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Senator Jeff Brandes files bill to implement Amendment 2

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Proposal eliminates cap on licenses and expands access to Florida patients

Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) today filed Senate Bill 614, Medical Marijuana, to implement Amendment 2 passed by 71% of Florida voters on the 2016 General Election ballot. If adopted, the legislation will repeal Florida’s existing marijuana laws and replace them entirely with a broader set of regulations designed to encourage more participation from medical marijuana providers.
“The overwhelming support of Amendment 2 was a strong mandate that Floridians demand fundamental change to the way we regulate medical marijuana,” stated Senator Brandes. “The laws on the books today promote a state-sanctioned cartel system that limits competition, inhibits access, and results in higher prices for patients. This legislation outright repeals Florida’s defective law.”
“Florida should focus on what is best for patients,” Senator Brandes continued. “The state today artificially limits the number of marijuana providers, promoting regional monopolies and standing in the way of the physician-patient relationship. This legislation removes those barriers, and will provide expanded access to Floridians who could benefit from the use of these products.”
The legislation eliminates existing statutory caps on Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs), and establishes 4 new types of function licenses for MMTCs: cultivation, processing, transportation, and retail. The bill does not require MMTCs to be vertically integrated. Under the new regulatory approach, a MMTC is free to possess any function license or a combination of multiple function licenses. Retail licenses are permitted on a population basis of 1 license per 25,000 residents in every county, and local governments may prohibit any retail facility in their jurisdiction. A MMTC with a transportation license may deliver marijuana to qualifying patients, guaranteeing access to those who reside within jurisdictions where retail facilities are banned. Senator Brandes was the first Republican legislator to endorse Amendment 2, and he proposed legislation in 2015 and 2016 to reform Florida’s medical marijuana laws.
For more information on SB 614 please visit http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/0614.
 

Best of the best UNF alums recognized during annual awards ceremony

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The University of North Florida Alumni Association announces the recipients of its alumni awards, honoring several notable graduates for exemplary service and contributions to the University during its annual Alumni Recognition Dinner and Awards Ceremony, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the Student Union Ballroom, Building 58W, Room 3703, on campus.
“UNF alumni, over 80,000 strong, continue to achieve greatness in their professions and in contributions to their communities,” said Maxine Cooper, president of the UNF Alumni Association board. “This year’s award recipients continue that example, representing outstanding distinction and success, while being excellent ambassadors of the University.”
Honorees include Rep. Travis Cummings, Florida House District 18; Andrew Rush, Made in Space CEO/president; Shannon Italia, adjunct instructor and director of the Career Management Center in the UNF Coggin College of Business; and Dwight Cooper III, Professional Placement Resources Talent Management Group CEO/co-founder.
Cummings, a Fleming Island resident, is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, the highest award given to a UNF graduate by the Alumni Association. This award recognizes alumni who have made a significant contribution to their profession, community and/or society, having consistently maintained the pursuit of excellence as a representative and graduate of the University.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award. My MBA from UNF has greatly benefited me throughout my career,” said Cummings. “As a lifelong resident of Northeast Florida, I am very aware of the contributions this University makes to our community.”
Cummings’ district mainly includes Clay County residents. He serves on the Clay County Delegation and is a member of the Appropriations Committee, Rules and Policy Committee and chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. He previously served a four-year term as the Clay County commissioner for District 3 and two years as County Commission chairman as well as Orange Park mayor and councilman from 2002-08.
Cummings is very involved in the community, including serving as chairman of both the Clay County Charter Review Commission and the Clay County YMCAs. He also serves as president of both the Jacksonville KA Alumni Chapter and Jacksonville Bulldog Club. Additionally, Cummings served on several boards, including the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, the Jacksonville Association of Health Underwriters, the Borland-Groover Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of North Florida and the Orange Park Medical Center.
Rush, a Saint Johns resident, is the recipient of the Young Alumni Achievement Award, presented for outstanding professional achievement, contributions to the community and exemplary service to the University. His company, Made In Space, is innovating additive manufacturing, like 3-D printing, to work in zero gravity and space environments. Rush is also a patent lawyer and worked for three years as a partner at PCT Law Group. During his time at UNF, he was actively engaged in the Department of Physics, worked closely with his mentor Dr. Lev Gasparov, professor of physics, and was an inspiring role model for students and volunteer.
Italia, a Lakewood resident, is the recipient of the Alumni Service Award, presented to alumni who have demonstrated continuous outstanding volunteer service to the University and/or meritorious public service. In addition to her contributions to Coggin, she has been on the Advisory Board of Rethreaded since March 2014 and is the current chair. She also served on the Advisory Board of the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center from 2011-16. Italia is the founder and advisor to the UNF Women in Business Society, an organization that was created to develop female leaders. In August 2013, she was recognized as a Woman of Influence by the Jacksonville Business Journal.
Cooper, a Ponte Vedra Beach resident, is the recipient of the Honorary Alumni Award, given to friends and supporters for exemplary service to the University. For 10 consecutive years, his company, Professional Placement Resources, placed among the Top 25 Best Small Companies to Work For in America by the Great Place to Work Institute, receiving the No. 1 spot in 2013. Cooper was assistant coach of the men’s basketball team for five seasons in the early 90s and then continued as a basketball color analyst for the University. He’s the former chair of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and a long-time advocate for the Brooks College of Health, where he serves as the immediate past chair of the Dean’s Leadership Council. The MS Society 2017 Dinner of Champions will honor Cooper, joining a list of Jacksonville’s finest leaders, including Hugh Greene of Baptist Medical Center and UNF President John Delaney.
Tickets to the Alumni Recognition Dinner and Awards Ceremony are $35 each and are available online. The last day to purchase tickets is Friday, Feb. 3. The UNF Alumni Association’s purpose is to foster, maintain and support a mutually beneficial relationship between alumni and the University.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.

