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Every year thieves target thousands of welfare recipients stealing their identities and depriving them of the benefits in which they desperately need.

Identity Thieves Targeted by State

Florida’s welfare recipients are the latest target of identity thieves, stealing from those who need it most. The state says it needs to stop. “For some reason Florida has the highest per capita rate of reported identity theft in the nation,” said Department of Children and Families Secretary, David Wilkins.

Nine of the top 10 cities in the country for identity theft are right here in the sunshine state. “In 2011 and 2012 the division of public assistance fraud investigated just over 6,600 cases of suspected public assisted fraud,” said Deputy CFO over law enforcement, Jay Etheridge.

A new state program will now make it more difficult for thieves to steal people’s identities and gaining access to state benefits. It’s expected to save the state 60-million dollars a year. “You’re saving months and potentially years of money going out the door,” said Wilkins.

The state is reaching out to local police for help. “I want to put those individuals who choose to commit these crimes; I want to put them on notice. If you commit the fraud we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” said Tallahassee Chief of Police, Dennis Jones.

92-percent of cases that were investigated over the last two years were charged or disqualified for future state benefits.

The following statement was released by Rick Oppenheim, APR, CPRC
RB Oppenheim Associates on behalf of former Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll

A STATEMENT FROM FORMER LT. GOVERNOR JENNIFER CARROLL

On Monday, March 18, 2013, the group Integrity Florida conducted a news conference on proposed ethics legislation, led by the organization’s executive director, Dan Krassner. Mr. Krassner stated that Integrity Florida’s mission is to “promote integrity in government and expose public corruption.” The news conference then advocated for legislation intended to strengthen Florida’s ethics laws.

I support the legislation for which Integrity Florida is advocating. I agree that public officials should take financial disclosure very seriously, take greater care in completing financial disclosure forms, suffer penalties for errors, omissions and inaccuracies and that the Ethics Commission should be given greater enforcement powers.

I admit that I should have taken greater care with filling out my own financial disclosure forms from the past five-to-10 years and apologize for any confusion or concern caused by alleged inconsistencies.

However, I also want to emphasize that I moved quickly to clear up errors on those forms. Yes, I made mistakes, including putting a comma in the wrong place, not explaining (which was not a requirement of the Commission on Ethics) that a jump in net worth from one year to the next was the result of an inheritance following the death of my parents and included jointly owned assets and mortgages (which were owned by my husband and his assets were not subject to reporting – though they were added to an amended form). In 2010, the Governor’s campaign lawyer, Trevor Potter, even reviewed my financials, noted all line items and expressed no concerns with my forms which detailed how things were accounted for.

Yes, I agree with Mr. Krassner that some of my financial disclosure forms were “sloppy at best,” but it is incredible that he indicts me by using the term “potentially inaccurate.” Potentially? Mr. Krassner said that we need to strengthen the Ethics Commission so they can “ask questions long before we have resignations or corruption probes.” Corruption probes?

Mr. Krassner uses leading questions and suggestive language to hint at ethical lapses and corrupt intent. That is patently absurd.

I find it offensive, degrading and objectionable that Mr. Krassner suggests that, because of how I filled out these forms five-to-10 years ago, I should now be considered the “poster child” for ethics reform and corruption. My resignation last week as lieutenant governor had absolutely no connection to that.

Yes, I am guilty of being “sloppy” with those forms and making errors (that I quickly corrected). But, I am most certainly NOT guilty of ethics violations or corruption. No charges have ever been filed against me, and no one has even alleged anything to that effect – until Mr. Krassner’s outlandish, irresponsible and sensational remarks yesterday. Why hasn’t Mr. Krassner looked at Members new worth forms that indicate zero net worth?  Now, in my opinion, that would be grounds for ethics violation.

On other points made during his press conference, he should be applauded and supported. But, on the matter of citing me as an example of what is wrong in Florida with regard to ethics and corruption, Mr. Krassner should be ashamed of himself.

Florida’s unemployment rate fell three tenths of a percent in April, despite a net loss of twenty seven hundred jobs. Eight hundred and four thousand people remain out of work, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, there are encouraging signs for the states economy.

Floridians are spending again. Sales tax collections are 50 million above estimates. Corporate tax collections were down slightly last month, but they are still 20 percent higher than this time last year.

Last month, the tax that is levied on the sale of new and used houses was 24 million dollars over estimate.

New Housing starts are up 26 percent since January. That’s translating into more steady work for this flooring crew.

