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ICYMI: Tallahassee Democrat: Tear Down the Alcohol Separation Wall

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With a full week of back-to-back committee meetings, you may have missed a timely op-ed authored by Julio Fuentes, president and CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. His piece ran in the Tallahassee Democrat and is entitled “Level Playing Field on Alcohol Sales Law.”

In his column, Mr. Fuentes encourages a repeal of the Prohibition-era Alcohol Separation Law, which prohibits distilled spirits from being sold in the same location as groceries and other goods. He cites a crucial need to adapt to a growing and convenient online marketplace, asking lawmakers to give business owners the tools to compete by removing outdated and unnecessary regulations.

Level Playing Field on Alcohol Sales Laws
By: Julio Fuentes

Technology has completely transformed today’s society. In 2016, Black Friday saw more customers shopping online than in retail stores for the first time. This is not a one-time occurrence, but a shift in societal norms – Brick and Mortar retailers will never surpass online sales again in our lifetime. 

So, how do traditional retailers remain competitive? One way to meet the demands of a changing marketplace is found in legislation the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports to repeal the antiquated Alcohol Separation Law, which was passed more than 80 years ago. This law requires that distilled spirits be sold in a separate location from groceries – creating unnecessary burdens and increasing costs on both consumers and businesses. If passed, this bill will reduce governmental regulation and allow all retailers to stand on equal footing. Not to mention, Floridians will no longer need to stop at two separate locations when grocery shopping.

In this day and age, mobile apps, online stores and delivery services make it easier than ever to shop from home with just the click of a button. That said, traditional retail stores looking to compete with the ease of online shopping must be more creative and flexible to offer something the consumer can’t get online.  If you look at traditional retailers that are thriving, it’s because they’re offering something you can’t find online, whether that be personal shopping or tap rooms who offer growlers for sale.

A great example of adapting to the changing marketplace and advances in technology is ABC Liquors, coincidentally one of the leading opponents to this legislation. To provide a more convenient shopping experience for their customers, the retailer partnered with mobile app Drizly to offer one-hour alcohol delivery straight to the customer’s doorstep. An ABC regional manager was recently quoted as saying, “It’s another way for us to get our products into our guests’ hands. It’s the way society is going and it’s just a convenience.”

We couldn’t agree more. So the question remains, why would ABC advocate for convenience for some customers, but oppose it for others?

The bill is nothing more than a fairness issue. All we’re asking for is a level playing field for all retailers, rather than shackling outdated and unnecessary regulations that can keep competition out of the marketplace.

At the FSHCC, we support opportunities to empower our state’s hardworking Hispanic business owners. We must give these businesses the tools to compete on a level playing field, not keep them out of the marketplace by an antiquated law. The free market should decide what retailers stock on their shelves. 

Julio Fuentes is the president and CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Floridians for Fair Business Practices is a coalition of retailers and business groups whose purpose is to identify rules and regulations, which prohibit the growth and expansion of Florida business. For additional information, please visit to www.FairBizinFlorida.com.

Sen. Aubrey Gibson and Rep. Kionne McGhee file judicial accountability legislation

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Honoring both the memory and the mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Senator Audrey Gibson, and Representative Kionne McGhee have filed legislation to better understand the grave disparities in prison sentences throughout the state of Florida. The bill comes on the heels of a year-long study by the Sarasota Herald Tribune, released under the title “Florida’s Broken Sentencing System,” and was filed on Monday, the national holiday marking the birthday of the civil rights icon and fighter for justice.
The provocative series found that half a century after the civil rights movement, trial judges throughout Florida sentence blacks to harsher punishment than whites, and that bias against blacks in Florida’s courts is shaped, in part, by the makeup of the bench.
Representative McGhee stated, “Judges are sworn to render criminal sentences absent personal bias. As mentioned in the article, bias on the bench perpetuates inequality in the courtroom. This bill seeks to analyze and address judicial patterns in sentencing.”
Said Senator Gibson, “Faced with the reality that even using a point-scoring system and other factors added to our criminal justice system, the components still are not working. To get control over sentencing disparities, it is imperative that we find a better solution to a continuing, inequitable situation, particularly for people of color.”
The legislation, SB 382/HB 255 calls for sentencing data to be compiled annually and presented to trial and sentencing judges, the Legislature, Governor, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In the interest of full transparency, the bill also specifies that the information is to be posted for the public on the website of Florida Legislature’s research arm, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability.

