During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott and Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman awarded Daniel Clein with the Volunteer Florida Champion of Service Award, Florida’s official statewide volunteer recognition.
Governor Scott said, “I’m proud to recognize Daniel Clein with the Champion of Service Award for his continued leadership and community service. His hours helping children and families in his community has impacted countless lives. I’d like to thank Daniel for his dedication to helping others.”
Volunteer Florida Chief Executive Officer Chester Spellman said, “We are grateful for the impact Daniel has had on the children and families being served at the Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital and the surrounding area. Volunteer Florida applauds Daniel for his civic engagement and celebrates his continued efforts to improve the lives of children and families in his community through service.”
About the Champion of Service: Daniel Clein
Daniel Clein is a 17 year-old high school student in Wellington, Florida. He is the founder of Bricks Busting Boredom, a non-profit that collects new or gently used Legos to donate to children’s hospitals in the Palm Beach County area. Daniel has collected over 500 pounds of Legos over the past year through community support and social media outreach that serve more than 400 children.
Volunteer Florida is the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in Florida, administering more than $32 million in federal, state, and local funding to deliver high-impact national service and volunteer programs in Florida. Volunteer Florida promotes and encourages volunteerism to meet critical needs across the state.
Volunteer Florida also serves as Florida’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during, and after disasters. For more information, visit: www.volunteerflorida.org.
Governor Rick Scott
Gov. Scott highlights 145 jobs at Best Home Services in Naples
Governor Rick Scott announced today that Best Home Services, an air conditioning, electrical and plumbing company headquartered in Naples, has created 145 jobs with plans to create an additional 80 jobs this year.
Governor Scott said, “In Florida, we understand how important companies like Best Home Services are to creating new opportunities for our families. It is great to see so many people pursuing the American Dream in Southwest Florida thanks to the job they have with this great company. Just like Florida, Best Home Services is a true melting pot and has employees from nine countries, including Cuba, Puerto Rico and Mexico. I look forward to seeing Best Homes Services’ continued success right here in Florida.”
Keegan and Chadd Hodges, owners of Best Home Services said, “We are incredibly honored to be recognized by Governor Rick Scott and the State of Florida. Our family owned company is proud to be a leading home service provider in Southwest Florida. We are excited to grow our company even more in the next year and are truly blessed to have such a great team to help us achieve that goal.”
Best Home Services is a family owned and operated air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and drains company headquartered in Naples. It has been voted one of the best in customer service in southwest Florida by several publications, including Angie’s List. Best Home Services also gives back to the community by investing in charitable organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics.
Gov. Scott: More Than 237,000 New Jobs Created in 2016
Governor Rick Scott announced today that Florida businesses created 237,300 new private-sector jobs in 2016, bringing the total number of jobs created since December 2010 to 1,262,100. For the 57th consecutive month, Florida’s annual job growth rate of 3.3 percent is exceeding the nation’s rate of 1.6 percent.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida businesses continued to grow throughout the past year, adding more than 237,000 new jobs in 2016. Over the last six years, we’ve worked each day to make it easier for job creators to invest and create new opportunities in our state, and we will continue to do everything we can to help Florida outcompete other locations as the best place for jobs. Today, as we proudly welcome a new president who will make job creation a top priority across our nation, we stand ready to fight for another great year of economic growth in Florida.”
Florida’s labor force has grown by 223,000 over the year, increasing by 66,000 over the month in December alone and exceeding the national labor force growth rate. This shows that more Floridians are confident in their ability to find a new opportunity in the job market. The state’s unemployment rate remained low at 4.9 percent in December 2016.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “With more than 250,000 job openings across the state and more than 1.25 million new private-sector jobs created in the last six years, it’s clear Florida is a great place to find a good job. Our low unemployment rate and strong record of job creation prove Florida is a great state to do business.”
Other positive economic indicators include:
- Private-sector industries with the highest job growth over the year in December were:
- Leisure and hospitality with 53,100 new jobs,
- Education and health services with 46,800 new jobs,
- Professional and business services with 46,200 new jobs, and
- Trade, transportation and utilities with 35,600 new jobs.
