States, Cities and Counties
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents covering state government, cities and counties.
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Oregon House Democrats Enter 2020 Focused on Building A Better Future for All Oregonians
SALEM, Oregon, Jan. 18 -- The Oregon House Democrats issued the following news release:
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- Caucus agenda guides work in2020 and beyond
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The Oregon House Democrats released the agenda that will guide their work during the 2020 legislative session with a focus on building "A Better Future for All Oregonians."The agenda lays out the legislative successes of the past and presents a vision for the future, including concrete action to address the climate crisis.
"While Oregon House Democrats represent diverse districts and unique perspectives,we are bound by our commitment to building
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SALEM, Oregon, Jan. 18 -- The Oregon House Democrats issued the following news release:
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- Caucus agenda guides work in2020 and beyond
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The Oregon House Democrats released the agenda that will guide their work during the 2020 legislative session with a focus on building "A Better Future for All Oregonians."The agenda lays out the legislative successes of the past and presents a vision for the future, including concrete action to address the climate crisis.
"While Oregon House Democrats represent diverse districts and unique perspectives,we are bound by our commitment to buildinga better Oregon for every person in this state, regardless of who they are or where they live,"said House Majority Leader Barbara Smith Warner. "Don't just take my word for it -the last several legislative sessions have been a demonstration of the work that is possible when we come together to tackle our biggest challenges. Very simply: we get the hard stuff done."The 2020 agenda, titled "A Better Future for All Oregonians,"focuses on these key areas:
* Seeking Access to Justice and Equal Rights for All
* Building a Strong Economy for All of Oregon
* Preparing Oregon for the Climate Crisis and Natural Disasters
* Strengthening Oregon's Public Schools
* Protecting the Right to Health Care
* Ensuring Everyone Has a Safe Place to Call Home
* Making Government More Responsible, Effective
"The legislative session ahead is full of opportunity,"said Assistant House Majority Leader Karin Power. "With a clear vision in place, we are ready to fulfill our commitments to the people of Oregon and move our state toward a better future for all."
New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission Issues Order of Notice Involving Electric Distribution Utilities
CONCORD, New Hampshire, Jan. 18 -- The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission issued the following order of notice (No. IR 20-004) involving Electric Distribution Utilities:
Investigation into Rate Design Standards for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Electric Vehicle Time of Day Rates
ORDER OF NOTICE
On August 11, 2018, SB 575-FN, a bill establishing requirements for, and restrictions on, electric vehicle charging stations, went into effect. SB 575-FN requires the Commission to determine, within two years of its effective date, whether certain rate design standards for electric companies
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CONCORD, New Hampshire, Jan. 18 -- The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission issued the following order of notice (No. IR 20-004) involving Electric Distribution Utilities:
Investigation into Rate Design Standards for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Electric Vehicle Time of Day Rates
ORDER OF NOTICE
On August 11, 2018, SB 575-FN, a bill establishing requirements for, and restrictions on, electric vehicle charging stations, went into effect. SB 575-FN requires the Commission to determine, within two years of its effective date, whether certain rate design standards for electric companiesand public service companies should be implemented for electric vehicle charging stations. It also requires the Commission to determine whether to implement electric vehicle time of day rates for residential and commercial customers.
SB 575-FN directs the Commission to consider the following standards in determining which are appropriate for electric companies and public service companies to implement: cost of service; prohibition of declining block rates; time of day rates; seasonal rates; interruptible rates; load management techniques; and demand charges. In determining whether it is appropriate to implement electric vehicle time of day rates for residential and commercial customers, SB 575-FN directs the Commission to consider whether implementation would encourage energy conservation, optimal and efficient use of facilities and resources by an electric company, and equitable rates for electric customers.
With reference to the directives in SB 575-FN, Commission Staff (Staff) filed a memorandum addressing relevant rate design standards and summarizing existing applications and potential issues in New Hampshire. The Staff memorandum recommends that the Commission open an investigation and solicit comment on a list of issues related to the relevantrate design standards and the appropriateness of electric vehicle time of day rates for residential and commercial customers.
