Governor Crist’s State of the State Address Calls On Legislature to ‘Seize Opportunity to Secure Florida’s Future’

Urges measures to strengthen economy and workforce, education, Everglades restoration

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist this evening addressed a joint session of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate to outline his vision for safeguarding Florida’s future by continuing investments in education, public safety and programs that serve Florida’s most vulnerable citizens. As part of his ongoing commitment to strengthening Florida’s economy, the Governor emphasized policy and budget recommendations for the upcoming 2009 Legislative Session that address the priorities of the people of Florida – workforce initiatives, job creation and business development. Continuing the tradition he began in 2008, Governor Crist gave the State of the State Address at 6:00 p.m., rather than during the morning as past Florida Governors have done.

“For the nearly 20 million people who choose to call Florida home, to not just raise their children and build their businesses, but to truly live out their dreams: The future is now,” Governor Crist said. “Our state and national economies are being tested and challenged in ways not seen in decades. Our people are struggling, and like never before, we have an obligation to serve them well.”

Governor Crist called on the Legislature to adopt his proposed $66.5-billion budget that includes $10.2 billion for infrastructure improvements in transportation and economic development, $21.5 billion for education, $2.3 billion to protect Florida’s natural resources, $4.8 billion for public safety and $25.2 billion for health and human services.

Florida National Guardsmen

During the address, Governor Crist honored Florida National Guardsmen Chief Warrant Officer Jolly Harper and Major Julio Acosta.

• Currently assigned to the Joint Forces Headquarters in St. Augustine, Chief Warrant Officer Jolly Harper is a military aviator who has served in the Balkans, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. In 2008, Chief Warrant Officer Harper was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the nation’s highest award for aerial valor, for his actions on June 8, 2004, in Afghanistan. Harper was flying an Apache helicopter called to assist a Marine convoy trapped in a three-sided ambush. After intense fighting and depleted fuel and ammunition, he refueled, rearmed his crew, and returned to continue the fight until the Marine convoy could extract themselves from the ambush. He has also been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. His wife Tami Jean, known as “TJ,” joined him in the gallery.
• A highly decorated officer, Major Julio Acosta is currently an Anti-Armor Company Commander and Operations Officer in the 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry. Major Acosta received the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device for his leadership as a tactical trainer with the Afghanistan Army on December 4, 2005, when a vehicle in his convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). After helping rescue three injured soldiers from a burning vehicle and administering medical aid, he led troops in preventing the Taliban from overrunning a nearby observation point under enemy fire. He has also been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and Ranger Tab. His wife Odalys joined him in the gallery.

Wise Use of the Federal Stimulus Dollars

Governor Crist urged legislators to put the needs of the people of Florida before politics by supporting the full use of the $12.2 billion in federal stimulus dollars coming to Florida over three budget years. Governor Crist’s proposed 2009-10 budget includes $4.7 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Over the years, Florida is expected to receive $5.3 billion for health and human services programs such as Medicaid, food stamps and cash assistance; $1.4 billion for highway and transportation projects; $148 million for programs to promote energy efficiency; and $162 million for workforce employment and training. According to information released by the White House, the economic stimulus funding will create or retain 206,000 jobs statewide.

“The federal stimulus package will provide much needed tax relief, as well as immediate assistance in education, transportation, unemployment compensation, renewable energy and other aid,” Governor Crist said. “My administration looks forward to working with this Legislature, our cities and counties to begin implementing these dollars quickly and efficiently.”

Special Advisor to the Governor for the Implementation of the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Governor Crist announced today that Don Winstead, deputy secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families, will serve as Special Advisor to the Governor for the Implementation of the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Winstead will work in coordination with the Federal Stimulus Working Group assembled by the Governor in early February to oversee and track the distribution of Florida’s stimulus dollars and ensure taxpayers can hold government accountable for its use of the funds.

From late 2001 to early 2005, Winstead served as deputy assistant secretary for human services policy at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In this capacity, he was a key advisor on human services policy and was responsible for policy development, research and evaluation related to welfare reform, support for low-income families, and services for families, children and youth.

Recognized nationally as an expert on federal funding issues, Winstead has negotiated groundbreaking federal waivers in welfare reform and child welfare. He is a member of the advisory boards of the National Poverty Center at the University of Michigan and the Center for Poverty Research at the University of Kentucky. Winstead began his career as a front-line caseworker and has worked in a variety of direct-service, administrative and managerial positions ranging from social worker to deputy secretary.

