News Archives
Governor Crist Applauds Green Lodging Program
Announces launch of Green Lodging Web siteORLANDO – Governor Charlie Crist today joined Secretary Michael W. Sole to applaud the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Lodging Program and to launch the Green LodgingProgram Web site at the Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort.
“The Green Lodging Program is an example of our firm commitment to reducing the effects of global climate change in our great state,” said Governor Crist. “I am grateful to our corporate partners for leading by example as we work to adopt cost-saving green practices that decrease energy use and conserve natural resources.”
This month, the Green Lodging Program will designate seven additional hotels, including the first inTallahassee and the first two in Jacksonville. The new designations raise the total to 33 hotels, with 58 others currently in the reviewing process. Since Governor Crist’s executive order initiating state energy-use policies, 25 hotels have begun the designation process.
“These designated hotels and motels reduce water use, conserve energy and decrease their solid waste, three steps we should all make a priority,” said Secretary Michael W. Sole. “The success of the Green Lodging Program is evidence that there is a demand for green businesses, and every new designation is a new opportunity for Floridians to be better environmental stewards.”
Governor Crist signed Executive Order 07-126 on July 13, at Serve to Preserve A Florida Summit on Global Climate Change. Beginning January 1, 2008, the executive order requires state agencies and departments to hold meetings and conferences at hotels participating in DEP’s Green Lodging Program whenever possible.
The Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort uses ENERGYSTAR appliances to conserve energy and has implemented a comprehensive recycling program for paper, cardboard, aluminum and steel cans, magazines, plastic, ink cartridges, kitchen grease, fluorescent lamps and soaps. In addition, the property installed low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads, as well as charcoal air filters to reduce heating and cooling costs.
About the Green Lodging Program
The Florida Green Lodging Program was launched by DEP in March 2004 and establishes environmental guidelines for hotels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. Green Lodging practices include conserving water by implementing a towel and linen re-use program; saving energy by using energy efficient products; closing drapes and shades to reduce heat; and turning off heating and cooling systems in unoccupied rooms. To reduce waste, designated hotels implement recycling programs, and to improve air quality, hotels use environmentally friendly air filters.
Levels of designation in the Green Lodging Program:
- The one-palm designation requires an applicant to use environmentally-friendly energy, waste, air and water practices, promote green practices to guests and set up a green team at the hotel.
- The two-palm designation awards lodges that have increased their environmental performance and maintained up-to-date green practices.
- The three-palm designation is awarded after three years in the program with continuous improvement and commitment.
Green Lodging Program Web Site
Governor Crist and Secretary Sole also announced a new Green Lodging Program Web site. The site contains photos and detailed information about designated facilities as well as tips on becoming a member of the Green Lodging Program. Additionally, visitors can offer feedback, suggest new ideas and access links to climate friendly Web sites.
“To receive designation by the Green Lodging Program, hotels must demonstrate a commitment to resource conservation,” said Governor Crist. “This Web site links Florida’s families and visitors as well as companies and trade organizations with hotels that care about preserving our beautiful natural environment.”
For more information on the Florida Green Lodging Program, please visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
FRLA announces new partnership with DEP Green Lodging
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association is pleased to announce our partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Lodging Program.
The program was created to help protect our state’s natural resources by encouraging Florida’s hotels and motels to adopt eco-friendly business practices.
The Florida lodging industry has a nearly $10 billion impact on our state’s economy.
In an effort to help lessen the power and water consumption necessary to run our vital tourism industry, the Florida Green Lodging Program provides tangible changes that companies can implement to lessen their impact on Florida’s resources.
The FRLA encourages the state’s lodging industry to conserve natural resources by taking part in this voluntary certification program. For more information, please visit www.FloridaGreenLodging.org.
FRLA welcomes members of the Florida Hospitality Association
Through a merger agreement between FRLA and the Florida Hospitality Association (FHA), FHA members will receive a one-year membership with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.
Among the new benefits available to former FHA members is a listing on frla.org’s online Buyers Guide, access to reduced rate hotel rooms through frlahotelsavings.com and discounts on education and training products as well as a wide variety of products and services available exclusively to FRLA members.
FRLA is pleased to have the membership of FHA as a part of our association and we look forward to sharing with you the many benefits of membership!
Should you have any questions regarding the benefits of your new membership, please contact Dan Murphy at 888-372-9119 ext 235 or email dmurphy@frla.org.
We welcome you as new members and hope you will take advantage of all that affiliation with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association has to offer!
FRLA Endorses Heartland Payment Systems as Preferred Partner for Payroll
Dear FRLA Member
It is rare for the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association to offer an endorsement of a service provider. We take seriously our responsibility to our membership when steering you towards the selection of one business over another. However, it is without reservation that I announce our endorsement of Heartland Payment Systems as the FRLA preferred partner for payroll processing.
Most of our members are very familiar with our long-standing relationship with Heartland as a credit/debit card processor. A few years ago, Heartland took the unprecedented step of offering to have their sales representatives sell FRLA memberships. This partnership has been so successful that Heartland now accounts for over 100 memberships a year brought in to the association. In addition, Heartland has been committed, without fail, to every event and participation opportunity presented by FRLA. They are the strongest of partners, proven in their willingness to go the extra mile on behalf of FRLA members.