More Than $125 Million in Total Projected Sales Reported Following MEDICA Tradeshow

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Florida Pavilion hosts 22 small businesses, largest presence by any state

The world’s largest medical trade fair, MEDICA, again impressively confirmed its position as the global hub in the medical sector. Enterprise Florida, Inc. hosted 22 small businesses in the Florida Pavilion at the November 2016 show held in Düsseldorf, Germany. Those companies reported more than $125 million in total actual and expected export sales following the show. An additional 22 Florida small businesses exhibited outside of the Florida Pavilion at the event.
“Congratulations to all of the Florida companies on their success at MEDICA,” said Manny Mencia, Senior Vice President of International Trade & Development for Enterprise Florida. “We’re so thankful for the 22 companies that joined us in the Florida Pavilion this year and have already heard from many of them that they plan to travel with us to the next MEDICA show. Florida continues to excel at these tradeshows because of the innovative products and services companies can provide and, thanks to their success, the state is recognized around the world as a business super-state.”
This marked the 33rd year for the tradeshow. Over the four days of the fair, approximately 130,000 trade visitors from 70 countries visited, with 40 percent of those attendees coming from countries outside of Germany. More than 5,000 exhibitors displayed a broad spectrum of innovations and new products for ambulant and stationary care.
In addition to assisting the small businesses in the Florida Pavilion, the Enterprise Florida team conducted nearly 50 meetings with global leaders in the medical device manufacturing industry. Enterprise Florida co-sponsored the U.S. Pavilion reception, giving Florida companies an opportunity to meet with U.S. and international medical companies.
Florida Pavilion exhibitors:

“As a small Florida company we depend upon the support of Enterprise Florida in both our organization and financial context to reinforce our international sales goals,” said Darwin Salls, General Manager of Scar Heal in Largo. “The services provided by the team are invaluable to achieving our objective.”
Orthomerica from Orlando exhibited in the Florida Pavilion at the show. The company’s president and CEO, Dave Kerr commented, “MEDICA was again an important trade show for Orthomerica. We were able to meet with several existing distributors and meet other prospective ones. We were able to demonstrate our new products to several important customers, which will undoubtedly bear fruit. The nature of our products is that it takes up to a year and a half from introduction to meaningful sales revenue due to the need for training, etc. Enterprise Florida is the reason we are so successful at the show – all logistics handled – a great use of our tax dollars. Bravo!”
“MEDICA is always a perfect setting for meeting our global distributor base, introducing new products, discussing and evaluating business results, as well as prospecting and evaluating new distributors for new markets,” said Dale Giedd, Director at Gaumard Scientific in Miami. “The venue gives us great exposure for our brand, being one of only a select few vendors in the industry participating. The new sales generated through this event are significant and are generated over time in the markets, which has a knock-on effect for our manufacturing operations.”
EFI maintains an extensive schedule of overseas trade missions and exhibitions worldwide. In fiscal year 2015-16, Florida small and mid-sized businesses reported more than $911 million in total projected export sales following international missions and trade shows. Last year, EFI provided 129 Target Sector Trade Grants totaling nearly $490,000 to qualified show exhibitors. Those small businesses reported more than $426 million in total expected export sales.

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Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI facilitates job growth through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses. EFI launched “Florida – The Future is Here” to promote the state as the nation’s premier business destination.

Flagler College student headed to United Nations in March to serve as commission delegate

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A Flagler College student will be discussing gender equality at the United Nations this spring as a delegate for the intergovernmental organization’s Commission on the Status of Women.

ShannonSchmidt
ShannonSchmidt

History and English major Shannon Schmidt was recently accepted to the commission, which is dedicated to promoting women’s rights and shaping global standards on the empowerment of women.
“This has been one of the greatest honors of my life thus far,” she said. “I can hardly express how enthusiastic I am about this unique opportunity, and I am confident that it would not have been possible without the support, guidance, and mentorship I’ve received at Flagler.”
Each year the commission, a functional unit of the UN’s Economic and Social Council, focuses on a different theme; this year’s is economic empowerment of women. As a delegate, Schmidt will engage in cross-cultural dialogue and assess the progress that has been made, as well as the progress that needs to be made for the global advancement of women.
Associate Professor of History Dr. John Young assisted Schmidt in her application.
“She has been a force of nature during her four years at Flagler, not only excelling in the classroom with a double major in History and English, but also demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to service with her work in student government and student clubs,” he said. “Shannon shows how much one can accomplish when the perspectives of a liberal education is coupled with the passion to make a difference in the world. She will represent Flagler very well at the UN.”
Schmidt will join the 61st session of the Commission from March 13 to March 24. For more information, visit here.

