Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 19-98, extending the state of emergency declared as a result of Hurricane Michael for 60 days in the following counties: Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla and Jefferson. [Read more…] about Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Executive Order 19-98
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Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Executive Order 19-97
Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 19-97, which establishes the Office of Drug Control and the Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse to combat Florida’s substance abuse crisis. [Read more…] about Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Executive Order 19-97
Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Executive Order Suspending Holmes County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Kyle Hudson
Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 19-83, formally suspending Holmes County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Kyle Hudson.
A PDF copy of Executive Order 19-83 can be found HERE.
Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Executive Order 19-45
Ensuring the Safety of Our Children in Our Schools
Nearly one year after the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida where fourteen students and three staff members were murdered, Governor Ron DeSantis today issued Executive Order 19-45, which is focused on improving the safety of Florida schools. [Read more…] about Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Executive Order 19-45
RPOF Chairman Ingoglia Statement on Gov. Scott Executive Order
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Blaise Ingoglia issued the following statement today on Governor Rick Scott’s Executive Order to extend and enhance voting options in counties impacted by Hurricane Michael. [Read more…] about RPOF Chairman Ingoglia Statement on Gov. Scott Executive Order
Gov. Scott Takes Executive Action to Protect Access to Beaches
Signs Executive Order Calling on Counties to Not Limit Access to Beaches
Governor Rick Scott today issued Executive Order 18-202, which urges Florida counties to protect public beach access and directs the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to support these efforts. The executive order specifically calls on counties to not limit access to beaches. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott Takes Executive Action to Protect Access to Beaches
DCF Holds Steering Committee on Executive Order to Enhance Behavioral Health and Law Enforcement Collaboration
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) today convened the first meeting of the Executive Steering Committee on Executive Order 18-81 in Tallahassee. Governor Scott signed the order on March 26, directing DCF to enhance collaboration with law enforcement in each Florida county to improve the coordination of behavioral health services for individuals in need. To view Executive Order 18-81, click HERE.
“Close coordination of services between DCF, mental health treatment providers, and law enforcement is essential for the success of Florida’s coordinated system of care,” said John N. Bryant, DCF’s Assistant Secretary for Substance Abuse and Mental Health. “By bringing together representatives from various organizations who help address behavioral health treatment and safety across state, we can improve service delivery methods and truly make an impact for the citizens of Florida.”
The first meeting of the steering committee was led by Mr. Bryant and the committee reviewed the objectives of the Executive Order, outlined the role of the committee members, developed an action plan for implementation, and discussed the required final report. Mr. Bryant also provided an overview of new funding allocated for crisis services in the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 budget.
The Executive Steering Committee is comprised of state agency leadership, law enforcement, and education and treatment representatives whose knowledge, insights, and experience will aid in the development of an implementation plan and recommendations on how to best meet the behavioral health and public safety needs of Florida’s citizens. Committee members will also play a vital role in supporting regional and local meetings. Members include:
- John N. Bryant, DCF Assistant Secretary for Substance Abuse and Mental Health
- Justin Senior, Secretary, Agency for Health Care Administration
- Rick Swearingen, Commissioner, Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Christina Daly, Secretary, Department of Juvenile Justice
- Rebecca Kapusta, DCF Assistant Secretary for Operations
- Matt Dunagan, Florida Sheriffs Association
- Natalie Kelly, Florida Association of Managing Entities
- Amy Mercer, Florida Association of Chiefs of Police
- Joy Frank, General Counsel, Florida Association of District School Superintendents
Gov. Scott Extends Executive Order for Hurricane Maria to Continue Support for Puerto Ricans
During a Puerto Rico relief roundtable today Governor Rick Scott announced the signing of Executive Order 18-17 to extend Executive Order 17-259 for all 67 Florida counties in response to Hurricane Maria. This executive order will ensure that the state can continue to welcome families displaced by Hurricane Maria. This declaration will also allow the state to continue providing important resources and assistance needed to best accommodate the needs of families impacted by Hurricane Maria in Florida. Families displaced by Hurricane Maria are continuing to arrive in Florida and the state must do everything possible to help these families. Florida will continue to coordinate with FEMA to provide Maria survivors who have traveled to the state with important services such as housing assistance, crisis counseling and unemployment assistance.
Governor Scott said, “Today, to ensure Florida has every available resource to continue to assist families displaced by Hurricane Maria, I am extending Executive Order 17-259, declaring a State of Emergency in all 67 Florida counties. Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria and many families lost everything. As Puerto Rico rebuilds, Florida remains committed to doing everything we can to help the families impacted by Hurricane Maria and aid in the recovery process.”
To view Executive Order 18-17, click HERE.
For more information on what the State of Florida is doing to support Puerto Rico, click HERE.
Attorney General Bondi’s Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order Regarding Surplus Military Gear
Attorney General Pam Bondi today issued the following statement regarding President Donald J. Trump’s executive order lifting the ban on transferring certain surplus military equipment to local law enforcement agencies:
“This executive order will help ensure our brave law enforcement officers have the gear they need to combat terrorism, drug cartels, gangs and other threats to public safety. This order will give our law enforcement officers access to billions of dollars’ worth of equipment such as armored vehicles, ammunition and other military gear that will help in disaster related situations like we are seeing in Texas with Hurricane Harvey—as well as terrorism-related cases such as the Pulse nightclub attack, where a military-style helmet stopped a bullet, saving an officer’s life, and San Bernardino, where this type of equipment protected law enforcement officers as they pursued terrorists.
“I want to thank President Trump for standing up for law enforcement and signing this order to give officers access to more lifesaving tools. Equipment like this could help Florida law enforcement officers respond to hurricanes and the destruction left in the aftermath.”
Environment Florida statement on Trump's expected offshore drilling executive order
President Trump issued an order directing the Secretary of Interior to revisit the 5 year drilling plan of proposed oil and gas development the the Outer Continental Shelf including the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico.
To clarify, while the executive order DOES NOT require leasing in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, opening the door to more drilling anywhere in the Gulf still threatens our coastal communities here in Florida. As we know from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, oil spills have no boundaries.
Jennifer Rubiello, state director of Environment Florida, issued the following updated statement:
“Florida’s coasts and oceans are home to stunning wildlife, beautiful beaches and support a robust tourism economy, all things that stand to lose from offshore drilling. The President’s action opens the door to expanded drilling into our public waters, including drilling that could threaten waters and coastal communities in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico – a move that goes against the values a majority of Floridians share: that our oceans and beaches should be preserved, not sold off to the highest bidder.
“Instead of risking our coasts, President Trump should pay attention to the thousands of citizens, fishermen, and business owners along Florida’s coasts and the millions of Americans from Alaska to Maine who have already said no to offshore drilling. Today’s action is the wrong decision and we will continue fighting in whatever venue it takes to block proposals to drill off our coasts.”
“Seven years after BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig exploded causing the most massive oil spill in history, businesses, communities, and wildlife here in our Gulf region have yet to fully recover. This order exposes all of our oceans to similar risk of disaster.”
“To make matters worse, we are already experiencing record sea-level rise and extreme weather events fueled by climate change. We must not dig that hole any deeper by opening new areas to more drilling.”
The expected executive order comes just weeks before hundreds will gather on May 20th on Treasure Island and throughout Florida for Hands Across the Sand to oppose drilling off our shores and support clean, renewable energy.