“Seems like the economy is picking up and we’re starting to just hustle more work and see more opportunities,” Brent Zapata of Zapata Hardwood Flooring said.

Blocks from the state Capitol, construction of 75 hundred square feet of retail that has been on hold since 2008 is underway. Developer Roger Osborn says the time was right to move.

“Well, I think the momentum is coming back in the economy and things are picking up retail wise,” Osborne said.

When houses are built, porta-potties and dumpsters are rented. Sales tax collections on construction items showed the strongest growth, up seven percent ( 7.1). Auto sales came in a strong second, jumping by six percent (6.1). Consumer spending is up four percent, which is making retailers happy (4.0).

“Consumer confidence equates to consumer spending and consumer spending means more revenue for the state of Florida, more tax collections, etc. More jobs,” Rick McAllister, President of the Florida Retail Federation.

Even the surcharges on old tires and batteries was over estimate in April by a million dollars. That suggests that those who aren’t buying new are fixing up the old.

Virtually every category of state tax collections are up for the year, and if the trend continues, the next time lawmakers meet, they should have more money for schools and other needs.

Florida’s unemployment dropped three tenths of a percent to eight point seven percent in April. Despite the drop, a second survey found twenty seven hundred fewer jobs. Economists say the difference is statistically insignificant and may be due to sampling methods. State Labor Economist Rebecca Rust says the economy is still moving in the right direction.

“Everything is moving in the right direction, when we look at over the year and the trends,” Rust said. “The long term trend is as the unemployment rate drops, jobs increase, and when you look at it as a time series they’re still continuously improving. So we still feel good about the recovery, we still think it’s on track.”

More than 56 thousand jobs have been created since the first of the year.

10,800 New Jobs in March

Florida’s unemployment rate dropped four-tenths of a percent in March. That is the single biggest month to month drop in more than 20 years. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the uptick is sending optimism through some sectors of the economy.

More signs like this are popping up. Florida added 10, 800 jobs in March.

90 thousand more people are working in Florida than a year ago. Trade, transportation and utilities accounted for one of every three new jobs. March marked the twentieth consecutive month of job gains.

“Well, the recession is over,” state labor economist Rebecca Rust. “We’re certainly in recovery. But we would still consider it a modest recovery, when you look at historical standard.”

Hotels, restaurants and bars are also showing solid gains.

The industry is cautiously optimistic.

“We’re not where we were four years ago,” Lauren Searcy with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “Still, these numbers are really great. We’re glad that there’s an upswing, but we’re still not where we need to be.”

836 thousand Floridians do remain out of work.

Construction, state government, and telecommunications have all lost jobs.

The state continues to trail the nation in job creation. Gregory Dean has been looking for a construction job for the last four months.

Reporter: Any Luck?

“No,” Dean said.

Reporter: Any sense it’s getting better?

“Not in construction,” he replied.

And economists say that without an improvement in the housing and construction market, the recovery will remain modest and signs like this will be all too frequent.

Not since 1992 has the employment rate dropped by almost half a percentage point in one month. That 1992 signaled major economic recovery from a recession.

State officials say state law forbids them from talking about Sanford Shooter George Zimmerman’s concealed weapons permit. Information about concealed weapons was taken out of the public domain in 2006, so we don’t know who has a concealed weapon, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, we do know a lot of people are carrying weapons in Florida.

One in every 20 Floridians has a valid concealed weapons permit. Sanford shooter George Zimmerman still has his. State law is very specific about when the permits can be suspended or revoked.

“If you’re charged with a felony crime, and the department is notified, we can certainly move to have the license suspended,” Sterling Ivey with the Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “Once a conviction takes place, we can revoke that individual’s license.”

This past year, state lawmakers lowered the cost of a concealed permit by fifteen dollars. They now cost 70 dollars. Applicants must also pass a gun safety course. The Brady Project to prevent gun violence says concealed carry permits are too easy to get in Florida.

“You know, this man George Zimmerman, is a living example of that,” Brady Project President Dan Gross said. “This is a guy who had an arrest record, this is a guy who had a violent past. This is a guy who in numerous other states would never be offered a permit to carry a loaded, hidden, handgun.”

The NRA declined to appear on camera for this story. But they argue that statistics show only law abiding citizens get and keep a permit. State figures show 98 percent of all applicants receive a carry permit.

Since 1987, more than 2 million concealed weapons permits have been issued in Florida, and of those permits just three of every thousand have been revoked.

The Brady project counters that just one concealed permit in the wrong hands is an injustice.

