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President’s budget eliminates Amtrak in Florida

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The president’s budget proposal released today would eliminate all Amtrak service in Florida.
The proposal cuts funding for Amtrak’s long-distance routes, which includes all three routes in Florida. It would also stymie ongoing efforts to restore service in Florida’s Panhandle and along the Gulf Coast.
“This just doesn’t make sense,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL). “Eliminating Amtrak service in Florida not only affects the nearly one million Floridians who ride the train each year, it would have a real impact on our tourism-driven economy by making it harder for folks to come visit our state.”
More than 950,000 Floridians rode Amtrak during the last fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, 2016.
The president’s budget would eliminate all three routes in Florida, including:

  • The Auto train, which runs daily from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL;
  • The Silver Meteor, which runs daily from Miami to Orlando to New York; and
  • The Silver Star, which runs daily from Miami to Tampa to Orlando to New York.

Gov. Scott Awards Sergeant Major Ray A. Quinn with Governor’s Medal of Merit

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During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet, Governor Rick Scott today recognized retired Sergeant Major Ray A. Quinn with the Governor’s Medal of Merit. Sergeant Major Quinn served in the U.S. Army and Florida National Guard for 30 years.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I’d like to thank Sergeant Major Quinn for his dedication to the safety of families in Florida and the nation. I am incredibly humbled by his lifelong service, first as a member of the Army National Guard and then as a community leader in local government. I’m honored to present him with the Medal of Merit today for his service and positive impact on the lives of Florida veterans.”
Lieutenant Colonel Glenn Sutphin, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, said, “Sergeant Major Quinn has dedicated his life to serving his community, state, and nation during his time in the U.S. Army and Florida Army National Guard. He continues today to serve his community and veterans across the state with honor and integrity. Sergeant Major Quinn represents what it means to be a member of the Florida National Guard and a leader in our community.”
About Sergeant Major Ray A. Quinn
Sergeant Major Ray A. Quinn enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965 and transitioned to the Florida Army National Guard in 1973. He was an infantry soldier, First Sergeant, Operations Sergeant and Personnel Noncommissioned Officer. After he retired, he went on to serve on the staff of the Adjutant General of Florida as the Director of Executive Services. In 2010, Sergeant Major Quinn was appointed by the Governor of Florida to serve as an interim County Commissioner for District 3 in St. Johns County. He served in that position from January 2010 until January 2011. He currently serves as Chairman of the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Council, Vice Chair of the St. Johns County Veterans Council and is Vice President for Veteran Affairs, First Militia Chapter Association of the U.S. Army.

Flagler College recognized with two historic preservation awards

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Flagler College received two awards from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation at its 39th annual conference in St. Petersburg on May 19.
The former Hotel Ponce de Leon, a National Historic Landmark that serves as the centerpiece of the college, was awarded an Outstanding Achievement honor for Restoration and Rehabilitation.
In preparation for St. Augustine’s 450th anniversary and the Spanish royal visit in 2015, the college, with the help of state grants, completed more than $4 million in repairs to the Ponce. This included hand cleaning the coquina concrete walls and brick details, recasting ornamental terra cotta and repairing windows and doors. The elaborately-adorned, curved Dining Hall wings resplendent with their Tiffany stained glass windows set in a carved wood framework was painstakingly repaired and rebuilt.
Since 1971, Flagler College has invested more than $40 million on preservation or adaptation of its 20 historic properties, most of which has been provided through private gifts.
In addition to the Outstanding Achievement award, Dr. Leslee Keys, Flagler College’s director of Historic Preservation and Special Initiatives, was recognized in the Preservation Education/Media category for her 2015 book “Hotel Ponce de Leon: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of Flagler’s Gilded Age Palace.”
Her book details the historic building’s transformation in 1968 from opulent Gilded Age hotel to the centerpiece of the new, private, liberal arts Flagler College. Last year she received the inaugural William L. Proctor Award for the best book published on St. Augustine from the Historic St. Augustine Research Institute, and was recognized by the University of Florida with the first Distinguished Alumni Award in Historic Preservation.
“I am honored that the preservation story of the Hotel Ponce de Leon and Flagler College have been recognized and am fortunate to have been able to present that unique and rich history,” Keys said.
She has served on numerous committees, including the Hotel Ponce de Leon 125th Anniversary committee, the Flagler College 50th Anniversary Steering Committee and is a past president of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.

