Politics

Nick Iarossi to receive knighthood in Naples ceremony

Published

7 hours ago

February 3, 2025

‘Nick is so deserving of this honor and recognition for his considerable accomplishments in business and service to community, state, and country.’

Capital City Consulting co-founder Nick Iarossi will be knighted during a ceremony on April 3 at St. Agnes Church in Naples.

The Royal Order of Francis I, established by the Royal House of Bourbon two centuries ago, honors individuals in various fields, including business, science, and education, for their significant contributions to society through service and philanthropy.

Iarossi will be honored alongside four others, joining a prestigious list of past inductees, including heads of state and notable leaders in business and entertainment.

Last year’s inductees included singing legend Frankie Valli and Formula One icon Mario Andretti.

“Nick is so deserving of this honor and recognition for his considerable accomplishments in business and service to community, state, and country,” said Sachs Media founder Ron Sachs, who recommended Iarossi for the honor. “He is widely respected as among the very few best in his field and as a person with the highest caliber of character.”

Iarossi is a top lobbyist in the state. His firm routinely ranks among the Top five in state-level revenues, and he’s taking steps to replicate its success at the federal level by expanding his work in the nation’s capital as a Managing Director at BGR Group.

Before entering the lobbying world, Iarossi earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from Florida State University, where he served as student body President. In addition to his professional endeavors, Iarossi mentors students and supports charitable organizations, including the March of Dimes and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The knighting ceremony will be followed by a gala dinner at Gulfshore Playhouse. The proceeds will fund the charitable work of the Royal Order of Francis I.

Post Views: 0

Source link

Politics

Nick DiCeglie, Lindsay Cross buck partisanship with neighborhood flood safety measure

Published

4 minutes ago

February 3, 2025

May Greene

State Sen. Nick DiCeglie, an Indian Rocks Beach Republican, and state Rep. Lindsay Cross, a St. Petersburg Democrat, are collaborating on legislation to improve traffic safety and manage vehicle behavior during floods and severe weather.

The lawmakers filed bipartisan legislation (SB 350 and HB 241) prohibiting motorists from driving at high speeds through a flood zone. This proposed law would reduce the number of vehicles creating wakes and exacerbating potential flood damage to homes and businesses.

“I heard from countless residents whose homes were already flooded during Hurricane Helene forced to endure even more flood damage from vehicles driving at high speeds through their neighborhood, causing additional wake,” DiCeglie said. “This is a common-sense fix that will ensure our communities are protected during these extreme weather events.”

Added Cross: “In the aftermath of hurricanes Eta, Debby, Helene and Milton, we need to do everything we can to minimize the impact from flooding to homes and businesses. It’s heartbreaking for neighbors to stand in their doorways, praying that a vehicle driving down their street doesn’t push more water into their homes, destroying their possessions and memories.”

The measures would allow local governments to enact ordinances governing the operation of motor vehicles, boats and other conveyances to limit wake on roadways.

“As a coastal community, it is important to champion initiatives that will aid our public safety officials in keeping our residents and properties safe,” St. Petersburg City Council member Brandi Gabbard said. “By making this change to state statute, it will allow local governments to enact lower speed enforcement during times of street flooding, alleviating undue stress and damage. I am grateful to leaders such as Rep Cross and Sen. DiCeglie for their leadership and their partnership in this effort.”

The need for such measures became painfully evident last year when storm surge from Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding in the Tampa Bay area, including Pinellas County beaches represented by DiCeglie, and low-lying areas such as Shore Acres in St. Petersburg, which Cross represents. The wake from vehicles zooming through floodwaters can create or worsen flooding to homes, other cars, businesses and infrastructure.

“I want to thank Sen. DiCeglie and Rep. Cross for listening to the people of Shore Acres. Time and time again, we have witnessed reckless drivers plowing through floodwaters, creating a wake that causes millions more in property damage. The community of Shore Acres fully supports this critical legislation,” Shore Acres Civic Association President Kevin Batdorf said.

The measure would also give law enforcement an additional tool for educating the public about safe driving during weather events.