In addition to lowering the license fee, lawmakers also reduced the renewal fee by ten dollars. Concealed weapons permits now cost about eight and a half dollars a year.

Florida’s unemployment rate continues its downward trend. Unemployment numbers released today show the state’s jobless rate fell from 9.9 percent to 9.6, marking 11th time the rate has declined in the past 13 months. 894-thousand Floridians are still looking for jobs. David Hart with the Florida Chamber of Commerce says even though the rate is slow to drop, it’s still a good sign.

“I think Florida is poised for success. We have a governor that is very focused on job creation and that really helps set the tone to do the right things for Florida to succeed,” said Hart.

Governor Rick Scott’s released this statement in response to today’s news.

“I’m pleased Florida’s unemployment rate has gone from 9.9 in December 2011 to 9.6 in January 2012. Florida’s unemployment rate has now dropped for 11 of the last 13 months and this is the second consecutive month the unemployment rate has been below 10 percent. It’s great to see Florida’s economy is trending in the right direction and our unemployment rate is the lowest in three years,” said Scott

If lawmakers don’t act by Friday, Florida’s unemployment tax will more than double. The tax is going from 71 dollars an employee to more than 170. As Whitney Ray tells us, efforts are underway to reduce the increase, but lawmakers will have to act fast or they’ll run out of time.

Good food and great services are the ingredients for success for Brian Rowe and his BBQ business. Piggy’s BBQ employees 35 workers. The restaurant has added catering and a food truck, but the rising price of food and fuel presents a huge challenge.

“It hurts our bottom-line. I’m not going to do a price increase to our customers,” said Rowe.

It could get worse. Piggy’s is about to be hit with a 35-hundred dollar increase in state unemployment taxes. The tax is skyrocketing from 71 dollars to more than 170 per employee.

“It’s kind of a double whammy there. When you have all these increases that are affecting us, ultimately you will have to increase the prices or drop your staff and have fewer staff,” said Rowe.

And if lawmakers don’t act by Friday there will be an 817 million dollar increase to all business owners statewide. Legislation to cut the increase in half is being heard late in session. State Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff says the bill will make it across the finish line.

“I don not anticipate Sine Dieing before this thing passes. This is a priority of the governor and we have been working diligently to get it through,” said Bogdanoff.

The increase is needed to pay back the federal government. In 2009, the state ran out of cash to pay unemployment claims. Florida borrowed 2.6 billion dollars from Uncle Sam to keep the money flowing and now the bill has come due with interest.

Critics of the bill say delaying the increase will only prolong payment to the federal government, and since they are charging interest, in the long run businesses will end up paying more.

Florida�s unemployment rate has fallen into the single digits for the first time since mid-2009.

December labor statistics were released today. They show Florida�s unemployment rate down from 10 percent to 9.9. Since Governor Rick Scott took office the rate has fallen from 12 percent. Scott says cutting taxes and regulations has helped rejuvenate the job market.

�Lower taxes, less regulation, easier permitting; those are things that are getting people to build their businesses here. So business is doing it. The private sector is doing it. Government is just creating the environment,� said Scott.

Florida has added 142-thousand jobs in 2012. 17-thousand were added in December.

In an effort to give the unemployed hope, lawmakers are moving a bill to rename the state�s unemployment program the re-employment assistance program. As Whitney Ray tells us, the bill�s sponsor says changing the name will change the psyche of Florida�s jobseekers.

With a unanimous vote, unemployment benefits in Florida came one step closer to extinction. But it�s not the money for jobseekers that is going away, just the name.

Representative Doug Holder is moving legislation to rename the state�s unemployment compensation program the Re-Employment Assistance Program. He says changing the name will change the outlook of the unemployed.

�I think that re-employment certainly is a more positive word,� said Holder.

The idea for the legislation came straight from Governor Rick Scott and supporters say switching the focus from unemployment to reemployment will have a positive impact. But not everyone is buying it.

�Changing the name doesn�t make a hill of beans of difference to the unemployed,� said Woodall.

Karen Woodall, the director of the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, isn�t opposed to the name change. She just wants to make sure the transition doesn�t keep people from claiming benefits.

The fear is someone who just lost their job will search the web for unemployment benefits and come up empty.

The state is already working to fix that problem. The bill�s sponsor says by the time the name is changed, an internet search for unemployment will direct seekers to the state�s re-employment website. There were talks of amending the bill to include a reduction of the state�s unemployment compensation tax, but as of now the tax reduction bill will have to stand on it�s own.