Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Contributor

Contributor

Snowbird Claims $500,000 LUCKY MONEY Jackpot

Posted on

02-17-17 Richard Moore - $500,000.00 LUCKY MONEY

Richard Moore poses with his wife and oversized check
after claiming a $500,000 LUCKY MONEY jackpot.

The Florida Lottery announces that Richard Moore, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, claimed the $500,000 LUCKY MONEY™ jackpot from the February 17, 2017, drawing at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee.
Moore chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $364,656.80. He purchased his winning LUCKY MONEY Quick Pick ticket from Publix, located at 345 Jacaranda Boulevard in Venice.
Total ticket sales for this LUCKY MONEY jackpot generated more than $258,000 for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.
The next LUCKY MONEY drawing will be tonight, Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at 11:15 p.m. ET, with a $500,000 jackpot. The LUCKY MONEY drawings are broadcast on 17 carrier stations throughout the state. Winning numbers are available on the Lottery website, at retailers statewide and by phone at (850) 921-PLAY.

House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee to Hold High Speed Rail Workshop Wednesday, February 22

Posted on

MEDIA ADVISORY

MARTIN COUNTY AND INDIAN RIVER OFFICALS TO PARTICPATE IN HOUSE TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE SUBCOMMITTEE WORKSHOP ON HIGH SPEED RAIL

The Florida House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee will be hosting a workshop on Wednesday, February 22 at 1:15 p.m. to discuss high speed rail in Florida. The panel discussion will include representatives from Martin and Indian River Counties.
Also attending the committee meeting will be Brent Hanlon, Chairman of Citizens Against Rail Expansion in FL. Hanlon will be available to media immediately following the conclusion of the committee.
Who: Kate Pingolt Cotner, Assistant County Attorney, Indian River County
George Gavalla, rail safety consultant for Martin and Indian River Counties
Daniel Wouters, Martin County Division Chief, Emergency Management
Brent Hanlon, Chairman CARE FL
What: House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee
When: Wednesday, February 22, 2017 1:15 p.m.
Where: Room 116
The Knott Building

Senate Committee Votes to Protect Florida’s Reemployment Program From Criminal Fraud

Posted on

The Senate Commerce and Tourism committee today unanimously approved SB 372, 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, “This critical bill will help DEO stop criminals from stealing Reemployment Assistance from individuals who need it most. Access to driver’s license photos will allow DEO staff to quickly identify false IDs presented by criminals and prevent them from stealing Reemployment Assistance from Floridians who need it most.

“We appreciate Chairman Montford’s leadership today and the commitment of the bill sponsors, Representative La Rosa and Senator Stargel, for their support of this important legislation that protects taxpayer dollars.”

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 claimant-provided IDs are not fraudulent.

Senator Linda Stewart Files Bill to Extend Relief to Florida Property Owners

Posted on

State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) on Wednesday filed legislation to ensure that property owners continue to be a priority after the drywall crisis that struck Florida’s real estate market in the mid-2000s.
“Too many Floridians have been subjected to financial loss because of the influx of tainted drywall entering our markets,” said Stewart. “When property values are lowered due to defective building materials, it is ordinary Floridians who must pay the price,” she went on to say.
Corrosive drywall lowers the value of properties and can have a heavy financial impact on property owners. In addition, imported and domestic drywall can contain high levels of toxins, such as sulfur, that have reportedly been responsible for causing respiratory problems, bloody noses, migraines, as well as failures of appliances and electronics.
A 2010 statute addressed these situations by providing relief in property taxes of affected properties, giving homeowners some breathing room to begin needed repairs. Senate Bill 948 extends the expiration date of the statute.
Currently set to expire July 1, 2017, SB 948 extends the provisions until 2025, adding eight more years to ensure that property owners statewide have the financial security to replace or repair drywalls in affected properties.
Senate Bill 950 is being introduced in the House by Representative Slosberg as House Bill 717.
“From 1999-2009 3,630,000 sheets of tainted corrosive drywall were delivered to Florida alone,” said Slosberg. “Since the market value of the property affected is substantially lowered, homeowners are being indirectly punished as they lose thousands of dollars. It is imperative that the State extend the time period and continue to offer relief to those affected.”

Fighting for Florida Jobs Video Shows Importance of Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA

Posted on

In advance of the vote in the House Appropriations Committee today, Governor Rick Scott released the Fighting for Florida Jobs video. The video features business owners and economic and tourism leaders from across the state discussing the importance of Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA for growing Florida jobs.

Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez files series of pro-environment and pro-consumer energy bills

Posted on

This week, Senator José Javier Rodríguez filed a series of energy-related bills aimed at protecting the environment and protecting consumers’ pocket books.

  • SB 456, allowing property owners to generate and distribute solar energy to residents and tenants on their own property. The bill is supported by a broad range of groups including business groups, agricultural interests, and consumer advocates.
  • SB 974, if passed, would create a mechanism to prevent utilities from passing on to customers the cost of remediating environmental damage the utility caused, offered in response to the water contamination issues at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant in Miami-Dade County.
  • SB 976, if passed, would create a progressive rate schedule for utilities customers by requiring utilities to charge residential customers a 25% lower rate for the first 500 kWh consumed, benefitting low-income and fixed-income residents.
  • SB 1100, if passed, would repeal advanced nuclear cost recovery in Florida, dubbed the “nuclear tax” since it allow utilities to charge for nuclear power plants that may never be built.

Senator Rodriguez said: 
“Consumers in Florida continue to subsidize an outdated energy system in Florida that stifles innovation, shuts out competition and hurts our environment — the bills I have filed will address those issues while giving consumers a much-needed break.”

Attorney General Bondi Continues Efforts to Shut Down Tech Support Scams

Posted on

Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a complaint against Fast Fix 123, LLC, Paul Cozzolino, Tyler Foss and Dennis Rinker for operating a tech support scam. According to the complaint, the scam exploited consumers’ fears about computer hackers, malware, viruses and other security threats, in order to convince consumers to purchase costly technical support services and software products.
“This scam was designed to trick consumers, some of them seniors, into believing their computers were severely compromised and scare them into buying unnecessary protection software,” said Attorney General Bondi. “With today’s action, we are seeking to shut down this tech support scam and acquire relief for the victims.”
The scam involved the use of deceptive internet pop-up windows disguised as legitimate operating system or web browser security warnings. In some cases, the pop-ups appeared to be messages from well-known software companies, such as Microsoft. These pop-ups suggested that consumers’ computers were at risk and instructed consumers to get immediate help by contacting a toll-free telephone number that connected consumers to sales agents at defendants’ inbound call center.
Building on the fear instilled by the pop-ups, these sales agents allegedly proceeded to lead callers through a carefully crafted, high-pressured sales script disguised as a computer diagnostic. These allegedly false diagnostics invariably led to the same conclusion, that the consumer’s computer needed immediate servicing. Sales agents then convinced consumers to purchase high-priced virus protection software for the devices. 
The complaint alleges violation of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and seeks civil penalties, as well as preliminary injunctive relief and relief for consumers. Attorney General Bondi’s Office is also asking the defendants to be permanently enjoined from advertising, marketing, promoting, providing, rendering, selling, soliciting, engaging in or accepting payment for any tech support services.
To view the complaint, click here.
This action is the ninth action in the tech support industry taken by Attorney General Bondi’s Office since November 2014. Florida has filed more litigation in this field than any other state.
Anyone who suspects unfair or deceptive business practices can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office at MyFloridaLegal.com or call (866) 9-NO-SCAM.

Senator Brandes Files Economic Development Package

Posted on

Proposal reforms incentive funds and recasts state focus to small businesses

Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) today filed two bills, Senate Bills 1110 and 1112, proposing reforms to Florida’s economic development programs. The legislation adopts several oversight provisions over Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) and the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), and establishes new programs focusing on the growth of small businesses and fostering a start-up environment in the state.
“The focus of economic development should be on Florida’s small businesses,” stated Senator Brandes. “Fostering a start-up culture in our state and encouraging small business development will create a better ecosystem where opportunity can thrive. This legislation provides greater oversight and safeguards over our current economic development programs. This bill recasts our focus on new businesses that breathe the entrepreneurial spirit and diversify Florida’s economy.”
The proposal reforms Florida’s economic development programs in several ways. $117 million held in escrow in the Quick Action Closing Fund will be returned to the State Economic Enhancement and Development Fund. Businesses that relocate from the state within 3 years of receiving final incentive payments will be sanctioned, and DEO is prohibited from making material amendments to incentives contracts. Those incentive contracts are limited to 10 years, and capital investments made with incentive money must remain within Florida. The Board of EFI will be reconfigured to incorporate representation of rural economic development interests along with CareerSource Florida. Finally, the President of EFI will be subject to Senate confirmation.
The bill further creates a new Start-Up Florida Grant Program focusing on incubators and small business accelerators. The $50 million annual program provides up to $5 million each year to an eligible incubator recipient for capital spending and $1 million annually for operations funding. Along with the grant program, the bill creates the Small Business Information Center (SBIC) within the Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida. The SBIC will serve as an information gateway for small businesses to navigate permitting, licensing, and regulation. The SBIC will also serve a mentorship role, linking small businesses to resources including institutions of higher learning and other business resources to aide in their success.

