FYI. BTW, FL has again reported an increase in the number of jobs, and continues to lead the nation in job growth.
News from the FL gov's e-newsletter:
-----Original Message-----
From: Governor Jeb Bush
Date: Sunday, June 08, 2003 7:42 AM
Subject: IN THE NEWS...Friday, June 6, 2003
For those E-Newsletter recipients who have Adobe Acrobat reader, Governor Bush's e-newsletter is available in .PDF format by clicking
HERE.
The text version of the e-newsletter is below for those who do not have Adobe Acrobat reader
MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR BUSH
We began this week with good news on two very important fronts: our state’s economy and the current medical malpractice crisis.
First, on the economy, Florida continues to create the most new jobs among all other states during April 2003. Florida created 92,800 new jobs from April 2002 to April 2003, giving the state thirteen straight months of positive job growth. Florida’s unemployment rate also dropped in April to 5.3 percent, down from March, and 0.7 percent lower than the national average. The state’s unemployment rate has been lower than the national average since March 2002. An important part of our state’s strong growth is the diverse and vibrant economy. To further emphasize this point, on Friday, I witnessed the Free Trade Agreement signing between the United States and Chile in Miami. The historic trade agreement is the first between the United States and a Latin American country and is significant to our state because we are Chile’s number one U.S. trading partner.
While our state’s vibrant economy continues to grow, dark clouds loom over our health care industry, as skyrocketing rates for medical malpractice insurance are causing many doctors to close their doors and leave this state. As you know, last week I released a legislative proposal that would rollback these costly premiums through a number of reforms including a $250,000 cap on non-economic damages. On Monday the state’s largest insurance provider, First Professionals Insurance Company, Inc. (FPIC) has formally committed to reducing rates for Florida healthcare providers by 20 percent if the proposed reform package becomes law. FPIC’s decision confirms that our proposal is the right approach, and will ensure Floridians continue to have access to quality healthcare on demand.
This week I also participated in a series of bill signings that will help protect and strengthen Florida’s families. On Monday, I signed legislation honoring the Florida’s military while at the National Guard Armory in St. Augustine. On Friday, I kept my promise to continue building upon Florida’s already tough anti-crime laws by signing legislation based on the “Blueprint for Safety” initiative we unveiled last year. This legislation will help us better prosecute sexual predators and care for their victims, and will help us promote safer, stronger families. Florida has made great strides reducing violent crime in recent years, but these bills will allow us to focus even more closely on the particularly disturbing offenses of sexual crimes.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jeb Bush
ECONOMIC GOOD NEWS!
With the recognized “Gateway to the Americas” serving as the backdrop, Governor Bush witnessed as the United States and Chile signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), opening up a vast new trading market for American businesses. The historic trade agreement is the first between the United States and a Latin American country and is significant to Florida because the Sunshine State is Chile’s number one U.S. trading partner. The signing of the FTA took place during a ceremony today at the beautiful Vizcaya Palace and Gardens in Miami. Governor Bush met privately with Chile’s Foreign Minister, Soledad Alvear, prior to the signing of the trade agreement. On hand for the FTA signing were: United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Robert Zoellick; Chile’s Foreign Minister, Soledad Alvear; United States Ambassador to Chile, Ambassador William Brownfield; Chile’s Ambassador to the United States, Andrés Bianchi; and Chile’s Consul General in Miami, Ambassador Francisco Pérez Walker.
The United States and Chile began bilateral negotiations on an FTA in December 2000, holding a series of 14 negotiating rounds with teams of specialists, alternating between Santiago, Chile, and U.S. cities including Miami. Key provisions of the Treaty include: New Opportunities for U.S. Workers and Manufacturers: More than 85 percent of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products becomes tariff-free immediately, with most remaining tariffs eliminated within four years; Expanded Markets for U.S. Farmers and Ranchers: About three-quarters of both U.S. and Chilean farm goods will be tariff-free within four years, with all tariffs and quotas phased out within 12 years; Access to a Fast-Growing Chilean Services Market: The agreement offers new access for U.S. banks, insurance companies, telecommunications companies, securities firms, express delivery companies, and professionals. U.S. firms may offer financial services to participants in Chile's highly successful privatized pension system; Strong Protections for U.S. Investors: The Agreement establishes a secure, predictable legal framework for U.S. investors in Chile; Open and Fair Government Procurement: Groundbreaking anti-corruption measures in government contracting. U.S. firms are guaranteed a fair and transparent process to sell goods and services to a wide range of Chilean government entities, including airports and seaports.
