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New report highlights impact of high textbook costs on college affordability, completion

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The UWF Innovation Institute’s Florida Virtual Campus released the results of the “2016 Student Textbook and Course Materials Survey Report.” The survey is the third in a series from 2010 through 2016 that shows the impact high textbook costs have on college affordability, as well as college success and completion.
“The findings of this survey report are extremely significant, as the financial impact of textbook and instructional material costs on student academic success is a mounting concern for higher education,” said Dr. Robin Donaldson, director of member research and services for the Florida Virtual Campus. “We could not have completed the report without the assistance and support of the Florida Board of Governors and the Florida College System, as well as the participation from Florida’s public institutions.”
In 2016 alone, more than 22,000 students from all of Florida’s public colleges and universities voluntarily participated in the anonymous online survey. The steady increase in student participation from more than 14,000 participants in 2010 and 22,000 in 2012, to more than 22,000 in 2016, suggest the effect that the high cost of textbooks is having on academic careers and that financial burden continues to be a topic of concern for Florida students.
An overview of general findings show that:
  • The high cost of textbooks is negatively impacting student access, success and completion;
  • Required textbooks are purchased, but not always used in course instruction;
  • Students in undergraduate degree programs spend more on textbooks than students in graduate degree programs; and
  • Financial aid covers less textbooks now than in 2012.
For additional information a full copy of the report, textbook affordability infographic and executive summary can be found online at the Distance Learning and Student Services Staff Resources website.
About the UWF Innovation Institute: We are re-imaging how millions of people experience learning by exploring, designing, prototyping and delivering innovation for education. We collaborate with and serve the University of West Florida, partner organizations, and institutions across the state of Florida to improve learning for the entire Florida education system. We are a trusted partner that provides research-driven, customer-centric, systems-thinking approaches to sustainable innovation.
About the Florida Virtual Campus: The Florida Virtual Campus, a Complete Florida Plus program, is made up of several divisions focused on statewide innovative educational services for Florida’s K-20 students. Working collaboratively with Florida’s 12 public universities, 28 public colleges, K-12 school districts, and other partners, FLVC provides free services to help students go to college, succeed in school, and in life after graduation.

 

Construction Career Days Draws Thousands of High School Students

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FL Construction Career Days 1.25.2017
Nearly 3,000 Central Florida junior and senior high school students are building their careers at the 17thannual Central Florida Construction Career Days. The event, hosted by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and its industry partners, helps teenagers explore and build a strong foundation for a successful future in transportation construction.
“Construction Career Days is a wonderful way to introduce the builders of tomorrow to our industry today,” said Dee Zinck, FDOT’s District Construction Administrative Manager and co-chair of the event.
Junior and senior high school students from more than 50 Central Florida high schools are attending Construction Career Days to learn about many opportunities available and experience some skilled trades firsthand. Engineers and skilled trade workers from local firms, technical schools and FDOT will hold 38 interactive learning labs. Students will even get a chance to try their hand at operating heavy equipment and simulators.
Construction opportunities represented through the program are not minimum wage jobs. “Those in the field earn an average of $18 an hour,” said Geoff Scales, Senior Project Manager with Cardno, an environmental engineering firm, and co-chair of the event. “These are careers that you can grow with. If you have the drive and the ambition, a career in construction can take you far.”
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics project the number of jobs in the construction field will grow by nearly 21 percent over the next few years, but the current labor pool is shrinking with the average skilled worker retiring at close to 50 years old. That’s why Construction Career Days encourages Central Florida teens to explore the transportation construction industries.
Construction Career Days takes place at the Central Florida Fairgrounds Jan. 26-27 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. Students from nine Central Florida counties will attend. For more information, visit www.ccdfl.com.

PSC Customer Service Hearing for Pensacola

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Gulf Power Company (Gulf) to participate in a customer service hearing in Pensacola on the utility’s petition for an electric service base rate increase.  The hearing will allow customers to provide public comment on Gulf’s rate request. Customer input will be taken into consideration when the Commission considers this request.
The service hearing is scheduled for the following time and location:

Thursday, January 26, 2017
6:00 p.m. (Central Time)
Pensacola State College
Hagler Auditorium
1000 College Boulevard
Pensacola, FL 32504

In October 2016, Gulf filed a petition with the PSC to increase its electric service rates. Gulf provides service to 450,000 retail customers spanning Northwest Florida.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

DSC student clubs to host second annual Falcon Con gaming convention

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Public of all ages invited to join the games

