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Governor Scott Issues Proclamation for Florida First Responder Appreciation Week

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Governor Rick Scott issued a proclamation recognizing January 22-26 as Florida First Responder Appreciation Week. To read Governor Scott’s proclamation, click HERE.
Governor Scott said, “Florida is home to the world’s best first responders who never hesitate to keep others safe. Every day they dedicate their lives to protect and serve Florida families. That’s why I am proud to proclaim this week as Florida First Responder Appreciation Week. I encourage all Floridians to thank first responders for their service to their families and communities.” 
Governor Scott’s Securing Florida’s Future budget proposes $5.3 billion in public safety, an increase of nearly $200 million over current year funding, and makes important investments to support Florida’s dedicated law enforcement officers. Some proposed public safety investments include:

  • $30 million for Florida’s state law enforcement agencies to use for additional pay raises to award Florida’s nearly 4,800 sworn state law enforcement officers;
  • $1.3 million to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for incident command vehicles and emergency ordinance disposal vehicles to strengthen counterterrorism and intelligence efforts;
  • $2 million to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) law enforcement for a mobile command unit and other technologies that will provide law enforcement real-time information and communications, and will enable faster recovery efforts.

Also, Governor Scott recently announced his support for a proposal being considered by the Constitution Revision Commission to provide free tuition to the families of fallen first responders, state law enforcement officers and military members who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

  • The proposal provides 120 credit hours per family at a Florida state college, university or participating technical school.
  • If passed by the CRC, the proposal will be on the ballot in 2018 and would require approval of 60 percent of Florida voters.
  • The CRC proposal, P 49, was filed by Commissioner Emery Gainey and can be found HERE.

FDLE arrests Florida City PD corporal for official misconduct

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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Ken David Armenteros, 37, a corporal of the Florida City Police Department, for two counts of official misconduct.
Armenteros, who was off-duty on the afternoon of Monday, September 13, 2016, and on his personal motorcycle, requested emergency back-up via the Miami-Dade Police Department’s 911 Center after a confrontation outside a known “drug house” in Florida City with a man who was later arrested by responding Florida City police officers.
A criminal complaint including allegations made against Armenteros by his colleagues was filed with FDLE. FDLE’s investigation revealed that Armenteros materially and fraudulently misrepresented the facts leading up to and surrounding the request for back-up and subsequent arrest of Christopher Maurice Lewis on the official charging documents. The charges against Lewis were later dropped by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office when the evidence of deception by Armenteros came to light.
Armenteros surrendered himself today to FDLE agents and was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Detention Center. He will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 11th Judicial Circuit.

Sen. Bean and Rep. Fischer File Legislation to Support Jacksonville School for Autism

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Senator Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) and Representative Jason Fischer (R-Jacksonville) have filed legislation to appropriate $250,000 to Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA). This appropriation will allow JSA to expand their Strategies and Techniques for Effective Practice (STEP) Program. The STEP Program provides vocational students and young adults with the skills necessary to be independent and successful in both their communities and places of employment.
“Jacksonville School for Autism has impacted numerous lives since its founding and has provided its students with the support they need to become independent, productive members of society,” said Senator Bean. “This appropriation will allow Jacksonville School for Autism to expand and help more students realize that they are truly capable of anything.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms 1 in 42 boys have an autism diagnosis. JSA is dedicated to helping children with autism and their families by tapping into all available resources to provide “outside of the desk” thinking. With a focus on whole child development and individualized programs that encourage both family and community involvement, JSA is able to nurture each child to reach his or her full potential.
“Autism touches the lives of many Floridians, and it is our responsibility as lawmakers to ensure they have the support they need to reach their full potential,” said Representative Fischer. “This funding request will provide increased vocational training for JSA students, helping them learn essential skills that will prepare them for employment.”
For more information about Jacksonville School for Autism, please visit jsakids.org.
For more information about HB 3967, click here.

Statement on Florida potentially being back in the drilling plans

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Contrary to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s tweet from a few days ago, the acting director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Walter Cruickshank, stated at a Congressional hearing this morning that Florida is not off the table for offshore drilling activities.
“The administration is playing hokey pokey with Florida’s coasts,” said Jennifer Rubiello of Environment Florida. “First they put them in, then they take them out, and now this morning we hear they aren’t out after all. We’re getting shaken all about.”
“Opening up Florida’s coastal waters to drilling means opening them to potential disaster — destroyed beaches, lost sea life and ruined fishing grounds. It makes no sense to endanger our beautiful coasts and beaches, and way of life here, all for a little more oil,” added Rubiello.

Key administration official admits Florida is not “off the table” for drilling

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UPDATE: Following is a comment from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the acting director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s admission today that Florida is not “off the table” to new drilling:
“This confirms what we all suspected: there is no deal to protect Florida from drilling. What we saw last week was just political theater, and the people of Florida should be outraged. Drilling off of Florida’s coast is a real threat to our state and we should all be working together to protect our coasts – not playing politics with an issue that’s so important to our future.”

