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Senator Bradley files plan to protect coastal counties from polluted discharges

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Legislation Would Reduce Harmful Discharges from
Lake Okeechobee, Increase Southern Water Storage

Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources, today filed Senate Bill 10, Water Resources. The legislation authorizes bonding a portion of proceeds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, set aside by the voter-approved Water and Land Conservation Amendment (Amendment 1, 2014), to purchase land and construct a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee to reduce harmful discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.
“Despite the sincere efforts of our state and federal government to plan and fund long-term solutions to address rising water levels and pollution in Lake Okeechobee, year after year as the Lake levels rise, the solution is to flood my community and many others across our state with billions of gallons of polluted water that destroys our estuaries and harms our local economies,” said Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart).
Record rainfall this past year resulted in unseasonably high water levels in Lake Okeechobee, which threatened the integrity of the Herbert Hoover Dike. To maintain safe water levels, the Army Corps of Engineers authorized the release of billions of gallons of water from the Lake to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers. Such freshwater discharges cause significant environmental damage by lowering the salinity levels of the estuaries and introducing pollutants into coastal waters. Due to the discharges this summer, massive amounts of toxic algae that originated in Lake Okeechobee were sent to the estuaries and coastal waterways.
“These algal blooms have occurred before and will occur again unless high volume discharges from Lake Okeechobee are stopped and pollution in the Lake Okeechobee basin is abated,” said Senator Bradley. “Algal blooms are not simply an unsightly nuisance for residents and tourists, they bring real health risks to humans and wildlife and result in severe economic damage to local businesses.”
As a result of the high volume discharges, coastal communities experienced enormous harmful algal blooms with devastating impacts not only to the ecology of local waterways, but also to residents, fishermen, and local businesses.
The extent and severity of the blooms resulted in Governor Scott declaring a state of emergency in four Florida counties.
“For nearly two decades, there has been scientific consensus and recognition by state leaders that additional water storage south of Lake Okeechobee is necessary to stop this ongoing problem; from Governor Jeb Bush’s historic support of the bipartisan Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in 2000; to the recent University of Florida Water Institute study commissioned by the Senate and completed in 2015,” continued President Negron. “This legislation provides a clear plan to address this plague on our communities in a manner that respects the interests of the agricultural community and private land owners.”
“The projects planned and underway are absolutely necessary and must be continued. Unfortunately, current projects fail to include one significant component that the majority of scientists and experts uniformly agree on – a long-term solution requires additional land and storage south of Lake Okeechobee,” continued Senator Bradley. “This legislation implements the constitution by using Amendment 1 funds, funds Florida voters dedicated to improving our environment, to address a critical and ongoing problem that impacts our residents, visitors, business, economy and quality of life.”
Senate Bill 10 authorizes the issuance of bonds to raise over a billion dollars to acquire 60,000 acres of land and build a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee to reduce harmful discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. The reservoir is expected to hold 120 billion gallons of water, approximately as much water as was discharged from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie Estuary between January and May of 2016.  The creation of significant storage capacity south of the Lake will help manage Lake levels in anticipation of periods of high rainfall like this year’s predicted El Nino weather pattern.  Storing water during the wet season provides the additional benefit of allowing water to be sent south to hydrate the Everglades and Florida Bay, or for agricultural use, during the dry season.
The estimated cost of a reservoir on 60,000 acres of land providing 120 billion gallons of storage in the area south of Lake Okeechobee is roughly $2.4 billion. With the federal government paying at least half of the cost of such a reservoir, the state’s commitment would be $1.2 billion. The bill authorizes the use of approximately $100 million of documentary stamp tax revenue set aside by the Water and Land Conversation Amendment (Amendment 1, 2014) annually over the next 20 years to finance land acquisition and construction of the reservoir.
The bill directs the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to begin the formal process of purchasing land from willing sellers. The project is subject to Congressional approval to secure the 50/50 cost sharing agreement authorized for other Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects.
If the SFWMD is unable to identify sellers of land appropriate for a reservoir through an open solicitation by the end of CY 2017, the legislation authorizes the Board of Trustees to exercise the option with U.S. Sugar entered into in 2010 to buy 153,000 acres of land in the Everglades Agricultural Area, for the purpose of securing the 60,000 acres necessary for the reservoir and to begin the planning the construction of the reservoir.
“My goal in filing this legislation is to explore all available options for the voluntary purchase of land to deliver this much needed and long anticipated storage south of Lake Okeechobee” said Senator Bradley.  “I am willing to explore all ideas for adding this important component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan now.  Nearly half way through the original timeline of CERP, less than 20 percent of the estimated total cost has been funded. It is time to invest in additional projects needed to complete the plan and that is exactly what the voters have been trying to tell us in passing Amendment 1.”
If the state is ultimately unable to purchase land for the reservoir by November 30, 2018, the legislation increases the ongoing Legacy Florida appropriation by an additional $50 million for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, which includes a reservoir in the Everglades Agricultural Area as a key component. This is in addition to Legacy Florida’s existing commitment of $200 million. Legacy Florida also requires preference among these projects to be given to projects that reduce the harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie or Caloosahatchee Estuaries.