For this reason, I can say that the decision to put our name behind the payroll processing arm of Heartland is a solid decision based on years of hard work and proven effort by this loyal member.
I encourage you to call 888-963-3600 to contact a local Heartland representative near you and allow them an opportunity to make the case for switching to Heartland for your payroll processing needs. It is a step that will benefit your business and that will benefit the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.
Regards,
Carol B. Dover, FMP
President and CEO
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association
Legislation Filed Requiring Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Every Hotel Room
Legislation was filed Feb 21, 2007, in the Florida Senate that would require carbon monoxide detectors in hotel rooms across the state.
SB 1840 filed by Senator Charlie Justice (D-St. Petersburg) essentially states that each unit in a public lodging establishment would be required to have a carbon monoxide detector, unless it is determined that no potential threat of poison exists. Rules regarding installation and determination of threat would be adopted by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants.
FRLA is monitoring this bill and watching the House for a possible companion piece of legislation to emerge. FRLA will keep you updated with any new information regarding the proposed bill.
If there are any other questions regarding this issue, please do not hesitate to call Adam Parmer at 850-224-2250 or email aparmer@frla.org.
Attempt to Repeal School Start Date is Killed in House Committee
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
In a surprise move over the holiday weekend, a bill that would have repealed last year’s school start-date legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives, Schools & Learning Council.
A single provision in the otherwise good education bill (PCS for HB 653) would have allowed school districts, after one hearing, to adopt a policy for the opening and closing of schools earlier than the 14 days before Labor Day as required by current law.
The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, together with other business and parent groups, supported an amendment offered by Rep. Martin Kiar removing the controversial language allowing school districts to circumvent the statewide, standard school start date established last year.
The amendment was debated by numerous speakers, includingCarol Dover. After a lengthy discussion by committee members, a vote was taken on the amendment. The vote was 11-3 to remove the school start-date repeal provision.
A special "thank you" goes out to Reps. Kiar, Travviesa, Altman, Bendross-Mingall, Coley, Heller, Long, McKeel, Mealor, Simmons and Vana, who supported the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s fight to save our summers.
— Richard Turner
Bill to Repeal School Start Dies In Senate Committee
Today in the Senate Education Pre K-12 Committee, Senators chose not to take up SB 148 on reconsideration effectively killing the bill. SB 148 offered by Senator Posey would essentially repeal the new school start date law. FRLA worked tirelessly to pass this law last session that would require schools across the state to begin their school year no earlier than 14 days prior to Labor Day.
According to Senate rules, a Senator must move that the bill be taken up on reconsideration and a favorable vote recorded before any discussion or debate can be heard on the bill. As the Committee meeting concluded no motion was made to reconsider the bill and therefore no discussion was held or vote taken, in effect killing the legislation.
While this is an important victory for FRLA and its lobby team, there has been a bill (HB 653) filed by Representative Kravitz which would also seek to repeal this untested portion of law. As currently written HB 653 would require a school district that wanted to start earlier than 14 Days Prior to Labor Day must hold only one public meeting in order to opt out of the law. Efforts have already begun to fight this legislation in the House.
The FRLA’s Government Relations Department will continue to track this and other legislation as the 2007 Session nears, and will work to keep you informed with legislative updates, and bill summaries.
Special Session Wrap Up: Legislature Passes Insurance Reform
Click here to download Session SummaryFRLA Endorses Insurance Provider FHM
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association offers its endorsement of the FHM Insurance Company (FHM) as the endorsed provider of Worker’s Compensation insurance services to Florida’s hospitality industry. FHM is an insurance company providing coverage, cost containment, fraud prevention, reduction of medical costs, and comprehensive work place safety programs FHM coverage is available through over 300 agents in Florida.
FRLA Endorses Insurance Provider FHM (Download Release)
Attention Association Members Seeking Health Care Coverage
The Florida Restaurant Association is pleased to offer its members a variety of affordable health care coverage options.
LEGISLATIVE ALERT: Bill Filed to Repeal School Start Date Law!
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Email your legislators now using FRLA's Legislative Contact Tool. You only need to know the county where you reside ... a template letter is available, or edit to include your own message.
We are the largest employer in the State of Florida with nearly 1,000,000 employees. Having a uniform school start date is very important our industry. That is why we fought so hard for it to get passed. In fact, we have not even benefited from the law’s effect as it won’t start until the next school year.
Thousands of school aged children are employed in the hospitality industry. Our industry knows a uniform and later school start is better because these younger employees benefit from greater opportunities. Many of these students work in the summer, often at their first job. Reducing summers with the ever encroaching school year start dates minimizes a student’s their chance to gain invaluable work experience and often much-needed income.
For many years, Florida’s school start dates were out of sync with the public’s idea of a traditional summer. Other states with early school start dates and shortened summer seasons showed substantial reductions in tourist spending. Florida’s hospitality industry, already facing wage mandates, cannot afford more regulations.
As a member of FRLA, please take the time to contact your state senator and state representative please urge them to oppose any changes the new school start date law! You can find your state legislators through www.frla.org (there is a draft message available there), www.myflorida.com or please call our government relations division at (850) 224-2250 and our staff will be glad to help locate them for you.
Sincerely,
Carol Dover
CEO / President
