As part of his ongoing trade mission in Israel, Governor Rick Scott today recognized EL AL Airlines, the national air carrier of Israel, with a Governor’s Business Ambassador Award for their investments in the State of Florida. EL AL recently relaunched the only nonstop flights from Miami to Tel Aviv, which halted flights from Florida in 2008, however, due to the increased economic activity in Florida, the nonstop flight was relaunched. The nonstop flight from Miami International Airport is now one of only six nonstop routes offered by the airline to North America from Israel. The Governor presented the award during an event with the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Israel Chambers of Commerce.
Governor Scott said, “I was proud to recognize EL AL with a Governor’s Business Ambassador Award today and share Florida’s success story with business and economic development leaders in Israel. EL AL’s decision to invest in our state is proof that our work to turn around Florida’s economy over the past seven years has sent a clear message across the globe – the State of Florida is the best place for businesses to succeed. We will continue to work with international partners and job creators to help bring more important investments and opportunities to our state.”
EL AL President David Maimon said, “It was an honor to accept the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award and celebrate EL AL’s commitment to the State of Florida with Governor Scott today. Florida has proven to be an excellent partner and direct flight location. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership with Florida as we ensure EL AL remains the leading airline.”
Miami International Airport Director Emilio T. González said, “We greatly appreciate EL AL Israel Airlines choosing to invest in Florida. We have been working to bring EL AL back to Miami-Dade County for many years, and this accomplishment would not have been possible without Florida’s strong economy and appeal as a world-class destination for travel and business. We look forward to seeing continued growth and success with EL AL at Miami International Airport.”
Governor Scott is currently leading a delegation of nearly 70 Florida business and education leaders on a trade mission in Israel to continue to build on Florida and Israel’s strong relationship. Florida’s economic development and trading partnership with Israel exceeds $286 million a year.
Governor Rick Scott
Governor Scott Highlights Record K-12 Education Investments in Securing Florida’s Future Budget
Governor Rick Scott today visited Coconut Grove Elementary School in Miami to highlight record K-12 education investments in his Securing Florida’s Future budget. Since Governor Scott took office, state funding for Florida’s K-12 public schools has increased by $3.2 billion or 36.7 percent, from a total amount of $8.7 billion in Fiscal Year 2011-12 to nearly $12 billion in the 2018-19 Securing Florida’s Future budget.
The Securing Florida’s Future budget includes:
- More than $21.4 billion in state and local funding for Florida’s K-12 public schools. This historic funding equates to $7,497 per student – an increase of $200 per Florida student – the highest total funding, state funding and per-student funding for K-12 in Florida’s history;
- $15 million in funding for a brand-new program to expand opportunities for middle and high school students to learn coding and computer science;
- $10 million, for a total of $74.5 million, in funding for school safety initiatives that promote a safe learning environment;
- $12 million in funding to establish the English Language Learners Summer Academics program. This program will be focused on reading improvements and making sure students in grades 4 – 8 displaced by Hurricane Maria have access to summer academies; and
- Nearly $18 million, for a total of more than $63 million, in funding for the Teacher Classroom Supply Assistance Program. This proposal will increase funding by $100 per teacher from $250 to $350 annually.
Governor Rick Scott Appoints Mac McNeill as Interim Sheriff of Jefferson County
Governor Rick Scott today announced the appointment of Alfred “Mac” McNeill as interim Sheriff of Jefferson County upon the passing of Sheriff Hobbs for a term beginning November 30, 2017, and ending November 13, 2018.
Governor Scott said, “Sheriff David Hobbs dedicated his life to serving our country in the military and the families of Jefferson County as Sheriff. We are grateful for his service and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his loved ones during this difficult time. Today, I am proud to appoint Mac McNeill, a military veteran with 20 years of law enforcement experience, to serve as Jefferson County Sheriff. I am confident that Mac will serve and protect the families of Jefferson County exceptionally and with the utmost integrity.”
Mac McNeill, 46, served with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as supervisor of protection detail for Governor Scott, Governor Crist, and Governor Bush. Prior to this role, McNeill served in the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office from 1997 to 2004 in various roles, including on the office’s SWAT team. McNeill received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Saint Leo University and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Governor Scott Highlights Record K-12 Education Investments in Securing Florida’s Future Budget
Governor Rick Scott visited Englewood Elementary School in Jacksonville to highlight record K-12 education investments in his Securing Florida’s Future budget. Since Governor Scott took office, state funding for Florida’s K-12 public schools has increased by $3.2 billion or 36.7 percent, from a total amount of $8.7 billion in Fiscal Year 2011-12 to nearly $12 billion in the 2018-19 Securing Florida’s Future budget.
