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Highlands Sheriff Paul Blackman Endorses Albritton

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Momentum for Albritton continues to grow as Blackman joins
numerous local leaders already backing his bid for the Florida Senate.

The Ben Albritton for Senate Campaign today announced the endorsement of Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman. He adds his support for Albritton to a growing list of elected officials from across Senate District 26, which is currently represented by Denise Grimsley, who is running for Commissioner of Agriculture.
“Denise Grimsley has been a wonderful public servant for Highlands County. She leaves some big shoes to fill, but there is no doubt in my mind that Ben Albritton is the best person for the job,” said Blackman. “Ben values and respects people. He knows our area and its needs. I look forward to Highlands County continuing to have outstanding representation in the Florida Senate with Ben Albritton.”
Blackman was elected Highlands County Sheriff in November of last year after a lifelong career in law enforcement that began in 1993. Prior to his election as Sheriff, he had served as Captain of the Sheriff’s Office since 2006.
“I truly appreciate Sheriff Blackman’s endorsement,” said Albritton. “Law enforcement is one of the pillars of strong communities, and I look forward to working with him to support law enforcement and keep Highlands County residents safe.”
Other local and community leaders also backing Albritton include U.S. Representatives Dennis Ross and Tom Rooney; State Attorney Brian Haas; State Representative Mike Grant; Charlotte County Commissioners Ken Doherty, Joe Tiseo, and Bill Truex; Punta Gorda Mayor Rachel Keesling; former State Representative Ken Roberson; and Florida Citrus Commissioners V.C. Hollingsworth, Marty McKenna, Ned Hancock and Mike Garavaglia.
In 2010, Albritton was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, where he has been a staunch advocate for entrepreneurs and children in Florida’s foster care system. He is also known for his strong conservative record on Second Amendment rights and protection for the unborn. He is the Chair of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee and Vice Chair of the House Natural Resources and Public Lands Subcommittee. He also sits on the Appropriations Committee, the Agriculture and Property Rights Subcommittee, and the Government Accountability Committee, and he currently serves as the Chair of the Polk County Legislative Delegation.

Paid by Ben Albritton, Republican, for State Senator

Florida Poly Awarded Duke Energy Foundation Scholarship Grant

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The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation, Inc. has received a $50,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation for scholarships. The funds will be directed towards the University’s competitive scholarship program to provide financial support to qualified students.
The Duke Energy Foundation grants are dedicated to enhancing educational programs focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), childhood reading proficiency and workforce development.
“Supporting educational initiatives is an integral mission of the Duke Energy Foundation,” said Harry Sideris, Duke Energy Florida president. “This grant provides Florida Polytechnic University students with the opportunity to realize their full potential and create models of success that will have implications for years to come.”
A check was presented to University President Dr. Randy K. Avent during a small ceremony on campus Friday, July 14. Each scholarship offered to students will be on a variable scale from $1,000 to $16,000.
“It is important to ensure that financial constraints do not hold back our students,” said Dr. Avent. “This institution is focused on graduating highly-skilled experts who bring new thinking and innovation to the economy of the State of Florida. Scholarships like the ones made possible by Duke Energy allow us to do just that. My most sincere thanks goes to Duke and our Foundation Board for this gift which will directly impact the lives of our students.”
The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization governed by a Board of Directors, whose members play a significant role in the development of the University as a major educational, cultural and economic resource. The foundation is responsible for creating community and industry investment to support the University and to provide financial support for our students throughout their academic career.
“Our Foundation is thrilled to receive this grant,” said Ford Heacock, President and Owner of Heacock Insurance and Foundation Board Chair. “Through the support of generous donors, like the Duke Energy Foundation, we can continue to enhance the opportunities available for Florida Poly students who will transform the future of technology and impact Florida’s economy.”
The Duke Energy Foundation offers more than $30 million, and approximately $3 million in Florida, annually in charitable gifts to support and address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture. For more information, visit www.duke-energy.com/foundation.

