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Workforce Florida Weekly Update 11-09-07 |
CONTENTS The State & RegionsGovernor Crist Signs Historic Gaming Compact With Seminole Tribe ~ Billions Of Dollars In State Revenue Estimated, Governor Encourages Legislature To Use Funds To Support Education. TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today, along with Mitchell Cypress, Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, complied with federal guidelines by signing a 25-year compact that has the potential to provide billions of dollars to Florida’s schools. In exchange for significant revenue sharing of profits, the agreement gives the tribe the exclusive right to operate slot machines and card games in the seven existing facilities on tribal lands. The agreement comes on the eve of the federal government’s approval of a request from the Seminole Tribe of Florida to allow slot machines on tribal lands without any revenue sharing with the state. “This historic agreement comes after 16 years of negotiations between the State of Florida and the Seminole Nation,” Governor Crist said. “Today’s agreement will benefit the entire state for generations to come, as well as benefit the tribe.” The tribe will pay the State of Florida $50 million upon the federal government’s approval of the compact. Guaranteed annual minimum payments to the State of Florida will be $100 million. Starting in the third year, the state will receive between 10 and 25 percent of the revenue on a sliding scale, depending on total revenue amounts. The Florida Legislature will appropriate the funds. Through the compact, Governor Crist recommends that the funds primarily be used to enhance and support Florida’s education system. The Governor also recommends that the Legislature designate five percent of the funds to local governments near the tribal lands to assist with increased economic activity, tourism and anticipated ancillary development. “While it is the Legislature’s prerogative to appropriate the funds as they see fit, I believe that best use of the funds will be to enhance education,” Governor Crist said. “The compact will provide much needed revenue that can help us develop world-class schools throughout the state.” The compact allows the Seminole Tribe of Florida to operate Class III slot machines and banked card games (such as black jack and baccarat) at the seven existing facilities on tribal lands (Immokalee, Big Cypress, Brighton, Hillsborough and three locations in Broward County). In addition, they will be permitted to conduct six no-limit poker tournaments each year, with 70 percent of the revenue going to charitable organizations. The compact provides a significant disincentive for the future expansion of gambling in Florida. The state will forfeit its share of the tribe’s revenue if such expansion occurs on non-tribal lands. Excepted from this exclusivity provision are the pari-mutuel facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties authorized by the 2004 constitutional amendment and subject to local approval. Miami-Dade County has not approved the gaming. The agreement also requires the Seminole Tribe of Florida to develop a compulsive gambling prevention program; submit records to an independent annual financial audit; maintain a legal process for compensating individuals for injuries caused to patrons; ensure consumer protection through compliance with national gaming standards, state building codes and inspections, audits and monitoring of games, financial records and internal procedures. The tribe will also make provisions for smoke-free gaming and limit admission to patrons age 21 and older. Indian gaming casinos on Indian reservations fall under federal jurisdiction. Governor Crist commented that the federal government had indicated it would allow the tribe to operate the slot machines, even if the state and tribe did not come to an agreement for profit sharing or oversight. www.myflorida.com. Lt. Governor Opens Florida Pavilion at MEDICA 2007~ Showcases state’s life science industry. DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY — Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp today officially inaugurated the Florida Pavilion at MEDICA 2007. The Lt. Governor was joined during the ribbon-cutting ceremony by John Koenig, Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, and Matthew Boyse, U.S. Consul General in Düsseldorf. MEDICA, held November 14-17, 2007, is the leading global exhibition for the medical sector and the world’s largest life science trade show. This year MEDICA will feature approximately 4,200 exhibitors from more than 60 nations and the Florida Pavilion will showcase 40 Florida companies. “It is an honor to be here today to inaugurate the Florida Pavilion at MEDICA 2007,” said Lt. Governor Kottkamp. “Florida is home to a rapidly growing biotechnology, medical device manufacturing and life sciences industry, and we are pleased that we are able to showcase Florida companies at this important event.” The Florida Pavilion, featuring 40 organizations and companies from Florida and more than 90 representatives from those organizations, will showcase the products of this record-breaking delegation. Many of the exhibitors specialize in medical device manufacturing, including imaging equipment, electrocardiogram systems and endoscopic surgical instruments. Statistics show that the state’s medical devices sector ranks second nationally in a global market of $200 billion. Coordinated by Enterprise Florida Inc., the Florida Pavilion has had a presence at MEDICA for the last 20 years. "Our goal is to highlight Florida’s life science industry and help develop new partnerships to promote international trade and investment," Lt. Governor Kottkamp said. "Florida is the innovation hub of the Americas and offers exceptional opportunities in the arena of manufacturing, as well as research and development." Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Lt. Governor toured the Florida Pavilion and met with representatives from the various Florida companies exhibiting during the conference. The Lt. Governor also attended a luncheon with representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Berlin and the U.S. Commercial Service. The luncheon was also attended by representatives from the State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Düsseldorf Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany, among others. “I would like to thank the Lt. Governor for inviting us to participate in this ceremony today,” said Mr. Koenig. “Florida has consistently had one of the largest state pavilions from the U.S. and, as a result, the Florida-German relationship continues to flourish, especially in the area of biotechnology and medical devices technology.” According to Enterprise Florida Inc., Florida’s lead economic development organization, Germany is Florida’s third-largest trading partner with two-way trade valued at $6.78 billion in 2006, an increase of 40 percent over the previous year. In 2006, Florida imported $3 billion in products from Germany, ranking the country fourth out of Florida’s worldwide import partners, and exported $3.4 billion to the country, rendering it the state’s third-largest export destination. Germany is Florida’s third largest foreign investor, valued at $3.7 billion, after Canada and the United Kingdom. Approximately 200 German companies are located in Florida, collectively employing over 21,000 Floridians. Florida’s biotechnology, life sciences, and medical device manufacturing industries continue to grow throughout the state. Florida is ranked 10th among the largest biotechnology centers in the nation. Florida is also the second largest medial device sector in the U.S. with 1,021 companies. Florida ranks second in the nation in number of medical device establishments that are registered by the Food and Drug Administration. More than 90 pharmaceutical companies operate in Florida, most clustered in South Florida, as well as along the State’s high-tech corridor, which stretches from Tampa Bay, through Orlando, and Gainesville, to Daytona Beach and Florida’s Space Coast. For more information, visit Enterprise Florida at www.eflorida.com. The NationGovernment Accountability Office (GAO) releases “Small Business Administration: Preliminary Views on Increasing Collaboration with Department of Agriculture Rural Development Offices”. The Small Business Administration (SBA) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development offices share a mission of attending to underserved markets, promoting economic development, and improving the quality of life in America through the promotion of entrepreneurship and community development. In the past, these agencies have had cooperative working relationships to help manage their respective rural loan and economic development programs. At this subcommittee’s request, GAO has undertaken a review of potential opportunities for SBA to seek increased collaboration and cooperation with USDA Rural Development (Rural Development), particularly given Rural Development’s large and recognizable presence in rural communities. In this testimony, GAO provides preliminary views on (1) mechanisms that SBA and USDA have used to facilitate collaboration with other federal agencies and with each other; (2) the organization of SBA and USDA Rural Development field offices; and (3) the planned approach for GAO’s recently initiated evaluation on collaboration between SBA and Rural Development. GAO discussed the contents of this testimony with SBA and USDA officials. Read the complete GAO-08-278T, November 14 report at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08278t.pdf. Read the Highlights at: http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08278thigh.pdf DOE Launches New K-12 Energy Curriculum Web Site. DOE announced recently the launch of a new educational Web site that provides more than 350 lesson plans and activities on energy efficiency and renewable energy for grades K-12. DOE's new Get Smart About Energy! Web site, located at http://www.eere.energy.gov/education/lessonplans/, includes hands-on activities that address energy fundamentals, energy efficiency, sources of energy, and the environmental impacts of energy use, and all the activities and lesson plans are aligned with the National Science Education Standards. Teacher guides are included with many of the lessons, and all the materials are free and reproducible. The Web site will help to equip today's students with the knowledge and resources to develop cutting-edge energy technologies in the future. The new Web site is part of DOE's EnergySmart Schools Program, located at http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energysmartschools/, which also promotes energy efficient schools. K-12 schools spend more than $8 billion annually on energy, making energy the second highest operating expenditure for these schools after personnel costs. To help lower those costs, the EnergySmart Schools program promotes the building of new schools that exceed code by 50% or more, as well as retrofits to existing schools that improve energy efficiency by 30% or more. The program is endorsed by the National School Boards Association and offers tools and resources to assist school decision makers in planning and financing energy-efficient high-performance schools. The program also offers education and training for building industry professionals. Source: U.S. DOE. VA to Hire Veteran Employment Coordinators - Forming Internal Task Force to Examine Veteran Job Development. WASHINGTON (November 9, 2007) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced the initial hiring of 10 full time Veterans Employment Coordinators to focus efforts to attract, recruit and hire veterans throughout the Department. These coordinators will work closely with the recently formed Federal Recovery Coordination Program to assist Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans to potentially obtain employment with VA. "After our young men and women have concluded serving in our military, VA will use every hiring flexibility available to bring their talents and skills to our department should they want to