The Florida Law Review’s 36th annual Dunwody Distinguished Lecture in Law will feature Professor Mark Tushnet, a leading scholar of constitutional law and legal history. Tushnet is currently the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Harvard Law School.
“Illiberal Constitutionalism” will be held Friday, February 24, 2017 at 10 A.M. in the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom, Room 180, located at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. The law school is located at 2500 SW 2nd Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32611. The lecture is sponsored by the Dunwody Distinguished Lecture in Law Series and is presented by the Florida Law Review. The lecture is free and open to the public. Free parking will be available at the law school.
The Florida Law Review’s Dunwody Distinguished Lecture in Law series was established by the U.S. Sugar Corporation and the law firms of Dunwody, White & Landon, P.A. and Mershon, Sawyer, Johnston, Dunwody & Cole in honor of Elliot and Atwood Dunwody. The honorees were brothers who dedicated their lives to the legal profession and who set a standard of excellence for The Florida Bar. As graduates of the University of Florida College of Law, they labored long, continuously, and quietly to better the social and economic conditions in Florida.
The Dunwody Lecture series is intended to perpetuate the example set by the Dunwody brothers by providing a forum for renowned legal scholars to present novel and challenging ideas.
Media inquiries can be directed to Florida Law Review Executive Symposium Editors Ashlyn Robinson and Cayman Weimer at [email protected] or at 352-273-0670.
For more details, please visit the Florida Law Review’s website at www.floridalawreview.org or contact the office at 352-273-0670.
Distinguished Speaker
Professor Tushnet, who graduated from Harvard College and Yale Law School and served as a law clerk to Justice Thurgood Marshall, specializes in constitutional law and theory, including comparative constitutional law. His research includes studies examining (skeptically) the practice of judicial review in the United States and around the world. He also writes in the area of legal and particularly constitutional history, with works on the development of civil rights law in the United States and (currently) a long-term project on the history of the Supreme Court in the 1930s.
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Secretary Detzner to Induct Four Artists into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame
Secretary of State Ken Detzner invites the press to a ceremony inducting four artists with deep ties to Florida into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 23.
DATE AND TIME: Thursday, February 23, 5:30 p.m.
LOCATION: The Thomas Center
302 NE 6 Ave, Gainesville, Fla.
WHO: Inductees: GRAMMY Award winners Billy Dean and Don Felder; poet Lee Bennett Hopkins; and comedian, musician and singer-songwriter Jim Stafford.
Emcees: Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner and Division of Cultural Affairs Director Sandy Shaughnessy.
DESCRIPTION: Four artists with deep ties to Florida to be inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. All four artists will be attending.
Established by the Florida Legislature in 1986, the Florida Artists Hall of Fame is the highest cultural honor bestowed upon Florida artists and recognizes persons, living or deceased, who have made significant contributions to the arts in Florida either as performing or practicing artists in individual disciplines.
For more information on the Florida Artists Hall of Fame and the 2017 Inductees, please visit: dos.myflorida.com/cultural/programs/florida-artists-hall-of-fame/.
About the Division of Cultural Affairs
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs is Florida’s legislatively designated state arts agency. The Division promotes the arts and culture as essential to quality of life for all Floridians. To achieve its mission, the Division funds and supports cultural programs that provide artistic excellence, diversity, education, access and economic vitality for Florida’s communities. For more information, visit dos.myflorida.com/cultural.
Jet-racing team revs up would-be entrepreneurs during speaker series
Lemerand Entrepreneurial Scholarships go to two winning students
Elaine and Chris Larsen, founders of what has become the world’s largest jet-powered racing motorsports company, know what it’s like to start a business from the ground up. The racing superstars shared their story to a capacity crowd on Feb. 21 during the spring installment of the L. Gale Lemerand Entrepreneurial Speaker Series hosted by the Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College and DSC’s School of Business Administration.
