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CFO Jimmy Patronis

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis: Florida Shows Up for First Responders Struggling with PTSD

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding the final unanimous passage of his top legislative priority, Senate Bill 376. The bill will now be ready to head to Gov. Rick Scott for signature.

“From day one this has been a life or death issue. Our firefighters are attempting suicide at a rate FIVE TIMES HIGHER than the general population, and they are thinking about suicide at a rate NINE TIMES HIGHER than the general population. We’ve heard horrific stories about loss of life, and the impact tragedy has on our first responders and their families.

“First responders show up for us every day, without hesitation or questioning our politics, and today Florida showed up for them. Last year four states, including Texas, increased mental health benefits for first responders. I’m proud we can now add Florida to that list.

“To those who refused to support this measure from the beginning: we got it done without you.

“Thank you to Senate President Joe Negron, Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran, Sen. Lauren Book, Rep. Matt Willhite, and all of the co-sponsors in both chambers.”

CFO Jimmy Patronis: Freezing Credit Should NOT Cost Consumers

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding the unanimous approval of Senate Bill 1302 by the Florida Senate Committee on Rules.

“In 2017, 16.7 million people in the United States were affected by identity fraud, criminals stole more than $16 billion from accounts, and new-account fraud increased by 70 percent. It has even been reported that the Equifax data breach was worse than originally thought.

“As criminals become more creative, it’s important for consumers to use the best tool to protect themselves from fraud: freezing their credit. Considering this alarming data, there should be no question as to the value of Floridians easily freezing their credit without added costs. I look forward to seeing this measure become law this year.”

The next stop for SB 1302, sponsored by Sen. Jeffrey Brandes, is the Senate floor.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis: We Can’t Hesitate to Pass Mental Health Benefits for Our First Responders

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding the unanimous approval of Senate Bill 376 today by the Florida Senate Committee on Rules.

“Last year, four states, including Texas, passed measures that give first responders the needed access to mental health benefits for first responders, with three of those states doing it through the workers’ compensation system. This year we MUST add Florida to this list.

“Our first responders serve us every day without hesitation. There should never be a hesitation to help them. I urge the House and Senate to QUICKLY pass this needed legislation this year.”

The next stop for SB 376, sponsored by Sen. Lauren Book, is the Senate floor.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis: It would be Shameful if our First Responders Suffering from PTSD are Forgotten

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding the unanimous approval of House Bill 227 today by the Florida House of Representatives Government Accountability Committee.

“Our firefighters are attempting suicide at a rate FIVE TIMES HIGHER than the general population. Suicide is not a solution and we cannot ignore this issue any longer. Our conversations about mental health care in the wake of Parkland must include this reform that would allow first responders to access the mental health benefits they need.

“I urge the House and Senate to continue to move QUICKLY and ensure our first responders aren’t left behind.”

The next stop for HB 227, sponsored by Rep. Matt Willhite, is the House floor.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis: Florida League of Cities Attempt to Derail Legislation for First Responders is Disgraceful

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Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis today provided an analysis of a report commissioned by the Florida League of Cities on legislation that would allow first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) access to mental health benefits to members of the Senate Appropriations and House Government Accountability Committees. Below please find a statement from CFO Patronis and a copy of the analysis memorandum.

“Florida League of Cities lobbyists have, at every step of the legislative committee process, vehemently opposed a measure that would allow Florida’s first responders to seek treatment for PTSD. Their opposition comes despite the fact that this measure has passed every House and Senate committee unanimously. Florida League of Cities lobbyists have now gone further to commission a report, wrought with flawed and erroneous data, to support why they don’t care about the first responders who make up the communities they represent.

“Our analysis revealed that not only does the report reflect a minimal impact, but there are outrageous and absurd assumptions made to skew opinion on this important issue. Knowingly peddling a deceptive report to defeat a measure that would allow first responders suffering from PTSD to get help is nothing short of disgraceful. Firefighters, for example, have a suicide attempt rate five times the general adult population. Suicide is not a solution.

“As we discuss increasing mental health resources in response to the Parkland tragedy, it would be shameful if an inaccurate report prevented our first responders, who struggle to deal with the immense psychological and emotional toll of their job, from getting the help they deserve.

