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Governor Ron DeSantis Awards $8.7 Million for Hurricane Ian Recovery Efforts and Workforce Education

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7 months ago

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Governor Ron DeSantis. Photo: John Raoux/AP.
MATLACHA, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $7.7 million through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant program and the Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) to support a large-scale rapid credentialing effort between three state colleges, two technical colleges, and Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs). Governor DeSantis also announced $1 million through the Florida Disaster Fund to organizations to support emergency management personnel, national guardsmen, and community members in the recovery process. Organizations awarded today include the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association, the Florida National Guard Foundation, and three community foundations. The Florida Disaster Fund has raised more than $55 million to support local recovery efforts.
“Today’s awards will help residents rebuild, help emergency management personnel and national guardsmen begin their recovery, and provide new employment opportunities for residents,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.
“Under Governor DeSantis’ bold leadership, Florida will continue to see dynamic investments that create solutions and break down silos to better support communities,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Secretary Dane Eagle. “Today’s awards will go a long way for Southwest Florida communities that are still working to get back on their feet following Hurricane Ian, and I look forward to the opportunities these programs will create for Floridians.”
“Governor DeSantis has led an unprecedented effort to expedite recovery in the areas of our state affected by Hurricane Ian,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Michelle Dennard. “The Governor’s investment will provide additional resources to connect Floridians with rewarding new careers, and we applaud the selfless service of our colleagues at CareerSource Suncoast, CareerSource Heartland, and CareerSource Southwest Florida as well as our education partners who are helping make their communities whole again.”
“Hurricane Ian caused unimaginable loss to families across Southwest Florida,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “Some will have to completely start over and others will have to go to significant lengths to mitigate the financial impact. Due to the unwavering support and leadership of Governor DeSantis, this funding will allow our educational institutions to lighten the burden and transform lives through workforce education.”
Following Hurricane Ian, several high-skill and high-wage occupations like trucking and logistics, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, and diesel maintenance will be needed in the region. Funding awarded today will help students graduate with Commercial Driving Licenses and provide opportunities for short-term, high-impact training in manufacturing and technology. This initiative also focuses on the development of rapid credentialing programs in welding, logistics, and aviation maintenance throughout the impacted counties in Southwest Florida.
Funding highlights include:
$7.7 million through WIOA and the JGGF to administer funding for rapid credentialing programs.
  • State College of Florida ($2,940,000) – for the commercial driver license credentialing program.
  • Florida Southwestern College (1,980,000) – for information technology credentialing programs.
  • South Florida State College ($618,842) – for commercial driver license, welding, and tractor programs.
  • Fort Myers Technical College ($973,000) – for diesel maintenance mechanic and Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) programs.
  • Cape Coral Technical College ($200,000) – for practical nursing credentialing programs.
  • $482,000 through the Governor’s Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to support credentialing program equipment needs across the five awarded educational institutions.
  • $1 million to CareerSource Suncoast, CareerSource Heartland, and CareerSource Southwest Florida to provide training and support for rapid credentialing programs.
The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector, and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
Organizations awarded funds from the Florida Disaster Fund today are:
  • $500,000 to the Florida National Guard Foundation.
  • $125,000 to the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association which represents emergency management professionals across the state.
  • $125,000 to the Collier County Community Foundation.
  • $125,000 to the Charlotte County Community Foundation.
  • $125,000 to Collaboratory, a community foundation helping communities across Southwest Florida.
Funds awarded to the community foundations will be utilized for local efforts to repair and rebuild homes in Southwest Florida.

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North Florida News

Minority House Leader Fentrice Driskell on Governor DeSantis Presidential Campaign Announcement

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7 days ago

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May 24, 2023

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, in response to Governor Ron DeSantis’ flawed campaign announcement via Twitter, Leader Fentrice Driskell (D- Tampa) issued the following statement:

“How can Ron DeSantis expect to be our nation’s president after he’s failed Florida? He’s leaving behind a state where he stoked division, ignored families’ problems, and focused his energies on his own ambition.

This man does not embody the characteristics we need in a president. He’s a temperamental bully, who punches down on those who dare to disagree with him.

Not surprisingly, America doesn’t seem to be buying what he’s selling. His polling numbers have declined in recent weeks as people have gotten to know who he really is. They’ve seen him sign an extremist abortion ban, pushed a soft-on-crime permitless carry law, and picked a bizarre fight with Disney that hardly anyone cares about.

