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McClain Named to Government Accountability Committee

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House Speaker Richard Corcoran added the new
committee assignment for McClain last week.

Last week, House Speaker Richard Corcoran named Representative Stan McClain to the Government Accountability Committee.
“Floridians should expect nothing less than open, honest, and transparent government,” said McClain. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure government operates fairly and efficiently for every taxpayer and citizen.”
McClain’s other committee assignments are:
•Agriculture and Property Rights Subcommittee
•Energy and Utilities Subcommittee
•Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight
•Natural Resources and Public Lands Subcommittee
•PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee
•Ways and Means Committee
About Stan McClain for State Representative
Stan McClain is a Marion County Commissioner. He was first elected in 2004 and has been re-elected twice since. As a young man, he tried his hand at bull riding and later raised cattle and crops. He is a longtime small businessman, working in light manufacturing and construction. He has held leadership roles on the campaigns of many statewide Republican candidates, including Pam Bondi. He and his wife, Ricki, have eleven children and six grandchildren. They are members at Olivet Baptist Church.
ON THE WEB:  www.StanMcClain.com

Paid by Stan McClain, Republican, for State Representative

Doug Broxson Statement on the Passing of Greg Evers

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Senator Doug Bronson today released the following statement regarding the death of Senator Greg Evers:
“Senator Greg Evers was a leader who had an impact on Tallahassee rather than the other way around. Throughout his time in both the House and the Senate, he remained grounded by his roots as a farmer from Baker; the system did not change him. He was a great public servant, and he will be greatly missed. Greg’s family is in our prayers, and Mary and I extend our deepest sympathies to them.”
ON THE WEB:  www.VoteDougBroxson.com

Law enforcement leaders graduate from Florida Leadership Academy

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The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute announces the graduation today of 37 first-line supervisors from the 39th Florida Leadership Academy Class on August 18, 2017. These graduates serve in leadership roles representing 31 criminal justice agencies throughout the state.
The graduates met for four week-long sessions at the Gainesville Police Department in Gainesville, Florida. They learned skills necessary to support the needs of their agencies and their communities as they prepare for future challenges.
The goal of the Florida Leadership Academy is to prepare first-line supervisors in criminal justice organizations to exemplify the character and integrity expected of criminal justice professionals and to examine the various components necessary to being an efficient leader.
Below is a list of graduates from the 39th Florida Leadership Academy.
William Andersen
Orange County Corrections
Mark Barley
Santa Fe College Police Department
Donald Buie, Jr.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Christopher Cardwell
Gainesville Police Department
Jason David Cook
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Ronnie Daniels
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
Jacqueline Danzig
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Daniel Diaz
Daytona Beach Police Department
Benjamin Dunlap
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Casey Eades
Ocala Police Department
Robert Fanelli
Gainesville Police Department
Frank Fuentes
Coconut Creek Police Department
Tocarra Gainer
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
Amy Gamber
Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
Cole Glaser
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
Robert Hart, Jr.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Amy Hayes
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Michael Hurlocker
Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
Frank Kinsey
Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
John Konopka, Jr.
Florida Office of the Attorney General
Kimon Koungras
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Kenneth Lamb
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
Javon Murphy
Florida Highway Patrol
Peter Osterrieder
University of Central Florida Police Department
Robin Patterson
Nassau County Sheriff’s Office
Billie Phillips III
Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety
Michael Rosa
Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
Kellie Smith
Florida Department of Corrections
Jennifer Taylor
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
Kevin Valade
Coconut Creek Police Department
Anthony Vizzini
Ocala Police Department
David Wallace
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Richard Warner
St. Augustine Police Department
James Wills
St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office
Kimberly Wise
Highlands County Sheriff’s Office
Marcia Wolford
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
Erik Zabik
Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, which is housed within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and affiliated with the State University System, was established in 1990 by the Florida Legislature to address the need for an innovative and multi-faceted approach to the education and training of criminal justice professionals.

Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn Installed as President of Florida League of Mayors

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Windermere Mayor to Serve as President of
Prestigious Statewide Mayors Organization

Gary Bruhn, mayor of the City of Windermere in Orange County, was installed as president of the Florida League of Mayors (FLM) at the organization’s annual business meeting. He will serve a one-year term leading the FLM.
“Mayor Bruhn has been an active member of the Florida League of Mayors for many years and is ready to lead this organization,” said FLM Executive Director Scott Dudley. “Mayors play a critical role in creating the quality of life our residents have come to expect from Florida’s cities and I look forward to working with Mayor Bruhn in his new role as president.”
Mayor Bruhn is serving his fifth term on the FLM Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Florida League of Cities Board of Directors and the West Orange Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and serves on the Florida League of Cities Municipal Administration Legislative Committee.
He is also a member and past chairman of the Municipal Advisory Committee for Metroplan, the metropolitan traffic planning organization for Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties. Mayor Bruhn is a past president and member of the Tri-County League of Cities Board of Directors serving Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties.
Mayor Bruhn was a recipient of the Florida League of Cities inaugural 2009 Home Rule Hero Award. He is retired from Lockheed Martin where he worked for almost three decades as an information technology manager coordinating application maintenance and development across many program areas including missiles, space, aeronautics and homeland security.
The Florida League of Mayors is an organization for mayors, founded and developed by mayors. Only mayors are eligible for membership. The organization provides the mayors of Florida with the ability to explore, in great depth, areas of mutual concern and opportunity. Governed by a 21-member Board of Directors and staffed by the Florida League of Cities, the Florida League of Mayors forges a powerful voice that serves Florida’ cities well. For more information, visit www.floridamayors.org.

Gov. Scott: Florida Doubles Job Creation Promise with 1.4 Million New Jobs

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Unemployment Rate Remains at Ten-Year Low

Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida businesses have created 1,422,700 private sector jobs since Governor Scott has been in office, doubling his 2010 promise to create 700,000 jobs in seven years. More than 26,000 private-sector jobs were created in July and the unemployment rate remained at the lowest rate in a decade, 4.1 percent. Governor Scott made the announcement at Morgan Auto Group, a Florida-based dealership with more than 23 locations across the state. Morgan Auto Group currently employs 2,000 Floridians, including more than 185 employees at their Brandon Honda location in Tampa. Governor Scott also highlighted his proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution that will require a supermajority vote by future Florida legislatures to raise any taxes or fees.
Governor Scott said, “Over the past six and a half years, we have worked relentlessly to cut taxes, reduce burdensome regulations and completely turn around Florida’s economy. Our goal was to create 700,000 jobs in seven years and while we were proud to reach that ambitious goal three years early, we did not slow down. I am proud to announce today that after cutting taxes more than 75 times, Florida businesses have created more than 1.4 million new jobs, officially doubling our promise to create 700,000 jobs in seven years.
“While our efforts to cut taxes have helped save Floridians and job creators more than $7 billion, we must make sure our progress is not undone. That is why, during the upcoming legislative session, I will fight to give voters the opportunity to amend the Florida Constitution to require a supermajority vote by future state legislatures to raise any taxes or fees. Together, we can make sure future generations are not burdened with unfair taxes and that our state remains a national leader in job creation and opportunity.”
For the 64th consecutive month, Florida’s annual job growth rate of 2.9 percent is exceeding the nation’s rate of 1.7 percent. As of July, Florida’s unemployment rate had dropped 6.6 percentage points since December 2010, while the national rate declined by only 5 percentage points in the same time period. In the last year, 296,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 3 percent, almost four times the national labor force growth rate of only 0.8 percent.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Florida’s unemployment rate has been consistently low. I am proud that in the last year, so many Floridians have achieved financial stability through new job opportunities. This shows that the Sunshine State’s economy is stronger than ever and Floridians are able to find a good job, start a business or grow their career in this great state.”
Other positive economic indicators include:

  • Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:
    • Construction with 35,800 new jobs;
    • Education and health services with 35,600 new jobs;
    • Professional and business services with 35,400 new jobs;
    • Leisure and hospitality with 32,900 new jobs; and
    • Trade, transportation and utilities with 30,600 new jobs.
  • Florida job postings showed 240,443 openings in July 2017.
  • In July, Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards reported 23,168 Floridians, including 1,367 veterans, were placed in jobs.

To view the July 2017 employment data, click here.

FDOE and CVI Central Florida to Promote Summer Reading for Local Students with Visual Impairments

