During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott recognized Florida veterans Judge T. Patt Maney, Lieutenant Colonel John Steele, Colonel John Pelleriti and Paul Martel with the Governor’s Medal of Merit.
Governor Scott said, “I’m honored to recognize these veterans with Medals of Merit today. They have courageously served our country and they continue to serve their veteran communities. I am proud to join all of Florida in recognizing them as selfless American heroes.”
About the Medal of Merit Recipients
Judge T. Patt Maney
Judge T. Patt Maney is a retired Army Reserve Brigadier General and Okaloosa County Judge and an advocate for Florida veterans. During a deployment to Afghanistan in 2005, Judge Maney sustained a traumatic brain when a roadside bomb detonated under their vehicle. After multiple surgeries and thousands of hours of physical therapy, Judge Maney regained his cognitive ability and continued on to serve as a county judge. In 2012, Governor Rick Scott signed “The T. Patt Maney Veterans’ Treatment Intervention Act” into law, which authorized the establishment of veterans’ court to address the substance abuse and mental health needs of veterans within Florida’s criminal justice system. More than 30 Veterans Courts are now in operation in Florida.
Lieutenant Colonel John L. Steele
Lieutenant Colonel John Steele currently serves as the Florida Air National Guard Advisor to the State Emergency Operations Center’s Air Operations Branch. During Hurricane Irrma, Lt. Col. Steele helped coordinate early integration of air mobility and rescue assets including over 800 mobility sorties that moved over 3,500 people and over 1,300 tons of equipment. Lt Col Steele’s 27-year career of outstanding service includes two deployments involving combat flight operations over Bosnia and six deployments in support of the Global War on Terror.
Colonel John Pelleriti
Colonel Pelleriti’s exceptional 25-year distinguished career as an Active Duty Officer and Florida Guardsman have included increasingly responsible key command and staff positions, as well as three overseas deployments to safeguard our “American Way of Life.” Recently, under the direction of the Adjutant General of Florida, Col. Pelleriti lead the military response to Hurricane Irma, which has been recognized by senior officials of the Department of Defense for their good work.
Paul Martel
Paul Martel is an Army veteran and formerly served as a national vice commander of The American Legion, the nation’s largest wartime veterans’ service organization. A life member of the American Legion, he has held every post from State Commander in 2008-2009 to national sergeant-at-arms from 2009-2010. From 2010 – 2015, Martel served as chairman of the Florida Veterans Council.
Featured
CFO Patronis Honors the Department of Financial Services’ Veterans
During Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, veterans working for the Department of Financial Services were honored for their service and the sacrifices they have made for Florida and our nation. Governor Scott presented each of the Department’s veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Medal. Prior to the Cabinet meeting, CFO Patronis hosted a breakfast reception for the veterans and their families.
CFO Patronis said, “Florida’s veterans made a choice to selflessly serve, and in doing so, they willingly made countless personal sacrifices. As Americans, we owe these dedicated heroes our gratitude, and I am proud to honor those who continue to serve their fellow Floridians by now working in our Department. It was a privilege to spend time with them this morning, and I offer my unending thanks to them and all of Florida’s veterans.”
The Department of Financial Services has taken several steps to assist Florida’s service members and veterans as they transition into civilian careers, including a program called “Operation Dispatch,” which grants comparative skills-based training credit to military firefighters who wish to join Florida’s firefighting community. The Department has also refunded insurance licensing fees for veterans and their spouses and created a series of financial literacy programs aimed at helping military families navigate through unique financial challenges.
An estimated 1.5 million veterans live in Florida, many of whom now work within state and local governments. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs estimates that veterans make up nearly 12 percent of Florida’s population, the third highest population in the nation behind California and Texas.
To learn more about the Department of Financial Services, visit www.myfloridacfo.com.
Art Graham Elected Chairman of the Florida Public Service Commission
By a unanimous vote, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) elected Commissioner Art Graham as Chairman to serve a two-year term beginning January 2, 2018. Commissioner Graham previously served as PSC Chairman from January 2, 2014 through January 1, 2016, and October 2010 through January 1, 2012, working with his colleagues and industry representatives to find ways to hold down rates for Florida’s consumers and businesses.
“Serving again as Chairman is a huge privilege, and I appreciate the support of my fellow commissioners and their confidence in my leadership,” said Chairman-Elect Graham. “We bring varying backgrounds to the bench, enabling us to carefully consider critical issues as a collegial body to benefit the public interest, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve.”
Commissioner Graham was initially appointed to the PSC in July 2010 and subsequently reappointed. In October, Governor Rick Scott appointed him to another four-year term beginning January 2, 2018.
