Partnership with Diamond Aircraft Industries Includes Coordination with Students, Faculty and Facility at University’s Research and Technology Park Today at the 50th Annual International Paris Air Show, Governor Rick Scott announced that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University president Dr. John P. Johnson and Diamond Aircraft Industries’ CEO and owner Christian Dries signed a partnership agreement that will [...]

Today, Governor Rick Scott celebrated Embraer’s announcement of aircraft orders for as many as 365 twin-engine passenger jetliners. Embraer’s U.S. headquarters is based in Ft. Lauderdale. Gov Scott said, “We are proud of Embraer’s success at the air show today. Embraer is the first foreign airplane manufacturer to build planes in the U.S. and they [...]

Following up from recent letters to Minnesota, Illinois, California, Connecticut, New York and Maryland business owners urging them to book a one-way ticket to Florida, Governor Rick Scott contacted Kentucky businesses last week. Governor Scott is urging them to come to the Sunshine State to take advantage of Florida’s business-friendly environment. Governor Scott said, “Kentucky’s [...]

Governor Rick Scott awarded 14 Florida companies and business leaders with the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award during his business development mission to the Paris Air Show. Governor Scott presented the 14 awards during the Grand Opening of the Florida Pavilion. The Governor’s Business Ambassador Awards are presented to companies for their commitment to expanding business [...]

Pavilion showcases Florida-based aerospace and aviation companies to international audience   Today, Governor Rick Scott was joined by Frederico Curado, President and CEO of Embraer, Gary Spulak, President of Embraer Aircraft Holding, Inc., Gray Swoope, Secretary of Commerce, as well as leaders from Florida’s aviation and aerospace industries to open the Florida Pavilion at the 2013 [...]

Today Governor Scott vetoed HB 265, a bill regarding Florida Wildflower License Plates. The veto letter is below and available in a PDF here.   June 14, 2013 Secretary Kenneth W. Detzner Secretary of State Florida Department of State R.A. Gray Building 500 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399   Dear Secretary Detzner: By the [...]

Today Governor Scott vetoed HB 249, a bill regarding public records exemptions. The veto letter is below and available in a PDF here.   June 14, 2013 Secretary Kenneth W. Detzner Secretary of State Florida Department of State R.A. Gray Building 500 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399   Dear Secretary Detzner: By the authority [...]

Governor Rick Scott signed the following bills into law today: HB 55             Deceptive & Unfair Trade Practices – This bill amends current law to create a pre-suit process for claims against a motor vehicle dealer alleging unfair or deceptive trade practices. HB 57             Department of Business & Professional Regulation  - This bill allows the Department [...]

- 1115 waiver allows for enhanced consumer protections, quality of care and access for Floridians-  Gov. Rick Scott today announced the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) gave final approval to amend the 1115 waiver demonstration, which allows the state to extend an improved model of managed care to all counties in Florida [...]

Business development mission provides opportunity to showcase Florida’s competitive advantages in aviation and aerospace   From June 16-21, 2013, Governor Rick Scott will lead a delegation of nearly 80 Florida-based aviation, aerospace and defense companies, educational institutions and economic development agencies to the 50th International Paris Air Show. The bi-annual Air Show is recognized as the [...]

Amazon poised to create more than 3,000 jobs in the state Governor Rick Scott and Amazon today announced Amazon’s proposal to create more than 3,000 full time jobs with benefits and more than $300 million in investment in Florida by the end of 2016. Governor Scott said, “Amazon’s commitment to create more than 3,000 new [...]

Governor Rick Scott today presented a “Great Floridian” award to Dr. Charlotte E. Maguire at the Florida State University College of Medicine. Dr. Charlotte Maguire began practicing medicine in 1944 and opened a pediatric practice in Orlando in 1946, which she ran for 22 years. During the 1970s, Dr. Maguire was one of the highest ranking [...]

Today Governor Scott vetoed SB 1420, a bill regarding mental health treatment. Florida’s First Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Eddins, President of the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, said “Governor Scott did the right thing in vetoing SB 1420.  While some elements of the bill were worthy, reducing the time before charges against individuals deemed incompetent [...]

Today Governor Scott vetoed HB 725, a bill regarding Public Records and Public Meetings Exemptions. The veto letter is below and available in a PDF here.   June 12, 2013 Secretary Kenneth W. Detzner Secretary of State Florida Department of State R.A. Gray Building 500 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399   Dear Secretary Detzner: [...]

