A morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
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LIVE FROM THE FLORIDA CHAMBER FOUNDATION FORUM
It’s Day 2 of the F3 and the agenda is packed. Highlights of day will include: State of the State and the Florida Scorecard; A program titled, “Investing in Florida’s Future: Growing Florida’s Economy” to be delivered by Gray Swoope, Chris Hart and Will Secombe; Perspectives from the Florida Senate with President Don Gaetz; CFO Jeff Atwater’s luncheon address; a presentation from the smartest person in Florida politics, Marian Johnson; and insights from Speaker Will Weatherford.
BUSINESS ALLIANCE FOR COMPETITIVE HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS SEEKS TO BEND THE HEALTHCARE COST CURVE THROUGH INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
The Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation unveiled the Florida Business Alliance for Competitive Healthcare Solutions (Healthcare Alliance) during the F3.
Job creators, technology leaders and healthcare providers comprise the Healthcare Alliance and are laser-focused on bending the cost-curve of healthcare practices in Florida. The Alliance is directing its attention on innovations occurring across Florida’s healthcare industry to control cost, increase access to care and improve the quality of care.
By 2030, an estimated two-thirds of Florida’s population is expected to be 65 and older. By focusing attention toward programs that can be used as statewide models, Florida’s leaders will be able to balance the future of medicine with the needs of an ever-growing and ever-aging population.
LOGISTICS STUDY SHOWS JOB BOOM POTENTIAL, GIVES ROADMAP TO GET THERE via contributor Karen Cyphers
Florida has the potential to create 150,000 new trade and logistics jobs over the next five years, according to a highly anticipated study released Monday by the Florida Chamber Foundation.
The study, titled Florida Trade and Logistics Study 2.0 (TL2.0), was presented by Bank of America and the Florida Department of Transportation at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Future of Florida Forum in Orlando.
According to the study, Florida is uniquely positioned in the center of the hemisphere, and with the widening of the Panama canal and the resurgence of Latin American and Caribbean trade, Florida has an opportunity to excel as a global hub. The study identifies seven strategies that integrate workforce, transportation, and business climate to achieve dramatic jobs growth. These recommendations are worth investing in.
The first Florida Chamber Trade and Logistics study, released in 2010, resulted in 23,000 new trade and logistics jobs, 9,000 new manufacturing jobs, and a record $66 billion in goods exported by Florida companies — an increase of $11 billion.
REPS. HUDSON, MAGAR AND PIGMAN HONORED AT F3
Representatives Matt Hudson, Marylynn Magar and Cary Pigman were honored on Monday during the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Healthcare Summit. The representatives were presented with the Florida Chamber’s Distinguished Advocate award for their work toward making Florida a more sustainable and competitive economy. The Distinguished Advocate wards is reserved for those legislatures that pass pro-business Florida Chamber-backed bills. Also honored were Representatives Jason Brodeur, Travis Cummings and Gayle Harrell.
HASHTAG FOR THE F3: #FutureofFL
SPOTTED: Brian Aunst, Sr. … Speaker Designate Steve Criafulli, who is better looking in person than Speaker Weatherford (the streak of good looking Speakers, alas, will end with Corcoran) … Jennifer Krell Davis, of the Florida Ports Council, with smart parenting advice … Gina Evans, repping Tampa International Aiprort … lobbyist (and travel agent extraordinaire) Jon Johnson … Amy Maguire, looking smashing in her Fall colors … Nadine Smith, representing Equality Florida and, like Jeff Johnson, the ‘burg … Justin Sayfie … Scott Sturgill, on the campaign trail in HD 31 … Janet Zink.
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FRAMEWORK OF A DEAL TO END THE GOV’T SHUTDOWN via Roll Call
Senate leaders appeared to be closing in on a framework for a deal to avert a default on the nation’s debt on Monday afternoon.
The emerging plan would reopen the government until Jan. 15, 2014, and extend the debt limit into February — but it would not address the medical device tax, which many Republicans and Democrats would like to repeal.
A source familiar with the negotiations explained that Majority Leader Harry Reid pushed to get the repeal of the tax removed from the negotiations. The Nevada Democrat has been a vocal opponent of repealing the excise tax, at one point calling the idea “stupid” at a news conference.
The White House also pushed back against including a medical device tax rollback in the deal.
It appeared likely that the deal would punt the question of turning off automatic spending cuts, known as the sequester, to another round of budget talks, with a deadline of Dec. 15. But under one proposal, if the sequester came into effect there would be increased flexibility to deal with it.
