Archives

U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18) made the following statement regarding the inclusion of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) in the Senate's draft water bill text. Murphy has been a vocal advocate for this project's authorization to help restore the Everglades' natural southward flow as part of his ongoing efforts to address the crisis in local waterways

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act introduced by U.S. Representatives Dennis Ross (FL-15) and Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18) with a vote of 419-0. This bipartisan bill will allow competition in the flood insurance marketplace to meet homeowners needs and drive down costs. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration

The Lake County Water Safety Team received the National Water Safety Congress Award of Merit, given on March 8 at the International Boating & Water Safety Summit in San Diego, California. Team member William S. Griswold, of Mount Dora, presented the award during the April 14 Lake County Water Safety Advisory Committee’s quarterly meeting.

Coral Gables Realtor Christina Pappas is one of 13 district vice presidents serving in the leadership of Florida Realtors®, the state’s largest professional association. The 31-year-old Pappas, who chaired the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® Young Professionals leadership council last year, was elected District Four vice president and is one of the youngest to ever hold the position

Lake County’s Water Safety Advisory Committee, government agencies and private partners are hosting Water Safety Month in May. The events will offer free swimming and CPR demonstrations, life vest education, mock drowning exercises, swimming lesson registration, open swimming, exhibits and more

It has been a long journey for Gulf War veteran Mario Figueroa. After three years battling for his benefits with the VA alongside CLSMF Veterans Advocacy Project attorney Chirsite Bhageloe

Lake County Solid Waste is encouraging Lake County residents to dispose of toxic materials in a safe and environmentally sensitive way at an upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Collection event. The county’s Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Unit will be on site from 9 a.m. – noon on Thursday, April 28 at the Eustis Square Shopping Center parking lot located at 218 Ardice Ave., Eustis

U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18) made the following statement on yesterday's report by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finding "no significant impact" in transferring authority of the Ten Mile Creek water preserve area from the federal government to the state. Since his first days in office,Murphy has been working with state and federal officials to allow for this transfer so that the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) can turn it into a functional water storage and treatment facility. With this report, the deauthorization moves one step closer to completion, as the SFWMD must now approve the transfer agreement before June 15, 2016.

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, made the following statement after the Venezuelan Supreme Court, controlled by Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, declared that the Amnesty Law was unconstitutional. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen

The Board of Directors of the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) announces the appointment of Todd A. Lee to the position of Acting Executive Director. Lee joins the Agency with more than 20 years of extensive experience in the field of multifamily and commercial real estate finance, including a diverse background in multiple areas of investment and lending across a range of property types.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today announced the arrest of Maira Chirinos, owner of Pompano Beach construction company Tocoa Builders, Inc. Chirinos is alleged to have misrepresented information regarding Tocoa Builder’s operations, employees and payroll when applying for a workers’ compensation policy. By doing so, Chirinos avoided at least $1.8 million in workers’ compensation premium payments. Workers’ compensation policies protect employees in the event of an on-the-job injury and if proper policies are not in place, injured employees could be faced with lost wages and costly medical expenses to cover

Lake County Solid Waste, in partnership with the Leesburg Police Department, is encouraging Lake County residents to dispose of unwanted household hazardous materials and medications in a safe and environmentally conscious way at an upcoming collection event.

The Florida Supreme Court decision today is a blow to the future of rooftop solar power in Florida. “This dirty political trick perpetrated by the giant utility corporations will now be on the ballot in November,” said Earthjustice attorney David Guest. “This amendment hoodwinks voters by giving the impression that it will encourage the use of rooftop solar when, in fact, it would do the opposite. If the Constitutional amendment passes, people who install rooftop solar could end up with higher utility bills than if they did not have solar.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its eighth-annual “Top Cities” list, which ranks the 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified commercial buildings in the preceding calendar year with Miami ranking eighteenth. The Top Cities list illustrates how cities across America are embracing energy efficiency as a proven path to financial savings and a healthier environment.

Congressman Ander Crenshaw, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government and Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, joined in today’s (3/30) ribbon cutting for the new US Customs and Border Protection and US Coast Guard building in Jacksonville. In honor of the building’s dedication, he placed a formal statement in the official Congressional Record, which reads in full

Lake County’s recent heavy rainfall could lead to localized drainage issues. That’s why the Lake County Stormwater Section and the Adopt-a-Lake Program are reminding residents to keep their storm drains clean to help prevent flooding

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are honoring 149 businesses and organizations in 35 states for their commitment to saving energy and protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements

Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Congressman David Jolly (FL-13) have introduced legislation to protect Florida homeowners from impending increases in flood insurance rates. The Flood Insurance Rate Increase Suspension Act (H.R. 4866), which was filed on March 24 by the bay area Republicans, would delay any increase in flood insurance premium rates for certain properties for 12 months.

Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) called on congressional appropriators to prioritize family homelessness and services for homeless individuals in Fiscal Year 2017. In submitting a formal letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Hastings and Johnson urged the committee to make it easier for local communities to prioritize their own needs in responding to homeless populations, and expand access to effective services for homeless individuals (Please find attached a copy of the letter.)

This week, U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18), a member of the Seniors Task Force, led two major efforts in the House to protect funding for critical seniors programs, including nutrition and community-based care programs, that help older Americans live active and independent lives. Joined by U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch (FL-21), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and David Loebsack (IA-02), Murphy led a letter with the support of over 40 House Democrats urging full funding of the congregate and home-delivered nutrition services provided by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) as authorized by the Older Americans Act.