As part of a unified grassroots effort across the State of Florida, join Elizabeth McCarthy and partners including ACLU of Central Florida, League of Women Voters of Central Florida, Greater Orlando NOW, as well as others to support the Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Protection Act (Florida SB 410/HB 319). Please join us on March 14 at 11:30 AM at Orlando City Hall for a press conference on equal pay for equal work.
Sponsors of these bills include Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando), Representatives Berman (D-Lake Worth), House Minority Leader Janet Cruz (D-Tampa), Abruzzo (D-Boynton Beach), Baez (D-Coral Gables), Davis (D-Jacksonville), Geller (D-Aventura), and Mercado (D-Orlando).
Named the “Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Protection Act” in recognition of her hard work in the field of equal pay, the bill hopes to strengthen state laws in this arena. If enacted, the bills would specify which factors employers could use to decide to pay employees differently, such as education or experience based on seniority or merit, and would prohibit employers from screening job applicants based on prior wages. It would also bar employers from taking retaliatory action against an employee who discloses their wages to a coworker and prohibits employers from discrimination towards employees based on their sex or gender identity.
Who: Elizabeth McCarthy, ACLU of Central FL, League of Woman Voters of Central Florida, Greater Orlando NOW
What: Press Conference to Support Equal Pay for Equal Work
When: March 14th, 2017 – 11:30 am Press Conference/Rally
Where: Orlando City Hall, 400 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
Featured
House Committee Votes to Protect Florida’s Reemployment Program From Criminal Fraud
The House Oversight, Transparency and Administration committee today unanimously approved SB 671, which strengthens the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s efforts to fight fraud in the state’s Reemployment Assistance program. The legislation provides DEO access to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ DAVID System, which includes the state photo identification database.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “I applaud the House Oversight, Transparency and Administration committee for voting to protect Florida’s Reemployment Assistance program from theft and fraud. With the Legislature’s support, DEO can more quickly identify criminals attempting to steal benefits from job seekers who need them.”
The legislation includes the tools and legal authorizations that are critical to prevent and fight public benefits fraud by providing DEO access to the driver’s license database to confirm provided IDs are not fraudulent.
About DEO
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce, and community development efforts. This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.
Two players claim $1 million prizes playing new $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH Scratch-Off game
The Florida Lottery announces that Vernon Dorsey, II, 58, of St. Cloud; and Joshua Reyes, 31, of Naples, each claimed a $1 million prize in the $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Both winners chose to receive their winnings as a one- time, lump-sum payment of $748,000.00.
Dorsey purchased his winning ticket from Circle K, located at 613 13th Street in St. Cloud. Reyes purchased his winning ticket from Publix, located at 4860 Davis Boulevard in Naples.
The $25 game, $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH, launched on February 28 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.
SunRail offering service Saturday, March 18
Three Big Venues
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is pleased to announce that SunRail trains will be running special service this Saturday, March 18 in an effort to offer transportation options to those attending three major venues, as well as other area events. This special service is a privately funded initiative.
Venues this Saturday feature the 58th Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, NCAA March Madness 2nd round playoffs at the Amway Center, and an Orlando City Soccer match at the team’s new home stadium Saturday night. SunRail service begins with the first train leaving southbound from the DeBary station at 10 a.m. The last northbound train leaves the Sand Lake Road station at 12:15 a.m. early Sunday morning and arrives in DeBary at 1:18 a.m. Sunday morning. Regular fares apply.
SunRail urges riders to get to the stations at least 30 minutes early, especially if you are purchasing tickets at the vending machines located on the platforms.
For more information about SunRail, including pricing, station locations, as well as the regular weekday schedule, please visit www.sunrail.com.
Saturday SunRail Tips
- SunRail will be collecting fares on Saturday, March 18, 2017
- Arrive at the station platforms at least 30 minutes in advance of your train
- Remember to tap on and tap off with your ticket, so your trip will register
- Please check the SunRail schedule at www.sunrail.com to make sure you don’t miss your train
- No food is allowed on the train, nor is smoking allowed on the train and platforms
- No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the train
- Non-alcoholic beverages must be in secure, spill-proof containers
- Please be courteous to others, fold up strollers, store bikes properly as the trains may be crowded
- Please be careful around trains, railroad crossings, and while at station platforms. Be smart. Be safe.
Painting of St. Augustine’s Castillo de San Marcos Donated to State History Museum
The Museum of Florida History today announced that a 1930s painting of St. Augustine’s fort Castillo de San Marcos has joined the collection. The Museums of Florida History Foundation donated the artwork.