Florida’s top exports to Chile are dominated by high technology such as computer products, telecommunications equipment, electronics, and aviation products. In July 2001, Governor Bush led a Team Florida delegation of more than 150 business leaders to Chile. The mission resulted in more than $25 million in new business in the state. In November of 2003, Miami will play host to another important trade meeting. The eighth round of FTAA trade negotiations will bring together ministers from 34 nations in the Western Hemisphere on November 20-21, with the VIII Americas Business Forum taking place the week of Monday, November 17, and overlapping the ministerial meetings. Those meetings could play a vital role in determining if Miami is selected as the Permanent Secretariat of the FTAA.
Also occurring this week, Governor Bush announced the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund (HBIF) will receive $270,000 in state funds to assist the program to encourage the creation and growth of Hispanic-owned and operated businesses in Florida. Awarded through Workforce Innovation Florida Inc., the funds will be used to enhance the accessibility of technical assistance and resources to Hispanic entrepreneurs-which, under normal circumstances, would go unused due to cultural and language barriers. The $270,000 comes from Workforce Investment Act funds, which are used to enhance training programs lending to economic development. “This grant will serve as an innovative way to train workers and grow Hispanic businesses in Florida all at the same time,” said Curtis Austin, President of Workforce Florida Inc., who, along with state Representative John Quinones, played a significant role in identifying appropriate funds to support this effort. "I am grateful that Governor Bush recognized the importance of these funds to our community. It could not come at a better time," said Representative John Quiñones, who sits on the Workforce Florida Inc. Board and is a longtime advocate of and champion for the Hispanic community in Florida (to include the HBIF program). The HBIF is based in Orlando and Tampa and serves constituents statewide.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Governor Bush visited the Florida National Guard Headquarters, where he signed a series of bills to address Florida’s service men and women. The Governor was joined at the bill signing Monday by more than 300 Guardsmen and Reservists as well as several members of the Florida Legislature. The Governor signed Senate Bill 684, which governs the Department of Military Affairs, as well as separate legislation protecting Guardsmen and Reservists in Florida upon federal mobilization and deployment. The Following Bills focus on Florida’s National Guard and service men and women: Senate Bill 1098, an act related to Uniformed Servicemembers Protection; Senate Bill 640, an act related to Military Services License Plates; Senate Bill 1954, an act related to Specialty License Plates; Senate Bill 1994, an act related to Road and Bridge Designations; and Senate Bill 2162, an act related to Road Designations.
Governor Bush also highlighted several bills impacting veterans and military personnel that he signed on May 23 to honor the Memorial Day holiday. Also occurring this week Governor Bush ceremonially signed a bill Friday that will further discourage drug traffickers from dealing near public facilities. Joining the Governor at the bill signing at Hialeah Middle School in Miami-Dade County was Senator Dave Aronberg, Representative Rene Garcia, and Ms. Jackie Viana and her middle school civics class students. Ms. Viana’s class first introduced SB 1588 in the 2002 legislation session as 12-year-olds. The students saw drugs as a problem in their parks and decided to fix the problem democratically. They surveyed parents and students and lobbied to make changes that their community deemed necessary for the safety of its children. Senate Bill 1588 specifically prohibits sale, manufacture, or delivery of controlled substances, or possession of such substances with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, within 1,000 feet of certain public parks and publicly owned community centers or recreational facilities.
“It is great to see young people out in front leading on this,” said Jim McDonough, Director of the Florida Office of Drug Control. “Many people mistakenly believe that all kids are doing drugs. In fact, the vast majority (about 90 percent) don't. Moreover, they are offended by those who do and who try to get them involved. This bill is a testimony to their determination to stay drug-free.” This legislation supports the Governor’s Drug Control Strategy and clearly strengthens the law enforcement aspect by stiffening the punishment for trafficking near facilities where children are often present. Prevention is the lynchpin to reducing substance abuse in the state of Florida, and Hialeah Middle School’s students initiated a law that juxtaposes prevention and law enforcement to enhance the safety of their community. For further information on Governor Bush’s Drug Control Strategy and efforts, please visit www.myflorida.com/drugcontrol.
Lastly, Governor Bush signed several bills into law aimed at providing more support to victims and making it tougher for those who commit sexual crimes. Joining the Governor at the Lee County Sheriff’s office Friday were House and Senate bill sponsors, law enforcement officials, victim’s advocates and Tonda Soisson. Tonda Soisson is a survivor of sexual violence who made it her goal to change existing law, to make it easier for victims of sexual violence to obtain injunctions against their attackers. Governor Bush has kept his promise to continue building upon Florida’s already tough anti-crime laws such as 10-20-Life and Three Strikes and You’re Out, aimed at keeping offenders behind bars.
