The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) has opened the application process for schools to participate in the initiative’s second phase, which begins in the 2021-2022 school year. [Read more…] about Florida Civics and Debate Initiative Announces Phase Two
Richard Corcoran
Major Sports Teams, Organizations & Athletes Unite to Support First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Resiliency Initiative to Empower Florida Students
Partnerships Include:
Orlando Magic, Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, Inter Miami CF, Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, Miami Marlins, Florida Panthers, NASCAR, LPGA
Athletes Endorsing Initiative Include:
David Beckham, Peyton Manning, Lou Holtz, Tony Dungy, Urban Meyer, Crystal Thomas, Ali Marpet, Bryant McFadden, Mark Richt, Twan Russell, Corey Simon, Tra Thomas, Jonathan Vilma, Jonathan Isaac, Charlie Ward, Tyler Johnson, Joey Logano, Brandon Lowe, Chris Mueller
First Lady Casey DeSantis today announced the launch of a resiliency initiative for Florida schools to emphasize key character development skills including volunteerism, teamwork, and problem-solving. Unveiled at Amway Arena, professional sports teams, organizations, and athletes from across Florida are lending their support for these resiliency efforts.
Florida Department of Education Announces $1.5 Million for Florida School Districts, Technical Colleges, and Florida College System Institutions to Expand Entrepreneurship Education and Training
Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran today announced the recipients of the Department of Education’s Perkins V Entrepreneurship Education and Training Grant. [Read more…] about Florida Department of Education Announces $1.5 Million for Florida School Districts, Technical Colleges, and Florida College System Institutions to Expand Entrepreneurship Education and Training
State Board of Education Appoints Richard Corcoran to Serve as Florida’s Commissioner of Education
During the State Board of Education meeting, the State Board of Education today unanimously voted to appoint Richard Corcoran to serve as Florida’s Commissioner of Education. [Read more…] about State Board of Education Appoints Richard Corcoran to Serve as Florida’s Commissioner of Education
GOV. SCOTT TO PROPOSE MAJOR LEGISLATION AND $50 MILLION INVESTMENT TO COMBAT OPIOID ABUSE
BRADENTON, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that during the upcoming legislative session, he will propose major legislation and more than $50 million as part of his 2018-2019 recommended budget to combat opioid abuse in Florida.
The proposed legislation will include:
- Placing a three-day limit on prescribed opioids, unless strict conditions are met for a seven-day supply;
- Requiring all healthcare professionals that prescribe or dispense medication to participate in the Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, a statewide database that monitors controlled substance prescriptions; and
- Additional reforms to fight unlicensed pain management clinics, require continuing education courses on responsibly prescribing opioids, and create new opportunities for federal grant funding.
The proposed investment of more than $50 million will include funding for:
- Substance abuse treatment;
- Counseling and recovery services; and
- The Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council.
Governor Scott said, “We made a commitment here in Florida to do everything possible to support our communities and fight the national opioid epidemic, and while we have taken major steps to fight this crisis, more must be done. Today, I am proud to announce that I will propose major legislation during the upcoming legislative session and more than $50 million in my recommended budget to combat opioid abuse in our state.
“As I travel the state, I have met many families who are dealing with the heartache of drug addiction. Growing up, my own family dealt with the struggle of substance abuse and I know firsthand how this painful issue causes families to worry and pray for help and healing. As states across the country continue to fight this national epidemic, we must make sure Florida is doing our part to help vulnerable individuals and keep our families safe.
“These proposals will make a major impact on limiting the chance of drug addiction, reducing the ability for dangerous drugs to spread in our communities, giving vulnerable Floridians the support they need, and ensuring our hardworking law enforcement officers have the resources to protect Floridians. I look forward to working with President Negron, Speaker Corcoran and the entire Legislature to pass this impactful legislation and major investment. I would also like to thank Attorney General Pam Bondi for her focus on this issue and her commitment to keeping our families safe. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local partners throughout this fight.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “We are in the midst of a national opioid crisis claiming lives in Florida, and we must do everything we can to stop drug abuse and save lives. I want to thank Governor Scott for proposing these legislative initiatives that will help stop addiction before it begins. It will take an all-hands-on-deck strategy, not only in Florida, but nationwide to address this crisis destroying American families.”
Senate President Joe Negron said, “The Senate is committed to working with our partners across the state to combat opioid abuse, and I appreciate Governor Scott’s leadership on this serious issue. The Senate looks forward to working with Governor Scott and our colleagues in the Florida House as we continue to do all we can to protect Florida communities from this national epidemic.”
House Speaker Richard Corcoran said, “The State of Florida is fully dedicated to protecting our families and communities from the national opioid epidemic. I look forward to continuing to work together with Governor Scott and my fellow Legislators to ensure our families, healthcare professionals and law enforcement officers have all the resources they need in this fight.”
Representative Jim Boyd, “I was proud to join Governor Scott today to announce these important proposals to combat opioid abuse across our state. We will continue to work to protect every family in Florida.”
More details on the Governor’s proposed legislation and funding to combat opioid abuse will be made available in the coming weeks.
Floridians to deliver “Official Complaints” to Gov. Scott in protest of his efforts to undermine Florida’s first African American woman State Attorney Aramis Ayala
WHAT: PRESS CONFERENCE: Citizen lobbyists in Tallahassee with Organize Florida will issue “Official Complaints” to Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Richard Corcoran, State Reps. Bob Cortes and Scott Plakon, opposing the removal of Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala from 23 first-degree murder cases.
WHO: Organize Florida members in Tallahassee for Lobby Day
WHEN: 2 p.m., Thursday April 20th
WHERE: Outside the Office of Gov. Rick Scott, 400 S. Monroe St. First floor rotunda area.
CONTACT: Yulissa Arce, 407-607-0703
BACKGROUND:
Organize Florida members will line up to deliver complaints to the Governor at 2p.m. and will deliver complaints to Corcoran, Cortes and Plakon throughout the day.
“As a member of the African American community in Central Florida, Aramis Ayala knows that criminal justice reform is central to the survival of women and families in Orange and Osceola counties,” said Organize Florida Chair Debbie Soto. “Rick Scott’s removal of an elected prosecutor shows contempt for voters, and threatens the democratic process.”
The Governor’s actions also give political cover and comfort to those who have issued lynching threats to Ayala’s office, including one from the assistant finance director for the Seminole County Clerk of the Court’s office who posted on Facebook that Ayala should be “tarred and feathered if not hung from a tree.” The employee resigned after being suspended for the posting.
