A Realtor since 1984, Markowitz-Lewis was recognized as Realtor of the Year in 2010 by what was then the South Broward Board of Realtors. She has served as vice chair of the South Broward Regional Board for her local association, the Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors, and has been a member of her local Professional Standards Committee for over 28 years.
Lynn Hartley, a Realtor® based in Fort Walton Beach, has been named Humanitarian of the Year for her extensive support of Building Homes for Heroes. Over the past two years, Hartley has chaired the Building Homes for Heroes Task Force, which constructs or modifies homes and gifts them mortgage-free to injured veterans, first responders, and their families. The organization also provides support services aimed at helping recipients build better lives.
Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis highlighted two transformative initiatives—Father First and Hope Florida—during a fireside chat at the Florida Department of Children and Families’ 2024 Children and Families Summit. These initiatives aim to provide additional support to families and nonprofits that promote strong family structures.
CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis awarded funds for workforce development and infrastructure improvements through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) and the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF). Awards were made to Citrus County, Cross City, and Cedar Key for projects aimed at completing critical infrastructure and strengthening rural economies.
The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has filed proposed workers' compensation rates for 2025, citing a reduction in both the frequency and severity of claims as key factors influencing this year's rate filing. This improvement is attributed to employers’ ongoing commitment to enhancing workplace safety and advancements in technology, which have collectively reduced workplace injuries and facilitated quicker return-to-work processes for employees.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Joshua Gamblin and the reappointment of John Mitten and Michelle Williamson to the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Tallahassee, Fla., August 20, 2024 – The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida are inviting students to participate in the Hispanic Heritage Month student art and essay contests with the theme “Honoring Hispanic Contributions to Florida’s Success.” Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States from September 15 to October 15.
FEMA has established a Disaster Recovery Center in Manatee County to assist residents impacted by Hurricane Debby. The center is located at the Lakewood Ranch Library, 16410 Rangeland Parkway, Bradenton, FL 34211, and operates daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
FloridaCommerce has announced that the Miami metro area gained the most private sector jobs among all metro areas over the year in July 2024. The region saw an increase of 35,400 jobs, marking a 3.1% rise.
Inflation rates for motor vehicle insurance increased by 1.2% in July, which is 1% higher than the national average inflation rate of 0.2% reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in the most recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) summary.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking participants to help identify images of eastern indigo snakes, listed as federally threatened, from a database of digital trail camera photos. This project, the Indigo Snake Watch, aims to improve understanding of the reintroduced snakes’ activity and distribution while providing volunteers an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of North America’s largest native snake species.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the preservation of Lowder’s Gulf Hammock, a 691-acre working timber and wetland property in Levy County, through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The preservation is facilitated by a rural land protection easement valued at $691,200.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia affected by Hurricane Debby. Affected taxpayers now have until February 3, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will celebrate National Shooting Sports Month in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Created to encourage participation in the shooting sports and emphasize firearm safety, National Shooting Sports Month will take place throughout August.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis has awarded $8 million to Miami-Dade County through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) to support roadway infrastructure at Miami Freedom Park. The JGGF award aims to expand business opportunities in the park and create more than 1,800 jobs.
On July 12, 2024, Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced the winners of this year’s Secretary of State’s Florida Main Street Awards during the Preservation on Main Street Conference in Tallahassee. The annual awards program acknowledges the innovative people behind the projects, organizations, and businesses in Florida’s 56 Main Street communities.
TALLAHASSEE — On election day, November 5, 2024, more than 10 million Floridians will cast their votes. In addition to electing a U.S. President, 29 members of Congress, 120 members of the State House and 20 of the 40-member Florida Senate, the ballot tasks Floridians with voting on six proposed constitutional amendments. Constitutional initiatives play a pivotal role in the governance of the state and thus warrant careful consideration.
Florida Realtors has been recognized once again in the "100 Best Companies To Work For In Florida" list. CEO Margy Grant remarked, “Creating a culture of trust and empowerment is an everyday process. Here at Florida Realtors, we invite our employees into the discussion for our mission to be the ‘Voice for Real Estate in Florida’ – they’re as important to our brand as any of our products, tools or services.”
The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) has honored its Chief Executive Officer, Emmett Reed, with the 2024 Walter M. Johnson, Jr. Circle of Excellence Award at the Association’s Annual Conference & Trade Show in Orlando, Florida.