Friends,
The 2020 Legislative Session will have soon reached a conclusion, maybe even before this article makes it to publishing and we’re very much looking forward to being back home in the district. Once we return, we’ll be ready to tour the district to give a full report on all that we’ve accomplished these last few months. Until that time, however, we will keep providing a few updates on some of the highlights.
For this column, we should address the budget.
The Florida Senate passed Senate Bill 2500: Appropriations, a proposed state budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. This proposed budget invests in Florida’s teachers, state employees, and environment while maintaining $3.5 billion in total reserves. With $500 million for a new Teacher Salary Increase Allocation and $325 million in increased flexible funding through the Base Student Allocation, the state budget provides funding for schools districts to increase the starting salary for classroom teachers while also investing in other members of school district personnel who serve our children. This has been a big priority for Governor DeSantis and President Galvano. I’m excited to be a part of this great team, working to improve education in the State of Florida. Continue reading
Who said “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN”?
As I See It, anyone who doesn’t think that America, was, is and always will be ‘great’ qualifies for a one-way ticket to Havana, Beijing or Moscow, UNLESS they fear that the country is going broke!
Back in 1835, for the first and only time in history, President Andrew Jackson paid off the United States National Debt.
Where are we now?
Public debt now adds up to more than $22 trillion — the highest it has ever been.
This, despite the fact that we are in the largest economic expansion since World War II.
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) anticipates that the U.S. will continue to rack up more debt faster than ever before.
Over the next 10 years, Congress will have to borrow another $1.2 trillion which is far higher than any time in the past 50 years.
The CBO said. “Other than immediately after World War II, the average deficit has never been so large over so many years,” Continue reading
Business owner Kathy Haviland of Tri-County Senior Outreach Services, was holding an 8 year anniversary celebration and Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, Feb 20 from 4-6 pm at Harbor Chase in Wildwood (1477 Huey St., Wildwood). Kathy Haviland, Blake and Kate Gallaher from Luxury Diamonds and John Sokol from Bikes and BBQ 4 Autism, are coming together to present a $1500.00 check to Dream Acres for Autism (an organization that trains service dogs for autistic children). Photo by Gregg Malanczuk.
Lady Lake Area Chambers Morning Networking at Outback Steakhouse on Hwy 441 in Lady Lake. Photo by Janet Fraley.
(OCALA, Fla.) Feb. 13, 2020 – Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) donated a firefighting apparatus to a volunteer fire department in the Bahamas during a quaint ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 13.
After the destruction of most of their fire rescue equipment during Hurricane Dorian, the Marsh Harbour Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department (MHVFRD) in Central Abaco, Bahamas, was left with a dire need for everything from apparatus to bunker gear. Learning about their needs, OFR began an exhaustive search for potential equipment donations. The search led to a 1992 Titan Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) truck, which had been retired from OFR’s fleet in 2018.
Today, among a group of representatives from both fire departments, as well as city officials, the keys and title were presented to Marsh Harbour Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department. Equipped with separate tanks capable of holding copious amounts of water and extinguishing agent, the ARFF truck, which had been decommissioned in 2018, was a perfect fit for Marsh Harbour’s needs.
The donation of the ARFF truck will allow the MHVFRD to service areas, including Marsh Harbour International Airport, Treasure Cay International Airport, the North Abaco Port, and Port of Marsh Harbour. Additionally, the ARFF truck will aid with coverage of six area fire stations and the ability to fight fuel fires.
Ken Boggs from First Federal Bank spoke at the OBL breakfast. The Bank headquarters are in Lake City Florida. They have banks all over the country concentrated along the I-10 and I-75 corridors. They offer many services.
Kent Poimboeuf was the designated speaker at the Ocala Business Leaders breakfast last month. He was explaining how to update your OBL website so the marketing tools work, how to use the website, how to use the mobile directory and how to advertise in the OBL Directory. This was all video available on Ocala Business Leaders Facebook. Kent also talked about advertising on Ocala4sale.com. Kent has been a long time valuable member of OBL. See OBL pictures on page 10.
Many years ago David Liner started the Ocala Business Leaders. There is a core group that has been in the club for many years. What draws them to meeting for years? Friends / Business Associates that will help at the drop of a hat. David has been the leader in bringing new businesses in to the club and leads in the honor of best net worker!
On January 17, 2020, in News Releases, by Staff
Photo Credit: Governor’s Press Office
Jacksonville, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Made In Space has decided to relocate their corporate headquarters and satellite manufacturing operations from California to Florida. The headquarters relocation and expansion effort will involve more than $3 million in new capital investment for Jacksonville.
“As a global leader for in-space manufacturing and assembly, Made In Space has a proven track record of delivering innovative space technology demonstrations at an industry-leading pace,” said Governor DeSantis. “Made In Space’s move to Florida is more evidence of Florida’s success and growth in the aerospace industry. My administration remains committed to supporting that growth and ensuring we maintain an economic climate that allows companies like Made In Space to prosper.” Continue reading
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis delivered the State of the State address to a joint session of the Florida Legislature and Floridians everywhere, highlighting Florida’s strengths while reporting on the promising prospects for the future with the support of the House of Representatives and Senate.
Governor DeSantis said, “In 2019, we took bold steps to expand educational opportunities, protect our environment and natural resources, reform health care, invest in infrastructure and bolster public safety – all while reducing taxes and adding to our budget reserves. While we should look with favor on these bold beginnings, we have much more to do.
“For everything there is a season, and this is Florida’s season of opportunity – we have the chance to build on a strong foundation, the chance to face the challenges before us and the chance to leave a legacy of success that will benefit our people now and in the future. There is no reason why we can’t seize this moment and deliver for the people of Florida.”