continue to serve this great nation through the VA," said Acting-Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon Mansfield. The Veterans Employment Coordinator job announcements will be posted on www.usajobs.gov and www.va.gov/jobs with the goal of being hired by the end of the year. The coordinators will work with veterans interested in employment at the VA, including those who have completed one of VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services programs. "VA believes enhancing a veteran's opportunity for employment is not merely the obligation of a grateful Nation. It is good government and good business," added Mansfield. "This stepped-up recruitment and hiring of veterans into the Department of Veterans Affairs ensures we are able to employ some of our Nation's most highly motivated, disciplined and experienced citizens." Mansfield also announced the formation of an internal task force to examine the Department's retention, training and development of veterans already in the VA workforce. The task force will be led by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration, with employment experts from the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, National Cemetery Administration, and additional VA staff offices. Approximately 31 percent of the 230,000 Department of Veterans Affairs employees are veterans, and 7.7 percent are service-connected disabled veterans. http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel. Headlines from NASWA’s Workforce Bulletin – November 9, 2007:
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities and NoticesFor current information, visit the External Grant Opportunities page.Featured Opportunity:Grant Funds Available To Provide Job Assistance To Veterans With Disabilities. The Able Trust to award up to $60,000 to boost employment opportunities for Florida veterans with disabilities. In 2006 the national employment rate for returning veterans was 3.8 percent. With a growing number of veterans returning from service, it is imperative that organizations and communities establish a greater number of employment opportunities for returning veterans, especially veterans with disabilities. This Veterans Day, The Able Trust is doing just that. The Able Trust, a non-profit public-private partnership foundation serving individuals with disabilities, is joining the cause to create better employment opportunities for veterans with disabilities. The Able Trust is also known as the Florida Governor’s Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities. The Able Trust has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP #08-5) aimed at existing Florida not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organizations, associations and agencies that provide Florida Citizens with Disabilities with employment related services. The purpose of the RFP is to provide funding for a project(s) to create employment opportunities for Florida residents that are veterans of a branch of the United States Military Service and have a disability in gaining competitive employment in the community. Established Florida not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organizations are eligible to submit a proposal which outlines a project that will lead to competitive employment for veterans with disabilities. The Able Trust will award up to $60,000 to one or two not-for-profit agencies throughout Florida. It is anticipated that one or two projects will be funded for a one-or-two-year grant period. Projects should serve a minimum of 25 individuals and result in an 80 percent community employment outcome. A complete copy of RFP #08-5 can be found on The Able Trust website at www.abletrust.org or by calling toll-free 888-838-2253 Voice/TDD. The deadline to submit proposals is March 4, 2008. Since 1992, The Able Trust has awarded more than $21 million in grant funding to individuals and not-for-profits organizations throughout Florida for employment-related purposes, enabling more than 2,000 Florida citizens with disabilities to enter the workforce each year. The Able Trust awards grants to nonprofit agencies that provide direct employment support to persons with disabilities and to individuals with disabilities for on-the-job accommodations or assistance to gain, retain or receive a promotion in employment. Grants are awarded throughout the year on a quarterly basis. For more information about The Able Trust Grants Program, visit www.abletrust.org. The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Governor’s Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities, is a 501(c)(3) public-private partnership foundation established by the Florida Legislature in 1990. Its mission is to be the leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through fundraising, grant programs, public awareness and education. Since its establishment, The Able Trust has awarded over $21 million to individuals with disabilities and nonprofit agencies throughout Florida for employment-related purposes, enabling over 2,000 Florida citizens with disabilities to enter the workforce each year. The Able Trust youth programs provide career development and transition to almost 2,000 students with disabilities annually, helping to reduce the dropout rate and prepare young adults for life beyond high school. For more information about The Able Trust, visit www.abletrust.org. Upcoming Meetings, Conferences and
Events
Workforce Florida Board and Related Meetings Schedule:For up-to-date WFI board meeting info please check the calendar at the WFI website. December 19, 2007 Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:
November 15-17, 2007 Dec. 1-4, 2007 Jan. 15-18, 2008 January 22-25, 2008 March 18-20, 2008 May 18-20, 2008 Odds and EndsNonprofits Rank as Florida's Fourth-Largest Work
Force, Study Finds. While the nonprofit sector in Florida ranks
as the fourth-largest industry in the state and is a significant
economic presence, it still has some distance to go to match
its counterparts elsewhere in the United States, a new report
commissioned by the Florida Philanthropic Network finds.