Florida Municipal Electric Association Celebrates 75th Anniversary

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Association has served as an advocate for affordable,
reliable public power for more than seven decades

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA), a trade association that represents the interests of Florida’s family of 34 public power communities located across the state. Members range in size from cities as large as Jacksonville, Orlando, Lakeland, Tallahassee and Gainesville to smaller towns, such as Havana, Clewiston and Bushnell.
Together, these community-owned electric utilities serve more than 3 million of Florida’s residential and business utility consumers. Collectively, they are the third largest source of power in the state.
“In the early 1940s, municipal electric utilities came together to form what was originally called the Florida Municipal Utilities Association based on a common need and common goal. They realized that together, they were stronger,” said Clay Lindstrom, FMEA President and Fort Pierce Utilities Authority General Manager. “That is still true today as we work together by sharing best practices and innovations that enable all of us to provide affordable, reliable power to the people in our communities.”
FMEA was established in 1942 in response to World War II fuel shortages. The association changed its name to the Florida Municipal Electric Association in 1988 and is now the official meeting place for Florida’s public power communities.
Today, the association actively represents and advocates for member cities’ interests on a wide variety of state and federal issues, provides education and training for members and serves as a clearinghouse for industry news and information. FMEA hosts four signature events throughout the year:

  • FMEA Annual Conference, which brings top industry speakers, informative workshops and discussion groups together for utility managers and CEOs; city managers and directors; and local policy makers from Florida’s municipal utilities, investor-owned utilities and electric cooperatives.
  • Energy Connections Conference & Trade Show, a two-day event delivering cutting edge information to members about improving their daily operations.
  • The Florida Lineman Competition, an annual day-long event that pits utility lineman teams from all over the state against one another in competitions demonstrating their skills, knowledge and teamwork.
  • FMEA Legislative Rally, an opportunity for FMEA members to meet in Tallahassee during Florida’s legislative session to discuss legislative proposals affecting public power communities.

FMEA also produces a monthly bill comparison report that includes information from investor-owned and municipal utilities. It compares utility bills for residential, commercial and industrial utility customers categorized by consumption in 15 categories. This information is available to the public on FMEA’s website.
“We’re proud of our history of service to our member cities and their residents, and we look forward to another 75 years of working together to bring community-based, public power into homes and businesses across the state,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Interim Executive Director.
Municipal electric utilities provide affordable, reliable electric service, and have been doing so for more than a century. As community-owned and locally managed organizations, these utilities are focused on serving local needs and interests while reinvesting back into the community for services, such as police and fire protection.
For more information on FMEA and Florida’s public power communities, please visit www.publicpower.com.

PSC Customer Meeting for Charlie Creek Utilities, LLC.

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Charlie Creek Utilities, LLC. (Charlie Creek) to a customer meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2017, to discuss the utility’s petition for a rate change.  Customers can comment on Charlie Creek’s proposed rates and any quality of service issues at the meeting.
This is the first PSC rate case for Charlie Creek, which provides water service to approximately 150 residential customers in Hardee County.
The meeting is scheduled for the following time and location:

Thursday, January 19, 2017
6:00 p.m.
Historic City Hall
225 East Main Street
Wauchula, FL 33873

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

The Florida Lottery is giving players four new ways to strike it doubly rich!

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Following the success of the newest $20 Scratch-Off game, $5,000,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER, the Florida Lottery today introduced the GOLD RUSH DOUBLER family of Scratch-Off games. The four new games range in price from $1 to $10, and feature more than $508 million in cash prizes and more than 43 million winning tickets! All Lottery retailers are expected to have these new tickets in stock and available for purchase within 72 hours.gold rush 1.17.2016
The $10 game, $2,000,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER, offers more than $206.5 million in prizes and more than 8.2 million winning tickets. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-3.41.
The $5 game, $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER, offers more than $182.8 million in prizes, including 44 top prizes of $500,000. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-3.98.
The $2 game, $50,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER, has more than 12 million winning tickets and over $81.9 million in total cash prizes. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.69.
The $1 game, $10,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER, offers more than $28 million in total cash prizes. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.88.
Four drawings will be held between February 9 and April 13, 2017, for non-winning GOLD RUSH DOUBLER tickets entered into the Doubly Rich Second Chance Promotion. In each of the four drawings, one player will win $25,000, three players will win $10,000, and 20 players will win $1,000. Players can also earn 25 extra entries per drawing by entering a special social media promo code that will be posted to the Florida Lottery’s official Instagram page during each of the draw periods. For more information about these games and the second chance promotion, visit www.flalottery.com.
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.

