Governor Rick Scott today made the following statement today regarding the passing of Clay County Deputy Ben Zirbel: [Read more…] about Gov. Scott’s Statement on the Passing of Clay County Deputy Ben Zirbel
Governor Rick Scott
Gov. Scott Announces Additional $3 Million to Help Counties Impacted by Red Tide
Governor Rick Scott today announced that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is providing an additional $3 million in grant funding to assist local communities impacted by red tide. With this funding, DEP has already committed $750,000 to Manatee County, $190,000 to Collier County and nearly $100,000 to Sarasota County. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott Announces Additional $3 Million to Help Counties Impacted by Red Tide
Gov. Scott Announces Advancement of Critical Infrastructure Project in Broward County
Governor Rick Scott today announced that the SW 10th Street Connector in Broward County, a $766 million project, has been accelerated from 2025 to 2021. This project will improve safety and mobility, address local access along SW 10th Street, provide a connection between I-95 and Sawgrass Expressway and enhance effective hurricane evacuation. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott Announces Advancement of Critical Infrastructure Project in Broward County
Gov. Scott to Attend Grand Opening of Walmart Distribution Center
MEDIA ADVISORY
Today, August 22nd, Governor Rick Scott will attend the grand opening of Walmart’s new distribution center in Cocoa Beach and highlight their job growth in Florida. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott to Attend Grand Opening of Walmart Distribution Center
Gov. Scott Calls on Legislature to Redirect $58 Million for Additional School Security
At Governor Scott’s direction, the Florida Department of Education submitted a proposal today to the Florida Legislature to redirect $58 million of unused funding from the Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program to school districts for additional school security. The Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program is 100 percent voluntary for school districts. Of the $67 million appropriated for this program, $9 million was utilized by local law enforcement to establish guardian programs with agreements from local school districts. The redirection of the remaining $58 million to school districts will now go before the Legislative Budget Commission for approval.
Governor Scott said, “Immediately following the tragedy in Parkland this year, we took emergency action to make our schools safer. While I am proud of the major legislation we passed this spring, I was clear that we would need to continue to work together to keep our students safe. That’s why I outlined this plan to Legislative leadership in March, and today am living up to my commitment to urge them to redirect unused money from the voluntary guardian program back into our schools for more security. I am confident that the Legislature will take the appropriate actions to ensure that this funding can be used this school year. Every student and parent in Florida deserves to know that our schools are safe and our kids are protected.”
The $58 million will be redirected to school districts for the specific purpose of enhancing school safety. Under the Department of Education’s proposal, once redirected, the $58 million will be disbursed to Florida school districts based on their student population. This funding can then be used to partner with local law enforcement to hire additional school officers. This year, school districts were provided $162 million specifically for school safety. Under Governor Scott’s leadership, per-pupil funding in Florida is at an all time high, and since 2011, Florida schools have seen an increase of $4.5 billion in funding. To view video of the Governor signing the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, click HERE.
Appointments by Governor Rick Scott for Friday, August 17, 2018
Governor Scott Appoints Hope Pattey to the Polk County Court
Governor Rick Scott today announced an appointment to the Polk County Court.
Hope Pattey, 47, of Lakeland, is an Assistant State Attorney in the Tenth Judicial Circuit. She received her bachelor’s degree from The University of South Florida and her law degree from Florida State University College of Law. Pattey fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Gerald P. Hill II.
Governor Scott Appoints Judge James R. Baxley to the Fifth Circuit Court
Governor Rick Scott today announced an appointment to the Fifth Circuit Court.
James R. Baxley, 49, of Eustis, is a County Judge in Lake County and previously was a partner at Hatfield and Baxley P.A. He received his bachelor’s degree from The University of Florida and his law degree from The University of Florida College of Law. Baxley fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Mark A. Nacke.
Governor Scott Appoints Two to the Seventeenth Circuit Court
Governor Rick Scott today announced two appointments to the Seventeenth Circuit Court.
Nickolas Hunter Davis, 37, of Fort Lauderdale, is an Assistant State-wide Prosecutor for the Office of the Attorney General and previously served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. He received his bachelor’s degree from The University of South Carolina and his law degree from Washington and Lee University. Davis fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Merrilee Ehrlich.
Peter Holden, 57, of Fort Lauderdale, has served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit since 1989. He received his bachelor’s degree from Nichols College and his law degree from Nova Law School. Holden fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Lisa M. Porter.