At a House Natural Resources Committee hearing this morning, Walter Cruickshank, the Trump administration’s director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), admitted during questioning that Florida is not “off the table” for offshore oil drilling.
When asked to justify why Florida got a special carve out, Cruickshank shocked the panel when he responded, “We have no formal decision yet on what’s in, or out, of the five-year program.”
“So there’s been no decision to exempt Florida?” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) interjected. “The secretary’s statement stands for itself,” the administration official responded.
The stunning admission confirms what many Florida lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), had suspected all along – that the announcement Zinke made following a 20-minute meeting with Gov. Rick Scott was nothing more than a “political stunt” and not an announcement of official policy.
Just minutes after Cruickshank admitted there has been no formal action taken to take Florida off the table, Florida Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) asked him to explain and further clarify exactly what he meant by the secretary’s statement “stands on its own.”
“By ‘stand on its own’ … it’s not an official action, is that what you mean?” Soto asked.  “It is not a formal action, no,” the official admitted.
“So there has been no formal action to remove Florida from the five year drilling plan, as of right now?” Soto asked. “We will be including it in the analysis,” Cruickshank responded.
Immediately after Zinke made his announcement last week, Nelson sent the secretary a letter requesting specific details on any changes made to the agency’s five-year drilling plan. Zinke has not yet responded to that request.
Later that same day, Nelson filed legislation to permanently ban drilling off of Florida’s coast. And took to the Senate floor to warn his fellow Floridians that the secretary’s promise to take Florida off the table is “just empty words” until he takes the formal steps necessary to publish a new draft plan.
Nelson announced Wednesday that he has placed a “hold” on three Dept. of the Interior nominees slated to work under Zinke and will keep that hold in place until Zinke rescinds the current draft five-year drilling plan and replaces it with a new draft that fully protects Florida’s coasts.
Interior’s admission today that – despite Zinke’s announcement – Florida is still on the table for new offshore drilling comes just days after Interior held its first public meeting on the plan. The maps Interior officials used during that meeting showed the waters off of Florida were still open to drilling. (Pictures taken at the meeting available here and here.)

Gov. Scott: Florida Businesses Created Nearly 30,000 Private-Sector Jobs in December

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Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida businesses created nearly 30,000 private-sector jobs in December. Since December 2010, Florida businesses have created 1,497,100 jobs, including nearly 205,000 jobs created in 2017. Florida’s annual job growth rate, which is 2.8 percent, also continues to exceed the nation’s rate, which is 1.6 percent. Governor Scott announced December jobs numbers at the PGA TOUR office in Ponte Vedra. The PGA TOUR has selected Ponte Vedra Beach as the location for its new global headquarters, which will create 300 new jobs for families in St. Johns County. The PGA TOUR currently employs 800 Floridians.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida businesses concluded 2017 by creating nearly 30,000 new jobs for families across the state in December. Our work to cut taxes, reduce regulation and encourage economic growth has sent a message across the country that Florida is where job creators and families should go to succeed. Florida had a great year of job creation in 2017 and we will fight each day to make sure our state remains the best place for new opportunities in 2018, and for years to come.”
As of December, Florida’s unemployment rate is at 3.7 percent, a drop of 7.0 percentage points since December 2010, faster than the national decline of 5.2 percentage points. In the last year, 185,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 1.9 percent, which is nearly four times the national labor force growth rate of only 0.5 percent.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Florida businesses had strong job growth in 2017, creating nearly 205,000 jobs for families throughout the state. It is important to continue to support Governor Scott’s pro-business priorities to ensure our state stays competitive and recruits new businesses.”
Other positive economic indicators include:

  • Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:
    • Professional and business services with 47,200 new jobs;
    • Construction with 43,900 new jobs;
    • Trade, transportation and utilities with 33,600 new jobs;
    • Education and health services with 22,300 new jobs; and
    • Manufacturing with 16,200 new jobs.
  • Florida job postings showed 265,244 openings in December 2017.
  • In December, Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards reported 18,828 Floridians, including 1,043 veterans, were placed in jobs.

To view the December 2017 employment data, click here.

PSC Customer Service Hearings Set for Florida City Gas

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Florida City Gas (FCG) to participate in customer service hearings on the utility’s petition for a rate increase. The hearings are scheduled on January 23 in Coral Gables and on January 24 in Port St. Lucie and Melbourne and allow customers to provide public comment on FCG’s rate request.
Customer input will be taken into consideration when the Commission considers the utility’s request. FCG filed a petition for a rate increase with the PSC on August 23, 2017. The utility provides natural gas service to approximately 108,000 retail customers across South Florida.
Service hearings are scheduled for the following times and locations:

Tuesday, January 23, 2018
6:00 p.m.
Coral Gables City Hall
405 Biltmore Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134

Wednesday, January 24, 2018
9:00 a.m.
Port St. Lucie Civic Center
92217 S.E. Civic Center Place
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952

Wednesday, January 24, 2018
6:00 p.m.
Brevard County Governmental Center
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Melbourne (Viera), FL 32940