“It is very important for the Museum to collect a wide range of artifacts that interpret Florida’s history,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “Since 2000, we have worked with the Museums of Florida History Foundation to enhance the Museum’s permanent collection and exhibits.”
At a recent reception honoring the donation, Foundation members welcomed State Representative Cyndi Stevenson, whose district includes St. Augustine.
Museums of Florida History Foundation Board Members (L to R) Jeanette Wilk Yaeger, Pep Culpepper, State Representative Cyndi Stevenson, and Board President Dave Mica stand with the newly-donated painting of the fort at St. Augustine.
PHOTO: Fort at St. Augustine
Artist: Dolly Bee Breitenbaugh
Oil painting on canvas board, 1935
Collection of the Museum of Florida History
Donated by the Museums of Florida History Foundation
The oil painting, by artist Dolly Bee Breitenbaugh, portrays the historic Spanish colonial fort at St. Augustine, the Castillo de San Marcos. Constructed between 1672 and 1695, the fortification was called Fort Marion from 1821 until 1942. An early radio communications tower that the U.S. military built on the grounds of the fort is included in the painting. This shows how the skyline of the ancient city developed, but retained its historic features.
Breitenbaugh depicted the fort as seen from the Bridge of Lions in 1935. The Kansas native received her training at the Kansas City Art Institute, and presumably painted the scene during a vacation to the city.
This painting continues a project to build a collection of pre-World War II paintings that artistically portray the historical development of Florida cities.
About the Museum of Florida History
The Museum of Florida History is part of the Florida Department of State’s Office of External Affairs and is located in the R. A. Gray Building at 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday and holidays, noon to 4:30 p.m. Free parking is available in the garage next to the R. A. Gray Building.
Gov. Rick Scott to Host “Fighting for Florida Jobs” Tourism Rally at the Florida Capitol
Tomorrow, March 14, Governor Rick Scott will join tourism leaders, business owners, and community members from around the state to rally support for fully funding VISIT FLORIDA.
WHAT: Fighting for Florida Jobs Tourism Rally
WHEN: 2:30 PM
WHERE: The Florida Capitol
Capitol Rotunda
400 South Monroe
Tallahassee, FL
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council Names New Executive Director
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) has announced the appointment of Valerie Breen as its new executive director. She will assume responsibilities on March 20, succeeding Debra Dowds who recently retired.
Breen has served as chief executive officer of the Brain Injury Association of Florida (BIAF) since 2005. Her expertise in the field of health care and disabilities spans a more than 30-year career working in the health-related industry as an innovative leader of sustainable human service delivery programs and services. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Applied Social Sciences with a Master of Science degree in Social Administration, she has dedicated most of her career to ensuring that families impacted by chronic and disabling conditions have access to the critical health and community-based resources necessary to thrive.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Mich., she moved to Florida in 1994 and currently resides in Tallahassee. She also serves as the overseer/care coordinator for her mother, who sustained a traumatic brain injury in 2010. She is a recognized health care consultant, an innovative leader in the field of health care and disabilities, and is a nationally recognized speaker on the subject.
“I am extremely honored to have been chosen as the next executive director for the FDDC and to work with such a committed Council, staff and community. My hope is that through my leadership, we can continue to positively impact the systems that serve persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. I look forward to bringing my passion and expertise developed through my 30-year career serving persons with disabilities to the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. My desire is to continue the Council’s mission to support Floridians with intellectual and developmental disabilities in accessing meaningful lives throughout the community,” said Breen.
The FDDC is a non-profit organization charged with advocating and promoting meaningful participation in all aspects of life for Floridians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information on the FDDC, go to www.fddc.org.
Cabinet to Declare Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Attorney General Pam Bondi will introduce a resolution at the Florida Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, March 14, declaring the month of March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Florida.
Representatives from the following organizations will be there to accept the resolution:
- Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)
- Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
- The Arc of Florida
- Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities
- RESPECT of Florida
- ABLE Trust
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Association of Support Coordination Agencies of Florida
Chick-fil-A employee Adam Longfellow and Jeff’s Corner owner, Jeff Shell, will address Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet on the importance of employment services for people with disabilities.
The Cabinet meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the Cabinet meeting room on the lower level of the Capitol Building.
APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, and work in their communities. The agency annually serves more than 50,000 Floridians with autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, Phalen-McDermid syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit APDcares.org or call toll-free 1‑866‑APD‑CARES (1‑866‑273‑2273).