Leading Florida lobbying firm now going national

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Ballard Partners Announce Washington, D.C. Office

Ballard Partners, Florida’s top government affairs firm, today announced the opening of their new Washington, D.C. office located in the heart of the nation’s capital.
“There is great enthusiasm for President Trump’s new administration in Washington. We are thrilled to be part of this excitement with the opening of our new Ballard Partners office in our nation’s capital,” said Brian Ballard, President of Ballard Partners. “We have assembled a first class team to lead our office in Washington, and we look forward to representing our clients on a path to success at the federal level.”
Ambassador Otto Reich, will join the Ballard Partners team in Washington, D.C. He was formerly the Ambassador to Venezuela, Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere, Special Envoy for Western Hemisphere under President George W. Bush, and senior staff member for the National Security Council.
“I am thrilled to join Ballard Partners in the new Washington, D.C. office at a very exciting time in our country’s history,” said Otto Reich, Senior Counselor, International Affairs. “I look forward to helping bring the Ballard Partners standard of first-class government relations to Washington.”
Additionally, Senior Advisor and Florida Strategist to President Trump’s 2016 campaign, Susie Wiles, will join the Ballard Partners Washington team. Susie is an accomplished communications, government relations and political professional who will spend her time between both the Washington and Jacksonville Ballard Partners offices. She has more than twenty-five years of experience managing government and public affairs endeavors. Most recently, Susie managed the successful Trump campaign in Florida as well as the Governor Rick Scott’s campaign in 2010.
“Ballard Partners’ Washington, D.C. office will help provide clients critical access to the happenings at the federal level,” said Susie Wiles. “We are excited to hit the ground running with the powerhouse team we’ve assembled.”
Another new team member, Dan McFaul, joins Ballard Partners with 20 years of experience on Capitol Hill.
Dan’s experience includes legislative director and deputy press secretary for Congressman Joe Scarborough, chief of staff and communications director for Congressman Jeff Miller, staff member for President-elect Trump’s transition team and chief of staff for U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to join Ballard Partners and the exceptional team in Washington, D.C.,” said Dan McFaul. “The nation is on a path to greater prosperity and growth, and with these opportunities come many key government relations needs. I look forward to working with Ballard Partners to help ensure our new and existing clients reach and exceed their goals.”
Leading the Washington, D.C. office will be current team member Sylvester “Syl” Lukis. Syl will add more than forty years of experience in government and representing clients in Florida and Washington, D.C. He has had positions in the General Counsel’s Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Special Assistant to the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and as an Assistant Director of the Cuban-Haitian Task Force at the U.S. Department of State. Currently Syl is a senior partner at Ballard Partners and has been a member of the Washington, D.C. Bar for more than thirty years.
About Ballard Partners
Ballard Partners has been named by state and national publications as the leading government affairs firm in the Sunshine State. The Florida-based lobbying firm, with offices in Washington, D.C., Tallahassee, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa, combines extensive experience in government affairs with unwavering advocacy to maximize results for the clients they serve. Visit http://ballard-partners.com for more information.

