Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Featured

Featured

Gov. Scott: Florida Businesses Created Nearly 54,000 Jobs in 2017

Posted on

Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida businesses created 53,800 private-sector jobs in the first two months of 2017, bringing the total number of new jobs added since December 2010 to 1,346,200. Governor Scott made the announcement at Bealls, Inc. in Bradenton. The retailer, which is headquartered in Florida, has created more than 300 jobs across the state over the past two years and employs more than 8,500 Floridians.

Governor Rick Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida’s private-sector businesses have created nearly 54,000 new jobs in 2017. Over the past six years, we have been relentless in our efforts to make Florida the most business-friendly state in the nation because a job is the most important thing to a family. It is incredibly disheartening that politicians in the Florida House have voted to jeopardize programs that create opportunities for our families, visitors, military members and job creators. However, we will continue to fight for important economic development tools like Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA and the critical impact they have on supporting our growing economy.” 

For the 59th consecutive month, Florida’s annual job growth rate of 3.3 percent is exceeding the nation’s rate of 1.8 percent. In the last year, 239,800 new jobs were created by businesses across the state. Florida’s unemployment rate remained low at 5 percent in February, while the labor force participation rate climbed to 59.8 percent. Florida’s labor force is growing at a rate of 3.1 percent over the year while the U.S. labor force is growing at a rate of 0.7 percent over the year. 

Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Florida’s labor force is climbing more than four times faster than the nation’s and our labor force participation rate has risen over-the-year for eight consecutive months. This proves that Floridians are confident in their ability to land a good job here in Florida.” 

Other positive economic indicators include:

  • Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year in February were:
    • Professional and business services with 43,300 new jobs;
    • Trade, transportation and utilities with 42,000 new jobs;
    • Education and health services with 40,500 new jobs;
    • Leisure and hospitality with 40,300 new jobs; and
    • Construction with 34,700 new jobs.
  • Florida job postings showed 235,950 openings in February 2017.
  • In February, Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards reported 29,574 Floridians, including 1,413 veterans, were placed in jobs.

To view the February 2017 employment data visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.

St. Petersburg man claims $1 million prize in $10,000,000 FORTUNE Scratch-Off game

Posted on

The Florida Lottery announces that Trung Nguyen, 55, of St. Petersburg, 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.

Nguyen purchased his winning ticket from Lealman Chevron, located at 5801 34th Street North in St. Petersburg. 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.

Florida lawmakers urge administration to keep oil rigs away from Florida's coast

Posted on

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) is leading a bipartisan group of Florida delegation members in urging the new administration to keep offshore drilling rigs out of the eastern Gulf of Mexico and away from Florida’s coast.
In a letter today to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Nelson and others urged the administration to maintain the current moratorium on offshore oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico for at least the next five years.
Earlier this month, the administration announced that they were implementing the same five-year oil and gas leasing plan as the previous administration, which would keep the moratorium in place until at least 2022. But recent reports now indicate that the administration may be considering a new plan which could open up more areas to offshore oil drilling.
“It’s our understanding that your department may be considering a new Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2017-2022,” the lawmakers wrote. “If you do choose to draft a new plan, we strongly urge you to keep the eastern Gulf off limits.”
Joining Nelson on the letter are Reps. Vern Buchanan, Kathy Castor, Charlie Crist, Val Demings, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Alcee Hastings, Al Lawson, Brian Mast, Stephanie Murphy, Francis Rooney, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Darren Soto, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Daniel Webster and Frederica Wilson.
Below is the full text of the lawmakers’ letter to Zinke:

March 24, 2017

The Honorable Ryan Zinke
Secretary
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Secretary Zinke,
As members of the Florida congressional delegation, we are writing to make clear our strong opposition to offshore oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. It’s our understanding that your department may be considering a new Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2017-2022. If you do choose to draft a new plan, we strongly urge you to keep the eastern Gulf off limits.
Drilling in this area threatens Florida’s multi-billion-dollar, tourism-driven economy and is incompatible with the military training and weapons testing that occurs there.
In 2006, Congress passed the Gulf of Mexico Energy and Security Act (P.L. 109-432), which created a moratorium on drilling in most of the eastern Gulf of Mexico – including all areas east of the Military Mission Line.
It’s been nearly seven years since the Deepwater Horizon explosion fifty miles off the coast of Louisiana claimed the lives of eleven men and ruined an entire tourism season for the Gulf states. And we still don’t know the full extent of the damage done to marine life such as dolphins and sea turtles.
This tragedy was a painful reminder that Florida’s beaches and economy are at risk even when oil rigs are hundreds of miles away from its shores.
In addition to its economic value, the eastern Gulf of Mexico provides a critical testing and training range for our nation’s military – the largest such training area in the United States. For example, pilots at Eglin Air Force Base in Pensacola, Florida, use the open space to train with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets.
In 2015, the Department of Defense reiterated its opposition to offshore drilling activities in this vital training area. As a former Navy SEAL, you understand the importance of ensuring that the men and women of our armed forces have access to the best training opportunities available.
We expect that as our nation’s newest Interior Secretary you will follow both the letter and the spirit of the law that currently bans drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and we strongly urge you to heed the recommendations of the Department of Defense and coastal communities by keeping offshore drilling rigs out of the area.