Despite his announcement’s technical problems, today was historic: Ron DeSantis’ relentless ambition has pushed him to declare his intention to be the second-place finisher in the GOP primary for President of the United States of America.”

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North Florida News

Florida Black GOP Reps. Berny Jacques, Kiyan Michael and Webster Barnaby Slams Black Caucus on NAACP Travel Advisory

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7 days ago

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May 24, 2023

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Florida State Representative Berny Jacques attends a House Committee Hearing during opening day of the 2023 Legislative Session. Photo by J Willie David, III / Florida National News

Tallahassee, FL – Today, Representatives . released a joint statement responding to a statement released by the Legislative Black Caucus which incorrectly included their names and misrepresented their membership in the organization.

 

State Rep. Berny Jacques | State Rep. Kiyan Michael | State Rep. Webster Barnaby

“It’s been brought to our attention that the Florida Legislative Black Caucus used our names in a letter supporting the ridiculous NAACP travel advisory. We never gave permission for our names to be used, and we strongly disavow both the NAACP travel advisory and the Black Caucus statement.

Furthermore, we are not members of the Black Caucus nor do we have any interest in becoming members. We call on the Black Caucus to end any usage of our names that would suggest that we are members or in agreement with their agenda.

We strongly stand with Governor DeSantis in his fight against woke ideology. His leadership in Florida has led to expanded school choice, record low crime rates, and record low unemployment. These are results that all Floridians can be proud of!”

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North Florida News

Governor DeSantis Receives 38 Bills from the Florida Legislature

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1 week ago

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May 23, 2023

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FILE - Governor Ron DeSantis (R-Florida) answers questions about the Reedy Creek Improvement District during his press conference in The Villages, in which he announced legislation to lower drug prices at the Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center Thursday, January 12, 2023. Photo: J. Willie David III/Florida National News file photo.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis received the following bills from the Florida Legislature. The Governor has until June 7, 2023, to act on these bills.
CS/CS/SB 306 – Catalytic Converters
CS/CS/SB 376 – Automatic Sealing of Criminal History Record and Making Confidential and Exempt Related Court Records
CS/SB 384 – Violent Offenses Committed Against Criminal Defense Attorneys
SB 508 – Problem-Solving Courts
CS/SB 552 – Public Records
CS/SB 612 – The Blood Clot and Pulmonary Embolism Policy Workgroup
CS/SB 664 – Contracts Entered into by the Department of Children and Families
CS/SB 726 – Library Cooperative Grants
CS/CS/SB 770 – Residential Loan Alternative Agreements
CS/CS/SB 1480 – Grants for Nonprofit Organization Safety
SB 7006 – A Review under the Open Government Sunset Review Act
CS/SB 7024 – Retirement
CS/SB 7050 – Elections
CS/CS/HB 67 – Protection of Specified Personnel
CS/HB 133 – Fees in Lieu of Security Deposits
CS/HB 179 – Florida Kratom Consumer Protection
CS/HB 199 – Ethics Requirements for Officers and Employees of Special Tax Districts
CS/HB 319 – Interference with Sporting or Entertainment Events
CS/HB 341 – 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Certifications
CS/CS/HB 365 – Controlled Substances
CS/HB 385 – Professional Counselors Licensure Compact
CS/CS/CS/HB 391 – Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children
CS/CS/CS/HB 425 – Transportation
CS/HB 431 – Solicitation of Minors to Commit Lewd or Lascivious Acts
HB 441 – Removal of Unknown Parties in Possession
HB 641 – Restoration of Osborne Reef
CS/HB 667 – Victims of Crime
CS/CS/HB 783 – Opioid Abatement
HB 825 – Assault of Battery on Hospital Personnel
HB 829 – Operation and Administration of the Baker Act
CS/HB 959 – Dosage Form Animal Health Products
CS/HB 965 – Driver License, Identification card, and Motor Vehicle Registration
CS/CS/HB 1123 – Commercial Service Airport Transparency and Accountability
CS/CS/CS/HB 1209 – Rural Development
CS/HB 1221 – Broadband Internet Service Providers
CS/HB 1397 – Regional Transportation Planning
CS/HB 7041 – Space Florida
HB 7063 – Taxation

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