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Gov. Scott: Tax Cuts Will Boost Economy and Benefit Florida Citrus

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NAPLES, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott made the following statement regarding the United States House of Representatives passing tax cuts. The Governor is applauding the House for also including Representative Vern Buchanan’s Emergency Citrus Disease Relief Act to help Florida citrus growers.

Governor Scott said, “It is great news that Washington is following Florida’s lead by cutting taxes for families. In Florida, we have cut taxes more than 80 times saving families over $7.5 billion, and today is an important step to return money back to Americans. It is also great news that the U.S. House of Representatives included Congressman Vern Buchanan’s proposal for tax relief for Florida’s citrus growers. Hurricane Irma decimated this iconic Florida industry and I have continued to advocate for months for funding to help Florida’s citrus industry fully recover. I look forward to the Senate’s passage of tax relief.”

I-4 Ultimate Project Limits Closures for Holidays

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ORLANDO — Nighttime lane, ramp and road closures on the I-4 Ultimate project will scale down during the winter holidays.

The majority of construction closures on the interstate will be suspended from Midnight Saturday, December 24, until the morning of Tuesday, January 2. The I-4 Ultimate project, which extends 21 miles from west of Kirkman Road to east of State Road 434, will be open to holiday traffic; however, motorists should expect the following late-night closures:

  • On December 26-31, nightly closures of John Young Parkway (S.R. 423) under I-4 beginning each night at 11:30 p.m. and ending at 5:30 a.m. Access to all I-4 ramps at the interchange will remain open during the nighttime closure. Detour Map
  • On December 27-30, nightly closures of Division Avenue from Gore Street to Anderson Street beginning each night at 10 p.m. and ending at 5 a.m. The westbound S.R. 408 on-ramp from Division Avenue will remain open during the nighttime closure. Motorists can access the ramp from Anderson Street. Detour Map
  • Single lane closures after 11 p.m. on the eastbound Interstate 4 (I-4) exit and entrance ramps at State Road (S.R.) 436.
  • Right lane closures after 11 p.m. on eastbound and westbound S.R. 436 from the I-4 interchange to Northlake Boulevard.
  • Additional nighttime lane closures may be required on local roads near the I-4/S.R. 436 interchange, including Central Parkway, Douglas Avenue, Westmonte Drive and Wymore Road.

Although the majority of regularly scheduled I-4 Ultimate construction closures are not occurring over the holidays, existing work zones will remain in effect and crews will continue to maintain travel lanes and conduct routine maintenance. Maintenance work often requires nighttime lane closures, such as work on December 27-20 from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. to replace reflective pavement markings on eastbound and westbound I-4 from Conroy Road to Ivanhoe Boulevard.

Motorists are reminded to use caution while traveling through work zones around barricades and equipment. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) encourages drivers to plan for additional travel time during the holidays. Drivers are urged to make sure they buckle up, along with their passengers. FDOT and other safety agencies also ask drivers to obey speed limits, get adequate rest before traveling, avoid distractions and never drink and drive.

FDOT advises drivers to slow down in construction zones; the life you save may be your own.

Florida PSC Requests Further Comments on Utility Hurricane Preparedness and Restoration

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TALLAHASSEE—As part of its comprehensive review of 2017 utility hurricane preparedness and restoration actions, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is now requesting comments from interested stakeholders, including local governments, businesses, advocacy groups, and other organizations.  The Commission is seeking stakeholder comments on vegetation management, undergrounding of electric facilities, and utilities’ coordination and communications during emergencies.

“We’ve been actively collecting data from Florida’s electric utilities and from more than 400 customers who’ve provided comments via the portal on the PSC’s home page,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown.  “Now we’re drilling down another level to reach more stakeholders, who can provide an even broader perspective on how utilities are handling tree trimming, facilitating electric facilities undergrounding, and interacting with local emergency operations centers.”

For more information on submitting comments or to review the questions to be answered, visit www.floridapsc.com and accessReview of Electric Utility Hurricane Preparedness and Restoration Actions Comments under Hot Topics.  Comments are due by February 20, 2018 and are limited to 25 pages, excluding attachments.  All submitted comments will be public record and posted to the PSC’s website.

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Commissioner Adam H. Putnam’s Statement on Inclusion of Funding for Florida Agriculture in Disaster Spending Bill

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives’ proposed $81 billion disaster spending bill, which includes $2.6 billion for agricultural assistance:

“Florida’s farmers, ranchers and growers suffered unprecedented damage from Hurricane Irma, and today’s announcement of proposed emergency funding for Florida agriculture is the first bit of good news we’ve heard in months.

