Session Update - Week 1

Legislative Session began Tuesday, March 2, 2010. The House wasted no time, beginning business on opening day by voting on Council Substitute for House Bill (CS/HB) 7033, sponsored by Representatives Dave Murzin (R-Pensacola) and Jennifer Carroll (R- Fleming Island). CS/HB 7033 holds down dramatic increases in unemployment tax rates for businesses for the next two years and takes advantage of the time extension for the State Extended Benefits program by covering up to 8 additional weeks for claimants. Approximately 20,000 Floridians would be eligible to receive extended benefits. This bill was signed by the Governor before his State of the State Address Tuesday night. Please call my office with any questions regarding this worthwhile legislation.

I have also seen movement on several bills that I have filed. HB 697, relating to the Entertainment Industry and Economic Development, was heard in the Economic Development Policy Committee and passed unanimously with overwhelming support. This bill creates a film and digital media tax credit for Florida-only expenditures, such as hiring local residents and contracting with Florida-based companies. Credits cannot be claimed until tax returns for 2012 or later, ensuring not $1 of credits will be claimed or issued in the upcoming budget. This act will generate substantial revenue and create thousands of jobs while boosting ancillary businesses. This bill will be heard in Finance and Tax Committee

HB 701, relating to Design Professionals, is another bill I have sponsored which passed its second committee stop. The next stop is the Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council.

The Florida House of Representatives website, http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/, is a useful tool to track and research filed legislation. Please do not hesitate to contact me at Steve.Precourt@myfloridahouse.gov with any questions on legislation or policy.

Also, if you have any problems reading my newsletter formats, check out my new “Updates” blog by clicking here or by visiting http://www.precourtupdates.blogspot.com/. On this site I will be posting my updates, as well as relevant press releases and issues, make sure to ‘follow’ it!

Pre Session Survey
It’s not too late to take my Pre-Session Survey! Though Session has already begun, the input provided from this survey has been invaluable to me. Thank you for taking the time to fill it out and share your thoughts and concerns with me.
http://www.flhouse.us/Districts/D041/

Constituent Corner
The Agency I would like to familiarize you with this week is the Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI).

AWI is dedicated to advancing the economic well-being and self-sufficiency of all Floridians through premier early learning and workforce services. Funded primarily with federal dollars, the Agency has a total annual operating budget of approximately $1.5 billion. Driven by the needs of Florida businesses, AWI partners with a dynamic statewide system to offer high quality, comprehensive early learning, unemployment and workforce services. Together, through these programs and partnerships, AWI prepares Floridians of all ages today for the jobs of tomorrow.

• Early Learning Services - AWI’s Office of Early Learning (OEL) is responsible for implementation of the state’s Child Care Resource and Referral, School Readiness, and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs. AWI’s OEL works to support families and ensure children have quality early learning opportunities. The Office has a network of community child care resources, early learning coalitions and referral service providers in every county in Florida.


• Unemployment Compensation Services- Through the unemployment insurance program, AWI provides temporary wage replacement benefits to Floridians who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Unemployed workers can use the Employ Florida Marketplace to find their next job or career field.


• Workforce Services - AWI is the Governor’s agency for disbursement of federal workforce funds. Florida’s workforce system ensures that Florida’s businesses can hire the well-trained workers they need. Through these programs Floridians have the opportunity to upgrade their skills and obtain jobs that allow them to become economically self-sufficient and competitive in a knowledge-based economy.

For more information on AWI’s many programs, please visit http://www.floridajobs.org/ or call 1-866-762-2237.

Around the District
My wife, Lisa, and I were honored to be recognized on February 20, 2010 by the Florida Family Network on Disabilities' at 4th Annual Heart and Hope Statewide Conference with the Heart Award. Over 125 families, self-advocates and professionals in the disability field attended and received information through workshops such as "Positive Behavior Supports", "Response to Intervention (RTI): What Parents Need to Know", "Disability Awareness", "Planning Is Crucial: Wills, Trusts & Guardianships", "It's a Better IDEIA", "Transition Planning with Sticky Notes" and much more.

Pictured Above: Executive Director Richard LaBelle, Lisa Precourt, Rep. Steve Precourt