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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).

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.

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.

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.

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

Government offices to close for President Day

All offices of the Lake County Board of County Commissioners, Clerk of Courts, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections and Tax Collector will be closed Monday, Feb. 15 for Presidents Day. Offices will reopen with regularly scheduled hours on Tuesday, Feb. 16

$470 Million Settlement Reached with HSBC

Attorney General Pam Bondi today announced a $470 million joint state-federal settlement with HSBC to address mortgage origination, servicing and foreclosure abuses. The settlement with the mortgage lender and servicer provides direct payments to Florida borrowers for past foreclosure abuses and requires the company to provide loan modifications and other consumer relief.

Lake County’s Extension Service hosts public classes about hydroponics and pruning roses

The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension in Lake County is offering two educational horticulture classes in February.

House OKs Buchanan Plan To End Public Housing Scams

The U.S. House today passed an amendment introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) that will tighten income and asset verification requirements for public housing after an audit revealed that 25,000 families earned too much to qualify for these subsidies.

Clawson Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Bill To Expedite Everglades Restoration

Lawmakers from Florida in both the U.S. House and Senate today introduced legislation, co-sponsored by Congressman Curt Clawson (FL-19), to expedite all Everglades-restoration projects that the Army Corps of Engineers deems ready to begin. The leaders of the Everglades Caucus took the Everglades for the Next Generation Act to the floors of both Congressional chambers.

No Public Housing for Millionaires

The U.S. House is expected to vote today on Rep. Vern Buchanan’s (R-FL) amendment to tighten income and asset verification requirements for public housing after an audit revealed that 25,000 families earned too much to qualify for these subsidies. The amendment is to H.R. 3700, the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act.

FinCEN Takes Aim at Real Estate Secrecy in Manhattan and Miami

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today issued Geographic Targeting Orders (GTO) that will temporarily require certain U.S. title insurance companies to identify the natural persons behind companies used to pay “all cash” for high-end residential real estate in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, New York, and Miami-Dade County, Florida. FinCEN is concerned that all-cash purchases – i.e., those without bank financing – may be conducted by individuals attempting to hide their assets and identity by purch

Congressman Pearce Votes to Improve Efficiency in Federal Housing Programs

Congressman Steve Pearce issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 3700, the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016

Lake County Building Services offers workshop on swimming pool construction

Lake County’s Building Services Division is hosting the “Swimming Pools and the Florida Building Code” workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 8:30 a.m. at the Lake County Extension Center, 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares.

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.