The Commission is commencing this investigation to provide an opportunity for public comment on issues relating to: (1) the relevant rate design standards regarding electric vehicle charging stations and electric vehicles; (2) whether it is appropriate to implement electric vehicle time of day rates for residential and commercial customers; and (3) any other related issues identified in Staff's memorandum.
The electric distribution utilities regulated by the Commission shall participate in this investigation. This order and subsequent comments, other than any information for which confidential treatment is requested of or granted by the Commission, will be posted to the Commission's website at http://www.puc.nh.gov.
The electric distribution utilities, Staff, and other interested stakeholders shall have until February 20, 2020 to file written comments with the Commission. Commenters are encouraged to address the list of issues identified by Staff in its memorandum, and also to cite quantitative data and qualitative approaches from jurisdictions outside New Hampshire.
Staff will review the comments, conduct a public stakeholder technical session on February 28, 2020, and issue a recommendation to the Commission by April 3, 2020. After reviewing Staff's recommendation, the Commission will issue an order determining whether it is appropriate to implement any such rate design standards for electric distribution companies with respect to electric vehicle charging stations and electric vehicles.
The filing raises, inter alia, issues related to what rate design standards for electric companies and public service companies, if implemented for electric vehicle charging stations, are consistent with the New Hampshire Energy Policy defined in 378:37, and likely to result in just and reasonable electric rates, as required by RSA 374:2 and RSA 378:5 and :7; whether the implementation of electric vehicle time of day rates for residential and commercial customers would be consistent with the restructuring policy principles defined in RSA 374-F:3, VI, would avoid undue or unreasonable preference as required by RSA 378:10, and would likely result in just and reasonable rates, as required by RSA 374:2 and RSA 378:5 and :7. Each party has the right to have an attorney represent the party at the party's own expense.
Based upon the foregoing, it is hereby
ORDERED, that the Executive Director shall publish a copy of this Order of Notice on the Commission's website, and notify by electronic mail the electric distribution utilities, no later than February 14, 2020.
FURTHER ORDERED, that written comments consistent with this order and N.H. Admin. R. Puc 202.06 may be filed with the Commission's Executive Director on or before February 20, 2020; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that written comments may also be filed by electronic mail sent to executive.director@puc.nh.gov; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that Staff shall conduct a public stakeholder technical session at the Commission's offices at 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 10, Concord, New Hampshire, to be held on February 28, 2020; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that Staff shall issue a recommendation to the Commission by April 3, 2020.
By order of the Public Utilities Commission of New Hampshire this sixteenth day of January, 2020.
Debra A. Howland
Executive Director
N.Y. Gov. Cuomo Announces 'Make-Ready' Program for Electric Vehicles
ALBANY, New York, Jan. 18 -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-New York, issued the following news release:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the New York State Department of Public Service issued a report recommending the establishment of a statewide utility-supported "Make-Ready" Program to promote responsible electric vehicle charging station deployment. In addition, the Governor announced that more than 20,000 rebates have been approved for New Yorkers to purchase electric cars under the Drive Clean Rebate initiative, which provides residents with a rebate of up to $2,000 for the purchase or lease
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ALBANY, New York, Jan. 18 -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-New York, issued the following news release:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the New York State Department of Public Service issued a report recommending the establishment of a statewide utility-supported "Make-Ready" Program to promote responsible electric vehicle charging station deployment. In addition, the Governor announced that more than 20,000 rebates have been approved for New Yorkers to purchase electric cars under the Drive Clean Rebate initiative, which provides residents with a rebate of up to $2,000 for the purchase or leaseof a new electric car from participating dealers. In his 2020 State of the State address Governor Cuomo underscored New York's commitment to further encourage electric vehicle, or EV, ownership. Specifically, the Governor directed the Department of Public Service, in consultation with stakeholders, to propose a make-ready initiative that provides utility support to accelerate the development of the EV charging infrastructure needed to meet the expected EV growth in the next five years.
"Accelerating electric vehicle ownership is a key component of New York's nation-leading plan to fight climate change and grow our clean energy economy," Governor Cuomo said. "The Make Ready initiative will direct the State's utilities to build the grid infrastructure needed to enable the installation of publicly accessible chargers, encouraging more New Yorkers to choose electric vehicles while creating jobs and ensuring our energy dollars stay in-state."
