Arrive Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive: Floridians and visitors are urged to drive sober for a safe Spring Break

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), a division of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), is spreading the message Arrive Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive this March as residents and visitors celebrate spring break in Florida. The DHSMV and FHP are partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Sheriffs Association, AAA – The Auto Club Group and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to spread the message on how to enjoy spring break in Florida safely.

“Spring break in Florida is a fun and exciting time for many students and families, but driving impaired can change that in an instant,” said DHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “We want everyone to enjoy their vacation and always designate a sober driver or find a safe ride home. Arrive Alive and never drink and drive.”

Florida’s beautiful beaches and tourist attractions lure thousands of spring breakers every year. As more drivers take to Florida roadways, the decision to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol continues to be a serious problem. Preliminary data shows that in March 2016, there were more than 35,000 crashes statewide, including more than 15 crashes each day involving drivers who registered alcohol levels above the legal limit, resulting in 48 fatalities.

“The Florida Highway Patrol wants to ensure that every driver makes good decisions before getting behind the wheel and does not drink or use drugs and drive,” said Colonel Gene Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Enjoy your time in Florida, but be sure to use good judgment, so that the celebration doesn’t turn into a tragedy.”

In Florida in 2016, high school and college aged drivers made up 20 percent of all drivers in crashes in March. During that time period, drivers ages 15 to 24 accounted for 12,157 crashes, resulting in 677 injuries and 84 fatalities.

Driving impaired not only puts everyone on the roadway in danger, it can have serious legal and monetary consequences. Penalties for DUIs can include expensive fines, license revocation and jail time. Since 2013, more DUI citations have been issued in March than in any other month of the year. This spring break, law enforcement agencies across the state will continue to enforce the state’s drinking age laws to help keep impaired drivers off the roads.

“We remind motorists to drive safely, drive sober and always buckle up,” said Rachel Cone, FDOT Interim Secretary. “With Florida’s beautiful scenic highways and beach destinations, it is the best place to spend your spring break. We want everyone to arrive safely.”

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco enforces the state’s beverage law and is responsible for licensing all Florida establishments that sell or service alcohol. This spring break, DBPR is partnering with state and local law enforcement agencies to help further enforce the legal drinking age and ensure that establishments are serving alcohol only to those age 21 or older.

“The DBPR’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco is committed to ensuring that alcohol stays out of the hands of individuals under the legal drinking age and that Florida establishments remain in compliance during spring break,” said DBPR Interim Secretary Matilde Miller. “Spring break is a time of fun and recreation for Florida residents and those visiting the Sunshine State, and we want to make sure everyone has a good time and gets back home safely.”

“Spring break brings a sharp increase in drunk driving incidents, and the Florida Police Chiefs Association is proud to partner with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to promote safe and responsible driving during spring break,” said Coconut Creek Police Chief Butch Arenal, President of the Association. “Drinking and driving often leads to serious injuries or fatalities, and it is imperative to educate Floridians and guests about the dangers of impaired driving. Florida’s police chiefs fully support and endorse this initiative.”

“Impaired driving is responsible for many of the traffic crashes that our deputies respond to daily in Florida,” said Sheriff Jerry Demings, President of the Florida Sheriffs Association. “Given that our primary mission is to protect the citizens that we serve, our Florida Sheriffs fully support the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles ‘Arrive Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive’ initiative this spring.”

“Any plans to celebrate with alcohol should also include a plan to get home safely,” said Amy Stracke, Managing Director of Traffic Safety Advocacy, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Choosing a designated driver is one of the best ways to avoid the dangers of impaired driving.”

Regulatory Compliance Services (RCS), a subsidiary of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA), provides risk management and regulatory compliance training to the state’s hospitality industry. RCS training programs include Responsible Vendor Training and Alcohol Compliance to educate servers and sellers on the legal manner of serving alcohol and preventing underage drinking.

“Florida is fortunate to be revered as one of the nation’s leading destinations for spring break travelers,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “Admired for our world-class hospitality industry, it is our duty to lead by example. We strongly encourage our businesses across the state to serve responsibly and provide a safe environment for all guests. As Florida’s premier provider of responsible alcohol vendor training, we are dedicated to risk management and strongly recommend that businesses and patrons take precaution during the spring break season.”

Visit DHSMV’s website for more information and resources for the Arrive Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive Spring Break campaign. The public is encouraged to report dangerous and drunk drivers by dialing *FHP (*347).

