During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott recognized Andres Cardona, 23, with the Young Entrepreneur Award. Andres is the founder and CEO of Elite Basketball Academy, a youth basketball program. Elite Basketball Academy was founded in 2011 and is based in Miami.
Governor Scott said, “I’m proud to present Andres with the Young Entrepreneur Award today. It’s great to see Florida entrepreneurs follow their dreams of starting a business and make a difference in their community. It takes dedication and hard work to start a business, and I look forward to seeing Elite Basketball Academy’s success in Florida.”
Andres Cardona, founder and CEO of Elite Basketball Academy, said, “It’s an honor to be recognized with the Governor’s Young Entrepreneur Award. Elite Basketball Academy is focused on providing youth with everlasting principles in the Miami area. We work hard to develop outstanding citizens. I’m grateful for the success we have seen, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
To learn more about Elite Basketball Academy, visit eliteballacademy.com. To learn more about the Governor’s Young Entrepreneur Award, visit HireFloridaGrads.com.
Nelson demands answers from United Airlines
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee that oversees the airline industry, is demanding that United Airlines fully explain the forcible removal of a passenger from a United Express flight on Sunday.
“It’s unconscionable that United Airlines chose this alternative to drag a passenger off the airplane,” Nelson said. “Why in the world did they not just raise the amount of money offered to get passengers to give up a seat?”
Nelson made the request in a letter he and others – including committee chairman Sen. John Thune (R-SD) – sent today to United’s Chief Executive Officer Oscar Munoz. The lawmakers gave the company until April 20 to respond.
Here is a link to a PDF of the lawmakers’ letter.
Governor Rick Scott and Volunteer Florida Present Champion of Service Award
During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott and Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman awarded Steven Cleveland with the Volunteer Florida Champion of Service Award, Florida’s official statewide volunteer recognition.
Governor Scott said, “I applaud Steven’s commitment to helping and caring for his fellow Floridians in need. As director of the Florida Dream Center Adopt-A-Block, he has provided nearly 2,000 hours of service and inspired other members of the Tampa Bay community to get involved and make difference. I’m honored to recognize his impact on the lives and neighborhoods in his community with the Champion of Service Award today.”
Volunteer Florida Chief Executive Officer Chester W. Spellman said, “Volunteer Florida is honored to recognize Steven for his tireless commitment to Tampa’s underserved families and neighborhoods. We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize Steven for the countless hours he has spent helping his community.”
About the Champion of Service:
Steven Cleveland serves as the Director of the Florida Dream Center Adopt-A-Block program, which mobilizes volunteers throughout the Tampa area to distribute food, clothing, and household necessities to low-income families and persons experiencing homelessness. Adopt-A-Block also organizes neighborhood cleanups and gardening service projects to revitalize Tampa’s low-income areas. Steven has provided over 1,980 hours of civic engagement and community service in the Tampa area, impacting over 13,336 community members. Under Steven’s leadership, the Adopt-A-Block program mobilized 1,579 volunteers in 2016, who served over 5,200 hours of community service, distributed over 18,940 pounds of food, and completed revitalization projects in the local Lealman neighborhood. Steven also serves as a member of the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Executive Board of Directors.
Volunteer Florida is the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in Florida, administering more than $32 million in federal, state, and local funding to deliver high-impact national service and volunteer programs in Florida. Volunteer Florida promotes and encourages volunteerism to meet critical needs across the state. Volunteer Florida also serves as Florida’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during, and after disasters. For more information, visit: www.volunteerflorida.org.
Florida Supreme Court: New Posting, 4/11/2017, 5:20 p.m. ET
New material has been posted to the Supreme Court website in:
- Aramis Ayala v. Rick Scott (order requesting responses from Scott and Bondi by April 26, and reply from Ayala by May 8)
Follow the links at: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org.
Governor Scott Awards FWC Officer Jason Hutchinson with the Medal of Heroism
During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott recognized Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officer Jason Hutchinson with the Governor’s Medal of Heroism. Officer Hutchinson was recently recognized as FWC’s 2017 Officer of the Year for his service and commitment to the safety of Florida’s families.
Governor Scott said, “I’m incredibly proud to recognize Officer Hutchinson with the Medal of Heroism today for his outstanding service to the State of Florida. Officer Hutchinson’s actions show how hard Florida’s law enforcement officers work every day to protect our families and communities.”
Col. Curtis Brown, the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement director, said, “Officer Hutchinson’s dedication to conserving resources and public safety makes him an ideal FWC officer. He has made a difference in his patrol area and we’re proud to have him representing the FWC.”
About Officer Jason Hutchinson
Officer Jason Hutchinson began his career at the Florida Department of Corrections and became a sworn officer for FWC in 2012, patrolling Santa Rosa County. In January, he was named FWC 2017 Officer of the Year for his contributions to his community and public safety. Over the past year, Officer Hutchinson rescued a first-time hunter lost at night in the Escambia River swamp and was instrumental to apprehending one of the most wanted illegal drug distributers in the area. He also developed an officer mentoring program and performed countless outreach hours to area youth and civic organizations.
Attorney General Bondi announces efforts to fight opioid crisis
Attorney General Pam Bondi today announced continued efforts in the fight against opioid abuse. Joined by Governor Rick Scott, law enforcement and first responders, Attorney General Bondi announced an agreement to lower the cost of life-saving medicine to treat overdose victims and highlighted legislation to further the fight against opioid abuse.
