“Governor Scott Proclaimed National Guard Day in Florida”
WFLA-TB (NBC) – Tampa Bay, FL
March 21, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
Florida
Gov. Scott Announces Cosentino to Relocate Americas Headquarters from Texas to Florida
Governor Rick Scott today announced Cosentino, a global leader in natural stone, quartz, and recycled surfacing, is relocating its Americas Headquarters from Sugarland, Texas to Coral Gables. The relocation will create 85 new jobs and invest more than $1 million in the local community. Cosentino currently employs 60 Floridians across three distribution locations in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Lauderhill. The company also plans to open a design center in the Miami Design District.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Cosentino will be relocating their Americas Headquarters from Texas to Florida and creating 85 new jobs for our families. This announcement would not be possible without the help of Enterprise Florida and shows the incredibly important role EFI has in out-competing other states like Texas to bring new job opportunities to our state. I am excited to welcome Cosentino to Florida and look forward to their future success.”
Cosentino Group, a family-owned company from Spain, is a worldwide producer and distributer of high-value innovative surfaces for architecture and design. The company currently employs more than 3,700 people worldwide, including 1,200 in the U.S. The new Americas Headquarters will house a management office with finance and sales personnel.
CEO Eduardo Cosentino said, “Miami’s location offers key strategic advantages to continue targeting the Americas. The entrepreneurial and innovative workforce in Miami better positions us to provide new products and designs that are both sustainable and advanced. Our partners at Enterprise Florida and the Miami-Dade Beacon Council helped make this move a reality, and we could not have found a better place to do business.”
This project was made possible through the close partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the City of Coral Gables, CareerSource Florida and local colleges and universities.
Mike Grissom, interim President and CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc., said, “Cosentino is a great company and I am excited to see them bring their Americas headquarters to Miami as well as the 85 jobs that will now be right here in Florida. Our state is an amazing place to live, work and raise a family, and companies like Cosentino recognize this. I am happy to welcome them to Florida and look forward to their continued success.”
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “I am proud that after growing its distribution business in Florida, Cosentino has recognized the value in moving its Americas Headquarters to the Sunshine State. Miami’s unmatched global resources and talented workforce are working to attract companies like Cosentino to our state every day.”
Jaret L. Davis, chair of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, said, “Cosentino is exactly the type of company whose business aligns with Miami-Dade’s focus on innovation. The family-owned company has stayed at the top of its game by developing innovative products that provide significant utility and sustainability without sacrificing design. We’re pleased to welcome them to Miami-Dade and excited about the impact of 85 additional high-wage jobs.”
Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI facilitates job growth through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses. EFI launched “Florida – The Future is Here” to promote the state as the nation’s premier business destination.
The Miami-Dade Beacon Council is the county’s official economic development partnership. The not-for-profit public-private organization focuses on job creation and economic growth. Since 1985, the organization has assisted more than 1,000 businesses that have created nearly 67,000 direct jobs and added more than $4.3 billion in new capital investments. It accomplishes this by marketing Miami-Dade as a world-class business location, growing local companies and shaping the local economy’s future. For more information, visit www.beaconcouncil.com
About the Cosentino Group
The Cosentino Group is a global, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for architecture and design. As a leading company, Cosentino imagines and anticipates together with its customers and partners design solutions that offer value and inspiration to people’ lives. This goal is made possible by pioneering brands that are leaders in their respective segments such as Silestone®, Dekton® and Sensa by Cosentino®. Technologically advanced surfaces, which allow the creation of unique designs for the home and public spaces. The group bases its development on international expansion, an innovative research and development program, respect for the environment and sustainability, and its ongoing corporate commitment to society and the local communities where it operates, education, equality and health & safety. The Cosentino Group currently distributes its products and brands in more than 80 countries, from its headquarters in Almeria (Spain). Currently Cosentino is present in 32 countries, with its own assets in 29 of them. The group has seven factories (six in Almería, Spain, and one in Brazil), one intelligent logistic platform in Spain, and more than 120 commercial and business units throughout the world. More than 90% of Cosentino Group’s financial turnover comes from international markets.
