Tallahassee, Fla. — Yesterday, State Representative Jay Trumbull’s office released the statement below following House passage of H.B. 7085:
Today, the Florida House of Representatives passed House Bill 7085, which will increase workers’ compensation benefits for injured workers while decreasing insurance premiums for employers. The legislation, sponsored by State Representative Jay Trumbull, will promote job creation and protect existing jobs by addressing the 14.5 percent workers’ compensation premium increase approved by the Office of Insurance Regulation.
“As a small business owner myself, I know that the cost of workers’ compensation insurance is at the top of the list of things we have to get right,” said Trumbull. “Skyrocketing workers comp rates won’t just keep small businesses from hiring more workers. It will also cause job terminations and layoffs.”
Trumbull continued: “We have worked hard on this bill that will protect Florida jobs for tens of thousands of people. Every time government puts a requirement in place—another piece of paperwork or another insurance mandate or another license or fee—it not only hurts the owner of the business, it hurts employees, their families, and the entire community. It certainly hurts the person who may not get hired in the first place. I’m glad to say that with this workers’ comp bill, we’ve taken an important step toward making sure Florida stays one of the best places in the country to do business.”
florida house of representatives
Florida House Votes to Protect Florida’s Reemployment Program
The Florida House of Representatives today unanimously voted to strengthen the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s efforts to fight fraud in the state’s Reemployment Assistance program. The House passed HB 671, sponsored by Representative Mike LaRosa, which provides DEO access to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ DAVID System, including the state photo identification database.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “DEO is working every day to stop criminals from fraudulently stealing Reemployment Assistance benefits from Florida job seekers who need help getting back to work. This legislation will help our dedicated fraud-prevention team identify and halt fraud more quickly. I appreciate Rep. LaRosa’s leadership on this important issue and the Florida House for recognizing DEO’s successful efforts to protect Reemployment Assistance.”
The legislation includes the tools and legal authorizations that are critical to prevent and fight public benefits fraud by providing DEO access to the driver’s license database to confirm claimant-provided IDs are not fraudulent.
About DEO
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce, and community development efforts. This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.
Lyft statement after approval of ridesharing legislation by Florida House
Chelsea Harrison, Senior Policy Communications Manager for Lyft, issued the following statement after approval of ridesharing legislation, HB 221, by the Florida House of Representatives:
“Today the Florida House overwhelmingly recognized that Florida needs a single, comprehensive set of rules for ridesharing. Lyft is grateful to Speaker Corcoran and his leadership team for their work on this issue. This framework will ensure that Floridians continue to enjoy the convenient, affordable rides Lyft provides across the state. We look forward to working with the Florida Senate to advance this legislation to the Governor’s desk for his signature.”
Press conference to discuss landmark legislation recognizing tragic events at state-run reform schools
MEDIA ADVISORY
State Senator Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg) and State Representative Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville) will hold a press conference on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 to discuss landmark legislation recognizing the tragic events that unfolded at state-run reform schools.
They will be joined by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, former Florida Governor Bob Martinez, USF Anthropologist Dr. Erin Kimmerle, and former students of the Dozier and Okeechobee Reform Schools.
DATE: Tuesday, April 4, 2017
TIME: 10:30 AM
LOCATION: 4th Floor of the Capitol (between House Chamber and Senate Chamber Doors)
Toby Overdorf Launches Campaign for Florida House
Overdorf, a Republican, will run in District 83 on a conservative
platform of lower taxes and fewer government regulations.
Toby Overdorf announced his candidacy for the Florida House of Representatives today. Overdorf, a longtime Treasure Coast resident and business owner, is running on a platform of pro-growth economic policies that promote job creation, greater economic prosperity, and the completion of necessary environmental restoration projects. He is seeking the District 83 seat in the Florida House.