Mast Announces Subcommittee, Caucus Membership

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Brian Mast logo

Mast Joins Foreign Affairs Subcommittees on Terrorism, Middle East

U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today announced he will sit on two Foreign Affairs subcommittees: The Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade. Rep. Mast also announced that he has joined the Everglades Caucus, the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, the 115th Class Caucus and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Caucus.
The Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa has jurisdiction over a wide range of issues affecting the region, including matters affecting political relations between the United States and countries in the region, legislation with respect to human rights practices, oversight of matters related to the regional activities of the United Nations, development of options for meeting future issues relating to U.S. interests in the region, and oversight of foreign assistance activities affecting the region.
“Having served in Afghanistan, I know firsthand that many of the most pressing threats to our national security have roots among radicals in the Middle East,” Rep. Mast said. “I look forward to the opportunity to help bring stability to this critical region and to continue supporting our greatest Middle East ally, Israel.” 
The Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade has oversight and jurisdiction over U.S. efforts to manage and coordinate international programs to combat terrorism, as well as efforts to bring international terrorists to justice.  The subcommittee also has oversight of issues related to nonproliferation, including nuclear, chemical, biological and other weapons of mass destruction.  Furthermore, the subcommittee may conduct oversight of matters related to international economic and trade policy, as well as commerce with foreign countries.
“As the greatest force for human dignity in the world, I believe the United States has a responsibility to uphold peace and spread democracy abroad,” Rep. Mast said. “We need an aggressive strategy to destroy terrorist organizations like ISIS and prevent the world’s greatest state sponsor of terror, Iran, from obtaining nuclear weapons.  I believe my time studying nuclear weapons and radiological devices in the U.S. Army, as well as my service with the National Nuclear Security Administration, will be an immediate asset to the subcommittee.  Eight years of failed policy has emboldened our enemies; we cannot afford to wait any longer.”
In addition to the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus announced earlier this week, Rep. Mast joined four more caucuses:
The Everglades Caucus
The goal of the bipartisan Everglades Caucus is to educate Members and staff about the Everglades and to foster support for restoration projects.
The Bipartisan Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism
The Bipartisan Taskforce to Combat Anti-Semitism was formed in order to ensure that Congress plays an integral role in condemning anti-Semitism and promoting tolerance worldwide.  The Taskforce serves as a forum for educating Members on this distinct form of intolerance and to engage with the Executive Branch, foreign leaders, and civil society organizations for the sharing of best practices and cooperating on solutions to rebuff this disturbing trend.
The 115th Class Caucus
The 115th Class Caucus brings together Members of the new freshman class on both sides of the aisle with the goal of working in a bipartisan manner to solve our nation’s greatest problems.
The Explosive Ordinance Disposal Caucus
The Explosive Ordinance Disposal Caucus works to coordinate legislative focus on issues related to the disposal of explosive ordinance.  Rep. Mast, who served as a bomb technician in the Army and lost both of his legs when an improvised explosive device exploded beneath him, will serve as a co-chair of this caucus.
Note: Additional caucus membership, as well as subcommittee membership for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is forthcoming.

