Governor Rick Scott today visited Power Grid Engineering during his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Tour. Governor Scott is traveling the state to encourage Floridians to contact members of the Florida Legislature and urge them to invest in key priorities- funding for tourism and economic development and the Herbert Hoover Dike at Lake Okeechobee.
Governor Rick Scott
Gov. Scott directs statewide public health emergency for opioid epidemic
Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declaring a national opioid epidemic today, Governor Rick Scott signed Executive Order 17-146 directing a Public Health Emergency across the state. By signing the Emergency Order, it will allow the state to immediately draw down more than $27 million in federal grant funding from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Opioid State Targeted Response Grant which was awarded to Florida on April 21 to provide prevention, treatment and recovery support services. Without the order, it would have taken months for the state to distribute these funds to local communities. In addition to declaring a Public Health Emergency, Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip will issue a standing order for Naloxen, an emergency treatment for opioid overdose. This will ensure first responders have immediate access to this lifesaving drug to respond to opioid overdoses.
Governor Scott said, “Today, I issued an executive order which allows the state to immediately draw down more than $27 million in federal grant funding which will immediately be distributed to communities across the state to deal with the opioid epidemic. HHS Secretary Dr. Tom Price awarded the Opioid State Targeted Response Grant to Florida and I want to thank the Trump Administration for their focus on this national epidemic. I have also directed State Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip to declare a Public Health Emergency and issue a standing order for Naloxone in response to the opioid epidemic in Florida.
“Last month, I directed the Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Department of Health (DOH) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to meet with communities in Palm Beach, Manatee, Duval and Orange Counties to identify additional strategies to fight the rising opioid usage cases in Florida. They have gotten a lot of feedback this week and we will continue to look at additional ways we can fight this national epidemic which has taken the lives of many Floridians.
“I know firsthand how heartbreaking substance abuse can be to a family because it impacted my own family growing up. The individuals struggling with drug use are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends and each tragic case leaves loved ones searching for answers and praying for help. Families across our nation are fighting the opioid epidemic and Florida is going to do everything possible to help our communities.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “This declaration will help strengthen our continued efforts to combat the national opioid epidemic claiming lives in Florida by providing additional funding to secure prevention, treatment and recovery support services. I want to thank Governor Rick Scott for his continued partnership in combating drug abuse in our state; from shutting down pill mills to outlawing deadly synthetic drugs, Governor Scott has long supported efforts by my office and law enforcement to raise awareness, stop drug abuse and save lives.”
See the Executive Order and Public Health Emergency HERE.
Gov. Scott Kicks Off “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Tour at Power Grid Engineering
Governor Rick Scott kicked off his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” tour at Power Grid Engineering, a company specializing in engineering design and consultation for the power systems industry. Power Grid Engineering has added more than 80 new jobs since January 2016 and is headquartered in Lake Mary.
Governor Scott to Kick Off “Fighting For Florida’s Future” Tour
Governor Rick Scott today announced the “Fighting for Florida’s Future” tour where he will visit 10 cities to encourage Floridians to contact members of the Florida Legislature and urge them to invest in key priorities for Florida’s future. The Florida Legislature is in their final days of the 2017 legislative session, and at this time, budget proposals from the Legislature include:
- Kills funding for Enterprise Florida which helps to diversify the economy and create thousands of high wage jobs;
- Cuts funding for VISIT FLORIDA by 67%. VISIT FLORIDA is responsible for marketing the state and encourages people from across the world to visit the Sunshine State. Every 76 tourists to Florida equals one job and Florida’s tourism industry currently supports 1.4 million jobs; and
- Fails to include $200 million to help fix the Herbert Hoover Dike at Lake Okeechobee. Last summer, green algae plagued Florida’s waterways in South Florida and fixing the dike will help curb problems like this and protect Florida’s waterways and environment for Florida’s future generations. President Trump has committed funding to fix this federal project and the state funding Governor Scott is calling for will help jump start the process.
