The Florida Lottery announces that Ricardo Martinez, 53, of Hialeah, claimed a top prize in the $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He purchased his winning ticket from Massiel Dollar Discount Corporation, located at 3405 Southwest 8th Street in Miami.
The $5 Scratch-Off game, $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER, launched in January, and features more than $182.8 million in prizes, including 44 top prizes of $500,000. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-3.98.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 65 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $734 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2015-16.
Gov. Scott Stops in Pensacola on “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Tour
Governor Rick Scott today met with local leaders and job creators in Pensacola during his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” tour. Governor Scott is traveling the state to encourage Floridians to contact members of the Florida Legislature and urge them to invest in key priorities- funding for tourism and economic development and the Herbert Hoover Dike at Lake Okeechobee.
LeadingAge Florida Statement on Nursing Home Prospective Payment System Budget Deal
“LeadingAge Florida applauds the Florida Senate and House of Representatives for recognizing that the proposed Prospective Payment System (PPS) plan needs more study, and for creating a workgroup to develop recommendations for the plan,” said Steve Bahmer, President & CEO of LeadingAge Florida. “LeadingAge Florida looks forward to working with the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Legislature, and other stakeholders to produce a fair and equitable PPS plan, one that ensures resident care dollars are spent on care rather than property, that guarantees accountability for how any new tax dollars are spent, and which ensures that the rate setting approach is reasonable in terms of how it treats nursing homes of various sizes and the different regions of the state, among other items.”
“LeadingAge Florida appreciates all of the hard work and effort put into creating a PPS for Medicaid nursing home residents. Over the past 10 months, our members have advocated vigorously for a payment system that is fair and equitable for all providers. LeadingAge Florida appreciates the steps taken by the Florida Legislature to further study this important issue,” Bahmer said.
About LeadingAge Florida
For 54 years, LeadingAge Florida has served as an association of more than 250 mission-driven communities, including many of the highest rated nursing homes affected by the plan inserted into the Senate budget. LeadingAge Florida is proud to serve quality leaders who devote themselves to creating a culture of excellence that motivates and inspires others throughout the aging continuum. LeadingAge Florida’s members are trusted with providing quality care and services to Florida’s seniors. LeadingAge Florida promotes practices that support, enable and empower people to live fully as they age.
Interviews planned for Secretary of Florida Department of Transportation Finalists
Five transportation leaders to be interviewed May 11th
The Florida Transportation Commission today chose five candidates to be interviewed for the position of Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation. The finalists will be interviewed on Thursday, May 11 from 1 to 4 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time.
The finalists, their interview times, in chronological order, are:
- 1:05 p.m. – Ronald Howse, P.E./P.S.M., commissioner, Florida Transportation Commission
- 1:40 p.m. – Phillip W. Gainer, P.E., district secretary, Florida Department of Transportation
- 2:15 p.m. – Richard M. Biter, former assistant secretary of Intermodal Systems Development, Florida Department of Transportation
- 2:50 p.m. – Michael J. Dew, chief of staff, Florida Department of Transportation
- 3:25 p.m. – Gene Conti, former secretary, North Carolina Department of Transportation
All interviews will be conducted using GoToWebinar®. Information on how to access the interviews via GoToWebinar® on a computer or via telephone will be available on our website early next week.
Following interviews, the Commission will meet on Wednesday, May 17 in Tallahassee to recommend three candidates for consideration by the Governor. The Secretary will then be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor of Florida.
On Monday, January 23, Governor Rick Scott announced the resignation of Secretary Jim Boxold, who began his appointment on January 3, 2015, effective February 3, 2017. Assistant Secretary for Finance and Administration Rachel Cone has been serving as Interim Secretary since that date.
The Florida Transportation Commission is an appointed body that provides performance and fiscal oversight of the FDOT, and makes transportation policy recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature.
ICYMI: WINK: Gov. Scott Visits Naples on “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Tour
“Gov. Scott Visits Naples on “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Tour
WINK-FTM (CBS) – Fort Myers, FL
May 4, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
Pro-Solar Amendment 4 Passes in the Sunshine State
After SB 90 was passed by the Florida House of Representatives yesterday, the Florida Senate today concurred and passed out legislation to implement the pro-solar Amendment 4, which voters overwhelmingly approved with 73 percent of the vote on the August 2016 primary ballot.
Now SB 90 goes to Governor Scott’s desk where he can sign, veto or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Thanks to the leadership of Senator Jeff Brandes and Representative Ray Rodrigues, the support of hundreds of businesses, solar advocates and thousands of volunteers, Floridians will enjoy lower energy costs as burdensome taxes on solar energy systems are reduced beginning January 1, 2018.
