Monthly Archives: February 2016

CFO Jeff Atwater Testifies Before House Regulatory Affairs Committee

This morning, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater testified before the Florida House Regulatory Affairs Committee in support of HB 1041, sponsored by Representative Bill Hager, which strengthens the rights of life insurance beneficiaries. HB 1041 and its Senate companion, SB 966 sponsored by Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, have successfully and unanimously passed all committee stops and yesterday, SB 966 passed unanimously on the Senate floor.

CFO Jeff Atwater Encourages Pensacola Residents to Call the Department of Financial Services

As damage continues to be surveyed from last night’s severe weather in Pensacola, many residents now face a multitude of insurance-related questions as they survey damages to their homes and vehicles. CFO Jeff Atwater is offering assistance to area residents as they navigate the insurance claims process.

Miami Residential Prices Continue to Climb in January; Prices Still at 2004 Levels

Miami-Dade County median sales prices continued to rise in January as existing single-family homes and condominiums sold close to list price, according to a new report by the 41,000-member MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) and Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system.

Colombia Registers Most South Florida Real Estate Online Searches in December Miami Market

Colombia topped all foreign countries searching online for South Florida real estate in December 2015, according to new statistics from the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI). Colombia edged Brazil to lead all global consumers using MIAMI’s search portal, www.Miamire.com. Brazil had ranked as the top foreign nation using Miamire.com in 17 of the previous 18 months.

Rubio Stands With States Challenging Obama’s Clean Power Plan

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today issued the following statement regarding his participation in an amicus brief, filed in the case of West Virginia v. E.P.A.(Environmental Protection Agency) which urges the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals to invalidate President Obama’s Clean Power Plan:

MURPHY TO STATE LAWMAKERS: USE AMENDMENT ONE FUNDS AS FLORIDA VOTERS INTENDED

U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18) sent the following letter to leadership in the Florida Legislature in support of legislation allocating Amendment 1 Land Acquisition Trust Fund dollars for Everglades restoration projects that will benefit local waterways by cleaning, storing, and moving more water south of Lake Okeechobee. Copies of the letter were sent to Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, Chairman Alan Hays, Chairman Richard Corcoran, Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia L. Joyner, House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford, Vice Chair Oscar Braynon II, Ranking Member Janet Cruz, Senator Joe Negron, and Representative Gayle Harrell.

Lake County Water Authority and Parks & Trails offer guided paddling trips for nature...

The Lake County Water Authority (LCWA), in partnership with Lake County Parks & Trails, is hosting two guided paddle trips offering unparalleled views of Lake County’s hidden natural treasures.

MURPHY APPLAUDS ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW CONSERVATION EASEMENTS IN EVERGLADES HEADWATERS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy made the following statement applauding the recent acquisitions of new conservation easements to expand the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area by 5,300 acres, including flood protection areas and water storage lands. Murphy has been a strong supporter of this initiative to help maintain open land north of Lake Okeechobee to improve the water quality and increase water storage in the area, complementing the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
ORRA

ORRA HOUSING REPORT – JANUARY 2016

The median price of Orlando homes sold in January increased nearly 14 percent of January of 2015, amid an inventory level that has seen year-over-year decreases for the last seven months.

Maria Juncadella to Lead Commercial Realtors

The Realtors Commercial Alliance of the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) has elected Coral Gables Realtor Maria G. Juncadella, CCIM, MBA, as its 2016 president. She and the entire Board of Directors were installed Feb. 12 at MIAMI’s Annual Inaugural and Awards Luncheon.