The report recommends that the Public Service Commission direct the State's major electric utilities to build the grid infrastructure needed to enable installation of publicly accessible EV charging stations. To support EV deployment in New York, the report recommends a number of actions to leverage the utilities' expertise and unique position to promote zero-emission vehicle adoption. The Commission has already approved initiatives to encourage the zero emission's market, including residential time-of-use rates for EV charging and annual per-plug incentives to buy down the cost of installing publicly accessible direct current fast charger stations. The Commission has also approved a number of EV demonstration and pilot projects, and the utilities have developed the framework needed to rollout EVs.
The "Make-Ready" Program would run through 2025 to coincide with New York's goal of deploying 850,000 zero-emission vehicles by the end of that year. The program will improve EV economics for developers by covering up to 90 percent of the costs to make-ready a site for EV charging. The report also proposes that the utilities be required to incorporate EV charging scenarios into their annual capital planning processes to encourage thoughtful siting of charging infrastructure. This proposal will encourage accelerated, forward-thinking development of charging infrastructure that is estimated to provide New Yorkers with over $2.6 billion in net benefits and supports the achievement of the State's transportation electrification and clean energy goals.
Thoughtful siting of charging infrastructure will support reduced installation costs, improved site host acceptance and maximized use from drivers. An EV charging infrastructure forecast would require electric utilities to identify locations suitable for electric vehicle supply equipment and infrastructure siting, and to proactively educate developers on synergistic cost-saving opportunities. The report recommends that the utilities establish a common suitability criterion to identify potential public charging sites, with the objective of maximizing public charging utilization to ensure efficient use of customer funds invested and provide fair and equitable access and benefit to all utility customers, including those in disadvantaged communities.
As EV prices come down and more EVs come to the market, it will be appropriate to develop more charging infrastructure in environmental justice communities - who have been disproportionately impacted by air pollution -- and rural neighborhoods. Additionally, communities with low vehicle ownership rates, which are disproportionately impacted by air pollutants due to their proximity to heavily trafficked roads and highways, will benefit from a greater share of EVs on the roads. New York State has a number of initiatives to support medium and heavy-duty vehicle electrification underway, including bus fleets, which provide additional access to EVs and improved air quality for many disadvantaged communities.
Fast-charger EV stations developed in the first year of the "Make-Ready" Program are expected to have positive financial returns for all regions and site configurations, except for the larger 150 kW stations located in Upstate New York. Given publicly visible and accessible infrastructure's vital role in assuaging range anxiety, the report recommends that each region in Upstate New York be eligible for additional incentives to make four or more fast charging locations available in every region.
The EVolve NY initiative, administered by the New York Power Authority, has committed $250 million to expand public fast charging along key transit corridors, creating new charging hubs in major cities and airports, and establishing electric vehicle-friendly model communities that will encourage residents to transition to driving electric vehicles.
The additional infrastructure will complement the goals of the State's Drive Clean Rebate initiative, a $70 million plug-in hybrid and electric car rebate and outreach initiative to encourage the growth of clean and non-polluting car use in New York, promote the reduction of carbon emissions in the transportation sector and help reduce vehicle prices for consumers. Of this, $55 million is dedicated to rebates of up to $2,000 for the purchase of a new plug-in hybrid electric car, all-electric car or hydrogen fuel cell car. The remaining $15 million is to support improving consumer awareness of electric cars and their many benefits, installing more charging stations across the state, developing and demonstrating new electric car-enabling technologies and other efforts to put more electric cars on New York's roadways.
Since it was launched, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, which administers the initiative, has approved more than $29 million in rebates for New Yorkers who purchased or leased 45 different types of cars. Overall, most people received rebates of $1,100 or more for their new electric cars.
News Yorkers in each county of the state received rebates. Approximately 33 percent of the approved rebates were received by Long Island consumers, followed by drivers in the Mid-Hudson region. Below is a complete breakdown of rebate applications by region:
See table here (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-make-ready-program-electric-vehicles)
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "Addressing the climate crisis will require a complete overhaul of our state's energy policies backed by the significant resources required to support the transition. Increasing energy efficiency is central to Governor Cuomo's comprehensive plan to realize our ambitious emissions reduction goals and grow a powerful green economy."
