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Complete Florida and UWF Innovation Institute to host college and career webinar

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Complete Florida is hosting a College and Career Webinar from noon to 12:30 p.m. CDT on May 2. This free, live event will focus on preparing the busy adult learner to go back to college, complete their degree and plan for a successful career. Complete Florida is managed by the UWF Innovation Institute.
“Complete Florida focuses on the nearly three million Florida residents who started college but never finished a degree,” said Michelle Horton, Complete Florida enrollment and retention director. “Our live event will discuss the steps for returning to college and provide tools and resources for successful career planning.”
The College and Career Webinar is a free, online event funded by the state of Florida. To register or for more information, visit https://www.completeflorida.org/cf-webinar.
Complete Florida
Complete Florida is a state of Florida initiative to recruit and retain the state’s nearly 3 million adults who have some college but no degree. Partnering with public and private higher education institutions in Florida, Complete Florida provides one-on-one planning, support and coaching for students with adult responsibilities. Dedicated coaches work alongside students as personal advocates, counselors and advisors while participants complete college courses 100% online. For more information, visit www.completeflorida.org.
UWF Innovation Institute
The Innovation Institute is a division of the University of West Florida. The Innovation team, founded around the principles of extreme collaboration, high energy, deep research and innovative thinking are focused on solving significant educational challenges. One of the cornerstones of the Institute is its focus on being a “Thought Leader” in education — creating and implementing innovative tools, programs and resources to the advancement of education and learning.

DEO Hosts 24th Annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Career Event at the Florida Capitol

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MEDIA ADVISORY

On Thursday, April 27, the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) will host a Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day career event on the 22nd Floor of the Florida Capitol for local students and their parents. DEO will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m., where DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor and special guests will welcome visitors and event participants. The event will highlight the importance of education and expose Florida’s future workforce to the various employment fields and opportunities available in the state.
Students ages 8-18, along with their parents or guardians, caregivers and mentors are invited to attend and participate in interactive exhibits from educational institutions, organizations and government agencies.
WHO:
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Clay Tomlinson, Education Assistant, Challenger Learning Center
Owen Wright, 3rd grade student, Killearn Lakes Elementary School
Karl, 5th grade student, Leon County Schools
WHAT: Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day career event for students and parents
WHEN: Thursday, April 27 from 10:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Press conference begins at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Florida State Capitol – 22nd Floor
Visit www.floridajobs.org/TakeKidsToWork for more information about the event.

Civil Justice and Labor Union Leaders Voice Support for Senate Workers’ Compensation Reform Bill

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Advocates for workers across Florida joined together to address the key areas in need of reform as the state Legislature works to develop a more effective workers’ compensation system. The advocates held a news conference call featuring Mark Touby, president of Florida Workers’ Advocates, and Rich Templin, legislative and political director of Florida AFL-CIO. The speakers detailed why the Senate version of workers’ compensation reform offers progress for both workers and businesses and should be supported.
Among the topics specifically addressed were the Senate bill’s provision allowing injured workers to have greater access to the courts. The advocates argued that a constitutionally valid provision making insurance companies responsible when they wrongfully deny legitimate benefits provides injured workers the opportunity to pursue the benefits to which they are entitled. The bill also creates a competitive ratemaking process that would allow employers to shop for affordable coverage and also reins in defense attorney fees by requiring insurance companies to refund premiums to businesses when excessive fees are charged by their own attorneys.
“When insurance providers wrongfully deny workers these necessary benefits, the workers need to have a way to fight for their rights,” said Mark Touby, president of Florida’s Workers’ Advocates. “The Senate’s workers’ comp bill recognizes this necessity. It allows for greater access to the courts for the injured worker, by allowing them to be made whole and not placing the financial burden on the injured worker to pay an attorney to pursue the benefits which were wrongfully denied.”
Also addressed was the importance of efficient delivery of medical care to injured workers. The speakers explained how the Senate bill streamlines the medical care authorization process, allowing for quicker treatment and recovery for injured workers.
Florida’s workers are not the only ones who stand to gain from the Senate reforms. The speakers noted that the bill would provide more market competition and predictability concerning premiums, significantly saving businesses money.
“The key to effective workers’ compensation reform is balancing the benefits for workers and the needs of the employers who are paying the premiums.” said Rich Templin, legislative and political director of Florida AFL-CIO. “The foundation of workers’ compensation is built on the medical care that injured workers receive. So if treatment is efficiently delivered, the worker can return to the job more quickly.”
Overall, the advocates support the Senate’s take on workers’ compensation reform and view it as the right and constitutional bill, as opposed to the insurance industry’s bill passed by the House.