Governor Rick Scott said, “The 60 day legislative session is wrapping up this week and I have been fighting the politicians in Tallahassee for three things to help Florida families – funding for tourism marketing so we can continue to bring record visitors to Florida; funding for proven economic development programs so we can continue to diversify our economy and bring more jobs to Florida; and $200 million to help fix the Dike at Lake Okeechobee so we can protect our environment for future generations. All three of these issues are tied to jobs, but unfortunately the politicians in Tallahassee still haven’t committed to funding these important priorities.
“There are still a few days left of the regular session which means that there is still time for the politicians to do the right thing and fund priorities to protect our environment and keep our economy growing. Let’s remember, the total state budget is around $83 billion and all three of these priorities I am fighting for make up less than 1 percent. However, not funding these priorities will have severe repercussions across our state and Florida could lose hundreds of thousands of jobs. Our economy is on a roll and now is not the time to take our foot off the gas. I look forward to traveling the state this week to urge Floridians to contact their legislators and tell them to fund these priorities that are critical for the future of our great state.”
The Governor will make stops Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the following cities. Details on times and locations will be announced later today.
- Tampa
- Orlando
- Palm Beach
- Miami
- Pensacola
- Panama City
- Naples
- Sarasota
- Jacksonville
- Space Coast
Governor Scott Signs “Key to Independence Act”
Governor Rick Scott signed SB 60, known as the “Keys to Independence Act,” which helps children in Florida’s foster care system obtain driver’s licenses. This legislation makes permanent a pilot program signed into law by Governor Scott in 2014 and expands the program to include children in out-of-home settings, such as relative or non-relative care givers.
Governor Scott said, “I’m proud to sign this legislation today to help Florida’s teens in foster care and out-of-home settings obtain their drivers licenses. This bill continues our efforts to help children in our foster system thrive and live their dreams in our state. I would like to thank DCF Secretary Mike Carroll and Florida Guardian ad Litem Executive Director Alan Abramowitz for their hard work on this important legislation.”
Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll said, “Ensuring foster children in Florida have the opportunity to take part in age-appropriate activities such as participating in extracurricular activities, going to the beach, and getting a driver’s license is important for developing life-skills and healthy emotional development. We are grateful for the support from Governor Scott and the Florida legislature in removing barriers for children in foster care to have the same opportunities as every other child.”
To see a copy of the transmittal letter, click HERE.
Governor Scott Signs SB 7004 into Law
Governor Rick Scott today signed the following bill into law.
SB 7004 – OGSR/Peer Review Panels/Department of Health – This bill retains the public record exemptions for biomedical and cancer research programs within the Department of Health.
To view a copy of the transmittal letter, click HERE.
Appointments by Governor Rick Scott for Monday, May 1, 2017
Governor Rick Scott Appoints Robert Arthur and
Carol Stephenson as Judges of Compensation Claims
Governor Rick Scott today announced the appointments of Robert Alan Arthur and Carol Stephenson as Judges of Compensation Claims to the Lakeland and West Palm Beach Districts, respectively.
Arthur, 49, of Brandon, served as a state mediator for the Lakeland District since 2012 and served as the state mediator for the St. Petersburg district from 2005. He was a private mediator from 2004-2005. He received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and law degree from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Arthur fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge W. James Condry, Lakeland District.
Stephenson, 64, of Boynton Beach, is Field Legal Counsel for Liberty Mutual at the Law Offices of James C. Norris. She previously was staff council at Nationwide Insurance Company from 1989-1999. Stephenson received a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and law degree from University of Cincinnati College of Law. Stephenson fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Mary D’Ambrosio, West Palm Beach District.
