Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Contributor

Contributor

Gov. Scott: Florida Job Growth Rate Continues to Outpace the Nation

Posted on

Florida Leads Largest States in Job Growth

Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida is tied with Georgia for the fastest private-sector job growth rate of the 10 most populous states in the nation over the last year. Also, compared to all states, Florida had the third-fastest annual private-sector job growth rate in the nation, behind Nevada and Utah. For 63 consecutive months, Florida’s private-sector job growth rate has outpaced the nation’s.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud that Florida continues to lead the nation’s largest states in job growth, which is sending a message across the country that our state is the best place for businesses to grow and for families to find great jobs. Florida’s job growth has also outpaced the nation’s for nearly five and a half years, and we are leading the country in a variety of industries, proving that our efforts to diversify the economy are helping to create new opportunities every day. With the newly established $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, we will continue to attract job creators to invest in Florida and ensure we remain a leader in job creation for generations to come.”
Since December 2010, Florida businesses have created 1,397,400 private-sector jobs. This June, Florida’s unemployment rate reached a 10-year low at 4.1 percent, and decreased over the month by 0.2 percent while the national unemployment rate increased 0.1 percent.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “Florida’s strong workforce and business-friendly environment allow our state’s economy to flourish. I am proud to see our state’s job growth rate soar past our nation’s other large states. Now is an ideal time for job seekers to find their dream job in the Sunshine State and for businesses to invest in our growing economy.”
In the last year, Florida businesses created more jobs than any other state in the trade, transportation and utilities industry with 35,600 new jobs. The state also had the second-highest over-the-year job gains among all states in the construction, manufacturing, financial activities and professional and business services industries.

Florida Department Of Health Celebrates National Breastfeeding Month

Posted on

This August, the Florida Department of Health is celebrating National Breastfeeding Month. This year’s theme—Charting the Course Together—focuses on using data and measurement to build and reinforce the connections between breastfeeding and a broad spectrum of other health topics and initiatives.

“A significant body of evidence supports breastfeeding as critical to improve health outcomes of mothers and babies,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary Dr. Celeste Philip. “Supporting mom and baby during the first few days of life are critical for successful breastfeeding.”
How to feed a new baby is one of the first important decisions a family has to make, and most women who choose to breastfeed have a specific goal in mind.
Research shows:

  • Breastfed infants have a reduced risk of infections, asthma, obesity and SIDS compared with formula-fed infants;
  • Mothers who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and postpartum depression compared to mothers who don’t breastfeed; and
  • It’s estimated that $13 billion in healthcare costs would be saved per year if 90 percent of U.S. infants were breastfed exclusively for six months.

The department is also working to promote breastfeeding as a vital health activity, and encourages breastfeeding-friendly hospitals, child care facilities, work places and communities.
As a part of the department’s Healthiest Weight Florida and Florida’s Healthy Babies initiatives, the Baby Steps to Baby Friendly project focuses on increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration among Florida women. Thirteen Florida hospitals have been designated as Baby Friendly and the department is currently partnered with 57 hospitals in 31 counties across the state. To learn more about Baby Steps to Baby Friendly, click here.
Local WIC agencies also offer resources and staff to help breastfeeding mothers. WIC agencies may have International Board Certified Lactation Consultants who have a high level of specialized knowledge in breastfeeding to assist clients. WIC agencies also have Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Programs. The trained peer counselors are chosen from the same socio/economic/ethnic groups as WIC clients and have successfully breastfed their own babies.  Breastfeeding peer counselors provide mother-to-mother basic breastfeeding education and support to pregnant and breastfeeding moms. WIC also supports breastfeeding through the breast pump loan program.
For more information about the Florida WIC program call 1-800-342-3556 or visit www.FloridaWIC.org. To learn more about National Breastfeeding Month and the benefits of breastfeeding visit www.usbreastfeeding.org, www.llli.org or www.flbreastfeeding.org.