For more information on SB 1110 and SB 1112 please visit the following links:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/1110
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/1112

 

Florida Health Plans Reject Nearly Half of Claims for High Cholesterol Treatment

Posted on

ifpa

New health plan report card analyzes PCSK9
inhibitor claims for managed care organizations

The Institute for Patient Access today released a new Health Plan Coverage Report Card highlighting the rates at which Florida insurers deny patients coverage for advanced cholesterol-lowering drugs known as PCSK9 inhibitors. The report card reveals that health plans reject nearly one out of every two claims submitted for coverage of prescribed PCSK9 inhibitors. The data, collected from August 2015 to July 2016 by a national data supplier, reflects PCSK9 inhibitor claims for Florida managed care organizations, including commercial plans, Medicare and managed Medicaid.
Key Florida Findings:

  • 45% average rejection rate
  • 3,784 total rejections
  • 1,197 appeals
  • Highest rates of rejection: Federal Employee Benefit Plan (77%), Express Scripts (76%), Cigna Healthcare (63%)
  • Lowest rates of rejection: Aetna US Healthcare (29%), Freedom Health FL (29%), Humana Health Plan (29%)

2.21.2017 high cholesterol treatment health plans
“This is a very troubling and frankly dangerous finding,” said Alliance for Patient Access Executive Director Brian Kennedy. “The patients prescribed this medicine have extremely high LDL cholesterol, and statins alone are not sufficient to reduce their risk of heart attack. With these new cholesterol-lowering drugs, patients’ risk of heart attack decreases, yet insurance companies are too often refusing to cover the medicine.”
PCSK9 inhibitors work by extending the lifespan of a receptor on the liver that clears “bad” cholesterol.  Clinical trials data show that PCSK9 inhibitors can lower LDL cholesterol more than statins alone and can also reduce the associated risks of heart attack and stroke.
The Institute for Patient Access report card highlights the 15 Florida health plans that process the most PCSK9 inhibitor claims, ranking them based on the number of rejections issued. The least patient-friendly plans were the Federal Employee Benefit Plan, with a rejection rate of 77%, and Express Scripts at 76%. Also denying claims at a far higher rate than the state average were Cigna Healthcare, 63%, and Florida Blue, 61%. Humana Health Plan, Aetna and Freedom Health Florida denied fewer than 30% of claims.
This is the first in a series of state report cards that the Institute for Patient Access will release in 2017 to highlight barriers to access.
BACKGROUND
Institute for Patient Access
PCSK9 Inhibitors Florida Report Card
Alliance for Patient Access

Daytona State announces Vice President of Advancement/Executive Director, Foundation

Posted on

Daytona State College announces its new leader for fundraising and grants: Lorene King will become vice president of advancement and executive director of the Daytona State College Foundation, effective March 21.
Presently King serves as executive director of the NASCAR Foundation where she has led growth and expansion in a number of fundraising and awareness initiatives since 2012. She held prior leadership advancement roles at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., as senior director of corporate alliances, senior director of legal, estates and trusts and director of gift-planning programs.

Lorene King
Lorene King

“We look forward to Lorene’s leadership in this critical work to support the mission of Daytona State College,” said Tom LoBasso, DSC president. “She is accomplished in her field with an impressive track record of successful program implementation and strategic planning for major gifts, corporate sponsorships, events and community connections.”
Among her activities at NASCAR, King built an internal executive coalition for the foundation’s largest fundraising event, exceeding a $1 million revenue goal by 67 percent, and implemented a donor identification and cultivation program leading to 45 percent growth in annual giving over a three-year period. At St. Jude, she led a development team for the Thanks and Giving campaign and helped establish a grants-acquisition program initially leading to a $3 million funding stream.
“I am thrilled with the opportunity to advance Daytona State’s support base and strategic outreach,” said King, who has more than 15 years of nonprofit fund-raising experience. “It will be my honor to join such progressive leadership to enrich lives and make education more accessible for our citizens.”
King, a New Smyrna Beach resident, holds an MBA from the University of Memphis, a bachelor of science from the University of South Alabama and an associate of arts from Northwest Florida State College.