TALLAHASSEE – Beginning Monday, August 1, 2011, several changes to Florida’s Unemployment Compensation program that were signed into law last month will take effect. These reforms will save the state money, reduce taxes on employers and help get Floridians back to work.
TALLAHASSEE — Rather than increasing customer costs to implement new conservation programs, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today voted to continue existing programs for Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and Progress Energy Florida (PEF). Commissioners also directed staff to seek information on timeframes for updating potential conservation savings in Florida.
The 2011 redistricting effort will provide for extensive public participation, including public workshops, public hearings, and a process for members of the public to submit maps for Commission consideration. Public Workshops A series of workshops will be held at various locations around the County to inform the public about the process and requirements for completing [...]
From the Governor’s Office: WASHINGTON, D.C.—Governor Rick Scott joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber Foundation (NCF) today for a bipartisan summit of governors, state chamber executives, and leading business people to discuss policies—including those in Florida—that make states attractive for businesses to locate, relocate, and expand in this uncertain economy. The [...]
The Division of Forestry at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services enacted today a temporary statewide restriction prohibiting open campfires on all state lands due to extreme drought conditions and increasing wildfire threats. This temporary restriction against open campfires prohibits all fires placed openly on the ground until further notice or until the [...]
The state of Florida is uder a state of emergency due to over 116,000 acres of wildfires currently burning across the state. Combined with high drought levels, the fires present potential risks to the region and the state of emergency allows agencies to prepare for the worst case scenarios, though none of the fires are [...]
Tallahassee, Fla.— Recognizing Florida’s need to have more control over Medicaid spending, Florida Governor Rick Scott, and 28 other governors, signed a letter today urging Congress to reform Medicaid. The letter was addressed to Senator Orrin Hatch, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Finance and Chairman Fred Upton, Chair of the House Committee on [...]
Governor Rick Scott, unveiled the state’s first “Jobs Budget” before a capacity crowd in Eustis, today. The Governor said his “Jobs Budget” was “designed to reduce state spending, lower taxes and hold your government accountable.” Governor Scott’s budget proposal also went up online at www.letsgettowork.net during the speech. Governor Scott’s remarks as prepared for delivery: [...]
Attorney General Pam Bondi today announced that Florida, along with 25 other states and the National Federation of Independent Business, prevailed in federal court where Judge Roger Vinson struck down the federal health care law as unconstitutional. The Attorney General’s Office filed the lawsuit in response to President Obama signing the Health Care Reform Bill [...]
Gov. Rick Scott, along with 32 other governors and governor-elects, signed a letter sent to federal leaders last week regarding healthcare-related federal mandates and the restraints put on individual states. “It is imperative that we stop federal healthcare mandates that tie the hands of states,” said Gov. Scott. “Florida should get to determine what program [...]
From the Office of Gov. Rick Scott: Florida Governor Rick Scott announced today that Michelle Rhee, founder of StudentsFirst.org, will continue to advise his office on education policy. Ms. Rhee served as a member of the Governor-elect’s transition team for education, which recently delivered its recommendations. Until November 2010, Ms. Rhee was Chancellor of Washington, [...]
Immediately after being sworn-in as Florida’s 45th governor, Gov. Rick Scott began signing executive orders to freeze what he termed as “job-killing regulations” and required state agencies to verify legal immigration status. He also established a new ethics policy and affirmed his commitment to diversity in employment. Executive Order No. 11-01 freezes all new regulations [...]
Attorney General Pam Bondi was sworn into office today as Florida’s 37th Attorney General. Bondi, a fourth-generation Floridian, joined Governor Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam at today’s inaugural ceremony where the new governor and cabinet members assumed the responsibilities of their offices. “I am deeply honored to [...]
The Office of Statewide Prosecution today released the first Interim Report of the 19th Statewide Grand Jury on Public Corruption. The report outlines legislative changes that are recommended to strengthen existing civil and criminal laws to combat public corruption in the State of Florida. “The Cadets at our nation’s military academies swear an oath to [...]
On Friday, President Barack Obama signed into law an extension of the eligibility dates for the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) and Extended Benefits (EB) programs by approximately 13 months. In response, Governor Charlie Crist signed an Executive Order authorizing Floridians who qualify for the EB program to begin receiving those benefits. Florida must be in [...]
The Florida Department of Education launched a new web resource today designed with parents in mind. The new “Success Measures” website was crafted to help parents understand how changes to Florida’s standards and assessments in the months and years to come will impact their children. The most critical element of the site is the newly [...]
Attorney General Bill McCollum recently released the 2009 Florida Hate Crimes Report, which indicates that reported hate crimes in Florida are at their lowest level since 1990. During the 2009 calendar year, 148 hate crimes were reported by law enforcement agencies, well below the annual average of 262 reported hate crime incidents since reporting began [...]
TALLAHASSEE, FL—Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer advisory following the arrest of David Lewalski for his alleged involvement in Botfly, a $30 million investment fraud scheme. Lewalski was detained by the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) last Thursday. “I am pleased that David Lewalski has been arrested for his alleged role in the [...]
Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo today announced that employers can apply for a federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) using a new online system that can dramatically speed up the approval process. “The Work Opportunity Tax Credit allows employers hiring workers from several target groups, including veterans and people receiving several types [...]
All results are as of press time Wednesday, November 3, 2010. Results compiled from: http://enight.elections.myflorida.com/. Amendment 1 Repeal of public campaign financing requirement Failed because it didn’t reach the required 60% vote, with only 52% in favor. Amendment 2 Homestead Ad Valorem Tax Credit For Deployed Military Personnel Passed with 78% of the vote Amendment [...]
The Florida League of Cities today announced that Fort Lauderdale Mayor, John P. “Jack” Seiler will head a municipal task force that will develop an agenda to be considered by the next governor of Florida. “The Keys to the Cities Task Force” will develop a state policy agenda that will be presented to the newly elected governor, [...]
Attorney General Bill McCollum announced last week an on-going effort to reign in mortgage servicers and protect Floridians from purported deceptive and unfair practices. Attorney General McCollum, along with 48 other Attorneys General, are part of a multistate effort to stop mortgage loan servicers from allegedly submitting affidavits or signing notices that appear to have [...]
Both Broward County Public Schools and South Plantation High School teacher Pamela Krauss have been notified they are finalists for the prestigious 2009-2010 Governor’s Serve to Preserve: Green School Awards. The District is being recognized for its interactive, environmental website “Live Green, Learn Green” (www.BrowardSchoolsGoGreen.com). Krauss was selected as a finalist for the “Green Waterwise” [...]
Amendment #1: Repeal of public campaign financing requirement. This amendment passed during the 2009 Legislative Session by a vote of 80-34. Miami Herald writes a good explanation of the issue. Link to full Amendment 1 detail. Amendment #2: Homestead ad valorem tax credit for deployed military personnel. The Florida Legislature passed the proposal in May [...]
Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) today granted Verizon Florida LLC (Verizon) a temporary two-year rule waiver that allows the company to suspend white page directory distribution to its local residential customers. Verizon had sought a permanent rule waiver based on reduced consumer demand for the directory. Commissioners unanimously approved the temporary rule waiver with the [...]
