TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida’s high school graduation rate has reached a 15-year high according to data released today by the Florida Department of Education. For the 2017-18 school year, Florida’s statewide graduation rate rose to 86.1 percent, an increase of 3.8 percentage points over last year and 17.1 since the school year before Governor Scott took office.

Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida’s high school graduation rate has once again risen and has reached an all-time high. Access to quality public education played a critical role in my life, and as a father and grandfather, it has always been important to me that every Florida student has the opportunity to pursue their goals and achieve the American Dream. This accomplishment would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of Florida’s teachers and school administrators. I’m also proud of the work we’ve done to provide record amounts of funding to Florida schools so they can continue to deliver results. I will never stop working to ensure students are prepared to succeed.” Continue reading →

ORLANDO, Fla. – Today, at Wyndham Destinations headquarters in Orlando, Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida businesses have created more than 1.67 million private-sector jobs since December 2010, including 23,000 private-sector jobs in November. This brings Florida’s unemployment rate down to 3.3 percent, a 12-year low.   

Florida’s unemployment rate of 3.3 percent represents a drop of 7.5 percentage points since December 2010; this drop is faster than the national decline of 5.6 percentage points. This is while 116,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 1.1 percent in the past year. Florida’s annual job growth rate of 3.3 percent continues to exceed the nation’s rate of 1.9 percent. 

To view the November 2018 employment data visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Following widespread issues with voting in Broward County, Governor Rick Scott today issued Executive Order 18-342 to immediately suspend Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes from office for misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty. The authority for the Governor to take this action is outlined in Article IV Section 7 of the Florida Constitution. The Governor has appointed Peter Antonacci to serve as Supervisor of Elections in Broward County. Mr. Antonacci will serve for the remainder of the term until a replacement can be chosen by voters in November 2020. During the 2018 General Election, according to numerous media reports, Broward County election officials missed deadlines, lost ballots and couldn’t report basic information to the public, which resulted in multiple violations of Florida law. This follows multiple documented instances throughout Ms. Snipes’ term where Florida laws were broken including posting election results before polls closed and authorizing the improper destruction of ballots.  Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Pam Bondi is co-leading a bipartisan group of 38 state attorneys general supporting criminal justice reform in the federal prison system. Today, the coalition sent a letter, co-authored by Attorney General Bondi, to Congress asking legislative leaders to fully consider criminal justice reforms like those contained in the First Step Act.

“I am proud to co-sponsor this letter supporting a true bipartisan compromise concerning much needed prison reform in our country. The First Step Act will keep so many individuals from returning to prison and help them lead productive lives,” said Attorney General Bondi.

The letter explains that many states have experienced success through state criminal justice reforms similar to those in the First Step Act. The First Step Act would create programs that incentivize federal inmates to participate in recidivism-reducing programs including vocational training and academic courses. The act would also put more tools in the hands of prosecutors. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Pam Bondi today announced a $625 million multistate and federal settlement with a major pharmaceutical distributor. The settlement resolves allegations that AmerisourceBergen Corporations introduced adulterated drugs into interstate commerce. As a result, ABC, a Delaware corporation headquartered in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, will pay the states and the federal government $625 million dollars—including nearly $100 million going directly the state Medicaid programs.

As part of the massive national litigation, ABC subsidiary AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group pled guilty to illegally distributing misbranded drugs in September 2017. ABSG is the parent entity for companies in the specialty pharmaceutical market, including biotechnology and oncology, in addition to pharmaceutical manufacturers and providers. ABSG agreed to pay $260 million in criminal fines and forfeitures. Continue reading →

This week, working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, we arrested nine individuals on numerous felony and misdemeanor charges associated with the illegal baiting, taking and molestation of black bears by use of dogs for commercial and recreational purposes.

According to the year-long investigation, the defendants lured black bears by placing drums of dog food, doughnuts, pastries and peanut butter in various areas throughout Baker, Flagler, Marion and Union counties. The defendants used large packs of dogs to chase bears up trees. They would then beat the trees, some higher than 50 feet, causing bears to fall to the ground, where they would force dogs to maul the bears. Continue reading →