Florida State Wide
By Florida Senator Baxley
Keeping Each Other Safe: This week in the Florida Senate, we will be presenting a bill called The Church Protection Bill. Every week across our great state small and large communities of faith, meet to share their faith walk. As they open their arms wide to receive the troubled souls and receive offerings for their mission, they also bear responsibility for each other’s safety. We have seen these safe havens become targets for violence. This bill will empower concealed permit holders to be part of a safety team in their community of faith to prevent acts of violence becoming massacres, as we have witnessed across the nation in incidents such as Sulphur Springs, Texas and Charleston, SC. What we have learned is that if we empower law-abiding citizens to stop violent acts, they can, they will, and they have. Let us strengthen this right of Self Defense for communities of faith across Florida.
Gov. Scott: Orlando Area Remains Leader in Job Creation
ORLANDO, Fla. — Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the Orlando area had the highest job creation in the state for the fifth month in a row, adding 46,300 new private-sector jobs in the last year. The unemployment rate in Orlando was 3.3 percent, down 1.0 percentage point from one year ago. Statewide, Florida businesses created nearly 30,000 new jobs in December bringing the total number of new private-sector jobs created in Florida to 1,497,100 since December 2010. Continue reading
TAMPA, Fla. — Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the Tampa area added 28,000 new private-sector jobs in the last year, creating the third-highest number of jobs among all Florida metro areas. Tampa’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.4 percent, down 1.1 percentage points from one year ago. Statewide, Florida businesses created nearly 30,000 new jobs in December bringing the total number of new private-sector jobs created in Florida to 1,497,100 since December 2010.
Governor Scott said, “Last year ended strong with 28,000 new jobs created in the Tampa Bay area. Statewide, nearly 1.5 million jobs have been created since December 2010, and it is clear that we are on track to making Florida the best place in the nation for families to find new opportunities.” Continue reading
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Weekly Briefing
January 19, 2018
Florida is a zero-tolerance state for human trafficking, stopping this horrific crime and saving lives is a top priority of my administration. That is why I presented a resolution recognizing January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. During National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, I am calling on all Floridians to join the fight in ending human trafficking. Continue reading
Attorney General Bondi’s Weekly Briefing
January 26, 2018
Great news this week in our campaign to eliminate the backlog of untested sexual assault kits. The latest progress report just issued by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement shows the state processed more than 6,000 kits. I am thrilled by the progress we have made as we approach our goal of testing 8,600 by June of 2019.
Processing these previously untested kits unlocks DNA evidence that can be used to solve crimes and bring some closure to sexual assault victims. So far testing these kits has produced 1,461 hits in key DNA databases. One of those DNA matches led to the recent arrest of a Virginia man on charges related to a 20-year-old sexual battery in Fort Myers. Our campaign to eliminate the backlog breathed new life into this cold case—and I believe more cases will be solved through our efforts. Continue reading
Unemployment Rate Remains at 10-Year Low of 3.6 Percent
NAPLES, Fla. — Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida businesses created nearly 14,000 private-sector jobs across the state in November. The state’s unemployment rate also remained at a 10-year low of 3.6 percent. Since December 2010, Florida businesses have created 1,465,800 jobs. Florida’s annual job growth rate of 2.5 percent continues to exceed the nation’s rate of 1.6 percent.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida’s unemployment rate is at a 10-year low and that nearly 14,000 jobs were created for families across the state last month. As we near the end of the year, it is important to reflect on how far our state has come and how we must continue to fight every day to build on this success. Over the past seven years, we have turned around Florida’s economy which has allowed us to make record investments in education, transportation and environmental protection. I look forward to kicking off 2018 by working to continue cutting taxes, supporting job creation and education opportunities, and doing all we can to help secure Florida’s future for every family. Florida is a national leader in job creation and the rest of the nation should follow our lead.” Continue reading
By Florida Senator Baxley
“Wreaths Across America” provided a highlight of inspiration this week as hundreds of volunteers and veterans spread out over Highland Memorial Park to place a wreath with a salute and gratitude for each fallen soldier. This is spreading all across the country at the Christmas season as we honor all those who have selflessly served, and remember them with honor and dignity.
We believe in remembering. America is strong and the world is safer when America is strong. All of these dedicated men and women, who took the oath of sacrifice for others, must be remembered. They were not policy makers. They were simply ordinary people ready to protect and serve in defense of others. Continue reading
(NewsUSA) – The aerospace industry is getting a boost in manufacturing its parts, making them safer and stronger, through a revolutionary new approach called 3D printing or “additive” manufacturing – a process which was invented at MIT in the late 1980s.In the traditional method, companies start with a hunk of metal (or other material). Using milling machines and other tools, they cut or drill away material in order to create the desired part.In contrast, 3D printing builds parts layer by layer, adding material in just the right places to create the precise shapes needed.For aerospace companies, this 3D printing or “additive” manufacturing offers the promise of making parts that are better and stronger, enabling them to build airplanes and rockets that are safer, more reliable, and better performing. GE uses 3D printing to build jet engine fuel nozzles, for instance, instead of welding together 20 small pieces. Continue reading
This week, I had the honor of thanking law enforcement officers, firefighters and their families at the Gold Shield Annual Luncheon in Tampa. Our law enforcement officers and firefighters cannot do their job without the support of their loved ones—and that is why we also honored the immense sacrifices made by the families of our first responders. We want those who serve and protect us, to know that their families will be taken care of should anything happen in the line of duty.
The Gold Shield Foundation not only provides financial assistance to ensure families of fallen heroes receive the help they need directly after their loss, but also works to ensure their children and spouses can go to college. The work of this foundation brings hope to brokenhearted families, and it is an inspiration to see the foundation serving families in Florida. Continue reading
Without a doubt, the massacre in Sutherland Springs has captured our awareness that good people trying to worship are now among those vulnerable to violence.
Churches are a safe place for the lonely and vulnerable and welcome all those who enter their doors. Yet, they have a new awareness to the responsibility they have to protect those among their congregations. We owe parishioners security and safety while they worship.
In that spirit, we intend to file the Church Protection bill which is now in drafting. This bill will allow concealed weapons permit holders to be utilized by their church officials to provide security in the event anything should happen. Many churches can’t afford elaborate professional security staff, but this bill will allow trained citizens, law enforcement officers, veterans, and sportsman to accept responsibility for the safety of themselves and others should such instances occur. Continue reading