“To combat the attempt by the Florida League of Cities lobbyists to derail this life or death issue, at my direction the Division of Workers’ Compensation analyzed their report and uncovered shocking flaws.”

MEMORANDUM

To: Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and House Government Accountability Committee

From: Florida’s Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis

Date: Monday, February 26, 2018

Subject: Analysis of Florida League of Cities’ Study on House Bill 227

Currently, Florida’s workers’ compensation system does not cover mental injuries for first responders unless accompanied by a physical injury. House Bill 227 and Senate Bill 376 aim to make post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) a covered treatment for first responders under workers’ compensation without requiring a physical injury. Below please find CFO Patronis’ Division of Workers’ Compensation (“Division”) analysis of a report commissioned by the Florida League of Cities. The analysis was conducted on February 23, 2018 after a request for the report had been made.

Invented Worst-Case Scenarios. The Florida League of Cities’ report overestimates the amount of time a first responder could be out of work by nearly six times the Florida standard. The Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) Florida CompScope report indicates the average duration for a typical Florida lost-time claim to be 11 to 13 weeks, while the Florida League of Cities’ report estimates 6 to 18 months. The Florida League of Cities report uses each and every “worst case scenario” possible to estimate the cost of lost wages (indemnity), and assumes first responders will always receive the highest disability amount available. The Florida League of Cities also ignores the effect of return-to-work programs on mitigating indemnity costs. First responders may return to work in another role while remaining at the same pay or are able to work in a different capacity at a reduced salary. In this situation, the first responder will receive temporary partial benefits, which will offset some of the differential in pre-and post-injury salary amounts.

Absurd Assumptions about Eligibility. The report assumes that 100 percent of first responderseligible to receive benefits will seek treatment and immediately begin “out of work” status. Testimony and first responder behavior demonstrate that this assumption is grossly overstated. By using this assumption, local governments would also have to expect to replace every single one of their first responder employees, which is absurd.

Assumes Costs are Immediate. The Florida League of Cities’ report seems to present that costs will all be immediately realized. The cost estimates presented in the report represent the total costs paid out over the life of the claim, which can take several years and often vary year to year.

Uncertainty. The Florida League of Cities’ report is unable to actually predict with certainty the fiscal impact of the bill because of the vast variations in the data for the possible total cost to local governments. By the Division’s calculations, there is a 587 percent difference between the central cost estimates and the lowest cost estimate, and a 195 percent difference between the central cost estimates and highest cost estimate.

Report Reflects Minimal Impact. Even if one were to believe the exaggerated assumptions and data choices, the impact to local governments still only represents .08 percent (low severity) to 1.58 percent (high severity) of the current budgets of the largest users of the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis on Passage of PTSD Benefits for First Responders Out of Second House Committee

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding the unanimous approval of House Bill 227 today by the Florida House of Representatives Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee.

“To those opposing this good measure, I ask ‘what is a first responder’s life worth?’ First responders show up for us and our families without hesitation. It’s unacceptable that mental health is not a benefit for our first responders. With more than 15 percent of firefighters reported having made at least one suicide attempt during their time in fire service, it’s our responsibility to make mental health benefits more accessible and affordable for our first responders. I urge the House and Senate to continue to move QUICKLY on this bill so our first responders can get the help they need.”

The next stop for HB 227, sponsored by Rep. Matt Willhite, is the House Government Accountability Committee.

CFO Jimmy Patronis Increases Investment in Israel to Unprecedented Amount

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Florida to Hold $50 Million in Israel Bonds in 2018

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced today an increase in Florida’s investment in Israel Bonds by $10 million in 2018, increasing the state’s holdings to an unprecedented $50 million. The decision comes after discussions with Israel’s Finance Minister, Moshe Kahlon, and representatives, including the president, from Israel Bonds. Florida is the third largest U.S. state investor in the State of Israel.