To Prepare for Tourist Season, Panama City Beach Businesses and Employees Receive FREE Responsible Vendor Training

(Panama City Beach, Fla.) – Regulatory Compliance Services (RCS), a subsidiary of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to present its 2017 Tourist Season Hospitality Workshop to promote a safe and successful tourist season. This free responsible vendor training session will bring together businesses, their employees and Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco agents to promote alcohol sales/service best practices, raise staff awareness and provide valuable resources to assist businesses during the busy season. The event will be held Monday, February 27, 2017 from 3:00-4:30 PM at the Boardwalk Beach Resort in Panama City Beach.

“In preparation for tourist season, we want to give local businesses the necessary tools and tips that cultivate a safe and enjoyable environment. We are proud to present this opportunity, free of charge, to help businesses be responsible vendors. As Florida’s premier provider of responsible alcohol vendor training, we are passionate about risk management and are excited to help serve the Panama City Beach community,” said FRLA Vice President of Education and Training, Geoff Luebkemann.

Responsible vendor training is a program offered to any entity with an alcoholic beverage license. Instructors present state-mandated content that encourages best management practices and patron safety. Participants learn about alcohol laws, avoiding serving underage patrons, and preventing over-serving patrons. The training contributes to fewer underage alcohol sales, reduced DUIs, and increased professionalism and knowledge among those selling and serving alcohol to patrons. Alcohol beverage licensees who successfully qualify and remain responsible vendors enjoy certain protections under the law for their license, and may reduce their risk liability exposure and costs.

During this event, the training will be presented by RCS in coordination with Florida’s Division of Alcohol Beverages and Tobacco.

The media is invited to attend and if planning to be present will need to contact FRLA Press Secretary at 850.224.2250 x255 or via email at [email protected].

WHAT:
2017 Tourist Season Hospitality Workshop
Includes FRLA’s RCS FREE Responsible Vendor Training

WHEN:
Monday, February 27, 2017
3:00-4:30 PM

WHERE:
Boardwalk Beach Resort
9450 South Thomas Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Businesses looking to participate in the event should contact RCS Florida Panhandle Regional Training Manager, Caitie Mook at 850-933-3764 or [email protected]. For more information about RCS please visit www.regcomplianceusa.com.

GOV. SCOTT: FLORIDA SETS ANOTHER TOURISM RECORD

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida set another record in tourism by welcoming the highest amount of visitors in the state’s history with 112.8 million visitors in 2016. This is the sixth consecutive record year for visitation to Florida, exceeding the previous high of 106.6 million in 2015 by 5.9 percent. Tourism jobs also hit a record high in 2016 of 1.4 million jobs, exceeding the previous record in 2015.

Governor Scott said, “Today, I am proud to announce that Florida has once again welcomed a record number of tourists with 112.8 million visitors to the state in 2016. Visitors spent $109 billion and supported a record 1.4 million Florida jobs in 2016 – a testament to the vital importance of tourism to our growing economy.

“I have seen firsthand how tourism impacts our state. Since I have been in office, we have made important investments in VISIT FLORIDA and broken record after record of visitors, added more than a million new residents and seen Florida’s private sector create more than 1.25 million new jobs. Unfortunately, even with these incredible successes, politicians in the Florida House are trying to eliminate VISIT FLORIDA. I don’t understand how anyone can look at Florida’s booming tourism industry, and the more than 1.4 million jobs it supports, and vote to kill it. The legislation the Florida House is pushing puts more than 1.4 million jobs at risk and we cannot let that happen. We have to fight to continue investing in our tourism industry so we can keep breaking records and adding even more jobs.

“Over the past week, I have traveled the state meeting with small business owners, economic development leaders, tourism leaders, community members and hardworking Floridians who all had a clear message – Florida’s economy needs tourism. Last year, Florida was challenged like never before as we faced the Zika virus, two hurricanes and the terror attack at Pulse Nightclub. In the face of adversity, we continued in our mission to promote our great state and thanks to the hard work of VISIT FLORIDA, we continue to see record visitors to Florida.”

In 2015, every 85 tourists supported one job. Today, VISIT FLORIDA data shows that every 76 tourists support one job – proof that tourism continues to be a major and growing influence on job creation in Florida and that we must continue to invest in this vital part of our growing economy.

VISIT FLORIDA estimates that a record 98.0 million domestic visitors traveled to Florida in 2016, reflecting a 7.3 percent increase over 2015. Estimates also show that 11.1 million overseas visitors and 3.7 million Canadians came to the Sunshine State last year. Total enplanements at 18 Florida airports during 2016 increased 4.3 percent over the previous year, with a record 83.7 million enplaned passengers. For 2016, the average daily room rate (ADR) rose 2.0 percent and the number of rooms sold grew by 1.1 percent compared to 2015.