It will be all fun and games at Daytona State College’s Lenholt Center in March, when the college’s Tabletop Gaming Club hosts Falcon Con, its second annual gaming, anime and role-playing convention on the Daytona Beach Campus.falcon con dsc 1.24.2017
The event, which is free and open to the public, takes place from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5.
“Last year’s inaugural Falcon Con was a great success,” said Brandi Horn, learning specialist in the college’s Academic Support Center who shares advising duties for the club with DSC Learning Specialist Debra Leonard. “We will have Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, and Yugioh tournaments, special guests such as The True Aquaman and The True Mera, a cosplay contest, Live Action Role Playing (LARP) and an Escape Room, panels, game demonstrations by the Indie Game Alliance and continuous anime screenings. ”
For more information, contact Jay Waddick ([email protected]), the convention chair.

Governor Rick Scott encourages students to apply for the Gubernatorial Fellows Program

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Governor Rick Scott is encouraging college and university students to apply for the 2017-2018 Gubernatorial Fellows Program. Participation in the program provides Florida students with firsthand, high-level experience and insight into how state government operates. Established in 2004, and endowed by the Hoffman Foundation in 2005, the program gives Florida college and university students the unique opportunity to work alongside state government’s top staff for two semesters.
Governor Scott said, “The Gubernatorial Fellows Program provides an invaluable opportunity for Florida’s college and university students to receive advanced, on-the-job training. I encourage students interested in public service and leadership to apply to be a part of this amazing program and learn the skills needed for today’s workforce.”
Gubernatorial Fellows are assigned to the Executive Office of the Governor and the Governor’s agencies, based on their major or area of concentration. Fellows work a minimum of 20 hours per week and are paid for their time on the job. Fellows will also receive tuition waivers from their college or university to cover the cost of their tuition as they continue their studies throughout the program year.
To be eligible for a Gubernatorial Fellowship, candidates should be enrolled at a Florida college or university, as a rising junior or senior, or a graduate student. Applicants should exhibit strong leadership, written and oral communication skills, community activism and a desire to serve the people of Florida. Approximately 12 students from around the state will be selected based on a competitive application process.
Students can visit www.FloridaFellows.com to learn about the expectations and requirements of the program, as well as read testimonials from alumni. Interested students must apply online, and the site includes complete information about the recruitment process.
Applications are due by Wednesday, March 1, 2017. The Fellowship will follow the university calendar starting in August 2017 and end in May 2018. The Governor’s screening and selection committee will announce the program participants in May 2017.
For more information on the Gubernatorial Fellows Program, please visit www.FloridaFellows.com.

Gov. Scott: Fighting for Florida’s Future With $618 Million Tax Cut Package

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Kicking Off “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Tax Cut Tour

Governor Rick Scott announced today during the “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Tax Cut Tour that he is proposing $618 million in tax cuts to help Florida families and small businesses, and ensure taxes are cut for Florida’s future generations. These tax cuts will encourage job creators to add more jobs and build opportunities now and in the future. This morning, Governor Scott kicked off the “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Tax Cut Tour in Jacksonville and will be making stops in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Riviera Beach, Orlando and Fort Myers this week.
Governor Scott said, “While Florida’s economy has made great strides over the past six years, we have to continue to fight for Florida’s future and ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to succeed in our great state. We know one of the best ways to do that is to keep cutting taxes, and even though we have already cut more than $6.5 billion in taxes, we can do more. That is why I am fighting for Florida families and our future generations by recommending to cut taxes by $618 million this year.
“When we cut taxes, it helps businesses create jobs – jobs that ultimately help the poorest, most disadvantaged families in our state. As I travel the state, I have been humbled by the stories of single parents, young students, new citizens and countless other Floridians who have shared with me how much of a difference a job has made in their life and in the lives of their families. These incredible stories are why we are fighting to secure a bright future for Florida, and cutting taxes will help make our state the top location for job creators to invest in for generations to come. I made a promise to keep fighting for jobs until my very last day as Governor, and I ask the Legislature to join me in fighting for the future of our students, our small businesses, our veterans and our families by cutting $618 million in taxes this year.”
Governor Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” tax cut package includes:

  • Decreasing the Tax on Business Rents by $454 Million – Florida is the only state that has a tax on commercial leases which unfairly targets small businesses. Governor Scott is proposing to reduce the tax on commercial leases by 25 percent in 2018, saving Florida businesses $454 million a year.
  • Sales Tax Holidays to Save Families and Veterans $98 Million – Governor Scott is proposing four sales tax holidays which will save Florida families and veterans an estimated $98 million in the upcoming fiscal year. These sales tax holidays include:

$72 million from a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday;
$7 million from a nine-day disaster preparedness sales tax holiday;
$18.4 million from a three-day veteran’s sales tax holiday; and
$500,000 from a one-day camping and fishing sales tax holiday.

