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Senator Powell Legislation Aimed at Reducing the Number of Children Prosecuted as Adults Poised for Next Hearing

Posted on February 7, 2017

Legislation sponsored by state Senator Bobby Powell, (D-Riviera Beach), that would dramatically overhaul the way children are fast tracked into the adult prison system received its first green light on Monday, and is poised for its next committee stop.

SB 192 would bring greater transparency into the criminal justice system by requiring prosecutors to document their decisions to prosecute children as adults, a process known as “direct file.”  Direct filing children as adults has been an intense topic in the state of Florida as studies such as the 2015 Marshall Project have shown that Florida direct files more children than any other state. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also shown that children prosecuted as adults are 34 percent more likely to recidivate. 

“In the past, the direct filing of children as adults in the courts was the fallback position by officials who found it easier to dehumanize kids than work to solve the problems driving the behavior,” said Powell. “This bill reflects a new attitude that kids aren’t disposable, that warehousing them in adult prisons is not a solution, and that redemption and rebirth are possible.” 

The bill would create a uniform system throughout the state of Florida based on the child’s age at the time of the crime and on the type of offense committed.  Additionally, SB 192 lists criteria that must be used when state attorneys utilize their discretion to prosecute youth as adults, prevents youth who are prosecuted as adults from losing their future civil rights, and eliminates possession of drugs among other non-violent offenses as justification to direct file. 

Senator Powell’s measure, which passed on a 5 to 3 vote out of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Monday, now awaits a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice, its second of three scheduled Senate committee stops. 

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Children Prosecuted as Adults, Florida, legislation, Senator Bobby Powell

Senate Committee Passes Legislation to Require Unanimous Verdict in Death Penalty Cases

Posted on February 6, 2017

The Florida Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, chaired by Senator Randolph Bracy (D-Ocoee), today passed Senate Bill 280, Sentencing for Capital Felonies, which revises sentencing requirements in capital felony cases to require a unanimous jury verdict, rather than a certain number of jurors, for a sentencing recommendation of death.
“The Senate has supported a unanimous verdict requirement in the past, and now the Supreme Court has made it clear that if we are going to follow the Constitution, we need to amend our death penalty statute to require a unanimous jury verdict in death penalty cases,” said Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart).
“It is important that we have an orderly system of justice in place for both families of victims and individuals charged with serious crimes,” said Chair Bracy, sponsor of Senate Bill 280. “This legislation removes ambiguity from our death penalty statute, which will help reduce delays in due process for all parties involved in death penalty cases.”
Senate Bill 280 is now available for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Rules. If passed by the Rules Committee, the bill would be available to be heard on the Senate floor early in the 2017 Legislative Session.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Death Penalty Cases, Florida, legislation, Senate Committee, Unanimous Verdict

Florida Elected Officials & Leaders To Denounce SCOTUS Nominee Neil Gorsuch's Extreme Legal Record

Posted on February 6, 2017

During a press conference tabindex=”0″ data-term=”goog_751863255″>Tuesday, Florida leaders will detail their concerns with the legal record of President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch. State Representative Carlos Smith, State Representative and attorney Sean Shaw, and Planned Parenthood’s Missy Wesolowski will discuss how Gorsuch’s record as a judge and his writings show that on the nation’s highest Court, he would prioritize the interests of corporations at the expense of everyday Americans and threaten women’s rights and LGBTQ equality.

WHO: Sean Shaw, State Representative & attorney
Carlos Smith, State Representative
Missy Wesolowski, Director of Public Policy & Organizing, Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates
Damien Filer, Why Courts Matter Coalition spokesperson

WHAT: Elected Officials & Leaders Denounce SCOTUS Nominee’s Extreme Legal Record

WHEN: tabindex=”0″ data-term=”goog_751863256″>Tuesday, February 7th at 12:15pm

WHERE: Florida Capitol Building, 4th Floor Rotunda, 400 S Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32399

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Elected Officials, Extreme Legal Record, Florida, Leaders, Neil Gorsuch, SCOTUS Nominee

Community Health Centers to hold press event in capitol to raise awareness of patient services amid healthcare changes

Posted on February 6, 2017

Lawmakers will join FACHC members to champion the role they play in providing
high-quality healthcare to Florida’s low-income and vulnerable populations

Tomorrow, Florida’s leading advocate for community-based health care programs, the Florida Association of Community Health Centers (FACHC), will hold a press conference alongside Florida’s elected leaders to discuss the vital role its members serve in providing quality healthcare to local communities across the state. 

