The Jose Mallea Campaign today released a Spanish-language video exposing Daniel Perez’s support for Obama-Castro Cuba policy, which allows travel to Cuba for specific purposes and also softened regulation on business and trade with the island dictatorship. The video features glamorous photos of Perez and his fiancée in Cuba, taking advantage of Obama’s relaxed stance toward oppression while millions continue to suffer nearby under the Castro regime. The Miami Herald recently published the photos.
“The residents of House District 116 deserve to know the truth about the candidates in this race,” said Mallea. “Because voters deserve transparency, we call on Mr. Perez to produce all travel and visa documents, pictures, videos, and other related material related to his 2016 Cuba trip in order for residents of House District 116 to be able to judge for themselves what a candidate who claims to be against the Obama-Cuba travel policy was doing in Cuba.
“These photos reveal either ignorance or callous indifference to the decades of suffering the people of Cuba have endured and continue to endure today. Neither is acceptable in our community’s next representative in Tallahassee. House District 116 deserves a champion for freedom, not someone who will enable a murderous dictatorship. I will always stand on the side of liberty.”
To view the video, please click here.
Gov. Scott calls special session to fight for students and jobs
Governor Rick Scott today signed the budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year and vetoed $410 million in legislative projects that do not provide a great return for Florida families. Additionally, Governor Scott vetoed the Florida Educational Finance Program (FEFP) funding portions of the budget. Governor Scott is also vetoing HB 5501 which decreased funding to VISIT FLORIDA by over 60 percent. The Governor’s full budget veto list will be released later today.
Governor Scott is calling a special session to discuss the following measures beginning on June 7, 2017 and ending on June 9, 2017 (click here to view the proclamation):
Funding for Florida’s K-12 students through the FEFP: Governor Scott is calling on the Legislature to provide an additional $215 million to K-12 education than previously authorized. This would increase the per student funding by $100.
Florida Job Growth Grant Fund: Governor Scott is proposing to establish the new Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to promote public infrastructure and individual job training which will encourage more businesses to choose Florida as a destination to grow jobs. Governor Scott is calling on the Florida Legislature to fund it at $85 million.
Increase VISIT FLORIDA Funding: Governor Scott has been focused on funding VISIT FLORIDA at $76 million in order to bring more tourists and support for Florida small businesses. The Governor is calling on the legislature to pass legislation that funds VISIT FLORIDA at a total of $76 million and includes comprehensive transparency and accountability measures at the organization.
Governor Scott said, “Florida’s students deserve the very best and we must always do everything possible to provide them with the resources they need to get a great education. It is my goal that a total of $215 million more is allocated to the FEFP which is a $100 per student increase over current year funding during the upcoming legislative session. Our students are the future of our great state and I know Speaker Corcoran is committed to our students, parents and teachers and ensuring Florida offers a world-class education to students at all levels.
“In addition to our common focus on ensuring a world-class education for Florida’s students, Speaker Corcoran understands the importance of ensuring future economic growth for Florida’s economy. Today, I am announcing that I intend to veto HB 5501 relating to Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA. While I believe very strongly in these programs and their ability to help bring more jobs to Florida, there needs to be a new bill relating to these organizations and how they operate.
“During the special session, I am calling on the Florida Legislature to consider new legislation that funds Visit Florida at $76 million. Additionally, I am proposing to establish the new Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to be funded at $85 million to promote public infrastructure and individual job training which will encourage more businesses to choose Florida as a destination to grow jobs. I have fought for jobs since my very first day in office and I do not intend to stop and this new fund will give our state the tools we need to compete with other states and nations for jobs. Like the Legislature, I strongly believe in transparency, accountability and a strong return on investment for any taxpayer dollars used. There needs to be legislation that allows us to market our state for tourism and grow jobs while maintaining these important principals. I look forward to working with the legislature during the upcoming special session to achieve these important goals for Florida families.”
Speaker Richard Corcoran said, “I am proud to stand with Governor Scott as we fight for continued strong job creation, giving every child a competitive and world class education, ensuring Florida competes as a tourist destination, and faithfully stewarding taxpayer dollars — goals that unify us.
“The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund will create both public infrastructure and job training and put taxpayers in the driver’s seat. All Floridians know that Governor Scott is committed to jobs. His willingness to work with us on this new model for economic development demonstrates that commitment and is greatly appreciated in the House. It’s truly a model for the rest of the nation wrestling with ending corporate welfare. In addition, this special session will secure Florida’s place as the premier tourist destination in America while ensuring that VISIT Florida is completely open, accountable and transparent to the taxpayer.
“The people of Florida should be proud today that you can have leaders with competing opinions and still compromise to meet common goals — government in Florida is working and the biggest winners are all Floridians.”
Commissioner Adam H. Putnam’s Statement on Special Session
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement regarding Governor Scott’s call for a special session beginning June 7, 2017:
“I’m grateful to Governor Scott for his leadership in calling for a special session, for his unyielding commitment to providing our children with the best education possible, and for his continued support of economic growth in the Sunshine State.”
Gov. Scott, President Negron and Speaker Corcoran to Make Major Announcement
MEDIA ADVISORY
Today, June 2, President of the Florida Senate Joe Negron and Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Richard Corcoran will join Governor Rick Scott to make a major announcement in Miami.
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: 10:00 AM
WHERE: Miami International Airport
Terminal F, Diplomatic Lounge
6500 NW 22nd St.
Miami, FL 33122
Sen. Bill Nelson statement on withdrawing from Paris agreement
Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the president’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement:
“This is a huge mistake. Sea-level rise caused by the Earth heating up is a real threat to Florida. If the U.S. isn’t going to do its part to combat climate change, then the rest of the world won’t do theirs and millions of Floridians living along the coast will be at risk.”
