Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
with a message from Governor Charlie Cris and reflections of the passing year achievements.
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Dear Friends,
As we prepare to welcome a new year, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Governor. I am humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me, and I will continue to strive each day to honor that trust and confidence in my service to our great state.
During this year, we have accomplished many good things. Our Office of Open Government widened the window on Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine laws. I was proud to be a part of the historic change to the Rules of Executive Clemency that allows certain ex-offenders who have paid their debt to society to have their rights restored without a hearing. The new Florida Discount Drug Card announced last week will lower prescription drug costs for those who need it most. We continue to work together to improve the quality of life for every Floridian, and here are just a few other highlights from this year:
Public Safety -- Florida's communities will be safer because of the Anti-Murder Act, which I signed as the first law of the 2007 legislative session. Brutal felony offenders who violate probation can now be sent back to jail until the court determines whether the individual poses a danger to the community. We also added 50 more child predator fighters in the Attorney General’s Child Predator/CyberCrime Unit. I was honored to establish this unit in August 2005 as a pilot project in response to several tragic murders of children in Florida. These dedicated professionals are helping stop predators and sex offenders before they prey on Florida’s children.
Student Success -- I am committed to requiring accountability, 
transparency and high standards so that every student receives a year's worth of knowledge in a year's worth of time. Additional reading coaches are helping more teachers develop students’ reading skills. Virtual tutors are giving parents the tools they need to help their children do better in school.
transparency and high standards so that every student receives a year's worth of knowledge in a year's worth of time. Additional reading coaches are helping more teachers develop students’ reading skills. Virtual tutors are giving parents the tools they need to help their children do better in school. I am also working to increase teacher pay so that Florida is able to recruit and retain the best teachers for our students. The 2007 Merit Award Program provides five-percent to 10-percent performance bonuses to the state’s best public school educators.
Keeping Florida Affordable -- We are making progress to lower property insurance rates and property taxes so Florida families and businesses can prosper. Property insurance reforms require insurers to promptly pay claims and prevent them from canceling policies during hurricane season. We also launched a Web site that helps homeowners compare insurance rates throughout Florida – www.ShopAndCompareRates.com. I remain committed to seeking a national catastrophe fund in order to spread the risk of disasters across the country and strengthen the nation’s insurance markets. I am also working to bring down property taxes from their record-high levels. Skyrocketing property taxes have been keeping Floridians from purchasing their first home or locking them in their current homes. The people of Florida have the opportunity on January 29th to lower property taxes even more.
Florida's Environment -- Florida's natural environment is linked to 
Florida's economy. Tourism is our number-one industry, and people come here to enjoy our beautiful lakes, beaches and weather. For that reason, I am committed to restoring America's Everglades and improving the health of Lake Okeechobee and its rivers and estuaries. I am also committed to addressing global climate change. We are working to increase our energy efficiency and our use of renewable energy such as solar, wind and ethanol.
Florida's economy. Tourism is our number-one industry, and people come here to enjoy our beautiful lakes, beaches and weather. For that reason, I am committed to restoring America's Everglades and improving the health of Lake Okeechobee and its rivers and estuaries. I am also committed to addressing global climate change. We are working to increase our energy efficiency and our use of renewable energy such as solar, wind and ethanol. 
We are truly blessed to live in the very best place on earth, at the best time in history. We have every reason to be optimistic about the opportunities ahead of us in the upcoming year. My optimism comes from you, the people of our great state -- from your strength, your diversity and your kindness.May God bless you and the great state of Florida with a prosperous and safe new year.
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Evelyn out