Provide nutritious meals to Florida children during summer months

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam encourages non-profit organizations and schools across the state to join the Summer BreakSpot program to help provide nutritional meals to children from low-income families during the summer months.
Last summer, more than 4,200 sites helped serve nearly 16 million meals to Florida children. The number of Summer BreakSpot meals served each summer has increased by 46 percent since Commissioner Putnam and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services assumed responsibility of the program in 2012.
“Many children rely on the Summer BreakSpot program for access to healthy meals during summer,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
The department is pursuing increased partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, schools, residential summer camps and faith-based organizations as they are well-positioned to reach unserved children throughout the state.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Summer BreakSpot is administered at the state level by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness and is run in local communities by schools and qualified public and private non-profit organizations.
Through the Summer BreakSpot program, organizations can provide nutritious, no-cost meals to children in low-income areas in addition to a variety of summer programs, including summer camps or academic, sports or other enrichment programs. Qualified organizations will be reimbursed for program operating and administrative expenses based on the number of eligible meals served. To be eligible, organizations must:

  • Provide continuing service to the community;
  • Serve meals on a regular schedule to children or provide meals as a part of an organized program for children enrolled at camps; and
  • Show financial and administrative capability to operate the program.

Training Information:
Required training will be offered online this year for both prospective and returning sponsors.  Optional workshops will also be offered regionally for more in-depth guidance.
Summer Food Program Live Training Locations
Summer food program taining loc1.31.2017

To learn more about the Summer Food Program, call 1-800-504-6609 or visit FreshFromFlorida.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal and, where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) 

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected].

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities and wish to file either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish). 

Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program complaint, please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Sen. Bill Nelson's remarks on Rex Tillerson

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson
Remarks on the Senate floor
January 31, 2017
Sen. Nelson: Mr. President, I rise to speak in opposition to the confirmation of Rex Tillerson, the president’s nominee to be our next secretary of state.
And I’ll tell you why. Two words: Vladimir Putin.
Mr. President, Rex Tillerson’s ties to Russia have been widely reported. The senator from Massachusetts has outlined a number of them specifically – specifically his ties to President Putin, who awarded him the “Order of Friendship” after signing deals with the state-owned oil company Rosneft.
Now isn’t the time to cozy up to Russia. Now is the time to stand up to Russian aggression—in Crimea, in Eastern Ukraine, and Syria. Just yesterday, we heard reports of another outbreak of fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists in the war-torn Eastern Ukraine.
All you have to do, Mr. President, is speak to a Ukrainian and let them tell you, as I met with the former prime minister yesterday, and I will be meeting with a former member of their parliament — let them tell you of what it’s like to have the Russian army march on your country and take part of it away as they did with Crimea and then come in under the disguise of little green men as if they did not have ties to the Russian army, and that’s going on in eastern Ukraine right now.
And, our own Intelligence Community has told us that the Russian President personally ordered a campaign to influence the 2016 presidential election right here in the US. That campaign—a mix of covert Russian operations, cyber-attacks and cyber operations and propaganda—was only the latest in a series of efforts to undermine American leadership and democracies around the world. And what’s coming next for the elections in Europe in the next few months?
Russia is testing us. Mr. President, I’m concerned that Mr. Tillerson cannot stand up to the Russian president, who I am afraid thinks of himself as the next Russian czar.
So, as Mr. Tillerson’s past as Exxon’s CEO, he lobbied against sanctions on Russia for invading and seizing Crimea. The very sanctions that we and our allies have put on Russia for taking over sovereign territory of another independent country. And now it’s not clear—as our nation’s top diplomat—that Mr. Tillerson would fight to keep the sanctions in place, even as Mr. Trump is now considering lifting them and despite clear evidence of Russia’s continued aggression.
And, during his confirmation hearing, Mr. Tillerson refused to condemn Russian and Syrian bombings in Aleppo as war crimes, a question that was proffered to him by the senator, my colleague, who happens to sit in the chair right now.
Mr. President, I also have serious concerns that Mr. Tillerson doesn’t understand the urgent need to combat climate change.
You don’t have to remind us about climate change in Florida. South Florida is ground zero of climate change. Miami Beach is awash at the seasonal high tides as the water flows over the curbs and over the streets, causing Miami Beach to spend hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars to install pump stations, raise the roads, and address all kinds of flooding and saltwater intrusion. Other south Florida communities have had to move their water well locations further west because of the intrusion of south Florida into the fresh water aquifer.
Climate change is not a problem that we’re going to face some day in the future. It’s a daily struggle for our communities along our coast all over America. The state department — the United States State Department is responsible for engaging with other countries to confront both the cause of climate change and the devastating impact of drought, sea level, and sea-level rise and severe weather.
And by the way, speaking of sea level rise, this senator convened a meeting of the Senate commerce committee in Miami Beach a couple of years ago. We had testimony from a NASA scientist that measurements – not forecasts, not projections – but measurements in the last 40 years of sea level rise in south Florida was five to eight inches higher. That is sea level rise.
That’s why even the Department of Defense is concerned. Climate change has the potential to destabilize nations. How about Bangladesh? It has the potential to drastically reduce potable water supplies and result in crop loss and food shortage and to create climate refugees. We simply cannot play fast and loose with the science that will help save our planet.
The top diplomat of our country has to confront the reality of climate change today and to work on it immediately. Mr. Tillerson has not adequately laid out a plan to address that global climate crisis.
And so for all the reasons that I have outlined, including many more, Mr. President, I will vote no.

