September 19th, 2011
(L to R) Barbara Dawicke, Trial Court Administrator; Chief Judge Peter Blanc; Senator Sachs; Greg Coleman, Florida Bar Board of Governors.
Senator Sachs met with the Judges and Judicial Assistants of the 15th Judicial Circuit to discuss proposed changes to the Florida Court System that were adopted by the Legislature this year. Resolution 7111, which will be on the ballot for voter approval in November of 2012, proposes three major changes to Article V of the Florida Constitution: (1) requires Supreme Court Justices to be confirmed by the Senate; (2) allows the Legislature to repeal Judicial Rules by a simple majority instead of a two-thirds majority; and (3) allows the Speaker of the House of Representatives to review all files of the Judicial Qualifications Commission regardless of whether there are impeachment considerations. Senator Sachs stands in strong opposition to these constitutional changes. “The Constitution established three separate branches of government,” said Senator Sachs. “These proposed changes are an unjust intrusion on judicial independence.” This year, Senator Sachs is working with Chief Judge Peter Blanc and President of the Florida Bar, Scott Hawkins, to tour major law firms throughout Palm Beach County to speak to attorneys on these proposed sweeping changes. Senator Sachs is a practicing attorney and member of both the Florida and California Bar.
September 19th, 2011
Senator Sachs addressed the members of the Human Trafficking Coalition of the Palm Beaches. The Senator was appointed to the Florida Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force in 2009. “Florida ranks as the state with the third highest occurances of human trafficking,” said Senator Sachs. “We need to be vigilant in stopping the scourge of human trafficking in this state.” The Senator looks forward to filing legislation to help rid the state of this crisis. Anyone who wishes to join this Blue Ribbon Committee against human trafficking in Florida can contact the office.
To learn more about the Human Trafficking Coalition of the Palm Beaches, please visit http://www.htcpb.org/.
September 6th, 2011
Recently, Senator Sachs toured Florida Atlantic University’s Seatech campus in Dania Beach with members of her Blue Ribon Energy Committee. One of the highlights of the tour was the first-of-its-class underwater ocean turbine project, which will generate energy from ocean currents. “State-of-the-art energy facilities like this one at Seatech are igniting the renewable energy revolution that will lead the way of powering our cities for generations to come,” said Senator Sachs. “When I encounter technology like this, I am optimistic about the future of the Sunshine State.” The committee is committed to gathering information on renewable energy sources and identifying ways Florida can achieve energy independence. The committee advises the Senator on energy policy so that she can implement new ideas on the Senate Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities Committee. In addition to ocean turbines, the committee will look into biomass, cellulosic ethanol, and nuclear energy. The next facility that will be toured is a nuclear energy power plant in South Florida.
August 9th, 2011
Sen. Sachs addresses children at the Office Depot event
This morning, Senator Sachs participated in The Office Depot Foundation’s National Backpack Program which provides free backpacks to at-risk youth nationwide. She spoke to the children, telling them to fill up their new backpacks with “big dreams and big ideas.” Through this event, Office Depot donated approximately 6,000 backpacks to children in the Delray Beach area. These backpacks come packed with essential school supplies. This year alone, 350,000 children will receive new backpacks thanks to the charitable efforts of the Office Depot Foundation. Since 2001, 2.5 million children nationwide have benefited from this program. ”I commend Office Depot for their dedication to community service, even in times of economic hardship,” said Senator Sachs.
August 9th, 2011
Senator Sachs met with the Blue Ribbon Committee on Education to discuss research findings on a wide range of contemporary issues in education. These areas included:
Sen. Sachs speaks with the Blue Ribbon Committee on Education
- Magnet schools
- Charter schools
- Virtual schools
- Vocational schools
- Private schools
- Specialized schools
- Home schooling
- Traditional schools
In September, the Committee will begin scheduling visits to public schools. Senator Sachs encourages anyone with an interest in educational issues who would like to apply for a position on the Committee to contact the office.
August 8th, 2011
“[T]he alarms are not too much to ask of day cares entrusted with the lives of vulnerable young children. So Sachs’ bill deserves support.”
Today, the Sun Sentinel editorial board endorsed my proposed legislation, Haile’s Law, to prevent day care van deaths. In doing so, they remind us that legislation alone cannot solve all of our problems. It is the responsibility of all caregivers, whether family, friends or paid professionals, to safeguard their children. Together, diligence and technology can avert another needless death.
To read the full article, click here - http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/editorials/fl-kids-hot-cars-nb-editorial-20110808,0,7682578.story.
August 5th, 2011
It has been one year since the tragic death of Haile Brockington. My heart goes out to the Brockington family. What began as a cause has become a crusade. Now, more than ever, we must put politics aside and focus on the safety of our children.
Coverage in the Palm Beach Post - http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/a-mothers-heartache-terrible-time-in-the-year-1696324.html
August 2nd, 2011
Senator Sachs will host an educational redistricting workshop from 2pm – 4pm, August 10th, 2011 at the Hagen Ranch Library located at 14350 Hagen Ranch Rd. – Delray Beach, FL. The purpose of this workshop is to ensure that all citizens are as informed as possible before the Florida Senate’s Public Hearing on Redistricting on August 16, 2011. The workshop’s panelists will present divergent ideas of how Florida can best implement its new district lines. This event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring guests.
*To RSVP please visit http://www.mariasachs.com/redistricting/
July 29th, 2011
Education - August 9, 2011: Meeting, Valencia Falls Clubhouse, Delray Beach, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Disaster Preparedness – August 11, 2011: Meeting Lakes of Delray Residential Community, 10 a.m. – 11a.m. August 23, 2011: CERT Exercise Lakes of Delray Residential Community, 10 a.m.
Energy – August 25, 2011: Tour at Florida Atlantic University Seatech Campus, Dania Beach, 10a.m.-12p.m.
Human Trafficking – September 14, 2011: Meeting of Human Trafficking Coalition of the Palm Beaches (HTC PB), Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center, 10 a.m.
*If you would like to join a Blue Ribbon Committee please contact the office.
July 29th, 2011
Sen. Sachs receives the FCCFA's Legislator of the Year Award
Senator Sachs was recently awarded the Legislator of the Year Award at the Florida Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (FCCF) Annual Convention. The Senator addressed over 300 professionals within the death-care industry who attended the annual event. “I am honored to receive this award,” said Senator Sachs. “The services that your industry provides are vitally important to ensuring that we hold sacred our loved ones who are no longer with us.” This past legislative session, Senator Sachs advocated against legislation that would have allowed for interment of deceadents ashes at the Daytona International Speedway. The bill died in her committee.
