As part of a unified grassroots effort across the State of Florida, join Elizabeth McCarthy and partners including ACLU of Central Florida, League of Women Voters of Central Florida, Greater Orlando NOW, as well as others to support the Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Protection Act (Florida SB 410/HB 319). Please join us on March 14 at 11:30 AM at Orlando City Hall for a press conference on equal pay for equal work.
Sponsors of these bills include Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando), Representatives Berman (D-Lake Worth), House Minority Leader Janet Cruz (D-Tampa), Abruzzo (D-Boynton Beach), Baez (D-Coral Gables), Davis (D-Jacksonville), Geller (D-Aventura), and Mercado (D-Orlando).
Named the “Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Protection Act” in recognition of her hard work in the field of equal pay, the bill hopes to strengthen state laws in this arena. If enacted, the bills would specify which factors employers could use to decide to pay employees differently, such as education or experience based on seniority or merit, and would prohibit employers from screening job applicants based on prior wages. It would also bar employers from taking retaliatory action against an employee who discloses their wages to a coworker and prohibits employers from discrimination towards employees based on their sex or gender identity.
Who: Elizabeth McCarthy, ACLU of Central FL, League of Woman Voters of Central Florida, Greater Orlando NOW
What: Press Conference to Support Equal Pay for Equal Work
When: March 14th, 2017 – 11:30 am Press Conference/Rally
Where: Orlando City Hall, 400 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
Orlando
PSC Helps Consumers in Winter Park and Orlando During National Consumer Protection Week
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will be educating consumers about scams targeting utility customers during the 19th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), which takes place March 5–11, 2017.
On Wednesday, March 8, 2017, as part of NCPW, PSC staff will be speaking with customers in Winter Park and Orlando about how to avoid these scams while also providing tips on energy and water conservation and information about the Lifeline Assistance telephone discount program.
For more information about NCPW and to see a nationwide calendar of events, please visit www.ncpw.gov. For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
The PSC events are scheduled below:
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
10 – 11 a.m.
Winter Park Community Center
721 W. New England Avenue
Winter Park, Florida 32789
And
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
12 – 1 p.m.
Renaissance Senior Center at South Econlockhatchee Trail
3800 S. Econlockhatchee Trail
Orlando, Florida 32829
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
Gov. Scott Greets President Donald Trump in Orlando
Governor Rick Scott and his grandson, Auguste, greeted President Donald Trump today in Orlando prior to his visit to St. Andrew Catholic School.
Orlando men arrested for stealing fuel with counterfeit credit cards
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that investigators with his Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement made two separate arrests in the Orlando area for filling unlawful bladder trucks with fuel purchased with stolen financial information. A “bladder truck” is a vehicle that has been retrofitted with hidden tanks that hold high volumes of fuel.
Law enforcement officers arrested Alain Michel Montenegro Perdomo, 34, of Orlando after he allegedly filled his bladder truck that was estimated to hold more than 800 gallons of fuel. Investigators also recovered 23 counterfeit credit cards from Montenegro’s possession. Montenegro was charged with unlawful conveyance of fuel, which is a third degree felony; fraudulently obtaining fuel, which is a second degree felony; and possession of 23 counterfeit credit cards, which is a second degree felony.
Law enforcement officers also arrested Gustavo Diaz Correa, 40, of Orlando. Investigators observed Diaz allegedly filling an unlawful bladder truck that was estimated to hold over 200 gallons. Investigators recovered one counterfeit credit card from his possession. Diaz was charged with unlawful conveyance of fuel, which is a third degree felony; fraudulently obtaining fuel, which is a second degree felony; and credit card forgery, which is a third degree felony.
Both Montenegro and Diaz were booked in the Orange County Jail.
The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement protects Florida’s agriculture and consumers through law enforcement in support of all the regulatory aspects of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For more information, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Governor Rick Scott to Host 2017 Jobs Summit in Orlando Next Week
Business, Education, Community and Government Leaders
Gathering to Discuss Economic Development and Job Creation
Governor Rick Scott announced today that he will host the 2017 Jobs Summit next week to bring together Florida business, education, economic development and community leaders to discuss how to keep bringing new jobs to Florida and ensure positive economic development across the state for generations to come. Governor Rick Scott’s 2017 Jobs Summit will be held at the Caribe Royale in Orlando on February 2nd and 3rd.
Governor Scott said, “The 2017 Jobs Summit will connect business, education, economic development and community leaders to discuss the best ways to bring more jobs to our state. A job is the most important thing to a family, and we must fight to make sure our children and grandchildren have every opportunity to succeed in the Sunshine State.”
