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| April is Financial Literacy Month, and a recent survey released by the Federal Reserve underscores the need to promote financial and economic education in our state, and across the nation. The survey revealed that high school seniors correctly answered only half of the survey questions on personal finance and economics. Over the last two years, the Department of Financial Services has been actively involved with groups such as the Florida Council on Economic Education and Florida Jumpstart to do more than 60 presentations in high schools across the state to improve students’ financial knowledge and money management skills. Our department is also sponsoring a statewide essay contest for high school students, and has received nearly 500 entries. While promoting financial literacy is critical among our young people, Floridians of all ages and economic levels deserve access to information they can use to make financial decisions, whether they are buying a car or a home, saving for a child’s college education or planning for retirement. That is why I created http://www.yourmoneyyourlife.org/ – a one-stop resource center that offers high-quality information on a wide range of financial topics. They say the two most important things you do in life, you don’t learn in school—how to be a parent and how to manage your personal finances. There isn’t anything we can do about the former – waking up at 3 a.m. to feed a ‘bundle of joy’ is something everyone has to experience and learn for themselves – but we can arm Floridians with information they can use to make wise financial decisions.
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| GALLAGHER: VICTIMS OF 2005 HURRICANES URGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SPECIAL TAX RELIEF |
| STATEMENT FROM TOM GALLAGHER REGARDING LEGISLATION TO PROTECT SENIORS The Senate Health Care Committee unanimously approved a bill that protects Florida seniors who purchase long-term and home health care insurance from sudden rate hikes and arbitrary claim denials. The legislation, SB 2290 by Sen. Mike Fasano, would extend the same protections to seniors that Gallagher obtained for consumers who purchase health insurance from out-of-state group insurers during the 2003 legislative session. Specifically, the bill would protect policyholders from the practice of insurers that close blocks of coverage to avoid spreading the risk among a pool of insured seniors and then hike rates on the smaller, closed block. “Seniors who responsibly purchase coverage to prepare for potential illnesses in future years should be protected from exorbitant rate increases and arbitrary claim denials, especially at a time when they need their coverage the most,” said Gallagher, who successfully obtained protections for consumers when purchasing health insurance during the 2003 legislative session. “I applaud state lawmakers for approving this important legislation for Florida seniors and their families.” |
The Battle of Okeechobee, fought on Christmas day in 1837 on the shore of Lake Okeechobee, was the largest battle of the Second Seminole War and the last stand of Native Americans in the Southeastern United States. Wild Cat escaped from Fort Marion in St. Augustine to join Seminole leaders Sam Jones and Alligator plus several hundred Indians against Colonel Zachary Taylor and more than 1,000 troops. The war was part of U.S. efforts to remove American Indians from Florida, then a U.S. territory with large expanses of unexplored land. Okeechobee Battlefield | OKEECHOBEE BATTLEFIELD TO BE PRESERVEDThe debate may continue over who won the Battle of Lake Okeechobee, but the war was won recently when the governor and Florida Cabinet agreed to purchase a portion of the battlefield, designated as one of 11 most endangered historic sites in the United States. After 169 years, the Seminole Tribe and many others who have been fighting to preserve the site can enjoy an historic victory. |
| NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK Florida Department of Financial Services: Stepping Up and Stepping Forward April 23 through 29 is National Volunteer Week. The theme for the week is “Inspire by Example” and the Department of Financial Services (DFS) is stepping forward to effect change in Florida communities. Volunteering is an ongoing opportunity to assist our fellow citizens, and raise the awareness that an individual can positively impact the lives of others. DFS has answered this call with energy, time and money in a variety of ways. Service projects include mentoring young people and assisting in school tutoring programs, participating in the Relay for Life race to raise money for cancer treatment and awareness, participation in the Guardian ad Litem Program which helps at-risk children, and hosting blood drives for the American Red Cross. Volunteerism is a year-round commitment. Our department's most recent accomplishment was participation in the United Way’s Florida State Employees' Charitable Campaign, which allows employees to contribute to various charities and organizations through payroll deduction. In 2005, the Department of Financial Services contributed more than $200,000 to the United Way. The department was honored to win the Leadership award for the highest percentage over goal for state agencies with more than 500 employees. The money raised from the campaign will support hundreds of local, state, national, and international charitable organizations. "The employees of the Department of Financial Services are pacesetters and value their roles as public servants by giving of their time, money, and energy for the benefit of others," said CFO Gallagher, who oversees the department. |
