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Florida Police Benevolent Association Unanimously Endorses Caldwell

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Representative Matt Caldwell received the unanimous endorsement of the Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Board of Directors in his bid for Commissioner of Agriculture.

Florida PBA President John Rivera said, “Representative Matt Caldwell is a champion for the men and women of law enforcement and corrections. As our next Commissioner of Agriculture, his intelligence and leadership will serve Florida well. He is always willing to put the necessary work in to get the job done right. We are proud to endorse Matt Caldwell for Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture.”

The Florida PBA Board of Directors interviews candidates running for statewide office by offering each candidate the opportunity to appear before their committee. The board consists of elected representatives from each charter and chapter of the Florida PBA representing over 28,000 law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers throughout Florida.

Representative Caldwell said, “I’m proud to have received the unanimous endorsement of the Police Benevolent Association. Florida’s law enforcement community is made up of brave and selfless men and women who admirably uphold their commitment to protect and serve. I am honored that they have placed their trust in me.”

The campaign previously announced the endorsements of Republican House members from the Panhandle, Northeast Florida, Central Florida, Southwest Florida, and South Florida delegations. This is in addition to endorsements from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, former candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture Paul Paulson, and a number of county constitutional officers.

Since launching his bid for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture in May 2017, Representative Caldwell has traveled almost 65,000 miles across the Sunshine State talking to voters, sharing his conservative message and building support for his grassroots campaign. The campaign and political committee, Friends of Matt Caldwell, have raised over $1.8 million to date and have over $1 million cash-on-hand combined.

The campaign launched the #2LaneTravels webpage to highlight the campaign travels across the Sunshine State in his bid for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.

Political advertisement paid for by Matt Caldwell,
Republican, for Commissioner of Agriculture.

UT to Hold Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 5

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The University of Tampa will honor nearly 1,400 students at its 146th commencement on Saturday, May 5, during two separate ceremonies at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall.

The ceremony for graduates of the Sykes College of Business and the College of Arts and Letters will take place at 9:30 a.m., and the ceremony for graduates of the College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education and College of Natural and Health Sciences will follow at 2 p.m.

Between the two ceremonies, there are 1,214 bachelor’s degree candidates and 159 master’s degree candidates — 1,373 in all.

At the morning ceremony, Thomas Graham ’82, former vice president, special projects at Pepco Holdings, will give the address, and Roman Cowan ’10, MBA ’14, M.S. ’14, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, will receive the 2018 Young Alumnus Award.

In the afternoon ceremony, Scott Charbo ’86, vice president, information technology and digital services at Nutrien, is the speaker, and William Franchi ’06, founder and managing partner of Franchi Law and Pro Agents Sports Management and co-founder of Pro Title Insurance Agency, will receive the 2018 Alumni Achievement Award.

Several graduate programs have hooding ceremonies scheduled in the days leading up to commencement

  • Thursday, May 3:
    • Department of Nursing hooding and pinning ceremony (M.S. in Nursing), 6 p.m., Plant Hall, Fletcher Lounge (by invitation only)
    • Department of Education hooding ceremony, 6 p.m., Vaughn Center, ninth floor, Trustees Board Room
  • Friday, May 4:
    • Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance hooding ceremony, Noon, Plant Hall, Music Room
    • Sykes College of Business hooding and awards ceremony, 6 p.m., Martinez Athletics Center

UT Graduates by the Numbers

Total graduates = 1,373
Countries represented = 62
% of graduates from Florida = 41%

Undergraduates

Total bachelor’s degree candidates = 1,214
Summa cum laude (GPA 4.0) = 7
Magna cum laude (GPA 3.75 or higher, but less than 4.0) = 121
Cum laude (GPA 3.5 or higher, but less than 3.75) = 206
Top 3 most popular undergraduate majors in this class = Marketing, Finance and Criminology

Graduate students

Total master’s candidates = 159
With honors (GPA 3.9 or higher, but less than 4.0) = 11
With highest honors (GPA 4.0) = 11
MBAs awarded = 41

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

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The Florida Department of Transportation is observing May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.  More than a million drivers in Florida have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver licenses, and many visitors ride motorcycles in the Sunshine State due to Florida’s great weather and roads. Safety is FDOT’s top priority and throughout the month the department is working to raise awareness and educate all road users on the importance of motorcycle safety.

FDOT Secretary Mike Dew said, “It’s everyone’s responsibility to use care and drive responsibly by looking out for all motorists, especially those on motorcycles. By working together, and following important safety practices, users of our roadways can become better aware of motorcyclists while traveling throughout the state.” 

During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, FDOT is asking motorcyclists and motorists to share the road by using these simple tips.

Tips for motorcyclists:

  • Say no to drinking and riding.
  • Make yourself more visible to motorists: Wear bright colors.
  • Always wear adequate riding gear including DOT-compliant helmet.
  • Ride in Control (within legal and personal limits).
  • Train regularly and get endorsed.
  • Inspect your motorcycle before each ride to ensure your safety by having it in good working order.

