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State Sen. Dapne Campbell refiles bill adding mental health evaluation criteria requirement for Florida firearms license

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SB 400 is filed for the 2018 legislative session

As the nation adds an additional 59 names to the staggering number of innocent people killed in a mass shooting, state Senator Daphne Campbell (D-Miami) announced Tuesday that she has once again filed legislation adding mental health evaluation in order to obtain a license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm in Florida.
“My bill will require a mental health evaluation to be conducted by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. Too many times, we’ve seen the tragic consequences of the mentally unstable wielding a gun and the innocent victims who have paid the price for the madness. This is a basic measure to determine the mental stability of those seeking to carry a weapon,” said Senator Campbell.
Currently anyone can apply for a license to carry concealed weapons and their mental health is not a consideration. Senator Campbell filed identical legislation in the 2017 session – largely inspired by the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre which left 49 Floridians dead – but SB 956 languished in committees in both chambers.
“This has to change. We must do more to protect our citizens and to prevent gun violence and the many tragedies we have seen repeated over and over. When the Federal government fails to pass legislation, then we must tackle this issue state-by-state,” said Senator Campbell. “The evil these unstable individuals continue to unleash will not stop by itself. The power to stop it rests with us.”
Senator Campbell’s measure, SB 400, has been filed for the 2018 legislative session, which begins in January.

Florida Department of Education to Host Disability History and Awareness Weeks Kick-Off Ceremony

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MEDIA ADVISORY

The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) tomorrow will kick off Disability History and Awareness Weeks with an opening ceremony at the Turlington Building. This observance serves as an opportunity to reflect on the valuable contributions individuals with disabilities make to our state. Speakers include K-12 Public Schools Chancellor Hershel Lyons, Division of Blind Services Director Robert L. Doyle III, and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Director Allison Flanagan. There will also be a special performance by the Electric People. 
The first two weeks of October are Disability History and Awareness Weeks. This is a time for all Floridians to increase their understanding and awareness of individuals with disabilities, disability history and disability rights.
WHAT: Disability History and Awareness Weeks Opening Ceremony
WHEN: 3 p.m.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
WHERE: Florida Department of Education
Turlington Building
325 W. Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.

Sen. Linda Stewart Refiles Gun Safety Bill, Unveiling Scheduled for Wednesday

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MEDIA ADVISORY

State Senator Linda Stewart made good on a promise she made to the families, victims and survivors of the shooting at Pulse nightclub by refiling a gun safety bill that would ban the sale of civilian versions of military assault weapons and the high capacity magazines that make them so lethal.
Senator Stewart will unveil the proposed legislation at a news conference at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 4 at the Orange County Courthouse. SB 196 is designed to be a bill that would ensure the 49 souls lost in the massacre 16 months ago were not in vain, but instead are a call to action.
“Americans woke up Monday morning to news of another tragic mass shooting—this time in Las Vegas,” said Senator Stewart. “We have a responsibility to act. There is no legitimate reason whatsoever to own these weapons of mass murder. We’re not taking anybody’s guns away and we’re not infringing on anybody’s right to hunt or to protect themselves. We need to start getting control of the things we can by enacting commonsense laws to help prevent what happened at Las Vegas Strip and at Pulse nightclub from being repeated.”
SB 196 is intended to prevent weapons specifically designed to deliver high rates of lethal gunfire without the need to pause and reload from falling into the hands of people such as the shooter who carried out the Pulse nightclub attack. The ban would not apply to guns already purchased in Florida.
Senator Stewart added: “The senseless killings of Americans cannot become the norm for our country, nor should the easy sale of guns designed for maximum damage. Our Founding Fathers could never have conceived of today’s modern assault weapons. Military-style weapons belong on the battlefield, not in general use. Every American should be able to enjoy public spaces without being intimidated by the possibility of being mowed down by a man with a grudge.”
A companion bill has been filed in the Florida House of Representatives by Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith.

