Lawmakers on Saturday approved a state budget as the Legislative Session briefly went into overtime. Leaders of the respective Sarasota and Manatee County legislative delegations say they felt good about a successful session for the region.

State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, and state Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, both agreed the biggest win for the area came with approval of the Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Initiative. Legislation launching the initiative passed unanimously in the Senate and drew one ‘no’ vote in the House.

Robinson noted the initiative became a top priority for the entire Bay Area Delegation following the devastating algae outbreaks last year. “This allows us to get out arms around mitigating red tide," he said, "which was just an environmental disaster last summer."

The Legislature budgeted more than $6 million for red tide studies. But Gruters, who sponsored the legislation in his chamber, said the important part of the initiative is the recurring funding. The measure promises financial support for six years, which will allow scientists based at Mote Marine Laboratory to study long-term solutions.

Another recurring expense? The University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee scored $5 million in funding that will be recurring indefinitely. 

“The entire Sarasota delegation really knocked it out of the park with the money we brought home,” Gruters said.

Much of that came from the fortune of having Bradenton Republican Bill Galvano as Senate President, a role he will hold into next session as well. “The fact he’s our neighbor and he’s been willing to work with our delegation on our priorities, he deserves the credit,” Gruters said.

Robinson said beyond individual sprinkled for local projects, the region will also see benefits from general spending increases on education. The budget approved Saturday includes a $75 boost in per student spending. 

And Gruters notes a $21 million increase in arts and cultural funding. That’s eight times more than the state spends now. “There are so many cultural programs in Sarasota that benefit from that fund, so that’s a home run for us,” he said. 

Photo by Jacob Ogles: The Sarasota Legislative Delegation met in January advance of session.

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating 2019 National Small Business Week with daily events highlighting the important impact small businesses have on the local economy and in the community.

Monday, May 6: Nominations Open for the 40th Annual Manatee Small Business of the Year Awards The community is encouraged to send in nominations for the 40th Annual Manatee Small Business of the Year Awards. Winners will be announced at an awards breakfast on August 23.

Tuesday, May 7: PR 101 Seminar: Public Relations and Marketing Best Practices for Small Businesses The Manatee Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association to present public relations tips and tools for small business owners. Expert panelists will share tips for utilizing social media channels for promotions and business exposure, monitoring social media as part of a reputation management plan and media relations best practices.

Wednesday, May 8: Headliners Monthly Membership Lunch: Secrets of Our Small Business Success (Featuring a Panel of Past Winners of Manatee Small Business of the Year) Gain insight and perspective from a panel of seasoned business owners—and past Manatee Small Business of the Year winners—as they share their own secrets for small business growth and success. Panelists: Mary Forristall, Forristall Enterprises; John Horne, Anna Maria Oyster Bar; and Don Ide, Trophy Case.

Thursday, May 9: Manatee Chamber Night with the Marauders The Chamber partners with the Bradenton Marauders for the game and celebration on the boardwalk.

Friday, May 10: Morning Coffee with the Chamber To wrap up Small Business Week, both Manatee Chamber offices will be opening their doors to Chamber members from 7:30am to 9am for coffee, donuts and networking in our lobbies. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for tickets to the 40th Annual Manatee Small Business of the Year Awards Breakfast.

Registrations are required for all Small Business Week events. For more information and to register online, visit the website below. 

Manatee Chamber of Commerce 2019 National Small Business Week

The Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) will host a networking luncheon and panel discussion on Wednesday, May 15, from 11:30am to 1pm at the Manatee Community Foundation in Bradenton. 

Members of the panel, moderated by Jennifer Abbott of the Manatee Community Foundation, will share their experiences with place branding and the principles behind building brand equity that is tied to a region. The local experts who make up the panel are Johnette Isham from Realize Bradenton; Elma Felix, a planner working on the Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan; and Carrie Price, Village of the Arts.

This event is open to the public. Tickets are $25/CWC-FPRA members, $35/guests; registration is available online at the website below. 

CWC-FPRA

Sarasota County Schools has announced that Pine View School’s Gena Bufkin has been named the 2019 School-Related Employee of the Year representing Sarasota County. Bufkin serves as an administrative assistant to both Elementary Assistant Principal Alison Rini and Middle Assistant Principal Sue Fair, and has served the Pine View School community for 14 years.

The Florida Department of Education’s School-Related Employee of the Year Program annually recognizes outstanding education support personnel for the significant contributions they make to their schools and district school systems. The program honors one state representative and four finalists from the 67 school districts in Florida. All non-certified, non-instructional educational support personnel who serve at the school or district level—such as teacher aides, library aides, bookkeepers, secretaries and clerks, bus drivers, food service staff and custodians, among others—may be nominated. As the award recipient for Sarasota County, Bufkin is eligible for the overall State-level recognition, to be announced later this spring.

Bufkin and all the school-based winners will be recognized in an annual luncheon held at Michael’s on East on May 8. 

Pine View School

The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller has released its 2017-18 fiscal reports, which are now available for public viewing on its website.

Published annually, the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) provides a detailed view into the financial results and position of Manatee County. The Manatee County Popular Report is a condensed and simplified report of the detailed information provided in the CAFR. Its primary purpose is to provide the citizens of Manatee County with an understandable outline of the county’s financial performance. 

Manatee County Clerk of the Court Financial Reports

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art has announced that Marissa S. Hershon has been appointed Curator of the Ca’ d’Zan and Decorative Arts. Hershon comes to The Ringling from The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston where she performed curatorial duties in the department of Decorative Arts, Craft and Design. Her past employers include the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, VA, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.

An accomplished lecturer in the decorative arts, including glass and silver, Hershon is also a widely published author, having appeared in publications such as The Magazine Antiques and Silver Magazine. Her previous volunteer activities include serving with Tulane’s Women to Women Mentoring Program and as a docent at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery, Washington, D.C. 

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art