“With today’s agreement, those who are on the front line of the opioid epidemic will have easier access to medicine to save lives that may otherwise be lost to drug overdose,” said Attorney General Bondi. “From lawmakers to law enforcement and paramedics to doctors, we must continue to work together to tackle this epidemic that is claiming lives every day. I want to thank Adapt Pharma and Amphastar for helping us save lives.”
Governor Scott said, “Growing up, substance abuse was something that impacted my own family and I know firsthand what a heartbreaking burden this can be on families who have to deal with this. One death caused by substance abuse is one too many, and today I have directed the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to travel the state and hear directly from communities on what resources they need to help with this growing problem. Opioid abuse is happening across our nation and it is crucial that we hear what our local communities are doing to fight the rising use of opioids and how we as the state can continue to help. I look forward to continuing to work with Attorney General Bondi and our federal, state and local partners to ensure our communities have the resources they need in their fight against opioid use.”
Starting today, Adapt Pharma and Amphastar will offer Narcan and Naloxone at a discounted rate when bought in bulk by police, first responders, governmental entities and community-based organizations in Florida.
Attorney General Bondi is also supporting legislation this session that will help better equip law enforcement, prosecutors and the state with new tools to further address the opioid crisis. HB 477 will add Fentanyl and other deadly synthetic drugs to Florida’s drug trafficking statute, giving state prosecutors the ability to seek stronger sentences against drug traffickers selling these deadly drugs in Florida.
Additionally, Attorney General Bondi is supporting legislation to address issues with sober homes. HB 807 and SB 788 will create a certification program for sober homes and expands the authority of the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution to prosecute patient brokering offenses.
Since 2014, working with local, state and federal law enforcement, the Office of Statewide Prosecution has charged 148 people with heroin trafficking related charges. Attorney General Bondi will continue efforts with state and local law enforcement partners and looks forward to participating in the statewide workshops with the Governor’s office and state agency representatives to explore and identify additional strategies to address this opioid crisis.
Governor Rick Scott Recognizes Four Educators with Governor’s Shine Award
During today’s meeting of the Florida Cabinet, 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 and recognize their outstanding efforts to educate Florida’s next generation of leaders.”
The following educators were presented with the Governor’s Shine Awards:
Sean Downing, Okeechobee County – Sean Downing is principal of Osceola Middle School in Okeechobee County. He has been a member of the Commissioner’s Leadership Academy for the past three years, and recently trained to guide other educators toward developing their own leadership skills. Under his leadership, Osceola Middle School was recognized for its improvement in mathematics scores in 2016. Downing is a member of the 2016-17 Florida Association of School Administrators Instructional Leadership Team Initiative.
Melissa Garcia, Palm Beach County – Melissa Garcia works as the 10-12 grade School Counselor at Seminole Ridge Community High School in Palm Beach County. She is the 2015-16 Palm Beach County School Counselor of the Year and the 2016-17 Florida School Counselor Association’s School Counselor of the Year.
Monica Pool, Martin County – Monica Pool is a Literacy Coach at South Fork High School in Martin County. She is the 2016-17 Florida Literacy Coaches Association’s Florida Secondary Literacy Coach of the Year.
Sandy Waite, Sarasota County – Sandy Waite is a fourth grade teacher at Southside Elementary School in Sarasota County. She is the 2016 District Elementary Literacy Teacher of the Year and the 2016 Florida Reading Association’s Florida Elementary Reading Teacher of the Year
DEO Plants Pinwheel Garden to Raise Awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Efforts
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity employees planted a pinwheel garden today to raise awareness of child abuse prevention efforts around the state. Every April, in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Pinwheels for Prevention events, sponsored by the Department of Children and Families and The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, are held across the state.
Cissy Proctor, DEO Executive Director, said, “Our employees are committed to supporting Florida families as they raise children to be successful, happy and healthy. At DEO, we work every day to strengthen Florida’s families by helping them get good jobs that provide for their children and support their dreams and goals. As our communities continue to support happy, healthy children, our state will continue to grow and succeed.
L to R: Nydia Ntouda, Training/Fundraising Specialist with Prevent Child Abuse Florida; Cissy Proctor, DEO Executive Director, and JoShonda Guerrier, DCF Assistant Secretary for Child Welfare prepare to plant a pinwheel garden in recognition of Florida Child Abuse Prevention Month.
DEO staff prepare to plant a pinwheel garden in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month
About DEO
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts. This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.
Florida Supreme Court: New Postings, 4/11/2017, 3:30 p.m. ET
New material has been posted to the Supreme Court website in:
- Aramis Donnell Ayala v. Rick Scott (new petition challenging Gov. Rick Scott on death penalty cases)
- Michelle Rhea v. Hernando School Board (new high profile case in school testing “opt out” case)
Follow the links at: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org.
Senator Aaron Bean Named Florida Osteopathic Medical Association's 2017 Legislator of the Year
State Senator Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) was named the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association’s (FOMA) 2017 Legislator of the Year on Thursday, March 31, 2017. This award is presented each year to a legislator that has proven their support and commitment to osteopathic medicine and the delivery of quality health care to the citizens of Florida.
“I am beyond honored to be FOMA’s 2017 Legislator of the Year,” said Senator Bean. “As a longtime advocate for health care issues and a former chairman of the Senate Health Policy Committee, I understand how important it is to be constantly working to improve our health care and adopt treatment, prevention and alleviation advancements that benefit all Floridians. As session continues, I look forward to working with FOMA to ensure we’re always taking a step forward, not backwards, when it comes to health care in the State of Florida.”
Senator Bean represents Senate District 4, which includes parts of Nassau and Duval Counties. He can be contacted in Tallahassee at (850) 487-5004 or in his District Office at (904) 757-5039.