“Larsen Motorsports was never meant to be as big as it is today. We were just a couple of Michigan farmers who found a niche,” said Chris Larsen, noting that the company started when the husband and wife team built their first dragster in their garage.
Founded in 1999, Larsen Motorsports today is headquartered in Palm Bay and features multiple jet-engine powered dragsters commandeered by Elaine Larsen and her team of mostly female drivers. The company is partly operated by a constantly cycled group of college interns learning everything from marketing the business side of Larsen Motorsports and maintaining the complex vehicle engines, to fabricating parts and transporting the cars on race days.
The Larsens shared some key tips for aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Define your own definition of winning and success, as they are not necessarily the same.
- Don’t compare yourself to others; simply try to continuously improve.
- Make the time of others as valuable as your own.
- Treat the customer paying you $100 the same as you would the customer paying you $100,000.
- Be kind and courteous, and embrace those who work for you.
- Stay out of debt; it can crush your business.
- Start strategically and build your business progressively.
- Count on a beginning, a middle and an end for your business.
Chris Larsen also added, looking to his driver wife of over 30 years, “Things that are forever, embrace them entirely.”
Prior to the Larsen’s presentation, DSC President Tom LoBasso told the audience, most of them DSC and local high school students, that many of the programs offered by DSC, such as associate and bachelor’s degrees in engineering technology and information technology, as well as degree and certificate programs in project management, electronics, CNC machining, automotive technology and automotive collision and repair can be applied to careers in motorsports.
He and the speaker series’ namesake, L. Gale Lemerand, also presented two students with $1,000 Entrepreneurial Speaker Series scholarships. They were Caneshia Bennett (pictured with Dr. LoBasso (L) and Mr. Lemerand (R), a Palm Coast resident studying business administration who also owns a food truck serving Volusia and Flagler counties on weekends, and Keisha Harris, a Daytona Beach single mother of three enrolled in the college’s culinary arts program, who plans to open her own restaurant or bake shop upon graduation.
The Larsens are dedicated to bringing new talent to the sport of drag racing, such as drivers, engineers and fabrication and vehicle-maintenance specialists. They also serve as valuable role models by introducing young women to non-traditional STEM careers.
ICYMI: The Florida Channel: 2/22/17 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award Ceremony
Pam Bondi: “They are out there risking their lives for you every single day, so we need to appreciate our law enforcement throughout this country.”
The Florida Channel
Feb. 22, 2017
To watch the full Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award Ceremony, visit TheFloridaChannel.org
Florida panther population estimate updated
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have updated the estimated number of endangered Florida panthers in their breeding range south of the Caloosahatchee River.
The updated population estimate is 120 to 230 adult and subadult Florida panthers, according to a February 2017 report from the agencies collaborating on conservation and recovery efforts. The previous Florida panther population estimate was 100 to 180 adult and subadult panthers in 2014. These population estimates do not include kittens, which are still dependent on their mothers.
The panther population report is available on FloridaPantherNet.org.
The report emphasizes both the importance and difficulty in obtaining accurate panther population estimates, which is similar to estimating other puma populations in western states. Currently, Florida scientists are evaluating several methods to refine their ability to estimate the panther population size, including the use of trail cameras and panther road mortality data. The current numbers, developed jointly by USFWS and FWC scientists, use annual counts of panthers primarily conducted on public lands. Density of panthers on these areas is then multiplied across the larger area that makes up the primary breeding range in south Florida. Although there are some panthers outside of this range in south Florida and in areas north of the Caloosahatchee River, they are primarily dispersing males and do not significantly contribute to the breeding population.
“This latest Florida panther population estimate is good news, an indication that conservation efforts are on track in helping recover this endangered animal,” said Kipp Frohlich, FWC’s Deputy Director for the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. “In the 1970s and 1980s, it was estimated only 20 to 30 panthers remained in Florida.”
Larry Williams, the USFWS’s Florida State Supervisor of Ecological Services, believes the new numbers indicate things are trending in the right direction — due in part to a strong partnership with the state of Florida.