“We applaud Florida lawmakers for implementing this important constitutional amendment in the closing days of the legislative session,” said Dr. Stephen A. Smith, Executive Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and board member of Floridians for Solar Choice. “The importance of moving this forward cannot be overstated: with lower taxes for homeowners and businesses, solar energy development will increase allowing Floridians to lock in energy savings, create jobs, spur economic development, and bring much-needed diversity to the state’s energy mix.”
“The implementation of Amendment 4 is a win for the solar industry in Florida,” said Patrick Altier, President of Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA). “Our membership of Florida solar companies has been working tirelessly in the Legislature, with solar advocates, and many other coalition partners over the past several years, fighting for good policy. Reducing burdensome taxes will lead to more solar, more local jobs, and a brighter future for our state.”
“Last year Florida voters overwhelming supported Amendment 4, and now Florida’s House and Senate have unanimously passed an implementation bill to enact that constitutional amendment expanding the economic freedom to choose solar,” said Tory Perfetti, Chair of Floridians for Solar Choice and Florida Director of Conservatives for Energy Freedom. “Supported by a historic coalition which spanned the political spectrum, reducing taxes is smart energy policy for Florida’s families and businesses.”
“The voices of Florida voters have been heard,” said Pamela Goodman, President of the League of Women Voters of Florida. “With the implementation of Amendment 4, approved by 73% of voters last August, voters have helped to shape our energy policy in a way that the Sunshine State can be proud of.”
Gov. Scott Visits Novolex During “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Tour
Governor Rick Scott today visited Novolex during his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” tour. The manufacturing company recently created 30 new jobs in Jacksonville and now employs 130 Floridians. Governor Scott is traveling the state to encourage Floridians to contact members of the Florida Legislature and urge them to invest in key priorities- funding for tourism and economic development and the Herbert Hoover Dike at Lake Okeechobee.
Solar Tax Exemption Legislation Passes Unanimously
Bill reduces tax burden on renewable energy properties for 20 years
Senate Bill 90, Renewable Energy Source Devices, by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) passed the Florida Senate today with unanimous support, following unanimous approval of the Florida House of Representatives yesterday. The tax exemption will apply for 20 years on solar and renewable energy devices.
“The voters of Florida spoke loud and clear in support of an expanded solar market in the sunshine state,” stated Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg). “Reducing property taxes on solar and renewable energy devices will bring more solar energy to Florida. The unanimous support of the legislature shows that we are dedicated to expanding the share of renewables in our energy portfolio, and I am excited to continue to advocate for energy reform.”
The bill implements Amendment 4, which passed with 73 percent support by the voters on the 2016 primary election. The bill exempts 80% of the value of solar and renewable energy devices from property taxes on real and tangible personal property. This reflects an extension of the existing exemption in law for solar and renewable energy devices on residential property. The exemption encourages expansion of solar and renewable energy production in Florida, complimenting an industry that has experienced significant growth in recent years. The tax exemption of the bill will begin in 2018 and extend for 20 years.
For more information on SB 90 please visit http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/00090
Road Closure and Detour Scheduled for Bluford Avenue in Orange County
South Bluford Avenue at State Road (S.R.) 50/West Colonial Drive will be closed from 7 a.m. Friday, May 5, to 7 a.m. Monday, May 8.
Motorists on S.R. 50 needing to access South Bluford Avenue will be directed to use Maguire Road as a detour (see map).
The contractor, The Lane Construction Corporation, will beperforming a pipe crossing. Electronic message boards have beeninstalled to inform motorists about the road closure, and detour signs will direct traffic.
The work is part of a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project to widen S.R 50 (Colonial Drive) from four lanes to six lanes from S.R. 429 to just east of the West Oaks Mall. Please note construction schedules may change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Schedule updates are available at the FDOT Central Florida website, www.cflroads.com.
For media-related questions, please contact the Public Information Office at 386-943-5473 or [email protected].
FDOT encourages all drivers to use caution through construction zones.
Governor Scott to Continue “Fighting For Florida’s Future” Tour
Tomorrow, May 5th, Governor Rick Scott will continue his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” tour to encourage Floridians to contact members of the Florida Legislature and urge them to invest in key priorities for Florida’s future. These priorities include funding for tourism and economic development and the Herbert Hoover Dike at Lake Okeechobee.
WHEN: 8:00 AM CDT
WHERE: Florida State University Panama City
Holley Academic Center
4750 Collegiate Drive
Panama City, FL 32405