Ken Lawson, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, said, “Six years of record-setting visitation would not be possible without a strong global marketing strategy focused on maximizing the economic impact of Florida tourism. To have achieved another tourism record in 2016 given all the challenges this state faced last year is an incredible testament to the cooperative relationship VISIT FLORIDA has with our more than 12,000 industry business partners around the state. Today’s announcement proves that sustained collective tourism marketing works and we have Governor Scott and our supporters in the Florida Legislature to thank for their unparalleled leadership over the past six years that has helped position our industry for this unprecedented success.”

For fourth quarter 2016, estimates show a record 27.6 million people visited the Sunshine State. This represents the largest fourth quarter visitation number Florida has ever seen and reflects an increase of 6.1 percent over the same period in 2015. VISIT FLORIDA also reports that an estimated 24.0 million domestic visitors, 3.0 million overseas visitors and 587,000 Canadians traveled to Florida in the fourth quarter of 2016.

William D.Talbert III, CDME, Chair of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, said, “Given the hyper-competitive global tourism marketplace, the series of challenging events the state faced and the uncertain economies of some of Florida’s key international markets, I am extremely encouraged to see that the programs VISIT FLORIDA and our statewide marketing partners conducted have resulted in another record year for visitation which ultimately supports and generates jobs throughout the state. This success in the face of tough times means it’s more important than ever to invest in smart tourism marketing.”

To view additional Florida visitor data, go the Research page on VISIT FLORIDA’s media website

*Preliminary estimates are issued 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter. Final estimates are released when final data are received for all estimates in the report.

Job Creators Network Partners with Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association

Today, the Job Creators Network (JCN) and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) announced a new partnership aimed at providing Employer-to-Employee (E2E) materials and resources to the trade association’s 10,000 members.

The FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Its mission is to protect, educate, and promote Florida’s hospitality sector—which is the state’s number one industry and employs 1.4 million people. It safeguards the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy and support.

“The Florida hospitality industry is fortunate to support 1.4 million dedicated employees who are collectively committed to its overall success. Through FRLA’s unique partnership with JCN, our employers will have the opportunity to access materials to effectively communicate with their employees the impacts of government policies,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the FRLA.

“Florida has an $108.8 billion hospitality industry, and the FRLA plays a vital role in protecting it,” said Alfredo Ortiz, President and CEO of the Job Creators Network. “Its partnership with JCN can provide it with the materials necessary to protect the industry and its employees from bad government policy that could undermine it.”

JCN will partner with FRLA on policy issues that promote business growth and job creation. More specifically, FRLA will provide E2E educational materials to their members to facilitate a conversation between employers and employees about how government policies affect their workplaces and paychecks.

FRLA Welcomes New Chairman and Executive Committee

(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is thrilled to announce their new 2017 Chairman of the Board and 2017 Executive Committee for the current calendar year. Beginning on January 1, Don Fox, Chief Executive Officer for Firehouse of America, LLC, will serve as FRLA’s 2017 Chairman of the Board. Fox will preside over the FRLA, one of the state’s largest trade associations, representing more than 10,000 members in the hospitality industry.

Fox is Chief Executive Officer of Firehouse of America, LLC, in which he leads the strategic growth of Firehouse Subs, one of America’s leading fast casual restaurant brands. Under his leadership, the brand has grown to more than 1,040 restaurants in 44 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, and is recognized as one of the best franchises in the country. Fox sits on various boards of influence in the restaurant community, and is a respected speaker, commentator, and published author. He was recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News as 2011’s Operator of the Year. In 2013, he received the prestigious Silver Plate Award from the International Food Manufacturers Association (IFMA), was recognized by FastCasual.com as the No.1 Executive in the fast-casual restaurant community, and received the National Restaurant Association’s Advocacy Leadership Award.

“Don Fox is a proven leader, with decades of restaurant experience and tremendous passion for the hospitality industry. FRLA is truly fortunate to welcome such a distinguished trailblazer to lead our association through 2017. With Chairman Fox at the helm, and our extremely proficient 2017 Executive Committee, I am confident Florida’s hospitality industry will overcome diverse challenges and enjoy numerous achievements in the year ahead,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

“I am so humbled for the opportunity serve as the Chairman of Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality trade association and excited to collaborate with several accomplished industry peers. My priority focus for the year is to motivate members of our association, and operators in the restaurant community, to concentrate on their team members and employees who really make the industry run. My overall goal will be to protect the industry from burdensome government regulations and to preserve Florida’s competitive edge as the leading destination for more than 106 million visitors,” said Don Fox, CEO of Firehouse of America, LLC and 2017 FRLA Chairman of the Board.