Governor Rick Scott signed the following bills into law today: HB 347          Alcoholic Beverages – The bill allows craft distillers in the state to sell two bottles of their product to each consumer on their premises. HB 573          Manufactured and Mobile Homes  - The bill relates to insurance policies covering specified structures attached to [...]

Governor Rick Scott today presented a “Great Floridian” award to Brenda Schwarzkopf on behalf of her late husband United States General and Commander Norman Schwarzkopf. General Schwarzkopf was Commander in Chief of U.S. Forces in Operation Desert Shield and remained active with local community efforts and charities until his passing in December 2012. Governor Scott said, [...]

On Saturday, Governor Rick Scott presented a “Great Floridian” award to world-renowned Florida author Patrick Smith. The “Great Floridian” designation is given in recognition of the outstanding achievements of men and women who have made significant contributions to the progress and welfare of Florida. Governor Scott said, “Patrick Smith touches the hearts of readers with [...]

-First Public Meeting on Citizens IG Announced for June- Following Governor Rick Scott’s signing of SB 1770 into law, the Governor tasked Chief Inspector General Melinda Miguel with conducting a nationwide search for the new Citizens Inspector General. This bold reform is a key part of the legislation which reforms Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the [...]

Governor Rick Scott today celebrated mega-site certification by McCallum Sweeney Consulting for the Crawford Diamond Industrial Park in Nassau County.  Crawford Diamond Industrial Park, an 1,800-acre industrial site with rare dual Class I rail access, became the state’s second certified site and the first in Nassau County.  Because of this site certification, businesses can be [...]

Today, Governor Rick Scott signed HB 113 making it a third-degree felony for an adult to knowingly distribute harmful materials to a minor on public or private school property, or post harmful material on public or private school property. Governor Scott was joined by Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho and school board members of Miami-Dade County [...]

Security company shatters growth predictions and creates 500 jobs in two years  Today, Governor Rick Scott was joined by GardaWorld Cash Services President and Chief Operating Officer Christopher Jamroz to announce that GardaWorld has hired 500 employees throughout Florida just two years after moving its U.S. headquarters to Boca Raton Florida from California. Governor Scott [...]

Following the news that the Florida State University and the University of Florida’s Boards of Trustees voted to increase tuition on Florida students, Governor Rick Scott made the following statement: Governor Scott said, “I applaud University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft and USF’s Board of Trustees for holding the line on tuition and ensuring [...]

Governor Rick Scott signed the following bills into law today: HB 77           Landlords & Tenants  – This bill makes numerous changes to the “Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act” which governs the relationship between landlords and tenants under a residential rental agreement. HB 87             Mortgage Foreclosures – To view the transmittal letter for HB 87 click [...]

Today, Governor Rick Scott made the following statement on the joint American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) and James Madison Institute’s (JMI) report on the Florida’s State University System.  In its report, Florida Rising: An Assessment of Public Universities in the Sunshine State available here, ACTA and JMI provide critical statistics on the impact [...]

Governor Rick Scott today announced that the mission participants on the trade mission to Santiago, Chile have reported more than $39 million in expected sales. These results come from 19 Florida companies that were matched one on one with potential Chilean clients during the mission. Governor Scott said, “During last month’s trade mission to Chile, [...]

Governor Rick Scott signed the following bill into law today: SB 120           Condominiums – This bill amends various provisions of the Florida Condominium Act and revises the trigger point for various procedural time periods related to condominium developers and unit owners. To view the transmittal letter click HERE.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott expressed concerns that sequestration cuts to the National Guard could slow down the response time of first responders during a storm. Yesterday, Governor Rick Scott called on US Senators Rubio and Nelson to help restore funding cut from the National Guard as a result of the federal budget [...]

Governor Rick Scott signed the following bills into law today: HB 49            Drug Paraphernalia – This bill establishes criminal penalties for knowingly selling glass pipes and bongs for smoking illegal drugs. HB 311          Costs of Prosecution, Investigation and Representation – This bill supports efforts to stabilize Florida’s housing market. HB 457          Collection of Worthless Payment [...]

Today, Governor Rick Scott called on US Senators Rubio and Nelson to help restore funding cut from the National Guard as a result of the federal budget sequestration, and remove this imminent threat to Florida’s emergency response functions during hurricane season. THE LETTER TO SENATORS RUBIO AND NELSON IS ATTACHED AND BELOW: Dear Senators Rubio [...]