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Congressman John Mica hosted a ceremony here March 9, transferring the vacant 120-bed former VA community living center at the Lake Baldwin VA medical complex from the federal government to the State of Florida. The building, dedicated in 1999, was converted to clinical and office use approximately two years ago, when a newer VA community living center was opened at the VA’s new Lake Nona campus.

Colombia leads all global consumers searching online for South Florida real estate, according to new statistics from the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI). Colombia finished as the top international country using MIAMI’s search portal, www.Miamire.com, in January 2016

The MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) will promote South Florida real estate at the world’s largest property show in France. In partnership with the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), MIAMI leaders and members will market South Florida in an expanded U.S. pavilion at the annual MIPIM International Real Estate Show on March 15-18 in Cannes, France

Tampa residents and property owners are reminded to check their timer settings on irrigation system controllers this weekend when changing from Eastern Standard to Daylight Saving Time

“Having a working smoke alarm allows residents time to get out of a burning home, and cuts the chances of dying in a residential fire in half,” said Lake County Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Capt. Michael Vitta. “Most home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes without a proper smoke alarm, which is why it is so important to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home, and to make sure they are working at all times.”

Today, the House Financial Services Committee passed the Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act introduced by U.S. Representatives Dennis Ross (FL-15) and Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18), both members of the committee. This bipartisan bill would encourage the development of a robust private flood insurance market that will provide homeowners more coverage options and lower costs. Having been ordered out of the committee with broad bipartisan support, the bill now is in line for consideration by the full House of Representatives.

U.S. Representatives Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18) and Curt Clawson (FL-19) introduced legislation to enact an advanced deadline for completion of repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee to help bring relief to our waterways that are currently in crisis. The bipartisan bill calls for an emergency appropriation of $800 million to carry out these expedited repairs so that once completed, more water can safely be stored within the lake, reducing the need for damaging discharges east and west into local estuaries.

the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed H.R. 1684, the Foreign Spill Protection Act, introduced by U.S. Representatives Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) and Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18). In the event of an oil spill, the legislation would require the responsible party, regardless of origin, to pay for all American cleanup costs by applying the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) to them. Furthermore, this bipartisan bill would apply the Clean Water Act penalties on the responsible foreign party.

When a family member passes away life insurance policies can help cover things like the funeral and outstanding debts—really anything. But what if the surviving family members don’t know about the policy? Well when that happens the money stays with the insurance company earning interest. Rep. Bill Hager (R-Delray Beach) wants to see insurers getting more proactive about policies. He says just look at annuities

The Justice Department announced today that Thomas Mere, the owner and operator of Mere’s Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Park in North Fort Myers, Florida, has agreed to pay $40,000 to resolve allegations that he discriminated against African Americans in violation of the Fair Housing Act.  The settlement, which is in the form of a consent order, must still be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

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.

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-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 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.

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:

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.

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.

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).