“Continued recovery will require a long-term concerted effort by many partners committed to finding common-sense solutions that balance many different and competing interests, yet are grounded in a shared purpose of conserving the lands that support Florida’s native wildlife and its ranching heritage,” Williams said.
The public is encouraged to report sightings of panthers or their tracks, and in particular photos, to MyFWC.com/PantherSightings to help with panther research and management. Biologists are especially interested in pictures of panthers north of the Caloosahatchee River, which runs from Lake Okeechobee to Fort Myers.
Floridians also can help panther conservation efforts by purchasing the “Protect a Panther” vehicle tag from local tax collector’s offices.
Floridians for Ridesharing Coalition Launches in Support of Statewide Ridesharing Legislation
The Florida Chamber of Commerce and other organizations today launched Floridians for Ridesharing, a coalition advocating a uniform set of statewide regulations governing ridesharing services across Florida. The coalition includes business groups, nonprofit organizations, and safety organizations all interested in advancing ridesharing in Florida.
Floridians for Ridesharing will promote the economic and practical benefits of ridesharing in support of SB 340 and HB 221, identical bills to establish a consistent statewide framework for ridesharing in the state. Coalition members range from the Chamber and Associated Industries of Florida to the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Orlando Tech Association, as well as other business and safety groups.
“Florida’s future depends on diversifying our state’s economy by attracting and supporting innovations like ridesharing,” said Frank Walker, Vice President of Governmental Affairs at the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “Florida wins when we streamline regulations and work toward remaining globally competitive. Whether giving business travelers an easier way to get around or providing earning opportunities to more Floridians, ridesharing offers a tangible economic benefit to our state.”
Several ridesharing companies operate in Florida, including Uber and Lyft. Their internet-based applications enable passengers to contact nearby drivers, who then use their own vehicles to transport the passengers to their destinations. Ridesharing providers currently must operate under a patchwork of local laws that can vary widely from community to community, a problem that would be resolved by the statewide framework envisioned in the legislation. New Jersey passed similar legislation earlier this month, becoming the 38th state to enact statewide ridesharing regulations.
“Convenient transportation options are an absolute necessity for people with vision loss – and ridesharing introduces a simple, affordable means to get around,” said Kim Galban-Countryman, executive director of the Lighthouse of the Big Bend. “Ridesharing truly is an eye-opening experience for people who have traditionally had to rely on other people taking them places. That’s why we are proud to support these innovative services.”
Ridesharing services have been shown to provide a significant boost to local economies, allowing people to stay out later while still having the option for a safe ride home. Together, Uber and Lyft have provided Florida’s residents and visitors with tens of millions of rides, resulting in millions of dollars in additional passenger spending.
“Ridesharing services help countless Floridians have access to an innovative, convenient, and affordable method of transportation while providing drivers with the opportunity to generate extra income,” said Julio Fuentes, president and CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Companies like Lyft and Uber are helping create the transportation options of tomorrow, and the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is proud to support statewide legislation that brings clarity and consistency to our state’s ridesharing regulations.”
SB 340 and HB 221 set standards for ridesharing operations that would provide uniformity in the services across Florida. These standards include criteria for background checks, insurance, and consumer protections.
“The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce has supported legislation establishing statewide regulation of ridesharing for the past four years, and we will continue to support it until the bill becomes law,” said Bob Rohrlack, president and CEO of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. “Our members and their employees look forward to the passage of HB 221 and SB 340 during the 2017 Legislative Session.”
The House bill, HB 221 sponsored by Reps. Chris Sprowls and James Grant, was overwhelmingly approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee and the House Government Accountability Committee, while Sen. Brandes’ SB 340 is awaiting review by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
Here is a full list of organizations that support Floridians for Ridesharing:
· Florida Chamber of Commerce
· Associated Industries of Florida
· Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
· Internet Association
· Floridians for Better Transportation
· National Down Syndrome Society
· Floridians for Government Accountability
· Florida Council for Safe Communities
· Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition
· Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
· South Tampa Chamber of Commerce
· Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
· Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce
· Orlando Tech Association
· Lighthouse of the Big Bend
· Elevate
· Generation Opportunity
· J. J. Taylor Distributing Florida
· Jacksonville Armada Football Club
· SAVE
· Beaver Street Fisheries, Inc.