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The Florida Department of Education teamed up with the Center for the Visually Impaired of Central Florida to help local blind and visually impaired students experience the joys of summer reading and learn about the upcoming solar eclipse.
“It is critical that all Florida students read throughout the summer to maintain and enhance the skills they gained during the school year,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “The timing of this partnership is particularly important as it enabled these students to take part in the excitement surrounding the solar eclipse. This is a great example of state and local entities working together to benefit Florida students, and we are thrilled to join in the fun.”
Participants, ages 6-12, were provided embossed braille excerpts of children’s books and teaching tools from the National Library Service (NLS). NASA also presented participants with a braille tactile map, to learn about the upcoming solar eclipse, which will take place August 21. 
Using the national 2017 Collaborative Summer Library Program’s theme, “Build a Better World,” the reading program kept the traditional goal of encouraging reading during summer vacation, while concurrently building a community among visually impaired children. “Build a Better World” exposed the students to engineering, architecture and astronomy in the reading materials and crafts. The students also enjoyed the merits of volunteering in their community by donating a project to a cause – creating dog toys for the local animal shelter.
“The ‘Build a Better World’ summer reading program offered students an enhanced learning environment and provided them with the opportunity to engage with their peers, participate in hands-on activities and learn more about STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields,” said Division of Blind Services Director Robert Doyle. “This collaboration brought together the expertise and resources of organizations that are committed to the betterment of the blind and visually impaired community.”
The NLS Braille and Talking Book Library has more than 2.4 million items (audio books, braille, large print, etc.) available. The NLS Braille and Audio Download (BARD) collection contains 97,324 books, 17,086 braille and 80,238 digital. There are nearly 32,000 patrons, individuals and institutions, around the state enrolled in the Florida Talking Books network. For more information about the Division of Blind Services, visit dbs.myflorida.com.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.

Gov. Scott to Announce July Jobs Numbers

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Tomorrow, August 18th, Governor Rick Scott will announce July jobs numbers at Brandon Honda in Tampa. The Governor will also highlight his proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution that will require a supermajority vote by future Florida legislatures to raise any taxes or fees. Since Governor Scott has been in office, taxes have been cut more than 75 times, saving families and job creators more than $7 billion.
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: 9:45 AM
WHERE: Brandon Honda
9209 East Adamo Drive
Tampa, Florida 33619

Senator Perry Announces Alachua Delegation Meeting

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Senator Keith Perry makes the following announcement regarding the delegation public hearing and deadlines.
The Alachua County Legislative Delegation Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 19th, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.  The public hearing will take place at the Santa Fe College NW Campus Fine Arts Hall, located at 3000 NW 83rd St, Gainesville, Florida for the purpose of taking public testimony on issues facing the State of Florida and consideration of local bills.
To be placed on the agenda to address the Alachua County Legislative Delegation, please fill out the attached appearance form and email it to Joseph ([email protected]) in Senator Perry’s office by Wednesday, September 13th.  All materials or handouts for this meeting must sent to Joseph in Senator Perry’s office no later than Friday, September 15th, 2017.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Chapter 286.26 Florida Statutes, persons in need of special accommodations to participate in the meeting, including agendas, interpreters or assisted listening devices shall contact the office of Senator Perry’s office no later than two weeks prior to scheduled meeting so accommodations can be satisfied.
The Alachua County Legislative Delegation meeting is open to the public.  One or more county and/or city commissioners may be in attendance.

Class IV of The James Madison Institute Leaders Fellowship Announced

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Incoming class adds more than 80 top professionals
to growing liberty network across the state

The James Madison Institute (JMI) today announced the fourth class of the Leaders Fellowship, selecting more than 80 top young professionals from across Florida. This component of the Institute’s growing liberty network now consists of hundreds of accomplished leaders from a variety of different fields – who are all making great strides toward improving Florida’s communities. The JMI Leaders Fellowship is a yearlong endeavor designed to encourage and promote the growth, development, knowledge and networks of professionals under the age of 40 who live and work in the Sunshine State. The program has representation in five key regions of the state: Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, and South Florida.
“Every year, we continue to be impressed by these dedicated individuals. They have already achieved so much in their careers and have taken time to give back through involvement with other charitable organizations and board leadership. We learn a lot from the unique expertise and diverse experience represented in each class. We value the productive discussions that take place and the ideas that are shared throughout this program,” said Dr. Bob McClure, JMI president and CEO. “This immersive fellowship experience provides each participant with the opportunity to become more well-rounded in their knowledge of the public policy decisions that impact their daily lives and the lives of their friends and families.”
Through this program, the Leaders Fellows will have the opportunity to hear from various industry experts and attend networking events in their area and in other regions of Florida. After graduating from the JMI Leaders Fellowship, each class is placed into an alumni network of other peers and professionals, which helps support the promotion of the program and seeks to provide speaker and topic suggestions for future classes. Past Leaders Fellows class lists can be found here. The current JMI Leaders Fellows Class IV includes:
JMI Leaders Fellows Class IV (2017-2018)
Statewide Executive Board (At-Large)

