“Sadly, Americans woke up this morning to news of another tragic mass shooting, this time in Las Vegas.
“Just one year ago, it was the people in my district, and the people of Florida, who bore witness to the Pulse nightclub massacre, and what was then the worst mass shooting in American history. Last night’s horror set a new standard, testament to the sheer evil unleashed by one man armed with multiple high caliber automatic weapons, intent on provoking death and injury to so many.
“I have no doubt that the hand-wringing will quickly follow. As will the many offers of thoughts and prayers. But what we will not see, and what we will still await, is any kind of meaningful action from our national and state leaders to stem this bloodshed once and for all. Undoubtedly, some will criticize speaking of curbing gun violence so quickly after these killings. To them I say, if not now, when? How high does the body count have to climb before we finally act?
“Last year I filed legislation for Gun Safety, and again this year I refiled this legislation, SB196, for the 2018 session. The bill in 2017 did not get one committee hearing. I am pressuring our State Senate leadership to allow this year’s bill to have a hearing, or at the very least, a workshop – any avenue to bring this up for public discussion in a formal public setting.
“The senseless killings of Americans cannot be the norm for our Country – our Founding Fathers could never have conceived of today’s modern assault weapons. Nor should the easy sale of guns designed for maximum carnage. Military-style weapons belong on the battlefield, not in general use. Americans should be free to attend large events and not be intimidated by the possibility of being mowed down by a man with a grudge.
“I am calling on our leaders to have an honest discussion about the availability of these weapons, the mental health issues that drive these senseless acts of violence, and, where appropriate, and make changes to our policy and State law which will give us a fighting chance for being safe in our communities. Hold hearings on this bill. Let the NRA speak. But let the other voices – the mothers, the fathers, the sons and daughters, the multitude of Floridians who are fed up with the carnage – have their say, too.”
CRC Commissioners Sponsor Public Proposals and Ideas Regarding the Florida Constitution
October 6 officially adopted as the public proposal filing deadline
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) today held the first of two full Commission meetings in which Commissioners may directly sponsor public proposals through the CRC process. During the meeting, Commissioners officially adopted October 6 as the deadline for Floridians to submit public proposals. Several CRC Commissioners have also created their own proposals that were inspired by ideas submitted by Floridians.
CRC Chairman Carlos Beruff, said, “We are very grateful to the thousands of Floridians who have participated in the CRC process either by attending our public hearings or submitting their own proposed changes to the Florida Constitution. As we review the more than 1,400 public proposals and thousands of comments and emails we have received, it is apparent that Floridians share many similar interests and ideas. In addition to directly sponsoring public proposals, many Commissioners are creating their own proposals inspired by public input and combine similar ideas into one proposal to ensure Floridians’ voices are heard. We encourage all interested Floridians who have not yet submitted their proposed changes to the Florida Constitution to send them in by the October 6 deadline.”
The next opportunity for CRC Commissioners to directly sponsor public proposals will be on October 17 during a meeting of the full Commission. A summary of public proposals directly sponsored by Commissioners, and proposals created by Commissioners that were inspired by public input, to date is provided below:
Public Proposals Directly Sponsored by CRC Commissioners
- Public Proposal 700396 – Sponsored by Commissioner Sherry Plymale
- Public Proposal 700202 – Sponsored by Commissioner Carolyn Timmann
Commissioner-Filed Proposals Inspired by Public Input
- Proposal 0001 – Proposal by Commissioner Bobby Martinez; (Co-Introducer) Commissioner Don Gaetz
- This proposal is similar to more than five public proposals received by the CRC; in addition to comments received by email and at CRC public hearings.
- Proposal 0002 – Proposal by Commissioner Bobby Martinez
- This proposal is similar to more than 10 public proposals received by the CRC; in addition to comments received by email and at CRC public hearings.
- Proposal 0003 – Proposal by Commissioner Bobby Martinez
- This proposal is similar to more than five public proposals received by the CRC; in addition to comments received by email and at CRC public hearings.
- Proposal 0004 – Proposal by Commissioner Bobby Martinez
- This proposal is similar to at least five public proposals received by the CRC; in addition to comments received by email and at CRC public hearings.
- Proposal 0007 – Proposal by Commissioner Chris Smith; (Co-Introducer) Commissioner Arthenia Joyner
- This proposal is similar to more than 10 public proposals received by the CRC; in addition to comments received by email and at CRC public hearings.
- Proposal 0008 – Proposal by Commissioner Don Gaetz
- This proposal is similar to more than five public proposals received by the CRC; in addition to comments received by email and at CRC public hearings.
How to Review Proposals and Public Input
- All public proposals received by the CRC are available on the CRC website at flcrc.gov/Proposals/Public.
- All proposals filed by CRC Commissioners are available at flcrc.gov/Proposals/Commissioner.
- Public hearing transcripts are available at flcrc.gov/Meetings/Transcripts.
Sen. Bill Nelson statement on Las Vegas shooting
Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the shooting in Las Vegas:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims of this horrific attack. As the investigation continues, we will learn more about what led to this tragedy in Las Vegas, but at some point we, as a society, have to stand up and say enough is enough.”
Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell Endorses Elswick for Florida House
Grinnell says Shannon Elswick will bring conservative
values and healthcare expertise to Tallahassee.
The Shannon Elswick Campaign today announced the endorsement of Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell. Elswick is running to succeed Representative Larry Metz, who faces term limits, in the District 32 seat of the Florida House of Representatives.
“I’m proud to support a man of integrity like Shannon Elswick,” said Grinnell. “Shannon has always worked hard to serve our community, and his thorough knowledge of the challenges facing our healthcare system are badly needed in Tallahassee. I have no doubt that his conservative values and ability to forge relationships will have a positive impact in the Florida House.”
Grinnell was elected Lake County Sheriff last year after serving in the Sheriff’s Office in a variety of capacities since 1994. He is a Marine Corps combat veteran with distinguished service in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Middle East and Operation Just Cause in Panama. He is a Eustis native and a graduate of Leesburg High School. As Sheriff, Grinnell has made a mark by vigorously pursuing heroin dealers in the community.
“Sheriff Grinnell is a great public servant and leader, and I’m honored to have his support,” said Elswick. “Our law enforcement community here is first rate, and I look forward to working with Sheriff Grinnell to keep Lake County safe and family-friendly.”
District 32 covers the south and central portions of Lake County, including the cities of Clermont and portions of Leesburg. Republicans dominate the district with 41 percent of registered voters while Democrats make up 33 percent.
ON THE WEB: shannonelswick.com
Paid by Shannon Elswick, Republican, for State Representative
Gov. Scott Declares State of Emergency for Hurricane Maria to Support Puerto Rico
Governor Rick Scott today signed Executive Order 17-259 declaring a State of Emergency in all 67 Florida counties in response to Hurricane Maria’s catastrophic impact on Puerto Rico. This declaration will provide important resources and assistance needed to best accommodate the needs of families impacted by Hurricane Maria when they come to Florida. Families displaced by Hurricane Maria are already present and arriving in Florida and the state must do everything possible to effectively support the Puerto Rico response effort. Florida will continue to coordinate with FEMA to provide Maria survivors who have traveled to the state with important services such as housing assistance, crisis counseling, unemployment assistance and legal advice.
Governor Scott said, “Today, to ensure Florida has every available resource ready to assist families displaced by Hurricane Maria, I signed Executive Order 17-259, declaring a State of Emergency in all 67 Florida counties. Puerto Rico was totally devastated by Hurricane Maria and so many families lost everything. With families displaced by Hurricane Maria already present and still arriving in Florida, it is critical that our state is prepared to provide the resources they need upon entering our state.
“Our state is an incredible melting pot, and the success and growth we’ve seen over the years is credited to the wonderful people that live in Florida. As Puerto Rico rebuilds, Florida remains committed to doing everything we can to help the families impacted by Hurricane Maria and aid in the recovery process.”
To view Executive Order 17-259, click HERE.
Senator Bradley Files Legislation to Increase Funding for Florida Forever
Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island) filed legislation to increase state funding for the Florida Forever land acquisition fund. Senate Bill 370 requires the state to spend a minimum of $100 million annually from Amendment One funds on the Florida Forever program.
The bill appropriates funds from Amendment One, a constitutional amendment passed overwhelmingly by Floridians in 2014. “As a conservative, I believe in absolute fidelity to the Constitution,” said Senator Bradley. “I am filing this bill because the Constitution demands, and the overwhelming majority of Floridians who voted for Amendment One in 2014 demand, that we protect the natural resources of our state.”
Florida Forever is Florida’s premier conservation and recreation lands acquisition program. Since its inception in 2001, the state has purchased more than 718,126 acres of land with a little over $2.9 billion. Land purchased through Florida Forever is held in trust for the citizens of Florida, and is used for parks, trails, wildlife management areas, flood control and more.
“Floridians are blessed with some of the most unique ecosystems in the world, from springs to the Everglades to coral reefs to world class beaches and rivers,” said Senator Bradley. “As our population continues to explode, we have an obligation to preserve these unique ecosystems for our children and grandchildren. The Florida Forever program helps us fulfill this obligation.”
Senator Bradley currently serves as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development and chairman of the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation. He was elected to the Senate in 2012 and represents Senate District 5, which includes 11 counties in north Florida.
New Integrity Florida Report Calls the Florida PSC a Captured Regulatory Agency
Integrity Florida today released a new research report examining the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) and many of the more controversial rate decisions the commission has made in recent years.
The report, titled Florida’s “Public Service” Commission? A Captured Regulatory Agency, builds on key findings by proposing a series of policy reform options that would greatly improve the PSC’s ability to serve the people of Florida.
“Investor-owned utilities regulated by the PSC have an extraordinary degree of influence on the Governor and the legislature and they have used that influence to pursue favorable decisions by the PSC, at the expense of the public,” said Ben Wilcox, Research Director for Integrity Florida. “This report shows that the Public Service Commission has been “captured” by the very industries it is supposed to regulate.”