“Residents and business owners shouldn’t have to worry about careless drivers causing additional water damage to their properties as they try to begin the recovery process,” said Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who added his thanks to DiCeglie and Cross for their “common sense legislation.”

St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway similarly celebrated the proposal.

“St. Petersburg Police Department supports the Vehicle Wakes bill, as it empowers communities to better address post-storm flood damage,” he said. “By reducing the destructive impact of vehicle wakes during flooding, this legislation will help protect homes, businesses, and vital infrastructure, ensuring our neighborhoods recover more quickly and effectively after storms.”

Post Views: 0

Source link

Politics

WalletHub study found Florida ranked 14th best state for driving

Published

35 minutes ago

February 3, 2025

May Greene

Florida ranked second best state in the country for access to vehicles and maintenance.

When it comes to driving and road challenges, many residents consider Florida a tricky place to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. But stacked up and compared to other states, the Sunshine State isn’t all that bad.

Florida landed in the top 15 best states in America for driving, according to a new ranking by WalletHub. The study released this year concluded that Florida is the 14th best state for driving in the United States, with a combined score of 61.03, according to the scale developed in the WalletHub study.

WalletHub researchers compared the 50 states using four essential factors: vehicle ownership and maintenance costs, traffic and infrastructure, vehicle safety and access, and maintenance.

Florida scored high on the element of access to vehicles and maintenance and was ranked second in the country in that category.

Despite the many tourists coming to Florida daily and the large number of vehicles on the streets of the state’s largest cities, the Sunshine State is pretty safe. Florida’s safety ranked eighth best in the country.

However, the same elements of tourists and big cities also lowered Florida’s ranking in traffic and infrastructure. Florida ranked as the 45th worst state in those areas. Florida also ranked pretty low in the cost of ownership and maintenance of vehicles, coming in at 32nd in America.

Kansas was ranked the best state to drive in America, scoring 65.92. It also ranked high in the cost of vehicle ownership and maintenance, as well as traffic and infrastructure, as it was ranked third and fifth, respectively. Kansas was ranked 33rd for safety and 32nd for access to vehicles and maintenance.

Idaho was ranked second best, with Indiana ranked third among the best states for driving.

Hawaii was ranked 50th for driving; Washington preceded that at 49th, and Montana at 48th.

Post Views: 0

Source link

Politics

‘Great discussions’ between Gov. DeSantis, Legislature could lead to immigration compromise

Published

1 hour ago

February 3, 2025

May Greene

Gov. Ron DeSantis corroborates a Congressmember’s claim that he and the House and Senate are moving forward on a consensus product addressing illegal immigration.

“We’ve had great discussions. I think we’re going to land the plane. So I don’t necessarily have an announcement now, but I’m pretty sure we’re going to get there,” DeSantis told reporters Monday in Tallahassee.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna had said the “legislature is in discussions with DeSantis and they should be reaching an agreement soon. I hope they keep immigration authority with the Gov. Hearing the new version is WAY better than the 1.0.”

DeSantis expects a product that shows the legislative commitment to “aggressively address illegal immigration” and that last week’s discord was an “aberration.”

“I give credit to a lot of the members. They’re listening to the voters. Voters have been very, very firm on what they expect. And so when you’re elected, you listen to the people that sent you there and you make sure that your’re following through with that. So I do think that you’re going to see that plane land. It’s all about the policy,” DeSantis said.

A major bone of contention: the Governor wants to control the fight against illegal immigration. The TRUMP Act passed by the Legislature, which DeSantis said he would veto, instead gives authority to Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

The brewing compromise represents a thawing of rhetorical ice in recent days.

DeSantis has balked at how the TRUMP Act “takes away the Governor’s authority … takes power away from me,” while House Speaker Daniel Perez said DeSantis wants to be “deporter-in-chief.”

The Governor envisions a big spend to fight illegal immigration in the next budget.

“DeSantis recommends $505 million and 15 FTE (full-time employees) in the current year for the Division of Emergency Management and $4.4 million and 21 FTE to establish a Special Immigration Unit at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to immediately assist the federal administration’s enforcement of illegal immigration,” a memo released Sunday reads.