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Postponement

Statement from LeadingAge Florida President and CEO on Postponement, Withdrawal of Proposal 88

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At today’s meeting of the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), Commissioner Brecht Heuchan asked that Proposal 88 be temporarily postponed. Further, Comm. Heuchan said that he will withdraw the proposal. Proposal 88 would have amended the Florida Constitution to include a nursing home and assisted living facility (ALF) residents’ bill of rights.

As we’ve said from the beginning, the proposal would have done nothing to improve the lives of nursing home and ALF residents.  Instead, it would only have served to benefit trial attorneys and divert already scarce resources that should be spent on the care of frail seniors.  We are grateful to our members for speaking out during this process, expressing their deep and ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality of care to their residents.

We are pleased that Proposal 88 will be withdrawn, so that nursing homes and ALFs can continue their good work, focusing financial resources on maintaining the high-quality services they already are providing. The importance of dollars being spent on quality care for residents is reflected in the recently released statement by the state Agency for Health Care Administration, which highlights the high quality of care provided by Florida’s nursing homes.

LeadingAge Florida members remain committed to our state’s frailest seniors and will continue to serve them that the highest level possible.

Established in 1963 as a Florida not-for-profit corporation, LeadingAge Florida is committed to assisting its members in achieving excellence as providers, businesses and employers. The Association provides up-to-date regulatory information, a wide variety of educational opportunities, representation before the Legislature and government agencies, group purchasing services, and opportunities for networking with peers. 

Gulf County scallop season postponed due to naturally occurring algae bloom

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As a precautionary measure due to a naturally occurring algae bloom in St. Joseph Bay that affects shellfish, the bay scallop harvest originally scheduled to begin on July 25th in Gulf County waters will be temporarily postponed. This postponement includes all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County through the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County. This does not impact other areas currently open for a recreational harvest. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is working closely with partners on this postponement including the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), which has also issued a precautionary closure for the harvest of clams, mussels and oysters in St. Joseph Bay.
FWC staff is coordinating with the Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and FDACS and they will continue to provide support and assistance as necessary.  All agencies take all algal blooms seriously and will continue to respond quickly and effectively to ensure the health and safety of Floridians, visitors and our natural resources.
The scallop season is expected to be closed a minimum of two weeks. The FWC will conduct aggressive outreach efforts about the postponed season. The FWC and FDACS will continue sampling and testing scallops and other shellfish in the bay to determine when they are safe for consumption and will continue to work with the local community to determine options on the remainder of the season. More information will be issued once a season opening date has been determined and that date will be posted on the bay scallop page which can be found at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Bay Scallops.” Reopenings of clam, mussel or oyster harvest will be listed on the FDACS website.
In areas outside of Gulf County, the bay scallop season in state waters from the Fenholloway River in Taylor County to the Suwannee River in Dixie County is currently open to harvest and will close to harvest on Sept. 10. All other waters open to harvest (Pasco-Hernando county line to the Suwannee River and from the Fenholloway River in Taylor County through the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County) will close to harvest Sept. 25 (see map below).
This algae bloom does not harm scallops directly and shouldn’t cause scallop population declines. While scallops may appear healthy, they should not be consumed until FWC has issued a new statement opening the season. This algae bloom should not impact other recreational activities on St. Joseph bay.

ABOUT PSEUDO-NITZSCHIA:
Pseudo-nitzschia is a naturally occurring microscopic alga that in some cases can produce domoic acid, which can negatively impact marine mammals and seabirds and can cause Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) in humans if contaminated shellfish are consumed. Domoic acid has been confirmed in seawater and scallop samples from St. Joseph Bay. Domoic acid does not impact finfish, but they should be carefully cleaned prior to being eaten. The best way to protect yourself is to heed closure warnings and not consume shellfish in the closed areas.
If you are experiencing symptoms of ASP, contact your primary care provider. You may also want to contact the Florida Poison Control Hotline – 1-800-222-1222. For Department of Health questions, please call 850-245-4250.