ICYMI: Fant Appoints Bean to Waterways Commission

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FLS004-13 Fant logo Final

Duval County Legislative Delegation Chair Jay Fant announced today the appointment of Senator Aaron Bean to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission. Bean was elected to the Florida Senate from District 4 in 2012.
“Senator Bean’s legislative experience and his commitment to sound stewardship of our water resources will make him an outstanding and important voice on the Waterways Commission,” said Fant. “Our waterways are one of our most precious natural resources and they are absolutely critical to the growth of our economy and the health of our environment.”
Prior to serving in the Senate, Bean represented a Jacksonville area district in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008. He currently chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice and is Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government.
Fant has represented District 15 in the Florida House of Representatives since 2014 and was chosen by his fellow area legislators to chair the Duval delegation for 2017. In addition to Fant and Bean, the Duval legislative delegation includes Senator Audrey Gibson (District 6) and Representatives Cord Byrd (District 11), Kim Daniels (District 14), Tracie Davis (District 13), Jason Fischer (District 16), and Clay Yarborough (District 12). 

About Jay Fant for State Representative
Jay Fant’s strong ties to Jacksonville began when his grandfather’s family moved to the city in 1920. Jay’s father and grandfather have been local business and civic leaders, with both having served in elected office. In 1947, the family started First Guaranty Bank, one of the oldest banks in the city. In 1994, Jay was elected to serve on the board and led the company with his father through 2012. Jay has done much to continue the family tradition of investing in the community. He has been involved with many different organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Healthy U Now Foundation, Rotary, and the Florida Bankers Association. Jay and his wife, Lauren, have two sons and two daughters. They attend St. Johns Presbyterian Church. In his spare time, he coaches little league baseball and basketball.

Special Olympics Florida sending four athletes to 2017 Winter World Games in Austria

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210 Athletes and Coaches to Represent U.S.
at 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games

Special Olympics Florida is proud to announce four athletes will be representing the United States, as part of Special Olympics USA at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The Games will be held March 14-25, 2017, in Graz, Ramsau, and Schladming, Austria. These athletes include Michelle Canazaro in Alpine skiing, Kerri Leonardo in Alpine skiing, Allan Lohr in figure skating, and Fernanando Nunez in Alpine skiing. Biographies of each athlete can be found here. 

Special Olympics USA is the national team that represents the United States at the Special Olympics World Summer and Winter Games. The 210-member delegation is comprised of 150 athletes, 40 coaches, and approximately 20 delegation members who support team operations. The delegation also includes Special Olympics Unified Sports teams, where people with and without intellectual disabilities compete together, as teammates.