Commissioner Graham is a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and serves on the Committee on Electricity. He also works with the international standards organization IEEE on National Electric Safety Code requirements for overhead line strength and loading. Pole and line integrity are particularly important to hurricane-prone Florida, and storm preparedness is a high-priority issue as Commissioner Graham returns to the PSC chairmanship.
Commissioner Graham received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. He is also a 2001 graduate of Leadership Jacksonville and a 2008 graduate of Leadership Florida.
For additional information, visit floridapsc.com.
Commissioner Adam Putnam to Visit Puerto Rico Family Response Center
MEDIA ADVISORY
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will join Representative Rene Plasencia, President and CEO of the Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Julio Fuentes, and Executive Director of Latino Leadership Marucci Guzman tomorrow at the Puerto Rico Family Response Center in Orlando.
Event: Puerto Rico Family Response Center Visit
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Puerto Rico Family Response Center
8617 E. Colonial Drive, Suite 1200
Orlando, Fla. 32817
The Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Latino Leadership to provide people arriving in Florida from Puerto Rico with a seamless transition as they relocate.
Florida Lawmakers Announce Legislation Targeting “Modern-Day Piracy” by Bringing Price Transparency for Florida Boaters
Sen. Dana Young & Rep. Shawn Harrison sponsor bills to
protect Florida boaters from unexpected fees for salvage claims
Florida’s boaters will enjoy greater peace of mind on our state’s waters thanks to legislation filed by Sen. Dana Young and Rep. Shawn Harrison. The related bills, SB 664 and HB 469, would require maritime salvage and towing companies to provide boaters with the option of a written cost estimate before rendering assistance on the water. The legislation aims to put a stop to the predatory practice of those salvage operators who provide relatively minor assistance to boaters and then charge outrageous fees by labeling the service a “salvage claim.”
“The actions of a limited number of these companies amount to a form of modern-day piracy, and it must stop. Unfortunately, there have been some terrible abuses in a system that many boat owners rely on,” Sen. Young said. “Consumers throughout the state have felt misinformed and misled by vague salvage claim fees that crop up when they request assistance on the water. This legislation will give Florida boaters the transparency they expect, and the confidence they deserve, in the maritime salvage and towing industry.”
The reforms incorporated into this legislation will require operators to provide a written estimate if the cost of service could be more than $500. The final bill may not exceed 20 percent of that written estimate, and a boater may waive the written estimate if they choose.
“Although this is an industry filled with many good people who provide a great service, there are some undeniable exceptions. A number of vulnerable Florida boaters have been taken advantage of by operators who stick them with unwarranted and unreasonable bills for services on the water,” said Rep. Harrison. “This legislation ensures that Florida boaters will not be taken advantage of, that payment expectations are clear, and that all maritime salvage and towing companies are held accountable.”
Federal maritime regulations and admiralty laws allow maritime salvage and towing operators the opportunity to sometimes classify assistance as a “salvage claim” and charge excessive fees. These fees can exceed tens of thousands of dollars and are often based on the value of the boat rather than the actual services performed.
“Last year, I received a $30,000 bill from a maritime salvage and towing company for removing excess water from my boat – a job that took less than 10 minutes,” said Eric Hull, a Florida boat owner victimized by this predatory practice. “After getting this shocking bill, I felt incredibly angry and knew something had to be done to address this issue. We need to make sure more people aren’t victimized by this predatory behavior.”
Public support for providing written cost estimates is strong. According to a recent survey of Florida boaters, almost four in five (79%) boat owners believe maritime salvage and towing companies should be required to provide a cost estimate before operators begin assistance.
“Our state’s coasts attract millions of tourists every year, which is why it’s imperative that lawmakers do everything they can to ensure that boaters on our waterways have the same consumer protections that we have come to expect on land,” said Brewster Bevis, Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs for Associated Industries of Florida. “Associated Industries of Florida fully supports this legislation, and we look forward to advocating for these reasonable consumer protections as they make their way through the legislative process.”
To view the full bill text, click here.
Florida’s Affordable Housing Programs: Real People, Real Stories, Real Impact
Florida Realtors®, the state’s largest professional trade association, has launched a new video and study to demonstrate the positive impact affordable housing programs have on Floridians and their communities. These resources give Florida’s lawmakers a clear picture of the return on investment of the funds they appropriate to the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) and the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) program.
“The state and local government housing trust funds do so much good for so many, but it is not always easy to see their direct impact both on people and the economy,” says 2017 Florida Realtors Secretary Cheryl Lambert, who also served as the immediate past chair of the state association’s Attainable/Workforce Housing Committee. “This is all about educating our legislators on the true value of these trust funds. We know they have hard decisions to make, and that’s why it’s important they see first-hand the effect of those decisions.”