  • Providing a One-Year Sales Tax Exemption on College Textbooks to Save Students $48 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to exempt the purchase of college textbooks from the sales tax for the 2017-18 academic year. The prices of college textbooks have increased significantly, often exceeding $100 per book. Exempting college textbooks from the sales tax is expected to save Florida students $48 million.
  • Cutting the Business Tax to Save Job Creators $15 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to exempt 22.5 percent of businesses from having to pay income taxes by increasing the corporate tax exemption from $50,000 to $75,000. Eliminating this tax will provide annual savings of $15 million and help more small businesses hire additional workers.  This proposal will eliminate these taxes for more than 80 percent of Florida’s businesses. This exemption was increased from $5,000 to $25,000 in 2011 and $50,000 in 2012.
  • Exempting School Book Fairs from the Sales Tax to Save Families and Students $3 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to exempt the purchases of books at school book fairs from the sales tax, saving Florida families $3 million each year.

Lee County man arrested again following MFCU investigation

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Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office today announced the second arrest of Ryan Todd Powers, 40, for grand theft of a motor vehicle.
Last month, following a MFCU investigation, authorities arrested the Lee County man on two counts exploitation involving an elderly person.  According to the investigation, Powers unlawfully obtained funds from an elderly relative suffering from physical limitations. In order to manage his relative’s affairs, Powers obtained a durable power of attorney on behalf of the victim. Using the power of attorney, Powers allegedly misappropriated the victim’s funds and property.
Since Powers’ release on bond, an ongoing investigation by MFCU’s Patient Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Team discovered that Powers continued to use the power of attorney to sell a vehicle belonging to the elderly relative, again misappropriating property and funds for purposes other than the relative’s benefit.
In addition to the initial counts of exploitation, both third-degree felonies, Powers faces one count of grand theft of a motor vehicle, a third-degree felony. If convicted, Powers faces up to 15 years in prison and more than $20,000 in fines and restitution. The State Attorney’s Office for the 20th Judicial Circuit will prosecute the case.
The Florida Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates allegations of patient abuse, neglect, and exploitation in facilities receiving payments under the Medicaid program. The Patient Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Team plays a key role in helping to ensure that efficient and effective healthcare is being provided. Additionally, the MFCU investigates and prosecutes providers that intentionally defraud the state’s Medicaid program through fraudulent billing practices. Medicaid fraud essentially steals from Florida’s taxpayers. From Jan. 2011 to the present, Attorney General Bondi’s MFCU has obtained more than $500 million in settlements and judgments.

Legislation to Protect Right to Self-Defense Passes First Senate Committee

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The Senate Committee on Judiciary, chaired by Senator Greg Steube (R-Sarasota), today passed Senate Bill 128, Self-defense Immunity, by Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island). The bill protects the right of self-defense for all Floridians by correcting a misinterpretation of the “Stand Your Ground” law in the 2015 Bretherick vs. State Florida Supreme Court decision.
“The Senate passed legislation to clarify this critical constitutional issue last year, and I am pleased to see Senator Bradley’s bill advance again today,” said Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart). “If the State of Florida is going to accuse a citizen of committing a crime, the State of Florida should have the burden of proof at each and every part of the proceeding to prove guilt beyond the exclusion of every reasonable doubt.”
Senate Bill 128 clarifies the government, not the accused, has the burden of proof in a “Stand Your Ground” immunity hearing. In a 5-2 decision, the Florida Supreme Court ruled otherwise.
“This is a fundamental American right guaranteed by our Constitution. A defendant always has the presumption of innocence and the state always has a burden of proof,” continued President Negron.
SB 128 changes the burden of proof and who must bear it during pretrial hearings to evaluate a defendant’s claim of immunity based on a justifiable use of force. Current law provides a defendant a right of immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action if he or she is justified in using force. Although the procedures to claim immunity are not specified by statute, the Florida Supreme Court has determined that defendants must prove by a preponderance of the evidence the entitlement to the immunity at a pretrial hearing. The bill places the burden of proof on the state and requires the state to overcome the immunity claim by offering evidence meeting the standard of beyond a reasonable doubt.
Senator Bradley sponsored the same legislation, Senate Bill 344 (2016) last session, and it passed the Florida Senate. The bill died in committee in the Florida House.