State Sen. Kevin Rader calls on Florida Senate to oppose UN resolution reversing decades of bipartisan agreement
Concerned that a measure by the United Nations may adversely impact the safety and security of one of this country’s strongest allies, State Senator Kevin Rader (D-Boca Raton) has filed a Senate resolution requesting that the UN reverse its course.
“Filing this resolution hits very close to home,” said Senator Rader. “It is personal because my family lives in Israel and I, my wife and kids constantly go back and forth. The safety of everyone involved is at stake, not only for my family members but also the people of Israel.”
The United States has long supported a negotiated settlement leading to a sustainable two state solution with the democratic, Jewish state of Israel and a demilitarized, democratic Arab state living side by side in peace and security. This United Nations Resolution undermines the long-standing position of the United States to oppose and veto United Nations Security Council resolutions that seek to impose issues that are one-sided and anti-Israel reversing decades of bipartisan agreement.
With the passage of SR 574 – United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 – the Florida Senate would affirm that it opposes and requests the repeal of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 or the fundamental alteration of the resolution.
“A two state solution is the only sensible way to keep the peace in the region and to stop the constant bloodshed that is killing innocent people,” said Rader. “We need to keep protecting the rights of Israel and what the UNSC has imposed is going to have a negative impact.”
Senator Rader’s resolution is expected to be taken up during the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday March 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Florida Poly Hosts Florida Academy of Sciences 81st Annual Meeting
Florida Polytechnic University this weekend hosted the Florida Academy of Sciences (FAS) 2017 Annual Conference at the Innovation, Science and Technology Building. Faculty, post-doctoral research fellows, graduate and undergraduate students came together to exchange new scientific discoveries and recognize significant breakthroughs that are building the development and economy of Florida.
During the two-day conference, attendees from across the state of Florida shared their research.
“We have some of the most brilliant minds in science right here in our state,” said Dr. Jeremy Montague, Professor of Biology at Berry University in Miami Shores and Current President of Florida Academy of Sciences. “Our goal is to recognize their scientific achievements and celebrate their passion for science, especially in our student presenters at the Senior Academy on Friday and the younger participants in the Florida Junior Academy of Science on Saturday.”
The event featured student oral and poster presentations, booth displays from several sponsor companies and a banquet dinner with the 2016 FAS medalist as speaker, Dr. George A. Maul from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Florida Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent delivered the Gale plenary address on “The Future of STEM Education and Research.”
“Florida Poly is preparing the next generation of leaders with the technical and critical-thinking skills to advance technology and engineering well into the future,” said Avent. “We guarantee our graduates are job-ready to build Florida’s economy. Events like this help us stay current and bring real-world knowledge to the classroom as experts share their work and findings with students.”
A school competition and award ceremony was also held under the banner of the Florida Junior Academy of Science, the student division of FAS. A combination of high and middle school students visited the IST building for their participation and presentation.
“This was such an exciting event, particularly for the students,” said Dr. Sesha Srinivasan, Assistant Professor of Physics at Florida Poly and FAS 2017 Conference Chair. “We aim to provide all students with the opportunity to network with their peers and professionals with common careers goals. It is the best way to help them reach breakthroughs in their research activities.”
Prior annual conferences were held at Saint Leo University and the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where Florida Poly students received outstanding presentation awards and recognition.
“I am always amazed to see the kind of projects our students come up with,” said Dr. Kathryn Miller, Florida Poly Vice Provost, Academic Support Services and FAS 2017 Conference Co-Chair. “Through these gatherings and with the help of industry leaders, we can continue to fuel their interest in science, research and other high-tech fields.”
The Florida Academy of Sciences was founded in 1936 as a non-profit organization to promote scientific research and foster public and governmental understanding and appreciation of the sciences and the industries that apply them. The Florida affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science represents all disciplines of sciences. To learn more, please visit www.floridaacademyofsciences.org/annual-meeting/.
About Florida Polytechnic University
Florida Polytechnic University is the newest member of the State University System of Florida. Dedicated exclusively to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), the University blends applied research with industry partnerships to give students an academically rigorous education with real-world relevance. Faculty experts at Florida Polytechnic University provide insightful analysis, opinions and comments about a broad range of STEM and higher education subjects. To connect with Florida Poly faculty, click here. The campus, located in Lakeland, Fla. along the I-4 High Tech Corridor, opened for classes in the fall of 2014.