The video, called “True Stories of Florida’s Affordable Housing Trust Funds,” features several Floridians who talk about the obstacles and tragedies they faced in their lives and how finding an affordable home helped them achieve stability. They include a previously homeless woman in West Pam Beach, a U.S. Army veteran in Clearwater, a senior in Hernando and a law enforcement officer in Tallahassee.
“Each of these stories is heartbreaking – but also triumphant when you consider how far these people have come and how they were able to use these programs to rebuild their lives,” says Lambert.
The affordable housing study, which was commissioned by Florida Realtors and conducted by the Florida State University Center for Economic Forecasting and Analyses, breaks down the economic impact of the SHIP and SAIL programs for each of Florida’s 67 counties from 2006 – 2016. Of the $1.3 billion appropriated for these programs during that timeframe, $12.54 billion was generated in sales and revenues, 94,149 people were employed and $2.97 billion in wages was earned. This means that for every dollar the Legislature appropriated over those 10 years, $9.5 was generated by SHIP and SAIL programs in economic activity for the state.
The study also projects the economic impact of these programs all the way through to 2030, with results showing an average of 4,178 jobs a year, $1.02 billion in economic output each year and $274 million a year in earned wages.
“We wanted the video to focus on the human side of the these affordable housing programs because that is what really matters in the end,” says Lambert. “But we knew the economic impact results would have a story to tell as well. All I can say is wow, what an impressive story it ended up being.”
The State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program provides very low, low and moderate income families with assistance to purchase a home, money to repair or replace a home and many other types of housing assistance. The State Apartment Incentive Loan program provides low-interest loans on a competitive basis to affordable housing developers each year.
Caldwell Locks Another Key Endorsement Block in Bid for Commissioner of Agriculture
Announces Support from Republican House Members from South Florida
Representative Matt Caldwell announced the endorsements of Republican House members from South Florida, in the fourth wave of legislative endorsements announced by the campaign, which follows the unanimous support of Republican House members from the Panhandle, Southwest Florida, and Northeast Florida delegations. Since launching his bid for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Representative Caldwell continues to travel the Sunshine State talking to voters, sharing his conservative message and building support for his grassroots campaign.
Representative Caldwell said, “I’m honored to receive the endorsements of such an impressive delegation. I have been blessed to serve with each and every one of these individuals for five-plus years and together, we have been able to shape policy, fight for limited and accountable government, and ensure prosperity for the Sunshine State.”
The fourth wave of legislative endorsements includes:
- Speaker-Designate Jose Oliva (R-Miami Lakes)
- Rep. Manny Diaz (R-Hialeah)
- Rep. Carlos Trujillo (R-Miami)
- Rep. Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah)
- Rep. Michael Bileca (R-Miami)
- Rep. Jeanette Nunez (R-Miami)
- Rep. George Moraitis (R-Fort Lauderdale)
Speaker-Designate Jose Oliva said, “I am proud to support my friend, Matt Caldwell, in his bid to serve as our next Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Matt is a trusted conservative that we can count on to serve as a key decision maker on Florida’s Cabinet, protect Florida’s consumers, and fight to grow jobs in our Agricultural sector.”
The Commissioner of Agriculture serves as a member of the Florida Cabinet and is critical to the foundation of Florida’s economy. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services helps the agricultural industry with its daily challenges, promotes Florida’s agricultural commodities, manages state forests, safeguards consumers, implements the school lunch program, and oversees the concealed-weapon license system. The campaign recently announced Caldwell’s statewide #2LaneTravels Work Days Tour that highlights and showcases industries overseen as Commissioner of Agriculture. WATCH: Highlights from our #2LaneTravels Work Days, including oysters, timber, cattle, and more!
FHCA Statement on Constitution Revision Commission Proposal 0088
Florida Health Care Association Executive Director Emmett Reed issued the following statement after Constitution Revision Commission member Brecht Heuchan filed a proposal (0088) that would weaken protections for nursing home residents:
“Some things simply do not belong in the Florida Constitution, which is the core document that sets out the basic structure of our government. With a glaringly bad proposal, one Constitution Revision Commission member would wipe out more than 30 years of meaningful and thoughtful progress designed to ensure that nursing home residents have the right to quality care and the services they need. Unfortunately, this member appears to have lost sight of the fact that the select members of this august body have a profound duty not just to those in their workday lives, but indeed to all Floridians.
With this proposal, a professional lobbyist representing trial attorneys has ignored his broader obligations in order to serve the narrow interest of his clients. The proposed constitutional amendment is an egregious governmental overstep, one that overreaches to a monumental extent. Since the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act, nursing home residents in Florida have had important rights and protections under both state and federal law. This amendment seems to contain every bad proposal rejected by the Legislature over the last several years. It would add nothing to the quality of life for our state’s frailest elders, nor would it solve the real issues of keeping nursing home residents safe during disasters. It would only serve the interests of greedy trial attorneys who continually attempt to cash in by suing nursing homes.
