James Call - page 29

Two Tampa area lawmakers want the Public Service Commission to better reflect the public it serves. The six-member commission sets rules for electric and other utilities but its regulation of for-profit electric companies recently has gotten lawmakers attention. Consumer advocates say it has failed to adequately represent the interest of consumers. Sen. John Legg and Rep. Chris Sprowls are behind a four-point reform package they say address the concerns of their constituents. “The Public Service Commission should serve the public…

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Gwen Graham wants to hit the ground running when she arrives in Washington, D.C. in January. The newly-elected Congresswoman from Florida’s 2nd Congressional District will launch a four-county job tour Monday. Graham’s staff is working with local chambers of commerce in sitting up the discussions. “It’s an opportunity for business leaders to get together with Gwen, sit down and share their concerns so she can bring their concerns to Washington when she’s sworn in,” said a Graham spokesperson. The jobs…

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An impasse has been declared in contract negotiations between the faculty and Florida’s only publicly funded historically black university. Talks between Florida A&M University and the United Faculty of Florida chapter said talks broke down over merit pay, post-tenure review and other issues. Professor Elizabeth Davenport, president of the UFF FAMU chapter, said the current evaluation system rests upon who is doing it and that UFF wants to make the criteria more specific. “When faculty are evaluated we want to…

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The Florida Senate sponsor of the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014 is frustrated and concerned that a January 1, 2015, deadline to implement the law will be missed. The House sponsor is also disappointed. It’s been three weeks since an administrative law judge directed the Department of Health to rewrite regulations for a medicinal marijuana law. The only word since from DOH has been this statement: “The Department of Health will consider all options that will most expeditiously get…

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Lakeland native Denise Grimsley will serve as the Senate Deputy Majority Leader for the 2014 – 2016 legislative sessions. Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano Thursday announced the Grimsley appointment. A registered nurse, the Republican senator served four terms in the Florida House before moving across the Capitol Rotunda in 2012. “Denise has extensive legislative experience including budget and health care matters as a previous House Appropriations Chair and the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Chair, said Galvano. “As a fifth…

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Garnett Stokes is leaving Florida State University. She has been appointed provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Missouri effective Feb. 2. Stokes served as FSU’s interim president when Eric Barron resigned in April and until John Thrasher was named president in November. She had been the FSU provost since August 2011. “Garnett Stokes has the ability, the vision and the drive to help us move the University of Missouri to the next level,” said…

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Beth Sweeny has quietly withdrawn from the race for Senate District 6. A lobbyist for the St. Johns County School District, Sweeny qualified for the race thirty minutes before the Dec. 2 deadline. At that time she cited her “deep roots in the community” and a “passion to serve.” When asked how she would overcome the financial and name recognition advantages of two other Republican candidates, Representatives Travis Hutson and Ronald Renuart, in the January primary Sweeny said she planned…

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