The Securing Florida’s Future budget includes:
- More than $21.4 billion in state and local funding for Florida’s K-12 public schools. This historic funding equates to $7,497 per student – an increase of $200 per Florida student – the highest total funding, state funding and per-student funding for K-12 in Florida’s history;
- $15 million in funding for a brand-new program to expand opportunities for middle and high school students to learn coding and computer science;
- $10 million, for a total of $74.5 million, in funding for school safety initiatives that promote a safe learning environment;
- $12 million in funding to establish the English Language Learners Summer Academics program. This program will be focused on reading improvements and making sure students in grades 4 – 8 displaced by Hurricane Maria have access to summer academies; and
- Nearly $18 million, for a total of more than $63 million, in funding for the Teacher Classroom Supply Assistance Program. This proposal will increase funding by $100 per teacher from $250 to $350 annually.
Gov. Scott: The U.S. Embassy Belongs in Jerusalem
Also Leading Trade Mission to Israel Beginning This Weekend
Governor Rick Scott today announced that he will lead a delegation of nearly 70 Florida business and education leaders on a trade mission to Israel to continue to build on Florida and Israel’s strong relationship. In advance of the trip, Governor Scott today expressed his support for moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The Governor’s upcoming trade mission follows the successful trade mission led by Governor Scott to Israel in 2011.
Governor Scott said, “Florida has proudly stood with our friend and ally Israel for many generations, and I am proud to be leading a delegation of Florida business and education leaders on a trade mission to Israel. As we prepare for this important trade mission, it is clear that our entire nation must also continue to strengthen this partnership with Israel. I strongly believe that the U.S. Embassy belongs in Jerusalem and I am hopeful that a decision will be made to finally move the embassy to the its rightful destination in Israel’s capital city.
“Working with international partners like Israel is critical to strengthening Florida as a global destination for trade and to ensuring that our economy will continue to grow for years to come. Our previous trade mission to Israel was an astonishing success, and I look forward to sharing how far Florida has come in just seven years. We have fought relentlessly to make Florida the best place for businesses to grow and families to find opportunity, and we must make sure we are doing all we can to share our state’s success story across the world.”
The Governor’s trade mission to Israel will include:
- Economic development meetings with Israeli economic leaders and business owners to encourage continued investment and job creation in the State of Florida;
- Recognition of Israeli airline El Al’s recently launched direct flights from Miami to Tel Aviv, which is now one of only six direct flights offered by the airline to North America from Israel. This will support continued tourism and economic development in Florida;
- The signings of multiple agreements between Florida and Israeli universities and economic development organizations to support continued partnerships, research opportunities and job creation; and
- Honoring of the successful Florida-Israel Memorandum of Understanding Agreement between Space Florida and Israel, which was ultimately established following the Governor’s 2011 trade mission to Israel to support research, development, and aerospace and technology projects; and
- Additional opportunities to continue to build on Florida’s economic development and trading partnership with Israel, which exceeds $286 million a year.
Additional details on the trade mission, including a comprehensive list of attendees will be finalized and released within the coming days.
Gov. Scott to Highlight Record K-12 Education Investments in Securing Florida’s Future Budget
Tomorrow, November 29th, Governor Rick Scott will visit Englewood Elementary School in Jacksonville to highlight record K-12 education investments in his Securing Florida’s Future budget.
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: 10:30 AM
WHERE: Englewood Elementary School
4359 Spring Park Road
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Governor Scott Highlights Record K-12 Education Investments in Securing Florida’s Future Budget
Governor Rick Scott today visited Kissimmee Elementary School in Osceola County to highlight record K-12 education investments in his Securing Florida’s Future budget. Since Governor Scott took office, state funding for Florida’s K-12 public schools has increased by $3.2 billion or 36.7 percent, from a total amount of $8.7 billion in Fiscal Year 2011-12 to nearly $12 billion in the 2018-19 Securing Florida’s Future budget.
The Securing Florida’s Future budget includes:
- More than $21.4 billion in state and local funding for Florida’s K-12 public schools. This historic funding equates to $7,497 per student – an increase of $200 per Florida student – the highest total funding, state funding and per-student funding for K-12 in Florida’s history;
- $15 million in funding for a brand-new program to expand opportunities for middle and high school students to learn coding and computer science;
- $10 million, for a total of $74.5 million, in funding for school safety initiatives that promote a safe learning environment;
- $12 million in funding to establish the English Language Learners Summer Academics program. This program will be focused on reading improvements and making sure students in grades 4 – 8 displaced by Hurricane Maria have access to summer academies; and
- Nearly $18 million, for a total of more than $63 million, in funding for the Teacher Classroom Supply Assistance Program. This proposal will increase funding by $100 per teacher from $250 to $350 annually.