- Florida job postings showed 254,587 openings in December 2016, a 4.2 percent increase over the previous month.
- In December, Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards reported more than 30,084 Floridians, including 1,444 veterans, were placed in jobs.
To view the December 2016 employment data visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.
Governor Scott Issues Statement on the Capture of Markeith Loyd
Following the capture of Markeith Loyd by the Orlando Police Department tonight, Governor Rick Scott released the following statement:
Governor Rick Scott said, “I want to thank the Orlando Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their unrelenting focus to find the person responsible for multiple deaths, including two honorable law enforcement heroes, Orlando Police Department Lieutenant Deborah Clayton and Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Norman Lewis. Local, state and federal law enforcement have been working around the clock to capture the suspect to ensure no other innocent people were harmed and he will now be held to the fullest extent of the law. It is sickening that anyone would commit senseless violence against our brave first responders. Ann and I continue to pray for the families of the fallen heroes and hope today’s news provides some relief.”
Governor Rick Scott to Hold Media Availability in D.C.
Tomorrow, January 18th, Governor Rick Scott will meet with members of the President-Elect’s incoming Administration and Congressional leaders. He will be available to media to discuss his trip to D.C.
WHEN: 12:30 PM
WHERE: Cannon House Office Building
3rd Floor Rotunda
27 Independence Ave. SE
Washington, D.C.
Governor Rick Scott to Highlight College Affordability Proposal
Tomorrow, January 12th, Governor Rick Scott will highlight his “Finish in Four, Save More” legislative and budget proposals to encourage colleges and universities to make higher education more affordable for students and to help them graduate in four years.
WHAT: College Affordability Announcement
WHEN: 10:00 AM
WHERE: Lockheed Martin
100 E. 17th St.
Riviera Beach, FL 33404
NOTE: Guests must RSVP to Maggie Sherman at [email protected] and have two forms of ID.
Governor Scott Appoints Matilde Miller as Interim Secretary of DBPR
Governor Rick Scott today appointed Matilde Miller as the interim Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DPBR). She has been at DBPR for more than 16 years and has held numerous positions including Legislative Affairs Director, and most recently, Chief of Staff. As Secretary, she will oversee the licensing and regulation of businesses and professionals throughout Florida. She will begin to serve as interim secretary on January 11, 2017.
Governor Scott said, “Matilde has spent many years at DBPR serving in numerous leadership positions and understands how important it is to help businesses open and create jobs in our state. Like Secretary Lawson, she will focus on reducing burdensome regulations and fees that make it harder for job creators to succeed in Florida. She has extensive legislative experience and relationships and I am confident she will be a great leader at DBPR.”
Matilde Miller has served as Chief of Staff since 2014, and began her career at DPBR as a Legislative Specialist in 2000. She also served as a Legislative Coordinator, Deputy Legislative Affairs Director and Director of Legislative Affairs before becoming Chief of Staff. She previously worked in the Florida House of Representatives and as a High School English and Spanish teacher. She received her Associates of Arts degree from Brevard Community College and is currently attending Florida State University.
Governor Rick Scott to Hold Media Availability
Today, January 6, Governor Rick Scott will hold a media availability following the Fort Lauderdale International Airport shooting.
WHAT: Media Availability
WHEN: 5:00 pm
WHERE: Fort Lauderdale International Airport
Media staging area between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2
Governor Rick Scott to Highlight Major Counterterrorism Budget Proposal
Tomorrow, January 6, Governor Rick Scott will highlight his proposal for $5.8 million in funding for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to add 46 counterterrorism agents as part of his 2017-2018 recommended budget.
WHAT: Counterterrorism Budget Highlight
WHEN: 12:00pm
WHERE: Fort Myers Regional Operations Center
4700 Terminal Drive, Suite 1
Fort Myers, Florida 33907
Governor Rick Scott to Highlight Major Counterterrorism Budget Proposal
Tomorrow, January 5, Governor Rick Scott will highlight his proposal for $5.8 million in funding for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to add 46 counterterrorism agents as part of his 2017-2018 recommended budget.
WHAT: Counterterrorism Budget Highlight
WHEN: 10:00am
WHERE: Florida Department of Law Enforcement
4211 North Lois Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33614
