Dear Friend, The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) held public hearings this week in Broward and Palm Beach counties to consider a petition from Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) for a permanent base rate increase of about $12.40 more per month per household. According to the PSC, FPL is requesting this increase of about 12 percent “to earn a fair rate of return on its investment and to cover increasing operating costs.”
The PSC, which consists of five members appointed by the Governor with the power to regulate utilities, will vote on the proposed rate increase November 13, 2009. Click here to visit the PSC website and click on the link for the June 2009 Florida Power & Light Company Special Report for more details on FPL’s petition.
Anyone who wants to comment on the proposal and was not able to attend the public hearings can email the PSC at contact@psc.state.fl.us or send a letter to:
Florida Public Service Commission, Office of Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850
Please be sure to include the docket number, 080677-EI.
Our office attended the hearings this week and I will be paying close attention to this issue as the PSC continues reviewing FPL’s petition.

Unemployment Benefits Extension: The Florida Legislature passed legislation this session authorizing the Agency for Workforce Innovation to begin paying Extended Unemployment Compensation Benefits to people who have been out of work and have exhausted all unemployment benefits. Payments will begin in early July and will be made retroactive to February 22, 2009 for those who are eligible. For more information visit www.floridajobs.org and click on the link for “Extended Benefits” or call 1-888-896-0091.

Palm Beach County Offering Free Summer Food Program for Children: Palm Beach County Division of Human Services is offering free meals and snacks to low-income, school-age children on weekdays between June 8 and August 14. Children who are age 18 and under are eligible. Sites are located throughout Palm Beach County in low-income neighborhoods. Click here to visit the Summer Food Service Program website for a list of locations, or call Georgiana Devine at (561) 355-4775 for more information.

Zicam Health Warning: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently warned consumers to stop using and discard or return three zinc-containing Zicam intranasal products that may cause a loss of sense of smell. The FDA has received more than 130 reports from consumers who used the following products to treat the common cold and lost their sense of smell:
• Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel (15mL, NDC 62750-003-10)
• Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs (20 swabs, NDC 67250-003-20)
• Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (20 swabs, NDC 67250-003-21)
To find more information online, click here, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns. Our district office number is (561) 470-6593.
Kelly Skidmore, State Representative, District 90

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To read my article in the Sunday, June 28 Delray Community News Section of the Sun-Sentinel
CLICK HERE.

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