Congress approves seven new VA facilities in Florida

Posted on


The U.S. Senate late last night unanimously approved legislation authorizing seven new major VA medical facilities in Florida.
The legislation, approved by a voice vote yesterday, included language originally sponsored by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) authorizing the General Services Administration to execute 28 new leases for major VA medical facilities around the country, including seven in Florida.
The new Florida facilities will be located in Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Ocala, Tampa, Lakeland and two in Gainesville.
“We have a duty to care for the brave men and women who have served in our nation’s military,” Nelson said. “Getting these seven new VA clinics opened here in Florida will make it easier for some of our veterans to access the care that they need.”
By law, Congress must approve any U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs lease that would result in an average rental payment of more than $1 million per year. Congress has not authorized a major VA medical facility lease since 2014.
The legislation authorizing the new Florida facilities was included in a broader veterans’ health care bill, known as the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017, which the Senate approved yesterday. The measure, which was approved by the House last week, now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
Here’s the list of Florida facilities and the amounts authorized for each: 

  • A replacement outpatient clinic, Daytona Beach, Florida, an amount not to exceed $12,198,000.
  • A new outpatient clinic, Gainesville, Florida, an amount not to exceed $7,891,000.
  • An outpatient mental health clinic, Gainesville, Florida, an amount not to exceed $4,320,000.
  • A replacement outpatient clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, an amount not to exceed $18,623,000.
  • A replacement outpatient clinic, Ocala, Florida, an amount not to exceed $5,026,000.
  • A replacement mental health clinic, Tampa, Florida, an amount not to exceed $13,387,000.
  • A replacement outpatient clinic, Lakeland, Tampa, Florida, an amount not to exceed $10,760,000.

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Recovers Nearly $280,000 for Floridians in July

Posted on

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recovered nearly $280,000 for Florida consumers during the month of July. Last year, the department recovered nearly $3 million for Florida consumers from moving companies, vehicle repair shops, pawn shops, health studios, telemarketers, sellers of travel and more.
During July 2017, the department:

  • Recovered $279,375 on behalf of Florida consumers;
  • Received 3,186 complaints;
  • Initiated 241 investigations;
  • Arrested 13 individuals;
  • Provided assistance to 22,458 consumers through the 1-800-HELP-FLA hotline, online chats and emails; and
  • Added 13,964 telephone numbers to Florida’s Do Not Call List.

As the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, the department educates the public, investigates complaints and provides mediation on behalf of consumers. The department’s call center is staffed with trained analysts who can respond to questions about programs and regulations under the department’s purview, provide information on a wide variety of topics or direct callers to the appropriate government agency.
Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832). For consumer protection information and resources, visit FloridaConsumerHelp.com.

FICF Distributes $82,500 in Scholarships to Florida Private Colleges and Universities

Posted on

The Florida Independent College Fund (FICF) has distributed $82,500 in scholarships to assist thirty students at private colleges and universities in Florida. The scholarships were made possible by a grant from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) in Washington, D.C., through the CIC/UPS Educational Endowment.
“All Floridians deserve access to affordable, high-quality higher education regardless of their background,” said Dr. Ed Moore, president of the Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida (ICUF). “ICUF’s 30 colleges and universities are proud to partner with CIC and the UPS Foundation to make access easier for students throughout Florida.”
Nationally, CIC and the UPS Foundation provided more than $1.5 million in student scholarships through state-based associations to make private higher education institutions more affordable and accessible to underserved students.
“Independent colleges and universities in this country are remarkably effective at educating and graduating low-income and first-generation students in less time, with less student debt,” said Richard Ekman, president of CIC. “Helping these students afford a private college education is a truly critical need in our society, and it is rewarding to be a partner with the UPS Foundation and Independent Colleges and Universities as we help to support deserving students.”
The CIC/UPS Scholarship Program has positively impacted individuals, families and communities across the country by making private college education possible for more than 20,000 low-income and first-generation students.
“The UPS Foundation is honored to work with CIC to provide scholarships for students at independent colleges and universities,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of the UPS Foundation and chief diversity and inclusion officer at UPS. “Our goal is to fund powerful programs that make a lasting difference to the global community.”

The Florida Independent College Fund (FICF) is a not-for-profit organization working closely with the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) to expand access to higher education for all students. These organizations represent 30 private, non-profit educational institutions based in Florida and accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Serving nearly 155,000 students at 135 sites throughout the state, FICF/ICUF institutions offer programs at main campuses, branch campuses in communities, and state colleges, as well as nearly 600 fully online degree and graduate certificate programs. For more information, please visit www.icuf.org.