Statement by CARE FL Chairman Brent Hanlon Regarding Passage of High Speed Rail Safety Legislation
Statement by CARE FL Chairman Brent Hanlon regarding the Senate Transportation Committee’s Passage of High Speed Rail Safety Legislation
The Florida Senate Transportation Committee today passed Senate Bill 386 by Senator Debbie Mayfield, which establishes the Florida High Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act. Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida (CARE FL) Chairman Brent Hanlon released the following statement regarding the committee’s passage of the bill.
“I want to once again thank Senator Debbie Mayfield for filing legislation this session to fill the void that currently exists in Florida law when it comes to high speed rail safety. The unanimous support the bill received in committee today highlights the importance of ensuring that all Floridians are protected from accidents and injuries at dangerous high speed rail crossings across the state. This is not just about our community which will be negatively impacted. This legislation will address public safety concerns in any community across the state. This bill also addresses another very important issue—cost. Any so-called privately funded project should not shift costs to the taxpayers.”
CARE FL is a coalition created by a group of concerned community leaders, organizations and neighbors in South Florida and the Treasure Coast. Our group continues to grow. We share a common goal: Protecting the safety, welfare and way of life for the families, businesses and retirees who live in and around our communities. To learn more about CARE FL’s concerns, visit www.saveourfl.com and follow us on Twitter @CARE_FL or like us on Facebook.
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council Names New Executive Director
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) has announced the appointment of Valerie Breen as its new executive director. She will assume responsibilities on March 20, succeeding Debra Dowds who recently retired.
Breen has served as chief executive officer of the Brain Injury Association of Florida (BIAF) since 2005. Her expertise in the field of health care and disabilities spans a more than 30-year career working in the health-related industry as an innovative leader of sustainable human service delivery programs and services. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Applied Social Sciences with a Master of Science degree in Social Administration, she has dedicated most of her career to ensuring that families impacted by chronic and disabling conditions have access to the critical health and community-based resources necessary to thrive.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Mich., she moved to Florida in 1994 and currently resides in Tallahassee. She also serves as the overseer/care coordinator for her mother, who sustained a traumatic brain injury in 2010. She is a recognized health care consultant, an innovative leader in the field of health care and disabilities, and is a nationally recognized speaker on the subject.
“I am extremely honored to have been chosen as the next executive director for the FDDC and to work with such a committed Council, staff and community. My hope is that through my leadership, we can continue to positively impact the systems that serve persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. I look forward to bringing my passion and expertise developed through my 30-year career serving persons with disabilities to the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. My desire is to continue the Council’s mission to support Floridians with intellectual and developmental disabilities in accessing meaningful lives throughout the community,” said Breen.
The FDDC is a non-profit organization charged with advocating and promoting meaningful participation in all aspects of life for Floridians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information on the FDDC, go to www.fddc.org.
CEA Reaction to Florida Hydraulic Fracturing Ban Proposal
Kevin Doyle, the Florida Executive Director for Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), released the below statement in reaction to Senate Bill 442, a proposal to ban hydraulic fracturing in Florida, which is being discussed today in the Florida Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee:
“Consumer Energy Alliance believes that it is critical to point out that hydraulic fracturing and the safe, state-of-the-art technology that it uses has received national praise and attention for enabling an economic resurgence across America and in particular manufacturing, chemicals, plastics, agriculture and almost every other facet of our lives.
“Given estimates that Florida’s population will grow from nearly 20 million in 2014 to 29 million in 2040, which the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council projects will increase electricity demand by more than 10 gigawatts by 2035 – or enough to power 7.5 million new homes. Since more and more of our electricity is being met by cleaner burning natural gas, it is important that the Sunshine State maintain a steady plan for safe, efficient and environmentally responsible energy development. Saying ‘no’ to energy progress is a short-sighted strategy that goes against families and businesses across the state.
