Governor Rick Scott today announced that he will host the 2017 Latin American Summit on October 2 in Miami to discuss the important relationship Florida shares with the region. The Latin American Summit will bring together world leaders to improve current partnerships and build new relationships that will better serve the interests of Florida families, generate economic prosperity and enhance democracy and human rights throughout Latin America.
Governor Scott said, “When I was elected Governor, I made a commitment to work every day to listen to Florida families and fight for what’s most important to them. As the unrest and oppression continue in Cuba and Venezuela, I am hearing from more and more Floridians who are expressing the need for change in Cuba and Venezuela. I join them in demanding democracy and freedom across Latin America.
“In recent months, we have seen Venezuela slip into complete chaos under the brutal and oppressive dictatorship of Nicolas Maduro. We have seen food and medicine shortages, violence in the streets and economic uncertainty. Sadly, we have seen this before. What’s happening in Venezuela is an echo of the brutal oppression that continues to cripple the lives of millions of Cubans. We know that peace and prosperity go hand in hand, and nations who embrace human rights and democracy thrive in our global economy.
“I am honored to host the 2017 Latin American Summit to connect leaders from around the world to discuss the issues impacting Latin America. Without freedom and democracy, the region’s economy suffers. I look forward to building new relationships that will enhance democracy and human rights throughout Latin America.”
For more information about the 2017 Latin American Summit, click HERE. A list of speakers will be released leading up to the event.
Brooksville man claims first top prize in new $5,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game
Joseph Torraco, III, poses with his wife and oversized check after
claiming a top prize in the $5,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game.
The Florida Lottery announces that Joseph Torraco, III, 40, of Brooksville, claimed a top prize in the $5,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee.
Torraco chose to receive his winnings in annual payments of $260,000 for the duration of his life, guaranteed for a minimum of 20 years. He purchased his winning ticket from 7-Eleven Gas Station, located at 18902 North Dale Mabry Boulevard in Lutz.
The new $10 Scratch-Off game, $5,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE, launched on July 3, and features more than $148 million in total cash prizes! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-3.35.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 68 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $784 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2016-17.
More than 5,000 lionfish removed so far in Lionfish Challenge 2017
Interested in removing lionfish? There’s still plenty of time to compete in this year’s Lionfish Challenge, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) statewide removal incentive program. The program started on Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day, May 20, and ends Sept. 4. Over 5,000 lionfish have been removed from Florida waters thanks to the program, including nearly 3,700 recreational fish removals and more than 1,200 pounds commercially (equates to about 1,400 fish).
The challenge rewards lionfish harvesters with prizes such as T-shirts, tumblers, heat packs for stings, pole spears, an extra spiny lobster per day during the two-day sport season, and much more. It only takes 25 lionfish (or 25 pounds commercially) to qualify for the program and the more lionfish you enter, the more prizes you will receive. Plus, all participants are entered into a raffle to win even more prizes such as Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium gift bags, ZombieStickz pole spears and customized ZooKeeper Lionfish Containment Units.
The persons with the most lionfish at the end of the competition will be crowned the Lionfish King or Queen (recreational category) and the Commercial Champion at the Lionfish Safari tournament in St. Petersburg the weekend of Sept. 9.
Think you have what it takes to be crowned the next Lionfish King/Queen or Commercial Champion? Sign up and learn more today by visiting MyFWC.com/Lionfish.
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Chief Justice Labarga Presents Award for Excellence to Sixth Circuit Judge
Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Peter R. Ramsberger, a tireless judicial educator and a champion for improved justice in domestic violence, is the 2017 recipient of the Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga presented the award to Judge Ramsberger at the Conference of Circuit Court Judges of Florida.
Judge Ramsberger was elected to the Pinellas County bench in 1990 and appointed to his position in the Sixth Circuit in 1997. He has created, prepared, revised, and presented more judicial education programs than any other judge in Florida – he’s taught at least 100 judicial education programs. His nomination and letters of support highlighted his humor, humility, inclusiveness and an overall exceptionally warm judicial demeanor. Judge Ramsberger is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Florida State University College of Law.
“Judge Ramsberger personifies judicial excellence, strength of character, integrity, fairness, open-mindedness, knowledge of the law, sound judgment, professional ethics, intellectual courage, compassion and decisiveness,” wrote Miami-Dade County Judge Carroll J. Kelly. “He also possesses the unusual trait of humbleness.”
He teaches at Florida judicial education forums and has co-created two intensive programs, successive versions of the Florida Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence. He has taught these two programs in 10 regional locations. The Florida Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence has served more than 200 judges.
