Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Christian Cunningham to the Florida Southwestern State College District Board of Trustees.
Cunningham, 56, of Naples, is the chief human resources officer for Herc Rentals. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. Cunningham succeeds Christopher Vernon, and is appointed for a term beginning January 30, 2018, and ending May 31, 2021.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Governor Rick Scott
Governor Scott Meets with Exiled Magistrates of the Supreme Court of Venezuela
Governor Rick Scott today met with leaders from the Venezuelan community, including exiled magistrates of the Venezuelan Supreme Court, to discuss ways to continue to help the people of Venezuela gain freedom and democracy. Last year, Governor Scott and the State Board of Administration passed a resolution to ban state investments that would benefit Nicolas Maduro’s oppressive government. To build on these efforts, Governor Scott proposed legislation to strictly prohibit all state agencies from investing in any company that is doing business with the Maduro regime.
Gov. Rick Scott Recognizes Law Enforcement During Florida First Responder Appreciation Week
Governor Rick Scott today visited the Naples Police Department and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Professional Development Center to thank Florida law enforcement officers for their work to keep families safe. Earlier this week, Governor Scott issued a proclamation recognizing January 22-26 as Florida First Responder Appreciation Week. To read Governor Scott’s proclamation, click HERE.
Gov. Scott Extends Executive Order for Hurricane Maria to Continue Support for Puerto Ricans
During a Puerto Rico relief roundtable today Governor Rick Scott announced the signing of Executive Order 18-17 to extend Executive Order 17-259 for all 67 Florida counties in response to Hurricane Maria. This executive order will ensure that the state can continue to welcome families displaced by Hurricane Maria. This declaration will also allow the state to continue providing important resources and assistance needed to best accommodate the needs of families impacted by Hurricane Maria in Florida. Families displaced by Hurricane Maria are continuing to arrive in Florida and the state must do everything possible to help these families. Florida will continue to coordinate with FEMA to provide Maria survivors who have traveled to the state with important services such as housing assistance, crisis counseling and unemployment assistance.
Governor Scott said, “Today, to ensure Florida has every available resource to continue to assist families displaced by Hurricane Maria, I am extending Executive Order 17-259, declaring a State of Emergency in all 67 Florida counties. Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria and many families lost everything. As Puerto Rico rebuilds, Florida remains committed to doing everything we can to help the families impacted by Hurricane Maria and aid in the recovery process.”
To view Executive Order 18-17, click HERE.
For more information on what the State of Florida is doing to support Puerto Rico, click HERE.
Statement from Governor Rick Scott on House Passage of HB 359
Governor Rick Scott today issued the following statement after the Florida House of Representatives unanimously voted in support of HB 359. This bill advances Governor Scott’s proposal to strictly prohibit the State of Florida, including all state agencies, from investing in any company that is doing business with Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro’s oppressive government. See Governor Scott’s announcement of this proposal HERE.
“Florida is proud to be an incredible melting pot and home to a vibrant Venezuelan population. But sadly, in recent years, we’ve seen the conditions and situation in Venezuela deteriorate because of a brutal dictator. The Maduro regime is hurting and oppressing Venezuelan families more and more each day and I have been absolutely clear that the State of Florida will not stand for it. Last year, I proposed, and the entire Florida Cabinet supported, a ban on state investments benefitting the Maduro regime. Today, I am proud that the Florida House of Representatives voted unanimously in support of my proposal that prohibits all state agencies from investing in the oppressive Venezuelan government. I’d like to thank House Speaker Richard Corcoran, House Speaker pro tempore Jeanette Nuñez, Representative Manny Diaz and all the members who voted for this important legislation that recognizes the significant role Florida plays globally. I look forward to the Senate continuing to advance this bill and signing it into law soon.” – Governor Rick Scott
Governor Scott Congratulates the University of Central Florida Knights
Governor Rick Scott today visited the University of Central Florida’s football team to congratulate them on their undefeated season. Governor Scott awarded each player with the Governor’s Sports Award and a copy of the proclamation the Governor issued this month proclaiming the UCF Knights as national champions in Florida. To view the proclamation, click HERE.
Statement from Governor Rick Scott on House Passage of Tax Cut Proposal
Governor Rick Scott issued the following statement after the Florida House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted 80-29 in bipartisan support of HB 7001. This bill advances Governor Scott’s proposal for a constitutional amendment requiring a 2/3 supermajority vote by future legislatures to raise any tax or fee. See Governor Scott’s announcement of this proposal HERE.
“I appreciate Speaker Corcoran for his commitment to fighting to make sure it is harder for politicians to raise taxes and fees on hardworking families. When I first announced this proposal, Speaker Corcoran joined me to ensure we do all we can to let families and job creators keep more of their hard-earned money. Today, the Florida House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed this proposal in a bipartisan vote to give Floridians the chance to go to the polls and vote to make it harder for politicians in Tallahassee to raise taxes and fees. I want to thank Speaker Corcoran, Representative Tom Leek and every member who voted on this critical proposal. I look forward to the Senate swiftly voting on the House’s bill.” – Governor Rick Scott
Governor Rick Scott’s Statement on VISIT FLORIDA
Please see below a statement from Governor Rick Scott regarding the Florida Senate’s proposal to cut VISIT FLORIDA’s funding to $50 million, a reduction of $26 million from this year’s funding.
“I completely oppose the Florida Senate’s proposal to cut VISIT FLORIDA’s budget by a third. I will fight to protect the 1.4 million jobs that rely on Florida’s tourism industry by making sure that VISIT FLORIDA gets $100 million this year. After the devastating hurricane season we faced last year, we shouldn’t be playing games with our state’s tourism industry.” – Governor Rick Scott
Governor Rick Scott Appoints Eight Members to Judicial Nominating Commissions
Governor Rick Scott today announced the following appointments:
Second District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission
Eual Tyler Cathey, of Tampa, is the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel for Franklin Street. He succeeds Edward Page and is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2019.
Fourth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Jennifer Shoaf Richardson, of Jacksonville, is an attorney with Jackson Lewis P.C. She succeeds Michelle Barnett and is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2020.
Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Tara L. Tedrow, of Winter Park, is an attorney with Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A.. She succeeds Paetra T. Brownlee and is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2020.
Tenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Lydia Zbrzeznj, of Bartow, is an attorney with Frost Van den Boom, P.A. She succeeds Cassandra L. Denmark and is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2020.
Sixteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Richard McChesney, of Key West, is an attorney with Spottswood, Spottswood, Spottswood & Sterling. He succeeds Piper L. Smith and is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2020.
Michael Puto, of Marathon, was the former City Manager for the City of Marathon. He fills a vacant position for a term ending July 1, 2019.
George Wallace, of Key West, is an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Key West. He succeeds David P. Horan for a term ending July 1, 2018.
Seventeenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Christina Sanabria, of Coral Springs, is an attorney with Sanabria, Llorente, Marsh & Associates. She succeeds Zachariah P. Zachariah and is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2020.
Governor Rick Scott Honors 628 Veterans with Veterans Service Medal
Governor Rick Scott today awarded 628 Florida veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Medal for their service to the state and the nation. Since 2013, Governor Scott has awarded more than 13,000 veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Medal.
Governor Scott said, “I’m proud to recognize these brave American heroes who dedicated their lives to protecting the families of our great nation. We will continue working to give back to our selfless veterans who have given so much to our state and country.”
- Governor Scott also highlighted investments in Florida’s active military, veterans and their families in his Securing Florida’s Future budget, including:
$200,000 for search and rescue vessels and protective equipment for our National Guardsmen to use during deployment; - Nearly $8 million to begin operations at the Lake Baldwin State Veteran Nursing Home, which will allow this facility to serve more than 110 veterans in the coming year;
- Doubling the funding to $2 million for Building Homes for Heroes to build and modify homes for veterans who were severely injured while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan;
- $2 million for the Florida Defense Support Task Force, which helps support our military and defense communities and the many families who rely on them; and
- $2.7 million to support veterans looking to obtain employment, start their own businesses and make Florida their home, including $1 million for Veterans Florida to continue their mission of helping veterans find great jobs at Florida businesses.
The following Florida veterans were highlighted during today’s ceremony:
Colonel Darrell W. Katz
Colonel Darrell Katz enlisted in the United States Army in 1956 and served for 40 years, including 30 years as a commissioned officer where he served mostly in the Special Forces. His decades of service included tours in Vietnam and Desert Storm. Colonel Katz is a member of the Army Special Forces Hall of Fame at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and the Infantry Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia. His actions have been recognized with a Purple Heart, a Silver Star and the Legion of Merit among others for his dedicated service.
Private First-Class Robert G. “Bob” Black
Private First-Class Bob Black enlisted in the United States Army in August of 1951 and attended infantry basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was deployed to Korea during the Korean War as a light infantry leader and joined “A” Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division assigned to a 57mm recoilless rifle squad. While serving in Korea, Private First-Class Black was injured in the line of duty. After he was injured he was assigned as the editor of the 2nd Infantry Division Newspaper and subsequently transferred to Stars and Stripes. His service has been recognized with the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with three battle stars and the Army Commendation Medal.
Private First-Class John H. MacPhee
Private First-Class John MacPhee was drafted into the United States Army in 1943 and attended basic training at Camp Blanding where he qualified as a sniper. He was assigned to the first wave of assault troops to land on Omaha Beach for the D-day invasion on June 6, 1944. During the invasion, Private First-Class MacPhee was wounded five times, his injuries were so severe that he was given Last Rites by a Catholic Priest. He has been recognized for his service with a Purple Heart, a Combat Infantry Badge, a Bronze Star and the French Legion of Honor.
Commander Edward Socha
Commander Edward Socha enlisted in the United States Navy in 1939 and was commissioned as an Ensign in 1944. He underwent Scout and Raider Training and was later stationed on the USS Maryland in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941 when the first Japanese plane attacked the base. Commander Socha served throughout the Pacific in various naval battles including the battle of Guadalcanal. His actions have been recognized with the American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