Prepared by the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies,
the study, Florida's Nonprofit Sector: An Economic Force,
is part of an ongoing program of policy research on the state's
nonprofit and philanthropic sectors by FPN, which receives
support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
The study found that, with 380,000 paid workers and another
250,000 full-time equivalent volunteer workers, Florida nonprofits
employ six times the number of people employed by the state's
agriculture industry, more than three times as many people
as the state's real estate industry, and half again as many
people as its banking and insurance industry. Moreover, in
2005 the state's nonprofit sector generated more than $48
billion in revenues, while its paid employees accounted for
nearly $13 billion in wages — which translated into
significant sales tax revenues for the state and municipal
governments. Though sizable, Florida's nonprofit sector is
proportionally smaller than its counterparts elsewhere in
the country, however, accounting for 4.9 percent of total
employment versus the national average of 7.2 percent and
a Southeast average of 6 percent. Similarly, nonprofit expenses
per capita in Florida are nearly one-third less than in the
United States as a whole, and charitable activity in the
state, while significant, is below the U.S. average, with
contributions per $1,000 of adjusted gross income just $23.55,
compared with $24.66 for the nation as a whole and $28.99
in New York. Likewise, the state's volunteer rate of 18.6
percent is well below the national rate of 26.7 percent and
the Southeast rate of 23.7 percent. "Throughout Florida,
continued growth has intensified the demand for the services
and programs of nonprofit agencies," said Ruth Shack,
FPN chair and president and CEO of the Dade Community Foundation. "This
report shows both the gaps and the untapped potential of
our state's nonprofits in responding to this demand. While
we all can take pride in the enormous contributions our nonprofits
are making, we also need to do more to bring the Florida
nonprofit sector up to the scale it has achieved in other
parts of our country. If we increase giving and volunteerism
even just a few percentage points, the impact would be huge." Rural Areas Emerging As Arts Magnets & Retaining Young, Educated Workers. While the “art scene” is most often associated with larger cities, a number of rural areas are emerging as arts magnets, finds the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service in the latest issue of Amber Waves. Among the rural areas with relatively new concentrations of artists are Lincoln, Georgia, Oktibbeha, Mississippi and Mitchell, North Carolina. “The single characteristic most strongly associated with rural arts magnets in 1990 and 2000 was the ability to retain college-educated workers,” the article says. See “Arts Employment Burgeoning in Some Rural Areas” at: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/November07/Findings/ArtsEmployment.htm. Women Lose Ground in IT, Computer Science. Women are falling further behind in information technology and computer science, according to a new report released by the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT). The study, the NCWIT Scorecard, compiled data on girls and women in computer science and IT as students at the K-12 and post-secondary levels, as well as women working as professionals in IT and as faculty in computer science in higher education. It painted a fairly bleak picture of the situation in the United States, where women make up the drastic minority of participants in science- and technology-related studies and where that minority shrinks further the higher one looks up the academic and corporate ladder. Access the complete article at: http://www.thejournal.com/articles/21547 Quote for the Week:"It is good to rub and polish our brain against that of others." Michel Eyquem De Montaigne |
