“Gov. Scott Proposes $618 Million Tax Cut Plan”
WPTV (NBC) – West Palm Beach, FL
January 26, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
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Decision made on State Road 64 at Rye Road intersection improvements in Manatee County
MANATEE COUNTY
On January 4, 2017, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One secretary approved the Final State Environmental Impact Report for the intersection of State Road (SR) 64 and Rye Road in Manatee County. The next phase of development, the design phase, or preparation of construction plans, is now underway.
Based on the results of analyses of potential effects to the social, cultural, natural, and physical environment, projected project costs and benefits, and public comments gathered throughout the study, FDOT reached a decision on the type of improvements necessary to accommodate future traffic demands at the SR 64 and Rye Road intersection. A decision is required in order to advance to subsequent design and construction phases.
FDOT selected the modern roundabout alternative presented at the October 13, 2016 workshop. The modern roundabout alternative will now advance into the design phase, and subsequently construction. The alternative shown below consists of a multilane roundabout and associated sidewalks that will replace the existing intersection.
Design and right-of-way acquisition funding is in FDOT’s current fiscal year (FY), 2016/2017, with construction funding in FY 2017/2018. Weather permitting; construction should take approximately 18 months.
Statement on White House Cancellation of HealthCare.gov Outreach
Epilepsy Foundation of Florida CEO Karen Basha Egozi released the following statement on Friday, regarding the White House’s decision to halt Affordable Care Act outreach.
Since 2013, EFOF has been one of Florida’s largest providers of free, in-person enrollment assistance in the Health Insurance Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act.
“These final few days before January 31’s deadline for open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace are critical. We rely on support from our federal partners to help spread the word. More than 20 million Americans and nearly 2 million Floridians have benefited from affordable, life-saving health coverage through the Affordable Care Act.
That is why the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida is deeply disappointed in the sudden cancellation of federal enrollment advertising and outreach for HealthCare.gov. The surge in signups at the end of each open enrollment period comes in part from those efforts, which the White House has ended prematurely.
We will continue doing our part to help Florida’s families find health coverage and peace of mind, and encourage everyone to visit efof.org to locate free assistance before January 31.”
That is why the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida is deeply disappointed in the sudden cancellation of federal enrollment advertising and outreach for HealthCare.gov. The surge in signups at the end of each open enrollment period comes in part from those efforts, which the White House has ended prematurely.
We will continue doing our part to help Florida’s families find health coverage and peace of mind, and encourage everyone to visit efof.org to locate free assistance before January 31.”
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Seeking Top Student Chef
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages 9th through 12th grade students to enter the department’s “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off before the upcoming deadline on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Students can submit original recipes featuring locally grown products for the chance to have their meal served in school cafeterias. For rules and to submit an entry, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/StudentCookOff.
Entry requirements include:
- Applicants must be a Florida student in 9th through 12th grade.
- The recipe must be original and submitted with a photo.
- The recipe must contain one fresh fruit or fresh vegetable grown in Florida.
- The recipe must have clear directions and be prepared in 75 minutes or less.
- The recipe must promote good nutrition and healthy eating habits.
Students first submit their recipes and pictures to be judged on nutrition, presentation/ appeal and originality. Finalists will be chosen to compete in five regional cook-offs, which will be held in March and April 2017 in the following counties: Dade, Duval, Escambia, Hillsborough and Indian River.
The first place winners of each region will continue to the statewide cook-off at the Florida School Nutrition Association annual conference in Orlando on Sat., Apr. 22, 2017. The “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off champion will be invited to serve with a professional chef at one of the department’s future events.
For more information on the “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Gov. Scott Announces $15 Million for Emergency Beach Restoration Projects Following Hurricane Matthew
Governor Rick Scott announced today that he will use his executive authority under Executive Orders 16-230 and 17-16 to allocate nearly $15.8 million in state funds for emergency beach restoration projects in response to the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew in St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia and Brevard Counties. Funding will be used to immediately address critically eroded beaches where there is an imminent threat to beachfront structures, such as roadways, homes and businesses.