“Judge Ramsberger has taught generations of judges not only the nuts and bolts of family law, but also why it is sometimes necessary for family judges to go above and beyond the call of duty when a family is in crisis and needs help,” wrote Twelfth Judicial Circuit Judge Donna Padar Berlin, in a letter in support of his nomination. “Thanks to Judge Ramsberger, ‘Famstock’ (as the family law track is affectionately known at the Florida Judicial College) is the only track with a heart.”
He taught nine programs in different circuits around the state during fiscal 2014-16, with more than 170 judges attending. The effort saved taxpayers an estimated $375,000.
The Chief Justice Awards for Judicial Excellence, established in 2014, recognize one county court judge and one circuit judge who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the judicial branch and who personify judicial excellence. The county judge recipient, Judge Kelly, was announced earlier this month.
Researchers Land $400,049 NSF Grant to Create Photon Funnels
The National Science Foundation has awarded a UCF-led team $400,049 to develop new devices for concentrating and controlling light called “photon funnels.”
Concentrating light is used in a variety of electronics and machines people have come to depend on, from computers and cell phones to fiber optics and sensors that detect toxic spills. These devices all use conventional lenses to concentrate light, but there is a catch.
The lenses collect and concentrate light on a specific spot, but that spot moves as light rays strike from different angles or positions.
“As a result, sensors and detectors can lose energy as the source of light moves, and the efficiency of an optical device is often limited,” said Stephen Kuebler, associate professor of chemistry and optics, who leads the research project. “Our team will explore a fundamentally new approach for concentrating light called ‘photon funnels,’ that circumvent the limitations that refraction puts on ordinary optical systems. Photon funnels will be designed to leverage an optical phenomenon called ‘self-collimation’ to control how light propagates within an engineered lattice.”
Photon funnels are nanoscale three-dimensional (3D) lattices that are designed to direct the flow of light within them by adjusting the orientation of a self-collimating lattice as a function of position. The lattices will be created using a laser-based 3D printing technique called “multiphoton lithography.”
The interdisciplinary team assembled for the project includes experts in chemistry, optics, physics, material science, engineering, and design and simulation in Orlando and at the University of Texas at El Paso. The research will provide cutting-edge training in Orlando and El Paso for undergraduate and graduate students who work on the three-year project.
Team members also include UCF Associate Professor of Optics and Photonics Sasan Fathpour and Raymond Rumpf, associate professor of Electrical Engineering and Director of the EM Lab at the University of Texas at El Paso. Rumpf is a pioneer in 3D printing of high-frequency circuits and electromagnetic devices.
The work will be evenly split between the professors’ laboratories in Orlando and El Paso.
Spritz Earns Endorsements From Three House Members
Representatives Byron Donalds, Alex Miller, and Bob Rommel say Matt Spritz has
the work ethic and conservative principles to be an outstanding House member.
The Matt Spritz Campaign today announced endorsements from three members of the Florida House of Representatives: Representatives Byron Donalds, Alex Miller, and Bob Rommel. Spritz is running for the District 89 seat, currently held by Bill Hager, who faces term limits in 2018.
“There’s no doubt Matt will be an outstanding legislator,” said Rommel. “As a former legislative aide, he has never shied away from hard work. He’s extremely dedicated to serving the public.”
“Matt is a dynamic individual with a deep understanding of the complex issues we are tackling in Tallahassee,” said Miller. “He has the right vision for how to move Florida forward.”
“Matt Spritz is a principled conservative,” said Donalds. “I very much look forward to serving with him in Tallahassee.”
Rommel and Donalds both represent Naples in the Florida House while Miller’s district includes part of Sarasota. All are Republicans and were elected in 2016.
“Representatives Donalds, Miller, and Rommel are outstanding legislators and community leaders,” said Spritz. “I am honored to have their support, and I look forward to the opportunity to work alongside dedicated conservatives like them in Tallahassee.”
Born and raised in South Florida, Spritz graduated Phi Beta Kappa with high honors from Emory University and from New York University School of Law in New York City. He practiced corporate and business law in New York City and later in South Florida before committing himself to public service in the Florida House.
House District 89 covers coastal portions of Palm Beach County spanning from Singer Island to Boca Raton, which has the largest concentration of voters. Thirty-six percent of registered voters in the district are Republicans, while Democrats make up 33 percent, and voters with minor or no party affiliation, 31 percent.
Paid by Matt Spritz, Republican, for State Representative
FWC partners with Bienville Plantation to conduct bass tournament research
Pro anglers and industry stakeholders fished at a
simulated tournament to assist in research initiatives.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) partnered with the Bienville Plantation to host two simulated bass fishing tournaments to assist with an ongoing research initiative studying water quality in boat livewells during summer bass tournaments.
