March 18, 2013, Breadenton.com — The Jacksonville Jaguars are getting initial support from state legislators to help pay for improvements to EverBank Field.A Florida Senate panel on Tuesday unanimously approved a measure (SB 922) that would guarantee $2 million a year for the next 30 years to help pay for stadium upgrades.The bill still has two more stops before it reaches the full Senate. Read more..

March 18, 2013, Written by Jim Stratton, Orlando Sentinel – Florida’s unemployment rate dipped to 7.8 percent in January, falling below the national jobless rate for the first time in five years, officials said Monday. The rate, down just a bit from December’s revised jobless rate of 7.9 percent, is at its lowest level since November 2008. And since December 2010, Florida businesses have created 282,200 private-sector jobs as the state’s economy slowly heals from the worst recession since the Great Depression. Read more…

(Source: South Florida Business Journal)

New bills under consideration by the Florida Legislature would ease the regulatory burden for restaurants statewide that have a good record with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

According to the bills (HB-795 and SB-842), the department’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants will be permitted to adopt rules for a risk-based inspection process for all licensed food service businesses.

Essentially, the bill will allow regulators to focus on establishments that pose a higher risk to the public, effectively reducing the regulatory burden for businesses that have a positive compliance history with the department.

State Rep. Mike La Rosa, R-St. Cloud, and state Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, sponsored the bill.

“The inspection process won’t change,” said Sandi Poreda, director of communications for the DBPR. “The forms will be the same and the food code won’t change. Instead, it’ll be the frequency at which the callbacks happen. Our inspectors will be freed up to check back with those restaurants that pose a higher risk to the public.”

If the legislation passes, the department will be able to use its 186 state inspectors to focus on repeat offenders by conducting more unannounced inspections.

The department normally performs two unannounced inspections a year on the state’s 45,000 licensed food establishments.

The department also keeps track of establishments that did not have any sanitation or safety violations within the past year. During the week of March 18, 35 restaurants were on the list – the highest amount so far this year, Poreda said.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supports the bill’s push for risk-based inspections, vice president Geoff Luebkemann said.

“If a place that has proven over the course of how many inspections, and they establish that they get it and are executing it, then they earn a lower level of scrutiny,” he said. “The FRLA has been on the record of supporting a robust and effective inspection system. One bad foodborne illness outbreak hurt the entire industry, and not just the business.”

The House bill has passed the Business and Professional Regulation Subcommittee and will head next to the Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee. The Senate bill has passed the Regulated Industries Committee and will head next to the General Government Appropriates Subcommittee.

To see the article: click here.

Governor Rick Scott today announced that since Dec. 2010, Florida has created 294,200 private-sector jobs and Florida’s February 2013 unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 7.7 percent – the lowest since October 2008. Governor Scott made the announcement at Amcor Rigid Plastics USA Inc. in Orlando, a plastics manufacturing company, which opened a new 500,000 sq-ft manufacturing facility in January, hiring 29 employees with a capital investment of $20 million.

Governor Scott said, “With an unemployment rate of 7.7 percent, the lowest in more than four years, and nearly 300,000 private sector jobs created over the last two years, we have proof that IT’S WORKING. Our efforts to reduce taxes, pay down state debt and grow the economy, demonstrates our success in growing jobs for Florida families. While today’s announcement is great news, we know we have more work to do to ensure that every Florida family that wants a job can get one.”

Over the month, the state experienced an increase of 7,700 private-sector jobs, while 139,200 private sector jobs have been created since February 2012. Since Governor Scott took office, the state’s unemployment rate has dropped 3.4 percentage points, the second largest drop in the nation.

More Jobs Being Created
• Florida has experienced positive annual job growth now for 31 consecutive months.
• Florida job postings increased in February 2013 compared to the previous February by 21,366 (+8.8 percent), for a total of 263,240 openings (seasonally adjusted) according to the Help Wanted OnLine data series from the Conference Board.
• Florida’s job growth month-to-month has been positive for 19 of the last 20 months.
• Florida is expected to create more than 900,000 new jobs by 2018, according to the Florida Economic Estimating Conference.
• The number of available online job openings in STEM-related (sciences, technology, engineering, and math) fields in Florida have increased since last year, up 10.4 percent, for a total of 57,488 postings in February 2013.

Unemployment Continues to Decline
• Florida’s unemployment rate has now declined year-over-year for 28 consecutive months.

Home Sales Robust 
• Home sales remain robust as the backlog of existing homes on the market is down by 32 percent from February 2012 (Florida Realtors).
• Florida housing starts were up over the year in January 2013 (the most recent month available) by 52.6 percent and median home prices were up 12.8 percent in February 2013 over the year.