Governor Scott Reappoints Eight Judges of Compensation Claims
Governor Rick Scott today announced the reappointments of eight Judges of Compensation Claims:
Judge Wilbur Anderson, 59, of Daytona Beach Shores, has served as a Judge of Compensation Claims for the Daytona Beach District since 2013. He served as a mediator in the same district from 2011 to 2013. From 1988 to 2003, Anderson was a Judge of Compensation Claims in the Jacksonville District. Anderson received a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and law degree from George Washington University.
Judge Diane Beck, 64, of Bradenton, has been a Judge of Compensation Claims for the Sarasota District since 1995. Prior to that, she was a senior attorney for the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitations Services. Beck was also an adjunct professor of business law at Northern State University from 1986 to 1988. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and law degree from Stetson University.
Judge Margret Kerr, 57, of South Miami, has been a Judge of Compensation Claims for the Miami District since 2013. From 2007 to 2013, she practiced with Arrick, Peacock & Kerr. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kent, in the United Kingdom, and law degree from the University of Miami.
Judge Daniel A. Lewis, 60, of Davie, has been a Judge of Compensation Claims for the Fort Lauderdale District since 1988. Prior to that, he was in private practice. He received his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Florida.
Judge Ellen H. Lorenzen, 66, of Tampa, has been a Judge of Compensation Claims for the Tampa District since 2004. Previously, she was a sole practitioner from 1998 to 2004. She received a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and law degree from Stetson University.
Judge Mark A. Massey, 53, of Tampa, has been a Judge of Compensation Claims in the Tampa District since 2013. Previously, he was a partner at Walton, Lantaff, Schroeder & Carson, LLC, from 2004 to 2013. He received his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Florida.
Stephen L. Rosen, 68, of Tampa, has been a Judge of Compensations Claims since 2009, serving the Jacksonville, Lakeland, Ft. Myers, West Palm Beach, and St. Petersburg Districts during that time. Previously, he was an attorney in private practice at Stephen L. Rosen P.A., from 1993 to 2008. He received a bachelor’s degree from Hamline University and law degree from South Texas College of Law.
Judge Thomas Sculco, 55, of Winter Park, has been a Judge of Compensation Claims in the Orlando District since 2005. From 1997 to 2005, he practiced with the Law Offices of John J. Pine. He received a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and law degree from Boston College.
Governor Rick Scott Appoints Robert Colen to
Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, Inc.
Governor Rick Scott today announced the reappointment of Robert Colen to the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, Inc.
Colen, 44, of Ocala, is a building contractor with On Top of the World Communities. He received his bachelor’s degree from American University and his master’s degree from the University of Florida. Colen is reappointed as the chair for a term beginning May 1, 2017, and ending April 30, 2021.
Governor Rick Scott Appoints Two to Early
Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland, Inc.
Governor Rick Scott today announced the reappointment of Charlotte Heston and the appointment of Ashley Coone to the Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland, Inc.
Heston, 59, of Sebring, is the vice president of corporate services for the Peace River Electric Cooperative. She is reappointed as the Chair, for a term beginning May 1, 2017, and ending April 30, 2021.
Coone, 34, of Arcadia, serves as president of ASC Consulting and Marketing. She received her bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and master’s degree from Webster University. Coone is appointed to fill a vacant seat for a term beginning May 1, 2017, and ending April 30, 2020.
Gov. Scott to Highlight Job Growth at SunteckTTS in Jacksonville
Tomorrow, May 2, Governor Rick Scott will highlight job growth at transportation and logistics service provider SunteckTTS in Jacksonville.
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: 10:00 AM
WHERE: SunteckTTS
4500 Salisbury Road
Jacksonville, FL 32216
ICYMI: WPEC: Gov. Scott supports President's proposed tax plan
“Gov. Scott Supports President’s Proposed Tax Plan”
WPEC (CBS) – West Palm Beach, FL
April 27, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
Gov. Scott: Florida Legislature turned their back on constituents
Governor Rick Scott met today with members of the Florida Senate and urged the Legislature to include funding in the state budget to fix the Herbert Hoover Dike and fully fund the state’s economic incentive programs, Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA.