“It’s time for Florida to advance policies that support an all-of-the-above energy portfolio. We need renewables, but we also need to promote oil and natural gas to ensure we can meet our growing energy demands. Energy diversity is critical for Florida’s economic success and security. We need policies that support responsible development of American resources. Floridians can and should have environmental protection AND energy development.”
Gov. Scott: State of Florida has Zero Tolerance for Hateful Acts Against the Jewish Community
Governor Rick Scott released the following statement today in response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announcing plans to heighten outreach and support to Jewish Community Centers following bomb threats.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I want to thank Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly and the Trump administration for their attention to the threats against Jewish community centers, including many in Florida. The State of Florida is a great friend of Israel and we have absolutely zero tolerance for these hateful and anti-Semitic acts. We will continue to do all we can to help our Jewish communities and families.”
U.S. News and World Report names Florida the “Best State for Higher Education”
U.S. News and World Report named Florida the “Best State for Higher Education,” recognizing the state’s significant achievements in areas including graduation rates, low debt at graduation, and tuition and fees.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I want all students to have access to a higher education at an affordable price, which is why we have been focused on keeping our tuition low.”
“Each metric in these rankings is focused on how successful we are at serving our students,” said Tom Kuntz, chair of the Board of Governors. “I am beyond thrilled that a publication as renowned as U.S News and World Report is recognizing us as the best.”
“This achievement is a reflection of the work of the Governor, the Legislature, the Board of Governors, the universities and colleges, and so many higher education stakeholders around the state,” said Marshall Criser III, State University System Chancellor. “While we are incredibly proud to be recognized as No. 1, this ranking will also serve as an inspiration as we continue every day to push for a better, stronger university system in Florida.”
“At the Florida Chamber of Commerce, we believe talent is Florida’s best economic development strategy, and a quality higher education system is crucial to our state’s success,” said Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber. “This recognition is an encouraging reminder that Florida’s higher education system is strong and continues to make great progress in positioning students to succeed in Florida’s future workforce.”
“This is excellent news for Florida’s higher education system and all taxpayers of Florida, who benefit when we graduate students on time and with minimal debt,” said Lee Arnold, chair of the Higher Education Committee, Florida Council of 100. “This is a remarkable accomplishment.”
Facts about the State University System of Florida and the Board of Governors
The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors. The system has 12 universities and more than 341,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Responsibilities include defining the distinctive mission of each institution and managing the system’s coordination and operation. The Board appoints a chancellor who serves as the system’s chief executive. For more, visit www.flbog.edu, visit Think-Florida.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Florida’s spring turkey season provides one of the most special opportunities in country
March 4 marks the opening of Florida’s spring turkey season on private lands south of State Road 70, one of the first opportunities in the country for hunters to pursue this impressive game bird. Florida turkey hunting is unique for another reason. It’s also the only place in the world where the Osceola subspecies of wild turkey is found. Also known as the Florida wild turkey, this subspecies lives only on the Florida peninsula. It’s similar to the eastern wild turkey subspecies, which is found in north Florida and throughout the eastern United States, but tends to be smaller and darker with less white barring on the wings.
Hunting wild turkeys is popular in Florida and throughout North America. One reason people enjoy it is the range of calls wild turkeys make. The most recognized call is gobbling, which is most often associated with male birds, or gobblers, during spring when they breed. The gobbler will fan out its tail, puff out its feathers, strut and gobble to attract hens. Hunters pursue this wary bird by imitating various turkey calls to bring gobblers in close. Getting to see a male wild turkey’s courtship ritual is a thrill for new hunters as well as those with years of experience.
For those lucky enough to harvest a gobbler, another benefit of turkey hunting is the meat provides a delicious and clean-eating alternative that’s leaner than store-bought birds.