The PSC has the dual responsibility of balancing the needs of monopoly utilities and their investors with the needs of consumers. The commission must set rates that are fair, just and reasonable for consumers, but utility investors must also be allowed to earn a reasonable return on their investment. When evaluating recent rate decisions researchers noticed some troubling trends.
“Many contested rate hike requests by utilities are resolved through settlements. However, utilities seem to be gaming the settlement process,” said Alan Stonecipher, Integrity Florida Research Associate. “The companies enter negotiations in rate cases much like a used car dealer who marks up the initial asking price knowing that they will eventually agree to a lower amount.”
“There also seems to be a pattern with the PSC, and other elected officials, allowing utilities to shift the costs of their most risky and speculative projects from shareholders to consumers,” said Brad Ashwell, Integrity Florida Research Associate.
The report makes several key findings:
- The Florida PSC meets the criteria for a “captured” regulatory agency.
- The PSC needs more independence from the Florida Legislature.
- Residential energy customers need more balanced prioritization.
- Utilities are gaming the settlement process.
- The PSC is allowing utilities to shift risk from shareholders to customers.
- The Office of the Public Counsel needs more independence, just as the PSC, and should likewise be insulated from political considerations.
In response to the report’s findings, Integrity Florida offers a list of policy options for lawmakers to consider:
- Return the Public Service Commission to an elected body or a mix of elected and appointed members.
- If all or part of the Commission is elected, consider prohibiting candidates for the commission from accepting campaign contributions from interests whose businesses are regulated by the PSC.
- Broaden membership on the Public Service Commission Nominating Counsel to include, at minimum, consumer groups.
- Require that the Office of Public Counsel must agree to any PSC settlements for cases in which it participates.
- If the commission is to remain an appointed body, require that it be nonpartisan by allowing no more than three of the commissioners to be a member of the same political party.
- Make residential and small business customers the focus of the Office of Public Counsel.
- Provide more funding for Office of Public Counsel.
- Explore making the Office of Public Counsel an independent entity like the Florida Commission on Ethics.
“The Public Service Commission and the Office of the Public Counsel need more independence from the Florida Legislature,” added Ben Wilcox. “The process for selection of PSC commissioners and the Office of the Public Counsel should be further insulated from politics and lobbying.”
Read the full report here.
Coalition Questions Judge Impartiality
On September 15, 2017 Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal Judges Clay Roberts and Kemmerly Thomas attended a Friends of the NRA fundraiser in Tallahassee and were listed as paid table sponsors on the event program. The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence questions the ability of these judges to remain impartial on any future gun related case brought before them based on their involvement in this fundraiser.
Florida’s Code of Judicial Conduct states that judges “shall not use or permit the use of the prestige of judicial office for fundraising or membership solicitation.”
“This event was not related to court or legal matters. It was a fundraiser for a special interest group. It is of the utmost importance that members of the bench show no sign as to what could be taken as a lack of neutrality,” said Patti Brigham, Coalition Co-Chair.
The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence is a group of over 100 nonpartisan organizations dedicated to ensuring responsible gun policy in the state.
Sen. Bill Nelson statement on Cuba sonic attacks
Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the State Department’s response today to continued acoustic attacks on U.S. personnel in Cuba. Nelson spoke today with State Department officials about the response:
“The fact that the Cuban government isn’t protecting the health and wellbeing of our U.S. Embassy personnel is inexcusable. With the loss of hearing and stroke-like-symptoms, the Cuban government owes an explanation and reparations to the families of those injured and must work to ensure these attacks cease immediately. In the meantime, the Cuban Embassy’s staff in Washington, D.C. should be reduced by the same proportionate number of U.S. personnel recalled.”
Tampa Electric Embraces 21st Century Technologies
Commits to 600 MW of New Solar in Settlement Agreement
Energy Advocates Applaud Efforts to Grow Solar and Work Proactively with Stakeholders
Late Wednesday, Tampa Electric Company filed a rate settlement agreement with the Florida Public Service Commission that’s intended to significantly increase its use of solar power and provide rate certainty to customers.
The agreement will ensure more investment in large-scale solar facilities by providing for the construction of up 600 MW of additional solar facilities over the next 4 years. Tampa Electric’s commitment to solar power, relative to is size, would place it among the leading utilities in the Southeast region on solar power.
“The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) applauds Tampa Electric’s leadership on expanding solar power in the Sunshine State,” said Dr. Stephen A. Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “We strongly feel that solar power is good for customers by diversifying the energy portfolio and for the environment by providing low-cost, zero-emissions energy for Florida’s families and businesses. We look forward to working with Tampa Electric as they offer more clean energy options and embrace new technologies that will make Tampa a more resilient community.”
“SACE is pleased to see Florida utilities responding to customer demand, market forces and the need for more corporate responsibility to proactivity address climate change with solar technology,” continued Dr. Smith. “SACE supports and advocates for all segments of the solar power market, residential, commercial, and utility scale to be fully functional and competitive in the Sunshine State.”