Cardiovascular Health Forum to Highlight Access Barriers to Groundbreaking, Cholesterol-Lowering Therapies

Posted on

On Saturday, August 5, the Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health will host a health forum, “Advancing Cardiovascular Health & Patient Access to Innovative Therapies.” The lunchtime event in Orlando at the Florida Medical Association’s annual meeting will bring together patient advocates, clinicians, and policymakers to discuss innovations in cardiovascular therapies, high rates of cardiovascular disease in Florida and barriers that patients face in accessing new cholesterol-lowering drugs. Seth Baum, MD, founder of Excel Medical Clinical Trials and president of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology, will lead the forum.
STATEMENT FROM SETH BAUM, MD, BOCA RATON CARDIOLOGIST/LIPIDOLOGIST AND PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY:
“As a physician, there is nothing more frustrating than working with a patient to make a diagnosis and recommend a course of treatment, only to have that treatment denied by unreasonable outside forces. Trust between a patient and physician is sacrosanct and must be protected. We have new, groundbreaking, highly effective medications that can lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, yet Florida insurers’ rates of rejection for these potentially life-saving medications is alarming. Working together we must find a solution that ensures patients have access to the medicines their physicians prescribe.”
In a February Florida Health Plan Coverage Report Card from the Institute for Patient Access, data shows Florida health plans reject nearly 50 percent of claims for breakthrough cholesterol-lowering medicines known as PCSK9 inhibitors.
PCSK9 inhibitors work by extending the lifespan of a receptor on the liver that clears LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. Patients, some with a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, or FH, are at increased risk for cardiac events such as heart attack and stroke because of extremely high levels of LDL. Clinical trials data show that PCSK9 inhibitors can lower LDL cholesterol more than statins alone and can also reduce the associated risks of heart attack and stroke.
The Florida Health Plan Coverage Report Card data, collected from August 2015 to July 2016, reflects PCSK9 inhibitor claims for Florida managed care organizations, including commercial plans, Medicare and managed Medicaid.
Key Florida Findings:

  • 45% average rejection rate
  • 3,784 total rejections
  • 1,197 appeals
  • Highest rates of rejection: Federal Employee Benefit Plan (77%), Express Scripts (76%), Cigna Healthcare (63%)
  • Lowest rates of rejection: Aetna US Healthcare (29%), Freedom Health FL (29%), Humana Health Plan (29%)

The least patient-friendly plans were the Federal Employee Benefit Plan, with a rejection rate of 77%, and Express Scripts at 76%. Also denying claims at a far higher rate than the state average were Cigna Healthcare, 63%, and Florida Blue, 61%. Humana Health Plan, Aetna and Freedom Health Florida denied fewer than 30% of claims.
The Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health launched a national change.org petition in June to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to raise awareness about the alarming rejection rates that qualifying patients face across the country. To date, the petition has garnered nearly 3,000 signatures.
Saturday, August 5
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Loews Sapphire Falls at Universal Orlando
Room: Grand Caribbean 3
6601 Adventure Way
Orlando, FL
The event is open to the press. Press interested in attending should RSVP to Susan Hepworth at [email protected] no later than Friday, August 4.

Departments of Education and Revenue Encourage Florida Families to Take Advantage of Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

Posted on

Three-day sales tax holiday begins August 4

As Florida families begin preparing for another school year, Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart and Department of Revenue Executive Director Leon Biegalski are reminding Floridians that they can save money on school supplies and clothing during the 2017 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday August 4 – 6.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for families to save money while purchasing the supplies their students will need for school,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “The start of a new school year is always an exciting time for Florida students, and the back-to-school sales tax holiday makes it easier for parents and students to prepare for a successful year.”
“The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is an event Florida’s families look forward to at this time of the year. We encourage Floridians to visit floridarevenue.com to learn more about the sales tax holiday and to share the available promotional materials with friends and family,” said Executive Director Biegalski. “Additionally, the Department is available to assist businesses and individuals with any questions they may have during this time.”
The 2017 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday was passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Rick Scott. It runs Friday, August 4 – Sunday, August 6. During this sales tax holiday period, qualifying items will be exempt from tax including most school supplies selling for $15 or less per item; clothing, footwear and accessories selling for $60 or less per item; and personal computers and computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use selling for $750 or less per item.
For more information and to view the lists of qualifying items, visit the Department of Revenue’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday website at floridarevenue.com/backtoschool.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.

Sen. Rodríguez, Comm. Levine Cava, Leaders to Discuss Sanctuary Cities

Posted on

Tonight, State Senator José Javier Rodríguez, County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, and other local leaders will participate in a discussion at Miami Dade College on how state preemption laws affect “sanctuary” or “welcoming” cities and immigrant communities.
The Florida House recently approved a bill that would punish welcoming cities and communities, which was called “anti-immigrant” and would “lead to litigation” for the state.
The event will feature remarks by Sen. Rodríguez, followed by a screening of the documentary film “The Deportation of Innocence,” and a discussion featuring experts with the Florida Immigrant Coalition, South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice, SEIU Florida, and the League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade County.
The Campaign to Defend Local Solutions, launched by Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, is presenting the event with the above organizations and the Global Peace Film Festival.
WHAT: Film screening and panel discussion on sanctuary cities
WHEN: Wednesday, August 2 from 6:30-8:30 PM (doors open at 6:00 PM, film screening from 6:30-7:15 PM, panel discussion from 7:30-8:30 PM)
WHERE: Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus, McCarthy Hall, 11011 SW 104th Street, Miami, FL 33176
PRESS: Open press, please RSVP to [email protected].