Tips for drivers:

  • Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width; never try to share a lane.
  • Check for motorcycles by looking in your mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic.
  • When turning at intersections be extra vigilant and watch for motorcycle before turning. You must watch for motorcycles to see motorcycles.
  • Do not tailgate. Allow more following distance when following a motorcycle, so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
  • Don’t drive distracted – eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, and mind on driving.
  • Always drive sober.

The Morean Arts Center Showcases Relationship Between Nature and Art in Upcoming May Exhibitions

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Opening reception during Second Saturday
ArtWalk on Saturday, May 12, 5pm-9pm

The Morean Arts Center’s (MAC) upcoming exhibitions Leslie Neumann: Manna from Heaven…and Earth and Water over the Bridge: Contemporary Seascapes explore the relationship between art and nature and are on view May 12 through June 29. The opening reception is held during Second Saturday ArtWalk on Saturday, May 12, from 5pm-9pm.

Artist and environmental activist Leslie Neumann, presents a new body of work focusing on the power of nature in these troubling times. Neumann has lived and worked in Aripeka, Fla., located on the Gulf of Mexico, 50 miles north of St. Petersburg. Aripeka is a small Florida town reminiscent of what the state looked like 50 years ago. She divides her time between art-making, expressing the beauty of Aripeka, environmental activism, and working to preserve and expand the surrounding 15,000 acres of coastal marsh.

Neumann is an artist that specializes in painting wetlands and cosmic images using a technique called encaustic on panel. Using a combination of oil paints and hot wax, she achieves striking images with deep, rich colors and texture.

Water Over the Bridge: Contemporary Seascapes is a collaboration between the MAC’s Curator of Exhibitions Amanda Cooper and New York City curator D. Dominick Lombardi. This exhibition features the works of artists from both the New York City metro area and Tampa Bay area artists, creating a provocative, cross-country dialog. Selected artists include Selina Roman, Anne Bowen, Babs Reingold, Carolina Cleere, Margaret LeJeune, Rieko Fujinami, Bill Gusky, Dale Leifeste, China Marks and William Thompson.

Cooper stated, “Both exhibitions, while focusing on environmental issues that have become political hot-buttons, are vastly different in their approach. Where Water over the Bridge is sometimes a searing indictment of the current situation and how we as citizens of the planet have failed to protect it, Leslie’s exhibition addresses land conservation by displaying nature’s raw beauty and power. One is a loud protest — a call to action — the other is more of a love-in; a visual celebration of nature that serves a reminder of what could be lost if we continue on this destructive path.”

The MAC’s exhibitions are free and open to the public Monday through Saturday, 9am-5pm and Sunday, Noon-5pm. Neumann will be hosting an Artist Talk discussing art and environmental activism on Thursday, June 21, 6pm-7:30pm.

“We hope people will leave with a renewed awareness of global conservation issues and a sense of urgency to take action, whatever that looks like for them,” said Cooper.

The Morean Arts Center, with roots dating back to 1917 as the Art Club of St. Petersburg, focuses on an innovative, community-oriented approach to art and art education. The mission of the Morean Arts Center is to connect people with art and to contribute to the economic development of the region. Operating under the Morean Arts Center includes the Chihuly Collection, Glass Studio & Hot Shop and the Morean Center for Clay.

Florida Alliance for Consumer Protection Joins 132 Groups Urging SEC Against Opening the Floodgates to Forced Arbitration

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133 organizations including Florida Alliance for Consumer Protection, today sent a letter urging the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to stand by its mission and longstanding policy of empowering and protecting American investors, including retired servicemembers, first responders, and teachers, by safeguarding their right to join together to hold law-breaking corporations publicly accountable in a court of law.

In recent months, Chairman Clayton has fueled speculation about a dramatic policy shift at the SEC that would threaten the security of hardworking Americans’ retirement savings and gut their legal rights by allowing publicly traded corporations to use forced arbitration clauses against their investors. These “rip-off clauses” would force investors to give up their most effective tool to fight back against securities fraud that could decimate their savings – class action lawsuits.

“Protecting the lifetime investments of all consumers, especially middle income, working Americans who have saved for retirement, should not be restricted by forced arbitration clauses,” cautions Alice Vickers, Director, Florida Alliance for Consumer Protection. “Consumers must have all tools available to address securities fraud and protect their life savings, including the ability for hardworking Americans to ban together and pursue private lawsuits.”

The letter reads in part:

“Investors rely on the SEC to promote market integrity and deter and detect fraud. But the SEC cannot fulfill this role on its own. Private shareholder lawsuits serve as an essential supplement to Commission action…Recent high-profile examples of securities fraud illustrate the devastating effect this would have. In enforcement actions against Enron, WorldCom, Tyco, Bank of America and Global Crossing, for example, the SEC recovered penalties and fees totaling $1.8 billion, while private securities class actions were able to recover $19.4 billion for defrauded shareholders – more than ten times as much.”

In addition to the letter, more than 40 national and state-based organizations, led by the Consumer Federation of America, Public Justice, and the American Association for Justice, have joined together to form the Secure Our Savings (SOS) Coalition to keep up pressure on SEC leadership.