As Special Advisor to the Governor for the Implementation of the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Winstead will:

• Track all federal stimulus dollars flowing into state and local governments, as well as to private businesses and non-profit organizations.
• Maximize the state’s use of available federal stimulus funds, including competitive grants.
• Identify the quickest ways to move the stimulus money into the economy.
• Establish open and effective lines of communication with federal and state agencies, local governments, and the Florida
• Legislature to assist in efforts to effectively and rapidly use the federal stimulus funds.
• Develop a communications network to keep the public informed about the status and progress of the recovery effort.
• Report to the Florida Legislature and citizens on a regular basis about the status of the use of the stimulus funds.
• Measure progress of the recovery effort by tracking jobs created and retained.
• Ensure that recipients of stimulus funding are aware of applicable federal requirements and that all parties comply with the provisions.

Compact Between the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida

Governor Crist also called on the Florida Legislature to quickly approve the 25-year compact between the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, emphasizing that its approval can provide $2.5 billion to Florida schools throughout the duration of the agreement. Since the compact was approved by the United States Department of the Interior in December 2007, the Seminole Tribe has paid $75 million to the State of Florida, and will pay another $62.5 million during the remainder of the current fiscal year. All of those funds are available to enhance and support Florida’s education system in 2009-10, as well as the guaranteed $150 million. In addition, the approved compact is projected to provide at least $129.2 million for education in 2010-11, and at least $100 million in 2011-12. These funds could be significantly larger if the tribe exceeds certain thresholds outlined in the compact.

Workforce Initiatives

To help get Floridians back to work, Governor Crist highlighted his $2-billion budget recommendation for workforce initiatives. Among his recommendations, Governor Crist is proposing $800 million for career education and employment services that retain 3,000 jobs, $621.2 million that will provide affordable childcare to families of 154,835 Florida children and protect more than 12,800 jobs for child-care providers, and $6.6 million for Ready to Work. The credentialing program ensures students and job seekers master applied math, reading for information and locating information and helps employers hire skilled employees. For more information, visit http://floridareadytowork.com.

Economic Development

Governor Crist highlighted several economic development efforts of the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development. The Governor’s proposed budget includes $45 million for the Quick Action Closing Fund (QAC) to enable a quick response to extraordinary economic opportunities and effective competition for projects involving significant capital investment and 17,316 high-wage jobs with average annual salaries of $56,334. Governor Crist is recommending $10 million to encourage the filming and production of television, film, commercial, and digital media in Florida, which has an anticipated return on investment of $7.48 for every incentive dollar and can create as many as 15,414 jobs. He also highlighted $10 million for Economic Gardening, a pilot program to stimulate investment in Florida’s economy by providing low-interest loans to expanding businesses.

Transparency in Education Spending

Governor Crist urged the Legislature to ensure taxpayers can track K-12 education funding online and require school districts to spend a minimum of 70 percent of operating dollars directly in the classroom. He emphasized that parents and taxpayers have a right to demand accountability.

Higher Education Reform

The Governor also encouraged legislators to give Florida’s 11 state universities the resources they need to compete with universities nationwide. Governor Crist noted that Florida has five of the nation’s largest universities; however, only the University of Florida is ranked among the United States’ leading 100 universities. Governor Crist has proposed a five percent base undergraduate tuition increase, in addition to measures that will give the 11 state universities flexibility to charge a differential tuition that will generate revenue to enhance undergraduate education and need-based aid. Currently, five state universities have this flexibility, as previously authorized by the Legislature.

Saving America’s Everglades

Governor Crist highlighted the importance of the South Florida Water Management District’s acquisition of the 300 square miles that is the “missing link” needed to reconnect Lake Okeechobee and Everglades National Park. One of the largest environmental land acquisitions in the nation’s history, the action will protect Florida’s coastal estuaries and better revive, restore and preserve the Everglades, one of America’s greatest natural treasures. Acquiring the land will increase the ability to deliver cleaner water to the Everglades during dry times and provide greater water storage to protect the natural system during wet years.

Renewable Portfolio Standard

The Governor called on legislators to ratify the Public Service Commission’s renewable portfolio standard that will diversify Florida’s energy supply to include renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass. The standard will require each investor-owned utility to produce 20 percent of its energy by 2020. Legislation sponsored by Representative Debbie Mayfield in the House of Representatives and Senator Lee Constantine in the Senate will continue Florida’s progress toward a diversified energy future, “green” energy business development, and increased energy conservation and efficiency.

Last June, Governor Crist signed House Bill 7135, sponsored by the late Representative Stan Mayfield and known as the 2008 Energy and Economic Development Legislation, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as encouraging investment in alternative and renewable energy technologies. For more information, please visit http://www.MyFloridaClimate.com.