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Statement from Sen. Linda Stewart on Las Vegas Tragedy

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“Sadly, Americans woke up this morning to news of another tragic mass shooting, this time in Las Vegas.
“Just one year ago, it was the people in my district, and the people of Florida, who bore witness to the Pulse nightclub massacre, and what was then the worst mass shooting in American history. Last night’s horror set a new standard, testament to the sheer evil unleashed by one man armed with multiple high caliber automatic weapons, intent on provoking death and injury to so many.
“I have no doubt that the hand-wringing will quickly follow. As will the many offers of thoughts and prayers. But what we will not see, and what we will still await, is any kind of meaningful action from our national and state leaders to stem this bloodshed once and for all. Undoubtedly, some will criticize speaking of curbing gun violence so quickly after these killings. To them I say, if not now, when? How high does the body count have to climb before we finally act?
“Last year I filed legislation for Gun Safety, and again this year I refiled this legislation, SB196, for the 2018 session. The bill in 2017 did not get one committee hearing. I am pressuring our State Senate leadership to allow this year’s bill to have a hearing, or at the very least, a workshop – any avenue to bring this up for public discussion in a formal public setting.
“The senseless killings of Americans cannot be the norm for our Country – our Founding Fathers could never have conceived of today’s modern assault weapons. Nor should the easy sale of guns designed for maximum carnage. Military-style weapons belong on the battlefield, not in general use. Americans should be free to attend large events and not be intimidated by the possibility of being mowed down by a man with a grudge.
“I am calling on our leaders to have an honest discussion about the availability of these weapons, the mental health issues that drive these senseless acts of violence, and, where appropriate, and make changes to our policy and State law which will give us a fighting chance for being safe in our communities. Hold hearings on this bill. Let the NRA speak. But let the other voices – the mothers, the fathers, the sons and daughters, the multitude of Floridians who are fed up with the carnage – have their say, too.”

CRC Commissioners Sponsor Public Proposals and Ideas Regarding the Florida Constitution

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October 6 officially adopted as the public proposal filing deadline

The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) today held the first of two full Commission meetings in which Commissioners may directly sponsor public proposals through the CRC process. During the meeting, Commissioners officially adopted October 6 as the deadline for Floridians to submit public proposals. Several CRC Commissioners have also created their own proposals that were inspired by ideas submitted by Floridians.
CRC Chairman Carlos Beruff, said, “We are very grateful to the thousands of Floridians who have participated in the CRC process either by attending our public hearings or submitting their own proposed changes to the Florida Constitution. As we review the more than 1,400 public proposals and thousands of comments and emails we have received, it is apparent that Floridians share many similar interests and ideas. In addition to directly sponsoring public proposals, many Commissioners are creating their own proposals inspired by public input and combine similar ideas into one proposal to ensure Floridians’ voices are heard. We encourage all interested Floridians who have not yet submitted their proposed changes to the Florida Constitution to send them in by the October 6 deadline.”
The next opportunity for CRC Commissioners to directly sponsor public proposals will be on October 17 during a meeting of the full Commission. A summary of public proposals directly sponsored by Commissioners, and proposals created by Commissioners that were inspired by public input, to date is provided below:
Public Proposals Directly Sponsored by CRC Commissioners

Commissioner-Filed Proposals Inspired by Public Input

How to Review Proposals and Public Input

Sen. Bill Nelson statement on Las Vegas shooting

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Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the shooting in Las Vegas:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims of this horrific attack. As the investigation continues, we will learn more about what led to this tragedy in Las Vegas, but at some point we, as a society, have to stand up and say enough is enough.”

Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell Endorses Elswick for Florida House

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Grinnell says Shannon Elswick will bring conservative
values and healthcare expertise to Tallahassee.

The Shannon Elswick Campaign today announced the endorsement of Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell. Elswick is running to succeed Representative Larry Metz, who faces term limits, in the District 32 seat of the Florida House of Representatives.
“I’m proud to support a man of integrity like Shannon Elswick,” said Grinnell. “Shannon has always worked hard to serve our community, and his thorough knowledge of the challenges facing our healthcare system are badly needed in Tallahassee. I have no doubt that his conservative values and ability to forge relationships will have a positive impact in the Florida House.”
Grinnell was elected Lake County Sheriff last year after serving in the Sheriff’s Office in a variety of capacities since 1994. He is a Marine Corps combat veteran with distinguished service in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Middle East and Operation Just Cause in Panama. He is a Eustis native and a graduate of Leesburg High School. As Sheriff, Grinnell has made a mark by vigorously pursuing heroin dealers in the community.
“Sheriff Grinnell is a great public servant and leader, and I’m honored to have his support,” said Elswick. “Our law enforcement community here is first rate, and I look forward to working with Sheriff Grinnell to keep Lake County safe and family-friendly.”
District 32 covers the south and central portions of Lake County, including the cities of Clermont and portions of Leesburg. Republicans dominate the district with 41 percent of registered voters while Democrats make up 33 percent.
ON THE WEB:  shannonelswick.com