“During a time when our nation is criticized and attacked for moving our embassy to Jerusalem, it’s incredibly important to signal to the world that we stand firmly with the State of Israel,” said CFO Jimmy Patronis. “Israel’s economy has seen significant growth over the years including expanded development in the high-tech industry. Increasing our investment in Israel by $10 million this year not only provides a good return on investment, but strengthens our relationship. The interests of Israel will always be the interests of the United States, and this unprecedented investment further cements us as friends, allies, and economic partners.”

“With a commitment to innovation and cutting edge technology, the State of Israel’s economy is vibrant and growing,” said Moshe Kahlon, Finance Minister of Israel. “Investment in Israel Bonds is an investment in Israel. It tells to the world that Florida and Israel are not only friends, but have shared economic interests. I’m grateful for CFO Jimmy Patronis’ leadership and commitment to the relationship forged between our great nations.”

“Israel Bonds is thrilled to deepen our partnership with the State of Florida,” said Israel Maimon, President of Israel Bonds. “We are proud to work with CFO Jimmy Patronis to increase Florida’s investment. Investing in Israel Bonds supports Israel’s economy, helping to keep it strong and resilient.’’

The State of Florida, through the Department of Financial Services (DFS) Division of Treasury, currently holds $40 million in Israel Bonds.

CFO Jimmy Patronis' Statement on Passage of Credit Report Freeze Fee Bill Out of Final House Committee

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding the unanimous approval of House Bill 953, sponsored by Rep. Shawn Harrison (R-Tampa), by the Florida House of Representatives Commerce Committee. 
“In today’s digital world data breaches have become our reality, and it’s important for Floridians to be able to easily freeze their credit to protect themselves from fraud. This vote in the House Commerce Committee is a win for Florida consumers.
“Thank you to Rep. Harrison for his steadfast commitment to eliminating the credit report freeze fee, to Commissioner Putnam for his work with me on this issue, and Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) for his leadership on this issue in the Senate. I look forward to seeing this measure pass this legislative session.” 
The next stop for HB 953 is the House floor. 

CFO Jimmy Patronis’ Statement on Passage of Credit Report Freeze Fee Bill Out of Final House Committee

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding the unanimous approval of House Bill 953, sponsored by Rep. Shawn Harrison (R-Tampa), by the Florida House of Representatives Commerce Committee. 
“In today’s digital world data breaches have become our reality, and it’s important for Floridians to be able to easily freeze their credit to protect themselves from fraud. This vote in the House Commerce Committee is a win for Florida consumers.
“Thank you to Rep. Harrison for his steadfast commitment to eliminating the credit report freeze fee, to Commissioner Putnam for his work with me on this issue, and Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) for his leadership on this issue in the Senate. I look forward to seeing this measure pass this legislative session.” 
The next stop for HB 953 is the House floor. 

CFO Patronis Sponsors Resolution Recognizing Florida Thrift Week

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Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis along with Governor Rick Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet today signed a resolution declaring January 14-20, 2018 as “Florida Thrift Week.” The resolution was done in partnership with the James Madison Institute (JMI), a Florida-based research and educational organization with the mission of keeping Floridians informed about their government, to renew the study and teaching of thrift to Floridians.
“Fifty percent of Americans lack a rainy-day fund and nearly 20 percent spend more than their income,” said CFO Jimmy Patronis. “The importance of saving money is deeply rooted in American history and I am proud to sponsor a resolution that renews this historic educational movement. I encourage Floridians to practice thrift each day and strive for financial success.” 
The Department of Financial Services has a selection of financial education programs developed to help Florida’s consumers build financial independence. The most recent financial literacy program, Finance Your Future, is a free, interactive online course designed to educate Florida’s middle and high school students to use core money management concepts. The Department recently launched the Finance Your Future app. It is free and available for download in the Apple and Google Play stores. 
In addition, JMI offers a free curriculum guide, “All About the Benjamins: Understanding the Value of Thrift”, that has been used extensively in Florida high schools to teach students about the importance of thrift and other American values.
“National Thrift Week” was first observed January 17, 1916. The YMCA hosted the event on Benjamin Franklin’s 210th birthday to honor his devotion to promoting one of the oldest American values – thrift.  Considered as a true thrift advocate, Benjamin Franklin believed in the American people’s ability to collectively achieve financial independence through hard work, frugality and generosity.