Chelsea Harrison, Senior Policy Communications Manager for Lyft, issued the following statement after Governor Rick Scott signed HB 221:
“We thank Governor Scott for making a statewide framework for ridesharing a reality in Florida. This landmark legislation would have never happened without the Lyft community across the state who stood up for the benefits ridesharing brings to their families, businesses and cities. We look forward to seeing Lyft continue to grow and thrive for years to come in the Sunshine State.”
Featured
Governor Scott Signs Uber/ Lyft Bill
Governor Rick Scott today signed HB 221, known as the “Uber/ Lyft Bill.” This legislation sets consistent operating standards throughout Florida for ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft, including requirements for insurance coverage and driver background checks.
Governor Scott said, “I’m proud to sign this legislation today to make it easier for ridesharing companies to thrive in Florida and help ensure the safety of our families. Florida is one of the most business-friendly states in the nation because of our efforts to reduce burdensome regulations and encourage innovation and job creation across all industries, including transportation. I look forward to seeing the continued growth of ridesharing companies in our state.”
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “This legislation will ensure the innovative ridesharing network across Florida continues to thrive. Helping Florida businesses grow is critical to our economy, and this bill will also empower workers across the state to work when and where they want to meet the needs of their families.”
To view a copy of the transmittal letter, click HERE.
Public Information Meeting for Wekiva Parkway Section 7B
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is holding a public information meeting about the Wekiva Parkway Section 7B Design Project in Seminole County. The public meeting is being held to review the preliminary design for these non-tolled road improvements.
This project is funded for construction. The project limits are State Road (S.R.) 46 from Orange Boulevard to Wayside Drive-Oregon Street. This design project involves 1.31 miles of improvements, including designing roadway widening, safety medians, sidewalk, bike lanes, traffic signal upgrades, drainage, sign and pavement markings, utilities and other roadway features.
The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16, 2017, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Lakeside Fellowship United Methodist Church located at 305 S. Orange Boulevard in Sanford. The meeting is an informal open house where plans are available for review and project staff is available to address questions.
Persons who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services, free of charge, should contact: Ms. Mary Brooks, Quest Corporation of America, by writing to her at 2431 Aloma Avenue, Suite 231, Winter Park, FL 32792, by calling 407-694-5505 or contacting her via email at [email protected] at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (Voice).
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator by phone at 386-943-5367, or via email at [email protected].
If you have any questions, please contact Steve Olson, FDOT Public Information Manager at [email protected], or by telephone at 386-943-5479. You may also contact Public Information Officer Mary Brooks at [email protected], or by telephone at 407-694-5505. For more information visit the project website at www.wekivaparkway.com, and follow the project on Facebook and Twitter.
Brevard County man claims $1 million Scratch-Off prize on his 48th birthday
The Florida Lottery announces that JonDavid Duvall, of Viera, claimed a $1 million prize from the $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee, on his 48th birthday. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $748,000.00.
Duvall purchased his winning ticket from Publix, located at 5380 Stadium Parkway in Rockledge. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The new $25 game, $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH, launched in February and features more than $549 million in total cash prizes, including two top prizes of $10 million and 46 prizes of $1 million! Overall odds of winning are one-in-2.89.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 65 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $734 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2015-16.
TransitScreen Makes Central Florida Debut at MetroPlan Orlando
New way to visualize transit options featured in Downtown Orlando lobby
The Florida Department of Transportation’s reThink Your Commute program has partnered with MetroPlan Orlando to bring TransitScreen to Downtown Orlando. TransitScreen, based in Washington, D.C., provides real-time displays of transportation options, helping people make informed, sustainable decisions to improve quality of life in cities. This is the first TransitScreen display in all of Central Florida.
TransitScreen is installed in the lobby of MetroPlan Orlando, located at 250 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 200, Orlando, FL 32801. The TV display features departure times for SunRail and LYNX, as well as real-time information for LYMMO, the fare-free Downtown Orlando circulator. Also included in the display is real-time availability of Juice Bikes and Zipcars. MetroPlan Orlando will use a TransitScreen feature, called Community Messaging, to post its meetings and other public notices.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., directly following the MetroPlan Orlando Board Meeting in the lobby of their Downtown Orlando office. MetroPlan Orlando Board Chairman Bob Dallari will speak at the event, as well as Tony Hudgins, Head of Sales for TransitScreen. An informational session for property managers and others will follow the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
MetroPlan Orlando leads transportation planning efforts in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. As the metropolitan planning organization for Central Florida, they set priorities and determine how federal and state transportation dollars are spent in the region.
FDOT’s reThink Your Commute program is sponsoring the cost of TransitScreen in MetroPlan Orlando’s office for 12 months. For more information on the reThink Your Commute program, visit www.reThinkYourCommute.com or call 866-610-RIDE (7433).
Gov. Scott: I Won’t Stop Fighting for Florida
Governor Rick Scott today released the below statement on the conclusion of the Legislative session.
Governor Scott said, “Just like I have done throughout my entire time as Governor, I fought for priorities this session that I believe will help the families and job creators in our state prosper. I committed to Florida families that I would fight for jobs everyday and that is why I have continued to fight for policies that will grow our economy. I am pleased the Legislature cut taxes by more than $700 million, but cutting taxes alone is not enough to diversify our economy for our future generations. Today, I celebrated the beginning of GKN Aerospace’s plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Panama City which will be the company’s first location in our state. If it was not for the work of Enterprise Florida, this company would not be in our state. GKN Aerospace was the last company to receive Quick Action Closing Funds and Florida has not had another win like this since these funds were eliminated by the Florida Legislature last year. Once again, the Florida Legislature has turned their back on Florida’s ability to fund economic incentive deals that help our state outcompete our top competitors for important jobs. This is very concerning to me and is an action that each member will have to defend as their local communities lose out on new manufacturing facilities, headquarter relocations and thousands of high wage jobs for families.