Paid by Shannon Elswick, Republican, for State Representative

Gov. Scott Declares State of Emergency for Hurricane Maria to Support Puerto Rico

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Governor Rick Scott today signed Executive Order 17-259 declaring a State of Emergency in all 67 Florida counties in response to Hurricane Maria’s catastrophic impact on Puerto Rico. This declaration will provide important resources and assistance needed to best accommodate the needs of families impacted by Hurricane Maria when they come to Florida. Families displaced by Hurricane Maria are already present and arriving in Florida and the state must do everything possible to effectively support the Puerto Rico response effort. Florida will continue to coordinate with FEMA to provide Maria survivors who have traveled to the state with important services such as housing assistance, crisis counseling, unemployment assistance and legal advice.
Governor Scott said, “Today, to ensure Florida has every available resource ready to assist families displaced by Hurricane Maria, I signed Executive Order 17-259, declaring a State of Emergency in all 67 Florida counties. Puerto Rico was totally devastated by Hurricane Maria and so many families lost everything. With families displaced by Hurricane Maria already present and still arriving in Florida, it is critical that our state is prepared to provide the resources they need upon entering our state.
“Our state is an incredible melting pot, and the success and growth we’ve seen over the years is credited to the wonderful people that live in Florida. As Puerto Rico rebuilds, Florida remains committed to doing everything we can to help the families impacted by Hurricane Maria and aid in the recovery process.”
To view Executive Order 17-259, click HERE.

Senator Bradley Files Legislation to Increase Funding for Florida Forever

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Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island) filed legislation to increase state funding for the Florida Forever land acquisition fund. Senate Bill 370 requires the state to spend a minimum of $100 million annually from Amendment One funds on the Florida Forever program.
The bill appropriates funds from Amendment One, a constitutional amendment passed overwhelmingly by Floridians in 2014. “As a conservative, I believe in absolute fidelity to the Constitution,” said Senator Bradley. “I am filing this bill because the Constitution demands, and the overwhelming majority of Floridians who voted for Amendment One in 2014 demand, that we protect the natural resources of our state.”
Florida Forever is Florida’s premier conservation and recreation lands acquisition program. Since its inception in 2001, the state has purchased more than 718,126 acres of land with a little over $2.9 billion. Land purchased through Florida Forever is held in trust for the citizens of Florida, and is used for parks, trails, wildlife management areas, flood control and more.
“Floridians are blessed with some of the most unique ecosystems in the world, from springs to the Everglades to coral reefs to world class beaches and rivers,” said Senator Bradley. “As our population continues to explode, we have an obligation to preserve these unique ecosystems for our children and grandchildren. The Florida Forever program helps us fulfill this obligation.”
Senator Bradley currently serves as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development and chairman of the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation. He was elected to the Senate in 2012 and represents Senate District 5, which includes 11 counties in north Florida.

New Integrity Florida Report Calls the Florida PSC a Captured Regulatory Agency

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Integrity Florida today released a new research report examining the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) and many of the more controversial rate decisions the commission has made in recent years.
The report, titled Florida’s “Public Service” Commission? A Captured Regulatory Agency, builds on key findings by proposing a series of policy reform options that would greatly improve the PSC’s ability to serve the people of Florida.
“Investor-owned utilities regulated by the PSC have an extraordinary degree of influence on the Governor and the legislature and they have used that influence to pursue favorable decisions by the PSC, at the expense of the public,” said Ben Wilcox, Research Director for Integrity Florida. “This report shows that the Public Service Commission has been “captured” by the very industries it is supposed to regulate.”
The PSC has the dual responsibility of balancing the needs of monopoly utilities and their investors with the needs of consumers. The commission must set rates that are fair, just and reasonable for consumers, but utility investors must also be allowed to earn a reasonable return on their investment. When evaluating recent rate decisions researchers noticed some troubling trends.
“Many contested rate hike requests by utilities are resolved through settlements. However, utilities seem to be gaming the settlement process,” said Alan Stonecipher, Integrity Florida Research Associate. “The companies enter negotiations in rate cases much like a used car dealer who marks up the initial asking price knowing that they will eventually agree to a lower amount.”
“There also seems to be a pattern with the PSC, and other elected officials, allowing utilities to shift the costs of their most risky and speculative projects from shareholders to consumers,” said Brad Ashwell, Integrity Florida Research Associate.
The report makes several key findings:
  • The Florida PSC meets the criteria for a “captured” regulatory agency.
  • The PSC needs more independence from the Florida Legislature.
  • Residential energy customers need more balanced prioritization.
  • Utilities are gaming the settlement process.
  • The PSC is allowing utilities to shift risk from shareholders to customers.
  • The Office of the Public Counsel needs more independence, just as the PSC, and should likewise be insulated from political considerations.
In response to the report’s findings, Integrity Florida offers a list of policy options for lawmakers to consider:
  • Return the Public Service Commission to an elected body or a mix of elected and appointed members.
  • If all or part of the Commission is elected, consider prohibiting candidates for the commission from accepting campaign contributions from interests whose businesses are regulated by the PSC.
  • Broaden membership on the Public Service Commission Nominating Counsel to include, at minimum, consumer groups.
  • Require that the Office of Public Counsel must agree to any PSC settlements for cases in which it participates.
  • If the commission is to remain an appointed body, require that it be nonpartisan by allowing no more than three of the commissioners to be a member of the same political party.
  • Make residential and small business customers the focus of the Office of Public Counsel.
  • Provide more funding for Office of Public Counsel.
  • Explore making the Office of Public Counsel an independent entity like the Florida Commission on Ethics.
“The Public Service Commission and the Office of the Public Counsel need more independence from the Florida Legislature,” added Ben Wilcox. “The process for selection of PSC commissioners and the Office of the Public Counsel should be further insulated from politics and lobbying.”
Read the full report here.