Flagler College’s ‘Giving Day’ to be held May 9

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Flagler College will be raising money for student scholarships and financial aid on Tuesday, May 9, as part of its annual “Giving Day” campaign. This year’s goal is $25,000 — the lead gift amount the college’s Board of Trustees will be donating, and the amount the Board challenges alumni, donors and friends to match, in honor of retiring President William T. Abare, Jr.
“Alumni participation is important at Flagler College, and Giving Day offers the perfect opportunity for alumni to show their Flagler pride and give back to their alma mater,” said Dr. Beverly Carmichael, the college’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “This year, gifts will also recognize President Bill Abare for his 46 years of service and his 16 years as president. Giving is a fitting way to recognize and thank him.”
The campaign will specifically raise funds for “Flagler Fund – Academic Programming,” which directly benefits students and helps to create an exceptional experience for them in the classroom.
Providing quality education while keeping Flagler affordable is one of the institution’s top priorities. Ninety percent of students rely on some form of financial aid. To meet this need, the college has increased funding for need-based Flagler grants by nearly $700,000 in the last six years. Fundraising efforts have contributed to the increase in funding: More than 1,000 students receive financial aid through the Flagler Fund each year.
“Every gift counts, and all alumni and donors can make a difference,” Carmichael said.
All friends and supporters — not just alumni of the college — can contribute on Giving Day. People can make a gift to the Flagler Fund by donating to www.flagler.edu/abare, calling 904-819-6437 or by mailing a check to Flagler College, Attn: Office of Institutional Advancement, 74 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Gov. Scott Appoints Bridgette Bello to District Board of Trustees, St. Petersburg College

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Governor Rick Scott today announced the appointment of Bridgette Bello to the District Board of Trustees, St. Petersburg College.
Bello, 46, of Seminole, is the president of the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and is appointed to fill a vacant seat for a term beginning April 24, 2017 and ending May 31, 2019.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Governor Scott Meets With Argentine President Mauricio Macri

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Governor Rick Scott met today with Argentine President Mauricio Macri to discuss increased trade and business opportunities between Argentina and Florida. This is the first trade mission by any governor from the United States under Macri’s Administration.
Governor Scott said, “It was a true honor to meet with President Macri today to discuss the strong partnership between Florida and Argentina and the opportunities to grow business and trade investments between our two homes. President Macri is already working hard to create robust economic opportunities for his country and I look forward to continuing to work with him as we fight to make Florida a global leader in job creation.”

FWC making it easier, more rewarding to remove pythons

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is launching new programs to encourage people to help remove nonnative Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem and surrounding area. Two new programs and a new Executive Order will provide people with incentives and expanded opportunities to remove these invasive constrictors.
The Python Pickup Program is a new program designed to encourage the public to remove and report wild Burmese pythons by rewarding participants with valuable prizes. Starting now, anyone can participate in this innovative new program. People who remove pythons simply need to submit photographic evidence of the snake as well as the location from which it was removed. Anyone who submits this information will receive a free Python Pickup T-shirt for submitting their first entry. For every submission received, participants will be entered into a monthly prize drawing as well as a grand prize drawing to be held next year. Monthly prizes include snake hooks, custom engraved Yeti tumblers, Plano sportsman’s trunks, GoPro cameras and Badlands backpacks. The grand prize is a Florida Lifetime Sportsman’s License. The first drawing will take place in May 2017.
As part of the Python Pickup, people can submit pythons removed from any property in Florida where they have authorization to do so from the property owner or land manager.
A recent Executive Order allows people to remove pythons year-round from 22 public lands with no hunting license or wildlife management area permit required. 
“We know many Florida residents and visitors want to help tackle this tough conservation challenge by going after pythons in the wild and removing any they can find,” said FWC Executive Director, Nick Wiley.  “We want to continue to encourage and support this important citizen conservation effort. This Executive Order clarifies regulatory questions and makes it easier than ever for people to remove Burmese pythons from the wild.”
 Earlier this month, the FWC also launched a Python Contractor Program which pays participants for efforts to remove Burmese pythons from the wild. The FWC selected 22 contractors already experienced with capturing wild Burmese pythons. Contractors are paid an hourly wage for their efforts to remove Burmese pythons. The FWC will also pay contractors for each snake removed. The program is similar to one recently implemented by the South Florida Water Management District.
People interested in training on how to identify and safely remove pythons can take part in a Python Patrol Training. For more information, go to MyFWC.com/Python and click on “Python Patrol.”
The FWC will continue to work with the public and partners to explore other projects aimed at removing pythons and other nonnative species in Florida. 
People can also help with efforts to manage Burmese pythons and other nonnative species by reporting sightings to the FWC’s Exotic Species Reporting Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681), online at IveGot1.org, or by downloading the free “IveGot1” smartphone app.
For more information on Burmese pythons in Florida and the various management programs, visit MyFWC.com/Python.

CRC Announces Public Hearing at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers

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MEDIA ADVISORY

The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) invites all interested Floridians to participate in a public hearing at Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) in Fort Myers on Wednesday, May 10 beginning at 5:00 PM.
Members of the media wishing to attend are asked to bring their press credentials. The event will also be live-streamed by The Florida Channel on www.TheFloridaChannel.org.
WHAT: Public hearing of the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC)
WHEN: Wednesday, May 10, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
*End time is tentative depending upon attendance and public interest in speaking before the CRC. All Floridians wishing to speak before the CRC will be given an opportunity to be heard.
WHERE: LEE COUNTY
Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW)
Suncoast Credit Union Arena
13351 FSW Parkway
Fort Myers, Fla. 33919
GOOGLE MAP LINK: https://goo.gl/maps/Fpsu3tbhL8M2
Individuals requiring an accommodation to participate in this public hearing (such as a sign language interpreter) are requested to notify the Constitution Revision Commission five days prior to the scheduled meeting date at [email protected] or 850.717.9550.