Please find below a statement from Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., regarding the recent executive order affecting foreign travel and immigration.
“Florida A&M University has a strong and vibrant academic and research community, which includes diverse students, staff, and faculty representing various countries. The University remains committed to providing its faculty, staff, and students with a safe, positive, and fruitful working and learning environment regardless of their nation of origin.
As the University works to attain more information about the application and enforcement of the executive order, we encourage all faculty, staff, and students from the seven listed countries – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen – to refrain from travel to these areas for the next 90 days. We also encourage those planning to travel abroad during this period and thereafter, including spring break excursions, to consult with the FAMU Office of International Education and Development before departing the country.
There are currently approximately 200 international students within our campus community, and we are working to determine how they, as well as international faculty and staff, have been impacted by the executive order.
The FAMU community encourages careful consideration of the effects the executive order will have on the U.S. higher education and research community, as FAMU students, faculty and staff are often involved in ongoing education, research, and service projects in the international arena.
We stand ready to assist in offering solutions to support and strengthen the higher education and research community in light of the recent changes to U.S. foreign travel and immigration policy.”
statement
Statement on White House Cancellation of HealthCare.gov Outreach
Epilepsy Foundation of Florida CEO Karen Basha Egozi released the following statement on Friday, regarding the White House’s decision to halt Affordable Care Act outreach.
Since 2013, EFOF has been one of Florida’s largest providers of free, in-person enrollment assistance in the Health Insurance Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act.
“These final few days before January 31’s deadline for open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace are critical. We rely on support from our federal partners to help spread the word. More than 20 million Americans and nearly 2 million Floridians have benefited from affordable, life-saving health coverage through the Affordable Care Act.
That is why the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida is deeply disappointed in the sudden cancellation of federal enrollment advertising and outreach for HealthCare.gov. The surge in signups at the end of each open enrollment period comes in part from those efforts, which the White House has ended prematurely.
We will continue doing our part to help Florida’s families find health coverage and peace of mind, and encourage everyone to visit efof.org to locate free assistance before January 31.”
That is why the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida is deeply disappointed in the sudden cancellation of federal enrollment advertising and outreach for HealthCare.gov. The surge in signups at the end of each open enrollment period comes in part from those efforts, which the White House has ended prematurely.
We will continue doing our part to help Florida’s families find health coverage and peace of mind, and encourage everyone to visit efof.org to locate free assistance before January 31.”
Statement following today’s Senate Appropriations Committee meeting
Statement By: Gil Langley, Chairman, Florida
Association of Destination Marketing Organizations
“On behalf of Florida’s destination marketing organizations, we support and endorse U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow’s presentation on tourism marketing given at today’s Senate Appropriations committee meeting. We are thankful to have an expert who has witnessed the power of travel promotion first-hand represent our industry and address Senator Latvala and his committee. Roger Dow has seen the positive results of a strong tourism marketing campaign, and he has seen immediate repercussions for states who slash tourism budgets. In the increasingly competitive travel industry, it’s more important than ever to promote the state’s and local communities’ tourism offerings to potential travelers across the globe.
Maintaining our status as a premier travel destination is critical to our local communities, which rely on tax revenue resulting from visitor spending and the jobs created for 1.4 million of our fellow Floridians.
Over the past five years alone, we have seen incredible growth in Florida’s tourism. This is a direct result of state and local tourism marketing programs and the strategic investment made in those efforts. It is imperative that we continue to attract new visitors to our great state. Visitors spend money, and that money allows Florida to reinvest into programs that benefit all citizens. We applaud Roger Dow for advocating on behalf of Florida citizens, families and businesses who are all impacted by our tourism promotion programs.”
Statement: Following the passage of Senate Bill 106 in the Regulated Industries committee
Statement by Richard Turner, General Counsel and Vice President of
Government Relations, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association,
and Floridians for Fair Business Practices Coalition Member
Following the passage of Senate Bill 106 in the Regulated Industries committee
“Today members of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee demonstrated their support for common sense, pro-business policies by passing Senate Bill 106, which repeals the Prohibition era Alcohol Separation Law which requires distilled spirits to be sold separately from beer, wine and groceries. On behalf of Floridians for Fair Business Practices, we applaud their decision.
We commend bill sponsors Senate President Pro Tempore Anitere Flores and Representative Bryan Avila for their diligent efforts to tear down barriers to business growth and expansion. This antiquated law does not demonstrate any benefits to Florida consumers and retailers, and its repeal would mirror society’s desire for convenience in a changing marketplace. Our coalition is pleased to continue discussing the benefits of passing a repeal to the outdated law with additional committees as this bill is considered in the legislature.”
Floridians for Fair Business Practices is a coalition of retailers and business groups whose purpose is to identify rules and regulations, which prohibit the growth and expansion of Florida businesses. For additional information, please visit www.FairBizinFlorida.com.