Constitution Revision Commission Committee Passes Marsy’s Law for Florida

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The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) Declaration of Rights Committee today voted in favor of a proposal to create a Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights in the state constitution, known as Marsy’s Law for Florida. The proposal (Proposal 96), submitted to the CRC by Commissioner Tim Cerio, will provide victims of crimes with rights and protections equal to those of the accused and convicted. In the coming months, the full CRC will vote on Marsy’s Law for Florida.
“This was a critical step forward for Marsy’s Law for Florida and I thank the members of the Declaration of Rights Committee who voted in favor of this commonsense proposal that will bring the scales of justice into balance for Florida victims and their families,” said Commissioner Cerio.
Marsy’s Law for Florida would amend Florida’s Constitution to include basic rights for victims and their families, such as the right to be notified of major developments in the criminal case, the right to be informed if any changes to the offender’s custodial status, the right to restitution and the right to have a voice in court proceedings, plea bargains or parole hearings.
“Our United States Constitution specifies 20 distinct rights for criminals and those accused of crimes. There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that speaks to victims’ rights. But, where the U.S. Constitution is silent, Florida’s state constitution does not have to be,” added Commissioner Cerio.
Marsy’s Law for Florida has garnered bipartisan support from CRC members and other leaders across the state. The proposal is currently co-sponsored by CRC Commissioners Patricia Levesque, Darlene Jordan, Fred Karlinsky, Rep. Jeanette Nuñez, Brecht Heuchan, Belinda Keiser and Sen. Darryl Rouson. Sen. Lauren Book, a survivor of child sexual abuse, has also endorsed the measure.
“Floridians deserve the opportunity to vote for constitutional protections for crime victims and their families,” said Sen. Book. “And today, we are one step closer to seeing Marsy’s Law on the ballot. We owe today’s victory to the courageous voices of victims, survivors, and families from across the state who have opened themselves and their stories to this process to help us make things different and better for others.”
To be placed on the 2018 General Election ballot as a constitutional amendment, Marsy’s Law for Florida must first be passed by the full CRC with a minimum of 22 favorable votes. The proposal then must receive 60 percent of the vote to be placed in the Florida Constitution.

The James Madison Institute Highlights Importance of Fiscal Conservatism During Florida Thrift Week

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Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, along with Governor Rick Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet, signed a resolution declaring January 17-23, 2018 as “Florida Thrift Week.” Since 2012, when The James Madison Institute (JMI) first brought “Thrift Week” back to the state, this resolution has been signed to renew the teaching of thrift to all Floridians, with a focus on how to wisely earn, save, spend, and give one’s resources.
“Fifty percent of Americans lack a rainy-day fund and nearly 20 percent spend more than their income,” said CFO Jimmy Patronis. “The importance of saving money is deeply rooted in American history and I am proud to sponsor a resolution that renews this historic educational movement. I encourage Floridians to practice thrift each day and strive for financial success.”
The thrift education movement began in 1916 during World War I. National Thrift Week became an annual celebration in honor of the birthday of Benjamin Franklin, America’s foremost thrift advocate.
“It’s important for Floridians to embrace the founding principles and timeless wisdom that our forefathers wove into the tapestry of the American Dream,” said JMI President and CEO Dr. Bob McClure. “Benjamin Franklin recognized that it is just as important for citizens to have economic independence, from the burdens debt and financial uncertainty, as it is to have political freedom if they wish to experience the reality of our nation’s dream.”
Throughout January, JMI will be sharing Benjamin Franklin’s thrift-related wisdom. At the month in celebration of thrift, JMI will visit area schools in North Florida with Lloyd Wheeler, an accomplished Ben Franklin reenactor, who will educate students in Benjamin Franklin’s timeless principles of thrift and economic freedom.

Statement from Emmett Reed, FHCA Executive Director, on CRC Proposal 88 hearing

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Statement from Emmett Reed, FHCA Executive Director, on CRC Proposal 88 hearing
“In today’s hearing, a committee of the Constitution Revision Commission approved the misguided Proposal 88. The proposal claims to strengthen the rights of long term care residents throughout Florida, but in reality it is nothing more than an avaricious ploy by trial lawyers to profit from increased lawsuits against nursing centers.
“Ultimately, Proposal 88 fails to focus on what is important for Florida’s nursing center residents and caregivers. Its provisions undermine the hard work of thousands of health care professionals who provide outstanding care for some of Florida’s most vulnerable citizens. Existing state and federal laws guarantee the rights of nursing center residents and these laws have been working well to support the advances in quality that are being made in Florida nursing centers today. We are always working with state leaders to improve the quality of care for our residents and understand what resources are needed for our caregivers to truly make a difference. Our members strive every day to provide those resources to improve the lives of those under our care.
“In approving this ill-advised proposal, committee members ignored a significant amount of data presented today about the quality of Florida care centers – including the fact that Florida is among the best in the nation in nursing and Certified Nursing Assistants staffing ratios; that reforms in 2001 led to more systemic approaches to delivering care, including risk management and quality assurance programs, grievance policies and procedures, and resident-centered care; and that new federal rules announced in November make major updates in residents’ rights, care planning, quality assurance, and assessments. I am tremendously disappointed to see Proposal 88 advance. Still, I hope the full Constitution Revision Commission will see that these unreasonable provisions do not belong in the Florida Constitution. In the long run, this will do more harm than good for the caregivers and residents in Florida’s nursing centers.”