Dear Friends,
This is the last column of the 2021 Legislative Session and by next month we will be ready to report on what all transpired during our time in Tallahassee. This session may be one of the most impactful years we’ve had in the Florida Senate. Even though we’ve filed less bills than previous years, the substance of the few that we have are some really big lifts. Here’s an update on some of those.
SB 90, a bill filed by your Senator, addresses a number of issues related to election administration and vote-by-mail. Simply put, we’re looking to eliminate potentially weak areas of our voting process and ensure Florida’s citizens that it will be easy to vote, but very hard to cheat. One provision in SB 90 addresses ballot harvesting so that no person may possess a ballot other than his or her own and those of immediate family members. We are eliminating the use of drop boxes so that the ballot harvesting prohibition can be enforced and to prevent bad actors from having the opportunity to spoil ballots. The second largest provision in the bill expands the timeframe for canvassing vote-by-mail ballots, providing that one vote-by-mail ballot request is good for all elections through the next regularly scheduled general election. Current law states that one request is good for all elections through the next two general elections. This change is necessary to provide voters with more flexibility to decide which method of voting they want to utilize, instead of being locked in for two cycles. Continue reading
Apparently there is a growing movement across the USA to give voting citizens the power to ‘veto’
some of the ridiculous actions of elected representatives from the president (regardless of party) on down to state and local government.
There isn’t much space in a column like this, but suffice to refer to what little we know about the recent COVID ‘Bail-Out-Bill’
What was in it?
Over 900 pages stuffed with earmarks, totally unrelated pork – money going to foreign countries and to obscure government agencies that we never heard of.
Unfortunately this is common practice, and the federal Government is the worst offender.
Some activists call their plan the “Single Subject Rule” or “Single Issue Rule”.
The idea is that no proposed law, including Presidential Executive Orders, could cover more than one subject. Continue reading
Meet Martha Hoffman. ”Bringing The World To Your Door, Like Nothing Else You Are Doing, Will!” Martha’s video’s bring you a ground view, a slightly elevated view and a arial view. All in a three dimensional view.
A Banyan Residence open house Ribbon Cutting by Lady Lake Chamber of Commerce. Pictured of the owners in from left Blake, Brandon Anderson and Greg Anderson on the right, the lady standing in the back ground in the red jacket was mayor Ruth Kussard. Many questions were being ask during the many tours so we thought we would do a question and answer story.
- Let me tell you about A Banyan Residence. What services are available at the facility?
- A Banyan Residence is an assisted living and memory care resort that is owned and operated by the founding family. Our family started in assisted living and memory care in 1998 with a unique concept that emphasized an independent and outdoor lifestyle that we’ve built into our design here in The Villages area. By dedicating three full acres to botanical butterfly gardens, waterfall koi fish ponds, walking paths, gazebos, and the like, we find seniors are able to relax peacefully in a home-like and comfortable environment. We also offer a giant clubhouse full of amenities to keep residents active from sun up to sun down. We have amenities such as a movie theater, hair salon, physical fitness gym, ice cream parlor, bistro, crafts room, library, and a state-of-the-art sensory room showing off cutting edge technology geared for senior living.
Beyond the building design itself, we are staffed and trained to provide any necessary assistance to keep our residents independent for as long as possible while still making sure their daily needs are met. Our custom culinary program is designed to provide exquisite meals that would go unrivaled in the industry. Our enrichment program keeps seniors of all types stimulated, active, and social with both on-campus daily events but also in the community, such as attending polo matches, live concerts, restaurant openings, and so on. Finally, our care program allows for seniors to rely on our staff to bridge the gap physically and mentally to achieve independence in their day-to-day lives while maintaining dignity and integrity. Continue reading
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $4.6 million in awards to communities in Northwest Florida that were impacted by Hurricane Michael through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s (DEO) Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF). In 2020, the Florida Legislature created a special appropriation for RIF projects in Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, and Washington Counties. These funds were appropriated to bolster infrastructure and promote economic development in these rural communities.
“My administration remains committed to areas still recovering from past storms,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This $4.5 million will go a long way toward giving some of the rural areas affected by Hurricane Michael the extra boost they need to attract investment and improve their economies.”