· Dalton Agency
· The New Tropic
Individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in learning more information about ridesharing or joining the Floridians for Ridesharing coalition can visit www.ridesharingfl.com.
Attorney General Bondi Announces the 2016 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Attorney General Pam Bondi today named Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Channing Taylor the 2016 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Attorney General Bondi recognized Lieutenant Taylor and nine other officers from across the state for their dedication to protecting Floridians.
“I am eternally grateful for these nominees and all our brave law enforcement officers who risk their lives daily to keep us safe,” said Attorney General Bondi. “We cannot thank these officers enough for the sacrifices they and their families make to protect our communities.”
On June 14, 2015, while on patrol, Lieutenant Taylor noticed a truck being operated without headlights, approached the vehicle and asked the driver for her license. Suddenly, a male passenger produced a revolver and fired at Lieutenant Taylor, striking him once in the shoulder. Lieutenant Taylor took cover and drew his firearm. When the suspects attempted to flee the scene, Lieutenant Taylor left his covered position to gain a clear line of sight of the vehicle and its occupants and fired his service firearm, striking the male passenger and causing the vehicle to stop.
Lieutenant Taylor not only ended a life-threatening situation to himself, but his quick and decisive actions ensured the safety of the individuals around him. Lieutenant Taylor’s actions demonstrated that the safety and welfare of the public and the prevention of further injury was his main concern.
Each of today’s honorees had been previously selected as the Officer of the Year by a Florida law enforcement agency or association. The Florida Highway Patrol nominated Lieutenant Taylor, a 22-year veteran of FHP. A selection committee appointed by Attorney General Bondi considered the distinguished group of nominees from state agencies and organizations.
The following law enforcement officers are the additional nominees:
- Officer Christopher Ayala, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services;
- Officer David Brady, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission;
- Deputy Emanuel Gonzalez, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office;
- Officer Jason Hutchinson, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission;
- Officer Niel Johnson, North Miami Police Department;
- Special Agent Travis Lawson, Florida Department of Law Enforcement;
- Investigator Jason Newlin, the State Attorney’s Office for the Second Judicial Circuit;
- Investigator Jayson Paul, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office; and
- Deputy Nicholas Worthy, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
For more information on the nominees’ accomplishments, click here.
2017 United Way ALICE Report shows that working families continue to struggle in Florida
Florida’s United Ways announce consensus legislative agenda to
advocate for working families during the 2017 Florida Legislature
During the United Way Capital Days, United Way of Florida released the findings of the updated United Way ALICE Report. It states that 29.5 percent of Florida’s working households are struggling to make ends meet, and another 14.5 percent earn less than the Federal Poverty Level. Combined, 44 percent or 3.3 million households out of the total 7.5 million households continue to struggle. Drawing from research in the ALICE Report and from work being conducted by local United Ways, Florida’s 32 United Ways developed a consensus legislative agenda to advocate during the 2017 Florida Legislature to help working families.
Two years ago, United Ways introduced ALICE®, which stands for – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – to place a spotlight on a large population of residents who are working, earning more than the Federal Poverty Level, but still have difficulty affording the basic necessities of housing, food, child care, health care and transportation. Back then, the Report stated that 2.6 million households in Florida were ALICE.
The updated Report uses data from a variety of sources, including the American Community Survey and Bureau of Labor Statistics to quantify the number of households in Florida’s workforce that are not consistently and independently affording the basics in each county. The 2017 United Way ALICE Report reveals:
- The cost of basic household expenses increased steadily in every county in Florida between 2007 and 2015.
