Florida

October 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Air force is planning to start deploying its new F-35A fighters at 10 locations around the country starting late next year or early in 2011.

And a new study out today of 205 potential locations names the top 10 spots where the planes could be housed for training and military operations – including two locations in the Sunshine State.

The two Florida spots are Eglin Air Force Base near Fort Walton Beach in the Panhandle, which would be home initially to 59 of the fighters for pilot training; and, the second location is at Jacksonville International Airport, where 18 of the jets would be housed with the Florida Air National Guard.    » read more »

Transportation Agreement Mandates Jobs for U.S. Mariners

October 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Acting Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda today approved the construction of a deepwater port for liquefied natural gas (LNG) off the coast of Florida. As part of the approval agreement, officials for Port Dolphin Energy, LLC, agreed to provide employment and training opportunities to American mariners on ships using the port. The Maritime Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“This energy project is a win for Florida consumers, and for U.S. maritime workers,” said Transportation Secretary LaHood. “We will continue our focus on creating job opportunities for American seafarers and other maritime workers.”    » read more »

October 26, 2009 -- Representatives from NOAA and the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, announced the formation of a partnership to better manage and protect ocean and coastal resources, ensure regional economic sustainability, and respond to disasters such as hurricanes. The announcement was made during the annual meeting of the Coastal States Organization in Charleston, S.C.    » read more »

Leads FL Delegation in Bipartisan Letter Calling for at Least $3 Billion for Human Spaceflight Program

October 16, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) – Today, Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) and Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL-15), along with Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), led members of the Florida Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to President Obama calling on him to shift at least $3 billion in unspent Recovery Act funds to NASA’s human spaceflight program.    » read more »

Shares stories of local veterans, urges action

10/16/09 -- Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) submitted testimony to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs describing the state of the new GI Bill in South Florida in order to bring attention to the experiences of local veterans.    » read more »

Project brings higher level of domestic violence expertise to child abuse cases

October 15, 2009 -- FORT LAUDERDALE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist, in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, today applauded Florida’s Child Protective Investigator (CPI) project during a visit to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. The project, which teams child abuse investigators with domestic violence victim advocates, enhances services to families with children who are impacted by domestic violence.    » read more »

October 12, 2009 -- (Orlando, Fla.) – Congressman Alan Grayson, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan, and Mayor Buddy Dyer toured a neighborhood and highlighted two successful programs helping resolve the problems of foreclosure and slumping property values today in Orlando.

Congressman Grayson said, "A home is not only a roof over your head. It creates jobs for plumbers, carpenters and real estate agents; it's an investment and a savings account; and a paid-off mortgage means security for senior citizens. That's why we are trying to so hard to revive housing in Central Florida."    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) – Breaking through years of delay, Congressman Alan Grayson has gotten Congress to pass the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (S. 1023), and send it to the President for his signature. The bill passed this evening.

The Travel Promotion Act will establish a non-profit corporation to promote travel to the United States. The bill gives the new organization $200 million a year in public and private funding, all to promote travel.    » read more »

September 14, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today awarded $1.35 million in defense grants for projects to improve Florida’s position as a host state for military installations and activities.
“Defense grants make important contributions to the overall mission of our nation’s armed forces,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “While the grants protect the values of the military bases they also enable neighboring communities to better support the men and women who serve in our military.”    » read more »

Compact heads to Legislature for ratification

August 31, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today signed a compact on behalf of the State of Florida with the Seminole Tribe of Florida worth an estimated $6.8 billion over 20 years for Florida’s students, for the purpose of authorizing Class III gaming on tribal lands within the State.

Governor Crist first began negotiations in July, following passage of SB 788 during the 2009 regular session. Governor Crist signed SB 788 on June 15, 2009, Tribe Chairman Mitchell Cypress signed the compact on Friday, and the compact now heads to the Legislature for ratification.    » read more »

August 28, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today announced he will appoint former Deputy Attorney General George LeMieux to serve the remainder of Senator Mel Martinez’s term upon Martinez’s official resignation. LeMieux, 40, currently serves as chairman of the law firm of Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A., and previously served as chief of staff to Governor Crist.    » read more »

Pledges U.S. will start process this week at meeting in Spain to re-list Everglades

June 23, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – After two years of pushing and with a change in U.S. administrations, Florida Democrat Bill Nelson has won the support of the nation’s lands czar for putting the Everglades back on a United Nation’s list of the world’s most treasured and endangered sites.    » read more »

Governor Crist Signs Legislation Strengthening Florida’s Seaport Security; House Bill 7141 increases access to Florida ports while maintaining strict security standards already in place

June 15, 2009 -- FORT LAUDERDALE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today signed legislation strengthening Florida’s international trade by increasing worker access to Florida ports while maintaining strict security standards. Signed by the Governor at Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades, House Bill 7141 reduces the cost of doing business by eliminating unnecessary and redundant security reviews.    » read more »

Governor Crist Signs Legislature's Parameters For Historic Gaming Compact With Seminole Tribe Of Florida; Estimated to provide billions of dollars to support education

June 15, 2009 -- MIAMI – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today signed Senate Bill 788, relating to gaming, which outlines the Legislature’s parameters for a 15-year compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that will maximize funding for K-12 public schools. To emphasize the benefit to Florida’s students and teachers, the Governor signed the legislation at Design & Architecture Senior High School, a magnet school for the visual arts located on a three-acre campus in Miami’s design neighborhood.    » read more »

Governor Crist Signs Legislation to Increase Access to Health Care for Floridians with Kidney Disease; Allows Medicare beneficiaries to purchase plans starting October 1, 2009

June 10, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today signed the Alonzo Mourning Access to Care Act which expands the availability of Medicare supplemental policies to Medicare beneficiaries with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). House Bill 675, relating to Medicare Supplement Policies, makes Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD eligible to receive supplemental coverage known as Medigap policies.    » read more »