John B. Rhodes, Department of Public Service CEO said, "The energy system of the future and the transportation system of the future need electric vehicles. This report proposes smart, forward-looking utility investments that are good for both electric customers and for car owners, and that accelerate Governor Cuomo's clean energy and clean transportation strategy."
Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA, said, "The Make Ready Program is the latest signal to New Yorkers that they can confidently and reliably transition to electric vehicles under Governor Cuomo's vision for advancing the use of cleaner, greener vehicles across the state and ultimately eliminating our carbon footprint. We have already approved more than 20,000 rebates under the Drive Clean Rebate program making it clear that the State is laser focused on providing residents with affordable clean energy solutions that will reduce emissions, safeguard our environment and ensure cleaner communities."
Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA President and CEO, said, "Accelerating the addition of more charging stations statewide is key to the successful encouragement and support of electric car adoption in New York State. The Make Ready Program will further encourage the important collaboration between utilities and developers so that more charging infrastructure can be built. New York State is committed to creating an environment of convenience and ease for current and potential EV drivers. Our comprehensive approach will help make zero-emission vehicles the natural option for both business and personal travel for New Yorkers."
The Make Ready program supports the Governor's recent State-of-the-State announcement on electric vehicles calling on NYPA to install 10 or more fast-charging locations in every Regional Economic Development Council region by the end of 2022. The Governor's EV policy also calls for every travel plaza on the New York State Thruway to have charging stations installed by NYPA by the end of 2024 and for at least 800 new chargers to be installed over the next five years.
The recommendations in the report also build on New York's successful EV expansion efforts through Governor Cuomo's Charge NY initiative, which set and exceeded its ambitious goals of 30,000 EVs and 3,000 EV charging stations by the end of 2018. More than 45,000 electric vehicles have been purchased in New York since 2013 -- more than 48 other states -- and New York has installed roughly 4,000 charging stations during the same period.
New York has ambitious climate change mitigation policies that are reflected in the adoption of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The CLCPA establishes the State goal of economy-wide net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as a reduction of GHG emissions from all anthropogenic sources by at least 85 percent over 1990 levels by the year 2050, with an interim target of at least a 40 percent reduction by the year 2030. The CLCPA requires both substantial emissions reductions and complementary adaptation measures to address the severe impacts of climate change, including transportation electrification as a mitigation measure to harness substantial emissions reductions. New York's transportation sector is responsible for more of the State's carbon dioxide emissions than any other sector, and these emissions are growing.
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- Utility Support Will Accelerate Development of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
- Charging Stations Will Provide More Than $2.6 Billion in Consumer Net Benefits
- Added Access to Charging Stations Will Make Electric Vehicles a More Attractive Option
- State Has Already Approved More Than 20,000 Electric Car Rebates for New Yorkers Under Drive Clean Rebate Program
- New Program Supports State's Transportation Electrification and Clean Energy Goals
Mich. State Rep. Wentworth: Michigan House Receives Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Report
LANSING, Michigan, Jan. 18 -- The Michigan House Republicans issued the following news release on behalf of State Rep. Jason Wentworth:
State Rep. Jason Wentworth said Michigan took a key step toward becoming a national leader in criminal justice reform this week as the Legislature received a report from the bipartisan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration.
House Speaker Pro Tem Wentworth, Speaker Lee Chatfield and other state and county leaders announced the creation of the task force in April 2019 with a charge to review Michigan's local court procedures and history to find the
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LANSING, Michigan, Jan. 18 -- The Michigan House Republicans issued the following news release on behalf of State Rep. Jason Wentworth:
State Rep. Jason Wentworth said Michigan took a key step toward becoming a national leader in criminal justice reform this week as the Legislature received a report from the bipartisan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration.
House Speaker Pro Tem Wentworth, Speaker Lee Chatfield and other state and county leaders announced the creation of the task force in April 2019 with a charge to review Michigan's local court procedures and history to find themost important areas for reform. The report finalized this week includes a summary of their findings and their final recommendations.
