The Florida Lottery announces that Leslie Holtzclaw, of Pensacola, claimed a $1 million prize in the $5,000,000 FLAMINGO MULTIPLIER Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee, just one day after celebrating his 52nd birthday.
Holtzclaw chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $716,577.60. He purchased his winning ticket from Six Kids Store Super Deli, located at 1023 Greenbrier Boulevard in Pensacola.
The $20 game, $5,000,000 FLAMINGO MULTIPLER, launched in September 2015 and features more than seven million winning tickets and more than $346 million in total cash prizes! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-2.97.
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.
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New American Bridge Digital Campaign Highlights Trump's Florida Job Losses
In conjunction with the latest jobs report, American Bridge is today launching a new digital campaign highlighting layoffs and outsourced jobs in Florida since Donald Trump took office,
For every job Trump dishonestly claims to “save” or “create,” he’s glossing over others being lost as American workers across the country are laid off and lose their jobs to outsourcing — jobs Trump did nothing to protect and keep in the U.S.
Running across social media platforms, the ads will communicate to voters the real job losses that have continued to happen, even as Trump trumpets the successes of an economy he inherited from President Obama.
American Bridge is also launching TrumpEconomy.com a new website that will track the job losses due to layoffs and foreign trade that happen on Trump’s watch.
Florida alone has seen 1,038 jobs lost to announced layoffs and foreign trade since Trump took office — Florida working people Trump ignores every time he takes credit for jobs he didn’t create, fails to stimulate job growth, and pretends that the economy is working for everyone.
American Bridge Chairman David Brock issued the following statement on the launch:
“President Trump is selling out the American people with an economic agenda that rigs the system for millionaires. Since taking office, he has done nothing to create jobs or to stop them from going overseas and the American people are catching on. Trump’s economy is making outsourcing great again, and we’re going to hold him accountable for his lies, distractions, and economic failures in the White House.”
Lionfish Panhandle Pilot Program ends May 19
Panhandle lionfish hunters only have until May 19 to compete in the Panhandle Pilot Program. This yearlong lionfish removal incentive program rewards divers for harvesting lionfish off Escambia through Franklin counties. The program may be ending, but lionfish are open for harvest year-round and there are no bag or size limits.
For every 100 lionfish removed, divers receive a tag that allows them to take an additional cobia or red grouper in state waters, but this tag must be used before May 19. The first 10 teams who remove 500 or more lionfish also qualify to name an artificial reef in the Panhandle. To date, six groups have qualified to rename an artificial reef.
The program ends the day before the annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day Festival, which is May 20-21 at Plaza de Luna in Pensacola.
A revamp of the statewide Lionfish Challenge will also be launched that same weekend. More information on this program will be coming soon.
Learn more about the Panhandle Pilot Program and how you can get rewarded for your lionfish removals by visiting MyFWC.com/Lionfish.
Senator Dana Young statement on SB 442 passing Senate Environmental Preservation & Conservation Committee
State Senator Dana Young (R-Tampa) today released the following statement regarding the passage of her bill, Senate Bill 442, an act relating to advanced well stimulation treatments, out of the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee. SB 442 bans fracking of all types in Florida, including hydraulic fracking, acid fracking and matrix acidizing.
“I’m proud that my colleagues on the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee joined me in supporting a statewide fracking ban in Florida by voting favorably on SB 442.
“Florida has such a unique geological make up and one-of-a-kind environment that we should not be putting it at risk by allowing fracking in the State of Florida. This is the same sentiment that I’ve heard echoed from concerned Floridians from the panhandle all the way to the Florida Keys – we should not be jeopardizing our drinking water supply or our beautiful natural environment.
“On behalf of all Floridians and future generations yet to come, I look forward to continuing to working with my fellow members of the Senate and the members of the Florida House to pass this legislation.”
SB 442 is slated to be heard next in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources.
Harris Corporation Supporting Lee Williams Wildfire Fighting Efforts
Harris Corporation reached out to emergency management officials and first responders in Collier County, Florida, this week to offer support in battling the 7,000-acre Lee Williams wildfire.
Starting Sunday, company officials offered whatever materials the fire crews needed to continue the seamless communication among the different state and local agencies involved in fighting the fire. Those materials include spare radios, batteries, chargers and support personnel on standby.
Additionally, Harris offered use of its Helios intelligence and analytics platform, which uses existing traffic cameras to provide situational awareness in emergencies. Helios can provide historical information and predictive analysis of traffic and road conditions, weather, wind and visibility. The Helios network detected poor visibility along a 25-mile stretch of I-75 as a result of the fire, and it continues to capture and process images of the affected section of the highway.
Harris has also offered aerial sensing technology called Geiger-mode LiDAR after the fire is contained to help assess damage to property and the environment and plan necessary recovery and restoration.
Harris provides the communications infrastructure for the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Collier County Emergency Management in addition to the state agencies responding to the fire through the State Law Enforcement Radio System. SLERS includes the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and others. Harris also provides communications for FPL, which is in the area managing power interruptions resulting from the fire. All the local and state agencies and utility can communicate seamlessly using Harris technologies.
About Harris Corporation
arris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving customers’ toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $6 billion in annual revenue. The company is organized into three business segments: Communication Systems, Space and Intelligence Systems and Electronic Systems. Learn more at harris.com.