The Rural Infrastructure Fund is administered by DEO and provides funding to facilitate the planning, preparing, and financing of infrastructure projects in rural communities. Improving current infrastructure encourages job creation, capital investment, and the strengthening and diversification of rural economies through the promotion of tourism, trade, and economic development.
“I extend my appreciation to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their continued commitment to assist Northwest Florida communities impacted by Hurricane Michael through the special appropriation of Rural Infrastructure Funds,” said Dane Eagle, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “We look forward to working with these rural communities to help foster economic development and infrastructure projects in this region.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s efforts to protect Floridians and hold scammers accountable continue this week as Florida recognizes National Consumer Protection Week. Since 2019, Attorney General Moody’s Consumer Protection Division has secured more than $260 million in restitution and other relief for Floridians. Efforts to protect consumers quickly evolved early last year as COVID-19 began to spread and Florida fell under a state of emergency.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As COVID-19 spread, so did scams exploiting the pandemic. Inevitably, as millions of Floridians started working from home to slow the spread of the virus, new schemes emerged capitalizing on fear of the virus and using the government’s response as a basis for creating new scams. These schemes relied heavily on technology—using emails, texts and robocalls as tools to reach targets in order to steal consumers’ money and personal information.
“I am proud of the response by my Consumer Protection attorneys and investigators quickly adapting to this new environment to protect Floridians from fraud and deception. Because of their hard work, we have recovered millions of dollars for consumers and helped prevent countless Floridians from falling victim to emerging scams by issuing Consumer Alerts as we learn of new schemes. This Consumer Protection Week, we will focus on some of the great work these dedicated public servants are doing to help build a Stronger, Safer Florida.”
Florida remains under a state of emergency due to the pandemic and Attorney General Moody’s Price Gouging Hotline remains active. Through reports to the hotline and other contacts with the Attorney General’s Office, millions of dollars are being recovered and well over 10,000 consumer concerns have been addressed.
For more on Attorney General Moody’s efforts to prevent price gouging and provide consumer relief amid the COVID-19 State of Emergency, click here.
In addition to fighting to protect consumers amid the pandemic, since taking office in 2019 Attorney General Moody has worked to stop a myriad of scams and deceptive trade practices. A few of the notable cases include:
State of Florida v. Client Care Experts: Client Care Experts operated a tech support business that allegedly exploited consumers’ fears about computer viruses, hackers and other security threats to dupe consumers into purchasing costly and unnecessary technical support services and software. To date, the Attorney General’s Office has obtained three consent final judgments imposing permanent injunctions and more than $12.5 million in total relief, including $10 million in restitution to consumers. The case is still active against the remaining defendants in the scheme and collection efforts are ongoing.
State of Florida v. Ocwen Financial Corp: Attorney General Moody and the Florida Office of Financial Regulation brought a joint action against Ocwen to address deficiencies in Ocwen’s residential mortgage loan servicing, including alleged failure to accurately onboard loans to its system of record, mishandling borrowers’ escrow accounts, overcharging borrowers’ accounts and sending misleading communications about borrowers’ accounts. Through a consent judgment entered by the federal district court, the Attorney General’s Office secured more than $11 million in total relief, including $6.5 million in debt relief for eligible borrowers and more than $2 million in restitution.
State of Florida v. PEAKS Trust: PEAKS Trust, a private loan program run by ITT and affiliated with Deutsche Bank entities, extended temporary credit to students that the business allegedly knew or should have known would not be able to repay. When the temporary credit became due, ITT pressured and coerced students into accepting loans from PEAKS that often carried high interest rates. Attorney General Moody and a coalition of other state attorneys general took action to secure approximately $330 million in debt relief, including more than $24 million for Floridians.
Guiribitey Cosmetic and Beauty Institute, Inc. d/b/a CG Cosmetic Surgery: Attorney General Moody’s Consumer Protection Division investigated CG Cosmetic Surgery based on allegations that the company engaged in deceptive or unfair acts toward consumers in Florida and elsewhere in connection with the advertising, promoting, marketing and offering of plastic surgery services. As a result of action taken by Attorney General Moody’s Consumer Protection Division, CG Cosmetic Surgery issued refunds to consumers totaling more than $274,000.
