Governor Rick Scott today highlighted pay raises in the Fighting for Florida’s Future budget for Florida’s sworn state law enforcement officers, correctional officers and state employees.
Governor Scott said, “Florida’s state law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect the families who call this state home. I’m incredibly proud that this year’s Fighting for Florida’s Future budget provides a five percent pay raise for these hard working men and women. On behalf of all Floridians, I thank them for their service.”
Fighting for Florida’s Future
Governor Scott Leads “Fighting for Florida’s Future Victory” Tour
Governor Rick Scott kicked off his five-city “Fighting for Florida’s Future Victory” tour at Jungle Island in Miami to celebrate the major wins for Florida families and students during last week’s legislative special session. The tour is highlighting an all-time high of K-12 per-pupil spending, the establishment of the $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, full funding for VISIT FLORIDA, and $50 million to kick-start repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee. Governor Scott was joined by House Speaker Richard Corcoran and local legislators. The tour also made a stop at the South Florida Water Management District in West Palm Beach and will continue in Fort Myers, Tampa and Jacksonville.
Senate President Joe Negron said, “I am grateful to Governor Scott for his commitment to fighting for Florida’s future in several key areas this session. From unprecedented per student funding for K-12 public education, to historic investments in student financial aid and higher education operations and infrastructure, Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature have prioritized Florida’s public education system in a manner that will provide a strong return on investment for taxpayers. Critical investments in our environment through the passage of Senate Bill 10 and funds to expedite the repair of the Herbert Hoover Dike will protect the health of our citizens and our economy in communities surrounding Lake Okeechobee for generations to come, while strategic funding for tourism marketing and economic development provide important tools that lead to a vibrant job market and growing economy. Additionally, Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature have demonstrated fidelity to the Constitution through legislation that fully and faithfully implements medical use of marijuana, as well as a number of other key pieces of legislation that protect the constitutional liberties of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and other rights we hold so dear.”
ICYMI: WFTX: Gov. Scott Pushes for Tourism Funding on Statewide Tour
“Gov. Scott Pushes for Tourism Funding on Statewide Tour”
WFTX-FTM (FOX) – Fort Myers, FL
May 5, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
Gov. Scott Kicks Off “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Tour at Power Grid Engineering
Governor Rick Scott kicked off his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” tour at Power Grid Engineering, a company specializing in engineering design and consultation for the power systems industry. Power Grid Engineering has added more than 80 new jobs since January 2016 and is headquartered in Lake Mary.
Governor Scott to Kick Off “Fighting For Florida’s Future” Tour
Governor Rick Scott today announced the “Fighting for Florida’s Future” tour where he will visit 10 cities to encourage Floridians to contact members of the Florida Legislature and urge them to invest in key priorities for Florida’s future. The Florida Legislature is in their final days of the 2017 legislative session, and at this time, budget proposals from the Legislature include:
- Kills funding for Enterprise Florida which helps to diversify the economy and create thousands of high wage jobs;
- Cuts funding for VISIT FLORIDA by 67%. VISIT FLORIDA is responsible for marketing the state and encourages people from across the world to visit the Sunshine State. Every 76 tourists to Florida equals one job and Florida’s tourism industry currently supports 1.4 million jobs; and
- Fails to include $200 million to help fix the Herbert Hoover Dike at Lake Okeechobee. Last summer, green algae plagued Florida’s waterways in South Florida and fixing the dike will help curb problems like this and protect Florida’s waterways and environment for Florida’s future generations. President Trump has committed funding to fix this federal project and the state funding Governor Scott is calling for will help jump start the process.
Governor Rick Scott said, “The 60 day legislative session is wrapping up this week and I have been fighting the politicians in Tallahassee for three things to help Florida families – funding for tourism marketing so we can continue to bring record visitors to Florida; funding for proven economic development programs so we can continue to diversify our economy and bring more jobs to Florida; and $200 million to help fix the Dike at Lake Okeechobee so we can protect our environment for future generations. All three of these issues are tied to jobs, but unfortunately the politicians in Tallahassee still haven’t committed to funding these important priorities.
“There are still a few days left of the regular session which means that there is still time for the politicians to do the right thing and fund priorities to protect our environment and keep our economy growing. Let’s remember, the total state budget is around $83 billion and all three of these priorities I am fighting for make up less than 1 percent. However, not funding these priorities will have severe repercussions across our state and Florida could lose hundreds of thousands of jobs. Our economy is on a roll and now is not the time to take our foot off the gas. I look forward to traveling the state this week to urge Floridians to contact their legislators and tell them to fund these priorities that are critical for the future of our great state.”
The Governor will make stops Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the following cities. Details on times and locations will be announced later today.
- Tampa
- Orlando
- Palm Beach
- Miami
- Pensacola
- Panama City
- Naples
- Sarasota
- Jacksonville
- Space Coast
State of the State Featured Floridians Fighting for Florida’s Future
Today, Governor Rick Scott highlighted the following Floridians in his annual State of the State address.