“Furthermore, the legislature’s decision to cut tourism marketing could lead to a drastic reduction in visitor spending to our local businesses and revenue to our state. I am also shocked that despite their commitment to protecting the environment, the Florida Legislature failed to jump start the process of fixing the Herbert Hoover Dike at Lake Okeechobee. For years, I urged President Obama to fix the dike, and now when President Trump has committed funding for this project, the Legislature irresponsibly ignored it.
“Last night, the Florida Legislature passed a budget that was done largely behind closed doors. It was done without important input from the public and many members of the legislature who were elected by Floridians to serve them. That’s unfortunate. I ran for Governor to fight career politicians and it’s backroom deals like this that make families think politics is nothing more than a game. I am beginning to review the budget and I have the option of vetoing the entire budget or vetoing the items that circumvented the transparent process and do not have an acceptable return on investment for hardworking taxpayers. Just like I do every year, I will make my decisions based on what’s best for our families because my job is to wake up every day and fight for Floridians.”
Gulf cobia workshops scheduled: FWC seeking public input
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting five public workshops and an online webinar to gather public input on the Gulf cobia fishery.
Staff have heard concerns about cobia in recent years, especially in the panhandle area of the state. Cobia is currently open year-round and has a minimum size limit of 33 inches fork length and a daily bag limit of one fish per person from state waters with a maximum of six fish per vessel.
Meeting locations and dates are as follows (from 6-8 p.m. local time, except the webinar):
- Tallahassee – May 16 – LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library, 200 W. Park Ave.
- Pensacola – May 18 – Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center Parks & Recreation Department – 913 S. I St.
- Destin – May 22 – Destin Community Center – 101 Stahlman Ave.
- Panama City – May 23 – Gulf Coast State College, Enrollment Services Building, Room 124/The Gardner Room, 5230 W. U.S. Highway 98.
- Statewide webinar – May 24 (6-8 p.m. EDT) – Learn more about how to participate at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Rulemaking” and “Webinar Instructions.”
- St. Petersburg – May 25 – FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Karen A. Steidinger Auditorium – 100 Eighth Ave. SE.
Provide input on this important Gulf coast fishery by attending a public workshop.
The FWC is also accepting public input on the status of the Atlantic coast cobia fishery and additional feedback opportunities may follow.
Written comments on cobia and other topics can also be submitted at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments. For your online comments on cobia to be considered at the July 10-11 Commission meeting, submit them no later than June 15.
Learn more about these workshops at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Rulemaking” and “Public Workshops.”
Spring Hill man claims $1 million prize in $10,000,000 FORTUNE Scratch-Off game
Robert Lapenna poses with his oversized check after claiming a
$1 million prize in the $10,000,000 FORTUNE Scratch-Off game.
The Florida Lottery announces that Robert Lapenna, 68, of Spring Hill, claimed a $1 million prize in the $10,000,000 FORTUNE Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $792,000.00.
Lapenna purchased his winning ticket from Publix, located at 13455 County Line Road in Spring Hill. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The $25 Scratch-Off game, $10,000,000 FORTUNE, launched in February 2016, and features more than $623 million in total cash prizes, including 46 prizes of $1 million and four prizes of $10 million. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-2.88.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 65 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $734 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2015-16.
Jay Fant Announces Run for Attorney General
The Jacksonville State Representative pledges to fight for
small business owners and to protect the most vulnerable.
State Representative Jay Fant announced his candidacy for Attorney General of Florida. A Jacksonville native, Fant is serving his second term in the Florida House of Representatives. He announced at the Capitol in Tallahassee before leaving for a series of issue briefings in Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville.
“I am running because I believe so strongly in defending our constitutional rights and protecting Floridians from the excesses of the federal government,” said Fant. “But that can only happen if we make sure government is on the side of the people. We will fight to keep our business climate free and fair so entrepreneurs can pursue their dreams and create jobs. We will stand by our law enforcement community that works so hard to keep us safe.”
Fant graduated from the University of Florida School of Law in 1994 and served in several positions in his family’s business, one of the most well known and successful community banks on Jacksonville’s west side. Fant now serves as Chairman of Caroline Family Office.
In 2014, he was elected to District 15 in the Florida House of Representatives where he serves on several committees including Judiciary, Civil Justice, Government Accountability, Ways and Means, and Insurance and Banking.
“I will continue Attorney General Bondi’s fight against prescription drug abuse, human trafficking, and predators who target seniors and children. I will keep pushing back against the federal overreach that chokes our small businesses,” said Fant. “And the most vulnerable members of our society can count on me.”
Fant and his wife, Lauren, are the parents of two sons and two daughters.
Paid by Jay Fant, Republican, for Attorney General
Governor Rick Scott Hosts Freedom Rally for Venezuela
Governor Rick Scott yesterday hosted a Freedom Rally for Venezuela at El Arepazo 2 in Miami. The Governor honored Leopoldo López, who is jailed in Venezuela for fighting for freedom and democracy, with a Governor’s Freedom Award. The award was accepted on behalf of López by Carlos Vecchio, co-founder of “Voluntad Popular,” a Venezuelan social and political movement working to eliminate poverty and support democracy. Governor Scott also spoke via phone with López’s wife Lilian Tintori, who is in Venezuela fighting for her husband’s freedom. Hundreds of people joined Governor Scott at the rally to call for freedom, peace and democracy in Venezuela.
