Friends, some very serious questions will be answered by you this November and never have the prospects for Florida’s future been in more stark contrast as we are looking at two very different visions in the Governor’s race. Ron DeSantis (R) represents a solid free enterprise, strong Florida and strong America plan, based on close alignment with our President’s worldview. It is a path of protecting core American values of faith, family, freedom and opportunity. This path has led to unprecedented economic stability, job growth, low unemployment, government financial stability (Florida is currently #1), lowest violent crime rate in 47 years, and significant investments in making capital welcome. [Read more…]

Under the Florida Information Protection Act, Florida residents are supposed to be notified if they are a victim of a data breach within 30 days. Given how expansive and complex our use of cyber platforms have become, we must take every precaution to protect the personal information of Floridians, and frankly all Americans, from being exposed and used against them.

This week, I along with 49 other attorneys general and the District of Columbia, reached a major settlement with the ride-sharing transportation company, Uber, after they allegedly failed to report a 2016 breach of their drivers’ personal information.

While it appears that no sensitive information was dispersed, Uber did not alert its drivers or report the incident until a year later. People with compromised information need to be alerted immediately so they can take steps and guard against identity theft and potential financial losses. [Read more…]

Oct 5, 2018

This week, I hosted Florida’s 2018 Human Trafficking Summit bringing together local, state and national leaders in the fight to eradicate trafficking. Hundreds of Floridians dedicated to this fight attended the one-day summit in Orlando, including law enforcement, prosecutors, survivors, advocates, educators, counselors and more.

Florida’s annual summit allows us to share strategies about identifying, reporting, investigating, and prosecuting trafficking cases. It also allows us to continue our collaborative efforts to help victims become survivors.

To view the opening session of the summit, click here.

We have gained a lot of ground in this battle. Since taking office in 2011, we’ve strengthened human trafficking laws, prosecuted traffickers, improved reporting practices and worked together to identify and develop resources to help survivors. [Read more…]

Horror unfolded in a Jacksonville pizzeria last Sunday. While gamers competed in a video game tournament, one contestant took out a weapon and began firing at competitors. The attack ended in a matter of minutes leaving three dead, including the shooter, and several more injured.

First responders participating in a nearby training exercise rushed to the scene and immediately began rendering aid to victims of the shooting. Local law enforcement began clearing the scene. I immediately sent my victim advocates to help the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office counsel survivors, offer trauma services and assist with medical expenses. While in Jacksonville following the shooting, I also had the opportunity to visit with some of the victims and hear their stories.

While the malevolent and cowardly acts of the shooter have left many broken and hurting, it has also brought the Jacksonville community closer and highlighted the brave efforts of first responders, law enforcement and giving people across our country. [Read more…]

August 24, 2018
Last Sunday, Clay County Deputy Ben Zirbel sustained critical injuries from a motorcycle accident. Just three days later, we learned that he passed away from those injuries. Every time I hear about a brave law enforcement officer getting critically injured while protecting our communities, it takes my breath away. My deepest sympathies go out to Deputy Zirbel’s family, friends and the entire Clay County law enforcement community.

May you rest in peace deputy.

This week, we filed legal action against a Florida travel agency that collected millions from consumers, then failed to provide promised vacations. Legendary Journeys, a now-shuttered Sarasota-based travel agency, still owes customers nationwide more than $3 million in refunds.

According to our legal complaint, Legendary Journeys and two of the company’s officers misappropriated company assets for personal benefit before closing, then filed an assignment for the benefit of creditors—a legal proceeding similar to bankruptcy. The defendants took money paid by consumers for vacation packages and used it to pay personal expenses and make extra payroll distributions. [Read more…]

~$50 million toward fixes for federal Herbert Hoover Dike, $700,000 for Lee County~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) have reached an agreement on a $50 million state investment to fund repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike. This agreement follows a $50 million investment made earlier this year, bringing the State of Florida’s total investment in this federal project to $100 million. After decades of federal inaction, Gov. Scott fought to secure this state funding and secured a commitment from the White House to provide the federal funds to fix the Herbert Hoover Dike. The funding will accelerate critical repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee. Once completed, this project will reduce the need for harmful water releases from the Army Corps of Engineers by allowing more water to be stored in Lake Okeechobee. [Read more…]

Friends,

It is a great day to live in America! This week, across the State of Florida, school has begun again. There is much anticipation and excitement from students, parents and teachers. Excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, and that we live in a great country where anything is possible. A country where a young man who got his start washing cars at Hiers funeral home, could go to school, get a degree and one day become the principle of that company. That same man is now your State Senator, and it is an honor and privilege to serve you in Tallahassee. This is the final column of a short series that has highlighted many of our accomplishments since joining the Senate in 2016.

Last year, your Senator was awarded an “A” by the Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida (ICUF) in recognition of our continued support for higher education in the 2018 legislative session. The ICUF is a diverse association of 29 private, not-for-profit, educational institutions based in Florida that serve more the 130,000 students. [Read more…]

July 27, 2018

The days of Florida being called the Pill Mill Capital of the Country are now behind us and we are making significant strides to combat the national opioid crisis. As a state and nation, we still face significant challenges exacerbated by heroin, fentanyl and other deadly drugs. Illegally sold prescription pills also continue to fuel addiction in our country.

This week, my office and the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested Dr. Armando Falcon and two office managers following a lengthy undercover investigation. According to the investigation, Dr. Falcon operated a pill mill at the Pain Center of Cutler Bay, a pain management center in South Florida. The investigation determined that Dr. Falcon met with patients for less than two minutes before prescribing in many cases approximately 150, 30 mg, oxycodone pills—earning millions as a result of his criminal enterprise. [Read more…]

from the desk of Florida State Senaor Baxley

Friends, Washington D.C. may be in turmoil and dysfunction, but hometown America is alive and well! In the State of Florida and Senate District 12, we remain committed to those core values of faith, family, freedom and opportunity. This is your government and I work for you. As promised, I will continue this series of letters to you, highlighting all that we have done together and some of the recognitions we have received along the way.

The Florida Bail Agents Association (FBAA) is an advocacy organization that works with policy makers to advocate continued high standards for all bail agents, works to defeat serious threats to eliminate bail in Florida, and pushes to improve professional standards of bail agents through licensing and educational requirements. In 2017, your Senator was recognized as the Legislator of the Year by the FBAA for our work on SB 680, which passed as HB 361 and was signed into law by Gov. Scott. This bill amends several provisions related to bail and bail bonds agents and received unanimous support in the House and Senate. [Read more…]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of State Representative Scott Plakon to the Alzheimer’s Disease Advisory Committee.

Governor Scott said, “Following the tragic loss of his wife, Susie, to Alzheimer’s, I know that Representative Plakon will be a strong advocate and committed partner in the fight to end Alzheimer’s in Florida. My wife Ann and I send our thoughts and prayers to Scott and his family during this difficult time, but we also know that this is a disease we must fight and that Scott will help lead Florida in this effort.”

Plakon, 59, of Sanford, serves as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 29^th District, and he is the chief executive officer of ShredPro Secure. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning July 28, 2018, and ending February 13, 2022.