JTHS Council Endorses Dorothy Jacks for Palm Beach Property Appraiser

The Jupiter-Tequesta-Hobe Sound Council of the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® endorses Dorothy Jacks in the election for Palm Beach County property appraiser. The JTHS Public Policy Committee unanimously voted to support Jacks on Feb. 3

Sue Gaieski Elected 2016 JTHS Council President of the MIAMI Association of REALTORS

The MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) has elected Sue Gaieski, e-PRO, SFR as the 2016 President of the Jupiter-Tequesta-Hobe Sound Association of Realtors (JTHS) Council. She and the entire 2016 JTHS Board of Governors were installed Dec. 11 at Frenchman’s Creek Beach & Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens

MURPHY APPLAUDS CORPS DECISION TO MOVE MORE WATER SOUTH OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE

U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18) applauded the announcement made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that they will increase flows from Lake Okeechobee south into Everglades National Park. Raising the water levels of the L-29 canal, which runs parallel to the Tamiami Trail, can help reduce the negative impact heavy rainfall has caused throughout the entire Everglades system, including the discharges east and west from the lake that are harming the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon on the Treasure Coast.

Miami Sets Single-Family Home Sales Record in 2015 Total Residential Sales Register Third-Most Transactions...

Miami-Dade County single-family home sales set an all-time annual record in 2015, and sales for all existing properties posted the third-most transactions in history, according to the 41,000-member MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) and the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system.

Attorney General’s Office Enters Multi-Million Dollar Settlement with KB HOME

The Florida Attorney General’s Office today announced a multi-million dollar settlement with home builder KB HOME and its Florida subsidiaries. The Attorney General’s Office entered a stipulated consent decree and final judgment to resolve a three-year investigation of KB HOME for violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. KB HOME allegedly failed to make certain disclosures to home buyers regarding the construction of some of its homes and improperly denied warranty coverage to certain homeowners who were otherwise covered.

United States Supreme Court Halts Unlawful Power Plan

Attorney General Pam Bondi today announced that the U.S. Supreme Court ordered an immediate halt to President Barack Obama’s unlawful power plan. The Court order is in response to a legal challenge brought by a bipartisan coalition of 29 states and state agencies, including Florida. While the stay is a major victory, the states’ litigation to stop the administration’s unlawful overreach continues in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

32BJ SEIU Members Endorse Philip K. Stoddard for Mayor of South Miami

Property service workers, represented by 32BJ Service Employees International Union (SEIU), announced today its support of Mayor Phillip K. Stoddard for Mayor of South Miami.

RAD Program Recapitalizes Public Housing near St. Petersburg, Florida

The Landings at Cross Bayou is a 184-unit Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program redevelopment of public housing that had become functionally obsolete and deteriorating as a result of inadequate funding. Located near St. Petersburg, Florida, this redevelopment of a Pinellas County Housing Authority property offers an instructive example of how public-private partnerships can effectively leverage the funding opportunities provided by the RAD program for low-income housing redevelopment

Groundbreaking Set for Apartment Tower in Downtown Tampa

A groundbreaking for a new apartment building in Downtown Tampa.  The 23-story tower will house 362 apartment units and 8,000 square feet of street-level retail. Additionally, the site will include a fitness center and an eight-story, 460-space parking garage topped off by an eight-story amenity deck that will include a pool and garden area and club room

AUTHORIZE CEPP TO SEND WATER SOUTH

Florida lawmakers from both parties and both chambers united to push for Congressional authorization of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) in the upcoming Water Resources Development Act to allow this vital project to move forward without further delay. Once completed, CEPP will increase water flow south of Lake Okeechobee, reducing the harmful discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers to the east and west of the lake. Congressman Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18) led this effort in the House with Congressman David Jolly (FL-13) alongside support from U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Corrine Brown

Popular Government & Nonprofit Press Releases

Colombia tops all Foreign Searches for Miami Real Estate

Colombia continues to lead all foreign countries searching for South Florida real estate, according to new data from the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI). The South American nation finished as the top international country using MIAMI’s search portal, www.Miamire.com, in May 2016. Colombia has now led the rankings for six consecutive months

Recent Government & Nonprofit Press Releases

Buchanan Slams “Nightmarish” Conditions at VA Nursing Homes

Congressman Vern Buchanan today demanded answers from the Department of Veteran Affairs after reports of deplorable conditions and neglect at VA nursing homes across the nation.