Nothing’s finalized and things could change as talks continue, however. Senate Republicans had been expected to meet Monday evening, but that was delayed until late Tuesday morning due to concerns about attendance.
It looks like talks are leading toward including a requirement that the Health and Human Services Department certify that the agency is able to verify the incomes of those receiving subsidies to buy health insurance on the Obamacare exchanges.
That win for Senate Republicans would be paired with a Democratic victory in delaying a scheduled reinsurance tax under Obamacare that would hit in 2014 and run for three calendar years in order to create a pool of reserve funds for insurance company losses.
VIDEO SHOWS REPUBLICANS WANTED TO FORCE A SHUTDOWN via BuzzFeed
The Republicans’ decision to alter an obscure procedural rule has enraged Democrats and given them evidence that Republicans have purposefully throw the government into chaos with a shutdown.
Normally, any member of the House can force a vote on legislation which the Senate and House are unable to agree on. Although it is a rarely used mechanism, House Republicans were taking no chances in the days leading up to the shutdown. Republican leaders were nervous about the possibility that the Senate’s clean spending extension bill would pass the chamber on the strength of Democratic votes — or worse, that it would fail, taking it off the table permanently as a solution.
WILL TED CRUZ FORCE A DEFAULT? via Joshua Green
“Here’s a cheerful thought as Congress remains deadlocked over the debt ceiling and the hours tick away toward default: Senator Ted Cruz, who basically forced the shutdown and whose own private polls have convinced him that it has been a glorious success, at this point could probably force a default and global economic calamity on his own–if he were so inclined.”
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DESIGN PROBLEMS PLAGUS OBAMACARE EXCHANGES
The New York Times looks at the “series of missteps — financial, technical and managerial — that led to the troubles” plaguing the health insurance exchanges created by President Obama’s health care reform law.
Deadline after deadline was missed. The biggest contractor, CGI Federal, was awarded its $94 million contract in December 2011. But the government was so slow in issuing specifications that the firm did not start writing software code until this spring. … As late as the last week of September, officials were still changing features of the Web site, HealthCare.gov.
One highly unusual decision, reached early in the project, proved critical: the Medicare and Medicaid agency assumed the role of project quarterback. … Some people intimately involved in the project seriously doubted that the agency had the in-house capability to handle such a mammoth technical task.
Nor was rolling out the system in stages or on a smaller scale, as companies like Google typically do so that problems can more easily and quietly be fixed. Former government officials say the White House, which was calling the shots, feared that any backtracking would further embolden Republican critics.
SHUTDOWN BAILING OUT OBAMACARE’S ROUGH START
Matthew Yglesias provides anecdotal evidence that a large share of people don’t realize that … problems with the Affordable Care Act IT infrastructure have very little to do with Republicans and basically nothing to do with the shutdown.
The shutdown came on the same week that Obamacare’s websites were supposed to launch. And for many people, the websites are not in fact working. So it’s natural—but wrong—to think that the non-functionality of the websites is the shutdown.
***Today’s SUNBURN is brought to you in part by the Florida Medical Association: Affordable, safe, patient-centered health care in Florida starts with a physician-led team, with all health care professionals playing valuable and appropriate roles. Learn more here.***
ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross will host a telephone town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Originally, Ross had planned to host an in-person town hall meeting in Lakeland today, but due to recently scheduled votes in Washington, D.C. he had to change this to a telephone town hall meeting. Here is the call-in information: 877-229-8493 and pin: 111493.
GWEN GRAHAM REPORTS RAISING ANOTHER $450,000
Graham announced she’s raised more than $450,000 in her second fundraising quarter.
“I’m overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from Democrats, Republicans and Independents across North Florida,” Graham said. “The families in my district are ready for new leadership — a Congresswoman who is committed to working with both Republicans and Democrats to focus on solutions instead of partisanship – because these problem solving values are at the core of what makes North Florida and our country great.”
Since filing to run for Congress on April 2, 2013, Graham has raised more than $830,000 and has more than $665,000 cash on hand.
THE LATEST ON CD 13
Here’s the latest in Pinellas County’s busy congressional race, which is attracting a ton of attention and candidates since the announcement last week that longtime U.S. Rep Bill Young plans to retire.
— Jessica Ehrlich, a Democrat who was running even before Young’s announcement, picked up the endorsement of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
— Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters, a former Republican state representative, said she does not plan to run.
