This week, I announced the creation of the new Destination Florida commission. For more than half a century, Florida's beautiful natural environment and rich cultural heritage have made our state the destination of choice for retirees. The commission will evaluate Florida's competitive position in attracting retirees and craft recommendations that would make Florida more retiree friendly in the future. Ours is already a senior friendly state, the Destination Florida commission launch reaffirms our commitment.
The Destination Florida Commission will also continue and expand upon our Communities for a Lifetime initiative, which encourages communities to prepare for the retirement of the baby boom generation. Over 40 Florida cities and counties have already made a commitment to be elder-ready, through self-assessment of traffic signals, street signage and access to affordable housing and transportation services. The Destination Florida Commission will build upon this effort and give it a statewide direction.
At the same time, we are committed to serving the needs of our seniors who have already made the choice to call Florida home. On Wednesday, I joined seniors in Tarpon Springs and Miami to unveil a new prescription drug plan, SilverSaver, named after retiring Senator Ron Silver of North Miami. This plan will double monthly drug benefits from $80 to $160, allowing those with low incomes to afford more prescriptions. SilverSaver will make a difference in the lives of about 58,000 elderly Floridians.
There's a reason so many retirees want to call Florida home. Through the Destination Florida Commission and efforts like SilverSaver, we continue to reinforce our commitment to improving the quality of life for all seniors.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely, Jeb Bush
NOTICE!!! NOTICE!!! NOTICE!!!
On Wednesday, August 7, 2002, Governor Jeb Bush and Lt. Governor Frank Brogan will hold Open Office Hours in Chiefland (Levy County). The one-on-one, 5 minute meetings with citizens will take place at Central Florida Community College-Chiefland Branch (114 Rodgers Boulevard) beginning at 8:00 a.m. Registration begins at 7:00 a.m. It is first come-first serve, so get there early!!
SILVER SAVER SPELLS RELIEF
Governor Bush announced the state's new Silver Saver prescription drug program Wednesday, applauding the decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide Florida with one of the first federal waivers for such a program. Governor Bush unveiled the program while visiting the Union Academy Cultural Center in Tarpon Springs, where Ruben King-Shaw, Chief Operating Officer for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), officially signed the federal waiver. The Governor later traveled to the Festival Discount Pharmacy in Miami. The new Silver Saver program, named after retiring Senator Ron Silver, doubles the current monthly benefit, providing $160 a month to an estimated 58,000 seniors who are Medicare eligible with incomes between 88-120 percent of the federal poverty level (between $7,797-$10,632). The program does not have an enrollment fee, membership fees or any other monthly fees. There will be a small co-payment system of $2 for generic drugs, $5 for drugs on the state's preferred drug list and $15 for those drugs not on the preferred list. These benefits could cover the cost for up to as many as nine prescription drugs a month. Silver Saver is in addition to current Medicaid prescription drug benefits that covers more than 236,000 Florida seniors who are below 88 percent of the federal poverty level. Governor Bush signed the new program into law in June by approving approximately $30 million in state funds for Silver Saver. With HHS and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service's approval total funding for the program will be approximately $109 million. Florida is one of the first states to provide a major drug benefit to its low-income elderly by using the federal Medicaid Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability (HIFA) waiver. AHCA is immediately notifying more than 35,000 people who are automatically eligible through Medicaid for the new Silver Saver program. A statewide program, including public service announcements, will be launched in order to reach another estimated 25,000 seniors who may be eligible for the program as well. Brochures will be available at pharmacies, health centers, libraries and other locations throughout the state. More details regarding the Silver Saver program are available at www.myflorida.com or call AHCA at 1-888-419-3456.