Powerball jackpot soars to estimated $337 million
More Than $25 Million Will Go To Education!
The POWERBALL® jackpot for Saturday’s drawing is an estimated $337 million; the largest in the nation. In addition to the large POWERBALL jackpot prize, players have the opportunity to win lower-tier prizes from $4 to $2 million by matching any of the non-jackpot-winning combinations. The POWERBALL jackpot has rolled 17 times since the April 5, 2017, drawing and has generated more than $25 million in contributions to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF).
Jackpot prizes are paid in 30 annual installments or as a one-time, lump-sum payment. Jackpot prizes must be claimed within 60 days after the draw to receive the cash option of an estimated $209.1 million. Winners have 180 days from the applicable drawing to claim their prize.
As a reminder, players are encouraged to sign the back of their tickets at the time of purchase and keep them in a safe place. Players should also check their tickets carefully because even if they don’t win the jackpot, they can still win cash prizes of up $2 million.
Purchase your tickets at any of the more than 13,000 authorized Lottery retailers for your chance to become Florida’s newest multi-millionaire. The Florida Lottery would like to remind all players to please play responsibly, as it only takes one ticket to win. As with all Lottery products, players must be 18 years of age or older to purchase POWERBALL tickets.
The next POWERBALL drawing will be held Saturday, June 3, 2017, at 10:59 p.m. ET, tickets must be purchased by 10:00 p.m. ET to be eligible for this drawing. National POWERBALL drawings are broadcast live, in high-definition, from the Florida Lottery’s state of the art draw studio in Tallahassee. Florida Lottery game drawings are broadcast on 17 carrier stations throughout the state.
Environment Florida's Response to Trump & Paris Agreement
President Trump today abandoned the United States’ commitment to reducing pollution under the Paris Climate Agreement. This action increases the risks that the world will face from global warming – including dirtier air, water and food shortages, spreading disease, increasingly extreme weather, and loss of land mass to flooding.
Under the previous president, the country began making progress in reducing pollution. Now President Trump’s actions threaten to take the country in the wrong direction.
Jennifer Rubiello, state director of Environment Florida, made the following statement in response:
“When the nations of the world joined in the Paris accord, we all finally stood as one to begin to address the climate crisis. This embarrassing decision says to the world that the United States – the nation most responsible for global warming – feels no responsibility for cutting pollution, and pretends to prioritize the economy over the wellbeing of the world.
President Trump has got it exactly backwards: there’s no sound economy in our future without a healthy planet. If both our national and state leadership choose to ignore that reality, then mayors must step in to fill the leadership void to show the world that Americans will do our part to address the climate crisis.
Averting disaster would be easier with strong state and federal leadership, but it’s not too late to defend clean air and a livable climate. If President Trump won’t stick by the U.S. commitment to reduce pollution and if Governor Scott continues to bury his head in the sand, then it’s up to our cities and industries to take the lead in moving us towards a clean energy future.
Hundreds of cities in the United States and around the world have pledged to accelerate carbon reductions to meet the goals of the Paris accord. Orlando, Florida is just the most recent of dozens of cities announcing a plan to shift to 100% clean renewable energy. To accelerate progress, every city in Florida and in the country must step up and take similar action. And clear-eyed players in the business community must lead on this issue as well.
In Washington, D.C., our U.S. Senators must act to protect vital pollution-cutting programs — including clean car standards and clean air standards — from any attack.
Ultimately, we all must work together to reduce and eliminate the pollution that is causing the world to warm. The health of Florida families and the world ecosystem are at stake.”
Town and Gown Committee shares 2016-2017 progress report
Flagler College’s Town and Gown Advisory Committee recently released its first progress report, outlining accomplishments and highlights of the 2016-2017 academic year and future priorities.
The committee — an extension of the Town and Gown Task Force, which disbanded in June of 2015 after presenting its final report and recommendations — serves as a channel for representatives from the college and community to discuss mutually relevant issues that impact the campus and city.
According to the report, highlights of the committee’s work this past year included the establishment of a student-only online rental blog, in which students can inform one another about available apartments and interactions with landlords; the implementation of a reporting system to handle behavior complaints made to the St. Augustine Police Department or Flagler College; and the participation of the committee in the college’s new president selection process.
“The Town and Gown Advisory Committee has made tremendous progress as we try to bridge important issues that affect the city of St. Augustine and the Flagler College campus,” the committee stated in the report. “This year we are building on that momentum as we continue collaborating on several issues and priorities that will bring benefits throughout downtown’s historic district.”
Some of the committee’s continuing and future priorities include generating greater awareness of the college’s improvement plans, identifying new ways of engaging the community in college-sponsored events and facilitating discussions between the college and City and St. Augustine on the regulation of rental properties and future rental inventory.
Advisory committee members include residents Becky Greenburg, Susan Rathbone, Judith Seraphin, Clyde Taylor, Irene Arriola and chairman John Versaggi and Flagler College representatives Paige Armstrong, Dan Stewart and Laura Stevenson.
A detailed annual report on the Town and Gown Advisory Committee can be found here.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Recovers More Than $236,000 for Floridians in May
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recovered more than $236,000 for Florida consumers during the month of May. 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 May 2017, the department:
- Recovered $236,184 on behalf of Florida consumers;
- Received 3,339 complaints;
- Initiated 279 investigations;
- Arrested 23 individuals;
- Provided assistance to 22,311 consumers through the 1-800-HELP-FLA hotline, online chats and emails; and
- Added 19,885 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.