— Nick Zoller, 25, a Republican campaign worker and consultant, said he intends to run for the Republican nomination to the seat.
YOUNG’S EXIT LEAVES VOID FOR LOCAL DEFENSE CONTRACTORS, RESEARCH via Josh Boatwright of the Tampa Tribune
Many of the Tampa Bay area’s cutting-edge industries might not be here today without funds secured by Congressman C.W. Bill Young, business leaders say. Over four decades in office, Young helped direct billions of dollars to Pinellas County defense contractors such as Raytheon and Honeywell and millions more to seed St. Petersburg’s well-respected marine science sector.
Whoever fills the congressman’s vacant seat will have to work to keep building on the region’s strengths as a technology and innovation center. But it will be a very long time before any of the area’s congressional leaders gain Young’s stature, said Peter Betzer, president of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership.
That means getting things done in Washington for the local business community may become harder.
“Whoever replaces him is going to be really challenged,” said Betzer, the former dean of the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science. “Whoever you are, it’s going to take you a long time to get the kind of respect and seniority Mr. Young had.”
Federal funding for long-term research has waned in recent years, and a ban on earmarks has limited the broad influence congressional leaders once had to fold contracts and grants into bills to benefit constituents. Over the course of Young’s lengthy tenure, which included chairing the U.S. House of Representatives defense appropriations subcommittee, he directed funds to countless projects, ranging from underwater sensors to high-tech military weaponry. In a 2010 survey, Young ranked fourth out of 438 House members in terms of total earmarks, totaling more than $128 million, according to the OpenSecrets.org.
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ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Gov. Scott will make a jobs announcement in Daytona Beach. Teledyne Oil & Gas, 1026 North Williamson Boulevard, Daytona Beach. 9:45 a.m.
SCOTT PASSES SEVEN MONTHS WITHOUT LIEUTENANT via The News Service of Florida
Florida has quietly passed the seven-month mark without a lieutenant governor, as Gov. Scott has given few clear indications about when he will fill the post.
Scott said in early July that Chief of Staff Adam Hollingsworth would prepare for a search, and rumors of candidates have periodically flared. But Scott has rarely addressed the issue. If Scott were unable to fulfill his duties before a lieutenant governor is named, Attorney General Pam Bondi would take over as governor.
AND ON THAT NOTE … BONDI PICKED UP NEARLY $140,000 ON SEPT. 10
The campaign for Attorney General Pam Bondi listed $139,076 in contributions, collected from 334 individuals and businesses, on Sept. 10, the day of her waterfront campaign kickoff in Tampa that was the basis of a controversial request to delay the execution of convicted murderer Marshall Lee Gore, reports the News Service of Florida.
Another $26,600 in contributions, including a $3,000 in-kind donation for consulting from the Republican Party of Florida, was listed on Sept. 11. Another $55,764 was listed on Sept. 10 by “And Justice for All,” a type of political committee known as an electioneering communication organization, set up for Bondi. While the contributions were dated Sept. 10, filings with the state do not make indicate whether the money was received at the kickoff event.
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AHCA AWARDS MORE HMO CONTRACTS; FACES PROTESTS
As part of the updated Florida Medicaid managed-care system, the Agency for Health Care Administration awarded contracts to several HMOs, to the dismay of other health plan administrators.
In September, the AHCA awarded contracts to 10 managed-care plans statewide, in addition to five companies offering “specialty” plans, which include such services as HIV/AIDS treatment. The awards came after a bidding process in 11 different regions of the state.
Last week, AHCA made three additional awards: United HealthCare of Florida, Amerigroup Florida, and Simply Healthcare Plans.
United’s award covers two regions, for four regions in total. Amerigroup also received two other regions, for contracts in four regions overall. Simply Healthcare’s contract award is for the area including Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
The recent awards sparked protests from other providers, claiming they were shut out of several regions.
Conventry Health Care of Florida protested through the state agency while Molina Healthcare of Florida protested in eight regions, according to data supplied by the AHCA.
WellCare of Florida, doing business as Staywell Health Plan of Florida, protested in three regions, although last month they received contract awards for seven other regions.
The contracting process has a vital role in AHCA compliance with a 2011 law, which will result in almost every Medicaid recipient enrolling in HMOs, as well as other managed-care plans.
APPOINTED: Jeovanny Palencia to the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council, Region Four.