27 Additional Florida Schools Awarded HealthierUS School Challenge Designation

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that 27 more Florida schools have earned HealthierUS School Challenge designations in August and September. 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 338.
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 offering healthier options and providing their students with the nutritious meals that help lead to academic success,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
Schools can apply for four different levels of designation that last for four years: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold Award of Distinction. The following schools were recently awarded HUSSC designation:
Flagler County School District

  • Belle Terre Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Old Kings Elementary School (Bronze)

Monroe County School District

  • Gerald Adams Elementary School (Silver)

Nassau County School Board

  • Bryceville Elementary School (Silver)
  • Callahan Elementary School  (Silver)
  • Callahan Intermediate School  (Silver)
  • Callahan Middle School (Bronze)
  • Emma Love Hardee Elementary School  (Silver)
  • Fernandina Beach High School (Bronze)
  • Fernandina Beach Middle School (Bronze)
  • Hilliard Elementary School  (Silver)
  • Hilliard Middle-Senior High School (Bronze)
  • Southside Elementary School  (Silver)
  • West Nassau High School (Bronze)
  • Yulee Elementary School  (Silver)
  • Yulee High School (Bronze)
  • Yulee Middle School (Bronze)
  • Yulee Primary School  (Silver)

Palm Beach County Schools

  • Belle Glade Elementary School (Silver)
  • Del Prado Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Discovery Key Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School (Silver)
  • Golden Grove Elementary School (Silver)
  • Jupiter Elementary School (Silver)
  • New Horizons Elementary School (Silver)
  • Pine Jog Elementary School (Silver)
  • Sunset Palms Elementary School (Bronze)

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

Chihuly Collection Celebrates One Year in the Central Arts District

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The Chihuly Collection presented by Morean Arts Center is celebrating its first anniversary since relocating to the Central Arts District from Beach Drive.
The Central Arts District is a vibrant area of Downtown St. Petersburg, Fla., filled with diverse businesses rooted in the arts.  Its reach encompasses the range between 3rd Street to 9th Street and 1st Ave North to 1st Ave South.
Home to the Central Arts District since 1999, the Morean Arts Center owns and operates the Chihuly Collection, a local non-profit serving the community in art and art education. Dale Chihuly’s passion for art education was the catalyst for bringing the Chihuly Collection to St. Petersburg. All net proceeds support and sustain the educational programs and exhibition programming at the Morean Arts Center.
With the locations now in close proximity, the large fan base of Dale Chihuly has the convenience of viewing local and regional contemporary art, broadening the reach of the Morean Arts Center and its featured artists.
Since re-opening in its new location, the Chihuly Collection has seen an influx of visitors wanting to view the reimagined installations, as well as the temporary exhibitions featuring glass artists from around the country. Also included with general admission is admittance to the Morean Glass Studio & Hot Shop to view live glass blowing demonstrations with local artists. Those demonstrations provide visitors a glimpse into the technique and precision it takes to create a hand-crafted glass piece.
The Chihuly Collection is located at 720 Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg and will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, October 14. The first 100 visitors (in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Morean Arts Center) will receive a gift bag with $30 in Chihuly merchandise, including a DVD of Dale Chihuly’s installations and work in the Hot Shop.
Also on view at the Chihuly Collection: SOLAS: Light Informs Glass, featuring internationally renowned artists Richard Royal, Paula Stokes and Eric Mead. Entrance to SOLAS is included with general admission. This is the closing weekend of this show, on view only through 5pm on Sunday, October 15.
The Chihuly Collection is owned and operated by the Morean Arts Center, a local 501c3 organization. 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.
The Centennial Celebration of the Morean Arts Center, known in 1917 as the Art Club of St. Petersburg, will continue throughout 2017, celebrating 100 years of fostering art, artists and the future of the city as a major arts destination.

Call For Entries: National Red Ribbon Week® Photo Contest Starts this Week

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iPad® and $1,000 to Be Awarded to 20 Schools Across America

To help educate and prevent drug use, the National Family Partnership (NFP), invites families and schools across America to participate in its 7th Annual National Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest featuring the 2017 Red Ribbon theme, “Your Future Is Key, So Stay Drug Free®”. The contest, which is co-sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is held part of the 32nd Annual Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31, 2017). Contest entries are accepted until November 2. This year, $20,000 will be awarded to schools in ten regions across the country and 20 individual/family winners will receive an iPad.
“The opioid crisis is a devastating wake-up call. It’s more important than ever to teach children and families how to prevent drug abuse,” said NFP President Peggy Sapp. “This contest inspires adults, in fun ways, to talk to children about making healthy choices and living a drug-free lifestyle. It’s prevention in action.”
Jackie McDonald, a 2016 winner, said the contest created an opportunity to talk to her kids about drugs. “This topic is sort of taboo and we usually shield our children from things like this, but with this project, we were able to talk about it with them.”
Using this year’s theme, “Your Future is Key, So Stay Drug Free” and a double-looped red ribbon, there are two ways to enter:
1)    Families may submit a photo of a home decoration.
2)    Schools may submit a photo of a school decoration
WATCH the video here.