The Museum of Florida History Hosts the 34th Annual Children’s Day

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Florida Department of State
The Museum of Florida History in downtown Tallahassee is hosting the 34th Annual Children’s Day on Saturday, January 28, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. This year’s theme is “Sharing History” and will feature interactive activities to allow visitors to experience the past. The free, popular event offers an array of performers, exhibitors, and history for the whole family.
“The Department of State loves hosting Children’s Day at the Museum of Florida History,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “It’s a great opportunity for children and adults alike to get out and explore the diverse cultural resources available in our community.”
Visitors can learn about Florida history from the State’s Archaeological Research Lab and Mission San Luis or explore science with the National MagLab. The Pilot Club will be giving away complimentary bicycle helmets. Live performances are presented by the Tallahassee Ballet, the Young Actors Theatre, the Trousdale dance teams, and others. Also, popular exhibitors Big Bend Model Railroad Association, BJ’s Party House face painting, and Dr. Sound’s Music Clinic are back again this year.
Parking and admission are free. Some activities require tickets that can be purchased at the event. Lunch is available for purchase from The Egg Express Café in the Museum lobby. Visit the Museum’s website (museumoffloridahistory.com), follow the Museum on Facebook (@museumoffloridahistory) and Twitter (@mfhtweet), or call 850.245.6400 for more information.
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.

deSilva to Speak on Grace at Stetson University

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Presentation sponsored by Religious Studies Department

David A. deSilva, Ph.D., will present a lecture, “Grace: the Free Gift That Costs Us Everything,” on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 7 p.m. in the Stetson Room of the Carlton Union Building, 131 E. Minnesota Ave., DeLand, Fla., 32723. The presentation is part of the Department of Religious Studies’ Christian Theology Lecture series, and is free and open to the public.

David A. deSilva, Ph.D.
David A. deSilva, Ph.D.

deSilva is the Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. He is the author of 25 books and has been involved in several major Bible translation projects, serving as the Apocrypha editor for the Common English Bible and working on the revision of the Apocrypha for the English Standard Version.
The Christian Theology Lectures was endowed in 1975 by an anonymous Florida donor for the purpose of bringing to Stetson’s DeLand campus speakers who will provide a better understanding of and engagement with the Christian tradition. For information about the lectures contact Mitchell Reddish, Ph.D., O.L. Walker Professor of Christian Studies and chair of the Department of Religious Studies, 386-822-8932 or [email protected].

Florida Supreme Court: Regular weekly opinion release, 1/26/2017, 11 a.m. ET

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Filings for the Florida Supreme Court
January 26, 2017

SC10-2170 – Tavares David Calloway v. State of Florida
SC13-992 – Leon Kopel v. Bernardo Kopel, et al.
SC13-1834 – Palm Beach County School Board, etc. v. Janie Doe 1, etc., et al.
SC14-1949 – Michael L. King v. State of Florida
SC15-953 & SC16-341 – Renaldo Devon McGirth v. State of Florida & Renaldo & Devon McGirth v. Julie L. Jones, etc.
SC15-1441 & SC15-1630 – Leonardo Franqui v. State of Florida & Leonardo Franqui v. State of Florida
SC15-2146 – Florida Industrial Power Users Group v. Art Graham, etc., et al.
SC15-2294 – Simon Dockswell, et al. v. Bethesda Memorial Hospital, Inc., etc.
SC15-2298 – Allstate Insurance Company v. Orthopedic Specialists, etc.

New Report Offers Nine Ways to Create a More Independent and Diverse Florida Judiciary

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A new report by the Florida Access to Justice Project (FAJP) puts the spotlight on both the flood of special interest money and lack of diversity in our state court system. The report provides nine key policy recommendations that would ensure a more diverse and impartial court.
“Florida’s judicial system was once a model for the nation. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case,” said Sandy D’Alemberte, a former state legislator and Chair of the Constitution Revision Commission as well as the past president of the American Bar Association, speaking on behalf of the Florida Access to Justice Project. “The fairness and impartiality of our courts is vitally important and these recommendations would go a long way to ensuring both.”
The report found that special interest money spent on state Supreme Court races has more than doubled in the past ten years and continues to increase with $56.4 million being spent in 2011 and 2012 alone. As the cost of races goes up so does the influence of special interest groups.
Political influences present a constant challenge to the independence of the courts and its ability to act as a check and balance. State lawmakers have aggressively and repeatedly attacked the courts, threatening their independence. Just last month a bill (HJR 121) was introduced by Rep. Julio Gonzalez (R-Venice) that would put a constitutional amendment on the 2018 ballot that, if passed, would allow the Florida Legislature to override state court decisions they don’t like with a two-thirds vote.
In addition, Gov. Rick Scott has rejected approximately 90 Florida Bar recommendations for Judicial Nominating Commissions (JNCs) members, prompting one prominent lawyer to say, “It seems as though this governor aims to make the judiciary just another branch of the Governor’s Office.”
“The judiciary plays a special role in our democracy, and should be insulated from politics and special interests,” said Julie Hauserman, Board Chair of Progress Florida, a member of the Florida Access to Justice working group. “Special interest spending on judicial races has also limited diversity on the courts in Florida. The result is, a judiciary that too often doesn’t reflect the communities it serves.”
Florida’s population is 22 percent Hispanic and 16 percent African-American. Yet among the state’s judiciary, fewer than nine percent of judges are Hispanic, and fewer than seven percent are African-American. Last June the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy issued a report, “The Gavel Gap”, which assigned Florida an overall grade of ‘F’ when comparing the race and gender composition of the courts and the communities they serve.
FAJP’s new report makes the following nine recommendations to ensure that we have an independent judiciary in Florida that is reflective of the citizens of our state:

  1. Make the JNCs truly nonpartisan and remove the governor’s outsized influence over the nominating committees.
  2. Increase citizen involvement in the nomination process through civic engagement such as invitations to minority bars and better advertising of JNC meetings.
  3. Create goals and benchmarks that would lead to greater judicial diversity.
  4. Require non-partisan judicial performance evaluations to provide voters with objective information and help insulate those elections from partisan attacks.
  5. Lengthen terms for judges and justices to reduce the frequency of retention elections allowing judges to spend more time focusing on impartial decision-making and less time on raising contributions.
  6. Move to merit selection at all levels of the Florida courts to bolster judicial independence and increase diversity on the courts.
  7. While we still have judicial elections we need greater voter education and voter mobilization initiatives.
  8. Improve access to the courts through anti-bias and cultural competency education for JNCs, judges, court staff and attorneys.
  9. Increase public education efforts to ensure that court users and their family members understand their rights when they interface with the judicial system.

“The Florida Access to Justice Project envisions a judiciary reflective of the diversity of our state. This promotes nominations free from the undue influence of special interest money, with access to justice for all,” said Trelvis D. Randolph, a partner in the Miami office of Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. and General Counsel for the Miami-Dade Branch of the NAACP. “The preamble of Florida’s state constitution guarantees ‘equal civil and political rights to all’. If these reforms were enacted, Floridians could be assured of a more diverse and fair system of justice that would limit partisan influence while creating greater public accountability and expanding judicial diversity.”

Please contact Damien Filer using the information above if you would like to arrange an interview with any of the following FAJP spokespersons:

Florida Access to Justice spokesperson bios
Talbot (“Sandy”) D’Alemberte
A former President of the American Bar Association (1991-92), Talbot (“Sandy”) D’Alemberte served as Dean of Florida State University College of Law from 1984 to 1989 and was appointed president of Florida State University in 1993, serving in that capacity through January 2003.
A member of the American Law Institute, he was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1966-1972. He is also a past Chair of the Constitution Revision Commission. D’Alemberte has won numerous national awards for his contributions to the profession. He is the author of The Florida Constitution (Greenwood Press 1991).
Julie Hauserman
Julie Hauserman is the Board Chair of Progress Florida, and a longtime advocate and Florida writer who lives in Tallahassee. She has twice been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. She won the Scripps Howard National Journalism Awards’ top environmental prize for her work on the arsenic stories.
Hauserman was a Capitol bureau reporter in Tallahassee for seven years and has been a commentator for Florida Public Radio’s Capital Report and National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition-Sunday. Her work has been published in anthologies as well as many newspapers and magazines.
Tony Lima
Tony Lima, a member of the Florida Access to Justice working group, is an external affairs professional with more than 19 years of experience in crafting and executing programs that combine advertising, social marketing, media relations, social media, corporate communications, fundraising, guerrilla and event marketing, public affairs and community relations.
Under his leadership, SAVE successfully sued the state of Florida to legalize same-sex marriage in early 2015 and passed comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for transgender individuals at the Miami-Dade County Commission. Tony was also named a Top Latino Leader by Latino Leaders Magazine. In 2013, he was named “Top 20 Under 40” by Brickell Magazine.
Trelvis D. Randolph
Trelvis D. Randolph is a partner in the Miami office of Cole, Scott and Kissane, P.A. He began his legal career in the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office where he represented clients charged with misdemeanor and serious felony offenses.
Mr. Randolph is the current President-Elect of the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr., Bar Association. He serves on the Board of Directors of SAVE. He is also involved in the National Bar Association; NAACP, Miami-Dade Branch (also serves as General Counsel); and the Miami Minority Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Randolph has proudly served the United States of America as an infantry soldier in the United States Army, as well as the Tennessee Army National Guard.