ATWATER: LET COURT RULE BEFORE DITCHING ‘NO-FAULT’ INSURANCE
Atwater may recommend replacing Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system only if an Appeals Court overturns parts of the reform he supported in 2012.
Chris Cate, spokesperson for Atwater, sent out an email saying the CFO will continue to support the effort to reverse growing fraud in the “no-fault” auto-insurance system, otherwise known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
Atwater’s position could change, Cate added if the 1st District Court of Appeal rules in favor of the challenge to the 2012 law, brought on by chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists.
“The CFO is awaiting the results of the judicial process with interest,” Cate’s email said. “If these cost cutting reforms — intended to lower consumers premiums — are thrown out by the courts, the CFO would be interested in preparing a replacement coverage for Florida drivers to ensure that their household budgets are not again crippled by soaring PIP premiums.”
In a March 20 ruling by Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis, the law illegally prevents accident victims from applying PIP claims to pay for treatment by alternative medicine providers such as massage therapists and acupuncturists. The law also limits the services from chiropractors.
CONTEXT FLORIDA
Julie Delegal asks why all the talk about Common Core State Standards and lays the ground work in this first of her six part series on the issue.
Also related to Florida education, Gary Stein writes on whether gun violence in schools is a solvable problem, and provides some context on the greater risks of firearm suicides among youths.
Then, Daniel Tilson takes another shot at the Republican establishment, suggesting that what “remains of what was once a proud and patriotic Republican party” disown its Tea Party “bastard child.”
Finally, Linda Grist Cunningham warns that Key West is in for a “long, slow economic decline” following a public referendum vote that rejected a feasibility study on widening a segment of channel in order to permit newer, longer cruise ships to enter.
Visit Context Florida to dig in.
POLICY NOTES h/t to the Florida Current and the News Service of Florida
Common Core and SBOE: The State Board of Education will take up a series of issues related to the controversial Common Core education standards, along with hearing presentations on behalf of district school superintendents and state-college presidents. Tampa Airport Marriott, Duval Room, 4200 George J. Bean Parkway, Tampa. 9 a.m.
Medical Care Advisory Committee: The state Medical Care Advisory Committee, which reviews and provides input about Medicaid issues, will meet. Among the topics will be a federal “waiver” that is critical to the state’s efforts to move to a statewide managed care system in Medicaid. 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee. 1 p.m.
Department of Education takes up math and language arts standards: Amid a broad debate about public-school standards, the Florida Department of Education will begin a series of three meetings to take public comments about math and language-arts standards. Hillsborough Community College, Dale Mabry Campus, 4001 West Tampa Bay Blvd., Auditorium – Room 111, Tampa. 5 p.m.
Property insurance workshop: Sen. Gwen Margolis and Rep. David Richardson will hold a workshop to provide information to the public about the status of property insurance in Miami-Dade County. Speakers are expected to include representatives of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach. 6 p.m.
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LAWMAKERS DETERMINED TO CUT TAXES AND FEES IN 2014 SESSION via Lloyd Dunkelberger of the Sarasota Herald Tribune
With Florida seeing a budget surplus for the first time in years, lawmakers, lobbyists and other interest groups have plenty of plans for using that money. And tax cuts will be a popular option with an election year on the horizon. Gov. Rick Scott has already started the debate, advancing the idea that the 2014 Legislature should approve $500 million in tax cuts. Although he held a series of public hearings around the state this summer, Scott has yet to announce exactly which taxes he would like to cut.
But state lawmakers — who will ultimately decide how to use the budget surplus — have their own ideas. Senate Budget Chairman Joe Negron won the backing of the Senate Transportation Committee for his bill (SB 156) to roll back some motor vehicle fees that lawmakers raised in 2009 during a budget crisis. The $233 million fee cut would amount to about a $12 annual savings for motorists, Senate analysts said.
“I think it’s important if we’re going to reduce some fees and taxes, I think we choose one that almost all of our constituents… pay every year,” Negron said. House Finance and Tax Chairman Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, is taking a similar stand.
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET REQUESTS
Due today for FY 2014-15. Agencies and the judicial branch also their Capital Improvements Program for Fiscal Year 2013-14 through Fiscal Year 2017-18.
