In a continued effort to bring clarity to cryptocurrency in Florida, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis named Ken Lawson, president and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, as cryptocurrency advisor. In this role, he will lead efforts to identity a cryptocurrency chief and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure innovation and economic development are at the forefront while getting ahead of potential fraud. [Read more…] about CFO Jimmy Patronis: Ken Lawson Named Cryptocurrency Advisor
Government
Congress approves annual defense spending bill
The U.S. Senate today, by a vote of 87 – 10, approved a $716 billion annual defense spending bill for the next fiscal year.
The legislation, which now heads to the president’s desk to be signed in law, includes several wins for Florida that U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, helped secure for the state. [Read more…] about Congress approves annual defense spending bill
Gov. Scott Highlights Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday in Miami
Governor Rick Scott with First Lady Ann Scott and Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera today visited LR Uniforms in Miami, where he highlighted the back-to-school sales tax holiday that will begin this Friday, August 3rd and go through August 5th.. During this holiday, Floridians will not sales tax on supplies for the upcoming school year, saving families $32.7 million. Since Governor Scott took office, taxes have been cut nearly 100 times, saving Floridians more than $10 billion.
To see a list of back-to-school supplies that are tax free August 3-5, CLICK HERE.
Nelson files bill to cap out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries
Measure would ensure no one enrolled in Medicare has
to pay more than $5,500 per year in out-of-pocket costs
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) introduced legislation today to cap out-of-pocket health care costs for seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare. [Read more…] about Nelson files bill to cap out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries
Gov. Scott Announces More Action to Combat Algal Blooms
$50 million toward fixes for federal Herbert Hoover Dike, $700,000 for Lee County
Governor Rick Scott today announced that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) have reached an agreement on a $50 million state investment to fund repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike. This agreement follows a $50 million investment made earlier this year, bringing the State of Florida’s total investment in this federal project to $100 million. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott Announces More Action to Combat Algal Blooms
FDLE receives eighth consecutive national accreditation
On Saturday, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Richard L. Swearingen formally accepted the department’s eighth reaccreditation award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) at the Annual Summer Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This marks FDLE’s eighth consecutive national accreditation award in 28 years. [Read more…] about FDLE receives eighth consecutive national accreditation
Lawmakers file bill to crack down on online predators
Legislation would increase penalties for stalkers who target children
U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) introduced bipartisan legislation to increase criminal penalties for stalkers, including cyberstalkers, who target minors under the age of 18. [Read more…] about Lawmakers file bill to crack down on online predators
Mast Introduces Legislation Devoting More Federal Resources To Combat Toxic Algae, Help Impacted Communities
U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today announced new bipartisan legislation dedicating more federal resources to combating toxic algae. [Read more…] about Mast Introduces Legislation Devoting More Federal Resources To Combat Toxic Algae, Help Impacted Communities
CONSUMER ALERT: Child Pool Safety Must Be Our Top Concern
Child pool and spa deaths in Florida continue to rise:
- Child pool and spa deaths in the state increased by 20 percent from 2016 to 2017
- Florida is number one for child pool and spa deaths, with a total of 51 deaths in 2017
- 80 percent of the deaths in 2017 involved children under the age of 5
- More than 90 percent of Florida’s home swimming pools were built before Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act took effect, which includes requirements for safety pool covers and barriers that surround the pool
- Drowning is the leading cause of deaths of young children in Florida
[Read more…] about CONSUMER ALERT: Child Pool Safety Must Be Our Top Concern
GOP blocks Nelson’s effort to prevent release of 3D-printed gun blueprints
Moments ago, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) took to the Senate floor to ask the Senate for “unanimous consent” to immediately take up and pass his legislation to block the online publication of blueprints used to make fully functioning 3D-printed guns. [Read more…] about GOP blocks Nelson’s effort to prevent release of 3D-printed gun blueprints
