EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE Governor Charlie Crist, as part of his ongoing focus on strengthening Floridas economy, today helped kick off a reconstruction project that will relieve congestion and enhance the safety of citizens and the traveling public in Okaloosa County. The $29.5 million construction project, which is on Eglin Air Force Base property, will provide a flyover ramp for traffic on State Road 85 south heading northbound along State Road 123. The project will also widen State Road 85 south from four to six lanes and reconstruct the entrance and exit to the Northwest Florida Regional Airport. Two bridges will also be constructed on State Road 85 to elevate through traffic on State Road. 85 over the airport exit.
This reconstruction is all about jobs, boosting the local economy and providing much-needed transportation improvements in the region, said Governor Crist. Thanks to this project, Floridas roads will be safer and less congested for families, businesses and tourists.
The Governor joined Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos, local dignitaries, as well as high-ranking officials from Eglin Air Force Base for the groundbreaking ceremony held near the interchange. Scheduled for completion in April 2012, the interchange reconstruction is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
'; output += ''; output += 'TALLAHASSEE Floridas graduation rate reached a record level this year by climbing more than three percentage points to 76.3 percent despite the removal of GED recipients from the calculation. The substantial progress experienced this year is largely due to increased graduation rates among Hispanic and African-American students (up 4.5 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively), almost double the 2.3 percent increase experienced by White students since last year.
Floridas education system continues to be a rising star in our nation, and our teachers and school leaders should be commended for their extraordinary efforts, said Governor Charlie Crist. Our graduation rate is one of many recent measurements showing the progress we are making to ensure every student is capable of academic success.
Since 2004-05, Floridas graduation rate has improved 6.6 percentage points. During that same time period, African-American and Hispanic graduation rates increased by 9.3 percentage points, nearly doubling the improvements made by White students.
These latest results are extremely encouraging and representative of the continuing achievement of Floridas next generation of leaders, said Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith. While there is still much more work to be done, I am confident that we are quickly moving to the point where reality matches potential in the academic performance of our students.
In September of 2009, the Florida State Board of Education (SBE) approved the states new high school grading formula which incorporates graduation rates into the grading of high schools. The graduation rate approved by SBE uses a formula recommended by the National Governors Association (NGA) which includes standard and special diplomas but excludes all GEDs. The NGA rate replaces Floridas previous calculation which included all GEDs.
'; output += ''; output += 'TallahasseeRepublican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer released the following statement regarding the passing of former United States Senator Paula Hawkins.
On behalf of the Republican Party of Florida, Lisa and I offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Senator Hawkins during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Senator and her family, as we join Republicans across the state to mourn the passing of this tremendous leader.
'; output += ''; output += 'TALLAHASSEE, FL- Representative Robert Schenck (R-Spring Hill) made the following statement today regarding his support for Attorney General McCollums legislative proposals to change internal audit procedures for the State Board of Administration (SBA) and expand the Investment Advisory Council (IAC):
In a time of global financial uncertainty, Floridas pension fund is among the top performing funds in the nation, and we are one of very few that is funded close to 100 percent. It is irresponsible to allow political motivations to drastically alter the composition of a system that is producing such positive results.
I am committed to supporting the best oversight structure possible for the State Board of Administration because Floridas pension fund deserves the best expert advice and management available. I look forward to sponsoring Attorney General McCollums legislative proposals to change internal audit procedures, to codify existing ethics policies, and to expand the Investment Advisory Council which exists to provide expert advice to the Executive Director and staff of the SBA. Expanding the IAC would serve to provide an even wider range of expertise to the people who manage the funds on behalf of the state.
Representative Schenck serves as Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Policy Committee which is likely to hear any proposals on this topic.
'; output += ''; output += '~ Business community applauds economic development rail would create ~
www.FlaRecovery.com
TALLAHASSEE Governor Charlie Crist today applauded Senate President Jeff Atwater, House Speaker Larry Cretul and the Florida Legislature for working together to enhance passenger rail transportation in the Sunshine State. The special session beginning today will address SunRail, Tri-Rail and high speed rail, which are considered the building blocks for improving Floridas statewide transportation network.
The rail projects now under consideration will reduce congestion on our roads for Floridians travelling to work, for visitors to the Sunshine States great attractions and for businesses moving goods and services, Governor Crist said. Faster, more efficient travel means people have more time for what matters most supporting their families and building a better future for the next generation.
'; output += ''; output += 'WASHINGTON Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today:
Although this decision took far too long and it should not have, I am glad the president will finally provide General McChrystal with the troops he needs. However, tonights speech must be the beginning, not the end, of the case President Obama makes to the American people as to why this is, as he said during the campaign, a war we have to win. If the president remains committed to this crucial fight, Republicans and the American people will stand with him. But sending mixed signals by outlining the exit before these troops even get on the ground undermines their ability to succeed.
'; output += ''; output += 'Washington, D.C. Today H. Res. 861, recognizing November as National Military Family Month, passed the House of Representatives. Congressman Tom Rooney introduced the resolution to honor our nations military families.
This resolution is about recognizing and honoring our nations military families, said Rooney. Today the House honors the spouses, the parents, and the children of the men and women in uniform and the work they do behind the scenes. Especially in a time of war military families are asked to sacrifice even more and their loved ones are often deployed repeatedly for several months at a time.
I would like to thank House Leadership and Armed Services Committee Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member McKeon for moving forward with this resolution, added Rooney. Military families deserve to be recognized for their work and sacrifices in support of our troops.
'; output += ''; output += 'In Case You Missed ItFor more than two months, Floridians have been waiting for Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink to take a position on the Democrats $900 billion health care experiment.
If the vast majority of Floridians are opposed to this bureaucratic takeover of the health care industry, why wont Alex Sink take a position? Perhaps because opposing the Democrats health care bill could cost her hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the labor unions who finance her campaign.
The pressure for Sink to take a position on this controversial legislation has been mounting in recent weeks, but given the recent financial fate suffered by her Democrat colleague Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas, Floridians will likely have to hold out in Alex Sinks Health Care Waiting Room.
'; output += ''; output += 'TallahasseeRepublican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer today released the following statement regarding Veterans Day:
On behalf of the Republican Party of Florida, I am proud to honor the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our country.
As Americans across the country gather to celebrate Veterans Day, let us take a moment to remember the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms on which our country was built. We are deeply grateful to those individuals who have and continue to serve our nation. We thank them for their sacrifice and pray for their success and safe return.
'; output += ''; output += 'I am proud to support my friend Bill McCollum as Floridas next Governor. At this critical time in our states history, we need a chief executive who will meet our challenges head on and stay true to the core conservative principles of limited government, fiscal discipline and the protection of liberty tempered by personal responsibility.
Bill McCollum is a tested and accomplished leader who will tackle the tough decisions with the commitment and focus expected from the CEO of government in the nations fourth largest state. Florida needs Bill McCollum, and I will work hard to ensure he is elected our next Governor.
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