NEW LAW GUARANTEES RIGHT TO SPEAK AT MEETINGS, BUT CRITICS SEE POTENTIAL FOR GADFLY FILLIBUSTERS via Steve Miller of the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting
Gadflies can rejoice. A bill giving the public the legal assurance to speak on measures and issues before local boards, commissions and panels took effect Oct. 1. While most would think public bodies allow the public ample time to speak – it’s usually right there in the agenda – a state appellate court ruled in 2010 that “open to the public” does not mean the right to speak at a meeting. The state’s Supreme Court declined to hear the case and left open a hole in the state’s transparency law, asserting that the public has no right to speak at public meetings.
The case was the catalyst for the new bill, which was introduced by Republican State Sen. Senator Joe Negron. While the measure passed the Senate 40-0, there were two dissenters in the house, Reps. Barbara Watson and John Tobia.
This week, Lewis, Longman & Walker, a Tallahassee law firm/lobbying house sent a memo to its numerous clients advising them of the new law and urging them to make sure they have the right policies on board.
“While the Sunshine Law has long required meetings boards or commissions to be open to the public, the law has not heretofore guaranteed a right to participate. Except for a few limited exceptions, the law expands the Sunshine Law in a manner that guarantees the right the public to be heard at meetings governmental bodies.”
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THE LATEST FROM TODAY’S SPECIAL ELECTION IN HD 36
Pasco County voters will cast their ballots today to replace former Rep. Mike Fasano in the Florida House.
The final Early and Absentee Vote (EAV) report shows a race that appears to be very close and will come down to Election Day turnout.
Turnout is currently at 11.3% (10,702 total votes have been cast by either absentee or early vote).
The Republican overall vote advantage is currently 331 votes ( 3% of the total votes cast) while Democrats hold a 3% registration advantage.
… It would appear that as many as 3,600 (or 36%) of the ballots cast during EAV are lower propensity voters and not the type of electors normally seen in a special election. Many of these voters are permanent absentee requestors from past general elections. While typically in special elections their ballots wouldn’t be returned, something is changing that down in HD 36.
Could this be the ‘Fasano Effect’?
DAISY BAEZ STARTS WITH STRONG MONEY HAUL AGAINST ERIK FRESEN via Kevin Derby of Sunshine State News
Democratic candidate Daisy Baez had an impressive fundraising haul in the third quarter as she launched her campaign to challenge Rep. Erik Fresen for his seat which represents parts of Miami-Dade.
Baez, a businesswoman and Army veteran, is best known for her work in the health care industry and she has served as the executive director of the Dominican Health Care Association of Florida. She’s also been active with the Democratic Party, serving as president of Miami-Dade’s Democratic Hispanic Caucus, serving on the county Democratic Executive Committee and being a delegate to last year’s Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.
In the third quarter, Baez raised almost $50,500 and spent less than $6,050. During the same period, Fresen raised $8,150 and spent more than $15,300.
So far in the campaign, Fresen has brought in $50,900 and spent almost $36,000. Amory Bodin, who is running against Fresen in the Repubican primary, continues to file waivers with the state Division of Elections. Republicans outnumber Democrats in this district by 5 percent but Fresen clearly should expect a fight next year.
EVAN JENNE OUTRAISES ELAINE GELLER IN BROWARD COUNTY HOUSE RACE via Kevin Derby of Sunshine State News
Former Rep. Evan Jenne is building an impressive fundraising advantage over Democratic primary rival Elaine Geller, a business owner and community activist, for an open House seat in Broward County.
Jenne raised $21,250 in the third quarter of 2013 and spent around $6,900 in that period. So far, Jenne has raised $58,225 and spent more than $11,550 as he looks to return to Tallahassee. Geller has not been able to keep pace. She raised almost $4,200 in the third quarter and spent more than $1,500. So far, she has raised more than $12,600 and spent more than $3,360.
FLA DEMS REHIRE JEFF RYAN via Matt Dixon of the Florida Times Union
Almost a month to the day after being fired, the Florida Democratic Party official in charge of raising money for House campaign has been rehired.
For now.
Jeff Ryan, FDP’s House finance director for more than a decade, lost his job in mid-September after it became public that state Rep. Darryl Rouson started a fundraising committee outside the party umbrella.
“He [Ryan] knows the position very well, and I wanted him to help as we get past the next few weeks,” said state Rep. Mark Pafford, who was elected to take Rouson’s spot as incoming party leader.
He said Ryan was rehired last week, but could not remember the exact day. After the Sept. 23 closed door vote to oust Rouson, many House Democrats had dinner at Andrew’s 228 in downtown Tallahassee. They discussed, among other things, rehiring Ryan.
“No one objected to the idea, I’ll put it that way,” Pafford said.