Economic Growth Trends Up Across State
• A recent U.S. Census Survey reported that Florida experienced an influx of people moving into the state. Florida also led the nation in migrations from Puerto Rico.
• Florida is running a trade surplus of over $24 billion – with $86.8 billion in exports and $62.4 billion in imports in 2011, up from $73.1 billion in exports in 2010 and $53.2 billion in imports in 2010.

Workforce Boards Assisting in Employment 
• In February, the state’s 24 Regional Workforce Boards reported more than 38,000 Floridians placed in jobs.
• More than 426,000 Floridians were placed in jobs in 2012, with 111,173 former claimants finding employment.

To watch the announcement: CLICK HERE.
To view the February 2013 monthly employment data visit:www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.

Joined by Consulates General from countries in South America, Europe and North America, Governor Rick Scott today signed HB 7059 by Representative Daniel Davis relating to drivers licensing into law. The first bill this year to reach Governor Scott’s desk, HB 7059 repeals a law requiring an International Driving Permit for all foreign drivers visiting Florida.

Governor Scott said, “Florida is committed to being the number one tourist destination in the world, and signing this bill into law will ensure that our international visitors continue to come to Florida. Florida has had two consecutive years of record visitation to Florida, which has created thousands of jobs for Florida families.”

“Tourists from all over the world should be able to visit our state and see everything we have to offer,” said Representative Davis. “I thank Governor Scott for his support of this bill and I am proud to join him in this bill signing event.”

Co-Sponsor, Senator Jeff Brandes said, “I am proud that Governor Scott joined the legislature in supporting this bill. This new law will allow all visitors to enjoy what we take advantage of every day here in Florida, while also adding to our economy and supporting jobs for Floridians.”

Representatives from AAA-The Auto Club Group and the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) also joined Governor Scott in signing this bill into law.

“AAA applauds this swift action by the Florida Legislature and Governor Rick Scott repealing the 2012 law that required an International Driving Permit for all foreign drivers,” said Kevin Bakewell, chief public affairs officer for AAA.”This repeal illustrates the state’s commitment to remaining a top US destination for international tourists, including our Canadian neighbors, many of whom call Florida their winter home.”

“Effective immediately, Canadians in Florida can go back to doing what they have always been able to do – drive with peace of mind in the Sunshine State using their provincial driver’s license,” said Jeff Walker, CAA Vice President of Public Affairs. “CAA is pleased that the voices of its members and others were listened to by state officials, and that the state of Florida has removed any uncertainty.”

Will Seccombe, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA said, “Last year, the Florida tourism industry welcomed nearly 14 million visitors from 181 countries who spent $15 billion. We thank Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature for taking quick action to ensure our vital international visitors continue to feel welcome in the Sunshine State.”

Kevin McGurgan, Consul General of the UK said, “I welcome the repeal of the international driving license law. If implemented, this legislation would have unnecessarily affected many of the 1.5 million UK nationals who visit Florida annually.”

The Consulate of Italy said, “We applaud the Governor and Legislature for their quick action in repealing this burdensome requirement, which had raised concerns among many Italians traveling to Florida for business or pleasure. This action will certainly enhance Florida as both a tourism and a business destination for Italian citizens.”

Eva Alexandra Kendeffy, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany said, “The German Consulate General is very pleased that Florida has repealed the international driver license law. This will create legal certainty and facilitate German tourism to Florida. A substantial number of German tourists visit Florida’s manifold attractions and beautiful beaches every year. They will highly appreciate this measure.”

Eliminating the Tax on Manufacturing Equipment
Governor Scott signed the bill at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s International Days, where he also highlighted the importance of eliminating the sales tax on manufacturing equipment and supporting Florida ports, in order to maximize Florida’s international trade.

To view a video message from Governor Scott regarding this bill signing, click here. 

(Source: The Gainesville Sun, April 5, 2013)

The Gainesville Sun’s recent coverage of wage theft in Alachua County has led the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division to plan an upcoming investigation into the issue in the Gainesville-area restaurant industry.

The Jacksonville district office of the Wage and Hour Division plans to launch an investigation to determine if wage theft is a problem among local restaurants, said District Director Michael Young. The office decided to investigate as a result of The Sun’s reporting.

Common forms of wage theft include mandatory off-the-clock work and tips-only compensation. The Alachua County Commission is considering an ordinance that would allow the county to mediate worker-employer disputes over unpaid wages.

Typically, the Jacksonville district office targets a specific industry or geographical area for investigation — in this case, both — to determine whether wage theft is widespread. If the initial investigation indicates a problem, the office will expand its investigation accordingly to cover more establishments or a wider region.