Department of Education Announces Appointment of Damien Kelly as Director of Newly Created Office of Safe Schools

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The Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart today announced long-time law enforcement officer Damien Kelly as director of the newly created Office of Safe Schools. Following the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Governor Rick Scott signed into law the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. One component of the comprehensive law is the creation of the Office of Safe Schools within the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and the appointment of its director.

On March 23, Governor Rick Scott sent a letter to district superintendents and school board members that set deadlines FDOE and each school district must meet. Governor Scott directed FDOE to hire a director for the newly created Office of Safe Schools by May 1, 2018.

[Read more…] about Department of Education Announces Appointment of Damien Kelly as Director of Newly Created Office of Safe Schools

Appointments by Governor Rick Scott for Tuesday, May 1, 2018

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Gov. Scott Reappoints Two to Cape Canaveral Hospital District

Governor Rick Scott today announced the reappointment of two to the Cape Canaveral Hospital District.

Judith George, 75, of Cocoa Beach, is a retired nurse with Creative Care Center. She is reappointed for a term beginning May 1, 2018, and ending August 19, 2019.

Rusty Fischer, 74, of Cocoa Beach, is the owner of Rusty’s Seafood & Oyster Bar. He is reappointed for a term beginning May 1, 2018, and ending August 19, 2019.

 

Gov. Scott Reappoints Heather Baumwald to Board of Nursing

Governor Rick Scott today announced the reappointment of Heather Baumwald to the Board of Nursing.

Heather Baumwald is reappointed for a term beginning May 1, 2018, and ending October 31, 2019.

This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

 

Gov. Scott Appoints Walid Sobh to Board of Professional Engineers

Governor Rick Scott today announced the appointment of Walid Sobh to the Board of Professional Engineers.

Walid Sobh, 55, of Orlando, is the president of ECS Florida, LLC. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning May 1, 2018, and ending October 31, 2018.

This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

 

Gov. Scott Appoints Two to Board of Auctioneers

Governor Rick Scott today announced the reappointment of Don Shearer and the appointment of Matthew Varable to the Board of Auctioneers.

Don Shearer, 71, of Kissimmee, is the owner of Auction Services of Kissimmee. He is reappointed for a term beginning May 1, 2018, and ending October 31, 2021.

Matthew Varable, 40, of Tampa, is the director of labor relations for Chemtrade Logistics Corporation. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning May 1, 2018, and ending October 31, 2021.

These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

CFO Jimmy Patronis: Reduction of Workers’ Comp Rates Could Save Florida Businesses More Than $79 Million

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Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis today released the following statement on the Office of Insurance Regulation’s (OIR) approval of a 1.8 percent decrease in workers’ compensation insurance rates for Florida businesses. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) submitted the rate reduction request because of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

“My office estimates that the 1.8 percent decrease could be a savings of $79.5 million and is a good move that will help further reduce cost burdens on Florida businesses. The estimated $79.5 million is a significant savings for our business community who support local economies, employ our neighbors, and give back to our communities. We must continue to do all we can to support and fuel Florida businesses, the backbone of our economy.”

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Recovered Over $208,000 for Consumers in April

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The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recovered over $208,000 for Florida consumers during the month of April. Last year, the department recovered more than $2.6 million of consumers’ money from moving companies, vehicle repair shops, pawn shops, health studios, telemarketers, sellers of travel and more.

During April, the department:

  • Recovered $208,539 on behalf of Florida consumers;
  • Received 3,789 complaints;
  • Initiated 239 investigations;
  • Arrested 15 individuals;
  • Provided assistance to 21,208 consumers through the 1-800-HELP-FLA hotline, online chats and emails; and
  • Added 12,641 telephone numbers to Florida’s Do Not Call List.

As the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, the department educates the public, investigates complaints and provides mediation on behalf of consumers. The department’s call center is staffed with trained analysts who can respond to questions about programs and regulations under the department’s purview, provide information on a wide variety of topics or direct callers to the appropriate government agency.

Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832). For consumer protection information and resources, visit FloridaConsumerHelp.com.

OIR Approves Workers’ Comp Insurance Rate Decrease

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The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation announced today that it has approved a rate decrease for workers’ compensation insurance in Florida. The 1.8% decrease was filed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) in a law-only filing resulting from the effects of the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said, “Reducing insurance costs and financial burdens is great news for our business community. Businesses in Florida support our local communities, create jobs, and help our state’s economy. This rate reduction is a much needed insurance cost savings for Florida businesses.”

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Adam H. Putnam said, “Reducing the cost of business spurs job growth, and this rate reduction is exactly what Florida needs to continue to create the business climate that will help our economy thrive.”

Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier said, “NCCI has demonstrated through its rate filing that this decrease is an actuarially-sound response to the savings workers’ compensation insurers have realized as a result of recent federal legislation. The data indicates that passing the savings along to businesses through a rate decrease is an appropriate response at this time.”

The overall rate level change is a 1.8% decrease due to a change in the Profit and Contingency (P&C) Factor to 0.5% from 1.85%. NCCI’s analysis to determine the revised P&C reflects provisions from the recently-passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including top corporate tax rate decreases, changes to reserve discount factors, and other factors. This applies to both new and renewal workers’ compensation insurance policies effective in Florida as of June 1, 2018.