“With the right policies in place, I have no doubt that Florida’s best days are ahead of us,” said Overdorf. “For too many years, I’ve seen firsthand how too much regulation and excessive taxation strangle our free enterprise system. We’ve got to unleash entrepreneurs and small business owners to innovate and pursue expansion that will put more people to work.”
Overdorf founded Crossroads Environmental Consultants in 2002 and served as its president until 2016. In that role, he expanded the business to become a nationally recognized company certified by the U.S Government to perform throughout the United States and the northern Caribbean. Currently, he is the Environmental Division President of EDC, Inc., a full-service local land development firm that he has expanded from seven to 28 employees.
He has been very active in the community, providing leadership to several local organizations, including serving as President of the Palm City Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Board of Directors of Leadership Florida, as a Torrey Pines Molecular Institute Trustee, and the St. Lucie County Economic Development Council.
“Experience has taught me how important it is for us to have a strong conservative voice in Tallahassee,” said Overdorf. “I look forward to working hard to make sure government serves the people and not the other way around. The fact that I am a small business owner and science-educated gives me the ability to be a unique voice for my constituents.”
District 83 has been represented since 2010 by Gayle Harrell, who faces term limits in 2018. It includes parts of Martin and St. Lucie Counties.
Paid by Toby Overdorf, Republican, for State Representative
Florida House Votes to Kill Florida Defense Alliance
Governor Rick Scott today criticized the Florida House’s vote to eliminate the Florida Defense Alliance, which is included in HB 7005 that eliminates Enterprise Florida, during the Fighting for Florida Jobs Roundtable in Seminole. The Florida Defense Alliance, which is part of Enterprise Florida, is a crucial partner to the Florida Defense Support Task Force, which protects and strengthens Florida’s military installations ahead of any potential Department of Defense realignment or closure actions. The Florida Defense Alliance also advocate for both active and retired Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, National Guard, reserves, and family members that rely on these installations. Florida’s military installations contribute more than $79.8 billion in economic impact, and the defense industry supports more than 774,000 jobs in Florida.
Governor Scott said, “[The Florida House] didn’t just vote to get rid of Enterprise Florida and make it very difficult for VISIT FLORIDA to operate, they did other things. We have 20 military bases and three unified commands in this state. It’s a big part of our economy- in different parts of our state, it’s very big. They said they want to get rid of the [Florida Defense Alliance.] That’s what helps keeps our military bases here. Every so often, as you know, they have BRAC [Base Realignment and Closure], where they review whether they’re going to keep military bases. So we, every year, try to figure out how we can help our bases solve all of their problems. We make sure they don’t have encroachment issues, make sure their kids can get in the right schools, all of these things. The [Florida Defense Alliance] helps do that. They voted to eliminate it. And there are other programs that help jobs. It doesn’t make sense.”
Gov. Scott statement regarding passage of HB 9 and HB 7005
Statement from Governor Rick Scott regarding the passage of job killing legislation (HB 9 & HB 7005) today in the Florida House of Representatives:
“Today, politicians in the Florida House passed job killing legislation. We can all agree that VISIT FLORIDA and EFI need to be absolutely accountable and transparent, and both agencies have already taken major steps and implemented reforms to ensure their operations meet our high expectations. However, today’s actions by the House curb the mission of VISIT FLORIDA and bury it in more government bureaucracy – along with decimating Florida’s economic toolkit and the very programs which are directly tied to the creation of thousands of jobs for Florida families.
“Many politicians who voted for these bills say they are for jobs and tourism. But, I want to be very clear – a vote for these bills was a vote to kill tourism and jobs in Florida. I will continue to fight for Florida jobs and never stop standing up for the families and businesses whose livelihood depend on a strong and growing economy.” – Governor Rick Scott
Have You Heard? PCB BCAS 11-01 Has Been Noticed
Today, the Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee of the Florida House noticed a proposed committee bill (PCB) proposing to repeal licensing and examination requirements and penalties for specified professions, occupations, and businesses currently regulated by the state. PCB BCAS 11-01 applies to the following professions and businesses:
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