Florida

Will pump $817 million into Florida’s economy

March 9, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today announced details about federal stimulus funding coming to Florida as a result of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. While addressing the Florida Hospital Association’s annual Hospital Day in the Legislature, Governor Crist confirmed the federal share of Florida’s Medicaid costs will increase from 55.4 percent to 67.6 percent, infusing more than $817 million into Florida’s economy.    » read more »

Beneficiaries able to visit doctors after years without health care insurance

March 6, 2009 -- MIAMI – Continuing a two-day public awareness campaign focused on help available to Floridians during times of economic challenge, Florida Governor Charlie Crist today encouraged Floridians without health insurance benefits to learn more about the Cover Florida Health Care Access Program. The health insurance plans make affordable, quality health insurance coverage and access to health care available to Florida’s nearly four million uninsured applicants age 19 to 64.    » read more »

Access to affordable, quality health insurance available to uninsured Floridians

March 5, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today encouraged Floridians without health insurance benefits to learn more about the Cover Florida Health Care Access Program during a two-day public awareness campaign focused on help available to Floridians during times of economic challenge. The health insurance plans make affordable, quality health insurance coverage and access to health care available to Florida’s nearly four million uninsured applicants age 19 to 64.    » read more »

Environmental experts deliver first-of-a-kind progress report to Capitol

TALLAHASSEE (March 2, 2009) – While Florida has made several improvements in its efforts to restore the health of its ocean and coasts, the state still has work to do, according to a report card released today by a group of nationally and internationally recognized environmental organizations. The report card evaluated the progress the state has made in reversing the decline of its ocean and coastal resources in 2007 and 2008.    » read more »

Calls on Floridians to help ensure accurate 2010 Florida Census

February 26, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – As part of his ongoing effort to ensure Florida receives its fair share of federal funding, Florida Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 09-41, creating the statewide 2010 Sunshine Census Complete Count Committee, and appointed 45 Floridians to serve on the committee. The committee members represent a wide array of community-based and faith-based organizations, local governments, media and advertising groups, and businesses in order to ensure an accurate count of the people who reside in Florida in 2010.    » read more »

February 24, 2009 -- ST. PETERSBURG – Florida Governor Charlie Crist, continuing his commitment to strengthening Florida’s economy, will applaud Major and Minor League baseball’s economic contributions to the Sunshine State when he launches the 2009 spring training baseball season this evening by hosting the Governor’s Baseball Dinner in St. Petersburg.

The event, restored in 2008 by Governor Crist after more than a decade, will honor Florida’s two Major League Baseball clubs, 14 other Major League clubs who train in Florida, and the 29 Minor League clubs who play throughout the spring and summer. More than 200 representatives from these clubs will join with 500 fans and sponsors at St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays.    » read more »

Federal stimulus money will increase weekly benefits by $25 for remainder of 2009

February 20, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today, continuing his efforts to strengthen the economy and help Floridians affected by the current economic downturn, signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to increase weekly unemployment benefits by $25 per week, bringing $345 million to Florida during the 2009 calendar year. By signing the agreement today, the increased benefits take effect starting Sunday, February 22, 2009. The Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act is a result of federal funds authorized through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.    » read more »

Seeks funding and policies to strengthen schools, protect property owners, keep government accountable, and promote clean emissions and renewable energy

February 20, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today outlined his proposed $66.5-billion budget and a number of legislative priorities for the upcoming 2009 Legislative Session. His proposed measures will strengthen Florida’s economic foundation on multiple fronts. Highlights include actions to ensure wise spending in Florida’s education system, protect property owners’ pocketbooks, improve government accountability, and promote clean emissions and renewable energy policies that will save money in the long term.    » read more »

February 18, 2009 -- FORT LAUDERDALE – Florida Governor Crist, continuing his focus on protecting Florida’s environment and addressing climate change, joined Florida Atlantic University President Frank T. Brogan, students and faculty, and community leaders to unveil the university’s first large-scale solar roof installation. Governor Crist applauded the project on the Fort Lauderdale campus, calling it a reminder of the importance of Florida’s universities in keeping Florida beautiful and creating ‘green’ jobs.    » read more »

February 17, 2009 -- “At a time when Florida is facing historic economic challenges mirrored across the country, these federal stimulus dollars will help Florida meet critical needs in education, transportation and Medicaid.

Now more than ever, we need to invest in these essential programs so that we can serve our most vulnerable citizens while also creating jobs for our hardworking Floridians.

Moving forward, my administration will make sure Florida makes the best use of our share of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. And I look forward to rolling out our implementation plan in the coming weeks.”

Source: Florida Governor

Working group evaluating best use of Florida’s share of federal relief

February 16, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist, continuing his commitment to strengthening Florida’s economy, today met with the Federal Stimulus Working Group to discuss Florida’s anticipated federal stimulus dollars resulting from Congress’ approval of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. He also discussed the letter he sent Saturday to the U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan, requesting speedy implementation of guidelines for distributing the federal education funds.    » read more »

February 4, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist, continuing his commitment to strengthening Florida’s economy and preserving Florida’s natural resources, today highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of commuter rail in Central Florida. He joined Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Central Florida lawmakers in urging legislative support for SunRail, the 61-mile commuter rail system that would serve Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Osceola counties.    » read more »

February 2, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist, continuing his commitment to strengthening Florida’s economy, today directed administration and agency leaders to begin reviewing the best use of federal stimulus dollars anticipated to be sent to Florida as part of Congress’ American Recovery Act.

“As the U.S. Congress considers the American Recovery Act, it is imperative that we stand ready to ultimately accept these federal dollars across state government,” said Governor Crist, who today held his first meeting with the Federal Stimulus Working Group. “My administration will be prepared to implement these funds once they are readily available.”    » read more »

Applauds Nfl's Work To Promote Physical Fitness

Florida’s 14th Super Bowl expected to have $300-million economic impact

January 28, 2009 -- TAMPA – As part of community activities leading up to Sunday’s Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Governor Charlie Crist today visited with 2,000 local children from the Tampa Bay area attending the NFL PLAY 60 Kids’ Day at The NFL Experience. Current and former NFL players were on hand to interact with the children, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Warrick Dunn and linebacker Derrick Brooks, who also serves as chair of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness.    » read more »

January 26, 2009 -- “I applaud the President’s decision to ask the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to re-examine California’s request for a federal waiver to regulate vehicle tailpipe emissions under the Clean Air Act.

“The waiver is a critical aspect for California, Florida and 17 other states which have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, automobile emissions standards.

“Florida stands ready to assist the federal government in addressing this important issue, and we will continue our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy security and protect the state’s environment.”

Source: Florida Governor