TALLAHASSEE - A panel named by Gov. Jeb Bush to fight an obesity epidemic in Florida voted Friday to recommend requiring physical fitness tests for public school students and expanding health insurance to cover nutritional therapy.
The group nearly voted to ban soda machines from schools, before Florida Atlantic University president Frank Brogan called it a bad idea. He said "a unilateral ban" without flexibility at the local level would put some people in a difficult situation.
In a conference call, the group settled on nearly two dozen recommendations it will send Bush and legislative leaders. Some members thought the panel should have pushed for stronger requirements.
"If we don't mandate some physical fitness requirements for our children in our school system, a lot of this is going to go for naught," said Jim Bell.
Poor nutrition coupled with inactivity is the second-leading cause of death in Florida behind tobacco use, carrying an associated health cost of $38.6-billion in 2001. The epidemic is severest among minorities and poor people.
Bush budget to boost technology center funds
GAINESVILLE - Gov. Jeb Bush announced Friday he will put $20-million in his next budget for the state's Centers of Excellence program to boost technology research.
"With this investment, Florida will move to the forefront of scientific research and innovation, and further diversify its already vibrant economy," Bush said.
Three Centers of Excellence, established by the 2002 Florida Technology Development Act, are under development.
One, at the University of Florida, is to establish a manufacturing facility to transform potential pharmaceuticals discovered in the laboratory into medicines suitable for clinical trials. A second at Florida Atlantic University will focus on medical and marine biotechnology. The third at the University of Central Florida will study optics, lasers and photonics.
Each university received $10-million to start its center in 2002.
Driver dies when SUV falls five levels from garage
FORT LAUDERDALE - A sport-utility vehicle fell off the fifth level of a public library parking garage Friday, killing the driver.
Police said Ruth Rivas Goebel, 67, of Hollywood, an employee of the Broward County library branch, apparently drove a 1998 GMC Suburban in reverse through the concrete barrier wall of the garage. The SUV landed on its roof on the pavement, killing her instantly. No one on the ground was injured, Fort Lauderdale police spokesman Clinton Ward said.
"We still don't know what caused her to drive through the wall," Ward said.