Orlando Police Department Officer Michael Napolitano, Orlando
Officer Michael Napolitano has served in the Orlando Police Department since 2012 and is a member of the SWAT team. Officer Napolitano was one of the responding officers to the terrorist attack at Pulse nightclub last June. During the final standoff, Officer Napolitano was injured when his Kevlar helmet blocked a bullet, saving his life.
David Alfandary, Owner of Hot Pandeyuca, Miami
David Alfandary is the owner of Hot Pandeyuca, a Miami small business that specializes in making traditional Colombian baked goods. The factory started with only three employees and has since grown to employ 30 Floridians. Today, Hot Pandeyuca serves more than 200 clients in Florida, including supermarkets, restaurants, hotels and small retailers as well as clients in other states such as Georgia, Texas and California.
Master Sergeant George Vera, Tampa
Master Sergeant Vera joined the Army in 1995. In 2015, his 20th year of service, Sergeant Vera’s base was attacked by suicide bombers using an improvised explosive device (IED). Master Sergeant Vera fought to pull his fellow wounded soldiers away from enemy fire and was shot during his efforts to secure the perimeter. Master Sergeant Vera has been awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart and multiple other heroic commendations. Master Sergeant Vera, his wife, Angela, and their daughter, Isabella, will soon be gifted a mortgage-free home in Tampa, Florida through Building Homes for Heroes, a non-profit organization that builds or modifies homes, and gifts them, mortgage-free, to veterans and their families.
Nick Cid, Senior Business Analyst, Hertz, Fort Myers
Nick Cid is a Florida native and graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University. Nick was hired at Hertz in 2014 after the company relocated its Corporate Headquarters from New Jersey to Fort Myers. He currently works as a Senior Business Analyst and is pursuing his master’s degree in business administration at FGCU.
Sage Offutt, Owner and Founder of Sage Paddle Company, Navarre Beach
Sage Offutt is the owner of Sage Paddle Company, a paddleboarding rental business headquartered in Navarre. Sage founded the company after moving to Navarre Beach in 2013 when she was only 11-years-old. Sage Paddle Company now offers services from Pensacola Beach to Fort Walton Beach, covering a 60-mile radius. The company is also one of the largest rental fleets in the area, with 50 boards and 12 kayaks and more expected to be added this year. Last year, Sage Paddle Company was awarded the Best Recreation Paddleboard Rental Company in Navarre and Sage was presented with the Young Entrepreneur Award by Governor Scott at a Cabinet meeting in December.
Linda Cooke, Director of Manufacturing Operations at HABCO Manufacturing, Boca Raton
Linda Cooke is the Director of Manufacturing Operations at HABCO Manufacturing, a manufacturer in Boca Raton that employs 200 Floridians, including 150 individuals with unique abilities. Linda has worked at HABCO since 1991 and has played a major role in turning the facility into a job training center and a multi-million-dollar manufacturing company. In 2015, Linda was presented the Excalibur Award for Small Business Leader in Palm Beach County.
Gov. Scott Highlights Transportation Investments in the "Fighting for Florida’s Future" Budget
Governor Rick Scott visited PortMiami today to highlight transportation investments in his 2017-2018 “Fighting for Florida’s Future” budget, which invests $10 billion for the Florida Department of Transportation’s Work Program, including $178 million for seaport infrastructure improvements. According to a recent report from the Florida Ports Council, Florida’s 15 seaports are responsible for $117.6 billion in economic activity, supporting nearly 900,000 jobs, $40 billion in personal income and $4.3 billion in state and local tax revenue.
Port Miami Director Juan Kuryla said, “Thanks to the support of Governor Scott, PortMiami now offers the deepest channel in the Southeast U.S. and the largest super-post-Panamax cranes in the state. PortMiami is big ship ready and we are honored that the world’s largest container alliances call here, which even further solidifies our position as the World Class Global Gateway. Governor Scott truly understands the importance of investing in Florida’s ports and making Florida a global trade leader, and we are proud to fully support his budget recommendations.”
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said, “Governor Scott and I share a commitment to creating opportunities for generations of Miamians and Floridians, and we have both prioritized job creation and economic growth in our respective budgets and plans for this year. As our County’s second-largest economic engine and one of the State’s largest, PortMiami supports more than 207,000 jobs in our community and generates more than $27 billion in economic impact each year. I thank the Governor for continuing to invest in PortMiami’s growth for this generation and future generations, and look forward to working together to boost our Port’s regional and national impact in terms of jobs, economic development and tourism.”
Florida Ports Council President and CEO Doug Wheeler said, “Governor Scott continues to make Florida’s seaports a priority by investing in the necessary improvements to keep up with current needs and prepare for future growth in cargo and cruise passengers.”
Gov. Rick Scott to Highlight Transportation Investments in the "Fighting for Florida’s Future" Budget
Tomorrow, February 8th, Governor Rick Scott will highlight transportation investments in his 2017-2018 “Fighting for Florida’s Future” budget.
