Dear Friends & Neighbors,

The final week of Committee meetings leading up to the 2015 Legislative Session, which starts on Tuesday, March 3rd, took place in Tallahassee this past week. We have continued to take important steps toward achieving our Work Plan 2015 goals.

As we approach the start of the 2015 Legislative Session, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to take important steps to improve the great State of Florida. I will continue to keep you up-to-date with periodic newsletters letting you know about important bills under consideration and any new laws that are passed.

I'd like to hear from you... Please take a few moments to complete this online survey about important issues facing Florida.

I look forward to continuing to serve our district in Tallahassee and as always, please feel free to contact me or my office whenever we can be of assistance. 

Kind Regards,

JAKE

Florida Breaks Tourism Record with 97.3 Million Visitors in 2014

In 2014, a record-breaking 97.3 million people from across the United States and the world visited Florida. According to VISIT FLORIDA, this represents a 3.9% increase from 2013, the previous record high. A record setting 1.13 million Floridians were also employed in tourism-related professions in 2014, a 3.6% increase from the previous year. In addition, tourism/travel related spending increased 7.7% to $74.5 billion.

I believe this is great news for our state and shows that Florida is an incredible destination to visit. In addition to out of state visitors, Floridians enjoyed traveling and exploring Florida, taking a record 20.2 million in-state trips last year. Though Florida is a beautiful destination to visit, it is so much more. In my opinion, Florida is also a top destination to work, start a business, and raise a family. I will continue to work with my colleagues to make Florida a destination for visitors and residents alike.

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Comprehensive Water Policy Bill Takes Next Step

The House Appropriations Committee took the next step toward addressing Florida’s current and future water challenges by passing HB 7003 relating to Water Resources (previously named PCB SAC 15-01).  Developing a long-term, comprehensive approach to Florida’s water challenges is a major part of the House and Senate’s Work Plan 2015 joint agenda. The bill builds upon the existing foundation of science-based assessment and establishment of water supply and resource development plans, total maximum daily loads, basin management action plans, minimum flows and levels, and recovery and prevention strategies to protect and restore priority springs and other waterbodies. 

Water is a precious natural resource and an essential component of two drivers of our state’s economy—agriculture and tourism. I applaud the efforts of the House to take a long-term approach to solving water challenges across our state. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that Florida has abundant, clean water to meet the needs of future generations and our natural systems. 

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Adoption and Foster Care Bill Passes First Committee

Advancing permanency, stability, and well-being among children in the child welfare system is a major part of the House and Senate’s Work Plan 2015 joint agenda.  This week, the House Health and Human Services Committee took the first step towards improving the adoption of children from foster care by passing Proposed Committee Bill HHSC 15-01.

The bill creates adoption incentive awards for community based care agencies that increase the number and quality of adoptions.  It also creates a new benefit for state employees who adopt children within the child welfare system to offset the cost of caring for the child.  Finally, the bill provides for the Governor to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations who promote the adoption of children within the child welfare system.

 I applaud the efforts of the House to improve the adoption of children within the child welfare system across our state. I look forward to working with my colleagues to help more children find forever families. Stronger families lead to a stronger Florida.

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Speaking to members of the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscapers Association

Glad to have physical therapist Linda Eargle from Sun City Center stop by our office this week.