- The rise in the Household Survival Budget in Florida was driven primarily by a 20 percent increase in housing costs since 2007.
- Wages have improved, however, when adjusted for inflation the percent of low-wage jobs is the same as in 2007.
- ALICE represents every demographic: men and women, young and old, all races and in every county in Florida.
- Households with children are more likely to struggle, particularly those with a single parent, with 79 percent of female-headed households and 65 percent of male-headed households not being able to consistently afford the basics in Florida.
- The Florida population is shifting significantly and quickly. The number of households headed by people under 25 fell by 29 percent since 2007, while households over 65 increased by 24 percent. Surprisingly, the more vulnerable of both populations are often vying for the same housing and jobs; nearly half of those over 65 are now in the workforce.
- Technology plays a critical role in the changing job landscape and ALICE is uniquely vulnerable. In 2015 Florida ranked as the 4th highest state for technology jobs, yet research indicates a significant percent of Florida’s jobs will be replaced or significantly impacted by technology in the next two decades.
- The ‘Gig Economy’ is continuing to move more jobs from full-time jobs with benefits to part-time, on-demand or contingent employment. This creates opportunities for ALICE to fill short-term gaps in standard employment, but also transfers many costs and risks from employers onto individuals.
Florida United Ways have joined United Ways in fourteen other states, covering 40 percent of the US Population, to provide statewide ALICE Reports. The methodology for the updated report was improved by using county-level average household sizes for households above and below age 65, instead of statewide averages and incorporating the costs associated with the Affordable Care Act.
The updated ALICE Report recommends both short-term and long-term strategies to help ALICE families and strengthen communities. Florida United Ways work with a myriad of partners and invest more than $100 million every year to empower ALICE families through education, financial stability and health programs. Funds are raised and invested locally to help those in crisis and prevent families, seniors, veterans and other important but vulnerable members of the community from falling into poverty. In 2016, IRS-certified volunteers in Florida, working at 733 tax preparation sites, coordinated by United Way and dozens of its partners, filed 225,000 tax returns that helped ALICE families, the elderly and disabled claim over $232 million in tax refunds, including important tax credits. Despite these tremendous efforts, each year, tens of thousands of Florida ALICE households do not have the safe free help to maximize their tax refunds, and fail to claim more than $1.1 billion in Earned Income Tax Credit and $193 million in higher-education tax credits.
For the first time, an online simulator is also available to experience the financial challenges that ALICE households in Florida face at WalkWithALICE.com, powered by United Way Suncoast.
About United Way of Florida
The United Way of Florida is a statewide association representing Florida’s 32 United Ways on legislative and administrative issues, training, and disaster preparation, response and recovery issues, among others. The mission of the United Way of Florida is to enhance Florida United Ways’ efforts to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another.
CFO Jeff Atwater Enters Final Session Fighting for Floridians
As lawmakers progress through the final committee week ahead of the 2017 Legislative Session, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is readying to enter his final Session the same way he began his first nearly two decades ago—fighting for Floridians. Focusing on legacy enhancements to the Department of Financial Services and several measures that will protect policyholders against insurance fraud and during times when insurance companies fail, CFO Atwater looks forward to robust conversations with the Florida House and Senate.
“Since day one, I’ve set out to protect Floridians from fraud, waste and abuse, and this legislative session, I’ve put forward a set of priorities that I believe continue that commitment,” said CFO Atwater. “In addition to enhancing current programs and building in consumer protections, we’re looking at ways to address the growing problems associated with the misuse and abuse of the assignment of benefits tool.”
Several of CFO Atwater’s key legislative initiatives include:
Unclaimed Property
Designed to further streamline Florida’s nationally-recognized unclaimed property program, bills filled by Senator Jeff Brandes (SB 536) and Representative Chuck Clemons (HB 681) offer changes to current unclaimed property processes that allow individuals known as surplus trustees to return funds remaining following foreclosure proceedings—for a fee of up to 12 percent. The bill eliminates the Surplus Trustee Program and allows Division of Unclaimed Property staff to process those unclaimed property claims as all others, in-house and without cost to the consumer.