"The work done by the task force has provided the Legislature with the data and information we need to make well-informed decisions and ensure our criminal justice system is working in a manner that makes our communities safer," Wentworth said. "This report provides vital information about who is in our jails and what steps need to be taken to reduce the number of people who are incarcerated without compromising public safety."
The task force determined justice system costs are the third largest county expenditure after spending on health, welfare, and public works. In 2017, county-level spending for public safety and courts was more $2 billion, with nearly one quarter spent on county jail and corrections costs, not including the costs of new jail construction or improvements.
By reducing jail admissions and increasing jail alternatives, the task force recommendations are designed to increase the efficiency of the justice system and allow public resources to be more effectively deployed to help victims and provide support and treatment for those with behavioral disorders.
Wentworth said one of the key recommendations within the report would reduce the number of driver's license suspensions. In 2018, nearly 358,000 people had their driver's licenses suspended in Michigan for failing to appear in court or failing to pay a fine.
"It's counterproductive to penalize someone who can't afford to pay a fine by taking away the driver's license they need to get to and from their job," Wentworth said.
In total, the report includes 18 data-driven recommendations. It can be viewed in its entirety here (https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcourts.michigan.gov%2FNews-Events%2FDocuments%2Ffinal%2FJails%2520Task%2520Force%2520Final%2520Report%2520and%2520Recommendations.pdf&data=02%7C01%7CCGuenthner%40house.mi.gov%7Ca996905f3fb846835bfa08d79b877942%7C2d22da34df4044e581670c9860b4a3a9%7C1%7C0%7C637148878480964708&sdata=y0ZwPkhpSKZ911PHyjfEHJL%2FyOcRymJAPapxCFaG1%2BI%3D&reserved=0).
Kentucky A.G. Cameron Announces Return of More Than $300,000 to Medicaid Program From Multi-State Settlement With ResMed Corp.
FRANKFORT, Kentucky, Jan. 18 -- Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron issued the following news release:
Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced that the Kentucky Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control has returned more than $300,000 to the state and federal Medicaid program as part of a joint settlement with other states and the federal government with ResMed Corp. ("ResMed").
ResMed is a provider of health care goods and services, including manufacturing and selling positive airway pressure machines, masks, and related supplies designed to treat or diagnose sleep-related respiratory
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FRANKFORT, Kentucky, Jan. 18 -- Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron issued the following news release:
Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced that the Kentucky Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control has returned more than $300,000 to the state and federal Medicaid program as part of a joint settlement with other states and the federal government with ResMed Corp. ("ResMed").
ResMed is a provider of health care goods and services, including manufacturing and selling positive airway pressure machines, masks, and related supplies designed to treat or diagnose sleep-related respiratorydisorders such as sleep apnea. The settlement resolves allegations that ResMed caused health care providers to submit false claims to the Medicaid program for supplies used to treat sleep apnea and sleep-related respiratory disorders and for home sleep tests. The allegations included unlawful remuneration arrangements between ResMed and providers for the sale or rental of equipment or the performance of tests.
The government alleged that ResMed's conduct violated the Federal False Claims Act and state equivalent laws, thereby resulting in the submission of false claims to the Medicaid program.
The total value of the settlement is $39,500,000. Kentucky's recovery was $320,969.41 based on the proportion of false Medicaid claims filed in Kentucky.
A National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units ("NAMFCU") team investigated the allegations in conjunction with the Department of Justice and United States Attorneys Offices in California and South Carolina. The NAMFCU Team included representatives from the Offices of the Attorneys General for the states of California, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, and Washington.
States involved in the settlement include Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Kansas Gov. Kelly: Senate Votes to Approve Governor's Appointments
TOPEKA, Kansas, Jan. 18 -- Gov. Laura Kelly, D-Kansas, issued the following news:
The Kansas Senate voted Wednesday to confirm all 33 of Governor Laura Kelly's appointments heard and advanced by the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee during the 2019 legislative interim.
Of the 33 confirmed appointments advanced by the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee, three were Cabinet members, five were agency heads and the remaining 25 were board or commission members.
The three Cabinet-level appointments were DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration; Herman
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TOPEKA, Kansas, Jan. 18 -- Gov. Laura Kelly, D-Kansas, issued the following news:
The Kansas Senate voted Wednesday to confirm all 33 of Governor Laura Kelly's appointments heard and advanced by the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee during the 2019 legislative interim.