Governor Scott Appoints Dana Moss to the Sarasota County Court
Governor Rick Scott today announced an appointment to the Sarasota County Court.
Dana Moss, 47, of Lakewood Ranch, is a felony division chief for the Twelfth Circuit Public Defender’s Office. She previously served as a Police Officer. She received her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and her law degree from Florida Coastal Law School. Moss fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Judy Goldman.
Gov. Scott Reappoints Two to Florida Public Service Commission
Governor Rick Scott today announced the reappointment of Gary Clark and Julie Brown to the Florida Public Service Commission.
Clark, 50, of Chipley, is a commissioner of the Florida Public Service Commission. He was previously the Deputy Secretary of Land and Recreation of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Clark received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix. He is reappointed for a term beginning January 2, 2019, and ending January 1, 2023.
Brown, 43, of Tampa, has served as a commissioner of the Florida Public Service Commission since 2011. She was previously Associate Legal Counsel for First American Title Insurance Company, and an Assistant Attorney for the City of Tampa Attorney’s Office. Brown received her bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Florida. She is reappointed for a term beginning January 2, 2019, and ending January 1, 2023.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Gov. Scott: Florida’s Unemployment Rate Lowest in Over a Decade
Nearly 1.6 million jobs created since Dec. 2010
Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent – the lowest since April 2007 as Florida business have now created 1,595,000 jobs since December 2010. In July, business created 26,300 private-sector jobs. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott: Florida’s Unemployment Rate Lowest in Over a Decade
Gov. Scott to Announce July Job Numbers
MEDIA ADVISORY
Tomorrow, August 17th, Governor Rick Scott will announce July’s employment numbers at Solar Stik in St. Augustine.
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: 10:00 AM
WHERE: Solar Stik
195 West King Street
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Gov. Scott: Florida Continues Making Record Investments in Springs Protection
Governor Rick Scott today announced that more than $450 million has been invested in Florida’s springs since 2011 – the highest amount of funding for springs under any Governor in Florida history. Today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) submitted a plan to the Florida Legislature to invest $50 million in springs restoration from this year’s budget. When leveraged with funding from local partners, this plan proposes a total investment of nearly $86 million in 35 springs projects during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. DEP’s proposed plan focuses on projects critical for springs restoration, including investing $32 million in sewer and septic projects.
Governor Scott said, “Florida’s springs are one of our state’s most pristine natural treasures, which is why I’ve fought for record funding. Every dollar that we’re investing in these projects preserves our iconic springs and helps ensure that we are protecting Florida’s entire environment. I will never stop fighting for our springs and waterways.”
Under Governor Scott’s leadership, Florida has made historic progress protecting springs, including:
- Since 2011, the total investment in Florida’s springs is more than $450 million, the highest amount of funding under any Governor in Florida’s history;
- In 2016, Governor Scott signed the Legacy Florida bill, securing a dedicated source of funding for springs protection;
- Since 2011 and including this year’s plan, the projects implemented thanks to this historic funding will make a direct impact to protect springs and are expected to:
- Reduce more than 11 million pounds of nitrogen from Florida’s springs;
- Save 339 million gallons per day of water to improve spring flow;
- Protect more than 10,000 acres of land surrounding springs through strategic acquisitions.
DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein said, “The health of Florida’s springs is critical to our state’s environment, economy and communities. Thanks to Governor Scott and the Legislature, we continue to make record investments in projects to protect these amazing natural resources. We look forward to the Legislative Budget Commission approving this restoration plan that will allow us to continue to partner with Florida’s water management districts and local communities to protect our springs.”
DEP’s project plan is available HERE. Learn more about Florida’s springs and the work to restore them at myhomemysprings.org.
Governor and Cabinet Recognize Florida Forest Service Employee as Natural Resource Manager of the Year
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam, his fellow Cabinet members and Governor Scott today presented Keith Mousel of the Florida Forest Service with the Resource Manager of the Year award for his outstanding leadership and dedication to protecting Florida’s natural resources. Since 1988, Mousel has worked diligently to conserve native state lands with prescribed fire, to improve recreational activities in state forests, and to maintain natural habitats by controlling invasive species. [Read more…] about Governor and Cabinet Recognize Florida Forest Service Employee as Natural Resource Manager of the Year
