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Dear FFASA Supporter,
As a former Assistant State Attorney, I witnessed first-hand why
so many state prosecutors leave their jobs and, to this day,
continue to wonder why prosecutor turnover is not a “hot” public
issue. Instead, today’s “hot” public issues include Tallahassee’s
debate over which pie should be voted the “state pie”. Even more
ridiculous, is the fact that this “gastronomical” legislation makes
the front page of newspapers and was covered by radio and television
news agencies.
Unlike the “state pie” issue, the magnitude of the detrimental
effect prosecutor turnover has on public safety remains
unrecognized. Year after year, legislators in Tallahassee continue
to ignore the alarming reports from the Florida TaxWatch, OPPAGA,
and even the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association. Sadly, the
general public remains blind to the state’s inability to keep
competent and experienced prosecutors in public service. The fact is
that the public should be outraged by the detrimental effect
prosecutor turnover has on public safety.
Click
here to read an article recently published in The Florida Bar
News titled: State Attorneys, PD's Need Money to Reduce Turnover.
This article describes how turnover affects the operation of State
Attorneys' offices through the state.
It is time to stand up against prosecutor turnover because it
diminishes public safety and our quality of life. With your support,
our grassroots organization will move the issue of prosecutor
turnover to the front burner. We must engage the public to force
legislators to listen. Thank you for taking a stand and joining
FFASA!
Juan Carlos Arias
FFASA President & Founder
| Senate Bill CS/SB 362 and House Bill
81 |
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Senate Bill CS/SB 362 and the identical House Bill 81
are new attempts by concerned legislators to create a loan
repayment assistance program to help state trial lawyers pay
their student loans. Under the bills, an attorney with three
years of service would be eligible for up to $3,000.00 a year
in student loan repayment assistance. After six years of
service, the loan repayment assistance would increase to
$5,000.00. The total loan repayment assistance under the
proposed legislation would be capped at $44,000, or after
twelve years of continuous service, whichever comes first. The
senate bill is now in the Justice Appropiations
Committee.
FFASA supports CS/SB 362 and HB 81 sponsored by
legislators who understand the need to stop high prosecutor
turnover. However, the repayment of loans, alone, is not a
long term solution to turnover. Our legislators must devise an
initiative that incorporates salary increases and a
retention-bonus program.
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| FFASA's Levels of Sponsorship |
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In order to educate the general public through
effective advertising, we need the financial support from
concerned citizens like you. Since FFASA's officers and
directors are non-salaried volunteers, 100% of membership fees
and donations will be invested in effective educational
campaigns. The following are the two levels of sponsorships:
Lifetime Donors-- Businesses, law firms, family units,
or individuals who make a one-time donation of at least
$1,000.00, will have their names in the organization's
stationary, webpage's Home Page, all newspaper advertising,
brochures, and will receive a beautiful plaque at our first
public reception. Founding Supporters -- Businesses,
law firms, family units, or individuals who make a one- time
donation of at least $300.00 to $999.00 Their names will
appear in the stationary, some advertisement, and the
organization's brochure. Help us keep our communities safe,
please join and support FFASA today!
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| FFASA UPDATE |
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FFASA is incorporated in the State of Florida as a
corporation for the common good and general welfare under
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a 501(c)(4)
corporation, FFASA can influence legislation through lobbying
as a primary activity. The Florida Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services has authorized FFASA to solicit
donations under section 496 of the Florida Statutes.
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| FFASA's Board of Directors |
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FFASA's Board of Directors is constituted by accomplished
professionals who donate their time and talents for the
benefit of the community. Together and as individuals, they
exemplify FFASA's professionalism and relentless commitment to
the advancement of public safety. Click on the link and go to
ABOUT FFASA to find the link that takes you to the members of
the Board of Directors.
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Juan Carlos Arias President & Founder
Alan A. Pascal
Treasurer
Francis Viamontes Secretary
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Juan Carlos Arias, Chairman
Gregg Rossman,
Vice-Chairman
Elyse S. Miller
Peter T. Patanzo
Alan A. Pascal
Phillip R. Semenick
Raag Singhal
Francis Viamontes
ABOUT FFASA
FFASA is a non-partisan, not-for-profit, grassroots
organization committed to educating the public regarding the
need to retain experienced prosecutors.
FFASA’s officers and directors are non-salaried volunteers
committed to creating public awareness of the negative effect
prosecutor turnover has on public safety.
FFASA’s only agenda is to create public awareness and to
achieve legislation that would encourage prosecutors to make
their job a career.
FFASA is committed to educating the general public by
advertising the issues in major publications and by making
compelling presentations at local clubs and
organizations.
CALL TO ACTION Please contact your legislators
today and let them know you care about the detrimental effect
prosecutor turnover has on public safety.
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