To read more click here. 

(Source: The Florida Current, April 8, 2013)

A bill to create a task force to recommend a statewide employee medical leave policy and which would prohibit local ordinances Monday continued its march to the Senate floor.

The Judiciary Committee approved the measure after listening to 20 minutes of public testimony from several Orange County residents. SB 726 emerges while Orange and Miami-Dade counties are considering sick-time measures. The Florida Chamber, Associated Industries of Florida and the Retail Federation all registered their support for the measure.

Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, said his proposal aims to create a statewide policy on sick leave so that businesses don’t have to navigate a myriad of regulations passed by city and county governments.

“This is an issue that cries out for uniformity of regulations,” Simmons said. “I submit to you this bill provides for uniformity. The issue that is being determined by the task force that is created is what kind of policy the state of Florida should adopt.”

To read more click here.

(Source: The Associated Press, 4/10/13)

Up to 1,000 strip-mall parlors where people can play slot-like computer games became illegal Wednesday in Florida, with the governor signing a ban on the heels of a federal investigation into a charity that authorities say was an illegal gambling front.

The law took effect immediately after Gov. Rick Scott signed it, roughly a month after nearly 60 people were arrested in connection with the racketeering investigation into Allied Veterans of the World. The arrests prompted the resignation of former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, who did consulting work for the group but has not been accused of wrongdoing.

The Legislature and governor acted with dizzying speed, leaving many questions as to the law’s impact and how the centers known as Internet cafes would react. The ban is also expected to directly affect adult amusement arcades that cater to senior citizens.

Scott, who quietly signed the bill behind closed doors, called the ban the “right thing to do for our state.”

Enforcing the ban will fall to local authorities. But some arcade operators said they weren’t taking any chances.

Johnny Figueria, manager of the Tropicana Bingo & Arcade in Hialeah, said nearly 100 machines were shut down Tuesday as a precaution until he and other arcade managers understood the law.

“This law will affect everyone here,” he said in Spanish. “There are people who come here in the morning to play bingo and then stay later to play the machines until their son comes to pick them up, so they won’t be home alone.”

To read more: click here.

(April 16, 2013)

The Florida House and Senate announced the joint selection of Spectrum Gaming Group to complete a two-part study of gaming in Florida to assist the Legislature in better understanding the economic, fiscal, and social impacts of possible changes in Florida’s gaming environment.

“Spectrum has extensive experience in providing independent studies of gaming in a variety of jurisdictions, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Ohio,” said Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel). “I look forward to reviewing their report as we take a holistic view of the role gaming plays in Florida’s economy.”

The gaming study will provide a comprehensive analysis of gaming market information, to include: an assessment of the Florida gaming industry and its economic and social effects; an assessment of various potential changes in the gaming industry and their potential economic and social effects (including effects on other areas of the economy); and a statistical analysis of relationships between gaming and economic variables for communities.

“The Florida Lottery, Seminole casinos, and gaming activities at licensed pari-mutuel facilities generate substantial economic activity; however, the State’s management of these activities has been focused on piecemeal changes, not a comprehensive policy that integrates gaming into the broader Florida economy,” said Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville). “This study will help House and Senate committees comprehensively examine gaming issues, including those that will affect the scheduled renegotiation of the Seminole Gaming Compact.”

“Spectrum is honored by this selection, as we realize the importance of this study to Florida’s policymakers in so many ways, from the future of its tourism industry to the quality of life for its citizens,” said Michael Pollock, Spectrum Gaming Group’s Managing Director.

The gaming study is divided into sub-parts, which will be addressed in separate reports delivered in July and October. The total cost of the two-part gaming study is $388,845. A complete description of the scope of work is contained at pages 11-13 of the Invitation to Negotiate, which can be found via the Gaming Study Home Page.

Spectrum’s project team includes: Dr. Howard Shaffer, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Division on Addiction at The Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate; Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI); Doug Walker, Associate Professor of Economics at the College of Charleston; and, Lori Pennington-Gray, Associate Director of the Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute at the University of Florida.

Procurement Process

The Legislature conducted a competitive procurement process to select a vendor. An Invitation to Negotiate was issued in February. Seven vendors submitted replies by the deadline. An evaluation team composed of House and Senate staff reviewed the proposals in detail and selected three vendors for continued negotiations (Spectrum Gaming Group, The Innovation Group, and MGT of America). After negotiations, House and Senate staff provided recommendations to the Speaker Weatherford and President Gaetz, respectively, regarding the selection of a vendor to provide the highest overall value to the Florida Legislature.

For more information on the gaming study and procurement process, please visit the Gaming Study Home Page located at http://www.leg.state.fl.us/GamingStudy.