FRLA congratulates the following 2017 Executive Board Members:

2017 FRLA Executive Committee
Don Fox	Chairman	Firehouse of America, LLC, Jacksonville
Kevin Speidel	Vice Chair	Hilton Worldwide, Fort Lauderdale
Chau Nguyen	Secretary-Treasurer	Kobe Japanese Steakhouse, Orlando
Olivia Hoblit	Director 2016-17	Seaside Amelia Inn, Amelia Island
Alan Palmieri	Director 2017-18	Marlow’s Tavern, Orlando
Sheldon Suga	Director 2017-18	Hawk’s Cay Resort, Duck Key
Lino Maldonado	Immediate Past Chair	Wyndham Vacation Rentals, Fort Walton Beach

Learn more about the 2017 FRLA Executive Committee here.

FRLA Salutes New VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO

(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) applauds the selection of Ken Lawson as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation. A native Floridian, Ken Lawson has served as Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) since he was appointed by Governor Scott in March 2011. Previously Lawson held several senior positions with federal law enforcement agencies including Assistant Secretary of Enforcement for the Department of the Treasury, Assistant Chief Counsel for Field Operations at the Transportation Security Administration, and Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division for the Middle District of Florida (Tampa). Lawson has also served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps, Judge Advocate General’s Division. Additionally, Lawson directed international anti-money laundering, anticorruption, and counterterrorist financing projects for Booz Allen Hamilton and served as Vice-President for Compliance at nFinanSe Inc., a financial services company in Tampa. He is a graduate of Florida State University and the Florida State University College of Law.

“FRLA is extremely pleased with the selection of Ken Lawson as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of VISIT FLORIDA. Lawson is an outstanding and respected leader and I am confident he will continue the momentum of VISIT FLORIDA’s marketing efforts. The success of our hotels, restaurants and attractions contributes to a stronger state economy and creates more opportunities for families and all Floridians. The overall economic vitality of the state relies heavily on the ability of VISIT FLORIDA to attract the millions of visitors who travel to enjoy the Sunshine State. The strength of Florida’s hospitality industry relies on the state remaining competitive as a global destination, we must unite together and collectively invest in VISIT FLORIDA’s marketing efforts,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of FRLA and VISIT FLORIDA board member.

According to the EDR ROI study of VISIT FLORIDA, for every $1 the state invests in VISIT FLORIDA, the state sees a $3.20 return.

FLORIDA’S LEADING BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS FILE SUIT AGAINST MIAMI BEACH’S MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Three leading Florida business organizations filed suit today against the City of Miami Beach regarding a recently passed city ordinance to raise the minimum wage to $10.31/hour starting January 1, 2018, and increase it $1.00/year until it reaches $13.31 in 2021. The Florida Retail Federation, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Florida Chamber of Commerce filed the suit which states that the ordinance disregards a state statute which establishes the State of Florida will determine one consistent minimum wage for the entire state. This state statute allows for local government entities to adopt ordinances to exceed this wage for those working or contracting with the local government. The suit was filed by Charles Caulkins of the South Florida law firm Fisher Philips LLC.

“We don’t support any mandates in which local governments are dictating what private businesses should be paying their employees, as it should be up to each individual employer to determine what is fair and also helps their business remain competitive,” said FRF President/CEO Randy Miller. “This increase will certainly lead to lost jobs, as small businesses, which make up 80 percent of businesses in Florida, only have a finite amount of money to spend on salaries, and being forced to pay certain employees more, means cutting the salaries or jobs of others, or potentially closing the business altogether.”

“The Florida Chamber of Commerce is focused on creating good jobs and opportunity for everyone and, unfortunately, a patchwork of government wage regulations and mandates hurts job seekers, small businesses, and Florida,” said Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

“This unconstitutional mandate sets a dangerous precedent, threatens the strength of Florida’s businesses and increases costs to consumers. This is a critical issue that must be addressed to protect all of Florida’s employers, including the $89.1 billion hospitality industry which employs 1.2 million dedicated workers in the Sunshine State. The government shouldn’t dictate the relationship between an employer and employee. If this ordinance is upheld it could have severe, unintended consequences for employers and employees across the Sunshine State, and across the nation,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Texas Federal Judge Blocks Overtime Rule

Yesterday, a federal judge in Texas granted an emergency injunction against the U.S. Department of Labor’s overtime rule previously set to take effect December 1, delaying implementation of a regulation that would extend overtime eligibility to an estimated 4.2 million workers.