For more than 35 years, community health centers have provided high-quality primary care, preventive and wrap-around services to those who need it most. FACHC serves more than 1.3 million Floridians at over 450 locations statewide with:

  • 35% of its patients uninsured;
  • 43% of its patients enrolled in Medicaid; and
  • 90% of its patients reporting income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

“Amid changes taking place across the healthcare spectrum, FACHC has and will continue to fulfill its mission to improve access to quality health services, no matter an individual’s ability to pay,” said Andy Behrman, president and CEO of FACHC. “We thank the legislature for its continued support, and look forward to working with them this year to educate and advocate on behalf of Florida’s community health centers and the patients they serve.”  

For more information about FACHC and its members, visit www.fachc.org.

WHAT: Press conference to discuss the important role FACHC and its community-based healthcare members plays to provide high-quality care to patients across Florida.
WHO: Participants to be on hand at Tuesday’s press conference include:
· FACHC President and CEO, Andy Behrman
· CEO of Tampa Family Health Centers, Charlie Bottoms
· Representative and Minority Leader, Janet Cruz
· Senator Aaron Bean
· CEO Agape Community Health Center and former member of the House of Representatives, Mia Jones
WHEN: Tuesday, February 7, 2017
11:30 a.m. – noon
WHERE: Fourth Floor Rotunda
Florida Capitol
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: awareness, Capitol, Community Health Centers, FACHC, Florida, Florida Association of Community Health Centers, healthcare changes, patient services, Press Event

Hollywood Beach Golf Resort Featured as Florida Historic Golf Trail Course of the Month

Posted on February 6, 2017

Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that the Hollywood Beach Golf Resort, located in the City of Hollywood in Broward County, has been chosen as the featured course on the Florida Historic Golf Trail for the month of February.
“We are pleased to feature the Hollywood Beach Golf Resort as a partner on the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Secretary Detzner. “This golf course has been an integral part of this city’s scenic beauty, and a local landmark for over 90 years.”
Hollywood Beach Golf Resort 2.6.2017

Image Courtesy of Hollywood Beach Golf Resort

Wally Nelson and noted golf course builder Charles Olsen were among the many individuals responsible for the early design of the Hollywood Beach golf course. Olsen took charge of the construction of the golf course, located on former agriculture fields, introduced some new features and added around 30 acres to the original tract. The first nine holes were completed and in play by the 1922, winter season. In the fall of 1922, Wally‘s older brother Lee Nelson, the professional in charge of the course, was spending most of his time on the course directing some of the finishing work and incorporating some late ideas into the final design. In early 1924, Lee and his younger brother Chic Nelson, who served as the assistant golf professional, organized the formal opening of the 18-hole golf course and the hotel.
Today, the 18-hole, par-70, golf course features four sets of tees playing from 4,900 to 6,300 yards. The picturesque course provides players with an experience reminiscent of old Florida that allows players to focus on their golf game and leave day-to-day distractions behind.
“The Hollywood Beach Golf Resort is honored to be selected as the Florida Historic Golf Trail’s featured course for February 2017,” said Josh McCumber, Director of Golf at Hollywood Beach Golf Resort. “The golf course at Hollywood Beach Golf combines the best of old and new, where Old Florida meets the 21st century.”
For more information about the Hollywood Beach Golf Resort or the Florida Historic Golf Trail program visit Hollywood Beach Golf Resort , Florida Historic Golf Trail or Facebook.com/FloridaHistoricGolfTrail.
About The Florida Historic Golf Trail
Florida’s golf history, recognized as one of the oldest in the nation, dates back to the late 1800s when a number of early courses were created along with the development of railroads and hotels in the state. The Florida Historic Golf Trail is a collection of more than 50 historic, publicly accessible golf courses throughout the state that can still be played on today. Through the Florida Historic Golf Trail, golfers can play on courses designed by world-class architects and played by famous golfers such as Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Babe Zaharias, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Information about the history and current day contact information for each partner course can be found at FloridaHistoricGolfTrail.com. Find the historic course near you and Come Play on History!
About The Division of Historical Resources
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The Division Director’s office oversees a grants-in-aid program to help preserve and maintain Florida’s historic buildings and archaeological sites; coordinates outreach programs such as the State Historic Markers program and the Florida Folklife program which identifies and promotes the state’s traditional culture. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The Division Director serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, acting as the liaison with the national historic preservation program conducted by the National Park Service. The Division is comprised of two Bureaus, archaeological research and historic preservation. For more information visit flheritage.com.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Florida, Historic Golf Trail Course of the Month, Hollywood Beach Golf Resort

Florida Chief Justice Jorge Labarga holds media availability before Commission on Access to Civil Justice meeting

Posted on February 1, 2017

Who: Florida Chief Justice Jorge Labarga, former president of The Florida Bar and Commission Executive Chair Greg Coleman, immediate past president of The Florida Bar Foundation Donny MacKenzie, and The Florida Bar Foundation Executive Director and CEO Bruce Blackwell

What: Media Availability to discuss the work of the Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice

When: 10 a.m., Friday, February 3

Where: Hotel Duval Horizon Room, 415 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee

Florida Chief Justice Jorge Labarga will lead a media availability to discuss the continuing work of the standing Commission on Access to Civil Justice ahead of its first meeting in 2017.