FTC and State of Florida v. American Veterans Foundation and Paul Monville: American Veterans Foundation claimed donations would help prevent veteran homelessness. AVF made multiple promises, including that the organization would send care packages to service members overseas and help veterans get counseling. However, the Attorney General’s Office’s investigation revealed that less than three percent of the funds went to helping homeless veterans and most contributions went toward fundraising, employee compensation and other overhead. As a result of joint action with the Federal Trade Commission, the Attorney General’s Office secured a permanent injunction and order requiring AVF and its principal Paul Monville to pay more than $119,000 to be redistributed for charitable purposes, a portion of which was used in building a specially adapted smart home in Jupiter for a veteran injured in the line of duty.
In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Moody will be highlighting additional efforts to protect Floridians. Attorney General Moody will also be reaching out directly to consumers through social media.
To follow the week-long Twitter campaign, visit Twitter.com/AGAshleyMoody.
To report consumer scams or deceptive business practices, visit MyFloridaLegal.com or call 1(866) 9NO-SCAM. To report suspected price gouging, consumers can also download the No Scam app. For more information on the app, click here.
(NAPSI)—About 40.7 million Americans have some kind of disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. If you or someone you care about has a disability, you may wonder what it means for employment. You may be encouraged to know that there are supports and services available that can help you or your loved ones pursue work and reach your goals through Social Security’s Ticket to Work (Ticket) program.
Ticket To Work Program
The Ticket program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work. This program is free and voluntary. Program participants select a service provider to help them prepare for, and find, a job. The provider may be a State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency or an Employment Network (EN)—a public or private organization that has an agreement with Social Security—to offer:
•Career planning
•Job placement assistance
•Ongoing employment support.
These career development services and supports are unique to each individual. Participants work with their service providers to develop a customized plan and identify the supports they need to reach their work goals. Continue reading
Friday, March 26, 2021 | 6 – 9:30 p.m.
“Viva la vida!” Join us at the Tuscawilla Art Park for an After Dark in the Park showing of the motion picture “Frida”, a biographical film about the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Enjoy a live musical performance by Mariachi Orlando Internacional, The Mamas and the Tapas food truck, cash bar, artisan vendors, movie concessions, and more!
This event is open to the public and admission is free. Bring your chairs and blankets as we create a beautiful outdoor theater under the stars, amongst sculptures and backdrop of historic Ocala Union Station. The Tuscawilla Art Park Series is sponsored by TriEagle Sales. Stay informed about event updates by RSVPing on Facebook. https://www.ocalafl.org/?splash=https%3a%2f%2fwww.facebook.com%2fevents%2f3777823658935727&____isexternal=true
*This movie is rated R, children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. View discretion is advised.
The Tuscawilla Art Park is located at 513 NE 5th Street, next to the historic Ocala Union Station. The park was built in 2016 and created in partnership with numerous artists and artisans, community groups, and private donors with the intention of providing an inspiring space for residents and guests of all ages to enjoy. Park visitors will find botanical plants, public art, and unique infrastructure including a stage, plazas, and wandering pathways through the three-acre park.
Each Spring, the Tuscawilla Art Park hosts the Spring Art Park Series featuring a musical concert in the park. In the past, the series has featured performances from Ethio-American artist Meklit, classical contemporary artist Simply Three, cellist and singer-songwriter Ben Sollee and indie bands Kindo and Little Tybee.
For more information: Ocala Cultural Arts | 352-629-8447 | artinfo@ocalafl.org
OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 24, 2021) – The City of Ocala is hosting a free tire disposal event Saturday, March 13, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Disposal locations will be at the corner of NE 14th Street and NE Eighth Avenue and the Hampton Aquatic Fun Center located at 255 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Tires generated by businesses will not be accepted and there is a limit of 10 tires per resident. This service is for residents living within the city limits. A driver’s license listing a city address may be requested.
For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Residential Sanitation Division at 352-351-6697.