New Report Highlights More than $165 Million in MFCU Recoveries
A newly released report shows Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is recovering millions of lost Medicaid dollars. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General report highlights more than $165 million in recoveries by the MFCU during federal fiscal year 2015-2016.
“My Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigators work tirelessly to stop Medicaid fraud and recover stolen funds for taxpayers,” said Attorney General Bondi. “This report sends the strong message that we will continue to aggressively pursue anyone trying to defraud Florida’s Medicaid program.”
Since taking office in 2011, Attorney General Bondi’s MFCU has obtained more than half a billion dollars in settlements and judgments. The unit investigates and prosecutes providers that intentionally defraud the state’s Medicaid program through fraudulent billing practices. Additionally, the MFCU investigates allegations of patient abuse, neglect and exploitation in facilities receiving payments under the Medicaid program.
Each year HHS OIG publishes a report of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit statistical data for the preceding federal fiscal year. According to the report, Florida ranked second in the nation in total recoveries for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
To view HHS OIG’s report, click here.
The Florida Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates and prosecutes providers that intentionally defraud the state’s Medicaid program through fraudulent billing practices. Medicaid fraud essentially steals from Florida’s taxpayers. From Jan. 2011 to the present, Attorney General Bondi’s MFCU has obtained more than $500 million in settlements and judgments. Additionally, the MFCU investigates allegations of patient abuse, neglect, and exploitation in facilities receiving payments under the Medicaid program.
Nelson files bill to combat ID-theft related tax fraud
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) today reintroduced legislation aimed at combating ID theft-related tax fraud.
The legislation seeks to deter criminals who commit tax fraud using a stolen identity by increasing penalties on both identity thieves, and on paid tax preparers who fail to keep taxpayers’ identifying information secure. It would also expand the agency’s PIN program designed to provide taxpayers an extra level of security, and would direct the IRS to speed up the time it takes the agency to resolve ID-theft cases so victims can get their refunds sooner.
“These fraudsters are costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars every year,” Nelson said. “This bill would help us crack down on these thieves, while also making it easier for those whose identities are stolen to get the refunds they’re owed.”
Nelson’s bill would increase the maximum fine criminals could face for filing a fraudulent tax return with someone else’s identity from $100,000 to $250,000. It would also increase the penalty for tax preparers who fail to protect their clients’ information from $250 per incident to $1,000.
According to the IRS, more than 1.8 million people were victims of tax-related identity theft in 2015 alone – including over 190,000 people in Florida, more than any other state.
A Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration report released that year found that in 2013, taxpayers whose identities were stolen waited, on average, over 9 months to get their claims resolved by the IRS – with some waiting as long as two years.
To speed up the time it takes the IRS to resolve these type of claims, Nelson’s bill would require the agency to create and implement a more streamlined process for handling ID theft cases.
The legislation, which Nelson filed today, now heads to the Senate Banking Committee for consideration.
A copy of the bill can be found here.
Florida Supreme Court: New Posting, 3/9/2017, 4:15 p.m. ET
New material has been posted to the Supreme Court website in:
1. JQC re: Judge Andrew Decker III (letter scheduling public reprimand for May 2 at 9:00 a.m)
Follow the links at: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org.
Alley Oop March Madness Traffic in Orlando with Florida 511
Motorists can download the free mobile app, visit FL511.com or follow #FL511 on Twitter
College basketball fans can use the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Florida 511 Traveler Information System to arrive safely and on time for each tipoff, as March Madness comes to the Amway Center in Orlando on Thursday, March 16 and Saturday, March 18.
First- and second-round games of the 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament will draw fans from eight universities to Orlando for the event that is cohosted by the University of Central Florida and Stetson University.
To experience fewer delays, hoops fans can check the interactive road map on FL511.com before leaving to see real-time traffic information and incident alerts in English or Spanish. They can also view roadway cameras showing nearby current driving conditions.
The free Florida 511 mobile app, available on the Apple App Store or Google Play, also features an interactive map showing traffic speeds and incidents on roadways around the arena. Fans can use the app to select alternate routes.
Fans also can register on the website or mobile app for a My Florida 511 personalized services account to create a custom door-to-door route to the Amway Center and other favorite destinations. Route-specific text and email alerts can include travel speeds, travel time estimates and information about congestion, construction and incidents.
Additional ways to receive traffic information from the Florida 511 system include calling 511 toll-free from any phone in the state and following one or more of the statewide, regional or roadway-specific Twitter feeds (#FL511), such as @FL511_Central, @FL_511_I4 and FL511_Turnpike.
Florida 511 is the state’s official source for traffic and travel information. Check Florida 511 before leaving or have a passenger check during a commute to avoid using a phone while driving.
UT Recognized for Excellence in Supporting Transfer Students
The University of Tampa has been named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2017 Transfer Honor Roll, which identifies the top four-year colleges and universities that create dynamic pathways to support community college transfer.
UT is one of only 65 institutions nationwide selected to receive this honor. The selection is based on engagement, collaboration, impact and achievements related to the transfer of community college students as well as partnerships, support, admissions outreach, scholarships/financial aid, student engagement opportunities and institutional priorities.
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, MS, is the largest honor society in higher education. It’s mission is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students while providing opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming.
The University of Tampa is a private, residential university located on 110 acres on the riverfront in downtown Tampa. Known for academic excellence, personal attention and real-world experience in its undergraduate and graduate programs, the University serves 8,310 students from 50 states and 140 countries. Approximately 65 percent of full-time students live on campus, and more than half of UT students are from Florida.