Of the 33 confirmed appointments advanced by the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee, three were Cabinet members, five were agency heads and the remaining 25 were board or commission members.
The three Cabinet-level appointments were DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration; HermanJones, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol; and Jeff Zmuda, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections.
"I commend the Senate for acting to approve all of my interim appointments," Governor Laura Kelly said. "My administration has methodically and intentionally searched for the best candidates to hold these positions, and I'm confident they will all perform their duties with courage, poise and expertise."
The full list of confirmed interim appointments is listed below.
Cabinet-level appointments:
* DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration
* Herman Jones, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol
* Jeff Zmuda - Secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections
Executive branch agency directors:
* Steve Durrell, Director of the Kansas Lottery
* David Herndon - Kansas State Bank Commissioner
* Doug Jorgensen, Director of the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal
* Earl Lewis, Director of the Kansas Water Office
* Kala Loomis, Director of the Kansas State Gaming Agency
Board or commission members:
* Connie Owen, Chair, Kansas Water Authority
* Catherine Moyer, Kansas Lottery Commission
* Ed Trimmer, Kansas Lottery Commission
* Kala Spigarelli, Kansas Lottery Commission
* Mike Ryan, Public Employee Relations Board
* Jon Gilbert, Public Employee Relations Board
* Joni Franklin, Public Employee Relations Board
* Rick Wiley, Public Employee Relations Board
* Keely Schneider, Public Employee Relations Board
* Emily Hill, KPERS Board of Trustees
* Brad Stratton, KPERS Board of Trustees
* Shelly Kiblinger, Kansas Board of Regents
* Cheryl Harrison-Lee, Kansas Board of Regents
* Jon Rolph, Kansas Board of Regents
* Kelly Kultala, Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission
* Erica Andrade, Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services
* Dr. Michael Birzer, Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services
* Patricia Hudgins, Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services
* Laurel Michel, Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services
* Richard Ney, Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services
* Ruth Stevenson, Kansas Banking Board
* Patrick Walden, Kansas Banking Board
* Alan Deines, Kansas Development Finance Authority
* Sheryl Gilchrist, Kansas Civil Service Board
* Dr. Romano Delcore, Kansas University Hospital Authority
Fla. Secretary of State Lee Designates One New Florida Main Street
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Jan. 18 -- Florida Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee issued the following news release:
Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee announced the designation of Eatonville as a Florida Main Street community. The designation provides technical assistance from the Florida Main Street Program to support local revitalization and preservation efforts.
"I am happy to welcome Eatonville as the newest Florida Main Street community," said Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee. "Eatonville's designation as the nation's first incorporated African-American town shows the determination of a community
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TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Jan. 18 -- Florida Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee issued the following news release:
Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee announced the designation of Eatonville as a Florida Main Street community. The designation provides technical assistance from the Florida Main Street Program to support local revitalization and preservation efforts.
"I am happy to welcome Eatonville as the newest Florida Main Street community," said Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee. "Eatonville's designation as the nation's first incorporated African-American town shows the determination of a communityinvested in their heritage. I look forward to working with them to rejuvenate their historic downtown."
Secretary Lee's designation is based on the December 18, 2019 recommendation of the 2019 ad hoc Florida Main Street Advisory Committee. Composed of five members, the organizations represented included the Florida Division of Historical Resources, MainStreet DeLand Association, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, 1000 Friends of Florida and Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.
Located in Orange County, Eatonville is a small community of approximately 2,500 residents. Eatonville is named after local landowner Josiah Eaton who sold his land to newly-freed slaves in the early 1880s. The town was incorporated in 1887 as the first African-American incorporated town in the United States. Heavily rooted in both faith and education, Eatonville's Hungerford Industrial School was founded in 1889 and served as a premier location for African-American education throughout the state. In addition, author and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston spent her childhood in Eatonville. Each year, Zora! Festival is a three-day celebration in Eatonville that honors her legacy.
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About Florida Main Street
Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 47 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center's Four-Point Approach Copyright (c) , Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida's downtowns - the community's heart and soul.