Quality care and quality of life are a top priority for the Florida Health Care Association and the more than 550 nursing home members we represent. By undermining the effective reforms enacted in recent years, this awful proposal would do nothing but create an open door for trial attorneys to file meritless lawsuits. It has no place in our laws, and it certainly has no place in our state’s constitution.”
Florida PSC Approves Settlement Agreement for Tampa Electric
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved a Settlement Agreement for Tampa Electric Company (TECO) that will expand the utility’s use of solar power and provide rate certainty to customers for the next four years.
TECO plans to add 600 megawatts (MW) of solar energy, which is enough electricity to power more than 100,000 homes and represents a large boost to the nearly 27 MW of solar installations the utility currently owns and operates. The first two projects, totaling 150 MW, are scheduled for completion in September 2018, with additional phases completed in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
The Agreement also includes a four-year pilot program to optimize assets and wholesale energy transactions. Potential increased revenues from expanded short-term wholesale purchases and sales will create additional value for both customers and the company. Customers will not pay for the pilot program costs.
Parties joining the Agreement include: Florida’s Office of Public Counsel (OPC), representing consumers, the Florida Retail Federation, the Florida Industrial Power User’s Group, West Central Florida Hospital Utility Alliance, and the Federal Executive Agencies. In addition, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and the Sierra Club support the Agreement.
TECO’s current Agreement, approved by the PSC in 2013, was set to expire at the end of 2017.
Tampa Electric serves about 745,000 customers in Hillsborough, Polk, Pinellas, and Pasco counties.
Nelson calls on feds to step in over state's handling of unemployment website
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), who has heard from several constituents unable to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance using the state of Florida’s unemployment website, sent a letter today to Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta urging his agency to step in and provide the technical support necessary to fix the problems before it’s too late for Floridians to apply.
The U.S. Dept. of Labor last week extended the deadline for Floridians who lost wages as a result of Hurricane Irma to apply for disaster-related unemployment benefits. Yet, despite the extension, many eligible Floridians say they have been unable to apply for the program because of problems with the state’s unemployment website.
“An extension is pointless if the current process is not corrected to facilitate the proper management of the program.” Nelson wrote. “I urge your Department to provide Florida with the necessary assistance to address the current factors obstructing individuals’ ability to claim DUA.”
The eligibility requirements for disaster-unemployment benefits are different than those for regular unemployment benefits. For example, unlike regular unemployment benefits, eligibility for disaster-unemployment benefits does not necessarily require that the individual have a substantial work history.
Applicants say that when they answer a question that would normally disqualify them for regular unemployment benefits – but not disaster unemployment benefits – the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s website rejects their application.
After being rejected from the system, applicants are left only one option: spending multiple hours on the phone with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s help desk to try to get it resolved.
The deadline to apply for disaster assistance in Florida is Nov. 14.
Workers eligible for the benefits include:
- the self-employed;
- workers who experience a “week of unemployment” following the date the major disaster began when such unemployment is a direct result of the major disaster;
- workers unable to reach the place of employment as a direct result of the major disaster;
- workers who were to begin employment and do not have a job or are unable to reach the job as a direct result of the major disaster;
- individuals who have become the breadwinner or major support for a household because the head of the household has died as a direct result of the major disaster; and
- workers who cannot work because of injuries caused as a direct result of the major disaster.
Following is text of Nelson’s letter to Labor Secretary Acosta, a pdf copy is available here.
November 6, 2017
The Honorable R. Alexander Acosta
Secretary
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20210
Dear Secretary Acosta:
I’m writing to thank you for extending the deadline for individuals to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) after Hurricane Irma. The extension is necessary to allow individuals an adequate amount of time to apply for this much needed program. However, I’ve heard from constituents encountering numerous difficulties due to how the program is being administered by the state of Florida. I urge the Department of Labor to provide technical assistance to ensure procedural barriers aren’t hindering access to DUA.
Parts of Florida weathered significant damage after the storm – the full extent of which is still unfolding. Despite this, I’ve heard multiple accounts of Floridians facing difficulties when trying to apply for DUA. They are getting kicked out of the online application system because they are not eligible for traditional unemployment insurance, despite being eligible for DUA. When they call a representative for help, it can take hours on the phone to properly complete the application. An extension is pointless if the current process is not corrected to facilitate the proper management of the program. I urge your Department to provide Florida with the necessary assistance to address the current factors obstructing individuals’ ability to claim DUA.
Thank you for your attention to this important request. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
