OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
SR 78 over Kissimmee River Bridge: Construction project: Motorists should expect alternating eastbound and westbound lane closures on SR 78 over Kissimmee River Bridge for the duration of this project. Traffic will be reduced to one lane during construction, and motorists will take turns crossing the bridge. Traffic control lights will be used to notify motorists of their turn to cross the bridge. The travel lane will be reduced to 12 feet during construction, so wide loads will not be able to cross the bridge. This lane closure is necessary for crews to make necessary updates to the bridge. Improvements include updating the bridge infrastructure, replacing the deck grating and refreshing the paint. Motorists should expect delays and use caution as crews work in the roadway. Work is expected to be completed in summer 2017.
Legislation to Keep BP Oil Funds in Northwest Florida Passes First Senate Committee
The Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism, chaired by Senator Bill Montford (D-Tallahassee), today passed Senate Bill 364, The Recovery Fund for the Deepwater Horizon Incident. The legislation, sponsored by Senator George Gainer (R-Panama City), Senator Doug Broxson (R-Pensacola), and Senator Montford, will ensure funds received in the settlement of the state’s economic damage claims caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill remain in Northwest Florida’s eight disproportionately affected counties.
“Our constituents are counting on us to ensure these critical settlement funds are distributed in a transparent manner,” said Senator Gainer. “This legislation requires all currently-held and future settlement payments to be transferred directly to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., where we have proper checks and balances in place to ensure accountability.”
Under current law, the eight disproportionately affected counties are to receive 75 percent of all economic damage settlement funds received by the state. Senate Bill 364 appropriates the initial settlement payment directly to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., and appropriates future settlement payments directly to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., no later than 30 days after they are received by the state.
“Triumph Gulf Coast provides Northwest Florida with a historic opportunity to create a comprehensive economic improvement plan and a pathway to complete recovery from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. This legislation ensures we can begin that process in timely manner by transferring funds directly to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc.,” said Senator Broxson.
The eight Florida counties disproportionately affected by the Deepwater Horizon Spill include: Bay County, Escambia County, Franklin County, Gulf County, Okaloosa County, Santa Rosa County, Walton County and Wakulla County.
“Families and businesses in our communities are still feeling the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. This important legislation will make certain these critical settlement funds are allocated in a thoughtful and deliberative manner that will provide for ongoing and long-term economic recovery,” said Senator Montford. “Additionally, this legislation ensures that even our small disproportionately affected counties have representation on the Triumph Board.”
In 2013, under the leadership of former Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville), the Florida Senate developed legislation (Senate Bill 1024), sponsored by current Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart), which created Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. to ensure that economic damage settlement funds coming to the state would both benefit the eight disproportionately affected counties and be properly accounted for. Under this legislation, the Triumph Gulf Coast Board, chaired by former Florida House Speaker Allen Bense, is responsible for utilizing the settlement proceeds to promote job creation through lasting economic development.
Currently, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Chief Financial Officer, each appoint one board member. Senate Bill 364 was amended today to expand the number of board members from five to seven. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives will each appoint an additional private sector member from one of the four least populous disproportionately affected counties, so that two such counties are represented on the board.
Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. is tasked to work with local governments to make awards to programs and projects that meet the priorities for economic recovery, diversification, and enhancement of the disproportionately affected counties. This includes economic development projects, grants to support programs of excellence that prepare students for future occupations, as well as infrastructure projects. The corporation is required to abide by the state’s public record laws and public meeting notice requirements.
Sen. Bill Nelson comment on CBO report
Following is a comment from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the CBO report released today:
“It is wrong to take away health insurance for 24 million people, as well as increase the cost to seniors.”
Press Conference with Sen. Linda Stewart, Democratic Leader Janet Cruz, & Rep. Lori Berman
Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando), Democratic Leader Janet Cruz (D-Tampa), and Representative Lori Berman (D-Lantana) will hold a press conference and rally tomorrow to gain support for their Equal Pay for Equal Work bills, SB 410/HB 319.
Named the “Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Protection Act” in honor of Helen Gordon Davis for her hard work in the field of equal pay, the bill hopes to strengthen state laws in this arena. If enacted, the bills would specify which factors employers can use to decide to pay employees differently, such as education or experience based on seniority or merit, and would prohibit employers from screening job applicants based on prior wages. It would also bar employers from taking retaliatory action against an employee who discloses their wages to a coworker and prohibits employers from discrimination towards employees based on their sex or gender identity.
Rallies in support of the legislation are also taking place in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and St. Augustine tomorrow.
Who: Senator Linda Stewart, Democratic Leader Janet Cruz, & Representative Lori Berman
What: Press Conference & Rally
When: Tuesday, March 14, 12:00pm
Where: Outside the Senate Chamber
4th Floor Rotunda
The Capitol
Governor Scott Signs SB 280 – Sentencing for Capital Felonies into Law
Governor Rick Scott today signed the following bill into law.
SB 280 – Sentencing for Capital Felonies – The bill amends Florida’s death penalty sentencing process to require a jury’s recommendation of a sentence of death to be unanimous.
To view a copy of the transmittal letter, click HERE.
Equal Pay for Equal Work, Orlando Media Advisory
As part of a unified grassroots effort across the State of Florida, join Elizabeth McCarthy and partners including ACLU of Central Florida, League of Women Voters of Central Florida, Greater Orlando NOW, as well as others to support the Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Protection Act (Florida SB 410/HB 319). Please join us on March 14 at 11:30 AM at Orlando City Hall for a press conference on equal pay for equal work.
Sponsors of these bills include Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando), Representatives Berman (D-Lake Worth), House Minority Leader Janet Cruz (D-Tampa), Abruzzo (D-Boynton Beach), Baez (D-Coral Gables), Davis (D-Jacksonville), Geller (D-Aventura), and Mercado (D-Orlando).