Governor Scott Highlights Record K-12 Education Investments in Securing Florida’s Future Budget
Governor Rick Scott today visited Mitchell Elementary School in Tampa to highlight record K-12 education investments in his Securing Florida’s Future budget. Since Governor Scott took office, state funding for Florida’s K-12 public schools has increased by $3.2 billion or 36.7 percent, from a total amount of $8.7 billion in Fiscal Year 2011-12 to nearly $12 billion in the 2018-19 Securing Florida’s Future budget.
The Securing Florida’s Future budget includes:
- More than $21.4 billion in state and local funding for Florida’s K-12 public schools. This historic funding equates to $7,497 per student – an increase of $200 per Florida student – the highest total funding, state funding and per-student funding for K-12 in Florida’s history;
- $15 million in funding for a brand-new program to expand opportunities for middle and high school students to learn coding and computer science;
- $10 million, for a total of $74.5 million, in funding for school safety initiatives that promote a safe learning environment;
- $12 million in funding to establish the English Language Learners Summer Academics program. This program will be focused on reading improvements and making sure students in grades 4 – 8 displaced by Hurricane Maria have access to summer academies; and
- Nearly $18 million, for a total of more than $63 million, in funding for the Teacher Classroom Supply Assistance Program. This proposal will increase funding by $100 per teacher from $250 to $350 annually.
Gov. Scott: More Than 1 Million Volunteer Hours Served Following Hurricanes Irma and Maria
Governor Rick Scott and Volunteer Florida today announced that volunteers have served more than one million hours in Florida following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. To date, more than 22,500 volunteers have donated their time to assist those affected by these storms, and disaster relief organizations have documented 1,003,394 hours of volunteer service. Volunteer Florida continues to encourage Floridians who want to volunteer to find more information about their local volunteer organizations and opportunities HERE.
Governor Scott said, “As families come together to celebrate Thanksgiving with their loved ones, we are all thankful for the hard work of the many selfless volunteers who have responded to those in need following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. I’m proud to recognize the thousands of volunteers from across the state who have dedicated more than one million hours to helping others. We will continue to work together to help families recover from these storms and I encourage all Floridians who are able to consider volunteering in their own communities.”
As the state’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during, and after disasters, Volunteer Florida works closely with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, local and state government, the private sector, and nonprofit partners to coordinate volunteers and donations during times of need. Additionally, the Volunteer Florida Foundation administers the Florida Disaster Fund, the state’s official private fund for disaster response and recovery. The Florida Disaster Fund has raised more than $14.5 million to support those impacted by Hurricane Irma.
Volunteer Florida Chief Executive Officer Vivian Myrtetus said, “Volunteers are a critical part of Florida’s emergency response efforts, serving side-by-side with emergency management personnel in the days, weeks, months, and years following major disasters. We are proud of our state’s volunteers and grateful for the strong support of Governor Scott and the Division of Emergency Management.”
Gov. Scott Announces License-Free Saltwater Fishing Day This Thanksgiving Weekend
Governor Rick Scott today announced that Saturday, November 25th will be a license-free saltwater fishing day. This Saturday is part of eight total days offered each year by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) that allows residents and visitors to enjoy Florida’s many fishing opportunities without requiring a license.
Governor Scott said, “As Floridians gather with their loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving, this license-free fishing day is a great opportunity for families and visitors to enjoy our state’s great outdoors together. We are grateful to live in such a beautiful state with unique natural treasures that help attract record numbers of visitors, and I encourage all families to take advantage of the license-free saltwater fishing day this weekend.”
FWC Chairman Brian Yablonski said, “Whether at the table or on the water, Thanksgiving weekend is a perfect time to gather with friends and family. I am thankful for the opportunity to incentivize fishing in Florida and allow anglers to show friends and family, especially youth, the joys it offers.”
Saltwater license-free fishing days allow anglers to fish for saltwater species without being required to have a saltwater recreational fishing license. All bag limits, seasons and size restrictions apply on license-free fishing days. To learn more about license-free fishing days, visit MyFWC.com/License. For fishing tips, locations and other information visit MyFWC.com/Fishing.