Senator Keith Perry Files Back to School Tax Exemption Bill

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Senator Keith Perry this week filed Senate Bill 490, a bill relating to a tax exemption on school supplies. This bill does not allow taxes to be collected on the sale of certain school supplies from August 4th through August 14th of this year.
“For Florida’s hardworking families, every dollar counts at back-to-school time,” said Senator Perry. “I am proud to sponsor this common sense plan to put money back in the pockets of parents across the state.”
Some of the items that fall into the category of ‘tax exempt’ during the period prescribed above are:

  • Clothing, wallets, backpacks, and sneakers that have a sales price of $100 or less per item;
  • Pens, pencils, erasers, crayons, notebooks, lunch boxes, markers, and calculators that have a sales price of $15 or less per item;
  • And laptop or desktop computers that have a sales price of $1,000 or less per item.

“As I talk to folks across north central Florida, I hear the same thing over and over – people are working hard to do right by their children,” Senator Perry concluded. “Any steps we can take legislatively to lessen the burden on Florida’s families is a step in the right direction.”

Senate Regulated Industries Committee Passes Comprehensive Gaming Legislation

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Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) released the following statement regarding Senate Bill 8, Gaming, which today passed the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries.
“Gaming is a multi-billion-dollar industry. Just as we do with any other industry in our state, we want to make sure our laws provide an environment of certainty and reliability that allows private entities to make educated business decisions about the jobs families rely on. In turn, all Florida families can make informed decisions about the communities in which they live and work.
“These are real dollars that impact real people, families, and communities across our state. Today’s action is an important step towards finalizing a comprehensive, statewide approach that respects the interests of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, other business owners who operate gaming facilities, and the authority of local voters.
“I look forward to the work ahead and hope this legislation will provide a foundation for further discussions with Governor Scott, our colleagues in the Florida House, the Seminole Tribe, industry stakeholders, and constituents. My goal is to resolve this issue early in session to provide the certainty and finality all stakeholders are seeking.”

Upcoming Public Meeting for SR 200 in Marion County

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is holding a public meeting for the State Road 200 (SW College Road) design project that involves the addition of turn lanes around the Interstate 75 (I-75) interchange. The project limits extend from SW 38th Court to SW 36th Avenue in Ocala.
The improvements in this interchange area include:

  • Adding a left turn lane for westbound SW College Road leading to the I-75 southbound on-ramp;
  • Adding a left turn lane for eastbound SW College Road leading to the I-75 northbound on-ramp;
  • Adding a second right turn lane to the I-75 northbound off-ramp;
  • Adding a second left turn lane to the I-75 northbound off-ramp;
  • Adding a right turn lane for eastbound SW College Road leading to the I-75 southbound on-ramp; and
  • Extending and widening the right turn lane for westbound SW College Road leading to the I-75 northbound on-ramp.

These improvements will take place within existing right-of-way, so no additional right-of-way is needed. Construction is funded for this project for Fiscal Year 2018.
The meeting will be 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Hilton Ocala, 3600 SW 36th Avenue, Ocala.
The purpose of this meeting is to present information and to receive public input regarding the proposed improvements. The meeting will be an open house format. Project information will be available for review along with a project presentation that will run on a continuous loop. FDOT representatives will be available to discuss the project, answer questions, and receive comments. The attached map identifies the project limits and the meeting location.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator, by phone at 386-943-5367 or by email at [email protected]. Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Laura Turner, AICP, Project Public Involvement Coordinator, by phone at 407-620-5095 or by email at [email protected] at least seven days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).
For more information on this project please contact the FDOT Public Information Office, by phone at 386-943-5473 or by email at [email protected].

Jacksonville woman claims $1 million prize playing $5,000,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game

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1-23-17 Christine Tomkowich - $1 million - $5M GOLD RUSH DOUBLER

Christine Tomkowich poses with her family and oversized-check after claiming
a $1 million prize in the $5,000,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game.

The Florida Lottery announces that Christine Tomkowich, 20, of Jacksonville, claimed a $1 million prize from the $5,000,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $745,000.
Tomkowich purchased her winning ticket from Kangaroo Express, located at 12020 Fort Caroline Road in Jacksonville. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The $20 game, $5,000,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER, features six top prizes of $5 million, 30 prizes of $1 million, and more than $752 million in total cash prizes! This $20 game offers more than 16.8 million winning tickets, and overall odds of winning are one-in-2.99.
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.