HHS nominee dodges questions on closing Medicare donut hole

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U.S. Rep. Tom Price, the president’s nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services, refused to say during a confirmation hearing today whether he supports certain key provisions of the Affordable Care Act that are saving Florida’s seniors, on average, nearly $1,000 per year on the cost of their prescription drugs.
“I’m humble enough to believe that there are better ideas out there,” Price said in response to a question by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), who earlier this month filed legislation that would have prevented the Senate from repealing the provisions aimed at closing the gap in Medicare’s prescription drug coverage, commonly known as the “donut hole.”
“Congressman,” Nelson responded, “as their senator and as the protector of senior citizens in Florida, I can’t get away with an answer like that. I’ve got to tell them that I am going to support your right to get drugs under Medicare Part D just like you’re getting it now and not take it away from you.”
Below is a rush transcript and here’s a link to watch video of the exchange: https://youtu.be/L2aWyI1XZ10.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson
Senate Finance Committee Hearing
Jan. 24, 2017 
Nelson: I mentioned earlier, and I did so yesterday, that senior citizens – we have 4 million in Florida on Medicare – but there are almost 2 million people in Florida that now get their health care through the ACA and on Medicare Part D, the drugs, what we have tried to do, is close the amount of money that seniors have to pull out of their own pocket, otherwise known as the “donut hole.” You want to comment, Congressman, about whether or not seniors should have retained that federal ability to purchase their drugs?
Price: Well, in view of the fact that two of those senior citizens in your state are my mother-in-law and my father-in-law, I need to tread very carefully here. It’s – the concern that I have about, one of the concerns I have about drugs for being available for seniors is the accessibility of the drugs that they need and desire. And so we need to make sure that formularies aren’t limited, that we aren’t decreasing the access and availability of medications that seniors have available to them for the care that they receive.
Nelson: And so, the part of the ACA that closed that donut hole for senior citizens, you would support that part?
Price: As I say, I think it’s imperative that we provide the greatest amount of opportunity for individual seniors to be able to gain access to the drugs that they need. So often times in these discussions we think whatever we’re doing right now is the only solution that’s possible and I just – again I’m humble enough to believe that there are better ideas out there and if we find a better idea that actually provides greater coverage at a lower cost, more efficiently and more responsive to patients, then we ought to say – we ought to be able to admit that we would embrace that if it were to come along.
Nelson: Congressman, as their senator and as their protector of senior citizens in Florida, I can’t get away with an answer like that. I’ve got to tell them that I am going to support your right to get drugs under Medicare Part D just like you’re getting it now and not take it away from you.
Price: And, I understand that. And I would respectfully suggest that if we used as a society the line, we’re going to maintain the kind of quality coverage that we have right now unless we’re able to improve it and then we just might be able to do that for you.
Nelson: And if I gave them that answer I’d get run out of the room with a group of senior citizens. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Attorney General Bondi Warns of Repair Scams Following Recent Storms

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In the aftermath of the deadly thunderstorms that impacted the Southeast, Attorney General Pam Bondi is urging Floridians to be wary of storm-related scams and is offering tips to safeguard against potential scammers.  
“While there is not an official declared state of emergency in Florida due to the recent severe weather, affected consumers may still be targeted by scammers,” said Attorney General Bondi. “In many parts of our state, trees are uprooted, homes and businesses are damaged and contractors and tree removal services are in demand, making conditions ideal for scams.”
After a severe and damaging storm, unscrupulous individuals will sometimes prey on those in distress. To safeguard against scams in the aftermath of a storm, consumers should follow these tips:

  • Be wary of anyone who approaches unsolicited about property repairs or tree removal;
  • Acquire multiple written estimates and ask whether debris removal is included in the estimate;
  • Research the company and its reputation – ask for references and contact the Better Business Bureau to see if there are complaints against the company;
  • Verify that the contractors or tree service companies are licensed by contacting the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation;
  • Check for proof of insurance and verify with the insurer that their policy is current; and
  • Never pay up front or make final payment until completely satisfied with repairs.

Consumers can report fraudulent activity by calling the Attorney General’s fraud hotline at 1(866) 9-NO-SCAM or by filing a complaint online at MyFloridaLegal.com.