Sen. Latvala to Host Roundtable on Opioid Crisis

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Palm Beach County Roundtable on Aug. 8

Senator Jack Latvala, Chairman of the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee, announced today that he will hold a roundtable discussion on the opioid epidemic next month in Palm Beach County.  Latvala was invited by Senator Kevin Rader and Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay to visit Palm Beach County to learn first-hand about the issues surrounding the epidemic of opioid overdoses.
“Opioid abuse is a crisis facing our entire state.  It’s costing lives and money.  In fact, Florida hospital charges related to the heroin epidemic top $4 million a day,” Latvala said.  “But the crisis seems to be affecting Palm Beach County more than many other parts of the state with more than 300 opioid overdoses in Palm Beach County already this year. Senator Rader and Commissioner McKinlay have worked particularly hard to bring attention to the issue.  I want to visit and hear directly from the professionals and families involved with the issue,” Latvala added.
During the first five months of this year there were 311 opioid overdoses in Palm Beach County compared to 258 over same period in 2016.  Last year there were a total of 592 opioid-related deaths in Palm Beach County alone.
Senator Latvala’s roundtable will be Tuesday, August 8 from 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon in Room PSD 108 at Palm Beach State College located at 4200 Congress Avenue in Lake Worth Florida.
Florida received a total of $54 million federal grant money to address the opioid crisis.  State spending of the grant money is managed through the budget, which is administered in the Senate by the Appropriations Committee.

Gov. Scott Appoints Judge Lourdes Simon to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court

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Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Judge Lourdes Simon to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court.
Simon, 49, of Miami, is currently a county judge for Dade County. She previously served as an Assistant Public Defender for the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. She received her bachelor’s degree from Florida International University, and law degree from Nova Southeastern University School of Law. Simon fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Robert Luck to the Third District Court of Appeal.

Roger Stevens Elected Chair of the LeadingAge Florida Board of Trustees

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Roger Stevens, Chief Executive Officer of Westminster Communities of Florida, was installed as Chairman of the LeadingAge Florida Board of Trustees during the association’s annual meeting in Orlando this week.
A gubernatorial appointee to the Governor’s Continuing Care Advisory Council, Mr. Stevens has extensive experience representing aging services providers. Mr. Stevens is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, a Certified Public Accountant and a former manager at an international CPA firm with experience in feasibility studies, new facility development, financing, start-up and operation.
“Roger is a thoughtful, insightful, and very accomplished leader,” said LeadingAge Florida President & CEO Steve Bahmer. “Westminster Communities of Florida truly reflects the full continuum of aging services, including affordable senior housing, independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care. As a result, Roger has a broad view of the aging services field that will be a true asset in guiding the only Florida association which represents that full continuum.”
As part of the LeadingAge Florida Annual meeting, LeadingAge Florida members elected the following individuals to leadership positions:
• Troy Hart – Chair-Elect
• Josh Ashby – Immediate Past Chair
• Kevin Smaage – Secretary
• Lisa Lyons – Treasurer
• Mary Jo Zeller – ALF/HCBS Chair
• Joel Anderson – CCRC Chair
• Janet Stringfellow – Housing Chair
• Robert Goldstein – Nursing Home Chair
• Jolynn Whitten – Associate Member Representative
• John Capes – LeadingAge Advocate
• Bruce Jones – LeadingAge Advocate
• Kevin Knopf – LeadingAge Advocate
• Charee Russell – LeadingAge Advocate
• Kip Corriveau – South West Region Chair
• Teresa Scott – North Region Chair
These board members join current board members:
• Garry Hennis – At-Large Trustee
• Jim Richman – At-Large Trustee
• Gail Wattley – Central Region Chair
• Juana Mejia – Southwest Region Chair