MEET FLORIDA'S NEW TEACHER-IN-RESIDENCE
Governor Bush announced the appointment of Sharon Burnette of Jacksonville as the new teacher-in-residence in the Executive Office of the Governor. Governor Bush created the position when he came into office to serve as an advisor on education issues. The announcement was made at the Teen Trendsetters Reading Mentoring Summit where the Governor's 30 Teen Trendsetter Mentors are being trained as part of his Just Read, Florida! initiative. Sharon has been a teacher since 1971. She began her classroom career at Lone Star Elementary School in Jacksonville, where she taught 5th grade. From 1975 thru 1980 she taught 5th grade at Loretto Elementary School. Since 1980, she has taught 5th grade at Crown Point Elementary School in Jacksonville. Throughout her years as a teacher, Sharon has been recognized for her excellence and dedication. She was honored as the 2002 Duval County Teacher of the Year and one of five finalists for the 2002 Burdines Florida Teacher of the Year. Among numerous other awards and recognitions, Sharon has been named a Who's Who Among America's Teachers, a Master Teacher by the National Teacher Training Institute for five years in a row, nominated for the Disney American Teacher Award four different times, and served on the Teacher Steering Committee for the 2002 Governor's Educator Leadership Summit. A graduate of Carson Newman College, Sharon received her bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1966. She will begin her duties in the Governor's Office on August 19. Sharon is replacing Cheryl Cliett who has served Governor Bush since 1999. Cheryl will be returning to the classroom to teach 4th grade at Canopy Oaks Elementary in Tallahassee. For more information, visit www.myflorida.com.
THE RETURN OF A GREAT FLORIDIAN
Governor Bush announced his appointment of Jim Smith as Florida Secretary of State Friday. Mr. Smith will serve as Secretary of State until January 7, 2003, at which time the Department of State will become an agency under the Executive Office of the Governor. He served as Florida's Secretary of State from 1987-1995 and Attorney General from 1979-1987. He will assume the duties of the office effective Monday, August 5. In addition to serving as Attorney General and Secretary of State, Mr. Smith also served as deputy secretary of state from 1969-1971, deputy secretary of commerce from March 1971-November 1971, assistant to Governor Rubin Askew from 1971-1972, a member of the Board of Regents 1977-1978 and chief of staff to Governor Bob Martinez from January 1987-August 1987. Effective today, Mr. Smith will sell his interest in the law firm of Smith, Ballard and Logan, P.A., where he has been a partner since 1998. In 2000, Governor Bush appointed Mr. Smith to co-chair the Florida Election Reform Task Force. The 21-member task force was charged with the review of statewide election procedures, standards and technology in each of Florida's 67 counties. Task force recommendations led to Florida's model election reform law that was signed in 2001. A graduate of Florida State University, Mr. Smith received his bachelor of science in public administration in 1962. He received his law degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1967. For more information, please visit www.myflorida.com.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR PRESS RELEASES >p> 1. First Emerging Technology Commission Meeting Held in Orlando 2. Governor Bush Announces Major Cocaine Seizure on Miami River 3. Governor Bush Announces Silver Saver Drug Program 4. Governor Bush Announces Creation of Destination Florida Commission 5. Governor Bush Announces New Teacher-In-Residence at Teen Trendsetters Mentoring Summit 6. Governor Bush Appoints Secretary of State
NEWSPAPER CLIPS OF INTEREST
1. Bush Praises Florida Guard's Efforts Following Sept. 11-Florida Times-Union 7/28 2. Front Porch Initiative Targets Urban Revitalization-Sarasota Herald-Tribune 7/28 3. 2 Dade Students Join Bush at Park-Miami Herald 7/30 4. Bush Creates Commission to Attract Retirees to Florida-Naples Daily News 7/30 5. Jacksonville Teacher Will Spend Year Advising Bush on Education-Orlando Sentinel 7/31 6. Customs Agents Seize $32 Million in Cocaine from Freighter on Miami River-Bradenton Herald 8/01 7. Bush Touts Drug Plan for Poor Seniors-Tampa Tribune 8/01 ***** I'll try to find some nice pictures of Florida later this week since Jeb mentioned the Destination Florida program. FV