Florida

Applauds Legislature’s hard work and commitment to moving Florida’s economy forward

May 27, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today signed the $66.5 billion 2009-10 budget, praising the Florida Legislature for putting together a budget that preserves Florida’s investment in economic development, education and public safety.

“The budget I signed today contains no broad-based tax increases, no early release of inmates, and no drastic layoffs of employees,” Governor Crist said. “Instead, it continues the forward movement of Florida’s economy by maintaining critical services to Florida’s most vulnerable, investments in Florida’s classrooms, teachers and students, and the safety and security of our communities.”    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Federal environmental officials have found that Chinese-made drywall - suspected of causing serious corrosion in homes throughout Florida, Louisiana and other states - contains three materials not found in samples of U.S.-manufactured wallboard, according to U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s office.

Tests on drywall samples were done at the request of Sens. Nelson and Mary Landrieu, who have initiated an investigation into complaints from homeowners in their respective states, Florida and Louisiana, that drywall in newer or rebuilt homes smells like rotten eggs and is causing corrosion of copper wiring and household appliances. In addition, homeowners are complaining of health problems such as asthma, coughing, headaches and insomnia.    » read more »

Ceremonial signings to take place in Ocala, St. Augustine and Naples

May 21, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today, continuing his ongoing focus on strengthening Florida’s economy, signed four economic-development bills that will help create jobs, encourage economic growth and improve the standard of living for Florida’s families.

“Today, we are helping reignite Florida’s economy through legislation that empowers businesses and creates new opportunities for families to be successful in their communities and their careers,” said Governor Crist. “I congratulate all the members of the Florida Legislature on their bipartisan efforts to approve these bills that will benefit Floridians during these challenging economic times.”    » read more »

Federal funding to protect environment

May 22, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today applauded the award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of $88 million to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). This new infusion of money brings to more than $212 million the total amount provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to help local governments finance improvements to wastewater, stormwater and drinking water facilities essential to protecting public health and the environment across the state.    » read more »

1,000-pound, pregnant manatee released after rehabilitation from fishing line entanglement

May 15, 2009 -- HOMESTEAD – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today joined Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Chairman Rodney Barreto for the release of Patsy the Manatee, a 1,000-pound pregnant manatee rescued last month in Key Largo. The Governor assisted staff from the FWC, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States Geological Survey, the Miami Seaquarium and other organizations as they released the manatee back into the wild at Biscayne National Park headquarters.    » read more »

May 13, 2009 -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced today her plans to visit Florida on May 22 to see hurricane preparedness efforts underway and law enforcement activities at the Miami port of entry.

She will be accompanied by new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator W. Craig Fugate and new Assistant Secretary for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) John Morton—both confirmed yesterday by the United States Senate.    » read more »

Federal brownfields grants restore environment, stimulate economy

May 13, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today congratulated ten Florida communities for being awarded $4.8 million in brownfields grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The cities of Clearwater, Cocoa, Eustis, New Smyrna, Plant City, St. Marks, Tallahassee, and Tampa, as well as the Central Florida Regional Planning Council and Dixie County received grants to clean up and redevelop brownfields sites within their communities.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of Florida's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

May 12, 2009 -- U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that more than $1.8 billion is now available for Florida under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Florida will be eligible to apply for another $891 million this fall.

Today's funding is being made available per Florida's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1.    » read more »

May 11, 2009 -- “On behalf of Florida’s students, I am deeply grateful to the United States Department of Education for granting Florida the long-awaited waiver for education stimulus dollars. Commissioner Eric Smith and Don Winstead, Special Advisor for the implementation of the federal recovery dollars, have worked tirelessly to secure these much-needed funds for Florida’s schools, teachers and students, and I am tremendously appreciative for their efforts.

“I also commend the Florida Legislature for having the foresight to incorporate these funds into the budget. These dollars will ensure that Florida’s schools and teachers have the resources they need to continue providing a world-class education to Florida’s children and young people.”

Source: Florida Governor

Praises measures to create jobs, strengthen schools, ensure public safety, preserve natural resources and protect property owners

May 8, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today praised the Florida Legislature for investing in Florida’s future, including economic security and education, during the 2009 legislative session. In spite of reduced state revenues, the Legislature continued to ensure other priorties such as public safety, natural resources, and care for Florida’s most vulnerable children, disabled and elderly. In addition, the Florida Legislature approved measures that will reduce the tax burden on property owners.    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today signed Senate Bill 344, the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law. The legislation mandates the use of seat belts in motor vehicles, effective June 30, 2009.

“Today I am proud to sign legislation that will help save lives in Florida and prevent serious injuries that otherwise could have been prevented,” said Governor Crist. “Nothing is of greater importance than keeping Florida’s citizens and visitors safe.”    » read more »

April 22, 2009 -- Included in this memo are the following:

· Statement from Governor Charlie Crist

· Statements from the Seminole Tribe of Florida Representatives

· What Floridians can expect as a result of the Compact Accords

· The Seminole Compact Accords Timeline

Attached to this memo are the following:

· Draft Bill language submitted to the Legislature for consideration

· Compact Between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the State of Florida as originally signed on November 14, 2007    » read more »

Awards program recognizes environmental achievements in Florida schools

April 22, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today joined Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole, Florida Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith and nearly 500 students at the Capitol to launch the Governor’s Serve to Preserve: Green Schools Awards. The awards program, announced on Earth Day, recognizes the efforts of students, teachers, classrooms, schools and school districts in creating healthy, efficient and productive places for learning. Following the announcement, Governor Crist presented Serve to Preserve Scout Award insignias to Florida Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for their environmental achievements.    » read more »

California, Florida Join List of Ten Worst States in Disciplining Doctors; Minnesota Is Overall Worst State While Alaska Is Best

April 20, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Public Citizen’s annual ranking of state medical boards shows that most states, including two of the largest, are not living up to their obligations to protect patients from doctors who are practicing substandard medicine, according to the report released today.    » read more »

20 April 2009 -- Mayor Diaz joins with FPL, GE, Cisco Systems and Silver Spring Networks to launch ‘Energy Smart Miami’, a model electricity system for American cities and the cornerstone of a broader $700 million statewide investment.

MIAMI, Fla. – Mayor Manny Diaz today announced a groundbreaking energy initiative that proposes to use federal economic stimulus funds to help spur a $200 million investment in “Smart Grid” technology and renewable energy over the next two years.    » read more »