“I want to thank Representative Rooney, Governor Rick Scott and the entire Florida congressional delegation for working tirelessly to get Florida agriculture the relief it desperately needs. I will continue to work with leaders in Washington to make sure that this funding becomes a reality so Florida’s agriculture industry can continue to do what it does best: feed our state, our country and the world.”

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam announced that Florida agriculture sustained more than $2.5 billion in damages. In weeks following Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam joined Governor Rick Scott in Washington D.C to discuss the agricultural damage and to request federal assistance with Florida’s Congressional Delegation.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

PLAYER EXCITEMENT GROWS AS AMERICA’S DUELING JACKPOTS RISE

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PLAYER EXCITEMENT GROWS AS AMERICA’S DUELING JACKPOTS RISE

~Multi-state Jackpots offer a Combined $492 Million ~

TALLAHASSEE – Player excitement grows as both multi-state games, MEGA MILLIONS® and POWERBALL®, jackpots rise to a combined total of $492 million! The MEGA MILLIONS jackpot rolled to $223 million after Friday night’s draw, and the POWERBALL jackpot rolled to $269 million after Saturday night’s draw.

With large jackpots like these, players are encouraged to sign the back of their tickets at the time of purchase and keep them in a safe place. Players should always check their tickets carefully because even if they don’t win the jackpot, they can still win cash prizes of up to $5 million with MEGA MILLIONS and of up to $2 million with POWERBALL.

POWERBALL jackpots start at $40 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win by matching the five white ball numbers (1-69) and the red POWERBALL (1-26). There are eight other ways to win non-jackpot prizes ranging from $4 to $1 million or up to $2 million if the ticket includes Power Play. The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are approximately one-in-24.87. 

MEGA MILLIONS jackpots also start at $40 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win by matching the five white ball numbers (1-70) and the golden Mega Ball number (1-25). There are eight other ways to win non-jackpot prizes ranging from $2 to $1 million or up to $5 million if the ticket includes Megaplier. The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are approximately one-in-24. 

Purchase your tickets at any of the Florida Lottery’s more than 13,000 authorized retailers for your chance to become Florida’s newest multi-millionaire. The Florida Lottery reminds all players to play responsibly, as it only takes one ticket to win. As with all Florida Lottery products, players must be 18 years or older to play.

Flagler College ​Named​ ​a​ ​2017-2018​ ​Military​ ​Friendly ​School

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Flagler College announced today that it has earned the 2017-2018 Military​ ​Friendly School designation. First published in 2009, Military Friendly Schools is the most comprehensive, powerful resource for veterans today. Each year, the list of Military Friendly Schools is provided to service members and their families, helping them select the best college, university or trade school to receive the education and training needed to pursue a civilian career.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from Victory Media’s proprietary survey. For the first time, student survey data was taken into consideration for the designation. More than 1,300 schools participated in the 2017-2018 survey with 849 receiving the designation.

Ratings methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by Victory Media with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

Flagler College Director of Military Recruitment Selena A. Hernandez-Haines said she was delighted to learn of Flagler’s recent designation as a military friendly school.

“This is well-deserved recognition of the sustained campus-wide attention and support given to enhancing military, and veteran-friendly policies and procedures over the past year and a half,” she said. “Flagler College has so much to offer its students, including veterans. Achieving the Military Friendly designation will help get that word out to the field and the fleet.”

Chief Product Officer at Victory Media Daniel Nichols said, “Our ability to apply a clear, consistent standard to the majority of colleges gives veterans a comprehensive view of which schools are striving to provide the best opportunities and conditions for our nation’s student veterans. Military Friendly helps veterans make the best use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and other federal benefits while allowing us to further our goal of assisting them in finding success in their chosen career fields.”

For more information about Flagler College’s commitment to attracting and supporting military students, visit Flagler’s website atwww.flagler.edu/militaryveterans.

Flagler College will be showcased along with other 2018 Military Friendly Schools in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools, special education issues of G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse Magazine, and on militaryfriendly.com.

Attorney General Bondi Takes on Charity Exploiting Families of Fallen Firefighters and Breast Cancer Patients

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Pam Bondi today filed a complaint seeking to shut down a Florida charity falsely claiming to use charitable donations to provide financial support to families of firefighters lost in the line of duty. Community Charity Advancement, Inc. also allegedly falsely claims to use donations to provide assistance to breast cancer research organizations and breast cancer patients, but in some instances uses donations for different purposes.  According to the complaint, CCAI’s deceptive acts and practices mislead generous donors into contributing to CCAI instead of the many legitimate charitable organizations operating bona fide programs that support breast cancer research, breast cancer and fire victims, as well as firefighters.