THE NATIONAL FAMILY PARTNERSHIP was established in 1980 and is a national leader in drug prevention, education and advocacy. Its mission is to lead our nation’s families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug-free youth. Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and oldest drug prevention campaign. NFP created the campaign in response to the 1985 abduction and murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. In addition to the Red Ribbon Campaign®, NFP sponsors the Lock Your Meds® Campaign to prevent prescription drug abuse. Learn more about Red Ribbon Week at www.redribbon.org and NFP at www.nfp.org.

Senator Aaron Bean Receives Florida Sheriffs Association's 2017 Friend of the Sheriff Award

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Sen. Bean was honored for supporting drug control legislation

Senator Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) has received the Florida Sheriffs Association’s 2017 Friend of the Sheriff Award. Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams presented this award to Senator Bean in appreciation for supporting drug control legislation to address Florida’s heroin and Fentanyl epidemic. During the last day of the 2017 legislative session, Senator Bean was one of the deciding votes in approving the motion to recede from a problematic amendment that would have caused HB 477, Controlled Substances, to fail.
“I am truly humbled and honored to receive the Florida Sheriffs Association’s 2017 Friend of the Sheriff Award,” said Senator Bean. “As a longtime advocate for law enforcement, I understand the importance of combating the heroin and Fentanyl epidemic that is plaguing the State of Florida. I look forward to working with the Florida Sheriffs Association to ensure that law enforcement has the tools they need to protect Florida and its citizens.”
Senator Bean represents Senate District 4, which includes parts of Nassau and Duval Counties. He can be contacted in Tallahassee at (850) 487-5004 or in his District Office at (904) 757-5039.

Florida PSC Plans Hurricane Preparedness and Restoration Review

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The Florida Public Service Commission today set its plan to review electric utility hurricane preparedness and restoration actions during the 2017 hurricane season. The review will explore the potential to further minimize infrastructure damage that results in outages.
A generic docket will be established to collect and analyze forensic data on the utilities’ transmission and distribution facilities to discern the type and cause of damage. Tree trimming practices and pole inspection cycles will be reviewed to help identify additional damage mitigation options. The Commission will also examine the effectiveness of communications with customers and the utilities’ restoration practices for potential improvements.
This extensive data collection and detailed analysis will include a workshop on hurricane preparedness with input from all electric utilities and stakeholders, including customers. Upon the conclusion of data collection and analysis, and consideration of public comment, the Commission will consider options for immediate action.
In addition, as part of this process, the Commission will provide customers an opportunity to provide comments through its website, www.floridapsc.com.

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Recovers Nearly $135,000 for Consumers in September

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The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recovered nearly $135,000 for Florida consumers during the month of September. Last year, the department recovered nearly $3 million for Florida consumers from moving companies, vehicle repair shops, pawn shops, health studios, telemarketers, sellers of travel and more.
During September 2017, the department:

  • Extended call center hours of operation in response to Hurricane Irma;
  • Recovered $134,640 on behalf of Florida consumers;
  • Received 2,403 complaints;
  • Initiated 177 investigations;
  • Arrested 10 individuals;
  • Provided assistance to 18,740 consumers through the 1-800-HELP-FLA hotline, online chats and emails; and
  • Added 16,926 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.

Senator Baxley announces Marion County legislative delegation meeting

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Senator Dennis Baxley makes the following announcement regarding the delegation public hearing and deadlines.
The Marion County Legislative Delegation Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2017, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The public hearing will take place at the Klein Center at the College of Central Florida, located at  3001 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL 34474, for the purpose of hearing public testimony on general issues, legislation, local bills and appropriations.
To be placed on the agenda to address the Marion County Legislative Delegation, please contact Alex Bickley in Senator Baxley’s office prior to October 13, 2017.