Press Releases

Governor Crist Meets with Tampa Bay Area Business Leaders, Visits Middle School

by Governor's Press Office

Posted on April 13, 2009

TAMPA – Governor Charlie Crist today, as part of his continued focus on strengthening Florida’s economy, met with St. Petersburg and Tampa business leaders to discuss ways state government can enhance Florida’s international trade, business-friendly environment and use of the federal stimulus dollars.  During his visit with area Chambers of Commerce, the Governor announced an upcoming public seminar that will provide information on how the federal stimulus package will impact Florida’s businesses. He also visited John Hopkins Middle School in St. Petersburg where he re-emphasized his commitment to securing federal stimulus dollars for education and his legislative priorities for Florida’s schools.

 

“Every aspect of Florida’s economy is linked to each other, from the small businesses that are a major driver of our economy, to international trade that was our strongest economic sector last year,” Governor Crist said. “We are focused on strengthening every economic sector, as well as our schools and educational opportunities for our young people, in order to move Florida’s economy forward to a better day.”

 

Hosted by the Florida Department of Management Services’ Office of Supplier Diversity, the “Energizing Florida’s Economy: Seminar on Florida Stimulus Package” will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2009, on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach. Business representatives will hear from Don Winstead, Special Advisor to the Governor for the Implementation of the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with senior level officials from state agencies, including the Florida Department of Education, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration. The seminar is open to the public, and individuals can RSVP to (850) 487-0915 or osdhelp@dms.state.fl.us.

 

At John Hopkins Middle School, Governor Crist expressed optimism that Florida will receive the necessary waiver that will ensure Florida receives its fair share of federal stimulus dollars for education.  In February, Governor Crist sent a letter to federal Education Secretary Arne Duncan urging him to use expediency in setting the parameters under which states would qualify for a waiver as permitted under the federal legislation and later met with Secretary Duncan in Washington, D.C. Florida is preparing its application and waiver for education stimulus funding and will submit it as soon as the U.S. Department of Education completes instructions for the application.

 

Governor Crist also discussed proposed legislation that will allow taxpayers to track every dollar for K-12 education.  House Bill 883, sponsored by Representative Robert Schenck, along with Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla in the Senate, requires school districts to spend a minimum of 70 percent of operating dollars directly in the classroom. The increased transparency will ensure that education funds are spent wisely and responsibly on students and their classrooms.

 

Governor Crist has remained committed to the original compact signed with the Seminole Tribe of Florida in December 2007.  Recently, the Florida School Boards Association, Florida Association of District School Superintendents and Florida Education Association demonstrated their support of the 25-year compact with the Seminole Tribe as a much-needed funding resource for Florida’s students and teachers. Over the next 25 years, the compact is estimated to provide $2.6 billion for education, including $288 million this year.

 

The state government share of this federal stimulus funding is subject to appropriation by the Florida Legislature, and Governor Crist looks forward to working with the Legislature to obtain the necessary approval.  For more information about Florida’s use of the federal recovery dollars, please visit www.FlaRecovery.com.

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