“It is absolutely abhorrent to exploit families of fallen firefighters and breast cancer patients to steal from generous Floridians. Charity scams prey on people’s goodwill and discourage people from giving. Furthermore, every dollar given to a deceptive charity is a dollar that does not go to those in need. This is an outrageous ploy and those responsible will be held accountable,” said Attorney General Bondi.

The complaint also alleges that CCAI falsely represents having a partnership with bona fide cancer research and support organizations to deceptively lend legitimacy to the company’s activities. Some of these organizations who are not in partnership with CCAI, despite the company’s claims, include the University of Florida, Johns Hopkins and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

During the past four years, CCAI reported raising more than $40 million in donations through the fundraising efforts of various fictitious names. In 2014, CCAI reported raising more than $10 million in donations, which CCAI provided just $49,000, or half of one penny, in cash contributions to breast cancer research organizations. In that same year, CCAI diverted half a million dollars in donations meant to support breast cancer research or assist patients to pay fundraisers and other vendors for services connected to its firefighter-related activities. Despite CCAI’s representations, CCAI made no financial donations during the past three years to support families of firefighters who passed away in the line of duty.

The complaint alleges violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. 

The following individuals and entities are named as defendants in the lawsuit: Community Charity Advancement, Inc., doing business as Breast Cancer Research and Support Fund, U.S. Volunteer Firefighters Association, United States Firefighter Association, United States Firefighters Association and US Volunteer Firefighters Association; Francis Ferrer; Lindsey Novinich; Carole Reich; Bruce Rinney; Kerry Sharon and John Thomas.

Consumers who donated to CCAI can file a complaint with Attorney General Bondi’s Office by clicking here.

To view the complaint, click here.

The Circuit Court of the17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County will hear this case.

Eight Additional Florida Schools Awarded HealthierUS School Challenge Designation

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that eight more Florida schools have earned HealthierUS School Challenge designations. Since the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services assumed responsibility of the state’s school nutrition programs in 2012, the number of certified HUSSC schools has increased from 27 to 384.

The HealthierUS School Challenge, a joint effort with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the United States Department of Agriculture, is a voluntary certification initiative that recognizes schools that meet specific criteria to improve food and beverage options, offer nutrition education and promote physical activity.

“I applaud these schools for going above and beyond to grow healthy habits that help students reach academic success,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.

The following schools were recently awarded HUSSC designation:

Lake County School District

  • Triangle Elementary School (Gold)

Leon County School District

  • Woodville Elementary School (Silver)

School District of Manatee County

  • Ballard Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Kinnan Elementary School (Silver)

Sumter County School District

  • Bushnell Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Lake Panasoffke Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Webster Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Wildwood Elementary School (Bronze)

Schools can apply for four different levels of designation that last for four years: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold Award of Distinction. In addition to an award plaque and display banner, designated schools receive the following monetary awards: $500 for Bronze designation; $1,000 for Silver designation; $1,500 for Gold designation; and $2,000 for Gold Awards of Distinction. 

For more information about the HealthierUS School Challenge initiative and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

FWC endorses national strategy aimed at conserving fish, wildlife

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in July endorsed an ambitious national strategy, presented by The Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources, to conserve fish and wildlife, keep thousands of U.S. species from becoming endangered, and leave a legacy of healthy wildlife populations for future generations.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, introduced on Dec. 14 by U.S. Reps. Jeff Fortenberry, R-NE, and Debbie Dingell, D-MI, would implement recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Panel, a coalition of business, energy and conservation leaders assembled by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. The Blue Ribbon Panel emphasized both the environmental and economic benefits of creating a long-term dedicated funding source to conserve the nation’s fish and wildlife.

“Currently there are major gaps in funding to sustain fish and wildlife species and keep them off the emergency list of endangered species,” said FWC Chairman Bo Rivard. “These species are important to our nation’s heritage and at the heart of how people connect to nature throughactivities such as boating, bird-watching, camping, fishing, hiking and biking.”

The Blue Ribbon Panel recommended dedicating $1.3 billion annually in existing revenue from the development of energy and mineral resources on federal lands and waters to provide funding to state fish and wildlife agencies to more fully implement well-established and widely supported state wildlife action plans. Under the act, Florida potentially could receive about $50 million a year to conserve and protect Florida’s most vulnerable species and their habitats through Florida’s Wildlife Legacy Initiative and State Wildlife Action Plan.

“For decades, wildlife conservation in the U.S. has largely depended on the unique and highly successful system where hunters and anglers willingly provide most of the funding for wildlife conservation work,” said FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton. “But we need to do more, and the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would provide a sustainable, solution-based answer to funding conservation of fish and wildlife species.”

