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Nelson opposes Interior’s plan to roll-back drilling safety regs

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In a letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) today submitted his formal comments in opposition to the agency’s proposal to roll back several offshore drilling safety standards that the Obama administration put in place after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster.

The letter comes as the agency prepares to close the public comment period on its latest proposal to undo the Obama-era regulations put in place to prevent another incident like the Deepwater Horizon.

The public has until midnight tonight to submit their own comments on the agency’s plan. Once the public comment period has closed, the agency will work to finalize the rule.

Nelson, a long-time opponent of having oil rigs near Florida’s coast, said earlier this month that if the agency moves forward with finalizing this rule to roll-back the regulations, he plans to invoke a procedural rule known as the Congressional Review Act to try to block it.

The Congressional Review Act gives Congress the power to overturn an agency’s final rule. As a result, any lawmaker seeking to block an agency rule from taking effect can file a so-called Resolution of Disapproval within 60 days of that final rule being sent to Congress. If a Resolution of Disapproval is approved by a majority in both the House and Senate and signed into law by the president, the agency’s rule would be overturned.

A copy of Nelson’s letter to Zinke is available here.

Top Three Teams to Compete in “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off Final

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MEDIA ADVISORY

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host the final “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off in Tallahassee tomorrow, Jan. 30. The three regional champions will compete for a chance to have their original recipe served in school cafeterias and an apprenticeship with celebrity chef Art Smith.
The winning team will participate in the department’s Taste of Florida Agriculture reception tomorrow evening in the Florida Capitol courtyard.
Event: “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off Final
Contestants: Orlando Regional Winner- Tony Alvarez and Gigi Rivera of Bloomingdale Senior High School, T&G’s Burrito;
Jacksonville Regional Winner- Allyson Moore and Wyatt Junnila of Harmony High School, The Osceola Bowl; and
Palm Beach Regional Winner- Sheldon Riley and James Weichmann of Fort Pierce High School, Raw Kale Pasta with Strawberry Vinaigrette and Chipotle Chicken
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 30
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: FDACS Kitchen
Innovation Park
2051 E. Paul Dirac Dr.
Tallahassee, Fla.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com or call 1-800-HELP-FLA.

‘Stop the Bleed’ Campaign Comes To The Florida Capitol

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MEDIA ADVISORY

The Florida Chapter of American College of Surgeons (FCACS) is bringing a hands-on training session to the Florida Capitol this Wednesday, January 31st, to instruct the public on how to react in trauma situations. FCACS offers this training to legislators and the public as part of its annual Legislative Advocacy Days.
WHO: American College of Surgeons
WHAT: FCACS “Stop the Bleed” Legislative Training Session
WHEN: Wednesday, January 31, 2018
8 a.m.-1 p.m.
WHERE: Florida State Capitol Building, 3rd Floor Rotunda
Visit bleedingcontrol.org for more information.
#StopTheBleed
About the Florida Chapter, American College of Surgeons
The Florida Chapter, American College of Surgeons offer a professional home for Florida surgeons who are interested in protecting our profession and patients. The Florida Chapter proudly provides avenues for continuing education in all surgical fields, practice enhancement and networking opportunities, and the development of personal relationships of the highest quality not available through other organizations. For more information, please visit the Florida Chapter website at floridafacs.org.

Commissioner Adam Putnam to Kick-Off Taste of Florida Agriculture Reception

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will kick-off the Taste of Florida Agriculture reception in the Florida Capitol courtyard tomorrow, Jan. 30. The Taste of Florida Agriculture reception is a co-hosted event between the Florida Farm Bureau and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and it highlights the importance of Florida agriculture. The reception is free and open to the public.
Vendors will serve dishes that feature fresh Florida oysters, honey, fruits, vegetables and much more. The wining team from tomorrow’s final “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off will also participate.
Event: Taste of Florida Agriculture Reception
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 30
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Florida Capitol Courtyard
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, Fla. 32399

Jacksonville woman claims top prize in $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game

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The Florida Lottery announces that Sharon Wright, 47, of Jacksonville, claimed a top prize in the $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. She purchased her winning ticket from Publix, located at 5000-11 U.S. 17 South in Orange Park.
The $5 Scratch-Off game, $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER, launched in January 2017, and features 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.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 68 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $784 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2016-17.

Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff Endorses Matt Spritz For State House

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Former State Senator Puts Support Behind GOP Candidate in HD 89 Race

Matt Spritz announced today that former South Florida State Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff has endorsed his campaign for State Representative.

Matthew Spritz

“I’m pleased to endorse Matt Spritz in his campaign for the Florida House,” said Bogdanoff. “Matt’s enthusiasm is contagious and his optimism is refreshing. He understands the unique needs of our local community and I have no doubt he will fight every day for our interests. From protecting our beaches, to addressing our sober home crisis, to making sure our state policies help grow our economy, I am confident Matt will be an effective advocate for our community.”
“I’m honored to have the support of Senator Bogdanoff,” said Spritz. “ She has an outstanding record of accomplishment and service in our community and in the State Legislature that truly speaks for itself. I’m thrilled to have her on our team, and I look forward to her continued guidance on the issues important to our community.”
Bogdanoff joins a growing number of current and former state legislators, including Representatives Byron Donalds, Randy Fine, Jason Fischer, Joe Gruters, Tom Leek, Bobby Payne, and Bob Rommel, and former Representative Alex Miller, who have all also endorsed Spritz.
Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff was first elected to represent Palm Beach and Broward Counties in the Florida House of Representatives in 2004. She served for six years in the House, including as the Majority Whip under Speaker Marco Rubio, in charge of all public policy that flowed through the Chamber. She was subsequently elected to the Florida Senate in 2010, where she served as Chair of the Senate Finance and Tax Committee, the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee and the Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee. As a legislator she was best known for engaging in and negotiating a variety of complex policy issues.
Born and raised in South Florida, Matt Spritz graduated Phi Beta Kappa with high honors from Emory University and from New York University School of Law in New York City. He practiced corporate and business law in New York City and later in South Florida before committing himself to public service in the Florida House.
House District 89 covers coastal portions of Palm Beach County spanning from Singer Island to Boca Raton, which has the largest concentration of voters. Thirty-six percent of registered voters in the district are Republicans, while Democrats make up 33 percent, and voters with minor or no party affiliation, 31 percent.

Paid by Matt Spritz, Republican, for State Representative

Governor Scott Meets with Exiled Magistrates of the Supreme Court of Venezuela

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Governor Rick Scott today met with leaders from the Venezuelan community, including exiled magistrates of the Venezuelan Supreme Court, to discuss ways to continue to help the people of Venezuela gain freedom and democracy. Last year, Governor Scott and the State Board of Administration passed a resolution to ban state investments that would benefit Nicolas Maduro’s oppressive government. To build on these efforts, Governor Scott proposed legislation to strictly prohibit all state agencies from investing in any company that is doing business with the Maduro regime.

More Than a Dozen People Share Heartfelt Testimonials in Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence Videos