Gov. Scott: MAGLITE Should be Made in Florida – and the USA

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This week, during President Donald Trump’s “Made in America” week, Governor Rick Scott sent a letter to President of Mag Instrument, Inc. and creator of the MAGLITE flashlight, Anthony Maglica. Unfortunately, thanks to California’s laws, Mr. Maglica is not allowed to put a “Made in USA” label on his American designed, engineered and manufactured flashlights. In his letter, Governor Scott responds to Mr. Maglica’s opinion piece, Made in California—but Not the USA?, and invites him to move his business to Florida to escape the unreasonable regulations placed on Mag Instrument, Inc. by the State of California. To read the letter, see below or click HERE.
July 17, 2017
Mr. Anthony Maglica
2001 Hellman Avenue
Ontario, California 91761
Dear Mr. Maglica:
Like you, I have spent my life in business and understand the incredible work ethic and perseverance it takes to build a company from the ground up. I admire your hard work to take a one-man operation and build it into the employer of hundreds of Americans and producer of one of America’s most trusted and recognizable products – manufactured right here in the USA. Entrepreneurs like you are what makes our country the home of the American Dream and drive the innovation that moves our markets forward. That’s why I was shocked to read your letter in the Wall Street Journal detailing the ridiculous but unsurprising regulations placed on your business by the State of California.
As you know, California Governor Jerry Brown and the California Legislature have been no friend to businesses in your state. Governor Brown’s tax and spend administration has spent year after year passing burdensome and unnecessary laws that make it harder for businesses to succeed. Now, they are insulting the very American manufacturing that makes our country so great by not allowing you to put a “Made in USA” label on your American designed, engineered and manufactured flashlights. This makes no sense.
Here in Florida, we would be proud to have the “Made in USA” label stamped on your flashlights and help you succeed with less taxes and regulations to hold your business down.
Unlike Governor Brown, I have spent the past six years working every day to cut taxes, reduce burdensome regulations and create an environment where any job creator – start-ups, small businesses and global corporations – can grow and succeed. We’ve cut taxes by more than $6.7 billion, have no state income tax and no sales tax on manufacturing equipment. Our hard work to help businesses succeed is paying off – since December 2010, Florida businesses have created more than 1.37 million jobs and more than 1,000,000 people have moved to Florida because of our great schools, friendly business climate and beautiful weather. It is no surprise that while California continues to see population decreases, Florida is the third largest state and fourth fastest growing state in the nation.
Given our great success in Florida, I’m sure you can understand why I have visited California to encourage businesses to grow and prosper in the Sunshine State. I’d love to meet with you to discuss the future of Mag Instrument Inc. and the incredible opportunities that await your business in Florida. Quite frankly, I think Mag Instrument would have more success in Florida.
I look forward to hearing from you and bringing your all-American operation to Florida where you’ll be able to proudly add a “Made in USA” label to the quality products you produce.
Sincerely,
Rick Scott
Governor

Gov. Scott Attends Grand Opening of Walmart e-Commerce Fulfillment Center in Davenport

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New e-Commerce Fulfillment Center Creates 1,500 Jobs

Governor Rick Scott today attended the grand opening of Walmart’s new e-commerce fulfillment center in Davenport. The new e-commerce fulfillment center is creating 1,500 jobs in the Davenport area.
Governor Scott said, “I was proud to celebrate the grand opening of Walmart’s new e-commerce fulfillment center which is helping to create 1,500 jobs for Florida families. Walmart could have chosen to open this new fulfillment center in any location, yet they know that Florida is the best place for them to grow their business and create new jobs. By cutting taxes and creating the new $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, we will create even more opportunities for Florida families.”
Senior Vice President of Walmart U.S. eCommerce Supply Chain Nate Faust said, “This campus is just the latest example of Walmart’s commitment to offering customers fast shipping on items they need every day. We’re excited not only about the economic impact our facility has had, and will continue to have, in the community, but also how it will help us empower our customers to shop when and how they want.”
2017-2018 Walmart’s Florida Investments
The positive business climate in Florida has enabled Walmart to create thousands of local jobs, invest millions in infrastructure and test innovative ways to serve its customers. In an effort to continue its growth and investment in the Sunshine State, Walmart recently announced plans for the following investments across Florida this fiscal year (Feb. 1, 2017 through Jan. 31, 2018):

  • Open nine new stores across the state, creating more than 800 jobs statewide in stores alone.
  • Execute a multi-million-dollar capital investment plan by remodeling more than 40 locations across the state.
  • Celebrate the groundbreaking later this year for a new distribution center for perishable goods in the City of Cocoa.