Some of the speakers include:
- Travis Brown, Author: How Money Walks
- Stan Connally, President & CEO of Gulf Power Company
- Eric Silagy, President & CEO of Florida Power and Light
- Gary Spulak, President of Embraer Aircraft Holding
- Al Stimac, President of Manufacturers Association of Florida
- Syd Kitson, Chairman of the Florida Chamber of Commerce
- Harry Sidaris, President of Duke Energy Florida
- Belinda Keiser, Vice Chancellor of Keiser University
- Jesse Biter, Founder & CEO of Biter Enterprises
- Susan Amat, Founder and CEO of Venture Hive
- John Duffy, CEO of 3C Interactive
- Steve Calle, Co-Founder & CEO of Snow Lizard Products
- Trey Lauderdale, Founder & President of Voalte
- Matthew Levenson, Founder & CEO of Moocho
- Chris Hart, President & CEO of Enterprise Florida
- Ken Lawson, President & CEO of VISIT FLORIDA
- Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)
Orlando man claims top prize in new $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game
The Florida Lottery announces that Daniel Felton, 33, of Orlando, claimed one of 44 top prizes in the $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He purchased his winning ticket from Kwik Stop, located at 1300 South Lakemont Avenue in Winter Park.
The new $5 Scratch-Off game, $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER, launched on January 17, and features more than $182.8 million in prizes, including 44 top prizes of $500,000. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-3.98.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 65 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $734 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2015-16.
Orlando man claims $800,000 LUCKY MONEY jackpot
The Florida Lottery announces that Terrance Woulard, 54, of Orlando, claimed the $800,000 LUCKY MONEY™jackpot from the January 6, 2017, drawing at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee.
Woulard chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $589,754.88. He purchased his winning LUCKY MONEY ticket from Winn-Dixie, located at 1403 South Hiawassee Road in Orlando.
Total ticket sales for this LUCKY MONEY jackpot generated more than $840,000 for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.
The next LUCKY MONEY drawing will be Friday, January 13, 2017, at 11:15 p.m. ET, with a $500,000 jackpot. The LUCKY MONEY drawings are broadcast on 17 carrier stations throughout the state. Winning numbers are available on the Lottery website, at retailers statewide and by phone at (850) 921-PLAY.
Attorney General Bondi’s Statement on Loss of Master Sgt. Debra Clayton and Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy
Attorney General Pam Bondi released the following statement regarding the deaths of Master Sergeant Debra Clayton of the Orlando Police Department and an Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy:
“Today Florida lost two brave law enforcement heroes who died trying to keep us safe. Master Sergeant Debra Clayton of the Orlando Police Department was a dedicated law enforcement officer and a friend. She worked tirelessly to help children from low-income families and was a major advocate for preventing crime in the black community. Sergeant Clayton touched many lives and I am heartbroken at the loss of such a courageous, dedicated law enforcement hero.
“Tragically, we also lost a brave Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy who was participating in the manhunt. Another Orlando Police Officer suffered serious injuries. As the manhunt continues, my prayers are with Sergeant Clayton’s family, the Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy’s family and all law enforcement officers putting their lives on the line to protect us from danger.”
Senator Victor Torres's statement on officers killed today in line of duty
Notified of the death of two Orlando-area police officers killed in the line of duty this morning – one shot, the other killed in a motorcycle crash responding to the shooting – state Senator Victor Torres (D-Orlando) issued the following statement:
“This has been a day of tremendous sadness for all of the people served by the dedicated members of the Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. We have lost two brave and honorable police officers, who gave their lives in service to those they swore to protect.
“As a former New York City Transit Police Officer and lifelong public servant, I strongly condemn this violent act and I, too, pledge to work tirelessly to reform our laws, and end the ease with which hardened criminals can access high powered weapons. We owe at least this much to Sergeant Debra Clayton, and every other law enforcement officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and colleagues of both officers killed in today’s tragic events. We must ensure that those who risk their lives every day in defense of our public safety will be protected under the full extent of our laws.”
Senator Randolph Bracy's statement regarding this morning's killing of an Orlando PD officer
Notified this morning of the death of an Orlando police officer killed in the line of duty, and the ensuing manhunt for the alleged killer, state Senator Randolph Bracy (D-Orlando) issued the following statement:
“I condemn this violence and I will work hard as the Senate Criminal Justice Committee Chairman to reform our laws, to make it harder for criminals to have access to high powered and illegal weapons in our communities. The alleged shooter in this case is linked to another murder in the area of Pine Hills at the end of last year, underlining the need for urgent changes to stop more bloodshed.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and colleagues of the slain Orlando Police Department officer involved in this tragic event.”