As finalized by the DOL in May, the rule would double the salary threshold eligibility from the current $455 per week ($23,660 per year) to $913 per week ($47,476 per year) and automatically update the salary threshold every three years, based on wage growth over time. The Labor Department estimated the overtime rule would cost the nation’s businesses $295 million per year.

In his opinion, Judge Amos Mazzant said that in issuing the rule, the Labor Department “exceeds its delegated authority and ignores Congress’s intent by raising the minimum salary threshold such that it supplants the duties test.” Under the duties test, an employee is exempt from overtime pay if he or she earns wages in excess of the salary threshold and has duties that are administrative, executive or professional. Mazzant said that “if Congress intended the salary requirement to supplant the duties test, then Congress and not the Department, should make that change.”

Read the full opinion here.

2016 Unofficial General Election Results

With hundreds of thousands of newly registered Florida voters since the last presidential election, the 2016 election cycle was certainly one of the most unprecedented elections in the state’s history. All 67 Florida counties offered early voting from October 29 through November 5, 2016, with additional days of early voting being allowed at the discretion of each county Supervisor of Elections. As early voting came to a close, nearly half of Florida’s registered voters had already cast their ballots for the general election by November 6.

For the 2016 election, all of Florida’s 40 state Senate seats were up for re-election. Currently, the Republican-controlled state Senate has 26 Republican seats compared to 14 Democratic seats. Following the 2016 general election, Republicans have 25 seats and the Democrats hold 15 Senate seats

All 120 state House seats were also up for re-election. Currently, the Republican-controlled state House has 81 Republican seats compared to 39 Democratic seats. Following the 2016 general election, the Republicans retained their majority with 79 House seats with the Democrats gaining two seats for a total of 41 House seats.

Four constitutional amendments appeared on Florida’s November 8 statewide general election ballot with only one failing to gain the necessary 60 percent vote for passage. Amendment 1, the controversial solar-energy ballot initiative, fell short of the 60 percent voter approval it needed in the general election. The ballot initiative was one of the most expensive constitutional amendment campaigns in Florida history. As of this report, the amendment had received support of only about 51 percent of voters.

For a full list of Florida’s “unofficial” 2016 General Election results:

Florida Senate
Florida House of Representatives
Florida Constitutional Amendments

For a complete list of federal, state, and local election results click here.

What You Need To Know: Florida Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rates, Minimum Wage Increase and Federal Overtime Regulations

Workers’ Compensation Rate Finalized

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) has issued a Final Order granting approval to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) for an overall combined statewide average rate increase of 14.5%. This rate increase applies to both new and renewal workers’ compensation insurance policies effective in Florida as of December 1, 2016.

NCCI received this approval after submitting an amended rate filing to the Office on October 4, 2016, which met the stipulations of an Order issued on September 27, 2016.

For more information about the NCCI public hearing and rate filing, visit the Office’s “NCCI Public Rate Hearing” webpage. To view or download a copy of the NCCI rate filing, access the I-File Forms & Rates Filing Search System and enter File Log #16-12500 into the “Quick Search” function.

Florida’s Minimum Wage increases to $8.10 per hour

The 2017 Florida minimum wage is $8.10 per hour, effective January 1, 2017. Florida law requires the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to calculate a minimum wage rate each year based on the percentage increase in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers in the South Region for the 12 month period prior to September 1, 2016. Click here for the “DEO Notice to Employees.”

Department of Labor Overtime Rule

In May 2016, DOL made drastic changes to the federal overtime regulations, which include more than doubling the salary threshold to be considered an exempt employee from $23,660 annually/$455 per week to $47,476 annually/$913 per week), resulting in greatly limited workplace flexibility and increased labor costs for restaurants across the country. Implementation begins December 1, 2016. This rule is too much, too soon.

Congress has proposed a common sense solution that will phase-in the salary threshold increase over five years. The “Overtime Reform and Review Act” would be extremely helpful as employers attempt to comply with the new regulation and absorb its impact. Act now and urge your legislators to co-sponsor S. 3464, the “Overtime Reform and Review Act.”