About Walmart in Florida
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online and through their mobile devices. Walmart opened its first store in Florida in 1982. In Florida, Walmart serves customers at 375 retail units and online through Walmart Grocery Pickup, Walmart.com and Jet.com. Walmart employs more than 107,000 associates in Florida. In Florida during FY2017, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation helped local communities with more than $82 million in cash and in-kind contributions to Florida nonprofits, and Walmart donated nearly 45 million pounds of food to local Florida food banks – equivalent to more than 37.5 million meals. Learn more at Walmart.com.

Mallea Releases New Television Spot

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The new ad highlights his conservative platform and
addresses his opponent’s attempts to smear him with lies.

The Jose Mallea Campaign today released its latest television spot, urging voters to not believe false claims about him made by his opponent in the special Republican primary on July 25.
“My opponent has chosen to use this campaign to promote lies and smears to benefit the special Interests,” said Mallea. “I will use my 20-year conservative record to make a real difference for the residents of House District 116, starting with my proposal for the elimination of property taxes for our seniors.”

You may view the ad by clicking here or the photo above. The text is below:
Hi. I’m Jose Mallea.
A conservative Republican running for State Representative on July 25.
My opponent has made some outrageous claims during this campaign.
They are lies.
Please don’t believe the falsehoods.
Like our President Donald Trump, the special interests attack anyone not on their side with lies and fake news.
I built my business with hard work.
And now I want to fight for you and your family by cutting taxes, reducing regulations, and eliminating government waste.
Please honor me with your vote on July 25.

Paid by Jose Mallea, Republican, for State Representative

Jay Fant Statement on Failure of Senate Healthcare Bill

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Representative Jay Fant made the following statement this morning regarding the failure of the U.S. Senate to move forward on healthcare reform:
“With the Senate’s failure to repeal Obamacare, our leaders in Washington have failed us once again. It is past time for our elected representatives to carry out the promises they made when they were elected. Obamacare is clearly a disaster, causing costs to skyrocket and quality of care to diminish. Floridians are hurting and deserve better than petty politics. I hope the Senate will move past this setback and fully repeal President Obama’s healthcare policy like they promised.” 
ON THE WEB:  www.JayFant.com

Paid by Jay Fant, Republican, for Attorney General

Call for nominations for 28th Annual Florida Bar Reporters' Workshop

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The 28th Annual Florida Bar Reporters’ Workshop will be held in Tallahassee on Oct. 16 and 17. This intensive two-day event is designed for 24 print, online, TV and radio journalists who are new to the courts and legal beats, or new to Florida. The workshop is presented by The Florida Bar’s Media and Communications Law Committee.
Workshop scholarships cover two nights’ hotel accommodations and workshop meals. Travel expenses and incidentals are the responsibility of the participant or the participant’s employer.
Reporters attending will learn about legal reporting and covering the state courts from lawyers, judges and experienced journalists. Topics include:

  • Effective Techniques of Reporting the High-Profile Case
  • Benchmarks – Every 20 years: Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission
  • Fake News – Who’s reliable? Who’s not? Discussion regarding traditional and non-traditional  news; why fake news survives and how the 2016 election brought this to light
  • Implicit Bias: What is it and how do you measure it?
  • Public records access: How to get the records you need
  • Merit retention in Florida

Additionally, there will be luncheon speakers on timely topics, a tour of the Supreme Court of Florida and an evening reception and dinner on the 22nd floor of the Capitol with the Supreme Court justices of Florida.
Nominations must be made by editors, publishers or news directors and include information on the journalist’s background, current assignments and contact information.
Please send nominations for receipt by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, to The Florida Bar Public Information Department by email ([email protected]), fax (850-561-9429) or mail Reporters’ Workshop, The Florida Bar, 651 E. Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL 32399.
The selection process will be completed by early September, and those selected for participation will be notified by email.