Governor Scott said, “Hurricane Matthew was the most destructive storm our state has experienced in over a decade, and while communities have worked hard to rebuild, many of our beautiful beaches remain significantly damaged. Since this storm first crossed our state, we have been fully committed to using every available resource to help our families and communities recover, and we will continue to do so. Today, I am allocating $15 million in state funding to help expedite emergency restoration projects in order to repair our beaches and ensure beachfront roadways and buildings are prepared for any potential future storms.
“Florida’s beaches are not only an economic driver for coastal communities, but also provide critical storm protection and habitat for wildlife. With sea turtle nesting season beginning in May and hurricane season beginning in June, it is crucial that these projects are completed as soon as possible.”
Projects will include replacing sand along beaches and repairing and constructing sand dunes. The Governor’s proposed budget for 2017-2018, which will be announced later this month, will also include the remaining $61.2 million to fulfill the state’s share of needed restoration, for a total of $77 million, based on the latest hurricane damage assessment from both Hurricanes Matthew and Hermine.
PSC Commissioner Brisé Named to NARUC’s Executive Committee
Florida Public Service Commission Commissioner Ronald Brisé was recently appointed to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Executive Committee by NARUC President Robert F. Powelson.
The NARUC Executive Committee consists of the Association’s three elected officers—President and First and Second Vice President—an appointed Treasurer and at least one other member to ensure all five of the Association’s regional organizations are represented. Commissioner Brisé will represent the Southeastern Regulatory Utility Commissioners. The Executive Committee provides general administrative oversight of the Association.
“Commissioner Brisé’s active service on this Committee is important to the cause of strengthening effective public utility regulation,” President Powelson said.
“It is an honor and a privilege to have been nominated and appointed to the NARUC Board of Directors and the Executive Committee by President Powelson,” said Commissioner Brisé. “As State regulators, it is important to work together to further the goals of each State’s commission, while ensuring that consumers throughout the nation receive safe and reliable utility services.”
Commissioner Brisé is a member of NARUC and has served as NARUC’s representative to the Federal State Joint Board on Universal Service and the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company. He also serves as Chair of NARUC’s Presidential Telecommunications Act Modernization Taskforce (TeAM) and is serving on the Federal Communications Commission’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee for 2017-2019.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
Orlando man claims top prize in new $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game
The Florida Lottery announces that Daniel Felton, 33, of Orlando, claimed one of 44 top prizes in the $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He purchased his winning ticket from Kwik Stop, located at 1300 South Lakemont Avenue in Winter Park.
The new $5 Scratch-Off game, $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER, launched on January 17, and features more than $182.8 million in prizes, including 44 top prizes of $500,000. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-3.98.
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's Housing Market: Median Prices Rise in Dec. 2016
Florida’s housing market reported higher median prices and fewer all-cash sales in December, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 22,332 last month, up 0.8 percent from December 2015.
“The trend of tight housing supply continued to have an impact on Florida’s housing market in December,” said 2017 Florida Realtors President Maria Wells, broker-owner with Lifestyle Realty Group in Stuart. “Last month, statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and townhouse-condo properties rose year-over-year for 61 months in row. While that’s good news for sellers, it’s continuing to put pressure on inventory for first-time homebuyers and those who may be looking for their next ‘move-up’ home.
“And that’s where your local Realtor comes in – he or she will put their expertise to work for you to successfully navigate the complexities of finding the right property in your local real estate market and will make sure you get to the closing table.”
Home sellers continued to get more of their original asking price at the closing table in December: Sellers of existing single-family homes received 96 percent (median percentage) of their original listing price, while those selling townhouse-condo properties received 94.7 percent (median percentage).
The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $226,000, up 9.2 percent from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors research department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties in December was $166,900, up 7.7 percent over the year-ago figure. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.
According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in November 2016 was $236,500, up 6.8 percent from the previous year; the national median existing condo price was $222,600. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in November was $501,710; in Massachusetts, it was $365,000; in Maryland, it was $266,164; and in New York, it was $240,000.
Looking at Florida’s townhouse-condo market, statewide closed sales totaled 8,673 last month, down 5.2 percent compared to December 2015. Closed sales data reflected fewer short sales and cash-only sales last month: Short sales for townhouse-condo properties declined 45 percent while short sales for single-family homes dropped 39.2 percent. Closed sales may occur from 30- to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written.