“Spring turkey hunting provides a great opportunity for those who want a better understanding of where their food comes from and are interested in locally sourced protein that’s free of growth hormones, preservatives and antibiotics,” said Roger Shields, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Wild Turkey Management Program coordinator. “Another benefit of turkey hunting is the chance to get away from it all, immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of springtime in the woods, and enjoy the challenge of trying to call in a gobbler.”
Wild turkeys are an amazing conservation success story in Florida and across North America. They had almost disappeared by the turn of the 20th century, with populations remaining only in remote pockets of habitat. However, thanks to science-based wildlife restoration efforts, today Osceola and eastern wild turkeys are flourishing throughout the state.
FWC wildlife professionals use scientific data to conserve wild turkey populations and provide regulated and sustainable hunting opportunities. Hunters and target shooters also play an important role in wild turkey restoration and management by contributing to the successful Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR).
“When hunters purchase firearms, ammunition and archery equipment, they support the hunting and shooting sports industry, which pays into WSFR resulting in millions of dollars for wildlife conservation to each state,” said Diane Eggeman, FWC’s Hunting and Game Management Division director. “When hunters purchase a Florida hunting license, they play a major role in this program because the amount of WSFR funding that comes back to our state for wildlife management depends on the number of hunting licenses issued. So we are always grateful to the shooting sports industry and each and every licensed hunter for their steadfast support of wildlife conservation in Florida.”
North of State Road 70, Florida’s spring turkey season on private lands opens March 18. Florida’s wildlife management area system also offers opportunities for turkey hunters, and because dates and regulations can vary, hunters are encouraged to review the regulations brochure for the WMA they plan to hunt. This year, Florida is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its WMA system. Florida’s WMA system, currently one of the largest in the country at nearly 6 million acres, has been a treasured piece of Florida’s hunting tradition since its establishment in 1941.
Get a snapshot of Florida’s wild turkey season dates and bag limits by visiting MyFWC.com/hunting and clicking “Season Dates.” Learn more about wild turkeys by choosing “Species Profiles” at MyFWC.com/wildlifehabitats.
Florida consumer sentiment in February drops from record high
After three months of positive gains, consumer sentiment among Floridians fell 3.3 points in February to 94.0, according to the latest University of Florida consumer survey.
The pattern in Florida is similar to consumer sentiment at the national level, which also dropped 2.2 points in February to 96.3 from January’s record 98.5 according to the University of Michigan’s survey of consumers.
“While readings about current economic conditions increased slightly, expectations for the future decreased sharply among Floridians in February,” said Hector H. Sandoval, director of the Economic Analysis Program at UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research.
Floridians’ perceptions of their personal financial situation now compared with a year ago ticked up six-tenths of a point this month, from 87.7 to 88.3. Opinions as to whether now is a good time to buy a big-ticket household item such as an appliance inched up seven-tenths of a point, from 100.7 to 101.4.
“The increase in these two components reflects that current economic conditions have improved in general among Floridians. These perceptions are particularly strong among men, those 60 and older and those with income levels over $50,000,” Sandoval said.
However, all three components that ask about future economic conditions showed a marked decrease. Expectations of personal finances a year from now showed the greatest decline in this month’s reading, dropping 6.6 points from 106.0 to 99.4.
Opinions about the national economy were also negative: Expectations of U.S. economic conditions over the next year decreased 5.2 points, from 96.8 to 91.6. Anticipated U.S. economic conditions over the next five years fell from 95.1 to 89.3, a 5.8-point drop.
“Expectations about future economic conditions increased between November and December of last year, but have declined since then. Floridians are pessimistic about their future personal finances independent of their socioeconomic and demographic status. The greatest declines in perceptions about the national economy were among women, those under age 60 and those with annual income above $50,000,” Sandoval said.
Until September 2016, the current economic conditions components and the future expectations components moved together in tandem. But from September 2016 until February 2017, the future expectations components went up faster and stayed above the components reflecting current conditions.
“Expectations about the U.S. economy improved greatly before and right after the presidential election, perhaps because the population was optimistic about the incoming administration,” Sandoval said. “However, these expectations are turning pessimistic in February and the gap between the present perceptions and future expectations has disappeared.”