Named the “Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Protection Act” in recognition of her hard work in the field of equal pay, the bill hopes to strengthen state laws in this arena. If enacted, the bills would specify which factors employers could use to decide to pay employees differently, such as education or experience based on seniority or merit, and would prohibit employers from screening job applicants based on prior wages. It would also bar employers from taking retaliatory action against an employee who discloses their wages to a coworker and prohibits employers from discrimination towards employees based on their sex or gender identity.
Who: Elizabeth McCarthy, ACLU of Central FL, League of Woman Voters of Central Florida, Greater Orlando NOW
What: Press Conference to Support Equal Pay for Equal Work
When: March 14th, 2017 – 11:30 am Press Conference/Rally
Where: Orlando City Hall, 400 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
House Committee Votes to Protect Florida’s Reemployment Program From Criminal Fraud
The House Oversight, Transparency and Administration committee today unanimously approved SB 671, which strengthens the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s efforts to fight fraud in the state’s Reemployment Assistance program. The legislation provides DEO access to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ DAVID System, which includes the state photo identification database.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “I applaud the House Oversight, Transparency and Administration committee for voting to protect Florida’s Reemployment Assistance program from theft and fraud. With the Legislature’s support, DEO can more quickly identify criminals attempting to steal benefits from job seekers who need them.”
The legislation includes the tools and legal authorizations that are critical to prevent and fight public benefits fraud by providing DEO access to the driver’s license database to confirm provided IDs are not fraudulent.
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.
Two players claim $1 million prizes playing new $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH Scratch-Off game
The Florida Lottery announces that Vernon Dorsey, II, 58, of St. Cloud; and Joshua Reyes, 31, of Naples, each claimed a $1 million prize in the $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Both winners chose to receive their winnings as a one- time, lump-sum payment of $748,000.00.
Dorsey purchased his winning ticket from Circle K, located at 613 13th Street in St. Cloud. Reyes purchased his winning ticket from Publix, located at 4860 Davis Boulevard in Naples.
The $25 game, $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH, launched on February 28 and features more than $549 million in total cash prizes, including two top prizes of $10 million and 46 prizes of $1 million! Overall odds of winning are one-in-2.89.
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.
SunRail offering service Saturday, March 18
Three Big Venues
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is pleased to announce that SunRail trains will be running special service this Saturday, March 18 in an effort to offer transportation options to those attending three major venues, as well as other area events. This special service is a privately funded initiative.
Venues this Saturday feature the 58th Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, NCAA March Madness 2nd round playoffs at the Amway Center, and an Orlando City Soccer match at the team’s new home stadium Saturday night. SunRail service begins with the first train leaving southbound from the DeBary station at 10 a.m. The last northbound train leaves the Sand Lake Road station at 12:15 a.m. early Sunday morning and arrives in DeBary at 1:18 a.m. Sunday morning. Regular fares apply.
SunRail urges riders to get to the stations at least 30 minutes early, especially if you are purchasing tickets at the vending machines located on the platforms.
For more information about SunRail, including pricing, station locations, as well as the regular weekday schedule, please visit www.sunrail.com.
Saturday SunRail Tips
- SunRail will be collecting fares on Saturday, March 18, 2017
- Arrive at the station platforms at least 30 minutes in advance of your train
- Remember to tap on and tap off with your ticket, so your trip will register
- Please check the SunRail schedule at www.sunrail.com to make sure you don’t miss your train
- No food is allowed on the train, nor is smoking allowed on the train and platforms
- No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the train
- Non-alcoholic beverages must be in secure, spill-proof containers
- Please be courteous to others, fold up strollers, store bikes properly as the trains may be crowded
- Please be careful around trains, railroad crossings, and while at station platforms. Be smart. Be safe.
Painting of St. Augustine’s Castillo de San Marcos Donated to State History Museum
The Museum of Florida History today announced that a 1930s painting of St. Augustine’s fort Castillo de San Marcos has joined the collection. The Museums of Florida History Foundation donated the artwork.
“It is very important for the Museum to collect a wide range of artifacts that interpret Florida’s history,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “Since 2000, we have worked with the Museums of Florida History Foundation to enhance the Museum’s permanent collection and exhibits.”
At a recent reception honoring the donation, Foundation members welcomed State Representative Cyndi Stevenson, whose district includes St. Augustine.
Museums of Florida History Foundation Board Members (L to R) Jeanette Wilk Yaeger, Pep Culpepper, State Representative Cyndi Stevenson, and Board President Dave Mica stand with the newly-donated painting of the fort at St. Augustine.
PHOTO: Fort at St. Augustine
Artist: Dolly Bee Breitenbaugh
Oil painting on canvas board, 1935
Collection of the Museum of Florida History
Donated by the Museums of Florida History Foundation
The oil painting, by artist Dolly Bee Breitenbaugh, portrays the historic Spanish colonial fort at St. Augustine, the Castillo de San Marcos. Constructed between 1672 and 1695, the fortification was called Fort Marion from 1821 until 1942. An early radio communications tower that the U.S. military built on the grounds of the fort is included in the painting. This shows how the skyline of the ancient city developed, but retained its historic features.
Breitenbaugh depicted the fort as seen from the Bridge of Lions in 1935. The Kansas native received her training at the Kansas City Art Institute, and presumably painted the scene during a vacation to the city.
This painting continues a project to build a collection of pre-World War II paintings that artistically portray the historical development of Florida cities.
About the Museum of Florida History
The Museum of Florida History is part of the Florida Department of State’s Office of External Affairs and is located in the R. A. Gray Building at 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday and holidays, noon to 4:30 p.m. Free parking is available in the garage next to the R. A. Gray Building.