Bass caught during fishing tournaments are temporarily held in an angler’s boat livewell until time for the tournament weigh-in. Livewells are holding tanks in a boat that contain aerated water to keep bass healthy until they are released. There are many different livewell settings and management styles, so the FWC designed a research study to determine which combination of livewell settings and management styles provide the best water quality to keep the bass healthy prior to their release.
This tournament was the second of eight events that will contribute to this research initiative. Six additional events will be hosted at other sites throughout the state. This event took place on a 1,300-acre Bienville freshwater lake previously used for phosphate mining, so the lake varied in depth, water clarity, cover and structure. Twenty-two anglers participated in the event on 11 boats, each fishing for a five-fish limit. The largest bass caught weighed 7.3 pounds and the winning total weight was 18.66 pounds.
Fishing League Worldwide pro anglers Braxton Setzer and Joshua Weaver donated their time and talent to the study, along with anglers representing Bienville Plantation, Yo-Zuri, Shimano, Pitman Creek and the American Sportfishing Association.
Bienville Plantation is one of America’s most renowned hunting and fishing operations, catering to individuals as well as families and corporations. Located in White Springs, it offers activities such as quail hunting, guided bass fishing, duck hunting, alligator hunting, skeet, trap, 5-stand, fine dining and well-appointed lodging. For more information, visit Bienville.com.
For more information about this research initiative, email Amber Nabors at [email protected].
Gov. Scott: Florida Unemployment Lowest in a Decade
Nearly 18,000 Jobs Created Across the State in June
Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.1 percent in June, the lowest rate since June 2007. Florida businesses created nearly 18,000 private-sector jobs in June, bringing the total number of new jobs added since December 2010 to 1,397,400. Florida’s annual private-sector job growth rate, which is 3.1 percent, has exceeded the nation’s rate, which is 1.7 percent, for 63 consecutive months. Governor Scott will also meet today with representatives of Allegiant Air at their Nevada headquarters to discuss the company’s continued investments in Florida. Since Allegiant Air chose Florida as the best location for their new East Coast Training Center last year, their base at Orlando Sanford International Airport has become the company’s largest in the United States. Allegiant Air is currently responsible for more than 15,000 direct jobs across the State of Florida.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida’s unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest rate in 10 years and that nearly 18,000 new jobs were created for families across the state in June. Over the past six and a half years, we have tirelessly worked to cut more than $7 billion in taxes and reduce more than 5,000 burdensome regulations, which is helping job creators like Allegiant Air bring new opportunities to our state. Our newly established $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund will keep Florida on track to becoming the national leader for job growth. I encourage businesses interested in growing in Florida to learn more about the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund today.”
As of June, Florida’s unemployment rate dropped 6.6 percentage points since December 2010, while the national rate declined by only 4.9 percentage points in the same time period. In the last year, 343,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 3.5 percent, while the national labor force growth rate is only 0.8 percent.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Florida’s unemployment rate has dropped below the nation’s and down to the lowest our state has seen in an entire decade. Thanks to our state’s pro-growth policies, Floridians have thrived and companies have become more confident. Together, we have made Florida the best place in the nation to live, work and play.”
Other positive economic indicators include:
- Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:
- Professional and business services with 47,800 new jobs;
- Education and health services with 40,300 new jobs;
- Trade, transportation and utilities with 35,600 new jobs
- Leisure and hospitality with 33,500 new jobs; and
- Construction with 32,400 new jobs.
- Florida job postings showed 248,335 openings in June 2017.
- In June Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards reported 22,977 Floridians, including 1,276 veterans, were placed in jobs.
To view the June 2017 employment data, click here.
FSU MAAPP Students Hosted Roundtable on Retaining Young Professionals
Community Leaders Joined Students in Discussion About Local Opportunities for Graduates
Florida State University Master of Applied American Politics and Policy students hosted a roundtable discussion today with local, state and federal leaders to discuss opportunities for young professionals in the Capital City. Applied educational programs, like the FSU MAAPP program, provide young professionals an opportunity to pursue a graduate degree while advancing in their careers.
“Politics is big business in Tallahassee and for more than 20 years FSU’s MAAPP program has been educating some of the brightest politicos in our state,” said Bob Crew, Ph.D. Director of FSU’s MAAPP Program. “We teach students working fulltime in the state legislature, executive branches, lobbying, communications and other important areas of the political process—often providing more incentive for these young professionals to pursue lifelong careers in Tallahassee.”
“Tallahassee’s colleges and universities are a rich source of creativity and innovation, and as the Congressman for Florida’s fifth district, I am dedicated to working with academic, city and community leaders to ensure these creative minds have opportunities in our area once they graduate, said Congressman Al Lawson. “Attracting and retaining young professionals helps foster new ideas and entrepreneurship – which in turn, benefits Tallahassee’s economy.”