  • Harout Samra (Chair), DLA Piper
  • Vance Aloupis, Children’s Movement of Florida
  • Sara Clements, Step Up For Students
  • Glen Gilzean, Central Florida Urban League
  • Keith Sonderling, Gunster
  • Robert Gidel Jr., Attorney
  • Alexis Flowers, Step Up for Students

Jacksonville:
– Co-Chair: John Barnes, Veritec Solutions
– Co-Chair: Randall Richardson, 5th DCA Regional Conflict Counsel

  • Jamie Siegmeister, Graduate Student
  • Adam Brandon, Rodgers Towers, P.A.
  • Justin Hoover, Barron’s Wholesale Tire
  • Clayton Levins, Jacksonville University
  • Alexander Pantinakis, Majority Strategies
  • Elizabeth Feustel, Jacksonville Civic Council
  • Eric Roberson, Fourth Judicial Circuit
  • Jonas Cummings, Judicial Law Clerk
  • Daniel Caudy, Jacksonville Jaguars

Orlando:
– Chair: Brittany Corfman, Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio

  • London Rotundo, Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
  • Andrew Metante, Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
  • Alex Newman, Liberty Sentinel Media
  • Raychel Garcia, Wicker Smith O’Hara McCoy and Ford
  • Sydnie Tiseo, Florida House of Representatives
  • Jeremy Waller, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida
  • Dylan Fisher, Florida House of Representatives
  • Lawrence Lyman, Tactical Electronics Corporation
  • Lydia Walsh, Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
  • Caroline Nickerson, University of Florida Psychiatry Department
  • David Hoyt, America’s Future Foundation

South Florida:
– Co-Chair: Antonio Lopez, Access Global, LLC
– Co-Chair: Ryan Hnatiuk, Republican Party of Palm Beach County

  • Dr. Jorge Rice, Quadrant Mediation Inc.
  • Christopher Lebrun, Hertz Corporation
  • Dominique Whiting, Ros-Lehtinen for Congress
  • Jeremiah Schwarz, K&L Gates LLP
  • Katrina Castillo, Children’s Legal Services
  • Christine Shaw, Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation
  • Scott Singer, Attorney
  • Christina Martin, Pacific Legal Foundation
  • Amy Bisceglia, The Ruben Group
  • Meredith Biggs, Gunster
  • Gloria Kelly, Village of Wellington
  • Luis Delgado, Circuit Judge
  • Aramis Perez, Independent Consultant

​Tallahassee:
– Co-Chairs: Tara Reid, Strategos Group
– Co-Chairs: Jason Borger, Hancock Bank

  • Charles Withers, Florida House of Representatives
  • Logan Lewkow, LobbyTools, Inc.
  • Ivey Rooney, Republican Party of Florida
  • Andrew Kalel, Shutts & Bowen LLP
  • Brandon Miller, Florida House of Representatives
  • Ryan Salazar, Department of Children and Families (Tallahassee Headquarters)
  • Elizabeth Blair Hancock, University of Florida – Office of Government Relations
  • Jeff Williams, Earl Bacon Agency, Inc.
  • Benjamin Glen Bishop, GBE, LLC
  • Jake Farmer, Florida House of Representatives
  • Nathan Harvey, Executive Office of the Governor
  • Alejandro Blair, Florida Senate
  • Denise Harle, Office of the Florida Attorney General
  • John Kotyk, Florida Senate
  • Cody Farrill, Florida Department of Transportation
  • Cody Short, Florida First District Court of Appeal
  • Kevin Brown, Florida Senate
  • Rebecca Weaver, United Way of the Big Bend
  • Alexia Dawes, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
  • Brittney Prahlow, ContributionLink, LLCS.
  • Chase Williams, RMDC, Inc.

Tampa:
– Co-Chair: Brian Reeves, Fantastic Sam’s Village Systems, Inc.
– Co-Chair: Janine Kiray, Florida House of Representatives

  • Mark Matos, HBKS™ Wealth Advisors
  • Andrew Peluso, Hill Ward Henderson
  • Eliot B. Peace, Bradley Arant Boult & Cummings, LLP
  • Michael Maguire, True Partners Consulting, LLC
  • Regeline Sabbat, Human Development Center, INC
  • Derick Tabertshofer, Florida House of Representatives
  • Justin Brandt, Risk Management Foundation
  • Kaitlyn McCoy, Florida Leadership Committee

The James Madison Institute is Florida’s premier free-market think tank. JMI conducts research on such issues as health care, taxes, and regulatory environments. Founded in 1987, JMI is one of the nation’s oldest and largest 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan research and educational organizations.