Insurance Fraud
Aimed at improving processes and honing investigative techniques, bills filed by Senator Jeff Brandes (SB 1012) and Representative Holly Raschein (bill number forthcoming) require insurance companies to develop anti-fraud plans that will be submitted to the Department of Financial Services annually; requires in-house fraud-fighting units within insurance companies be trained by the Department’s insurance fraud investigators; and allows the Chief Financial Officer to assign and re-assign dedicated prosecutors as fraud trends change in scope and location.
Insurance Rehabilitation and Liquidation
Bills filed by Senator Kathleen Passidomo (SB 730) and Representative Jake Raburn (HB 837) are designed to streamline Florida’s insurance receivership process. When an insurance company fails financially, the Department of Financial Services steps in to help. The process is called receivership, and the Department works to determine if the company can be saved through rehabilitation or if it must be liquidated. There are many debtors and typically insufficient funds to pay all outstanding debts. This common sense legislation clarifies the deadlines for debtors to submit claims, streamlines payment processes and timelines, and outlines the obligations of the insurance company to cooperate with Department staff.
In addition to these Departmental priorities, CFO Atwater and the Department of Financial Services will play an active role in ongoing legislative discussions involving assignment of benefits (AOB), an insurance tool in which a consumer assigns their rights to the company they’ve hired to make repairs. A sharp rise in the number of claims involving AOBs has led to rising insurance company costs and resulted in several companies starting to raise rates to recoup losses.
To learn more about the Department of Financial Services, click HERE.
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, a statewide elected official, oversees the Department of Financial Services, serves as Florida’s State Fire Marshal, and is a member of the Florida Cabinet. CFO Atwater’s priorities include fighting financial fraud, abuse and waste in government, reducing government spending and regulatory burdens that chase away businesses, and providing transparency and accountability in spending. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).
Jacksonville Civic Council Leader Featured Speaker at UNF Leadership Speakers Bureau
The University of North Florida’s Taylor Leadership Institute will host its spring Leadership Speakers Bureau event, “Leading through Consensus Building,” featuring Jacksonville Civic Council (JCC) leader Jeanne Miller 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at Osprey Commons, Building 16, Talon Room, Fourth Floor.
An experienced executive and attorney, Miller has more than 20 years’ experience leading organizations and moving big ideas and projects forward. Since 2013, she has been exercising those skills as JCC president and CEO, a business advocacy organization that works with leaders of Northeast Florida’s largest companies to promote solutions to the region’s most complex business and public policy challenges.
In her presentation, Miller will engage participants on the challenging practice of consensus building, providing unique insight into this collaborative process. Sharing valuable advice on what is needed to facilitate this dynamic and cooperative approach to problem solving, she will inevitably draw upon her unique experience leading the JCC, an organization that has had great success in harnessing the collective knowledge, experience and influence of a wide range of local business and civic leaders to positively shape First Coast public policy.
“As the issues of our society become more complex and controversial, developing the ability to bridge that gap between different groups and ideas becomes all the more essential for today’s emerging leaders,” said Alison Noonan, outreach coordinator for UNF’s Taylor Leadership Institute. “When working among diverse groups with often conflicting interests, the ability to find common ground and identify mutually beneficial solutions is a valuable skill that, when developed, has the potential to benefit UNF students in countless ways.”
Participants are invited to attend a reception, catered by Chartwells, immediately following the presentation. This event is free and open to the public. Parking will be available in Parking Lot 9, in front of the UNF Annex, Building 6.
To register, visit the website. For more information, contact Korie Hilliard, Taylor Leadership Institute events planning coordinator, at [email protected].
The Leadership Speakers Bureau offers attendees a unique, face-to-face experience with leadership-centric speakers with esteemed backgrounds, motivating stories and illuminating question-and-answer segments about leadership.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