“Tallahassee NYP’s mission is to help make our city a great place to live, work, play and stay by highlighting and cultivating some of the great amenities the city has to offer young professionals,” said Mukadam. “I am grateful that so many leaders in our community are focused on efforts to ensure talented young professionals have an opportunity to thrive in the Capital City.”
Congressman Al Lawson, Leon County Commissioner John Dailey, Tallahassee City Commissioner Curtis Richardson, Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals President Brittany Mukadam, Chair of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Talent Initiative Berneice Cox, Tallahassee Democrat President Skip Foster and FSU students participated in the panel discussion held at City Hall.
Tallahassee is home to three colleges and universities, and according to 2010 census data, more than 30,000 residents ages 18 – 25. Recent additions like College Town, enhancements in Midtown and the revamping of the Tallahassee Mall are just a few examples of efforts to attract and retain young professionals. The city and local nonprofits continue to explore innovative ways to grow opportunities for new graduates and young professionals.
The MAAPP program is a terminal Master of Science degree designed for those who seek active careers in a number of political fields: Campaigns, Fundraising, Political Communications, Lobbying, Legislative Affairs, etc. Unlike the traditional graduate program in Political Science, which is designed for individuals with career paths in academia and research, MAAPP offers practical experience and a diverse set of skills for those interested in careers as political operatives. Florida State University’s MAAPP program has two distinct advantages over other political science programs of this type: flexible enrollment options including evening courses for students holding full-time jobs during the day, and the significant political networks available due to our location in Tallahassee, the capital city of the third-largest state in the U.S.
Nelson Urges Administration to Act on Fee Refunds for Delayed Bags
More than a year after Congress passed a law requiring airlines to issue prompt fee refunds for delayed bags, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) wants to know why it’s taking so long for the administration to act.
In a letter sent today to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Nelson called on her to immediately issue rules needed to carry out the law.
“As we enter the heart of the summer travel season, each further day of delay causes substantial consumer harm,” Nelson wrote. “I urge you to act now to give the flying public the protections they were promised in last year’s FAA extension.”
The FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act, which passed Congress and was signed into law in July 2016, gave the Department of Transportation (DOT) one year to develop rules requiring fee refunds for delayed luggage and mandated a review of airline family seating policies. Specifically, the law required DOT to adopt rules requiring the airlines to issue prompt baggage fee refunds when checked luggage is not delivered within 12 hours after the arrival of a domestic flight or 15 hours after the arrival of an international flight. Additionally, it mandated that DOT review current airline policies on family seating and, if appropriate, require them to seat families with children under the age of 13 together.
According to DOT statistics cited by Nelson, the top 13 U.S. airlines collected at least $4.2 billion last year in baggage fees – resulting in passengers being charged as much as $11.4 million per day in bag fees.
Below is the text of Nelson’s letter to Secretary Chao.
July 20, 2017
The Honorable Elaine C. Chao
Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Secretary Chao:
I write today regarding the status of regulations that were due by July 16, 2017, implementing two critical aviation consumer protections contained in last year’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) extension.
As you know, the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 passed Congress last year with broad bipartisan support. In addition to extending the FAA’s operating authority for one year, the bill also contained two provisions designed to help commercial air travelers. The first provision (Section 2305) generally required automated refunds for any baggage fees when checked luggage is not delivered within 12 hours after the arrival of a domestic flight or 15 hours after the arrival of an international flight. The second provision (section 2309) directed the Department of Transportation (DOT) to review and, if appropriate, establish policies directing air carriers to seat children 13 or under adjacent to the seat of an accompanying family member over the age of 13.
By statute, the DOT was required to take final action on both of these regulations no later than one year after enactment of the bill – or July 16, 2017. Unfortunately, neither regulation has been finalized by the deadline.
As we enter the heart of the summer travel season, each further day of delay causes substantial consumer harm. According to DOT statistics, in 2016, the top 13 U.S. carriers collected almost $4.2 billion in ancillary baggage fees. This works out to approximately $11.4 million in checked baggage fees per day. And, even assuming that only two percent of paid checked baggage is not delivered within the deadlines, that amounts to almost $229,000 in refunds that consumers are not receiving every day this rule is delayed.
Furthermore, the failure to promulgate the family seating regulation also causes substantial consumer harm. This summer, almost all flights are completely full. When a family is not able to obtain adjoining seating for children 13 or under, it causes undue stress and discomfort as family members are often forced to beg other passengers to move so they can sit next to a young child.
In recent months, the DOT has spent a substantial amount of time on issues, such as privatization of the FAA’s air traffic control function, that appear to be taking away resources from statutory mandates – like these important aviation consumer protection requirements. I urge you to act now to give the flying public the protections they were promised in last year’s FAA extension.
Thank you in advance for your assistance with this important matter.
Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson
