The following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the Senate Republican’s health care bill, released earlier today:
“Now we know why they tried to keep this secret. This bill is just as bad as the House bill, taking coverage away from millions of people and making huge cuts to Medicaid. If that weren’t enough, it also allows insurance companies to hike rates for older Americans. Fixing our nation’s health care system shouldn’t be a partisan issue. We should be working together, not plotting behind closed doors to make it worse.”
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Board of Governors appoints trustees to UCF and UWF boards
The Board of Governors on Thursday appointed John Lord to the Board of Trustees at the University of Central Florida and Adrianne Collins to the Board of Trustees at the University of West Florida.
John Lord, of Orlando, is retired from his position as the Orlando Area Market President and Small Business and Premier Banking Executive for the State of Florida with Bank of America. Mr. Lord currently serves as a board member of the Nemours Foundation and as a trustee of the Alfred I. DuPont Testament Trust. Mr. Lord serves as a board member for Dornoch Sutherland Assurance Ltd, Cruden Bay Risk Retention Group and the Pediatric Medical Services of Florida Inc. Mr. Lord previously served as chair of the Valencia Community College Board of Trustees, Orange County Industrial Authority, Mid-Florida Industrial Development Commission, Community Foundation of Central Florida, Florida Citrus Sports Foundation and Heart of Florida United Way. He is appointed for a term beginning June 22, 2017 through January 6, 2020.
Adrianne Collins, of Gulf Breeze, is the Power Delivery Vice President at Gulf Power Company. Ms. Collins currently serves as a board member of the North American Energy Standards Board Whole Electric Quadrant and the Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida. She is a member of Society of Women Engineers and alumni of Leadership Pensacola. Ms. Collins previously served a board member of the United Way of Atlanta Cole and the Fayette Care Clinic. Ms. Collins received her associate’s degree from University of West Florida and her bachelor’s degree from University of Florida. She is appointed for a term beginning March 30, 2017 through January 6, 2020.
The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
UF to receive additional $7.4 million in state performance funding
The University of Florida will receive an additional $7.4 million in state performance funding this year versus last year, bringing the total allotted to the university since 2014 to more than $103 million. The money will be used in UF’s ongoing efforts to hire and retain the world’s best and brightest faculty and keep the university on the path to becoming one of the nation’s very best public research universities.
UF received 95 points out of 100 – the highest score of all the 11 public universities in Florida measured in the performance-funding model created in 2014 by the Florida Board of Governors, the governing body for the State University System of Florida.
The university’s high score was due in part to increasing its number of licenses and options executed on technologies developed at the university, a measure of how successful its ideas are in the marketplace, from 147 to 261. That distinction gave UF a No. 3 ranking nationwide, according to the latest statistics released in November by the Association of University Technology Managers.
UF credits its success in that arena to playing “the long game,” focusing on closing deals, fostering a great reputation and encouraging commercially targeted thinking among faculty.
“I am very pleased with the University of Florida’s top score and grateful for the ongoing support of the governor, the Legislature and the Board of Governors,” UF President Kent Fuchs said. “When UF succeeds, the state of Florida wins.”
Eight of the metrics are common to all universities. They are the following, with UF’s score indicated on a 1-to-10 scale with 10 being the best:
- percent of bachelor’s graduates employed (Earning $25,000+) or continuing their education — 8
- bachelor’s degrees awarded in areas of strategic emphasis — 10
- median wages of bachelor’s graduates employed one year after graduation — 10
- university access rate (percent of undergraduates with a Pell grant) – 9
- average cost to the student — 8
- graduate degrees awarded in areas of strategic emphasis — 10
- six-year graduation rate — 10
- academic progress rate — 10
Two of the 10 metrics are “choice” metrics: one picked by the Board of Governors and one by the university boards of trustees. For UF, those metrics are:
- number of licenses and options executed annually on its technologies — 10
- faculty awards — 10
Based on their excellence or improvement on the board’s metrics, universities are eligible for a share of the $520 million allocated by the governor and Legislature during the 2017 legislative session.
“In the past four years, we’ve seen steady improvements at the system level and for individual universities,” said Tom Kuntz, Board of Governors’ chair. “Especially exciting is that we’ve seen universities in the bottom three soar to the top of the pack as they’ve renewed their focus on student success.”
The board’s newest metric, cost-to-the-student, also pointed to positive outcomes. The average cost in the SUS of earning a bachelor’s degree is less than $15,000 after financial aid (grants, scholarships and waivers). The average cost at the University of Florida has been calculated by the board to be $10,700. Furthermore, University Work Plans, in which institutions lay out their future financial goals, indicate that SUS universities are expected to decrease their prices further in the coming years, cutting the student cost per degree from $14,820 to $14,090 by the 2019-2020 school year.
“Affordability has been a priority for the governor and the Legislature as well as the Board of Governors because it increases student access and relieves student debt,” said Ned Lautenbach, vice chair of the Board of Governors and chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. “It’s exciting to see the universities turning that goal into a reality.”
Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers Announces 2017-18 Board Leadership
The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) 2017-18 Board of Directors was installed last week in Panama City Beach during the organization’s annual summer conference. Led by the incoming President, Franklin County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller Marcia M. Johnson, board members will serve one-year terms.
Executive Committee Officers include Palm Beach County Clerk Sharon R. Bock, Esq. (President-Elect), Polk County Clerk Stacy M. Butterfield, CPA (Vice President), Clay County Clerk Tara S. Green (Treasurer) and Manatee County Clerk Angelina “Angel” Colonneso, Esq. (Secretary).
District Directors include Gulf County Clerk Rebecca “Becky” L. Norris (District I), Taylor County Clerk Annie Mae Murphy (District II), Columbia County Clerk P. DeWitt Cason (District III), Hernando County Clerk Don Barbee Jr., Esq. (District IV), Orange County Clerk Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq. (District V), Pinellas County Clerk Ken Burke, CPA (District VI) and Lee County Clerk Linda Doggett (District VII).
The Immediate Past President of FCCC is Nassau County Clerk John A. Crawford.
“I am deeply honored to be this year’s President of our outstanding organization, as well as a member of its first all-female Executive Committee,” Clerk Johnson said. “I look forward to working shoulder to shoulder with the clerks and comptrollers of Florida’s 67 counties and leading the Association to be the strongest and the best it can be.”
Established in 1969, the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) is a statewide, nonprofit member association comprised of the Florida Clerks of the Circuit Court and Comptrollers. FCCC provides local government support services, technical assistance and accreditation opportunities for all members of the association. For more information, visit www.flclerks.com.
Ross Endorses Albritton for Florida Senate
Congressman Dennis Ross says Ben Albritton is a principled
conservative who will serve District 26 well in the Florida Senate.
The Ben Albritton Campaign today announced the endorsement of U.S. Representative Dennis Ross, who serves Florida’s 15th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Albritton is seeking the District 26 seat in the Florida Senate, currently held by Denise Grimsley, who is running for Commissioner of Agriculture. Ross joins his colleague, U.S. Representative Tom Rooney, who recently announced he is also backing Albritton.
“Ben Albritton is a committed and consistent conservative,” said Ross. “He has a track record of principled leadership in the Florida House, and his integrity and genuine concern for people have served his constituents well. I look forward to continuing working with him when he is in the Florida Senate.”
Ross was elected to Congress in 2010 after four terms in the Florida House. He serves in House leadership as Senior Deputy Majority Whip and on the prestigious Financial Services Committee. He is Vice Chair of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee and serves on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee . His district includes parts of Hillsborough, Lake, and Polk Counties.
“Congressman Dennis Ross is an outstanding public servant, and I am honored to have his support,” said Albritton. “Throughout his career at both the state and national levels, he has been a stalwart conservative, and I look forward to continuing to work together on policies to strengthen our area and our state.”
In 2010, Albritton was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, where he has been a staunch advocate for entrepreneurs and children in Florida’s foster care system. He is also known for his strong conservative record on Second Amendment rights and protection for the unborn. He is the Chair of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee and Vice Chair of the House Natural Resources and Public Lands Subcommittee. He also sits on the Appropriations Committee, the Agriculture and Property Rights Subcommittee, and the Government Accountability Committee, and he currently serves as the Chair of the Polk County Legislative Delegation.
With Grimsley’s decision to not seek re-election, District 26, where Republicans outnumber Democrats 43 to 34 percent, is an open seat. Centered in Florida’s Heartland, the district covers parts of Charlotte, Lee, and Polk Counties, as well as all of DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties.
Paid by Ben Albritton, Republican, for State Senator
Universities mark another year of improvement under performance funding
The Board of Governors announced university performance funding scores at its meeting on Thursday, celebrating the fourth year in a row of nearly across-the-board improvement. The System boasted year-over-year gains on six of the eight performance metrics that are common to all universities, including the number of students earning degrees in areas of strategic emphasis (such as STEM). The System’s graduation and retention rates have increased by roughly five points each during the same period.
Based on their excellence or improvement on the Board’s metrics, universities are eligible for a share of the $520 million allocated by the Governor and Legislature during the 2017 legislative session. The model’s 10 metrics include graduation and retention rates, cost to the student, and success for recent graduates.
“In the past four years, we’ve seen steady improvements at the System level and for individual universities,” said Tom Kuntz, Board of Governors’ Chair. “Especially exciting is that we’ve seen universities in the bottom three soar to the top of the pack as they’ve renewed their focus on student success.”
The Board’s newest metric, cost-to-the-student, also pointed to positive outcomes. The average cost of earning a bachelor’s degree is less than $15,000 after financial aid (grants, scholarships and waivers). Furthermore, University Work Plans, in which institutions lay out their future financial goals, indicate that universities are expected to decrease their prices further in the coming years, cutting the student cost per degree from $14,820 to 14,090 by the 2019-2020 school year.
“Affordability has been a priority for the Governor and the Legislature as well as the Board of Governors because it increases student access and relieves student debt,” said Ned Lautenbach, Vice Chair of the Board of Governors and Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. “It’s exciting to see the universities turning that goal into a reality.”
Universities also boasted a number of individual successes. New College of Florida will get a share of performance funding dollars this year due to its increase in student retention, average full-time wages of undergraduates employed one year after graduation, number of students graduating in areas of strategic emphasis, and cost to students.
The University of Florida, University of South Florida and the University of West Florida all scored in the top three, with UWF soaring from a bottom three to a top three performer in only one year. The accomplishment is partially due to the university’s 5.3 percent jump in retention and 6.6 percent jump in the number of graduates employed one year after graduation, both of which are remarkable gains. UWF’s success is due to a campus-wide effort to invest in long-term strategies designed to increase the institution’s performance in the selected metrics and enhance the overall quality of the education and experience provided. Among the institution’s most successful initiatives is an online graduation dashboard that empowers students, faculty and staff to closely monitor degree progression.
USF secured its spot in the top three by gaining on several metrics, including retention rates, cost to the student, bachelor and graduate degrees in areas of strategic emphasis, the number of students employed one year after graduation, and the number of bachelor’s degrees without excess hours. The achievements are a result of the university’s focus on better preparing students for the workplace through a rigorous and relevant curriculum and strengthened career preparedness initiatives, including the expansion of required experiential learning and internship opportunities.
UF, meanwhile, increased its “number of licenses and options executed” from 147 to 261.The university credits its success to playing “the long game,” focusing on closing deals, fostering a great reputation, and encouraging commercially targeted thinking among faculty.
“We’re at a point in which the effects of performance funding are indisputable,” said Board Member Alan Levine, Vice Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. “Universities are working diligently toward improvement on these metrics, and that commitment is paying off in the form of better outcomes for students.”
Florida Municipal Electric Association Names Amy Zubaly New Executive Director
Zubaly is the first woman to lead the organization
The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) Board of Directors today named Amy Zubaly executive director of the association. Since January, Zubaly has been serving as the interim executive director. In her role as the permanent executive director, Zubaly will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the association, handle member and board relations, oversee the association’s government affairs, communications and education functions and provide strategic planning.
“As we celebrate our 75th anniversary and rich history, it’s fitting that Amy – the first woman to serve as the association’s executive director – lead us into the future,” said Clay Lindstrom, FMEA President and Fort Pierce Utilities Authority General Manager. “Amy’s long record of service to the organization and her deep understanding of the issues important to our members make her ideal for this role. We look forward to taking the association in new directions under her leadership.”
Prior to assuming the interim executive director position, Zubaly served as the association’s deputy executive director of public affairs and strategic communications. She has been with the organization for 18 years. Earlier in her career she held positions with The Nature Conservancy, Florida Chapter, Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University and Reubin O’D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University. Additionally, she served as assistant director of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Local Government II and a research assistant for the Blue Ribbon Citizens Commission on Cabinet Reform. Zubaly earned her Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Science in political science from Florida State University.
“It is a great honor to continue serving FMEA in this capacity and I deeply appreciate the board’s confidence in me,” said Zubaly. “I am thankful for the opportunity to lead FMEA as we provide support and advocacy for our members today and into the future. The membership of FMEA are vital to Floridians across the state and we will continue to ensure they have the tools they need to build strong communities.”
Originally called the Florida Municipal Utilities Association, FMEA was established in 1942 in response to World War II fuel shortages. Today, the association actively represents and advocates for member cities’ interests on a wide variety of state and federal issues, provides education and training for members and serves as a clearinghouse for industry news and information.
Municipal electric utilities provide affordable, reliable electric service, and have been doing so for more than a century. As community-owned and locally managed organizations, these utilities are focused on serving local needs and interests while reinvesting back into the community for services, such as police and fire protection.
For more information on FMEA and Florida’s public power communities, please visit www.publicpower.com.
Palm Harbor United Methodist Church Receives PSC’s Triple E Award
Palm Harbor United Methodist Church is known for its progressive history, dating back more than a century. This legacy continues today as the church’s energy efficiency upgrades earned them the Florida Public Service Commission’s (PSC) June Triple E Award for Energy Efficiency Efforts.
“When churches can save money on energy costs through efficiency measures, more funds can be used on their primary mission. This is the case with Palm Harbor United Methodist Church, and we’re very pleased to recognize them,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown.
Duke Energy Florida’s Commercial Assessment Team has worked with the church since 2014. During this time, the church installed Cool Roofs over two buildings totaling 25,400 square feet, Roof Deck Insulation, and a 40-ton efficient HVAC unit. The church is expecting to save about 62,000 kWh annually with these measures and will save even more energy when another HVAC unit installation is completed in July.
“Our church is strongly committed to incorporating energy efficiency measures, and Duke has helped us carry out that vision,” said Dana Roeling, Business Administrator/Education Director. “Our church mission is What started as ‘Yesterday’s Vision’ became ‘Today’s Reality,’and that also typifies our energy efficiency efforts. The money that would have paid on our electric bill is instead benefitting the church’s work and many school programs.”
“Duke Energy worked with the church to find a variety of measures they could use to save money and make their facilities more energy efficient,” said Harry Sideris, Duke Energy state president–Florida. “The more our customers, such as Palm Harbor United Methodist Church, know about their energy use and our efficiency programs, the more opportunities they have to make a difference in reducing their bills.”
About Palm Harbor United Methodist Church
Palm Harbor United Methodist Church is passionate about its vision, “All Ages! All In! Loving God! Loving All! We welcome everyone into the life of the church no matter where you are in your faith journey.” With a membership of 1,000 families, the church began more than 100 years ago as Florida Southern College, a Methodist College in Leesburg. In 1902, the college moved to Sutherland, Florida (renamed Palm Harbor in 1925). In 2003, the first worship service was held in its current sanctuary, with a seating capacity of over 1,700. For more information, visit the church website.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
Commissioner Stewart Names Florida’s 2017 Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year
During the Celebration for School Leaders yesterday evening, Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart named Dr. Rachel Shelley, of Sarasota County, as the 2017 Principal of the Year and Kelly Stedman, of Lee County, as the 2017 Assistant Principal of the Year. These school leaders were honored for contributing to increased student performance; safe learning environments; and successful partnerships with parents and community members.
“School leaders set the tone for educators, students, parents, and community members, and they are integral to student success,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “Dr. Rachel Shelley and Kelly Stedman have demonstrated unwavering dedication to Florida’s students, and I am honored to recognize them with this prestigious award. The exceptional leadership that they and their colleagues throughout Florida offer is essential to ensuring students receive a world-class education.”
Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership
The recipient of the 2017 Principal of the Year was awarded a cash prize of $5,000 and $1,000 for her school. The three state finalists were awarded a check for $1,500 and a $375 check for their school, and each district winner was awarded a check for $300 and a $100 check for their school.
Dr. Rachel Shelley, Booker High School, Sarasota County
With more than 28 years of experience in K-12 education, Dr. Rachel Shelley has been praised by her colleagues for her dedication to helping every student succeed and for relationship-based leadership. She motivates students with her mantra, “Every student is college and/or career bound.” Dr. Shelley is a hands-on instructional leader who understands the value of data, and she tracks her school and students’ performance measures to help her make informed decisions.
Outstanding Assistant Principal Achievement Award
The 2017 Assistant Principal of the Year was awarded a cash prize of $2,500 and $500 for her school. The three state finalists were awarded a $1,000 check and a $275 check for their school, and each district winner was awarded a check for $200 and a $50 check for their school.
Kelly Stedman, James Stephens International Academy, Lee County
Kelly Stedman has been the assistant principal at James Stephens International Academy for the last year. Her colleagues expressed an appreciation for her passionate support of students and the way in which she helps teachers grow. She stands out among her peers for her ability to make parents, staff and students feel valued and cared for. No matter the situation, Stedman is described as always having a positive attitude and tackling every challenge she faces.
The Celebration for School Leaders was sponsored by State Farm; Jostens; Council for Educational Change; and Center for Educational Leadership. Earlier in the day, the Florida Department of Education hosted the Commissioner’s Summit for Principals, which was sponsored by the Florida Lottery. The Commissioner’s Summit for Principals provided professional development for the district-level principal and assistant principal of year award recipients.
Candidates for these awards were nominated by the superintendent from their respective school district. Complete lists of candidates from each district for both categories are available online: 2016-17 Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership District Winners and 2016-17 Outstanding Assistant Principal Achievement Award District Winners.
The Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership was established in 1988 to recognize Florida principals for their contributions to their schools and communities. The Outstanding Assistant Principal Achievement Award was established in 1997 to honor assistant principals that have utilized teamwork and leadership to increase student achievement and greatly improved school environments.
For more information about Florida’s educator recognition and recruitment programs, visit http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/recognition-recruitment.
AHCA Announces Release Date of the Invitation to Negotiate for SMMC Re-Procurement
The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) today announced the upcoming date that the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for the re-procurement of the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program will be posted, on or around July 14, 2017. The ITN will be posted to the Florida Department of Management Services’ Vendor Bid System website.
As stated in s.287.057(23), F.S., “Respondents to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not contact, between the release of the solicitation and the end of the 72-hour period following the agency posting the notice of intended award, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, any employee or officer of the executive or legislative branch concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except in writing to the procurement officer or as provided in the solicitation documents. Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting a response.”
While we have not yet entered the statutory blackout period as described in s. 287.057(23), F.S., due to the upcoming re-procurement, we will not have any discussions relating to the scope, evaluation or negotiation of those procurements.
All health plans and potential bidders must direct their questions related to the SMMC procurement to the Agency’s Procurement Officer: Jennifer Barrett, [email protected].
For more information about the SMMC program, or to sign up to receive SMMC related alerts, click here.