“We are incredibly proud of the Special Olympics Florida athletes who will compete at Winter Games,” said Sherry Wheelock, President and CEO of Special Olympics Florida. “Florida is not known for its winter sports, yet our athletes use creative and unconventional training facilities like sand dunes instead of snowy mountains to practice. These four athletes have worked extremely hard and earned their place as part of Special Olympics USA. We are excited to cheer them on and congratulate them on their extraordinary achievements.” 

Every two years, the world transcends the boundaries of geography, nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, culture, and religion to come together for the Special Olympics World Games. Alternating between summer and winter Games, this is the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement, which promotes equality, tolerance, and acceptance around the world. 

This is expected to be the largest Special Olympics World Winter Games in history. An estimated 2,600 athletes from 106 nations will compete in 9 Olympic-type sports at the 2017 Special Olympics World Games: floorball, floor hockey, stick shooting, figure skating, speed skating, Alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing.

ESPN’s global television networks and digital media will bring extensive coverage to sports fans and supporters of the Special Olympics movement around the world. ESPN’s coverage, from March 18-25, marks the first-ever global coverage for a World Winter Games event.

As an official broadcaster of the Special Olympics World Winter Games, ESPN’s television coverage will be carried across its networks in the U.S. as well as streamed through WatchESPN and the ESPN App.

About Special Olympics Florida
Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training, competition, and health services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athletes or their caregivers, as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be productive, respected, and contributing members of their communities. To learn more, visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org.

Gov. Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” budget fights to support at-risk youth and families

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Governor Rick Scott today announced his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget, which invests an additional $16 million into Florida’s juvenile justice system for a total of $571 million. This funding will support the continuation of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s (DJJ) reform efforts and its core mission of reducing juvenile delinquency, increasing public safety, and providing the services at-risk youth and their families need in the coming years to transition youth back into their communities and guide them towards successful adulthood.

Governor Scott said, “Florida has taken tremendous steps forward in reducing juvenile delinquency with juvenile arrests dropping to the lowest levels in more than forty years. We will continue to invest in effective programs and services that will not only help vulnerable youth in our state get the opportunities they need to succeed, but also ensure that Florida remains a safe state for families and visitors to enjoy for years to come.”

“Governor Scott’s ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ Budget demonstrates Florida’s commitment to not only having the most comprehensive juvenile justice system in the country but to also having the best system as well” said DJJ Secretary Christina Daly. “By investing in the entirety of our system, from prevention all the way to aftercare, Governor Scott’s recommendations will solidify for now and the future both the strength and quality of the services provided to Florida’s children and their families.”

Highlights from Governor Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget include:

$10.5 million to increase evidence-based interventions and services in residential commitment contracts as well as ensure capacity for youth adjudicated to non-secure and secure residential commitment programs. 

$2.6 million to add workforce education and job placement services at existing day treatment and residential programs. This funding will provide workforce education and job placement for 500 youth in various programs in order to help them find employment, which makes them less likely to reoffend.

$4.7 million to expand evidence-based prevention programs. Effective prevention programs have been a critical component in reducing Florida’s juvenile arrest rate. This funding will increase public safety by providing prevention programming to additional youth. 

$10 million to provide the necessary repairs and maintenance of detention, probation, and residential facilities. This funding will support security improvement and life safety projects, electrical upgrades, and ensure proper compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

What they are saying…

Stacy Gromatski, President and CEO of the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, said, “The Florida Network would like to thank Governor Scott for continuing to recognize the importance of investing in prevention services in our state. Having the ability to reach younger children, before they come into contact with the juvenile justice system, ensures not only a brighter future for them but strong families and communities overall.”

Mary Marx, President and CEO of the Pace Center for Girls, said, “On behalf of vulnerable girls in our state, we appreciate Governor Scott’s investment in prevention services in Florida. Under his leadership, more girls and young woman have access to education, counseling, and trauma informed services so that they can reach their full potential and successfully transition to adulthood.” 

Cathy Craig-Myers, Executive Director of the Florida Juvenile Justice Association, said, “Governor Scott has been steadfast in his commitment to our state’s juvenile justice reform work and the ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ Budget is a reflection of that unwavering commitment. From the implementation of DJJ’s Roadmap to System Excellence several years ago to today, Florida has and will continue in the future to serve as a model juvenile justice system for the rest of the country.”

To view the complete list of Governor Scott’s budget recommendations, visit www.fightingforfloridasfuturebudget.com.