“Florida’s markets for existing homes closed out the year in December with a performance very much in line with what we saw over the previous 11 months of 2016,” said Florida Realtors® Chief Economist Brad O’Connor. “At the local level, single family home sales increased in 15 of Florida’s 22 metro areas, while condo and townhouse sales rose in only five of these markets. And, as has been the case all year, the lack of significant sales growth in much of the state has had a lot more to do with a shortfall of supply in key price tiers than with demand.”
Inventory dipped to a 3.9-months’ supply in December for single-family homes and was at a 6-months’ supply for townhouse-condo properties, according to Florida Realtors.
According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.20 percent in December 2016, up significantly from the 3.96 percent average recorded during the same month a year earlier.
To see the full statewide housing activity reports, go to Florida Realtors Media Center at http://media.floridarealtors.org/ and look under Latest Releases, or download the December 2016 data report PDFs under Market Data at: http://media.floridarealtors.org/market-data
Florida Realtors® serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 165,000 members in 55 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.
Commissioner Putnam Seeks Nominations for Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam is now accepting nominations for the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award, which has been presented annually since 1994 to environmentally innovative Florida farmers. The award recognizes enterprises that demonstrate leadership in developing and implementing progressive techniques to safeguard the environment and conserve natural resources. Nominations must be submitted to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by Wednesday, March 1, 2017.
The following environmental practices will be considered in judging nominations for the 2017 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award:
- Wildlife protection and Habitat Conservation: Provide a safe, vibrant habitat for wildlife within an agricultural operation.
- Pesticide/Nutrient Management: Use pesticides/nutrients responsibly, maximizing benefits and minimizing potential adverse environmental effects.
- Water Quality: Preserve or improve water quality within or adjacent to an agricultural operation.
- Soil and Water Conservation: Reduce soil erosion, nutrient depletion and water consumption, and enhance water recharge.
- Waste Management/Recycling: Reduce waste by recycling agricultural by-products and waste products on site.
To learn more about the 2017 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Charter Communications Joins BTNC-FAMU Collaboration to Establish First Black News Network
Florida A&M University (FAMU), the state’s only public historically Black university, has moved another step closer to serving as the headquarters for the nation’s only African-American news network.
The Black Television News Channel (BTNC) announced yesterday that it signed a multi-year agreement with Charter Communications to premiere the news network in 14 of the digital cable television service’s top African American markets in the United States. BTNC programming will be shown in Charter markets that include New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, Detroit, Boston, Tampa, Orlando, Cleveland, Charlotte, Birmingham, Norfolk, Raleigh-Durham, and New Orleans.
In 2014, FAMU entered into an 11-year agreement with BTNC to house its 24-hour, multi-platform news network in the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC). On Feb. 24, 2017, FAMU, BTNC, and Charter will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on FAMU’s campus to announce the African-American news network’s official launch date.
The addition of Charter Communications to the project represents a milestone for BTNC, as it now has carriage or distribution agreements with three of the nation’s four major subscription television providers.
“As we get closer to the launch date of this groundbreaking network, the University remains excited about the opportunity to play a key role in bolstering the nation’s African-American news offerings, reporting the cultural achievements of the African-American community, and developing the next generation of minority journalists,” said FAMU’s Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D.
According to a study by the Florida State University Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis, the network will serve as an economic powerhouse for the North Florida region. The center reports that BTNC will generate more than 100 jobs in Tallahassee and more than $30 million annually in economic stimulus for the region. FAMU’s journalism and graphic design majors, and other student groups and organizations, will benefit from the millions of dollars of equipment and other resources provided by BTNC.
“Our students will receive internship and job opportunities as a part of the BTNC collaboration,” said SJGC Dean Ann Wead Kimbrough, DBA. “This unique opportunity affords our students cutting-edge training experiences that will provide advantages in a competitive marketplace.”
According to BTNC, its network operation center will be the first 4K Ultra HD newsgathering and production infrastructure of its kind and will include a multi-million-dollar, media-training center for aspiring journalists. FAMU students will benefit from multiple courses of study in network broadcasting, digital media, virtual reality, and operations.
Kimbrough said locating BTNC’s headquarters on FAMU’s campus provides the network the opportunity to link with one of the nation’s most respected and award-winning schools of journalism. This location also affords BTNC direct access to the next generation of aspiring multimedia communicators and a rich pool of on-air contributing analysts including FAMU faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni.