Overall, economic activity has expanded and the labor market continued to strengthen in the U.S. As a result, earlier this month the Federal Open Market Committee decided to keep the benchmark overnight lending rate target at a range of 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent.
In recent months, Florida job gains have remained strong and the unemployment rate has remained low, reflecting the state’s positive economic environment.
Economists look to consumer sentiment as an early signal of future conditions, because confidence among consumers leads to spending and consumption. “High levels of confidence are important to keep the economy growing,” Sandoval said. “The next few months will be key to assessing the potential economic outlook for the following years.”
Conducted Feb. 1-23, the UF study reflects the responses of 489 individuals who were reached on cellphones, representing a demographic cross section of Florida.
The index used by UF researchers is benchmarked to 1966, which means a value of 100 represents the same level of confidence for that year. The lowest index possible is a 2, the highest is 150.
Details of this month’s survey can be found at http://www.bebr.ufl.edu/csi-data.
Writer: Colleen Porter, [email protected]
Florida's rubber stamps for Trump's anti-environmental agenda
Rubber Stamps: The 10 Florida Members of Congress Who Have Voted
100% of the Time for President Trump’s Anti-Environmental Agenda
In the four weeks since President Donald J. Trump was confirmed as the 45th President of the United States, the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives have held a combined 26 roll call votes on nominees or issues that pertain to energy or environmental policy.
Of Florida’s 29 senators and representatives in the U.S. Congress, 10 have voted 100% of the time for President Trump’s anti-environmental agenda, putting each of them squarely out of synch with public opinion in a state where a majority of residents say they are worried about global warming.
“The question is, what will it take for our elected representatives to stand up to President Trump and to vote independently, on behalf of all Floridians?” said Progress Florida Executive Director Mark Ferrulo.
This disconnect between their early voting records in the 115th Congress and their constituents’ views may be one reason why only three of them are currently scheduled to hold in-person town halls or public meetings in this first week back home since President Trump was sworn in.
In 2017, Sen. Marco Rubio has voted four out of four times for President Trump’s anti-environmental agenda. Specifically, he voted to:
- Overturn the Stream Protection Rule, which protected U.S. drinking water from toxic mine waste;
- Enable oil companies to engage in bribery and corruption overseas;
- Confirm Exxon Mobil’s CEO Rex Tillerson to serve as Secretary of State; and
- Confirm Oklahoma’s Attorney General, Scott Pruitt, to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Meanwhile, Rubio has no in-person town halls scheduled and his overall “Trump Score” across all policy areas is 100%, according to Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight.com.
Of 22 environment-related roll call votes in the House of Representatives in 2017, Florida Congressmen Matt Gaetz, Neal Dunn, Ted Yoho, Bill Posey, Gus Bilirakis, Dennis Ross, Vern Buchanan, Thomas Rooney, and Francis Rooney have not cast a single vote against President Trump’s anti-environmental agenda. They have voted to:
- Overturn the Stream Protection Rule, which protects U.S. drinking water from toxic mine waste;
- Enable oil companies to engage in bribery and corruption overseas;
- Eliminate methane pollution limits for oil and gas companies operating on public lands;
- Restrict public input on public land management decisions; and
- Legalize the killing of hibernating bear clubs in Alaska’s national wildlife refuges.
“Like Sen. Rubio, these nine Florida congressional Republicans have turned their back on their constituents – not just through their extreme anti-environmental voting record, but in most cases ducking voters in their home districts by avoiding town hall meetings,” added Ferrulo.
According TownHallProject.com, only Reps. Yoho, Gaetz and Bilirakis have in-person town hall meetings scheduled during the congressional recess. Reps. Gaetz, Dunn, Yoho, Posey, Bilirakis, Ross, Buchanan, T. Rooney, and F. Rooney all have an overall “Trump Score” of 100% according to Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight.com.