Attorney General Bondi Issues Statement on Florida Supreme Court Decision in McCall v. Scott
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued the following statement in response to the Florida Supreme Court’s decision today to deny the review of a case challenging Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program:
“Today, the Florida Supreme Court declined to review McCall v. Scott, a case dismissed by the lower court challenging the constitutionality of Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program. I am pleased that the lower court’s decision will stand, and that this important program will continue to provide educational opportunities for children of families that have limited financial resources. Today is a great victory for our children.”
To view the Florida Supreme Court’s decision, click here.
Statement by Gov. Jeb Bush on Florida Supreme Court Decision on McCall vs. Scott
Governor Jeb Bush released the following statement today on the Florida Supreme Court’s decision to not hear McCall vs. Scott.
“Today’s ruling marks a monumental moment in the lives of the more than 90,000 students who are able to receive a quality education through Florida’s Tax-Credit Scholarship program.
“The Florida Supreme Court’s decision on the case is also a powerful reminder to entrenched special interests that when policymakers work hand-in-hand with Florida’s families, students win.
“It is my hope that opponents of Florida’s efforts to help our most vulnerable students will stop impeding successful reforms and join us in ensuring all students have access to excellent educational options.”
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.”
Statement by CARE FL Steering Committee Chairman Brent Hanlon RE: SB 386 High Speed Rail Safety Act
Today, Senator Debbie Mayfield filed Senate Bill 386 to create a high speed passenger rail safety act. Representatives MaryLynn Magar, Gayle Harrell and Erin Grall also filed a house companion. Brent Hanlon, chair of Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida issued the following statement.
“On behalf of the members of Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida and concerned residents in the Treasure Coast region, we thank and applaud Sen. Mayfield and Reps. Magar, Harrell and Grall for filing legislation to protect our safety and well-being. The thoughtful measure specifically addresses Florida’s current unacceptable lack of any law or regulation governing high speed rail safety.
“What many Floridians do not realize is that All Aboard Florida (AAF) plans to send up to 32 high-speed passenger trains barreling through our small communities each day, negatively affecting thousands of school children, first responders, pedestrians and residents. As if that’s not enough, they also plan to add additional freight trains that may carry hazardous materials, increasing the risk for something to go wrong. And to top it all off, AAF wants us to pay for the cost of maintaining the upgrades necessary to protect ourselves from these dangerous trains. This important legislation will ensure that AAF is solely responsible for the cost of upgrading and installing the appropriate safety measures desperately needed at high-speed rail crossings, protecting not only the safety and well-being of Treasure Coast residents, but our pocketbooks as well.
“Sen. Mayfield and Reps. Magar, Harrell and Grall fully understand the negative impact the AAF project would have on our communities if allowed to move forward as planned, and have taken commendable action today to not only put sensible state wide and not project specific regulations in place to enhance public safety, but to alleviate the financial burden that would have been placed squarely on the backs of our local governments as well.”
CARE FL is a coalition created by a group of concerned community leaders, organizations and neighbors in South Florida and the Treasure Coast. Our group continues to grow. We share a common goal: Protecting the safety, welfare and way of life for the families, businesses and retirees who live in and around our communities. To learn more about CARE FL’s concerns, visit www.saveourfl.com and follow us on Twitter @CARE_FL or like us on Facebook.
Statement on introduction of 20-week abortion ban
Below, please find a statement from Laura Goodhue, Executive Director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates on the introduction of a 20-week abortion ban by Rep. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), HB 203:
“This bill poses a serious threat to women’s health, ignoring women’s individual needs and circumstances. This kind of legislation seeks to deny a woman the dignity to make personal, private decisions.
“However we feel about abortion at different points in a pregnancy, a woman’s health should drive important medical decisions – not political agendas. Politicians are not medical experts and this is not an area where they should be interfering. Throughout her pregnancy, a woman must be able to make her own decisions with the advice of the health care professional she trusts.
“We’ve seen what happens when politicians stand in the way of women’s health and interfere in these deeply personal medical decisions. In states that have passed laws like this, some women and their families have been put into unimaginable situations – needing to end a pregnancy for serious medical reasons, but unable to do so.
“At the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, we believe that all people – no matter where they live or how much money they have – should have access to affordable health care. We will continue to work every day to ensure Planned Parenthood patients get the highest quality care, without judgment and without stigma – no matter what.”
What do the experts say?
The American Medical Association “strongly condemn(s) any interference by the government or other third parties that causes a physician to compromise his or her medical judgment as to what information or treatment is in the best interest of the patient.”
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists opposes the 20-week abortion ban, calling it part of legislative proposals “that are not based on sound science (and that) attempt to prescribe how physicians should care for their patients.”
Please visit www.fappa.org for more information.
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.”