Last year, he unveiled the “Blueprint for Safety” initiative that included the following: Allowing victims of a single sexual assault to seek a restraining order against their attacker. Under current law victims of a single sexual assault cannot access this protection against their attacker; Increasing the security and safety of sex crime victims by making it easier for them to obtain restraining orders against their attackers once the attacker is released from prison; Putting in place a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 25 years for repeat sex offenders, as well as first-time designated sex offenders.
Governor Bush signed the following measures into law, making good on the promise he made in 2002. Senate Bill 2172, an act related to Dangerous Sexual Felony Offender Act; House Bill 561, an act related to Victim’s Freedom; HB 747, an act related to Sexual Battery Statute of Limitations; and Senate Bill 144, an act related to Sexual Battery Victim’s Services. For further information on Governor Bush’s commitment to strengthening families, public safety and the armed forces, or the bills he signed, please visit www.myflorida.com.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR PRESS RELEASES
1. Governor Bush Signs Military Bills at Armory
2. Statement by Governor Bush Regarding Orlando DCF Case
3. Statement from Governor Bush Regarding Letter to First Professionals Insurance Company, Inc. (FPIC) 4. Florida’s Military to be Honored at Freedom Concert
5. Guardianship Working Group Formed to Make Recommendations on Protection for Florida’s Vulnerable Adults
6. Governor Bush Announces Grant to Hispanic Business Initiative Fund
7. Country Music All-Stars to Headline “Freedom Concert” in Tampa to Honor U.S. Military
8. Governor Bush Signs Bill to Deter Drug Trafficking
9. Governor Bush Witnesses Signing of Historic Free Trade Agreement Between United States and Chile in Miami
10. Governor Bush Signs Bills to Reduce Sexual Crimes
11. Appointments Made by Governor Bush the week of June 2, 2003
NEWSPAPER CLIPS OF INTEREST
1. FCAT Debacle May be a Good Thing (The Broward Times, 5/23)
2. Bush Signs Bill for Guardian Plan (Bradenton Herald, 6/01)
3. Bush Signs Law to Aid Active Military (Florida Times-Union, 6/03)
4. Bush Urges Protecting Bases from Closure (Florida Today, 6/03)
5. Concert is a Gift to Military Personnel (St. Petersburg Times, 6/04)
6. Bush Signs Bill Allowing Students of For-Profit Colleges to Get State Aid (Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 6/04)
7. Health Care: Still “What Crisis?” (Florida Times-Union, 6/05)
ON DECK…
Governor’s Schedule For 6/09– 6/13
Monday Miami/St. Petersburg/Tallahassee
Tuesday Governor’s Office-Tallahassee
Wednesday Tallahassee/Tampa
Thursday Governor’s Office-Tallahassee
Friday Tallahassee/Miami
Lt. Governor’s Schedule for 6/09– 6/13
Monday Orlando
Tuesday Titusville/Jacksonville
Wednesday Jacksonville/Amelia Island/Tallahassee
Thursday Tallahassee/Pensacola
Friday Lt. Governor’s Office-Tallahassee
GOVERNOR’S POINTS OF LIGHT AWARD
For the past 16 years, Lester has volunteered his time by providing food to the hungry. In 1997, he founded The Volunteer Way, Inc. Food Bank to meet the nutritional needs of those in Pasco County. In 1999, Volunteer Way was sharing food with over 60 food pantries from Ocala to Ruskin. By 2002, the food bank distributed more than 3,000,000 pounds of food to soup kitchens and food pantries in the area.
Volunteer Way, Inc. expanded its services by creating The Little Angel Program, in 2002, which strives to teach persons who are mentally challenged life skills, such as counting money, working with computers, CPR training and crafts which are distributed to nursing home residents within the community. “Lester donates more than 45 hours a week to those less fortunate. He is truly a good Samaritan and humanitarian who has helped thousands of hurting people in Florida,” said Barbara Ireland, of The Volunteer Way, Inc.
In recognition of National Hunger Awareness Day, all nine Office Depot stores in Palm Beach County will hold food drives from June 5 - June 12. Palm Beach County residents are encouraged to drop off food donations at any of Office Depot’s retail stores in Palm Beach County.
Lester Cypher is this week’s Points of Light winner. Congratulations, Lester!
____________________________________________________________________ Volume 5, Issue 23 Copyright(c) 2003 State of Florida
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Thanks for posting that info from my excerpt, Ernest. :)
CA is just such a disaster. I was thinking about moving there a few years ago. Thank goodness I didn't.
It makes it very tough to want to vote for a Dem presidential candidate when one takes a look at all the huge taxes and financial woes CA has accumulated under Dem CA Gov Davis. He is the absolute worst on-going commercial / ad for the Dem Party.