GERI THOMPSON GETS BACK ON TRACK WITH FUNDRAISING via Kevin Derby of Sunshine State News
Sen. Geri Thompson ramped up her fundraising in the third quarter of 2013 after a lackluster second quarter. In the third quarter, Thompson raised almost $34,200 and spent $3,330. So far, she has raised almost $54,850 and spent more than $6,060.
Republican Edward DeAguilera held his own against Thompson in the second quarter but failed to keep pace in the third quarter. He raised $4,565 in the third quarter and spent $132. So far, he has brought in $10,200 and spent almost $420. Fritz Jackson Seide, who ran against Thompson in 2012, filed a waiver in the third quarter.
While this is a fairly solid district for Democrats, DeAguilera has an interesting story. He runs the Sandra DeAguilera Project which helps raise funds for organizations helping women and children. The project was named after his sister who died, possibly from abuse, while pregnant. The director of development and community partnerships of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida, DeAguilera is also well-known in the community for his work with the Hispanic Health Initiative Fund which helps women with breast cancer. Still, Thompson is a heavy favorite, as her impressive fundraising shows.
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$1.2 MILLION FOR BRAGGER AUDITS? via contributor Karen Cyphers
When Senate Bill 6-B was passed in 2005, instituting Florida’s lobbyist compensation reporting requirements, the intent was to audit as well as require such reports. That’s never happened. Audits have three obstacles: disinterest and conflicts among auditors, and costs to the state.
In 2005, Senate staff estimated that audits would cost between $360,000 and $425,000, plus travel and incidental costs. In 2008, a rough estimate placed travel costs at $475,000, bringing the total to about $800,000. Today, the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee estimates that conducting such audits would total about $1.2 million, including hourly rates of pay and auditor travel. This would cover 13 legislative lobbying firms and 11 executive branch firms, for a total of 24.
The irony is that while audits were intended to catch folks who fail to report compensation, insiders are more worried that firms may exaggerate compensation by double counting fees in legislative and executive branch reports. If that possibility is of public concern, revised instructions or forms may do the trick with no further effort.
The prospect of $1.2 million — and likely more — being spent to capture a slim percent of overall activity may be a tough pill for budget writers to swallow. Especially when it seems that the most it would hamper is bragging.
COUNTING DOWN FLORIDA’S TOP LOBBYING FIRMS: #4 THE RUBIN GROUP Full profile here
The Rubin Group is one of the smallest lobbying firms on SSN’s list with only three lobbyists. Despite its size, the firm still plays a pivotal role in lobbying throughout Florida and ranks No. 4 on Sunshine State News’ list of Top Lobbyists in Florida. Full profile here
NEW LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS
Jack Cory, Keyna Cory, Erin Daly, Public Affairs Consultants: Town of Jupiter Inlet Colony
Nicole Fried, Tom Gallagher, Trevor Mask, Meredit Snowden, Colodny Fass Talenfeld Karlinsky Abate & Webb PA: No Casinos, Inc.
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P.R. AGENCY BEGINS A PUSH TO MODERNIZE via Stuart Elliott of the New York Times
Burson-Marsteller in New York, part of the Young & Rubicam Group division of WPP, plans to introduce on Monday an initiative to position itself as ‘Committed to Being More’ – and yes, the matching initials between Burson-Marsteller and ‘Being More’ are no coincidence. … The initiative includes … a series of meetings of thought leaders, under the rubric of the Burson-Marsteller Conversations; revamping the employee training program; forming a worldwide strategic leadership team; hiring additional senior managers; [and ]introducing a ‘reverse mentoring’ program in which younger employees mentor their elders in digital and social media.
SACHS MEDIA GROUP NOMINATED FOR 4 SUNCOAST EMMYS ON SOCIAL ISSUES, HISTORY, AND PSAS
On November 23 in Hollywood, Florida, the 2013 Suncoast EMMY® Awards will commence to honor television professionals in Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Puerto Rico. Awards are issued in 55 categories including Morning Newscast, Breaking News, Team Coverage, Investigative Report, Children/Youth, Weather, Community Service, Technical Achievement, and many more.
One Florida firm stands out among the list of nominees for ably covering a range of social issues. Sachs Media Group has been nominated for four awards, two of which bring light to the prevalence of child sexual abuse and what we can do to identify and prevent it. Continue reading about these projects and nominations here.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the Florida Chamber’s Edie Ousley and Dan Rubin.
