Florida

November 17, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that DOE is awarding nearly $40 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Florida and Maine to support clean energy projects. Under DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, these states will implement programs that lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution, and create green jobs locally.    » read more »

Public Citizen Argued That Florida Bar Rules Banning Lawyer Use of Web Sites Was Unconstitutional

Nov. 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Florida Bar has agreed to exempt online lawyer directories such as Avvo.com and Linkedin.com from its rules prohibiting client testimonials, statements of past results and comments on quality of services, settling a case brought by Public Citizen on behalf of a Boca Raton, Fla. attorney.    » read more »

November 13, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today suspended Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, who was charged today with grand theft, a second degree felony. Last month, Governor Crist petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to impanel a Statewide Grand Jury to investigate criminal activity committed by public officials while acting in their official capacity.

Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the State Attorney for the 11th Circuit Court, informed Governor Crist of the impending arrests.

“I am grateful to Florida’s State Attorneys for their tireless work to uncover corruption and bring those who abuse their position of public trust to justice,” Governor Crist said.    » read more »

November 4, 2009 -- TAMPA -- United States Attorney A. Brian Albritton today announced the results of a nine-month-long Mortgage Fraud Surge investigation that has resulted in charges against more than 100 defendants and involves allegations concerning more than $400 million in loans procured by fraud and more than 700 properties. U.S. Attorney Albritton is holding events throughout the district this week to highlight the announcement.

There are currently mortgage fraud-related charges pending against approximately 500 defendants in federal mortgage fraud cases around the nation. The cases concern both mortgage schemes designed to defraud mortgage lenders and “foreclosure rescue schemes” which prey on distressed homeowners.    » read more »

Celebrates nation’s first pilot program to help veterans returning to colleges and universities

November 6, 2009 -- TAMPA – Today, Florida Governor Charlie Crist joined together with representatives from the University of South Florida (USF), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs at the USF campus to participate in Uniforms to Mortarboards, a statewide conference to discuss issues important to Florida’s veteran students. The Governor also applauded VetsSuccess on Campus, a new, veteran-specific educational pilot program by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at the University of South Florida.    » read more »

October 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Air force is planning to start deploying its new F-35A fighters at 10 locations around the country starting late next year or early in 2011.

And a new study out today of 205 potential locations names the top 10 spots where the planes could be housed for training and military operations – including two locations in the Sunshine State.

The two Florida spots are Eglin Air Force Base near Fort Walton Beach in the Panhandle, which would be home initially to 59 of the fighters for pilot training; and, the second location is at Jacksonville International Airport, where 18 of the jets would be housed with the Florida Air National Guard.    » read more »

Transportation Agreement Mandates Jobs for U.S. Mariners

October 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Acting Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda today approved the construction of a deepwater port for liquefied natural gas (LNG) off the coast of Florida. As part of the approval agreement, officials for Port Dolphin Energy, LLC, agreed to provide employment and training opportunities to American mariners on ships using the port. The Maritime Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“This energy project is a win for Florida consumers, and for U.S. maritime workers,” said Transportation Secretary LaHood. “We will continue our focus on creating job opportunities for American seafarers and other maritime workers.”    » read more »

October 26, 2009 -- Representatives from NOAA and the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, announced the formation of a partnership to better manage and protect ocean and coastal resources, ensure regional economic sustainability, and respond to disasters such as hurricanes. The announcement was made during the annual meeting of the Coastal States Organization in Charleston, S.C.    » read more »

Leads FL Delegation in Bipartisan Letter Calling for at Least $3 Billion for Human Spaceflight Program

October 16, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) – Today, Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) and Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL-15), along with Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), led members of the Florida Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to President Obama calling on him to shift at least $3 billion in unspent Recovery Act funds to NASA’s human spaceflight program.    » read more »

Shares stories of local veterans, urges action

10/16/09 -- Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) submitted testimony to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs describing the state of the new GI Bill in South Florida in order to bring attention to the experiences of local veterans.    » read more »

Project brings higher level of domestic violence expertise to child abuse cases

October 15, 2009 -- FORT LAUDERDALE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist, in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, today applauded Florida’s Child Protective Investigator (CPI) project during a visit to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. The project, which teams child abuse investigators with domestic violence victim advocates, enhances services to families with children who are impacted by domestic violence.    » read more »

October 12, 2009 -- (Orlando, Fla.) – Congressman Alan Grayson, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan, and Mayor Buddy Dyer toured a neighborhood and highlighted two successful programs helping resolve the problems of foreclosure and slumping property values today in Orlando.

Congressman Grayson said, "A home is not only a roof over your head. It creates jobs for plumbers, carpenters and real estate agents; it's an investment and a savings account; and a paid-off mortgage means security for senior citizens. That's why we are trying to so hard to revive housing in Central Florida."    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) – Breaking through years of delay, Congressman Alan Grayson has gotten Congress to pass the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (S. 1023), and send it to the President for his signature. The bill passed this evening.

The Travel Promotion Act will establish a non-profit corporation to promote travel to the United States. The bill gives the new organization $200 million a year in public and private funding, all to promote travel.    » read more »

September 14, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today awarded $1.35 million in defense grants for projects to improve Florida’s position as a host state for military installations and activities.
“Defense grants make important contributions to the overall mission of our nation’s armed forces,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “While the grants protect the values of the military bases they also enable neighboring communities to better support the men and women who serve in our military.”    » read more »

Compact heads to Legislature for ratification

August 31, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today signed a compact on behalf of the State of Florida with the Seminole Tribe of Florida worth an estimated $6.8 billion over 20 years for Florida’s students, for the purpose of authorizing Class III gaming on tribal lands within the State.

Governor Crist first began negotiations in July, following passage of SB 788 during the 2009 regular session. Governor Crist signed SB 788 on June 15, 2009, Tribe Chairman Mitchell Cypress signed the compact on Friday, and the compact now heads to the Legislature for ratification.    » read more »