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As our community continues to recover from the Pulse nightclub massacre and the nation reels from yet another fatal school shooting, the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence is rolling out a series of gun safety public service announcements.
The Coalition will begin sharing more than a dozen short videos today featuring heartfelt testimonials that highlight the need for common sense gun laws, including a state ban on military-style assault weapons.
“So often the conversation promoting dangerous gun legislation is based on incorrect, unreliable, and outright dishonest information,” said Patricia Brigham, Coalition co-chair and 1st vice president of the League of Women Voters of Florida. “The Coalition’s goal is to separate fact from fiction to save ourselves from a dangerous gun culture that is literally killing us.”
Among those speaking of their personal pain, deep-felt beliefs, and law enforcement experience in the videos are Pulse survivor Chris Hansen; Mayra Alvear, whose daughter was killed at Pulse; David Barden, whose young nephew was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary; Dr. Marcus Levy, pediatric surgeon; the Rev. Bryan Fulwider; Charles Davis, gun owner and Vietnam veteran; and retired Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Jim Verity.
Brigham and Carol Davis, co-presidents of the Orange County League of Women Voters, are also featured.
“These factual videos continue to shine a light on the reality of safe gun legislation needed in Florida and our country,” said Pamela Goodman, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida. “We are thankful for the voices of these people and are empowered to spread their voices to our lawmakers.”
The rollout comes as Florida legislators are considering proposed gun bills that include allowing firearms to be brought into places of worship and weakening the concealed weapons background check system. It also coincides with the release of “49 Pulses,” a documentary that shares survivors’ stories.
As the Coalition releases the videos on social media, it asks those who watch to share them with their family and friends, tell their own stories of how gun violence has affected their lives, educate themselves further at preventgunviolenceflorida.org, and contact their legislators.
Some videos have been posted to the Florida Coalition To Prevent Gun Violence and
Facebook pages and Twitter feeds. In the coming days, versions will appear on both
organizations’ Instagram accounts.
“We are very excited to launch this series of informative and compelling videos across the state with the intent of driving people to take action to reduce gun violence,” said Andy Pelosi, Coalition co-chair and director of The Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus.”
The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence was created by the League of Women Voters of Florida after the Pulse shooting to promote smart gun legislation. It has grown to include more than 120 local, state and national organizations and includes such diverse groups as the Hispanic Federation, the Florida PTA, Equality Florida, the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, and Doctors for America.

Florida scrub-jays play starring role at Feb. 3 festival

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FWC photo by Craig Faulhaber

Florida scrub-jays play a starring role among the many birds you see in Florida. They are the only bird species that lives exclusively in this state. You won’t find them anywhere else.
They are in the spotlight again at the upcoming Florida Scrub-Jay and Wildlife Festival on Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Lyonia Preserve in Deltona. The free festival in Volusia County offers an 8 a.m. early-bird hike, and continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with eco-buggy rides, guided hikes, wildlife exhibits and presentations, and activities for kids.
Scrub-jay populations have decreased by about 90 percent since the late 1800s, primarily because of the loss of scrub habitat in Florida. Lack of natural or prescribed fire to maintain vegetation height and sandy openings on scrub lands also contributed to their decline. Florida scrub-jays are currently listed as a federally-designated threatened species.
Increase your opportunities for seeing and helping Florida scrub-jays by:

  • Visiting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) wildlife management areas with scrub habitat – such as Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area, Salt Lake WMA and Platt Branch WEA – to watch Florida scrub-jays in the wild. Ocala National Forest and Seminole State Forest also are good places to look for scrub-jays.
  • Volunteering with Jay Watch, a citizen science effort coordinated by Audubon Florida. Jay Watch volunteers are trained to conduct scientific surveys that measure the population numbers and nesting success of Florida scrub-jays. The FWC is a Jay Watch partner.
  • Keep your cats indoors if you live near scrub-jay habitat.
  • Reduce use of pesticides around your home, since scrub-jays feed on insects.
  • Report harassment or harm to scrub-jays or their nests to FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline, 888-404-FWCC (3922).

What is the Florida scrub-jay call like? More like a screech than a song, since it is related to species like the crow. And like crows, scrub-jays are bold, smart and full of personality. Hear the sound of a Florida scrub-jay by going to AllAboutBirds.org and searching for Florida scrub-jay.
Florida scrub-jay biology and behavior information can be found at MyFWC.com.

CRC Meeting Schedule Week of January 29-February 2

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MEDIA ADVISORY

The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) noticed the following meeting schedule for the week of January 29-February 2, 2018. CRC meetings are open to the public. Members of the public wishing to address CRC committees will be provided an opportunity to speak at the direction of the respective committee chair. Visit flcrc.gov/Committees for additional information on CRC committees.
The Interim Calendar is available on the CRC Calendars Page at flcrc.gov/Meetings/Calendars.
Monday, January 29

  • No scheduled meetings 

Tuesday, January 30

  • No scheduled meetings

Wednesday, January 31

Thursday, February 1

Friday, February 2