US 41 (SR 45) from Blackburn Point Rd to SR 72 Public Information Meeting

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FDOT Header
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, is hosting a design Public Information Meeting for proposed improvements to US 41 (SR 45) from Blackburn Point Road to SR 72/Stickney Point Road in Sarasota County, Florida. 
FDOT will hold the workshop from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 425 S. Tamiami Trail (US 41/SR 45), Osprey, Florida 34229. 
The meeting will be in an informal, open house format. You may attend at any time during the open house to view project displays and speak with project team members.
The primary purpose of this project is to create a complete street that serves all users: cars, trucks, transit, pedestrians and bicycles.
The proposed design includes reconstruction of paved shoulders from 4 feet to 7 feet to provide 7-foot-wide buffered bike lanes and the widening of right turn lanes to accommodate for the new bike lanes. The design also includes adding 5-foot-wide concrete sidewalks along both sides of US 41 (SR 45) in the project area where they currently do not exist. Pedestrian crossings will be provided over North, Catfish, Clower, Oscar and Matheny Creeks. Pedestrian sidewalk ramps will be modified throughout the project to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. Driveways will be modified as needed to accommodate the new bike lanes and to bring them up to current design standards. Bus shelter pads will be constructed, and the bus bays will be widened.
FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Lori Buck by phone at (863) 225-0422 or by email at [email protected], at least seven days prior to the meeting.  If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).

FAMU Provost Names Lt. Col (Ret.) Henry Talley V New Dean of Nursing

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Florida A&M University (FAMU) Interim Provost Rodner Wright has announced Henry Clinton Talley V, Ph.D., as the new dean of the School of Nursing.

Henry Talley
Henry Talley

Talley succeeds retiring dean Ruena Norman, Ph.D. His tenure begins Tuesday, January 17, 2017, and marks the first time a man has served in the capacity. He was selected following a national search conducted in partnership with Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.
A retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve Nurse Corps, Talley previously served as the founding director of the Michigan State University Nurse Anesthesia Program, and chief anesthetist and operations director of anesthesiology service at the VA Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee.
He also served as an assistant professor/associate director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Arkansas State University and an anesthetist and instructor for physiology in anesthesia at the Harlem Hospital Center in New York.
“I am honored to continue my work in the important field of nursing as a member of the FAMU community,” Talley said. “The University and its nursing school have a long and distinguished history of success, and I look forward to helping to continue the tradition of ‘Excellence with Caring.’”
Talley is a past president of the Alpha Psi Chapter of the National Honor Society for Nursing and past-treasurer of the Board of Directors for the American Association of Nurse Anesthetist and the Michigan Task Force for Nursing Practice. He received the American Association of Nurse Anesthetist Foundation research grant for his dissertation, “The effects of general anesthesia on plasma ascorbic acid and its effect on post-anesthesia consciousness.”
Talley graduated from the Harlem Hospital Center Schools of Nursing and Anesthesia in 1979 and 1981, respectively. He earned the American Association of Nurse Anesthetist certification as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) in 1981. He was awarded the Bachelor of Arts in Health Services Administration from Ottawa University of Kansas City in 1994. He also earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in nursing from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in 2001 and 2003, respectively.
“Dr. Talley brings to FAMU a wealth of experience and knowledge in innovative health care practices that will help to bring the FAMU School of Nursing many more years of success under his leadership,” Wright said. “His commitment to research, nursing policy, and community empowerment for the underprivileged and marginalized also align perfectly with FAMU’s mission to enhance the lives of constituents through innovative research, engaging cooperative extension, and public service.”
Talley is a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetist; Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing; American Nurses Association; Men In Nursing; International Anesthesia Research Society; and founder of Minority Anesthetists Gathered to Network, Educate, and Train (M.A.G.N.E.T.).
Wright also commended Norman for her outstanding contributions to the school, which recently began celebrating its 80th anniversary.
“It is with great thanks that we acknowledge Dean Norman for her tireless service to the School of Nursing and Florida A&M University,” Wright said. “During her tenure, Dean Norman has led the school in securing numerous top rankings and national recognitions, and we are proud of all that was accomplished under her leadership.”