating and cooling costs.”
Call your local utility for how-to information, or use some of our tips to get started.
Inspect cooling and heating equipment – Heating and cooling is the largest energy expense for most homes, accounting for about 48 percent of energy use. Make sure the systems’ filters are clean. Install a programmable thermostat to maximize efficiency, and if your system is old, consider investing in a new, more efficient system.
Locate air leaks – Inspect doors and windows and any openings that connect to outdoor or unheated and uncooled spaces. Fill leaks with caulking or weather-stripping.
Check insulation – Upgrade insulation if you live in an older home. The attic, walls, and floor may need new insulation to meet current standards.
Consider lighting needs – Install lower wattage lights and use LEDs where possible.
Examine appliance age – Consider replacing older appliances, since newer appliances are much more efficient.
More tips on cutting energy consumption can be found on the PSC website. Look for Publications at the top of the home page, and then click on Brochures. Consumer tips from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website can be found at here.
ICYMI: WPEC: President Trump Speeds Up Repairs to Herbert Hoover Dike
“President Trump Speeds Up Repairs to Herbert Hoover Dike”
WPEC (CBS) – West Palm Beach, FL
October 27, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