State Preserves More than 5,000 Acres of Environmentally Sensitive Ranch Lands

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The Governor and Cabinet today approved the preservation of 5,211 acres of environmentally sensitive ranch lands in Okeechobee and Highlands counties through cost-effective conservation easements, which prevent future development of the land and allow agriculture operations to continue to contribute to Florida’s economy. The purchases are a part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, where the state partners with Florida’s farmers and ranchers to preserve active agricultural operations and their immense economic and environmental benefits.
“With more than 1,000 people moving to Florida every day, we must continue to prioritize the preservation of our world-renowned natural spaces,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, we’re partnering with farmers and ranchers to preserve these invaluable pieces of our rural economy and environment for future generations in a cost-effective way.”
One easement will preserve 4,177 acres of the Triple S Ranch in Okeechobee County, where more than 25 percent of the easement is considered unaltered wetlands consisting largely of interconnected cypress domes. The second easement will preserve 1,034 acres of the S.Y. Hartt ranch in Highlands County. The easement is one mile south of the Avon Park Air Force Range and borders the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area and the Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program’s Rafter T Ranch conservation easement.
Today’s partnerships increase the total land preserved by the program to 36,706 acres over 37 conservation easements. Since 2011, the current Governor and Cabinet have approved the acquisition of 30 projects totaling 33,121 acres, a more than 900 percent increase in acres preserved by the program. Additional details on today’s purchases can be found here.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services created the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program in 2001 to protect working agricultural lands threatened by other uses, such as development.
The goals of the program include:

  • Protecting valuable agricultural lands;
  • Creating conservation easements that ensure sustainable agricultural practices;
  • Preventing conversion to non-agricultural land uses in the rural base of Florida; and
  • Helping to protect natural resources in conjunction with these agricultural operations.

Florida agriculture has an overall economic impact estimated at more than $120 billion annually, making it the state’s second largest industry. The agriculture industry supports more than 2 million jobs in Florida.
More information on the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is available here.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Gov. Scott Awards Small Business Gulf Coast Angler Charters with Business Ambassador Award

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During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott recognized Gulf Coast Angler Charters with the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award. Gulf Coast Angler Charters is a charter fishing business located in Cape Coral. The small business is owned and operated by Captain Johnny O’Hearon and his wife Julie O’Hearon and was founded in March of 2016.
Governor Scott said, “I’m proud to recognize Gulf Coast Angler Charters with the Business Ambassador Award today. It’s great to see Johnny grow his small business and allow residents and visitors to enjoy our state’s beautiful waterways. Florida is proud to be the Fishing Capital of the World, and I wish Johnny continued success in his charter business.”
Johnny O’Hearon, Owner of Gulf Coast Angler Charters, said, “It’s an honor to be recognized by Governor Scott with the Business Ambassador Award. I am proud to share my enjoyment of the Southwest Florida waters with Florida tourists. I am incredibly grateful for our success, and I look forward to continuing ensuring visitors enjoy their time here in Florida.”
For more information about Gulf Coast Angler Charters, visit www.gulfcoastangler.net.

Gov. Scott Recognizes Erin Winick with the Young Entrepreneur Award

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During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott recognized Erin Winick, 23, with the Young Entrepreneur Award. Erin is the founder and CEO of Sci Chic, a company that designs and produces 3D printed jewelry and accessories inspired by science and engineering. Sci Chic was founded in October of 2015 and is based in Gainesville.
Governor Scott said, “I’m proud to present Erin with the Young Entrepreneur Award today. It’s great to see Florida entrepreneurs follow their dreams of starting a business while inspiring others to get involved with STEM. It takes dedication and hard work to start a business and I look forward to seeing Sci Chic’s success in Florida.”
Erin Winick, founder and CEO of Sci Chic, said, “It’s an honor to be recognized with the Governor’s Young Entrepreneur Award. Sci Chic is focused on using science and engineering to produce fashionable jewelry. We work hard to develop STEM inspired fashion and inspire young girls to get involved with science and engineering. I’m grateful for the success we have seen, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
To learn more about Sci Chic, visit www.scichic.com. To learn more about the Governor’s Young Entrepreneur Award, visit HireFloridaGrads.com.