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: 8:30 AM
WHERE: PortMiami
Front of the PortMiami Administration Building
1015 N. America Way
Miami, FL 33132
Gov. Scott highlights transportation investments in the "Fighting for Florida’s Future" budget
Governor Rick Scott visited Port Canaveral and JAXPORT to highlight transportation investments in his 2017-2018 “Fighting for Florida’s Future” budget, which invests $10 billion for the Florida Department of Transportation’s Work Program, including $178 million for seaport infrastructure improvements. According to a recent report from the Florida Ports Council, Florida’s 15 seaports are responsible for $117.6 billion in economic activity, supporting nearly 900,000 jobs, $40 billion in personal income and $4.3 billion in state and local tax revenue.
Tom Weinberg, Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority, said, “Port Canaveral is a major economic engine for the state, and we have great plans to continue growing and supporting our local community. It is clear Governor Scott knows that by strategically investing in our seaports, we are investing in new opportunities for our state’s businesses, families and visitors. I applaud the Governor’s commitment to investing in our ports and look forward to working with the Legislature to support this funding.”
Captain John W. Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral, said, “As the gateway to Central Florida and the second busiest cruise port in the entire world, Port Canaveral is proud of the incredible impact we have on the State of Florida. We are not only responsible for employing thousands of Floridians, but also help welcome millions of visitors to our great state each year. Governor Scott’s proposed investments in our port system is crucial to continuing this success and we look forward to seeing this funding passed during the upcoming Legislative session.”
Jim Citrano, Chairman of JAXPORT, said, “Since 2008, job creation supported by JAXPORT has grown tremendously and today, we are proud to support more than 130,000 jobs throughout northeast Florida. This incredible growth would not have been possible without the Governor’s commitment to making investments in our port and the area’s transportation system. We are so grateful to the Governor for once again seeking to make important investments in our ports through his ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ budget and hope to see this plan fully passed.”
Florida Ports Council President and CEO Doug Wheeler said, “Governor Scott continues to make Florida’s seaports a priority by investing in the necessary improvements to keep up with current needs and prepare for future growth in cargo and cruise passengers.”
Gov. Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” budget fights to support at-risk youth and families
Governor Rick Scott today announced his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget, which invests an additional $16 million into Florida’s juvenile justice system for a total of $571 million. This funding will support the continuation of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s (DJJ) reform efforts and its core mission of reducing juvenile delinquency, increasing public safety, and providing the services at-risk youth and their families need in the coming years to transition youth back into their communities and guide them towards successful adulthood.
Governor Scott said, “Florida has taken tremendous steps forward in reducing juvenile delinquency with juvenile arrests dropping to the lowest levels in more than forty years. We will continue to invest in effective programs and services that will not only help vulnerable youth in our state get the opportunities they need to succeed, but also ensure that Florida remains a safe state for families and visitors to enjoy for years to come.”
“Governor Scott’s ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ Budget demonstrates Florida’s commitment to not only having the most comprehensive juvenile justice system in the country but to also having the best system as well” said DJJ Secretary Christina Daly. “By investing in the entirety of our system, from prevention all the way to aftercare, Governor Scott’s recommendations will solidify for now and the future both the strength and quality of the services provided to Florida’s children and their families.”
Highlights from Governor Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget include:
$10.5 million to increase evidence-based interventions and services in residential commitment contracts as well as ensure capacity for youth adjudicated to non-secure and secure residential commitment programs.
$2.6 million to add workforce education and job placement services at existing day treatment and residential programs. This funding will provide workforce education and job placement for 500 youth in various programs in order to help them find employment, which makes them less likely to reoffend.
$4.7 million to expand evidence-based prevention programs. Effective prevention programs have been a critical component in reducing Florida’s juvenile arrest rate. This funding will increase public safety by providing prevention programming to additional youth.
$10 million to provide the necessary repairs and maintenance of detention, probation, and residential facilities. This funding will support security improvement and life safety projects, electrical upgrades, and ensure proper compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
What they are saying…
Stacy Gromatski, President and CEO of the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, said, “The Florida Network would like to thank Governor Scott for continuing to recognize the importance of investing in prevention services in our state. Having the ability to reach younger children, before they come into contact with the juvenile justice system, ensures not only a brighter future for them but strong families and communities overall.”
Mary Marx, President and CEO of the Pace Center for Girls, said, “On behalf of vulnerable girls in our state, we appreciate Governor Scott’s investment in prevention services in Florida. Under his leadership, more girls and young woman have access to education, counseling, and trauma informed services so that they can reach their full potential and successfully transition to adulthood.”
Cathy Craig-Myers, Executive Director of the Florida Juvenile Justice Association, said, “Governor Scott has been steadfast in his commitment to our state’s juvenile justice reform work and the ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ Budget is a reflection of that unwavering commitment. From the implementation of DJJ’s Roadmap to System Excellence several years ago to today, Florida has and will continue in the future to serve as a model juvenile justice system for the rest of the country.”
To view the complete list of Governor Scott’s budget recommendations, visit www.fightingforfloridasfuturebudget.com.