The commission works to address the barriers that impede access to civil justice faced by hundreds of thousands of Floridians. Many low- and moderate-income people face the prospect of civil cases related to such things as veterans’ benefits, foreclosures, child custody, debt collection, and other vital matters without a lawyer. A 2015 Justice Gap Analysis found only a quarter of parties in non-family civil cases are represented by lawyers.

The people of Florida have limited access to do-it-yourself legal forms and guides, pro bono representation and formalized legal aid services. These are commendable, but inadequate. The Access to Civil Justice Commission has initiated a pilot program and undertaken other efforts to help determine the best way forward to expand basic access to the civil justice system. Chief Justice Labarga will address reporters on their vital role in providing information about both the problem and solutions. In addition, representatives of The Florida Bar Foundation will share information about a study showing the economic impact of the pro bono work Florida’s lawyers provide.

Please note: The full Commission on Access to Civil Justice meeting is scheduled for 1-4:30 p.m. in the same location. It is open to the public.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Access to Civil Justice Commission, Chief Justice Jorge Labarga, Florida, Media Availability, Meeting

Florida consumer sentiment continues upward climb

Posted on January 31, 2017

CSI Chart_Jan 2017-page-001
Consumer sentiment among Floridians in January ticked up another one-half point to 97.8 — the highest reading since March 2002 — from December’s record-breaking revised figure of 97.3, according to the latest University of Florida consumer survey.
Florida’s upward trend also tracks the national figures released last week by the University of Michigan, with the national consumer sentiment index at the highest level since February 2004.
Of the five components that make up the Florida index, three increased and two decreased.
Perceptions of one’s personal financial situation now compared with a year ago showed the greatest increase, rising 5.4 points from 82.8 to 88.2. With the exception of those 60 and older, this view is shared by all Floridians.
Opinions as to whether now is a good time to buy a big-ticket household item such as an appliance increased slightly from 101.2 to 102.3.
“Perceptions of current conditions improved among Floridians in the last month as a result of the positive economic picture that prevailed in the state during the last year,” said Hector H. Sandoval, director of the Economic Analysis Program at UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. “Floridians are optimistic about their own finances. The recent surge in the level of confidence comes from perceptions and expectations about Floridians’ individual financial situations.”
Expectations of personal finances a year from now rose 2.5 points, from 103.9 to 106.4. However, views on the future of the national economy were gloomier: Expectations of U.S. economic conditions over the next year dropped 3.3 points, from 99.9 to 96.6, while anticipated U.S. economic conditions over the next five years decreased 2.7 points from 98.5 to 95.8.
Economic data in Florida continue to be generally positive. Although the December unemployment rate in Florida remained at 4.9 percent, the number of jobs added last year statewide was 251,400—a 3.1 percent increase compared with a year ago. The industry sector gaining most jobs was leisure and hospitality, followed by education and health services, then professional and business services.
“There is no doubt that the state’s economy is in better shape than it was several years ago,” Sandoval said. “However, both short- and long-run expectations about the national economic situation are pessimistic, particularly over the next year. These negative expectations are shared by most Floridians but are strongest among those with income under $50,000. These expectations may reflect uncertainty associated with the upcoming economic policy changes by the new U.S. administration. The next few months will be key to understanding these changes and assessing their potential impact on the economy.”
Conducted Jan. 1-26, the UF study reflects the responses of 449 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]

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Consumer Sentiment, Florida, survey, University of Florida, upward climb

Senator Dana Young files legislation to make clear fantasy sports are legal in Florida

Posted on January 31, 2017

Bill Establishes Meaningful Regulations to Protect Consumers

State Senator Dana Young (R-Tampa) today announced that she has filed Senate Bill 592, which clarifies the law to make clear that fantasy sports are legal in the State of Florida, while also establishing commonsense regulations and consumer protection measures for the industry. Ten states have recently passed laws regulating fantasy sports and these regulations have proven to be successful. SB 592 is based on the best components of fantasy sports laws from across the county, with the appropriate Florida-specific adjustments to serve the Sunshine State.
“Today, more than 3 million Floridians participate in fantasy sports. This bill ensures the games they love will continue to be legal in the State of Florida, while adding several consumer protection measures,” said Senator Young.  “The relevant laws on the books were written a long, long time ago in a different era, and they need to be updated to reflect current technology and to ensure that our friends and neighbors who enjoy fantasy sports can do so without any legal ambiguity.”
Key consumer protection measures in the legislation include:

  • Instituting restrictions on who may compete in fantasy games, including barring the operator, employees of the operator, and family members of the operator from play, as well as preventing employees of the game operator from sharing confidential information that could affect fantasy game play;
  • Verifying fantasy contest participants are 18 years of age or older;
  • Restricting any individual who is a player, game official, or other participant in a real-world competition from participating in any related fantasy contest;
  • Disclosing the number of fantasy contests a single participant may enter and prevent contest participants from entering more than the allowable number of fantasy games;
  • Segregating contest participants’ funds from operational funds and maintaining a reserve to ensure fantasy players will have access to their funds at all times;
  • Requiring all fantasy sports companies offering fantasy games in the State of Florida to annually contract with a third party to perform an independent audit, consistent with the standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, to ensure compliance with all of the requirements of the new law; and,
  • Clarification that NCAA sports will not be included in fantasy contests.

“On behalf of the millions of Floridians for whom fantasy sports is a fun and engaging pastime, I look forward to working with my colleagues during the 2017 Legislative Session to pass this needed law clarifying the legality of fantasy sports,” concluded Senator Young.
 

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: fantasy sports, Florida, legislation, Senator Dana Young

PSC Customer Service Hearings for Altamonte Springs and Lakeland

Posted on January 31, 2017

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Utilities Inc. of Florida (Utilities, Inc.) to participate in customer service hearings in Altamonte Springs and Lakeland on the utility’s petition for a water and wastewater rate increase.  The hearings will allow customers to provide public comment on Utilities Inc.’s rate request. Customer input will be taken into consideration when the Commission considers this request.
The service hearings are scheduled for the following times and locations:

Thursday, February 2, 2017
9:30 a.m.
Eastmonte Civic Center
830 Magnolia Drive
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

6:00 p.m.
Cypress Lakes Clubhouse
10000 US Hwy 98 N
Lakeland, FL 32820

In August 2016, Utilities Inc. filed a petition with the PSC to increase its water and wastewater rates. Utilities Inc. provides service to 27 systems in Charlotte, Highlands, Lake, Lee, Marion, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Seminole Counties.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Customer Service Hearings, Florida, Lakeland, public service commission

Florida Signs a $1.5 Million Life Claim Settlement Agreement with Ameriprise Subsidiaries

Posted on January 30, 2017

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office), Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), and the Florida Office of the Attorney General (AG) today announced that a $1.5 million life claim settlement agreement has been reached with subsidiaries of the Ameriprise Group, RiverSource Life Insurance Company and RiverSource Life Insurance Company of New York.
The settlement agreement focuses on the one-sided use of the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File (DMF) to stop paying a deceased person’s annuity, but not using the same information to find and begin paying the deceased’s family or other beneficiaries for life insurance policies. The multi-state examination was conducted by California, which served as the managing lead state, Florida, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania.
Florida’s allocation of the multi-state settlement payment by Ameriprise is over $111,000, which covers the costs of the investigations and future compliance monitoring. To date, state insurance regulators have either reached settlements or concluded the investigation of 28 of the top 40 companies constituting 80% of the total market. Efforts continue to be focused on the examination of the remaining 12 insurers.
Florida’s joint state agency effort was the catalyst for the development of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Life/Annuities Claim Settlements Practices Task Force, which had been coordinating the national multi-state examinations of the top 40 life/annuity insurance companies since 2011. In the years since these efforts began, more than $7.3 billion in unknown or lost policy proceeds to beneficiaries have been returned directly by the companies and over $2.8 billion delivered to the states’ unclaimed property programs.
Effective July 1, 2016, Florida implemented comprehensive legislation requiring life insurance companies to search the DMF and compare the records of both current life insurance policies and those going back to January 1, 1992, when trying to find beneficiaries of a life insurance benefit. Senate Bill 966, championed by Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater (DFS) and signed by Governor Scott, strengthens the state’s unclaimed property laws for the protection of Florida consumers and provides life insurance companies with a standardized methodology for locating beneficiaries.
For more information, visit the Office’s “Life Claim Settlement Practices” webpage. To search or submit a request for unclaimed property, visit www.FLTreasureHunt.org, or call 1-88-VALUABLE or (850) 413-3089.
About the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has primary responsibility for regulation, compliance and enforcement of statutes related to the business of insurance and the monitoring of industry markets. For more information about the Office, please visit www.floir.com or follow us on Twitter @FLOIR_comm and Facebook.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: $1.5 Million, Ameriprise Subsidiaries, Florida, Life Claim, Office of Insurance Regulation, Settlement Agreement

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