Settlement Reached with Target Regarding Data Breach

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Attorney General Pam Bondi and 47 other attorneys general are announcing the largest multistate data breach settlement achieved to date. The $18.5 million settlement with Target Corporation resolves the states’ investigation into the retail company’s 2013 data breach that affected more than 41 million customer payment card accounts and contact information for more than 60 million customers. Florida served on the executive committee for the investigation.
“This data breach jeopardized the financial information of millions of Target customers in Florida and across the nation,” said Attorney General Bondi. “Under our multistate settlement announced today, Target consumers are now better protected from cyberattacks.”
The states’ investigation found that cyber attackers accessed Target’s gateway server through credentials stolen from a third-party vendor. The attackers used the credentials to exploit weaknesses in Target’s system that allowed access to a customer service database, installation of malware on the system and the capture of data. Consumer data included full names, telephone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, payment card numbers, card expiration dates, CVV1 codes and encrypted debit PINs.
In addition to the monetary payment to the states, the settlement agreement requires Target to develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive information security program and to employ an executive or officer responsible for executing the plan. The company is also required to hire an independent, qualified third-party to conduct a comprehensive security assessment.
As part of the settlement, Target is required to implement security measures including:

  • Maintain and support software on its network;
  • Segment its cardholder data environment from the rest of its computer network;
  • Maintain appropriate encryption policies, particularly as it pertains to cardholder and personal information data; and
  • Undertake steps to control access to its network, including implementing password rotation policies and two-factor authentication for certain accounts.

In addition to Florida, the following participated in this settlement: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
To view a copy of the settlement, click here.

Gov. Scott Recognizes Four Educators with the Governor’s Shine Award

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During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott recognized four outstanding educators with the Governor’s Shine Award. The Shine Award is presented to teachers and administrators in Florida who make significant contributions to the field of education. The educators honored today were recognized for their commitment to student success and to furthering their professional skills.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to present these four educators with the Governor’s Shine Award today for their commitment to the success of Florida students. I’d like to thank these educators and all of the teachers and administrators throughout the state who go above and beyond to prepare our students for higher education and a great career.”
The following educators were presented with the Governor’s Shine Awards:
Evangeline Aguirre, Palm Beach County – Dr. Evangeline Aguirre has been teaching for 25 years and is the ESOL intensive reading and English teacher at Palm Beach Central High School. She is the 2017 District Teacher of the Year, 2017 TESOL Outstanding Educator Awardee, and the 2016 Florida Reading Association High School Reading Teacher of the Year.
Diana Huff, Duval County – Diana Huff teaches fifth grade reading, writing and social studies at Fort Caroline Elementary School in Jacksonville. Now in her 20th year of teaching, Huff was nominated for the Fishman Prize and graduated from the High Impact Teacher Corps in 2017.
Justine Jackson, Sarasota County – Justine Jackson teaches middle school intensive language arts at Sarasota Middle School. She is the 2015-16 Sarasota Middle School Reading Teacher of the year, the 2015-16 Sarasota Reading Council’s Middle School Literacy Teacher of the Year, and the 2016 Florida Reading Association’s Middle School Literacy Teacher of the Year.
Leigh Ann Norris, Hamilton County – A 20 year teaching veteran, Leigh Ann Norris has been at Central Hamilton Elementary School for the past 13 years, where she teaches reading, math, science and history. Her accomplishments include being named the 2013 Hamilton County District Teacher of the Year and graduating from the High Impact Teacher Corps in 2017.