The FWC resolution requests support from Florida’s Congressional Delegation for the legislation implementing the Blue Ribbon Panel’s recommendations. The resolution also calls for support from Florida’s conservation community and other state fish and wildlife agencies.

The Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife (alliance), a coalition of the partners supporting this initiative, is using the theme “Our Nature. Our Nation. Our Future.” to summarize the seriousness of what is at stake. The alliance is actively working to inform the public about the importance of securing the fish and wildlife conservation funding proposed in the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. According to the alliance, the act’s benefits include:

  • Funding conservation of over 12,000 species of fish and wildlife and their habitats across the U.S.
  • Supporting the outdoor recreational economy, which generates 7.6 million U.S. jobs and over $124 billion in tax revenue. In Florida, the combined economic impact of fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, hunting and the seafood industry is about $42.8 billion and over 347,000 jobs.
  • Helping families get back to nature and away from cellphones and computer screens. Children now spend an average of 50 hours a week on their electronic devices.

The FWC’s Florida’s Wildlife Legacy Initiative, which develops Florida’s State Wildlife Action Plan,is the well-established, state-based framework for implementing the Restoring America’s Wildlife Act in Florida and delivering on the commitment to conserve and restore Florida’s fish and wildlife resources.

For additional information, go to OurNatureUSA.com.

UWF Fall 2017 Commencement celebrates 50th Anniversary, honors Marny Gilluly, Fred Levin

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Pensacola, Fla. – The University of West Florida hosted its Fall 2017 Commencement at the Pensacola Bay Center. Addressing 1,636 graduates, UWF President Martha Saunders noted the significance of the students’ achievements for their individual career pursuits, as well as what these accomplishments mean to the University in its 50th year.
“Saturday’s ceremonies capped a historic year for the University of West Florida,” Saunders said. “We celebrated our past with some of our first graduates and our future with the students who received degrees.”
UWF Golden Graduates, members of UWF’s charter classes, were invited to attend Saturday’s ceremonies to help honor the occasion which included the recognition of two community partners through the conferring of two prestigious academic awards.
Fredric G. “Fred” Levin was recognized for his remarkable personal and professional achievements, as well as his service to UWF, the Pensacola community and the state of Florida. Levin, one of the most successful trial attorneys in the U.S. and a partner in the Levin Papantonio law firm for more than 50 years, was named an Honorary Doctor of Laws. The honorary doctorate recognizes distinguished performance and is regarded as the highest form of recognition a university can bestow.
Levin is best known for helping to rewrite the Florida Medicaid Third Party Recovery Act in 1993 to permit the state of Florida to sue the tobacco industry to recover expenditures for treating illnesses caused by cigarette smoking. The legislation eventually resulted in a $13 billion settlement for the state of Florida.
A member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an organization limited to 100 lawyers throughout the country, Levin has been listed in every edition of the publication, “Best Lawyers in America.” He received the Perry Nichols Award in 1994, the highest honor bestowed by the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers, given in recognition for a person’s lifetime achievements in the pursuit of justice. In 1999, he was honored at the United Nations by being made a Chief in the Republic of Ghana for his dedication to equal justice for people of all races. Levin is also a published author and manager of many champion boxers.
Levin has also made multiple donations to the University of West Florida. More than 20 years ago, he created the first endowed professorship at the University of West Florida in honor of his father, Abe Levin. Levin’s tremendous professional success has enabled him to enhance the University through a long-standing history of giving, including contributions to UWF football and the establishment of the Reubin O’D. Askew Institute for Multidisciplinary Studies, in memory of Florida’s 37th governor and Levin’s former law partner.
Saunders bestowed upon Martha A. “Marny” Gilluly, a 1971 UWF cum laude graduate, the UWF Founder’s Medallion. This award symbolizes excellent character that represents the UWF values, extraordinary achievement or distinction in one of several fields and a history of support for the University.
From 1998 to 2011, Gilluly served on the UWF Foundation Board of Directors. Former Gov. Jeb Bush appointed her as a UWF Trustee in 2003, and she served in that capacity until 2011. She is a current member of the UWF Heritage Club and Chambered Nautilus Society, and a former member of the Charter Society of 1963 and Nautilus Society. In 2007, the UWF Alumni Association awarded Gilluly the distinguished Alumni Chambered Nautilus Award of Merit. In 2011, the UWF Foundation Board elected her, as a past UWF Foundation Chair, to be a lifetime Foundation Fellow.
Gilluly, who retired as a computer specialist for the U.S. House of Representatives, serves as vice grand chancellor of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, an international relief organization based in Madrid, Spain. She has competed in 15 marathons and is a licensed pilot, flying multi-engine and acrobatic airplanes.
For more information, visit uwf.edu/commencement.