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Announces Free and Reduced-Price School Meal Guidelines

Posted on

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness has announced household size and income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals or free milk for students unable to pay the full price for meals or milk served under the National School Lunch, School Breakfast and Special Milk Programs. The guidelines of eligibility are in effect as of July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018.
Each local school food authority office has a copy of the guidelines that may be reviewed by any interested party. The following household size and income criteria will be used for determining eligibility:

Children from households that meet federal guidelines are eligible for free or reduced- price meals or free milk.
Application forms are being provided to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced-price benefits, households must complete the application as soon as possible, sign it, and return it to the school. One application should be submitted for all the students enrolled in the school food authority. Households should answer all applicable questions on the form. An application that does not contain all the required information cannot be processed and approved by the school. The required information is:
SNAP / TANF HOUSEHOLDS: If a household currently receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families” (TANF) for any child or other household member, they need only to list the child’s name and SNAP or TANF case number, and sign the application.
ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLDS: If a household’s income is at or below the level shown on the income scale, children are eligible for free or reduced price meals or free milk. Households must provide the following information: (1) the names of all household members, (2) all household income last month and source of income received by each household member (for example, EARNINGS, WELFARE, PENSION, or OTHER). Income is all money before taxes or anything else is taken out, (3) the signature of an adult household member, and (4) the last four numbers of the Social Security number of the adult signing the application.
The information on the application for free or reduced price meals may be verified by the school or other officials at any time during the school year.
The information households provide will be treated confidentially and will be used only for the eligibility determinations and verification of data.
Households may apply for benefits at any time during the school year. If a household is not eligible now, but has a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, or a household member becomes unemployed, an application should be filled out at that time.
Foster children are eligible for free meal or milk benefits regardless of the household income. If a household has foster children living with them and they wish to apply for meals or milk benefits for them, they should contact the school for help with the application.
Children enrolled in the Head Start/Even Start Program or the Migrant Education Program or who are considered homeless or runaway by the school district’s homeless liaison should contact the school for assistance in receiving benefits.
Under the provisions of the policy, a local school food authority official will review applications and determine eligibility. Households dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss it with the school.
Households also have the right to a fair hearing which may be initiated by contacting the hearing official in the local school food authority.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online HERE, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3.  email: [email protected].

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
For more information on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Statement from Port Tampa Bay CEO Paul Anderson

Posted on

Statement from Port Tampa Bay CEO Paul Anderson on Governor Scott’s
Appointment of Mike Griffin to the Port Tampa Bay Board of Commissioners

“We welcome Mike Griffin to the Port Tampa Bay Board of Commissioners. Mr. Griffin’s years of experience in the business and commercial real estate community will be an invaluable resource as we continue to grow and strengthen the Port, creating more local jobs and opportunities. As a direct result of the millions of dollars generated in recent years, Port Tampa Bay remains on pace to be off county tax rolls within nine years. Port Tampa Bay uses approximately $11 million in taxpayer money strictly for infrastructure projects (i.e. construction of cruise terminals) from a separate account. This year, Port Tampa Bay is expected to break all-time revenue records. Although we are currently reviewing all Port Tampa Bay expense policies, I believe there is a misperception about the integrity of how we spend Port Tampa Bay dollars. I look forward to the opportunity to provide a detailed explanation of our budget, and illustrate how our investments have vastly improved the economic landscape in the Tampa Bay area. We are excited to work with Mr. Griffin and welcome him to the Port Tampa Bay family.” 
About Port Tampa Bay
Port Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest port and the largest economic engine in west central Florida, supporting nearly 85,000 jobs and generating over $17 billion in annual economic impact. In addition to being a top 10 U.S. cruise port, the port handles a wide array of bulk, break bulk, containers and roll-on/roll-off cargoes, and is a major shipbuilding and repair center. Port Tampa Bay was honored as 2016 Best Port Operator by Lloyd’s List. For more information, visit www.portTB.com.