 

Keep Your Heart Healthy and Happy

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Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women in the United States. Practicing proper heart health care can seem scary and challenging, but it doesn’t have to be.
World Heart Day is September 29th, and it’s just as good a time as any to take action and make some easy changes now! Take matters into your own hands and educate yourself with some simple tips.
Eat Smart for Your Heart
Changing your diet is one of the easiest and most important ways to get heart healthy. Throw away the fried foods and sweets and opt for some of these alternate choices:

  • Eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Dark green, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables are particularly nutritious. Try spinach, carrots, peaches and berries.
  • Opt for foods that are low in saturated and trans fats. Lean meats and non-fat and low-fat dairy products are great options
  • Limit your sodium intake.
  • Try fish and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Avoid food and drinks with added sugar.
  • Use canola or olive oil instead of butter when cooking.
  • If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Women should stick to one standard size drink a day, while men shouldn’t drink more than two.
  • Choose heart healthy foods even when you’re at a restaurant.

Walk Your Way to a Healthy Heart
Walking is extremely beneficial to heart health. Physical activity helps with blood circulation throughout your body, sending oxygen and nutrients to your organs. Exercise increases your heart rate and strengthens your heart. Walking is a great way to decrease body fat and improve your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. However, there are a few things to consider before you begin a new regimen:

  • See a doctor before starting a new exercise program.
  • Start out slow. Aim to walk for 30 minutes a day for five days a week.
  • Begin your walk with a warm-up and build to a faster pace during the peak of your walk. Allow time for a cooldown at the end.
  • Find a support system of friends, family, or a walking group. Talking and laughing while you walk can make exercising a lot more enjoyable.
  • Count your steps! There are several pedometers and phone apps that can track your progress. Set attainable step goals and gradually increase them when they become easier to reach.
  • Take your dog on a longer walk than usual.

Don’t Give Up – You Can Do It!
Changing your routine is a hard thing to do, but with a good support system and setting some attainable goals, your heart health can benefit greatly. Simply eating right and getting moderate physical activity on a regular basis can make a world of a difference. It can be easy to get discouraged, but don’t give up! You are making positive changes even if you can’t see them yet. You can do it—you know it in your heart.
For more information about heart health, visit Capital Health Plans’ Healthwise® Knowledgebase at capitalhealth.com.
Suma Dondapati, MD, is an internal medicine physician at Capital Health Plan and is passionate about preventive care.

Coalition Questions Judge Impartiality

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On September 15, 2017 Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal Judges Clay Roberts and Kemmerly Thomas attended a Friends of the NRA fundraiser in Tallahassee and were listed as paid table sponsors on the event program. The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence questions the ability of these judges to remain impartial on any future gun related case brought before them based on their involvement in this fundraiser.
Florida’s Code of Judicial Conduct states that judges “shall not use or permit the use of the prestige of judicial office for fundraising or membership solicitation.”
“This event was not related to court or legal matters. It was a fundraiser for a special interest group. It is of the utmost importance that members of the bench show no sign as to what could be taken as a lack of neutrality,” said Patti Brigham, Coalition Co-Chair.
The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence is a group of over 100 nonpartisan organizations dedicated to ensuring responsible gun policy in the state.

Sen. Bill Nelson statement on Cuba sonic attacks

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Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the State Department’s response today to continued acoustic attacks on U.S. personnel in Cuba. Nelson spoke today with State Department officials about the response:
“The fact that the Cuban government isn’t protecting the health and wellbeing of our U.S. Embassy personnel is inexcusable. With the loss of hearing and stroke-like-symptoms, the Cuban government owes an explanation and reparations to the families of those injured and must work to ensure these attacks cease immediately. In the meantime, the Cuban Embassy’s staff in Washington, D.C. should be reduced by the same proportionate number of U.S. personnel recalled.”