Sincerely,

Commissioner Putnam Warns of IRS Scams Targeting Seniors

Posted on

Scam artists use tax season to prey on Floridians, and Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam urges residents to be wary of tax-related scams specifically targeting seniors. Some prevalent scams include fraudsters posing as IRS representatives requesting personal information over the phone and scammers offering to file consumers’ taxes for a fee. Senior citizens should be particularly wary as they are often vulnerable to these types of scams.
Consumers should be cautious of individuals posing as IRS representatives claiming they can rectify payment discrepancies over the phone once provided with personal financial information, such as Social Security numbers and banking information. Scammers can then use this information to falsify claim refunds or gain access to personal accounts.
In another popular scheme, scammers offer to file consumers’ taxes for a fee and promise to help claim deductions that were supposedly overlooked in the past. Individuals commonly try to convince seniors that they falsely qualify for lucrative deductions, such as reimbursements for education.
Seniors can help protect themselves from scams by keeping the following in mind:

  • The IRS contacts taxpayers by mail in most cases and will never ask for a credit card, prepaid debit card, money order or wire transfer immediately over the phone.
  • The IRS will never threaten to involve local law enforcement to issue an arrest or suspend a license.
  • Never give out personal information over the phone, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers or credit/debit card numbers without verifying the source. To ensure the source is legitimate, hang up and call the entity using its official number.
  • Floridians who are unsure about their tax situation can reach the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, protection and information. The 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.
For more information, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Appointments by Gov. Scott for Thursday, March 23, 2017

Posted on

Governor Rick Scott Appoints Three to District Board
of Trustees, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota

Governor Rick Scott announced three appointments to the District Board of Trustees, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

Tracy Knight, 51, of Venice, is the managing director of Knight Marketing, LLC and received her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. She fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning March 23, 2017, and ending May 31, 2019.

Richard Dorfman, 65, of Sarasota, is a former international sports executive and received his bachelor’s degree from American University. He succeeds Eric Robinson and is appointed for a term beginning March 23, 2017, and ending May 31, 2020.

Dominic DiMaio, 51, of Lakewood Ranch, is a divisional CEO of Synovus Bank and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Widener University. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning March 23, 2017, and ending May 31, 2020.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Governor Rick Scott Makes Four Appointments
to Jackson County Hospital District

Governor Rick Scott announced today the appointment of four to the Jackson County Hospital District.

John Milton, 57, of Marianna, is a local business owner and real estate investor. He succeeds William Floyd and is appointed for a term beginning March 23, 2017, and ending September 5, 2019.

Shareta Wright, 43, of Marianna, is the director of The Wright Foundation. She fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning March 23, 2017, and ending July 31, 2020.

Kelly Connolly, 47, of Marianna, is the vice president of finance for Tri State Automotive Warehouse. She succeeds Sandra Helms and is appointed for a term beginning March 23, 2017, and ending July 20, 2020.

Dr. Robert “Bob” Hoff, 82, of Marianna, is a retired family practitioner. He succeeds David Carrel and is appointed for a term beginning March 23, 2017, and ending July 19, 2018.

 

Flagler College students to perform children’s theatre in local schools and at Flagler

Posted on

Flagler College Theatre Arts students will be taking their craft to the classroom next week when they perform children’s theatre for nearly 300 kindergarteners across three St. Johns County schools.
The performance of Robert Munsch’s collection of acclaimed children’s stories, titled “Love You Forever and More Munsch,” adapted by Stephen Colella and Sue Miner, is part of a Theatre Arts course at Flagler, where students bring a performance to area youth. Eleven Flagler students will be performing at Ketterlinus, R.B. Hunt and Webster Elementary Schools.
“This is a great way to expose kids to theatre,” participating student Jenna Foley said. “When you’re there, in that space with them, you’re able to connect. There’s not a giant barrier. It’s a shared experience between the kids and the theatre.”
Elementary school children will have the opportunity to learn about the power of imagination, the enduring love of family and the importance of responsibility through Munsch’s popular tales.
Student Kaylyn Cast hopes to bring to the St. Augustine community the affinity she felt for such performances as a child.
“When I was a kid, people taught us messages through (theatrical) shows,” she said. “You felt more involved in the community that way, and you learned that theatre isn’t just that boring thing you watch on TV.”
Children’s theatre at Flagler began many years ago, with the work of retired Professor Emeritus Phyllis Gibbs. In those days, schools would come to the college to watch the performance in Lewis Auditorium. This year the department decided to take to show on the road and will be touring to three schools.
“The teachers (at the schools) are really excited, and so are we,” Instructor Leah Page said. “The touring component provides an intimacy; the actors are on the same level as the students and are connecting with them in a way that can only happen in a smaller playing space.”
In addition to the three school visits, students in the Children’s Theatre course will host a public performance of the same show on Saturday, April 8, at 2 p.m. in the college’s Virginia Room in the Ringhaver Student Center. The show runs approximately 35 minutes. Tickets are free, but people interested in attending can reserve their tickets by visiting www.flagler.universitytickets.com or calling (904) 826-8600.
Performance acknowledgement: Based on the book “Zoom.” Text ©2003 Bob Munsch Enterprises and illustrations © 2003 by Michael Martchenko. Based on the book “Love You Forever.” Text copyright © 1987 by Bob Munsch Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. Based on “The Paper Bag Princess, Mortimer and Murmel, Murmel, Murmel ” written by Robert Munsch, © Bob Munsch Enterprises Ltd.
3.23.2017 Munsch Poster 8.5x11 R2-page-001

Governor Rick Scott Directs Flags at Half-Staff in Memory of Captain Frederick Dellecker

Posted on

On March 14, 2017, Captain Frederick Dellecker of Daytona Beach, Florida, lost his life during a United States Air Force training exercise. As a mark of respect for Air Force Captain Frederick Dellecker, Governor Rick Scott issued a proclamation to direct the flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at the City Hall in Daytona Beach, Florida, the County Courthouse in Volusia County, Florida, and at the State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, from sunrise to sunset on Friday, March 24, 2017. To view the proclamation, see below or click HERE.

IN MEMORY OF CAPTAIN FREDERICK “DREW” DELLECKER

WHEREAS, Captain Frederick “Drew” Dellecker, United States Air Force, tragically lost his life in an air crash during a training exercise near Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico on March 14, 2017; and 
WHEREAS, Captain Frederick “Drew” Dellecker was a resident of Daytona Beach, Florida; and
WHEREAS, Captain Frederick “Drew” Dellecker won an appointment to attend the United States Air Force Academy upon graduating from Seabreeze High School in 2009.  He volunteered to serve his country in a time of conflict and graduated from the Air Force Academy in May 2013 with a pilot assignment; and
WHEREAS, Captain Frederick “Drew” Dellecker served honorably in 318th Special Operations Squadron, 27th Special Operations Wing; and 
WHEREAS, Captain Frederick “Drew” Dellecker distinguished himself by earning his flight’s Lieutenant of the Quarter Award in 2017; and the Air Force Commendation Medal, Posthumous; and
WHEREAS, Captain Frederick “Drew” Dellecker will be remembered for his humor, love of nature, compassion for animals, and his appreciation for music as playing the trumpet was a special passion in his life; and 
WHEREAS, Captain Frederick “Drew” Dellecker gave the last full measure of devotion in service to our Country; and 
WHEREAS, the memory of Captain Frederick “Drew” Dellecker should be honored by all those whose freedom he gave his life to protect. 
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Scott, Governor of the State of Florida, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by 4 U.S.C. § 7(m), as amended on June 29, 2007, and the laws and Constitution of the State of Florida, do hereby proclaim and direct as follows: 

  1. All State and National flags shall be flown at half-staff at the County Courthouse of Volusia County, Florida, and at the City Hall of Daytona Beach, Florida, on March 24, 2017, in honor of Captain Frederick “Drew” Dellecker. 
  2. The State and National flags at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, shall also be flown at half-staff on March 24, 2017, in honor of Captain Frederick “Drew” Dellecker.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and caused the Great Seal of
the State of Florida to be affixed, at
Tallahassee, the Capital, this 23rd day of
March 2017.

Gov. Rick Scott to Attend “A Rick Case Habitat Community” Celebration Event

Posted on

Tomorrow, March 24, Governor Rick Scott will attend the “A Rick Case Habitat Community” celebration event in Pompano Beach.

WHAT: “A Rick Case Habitat Community” Celebration Event

WHEN: 12:30 PM

WHERE: Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church
900 NW 15th Street
Pompano Beach, FL 33060