 Michael Dobson, the CEO of the Tallahassee-based Dream Foundation, Inc., which receives funding from the State of Florida through the Martin Luther King Jr. 'Live the Dream' specialty license plate, has been charged with stealing from the nonprofit organization. Michael Dobson, a longtime local political consultant and nonprofit manager, has allegedly stolen $153,146.00 between July 1, 2020, and April 1, 2023. The money came from Florida residents, who pay a $25 annual fee for the specialty license plate. Michael J. Dobson, 65, was arrested on a charge of resisting an officer without violence and was then rearrested on the grand theft charges. After weeks in jail, he was released from Leon County Detention Facility, the Sheriff's Office website shows, after Circuit Judge Tiffany Baker-Carper this week OK'd him to be on pre-trial release. According to state records, Dobson served multiple short stints in jail starting in 1990, and later served multiple years-long sentencings in prison starting in 2013. Most of the charges are clustered in the early 1990s and early 2010s. However, he continued to work with the Florida Legislature. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department's inspector general's office completed an audit in March 2023 of the Dream Foundation's "Live the Dream" license plate, featuring a likeness of Dr. King, and found that "money received by the foundation was illegally misappropriated" by Dobson. The audit is not complete for the subsequent year as he did not have to file the report. In the last legislative session, the 'Live the Dream' specialty license plate distribution of funds was amended and redirected (CS/CS/HB 403)to the Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund to support the Historic Cemeteries Program. The funds are to be utilized to research, identify, and record abandoned African-American cemeteries and provide grants to eligible entities. 5% will still be paid to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc., also known as The King Center, as a royalty for the use of the image of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr on the license plate. Over the past 5 years, Dobson had crafted various bills which were subsequently approved by the state legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis, which redirected funds that could be used for his organization's own non-profit purposes. Separate bills saw the use of funds distribution amended from March of Dimes, Healthy Start Coalition and Sickle Cell to going directly to the nonprofit controlled by Dobson with 8% for "assisting inmates released from custody of a county jail in this state or a Department of Corrections facility in successfully reentering the community," and "at least 15%" for "as grants for programs and services throughout this state which assist inmates released from the custody of a county jail in this state or a Department of Corrections facility in successfully reentering the community." With a further 20% for scholarships of graduating high school seniors in this state who have at least one parent or legal guardian who is incarcerated." A portion of these amendments were filed by Representative Dr James Bush, III, a retired teacher who served in the House from 1992-2000, 2008 and then 2018 and Senator Keith Perry, CEO of Perry Roofing Contractors, who served in the House from 2010-2016 and in the Senate from 2016. In 2008, Dobson was reprimanded by the House of Representatives for "fraudulent representation before a House Committee." Michael Dobson agreed to pay back $20,000 to a client who hired him to win legislative passage of a new license plate. Dobson was registered to lobby the Florida Legislature for 10 clients, including the Capitol City Chamber of Commerce and several bio-fuel and renewable energy groups, some of which he was the CEO and founder, including the Florida Renewable Energy Producers Association. Panama City Rep. Jimmy Patronis filed a complaint with the House that Dobson was lobbying for a client without registering the name with the Legislature. House General Counsel Jeremiah Hawkes determined the Panama City Marine Institute signed a $40,000 contract with Dobson's firm in July 2007 to win passage of the tag. Dobson later testified for bills creating the "Horse Country" and an "I Believe" license plate in March without registering to lobby for PCMI, according to Hawkes' investigative report. Hawkes' findings also suggested Dobson violated a House rule by fabricating information in a survey of the number of motorists likely to buy the tag that was submitted to the House Infrastructure Committee. Florida law requires backers of specialty tags to submit a "scientific sample survey" showing that at least 30,000 motorists are likely to buy the tag, which would devote a portion of the revenues generated to special causes. The committee's chairman, Tampa Bay Rep. Rich Glorioso, told Hawkes he had repeatedly told Dobson that the surveys for both tags "were defective." "These violations are not de minimus," Hawkes wrote to House Speaker Marco Rubio. "Mr. Dobson has been a registered lobbyist for years and is aware of the requirements to lobby. Dobson was given an opportunity to respond to this investigation, and failed to do so." The agreement called for a one-year ban from lobbying if he failed to repay the Institute the $20,000 by the following spring. He must also go back and file compensation reports reflecting the contract. According to the Lobbyist disclosure Reports, he did not.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, John Lynch, Dobson's assigned public defender, said his client is presumed innocent until proven guilty and declined further comment: "I'm really not at liberty to discuss any sort of defense strategy at this point," Lynch said. The Tallahassee Democrat was made aware of the case by a political candidate that Dobson has been advising. That person, who asked to be unnamed, said Dobson told her he thinks that he is being pursued criminally now because of his affiliation with the Democratic Party and for the diversity, equity and inclusion conferences he organizes. He also told her he missed his court date because of mail service issues and he didn't get the summons on time. He did not comment on the allegedly stolen funds. Law enforcement got a warrant for Dobson's arrest in September, but took until December to locate him and take him into custody. According to a probable cause affidavit, Dobson was spotted by police walking between the Golden Corral and Masa restaurants on North Monroe Street. "I exited my patrol car in full uniform and called out 'Mr. Dobson!' as he was ahead of me," the report says. "I then called out 'Mr. Dobson, I need you to stop!' and as I was telling him to stop several times, he began to pick up his pace." Dobson allegedly darted into traffic where he ran across the busy roadway to the Cottages at Lake Ella. Officers finally caught him inside the kitchen of the American Legion hall, the report said. Over the last 34 years, Michael Dobson has been charged with various misdemeanors, such as passing worthless bank checks, as well as felony charges of fraudulent use of credit cards, bank fraud and grand theft, court dockets show. He had a case management hearing on Feb. 6, court dockets show. Additional Source: Tallahassee Democrat, Elena Barrera [email protected]. Follow her on X @elenabarreraaa.
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The Dubai government has chosen a guerrilla marketing strategy to communicate awareness around the threat posed by world hunger to domestic audiences. The media and marketing arm of the Emirate of Dubai has teamed up with Publicis Groupe and Saatchi & Saatchi UAE to unleash a fleet of vehicles bearing empty license plates across the city to communicate the plight of an estimated 800 million people who suffer from hunger.  Coinciding with fasting during the month of Ramadan, the unheralded move provoked consternation among the public as they attempted to solve the mystery of whether they were seeing intelligence services at work or stolen vehicles.
The stunt was raising awareness of literal empty plates, which cause millions to go hungry – an issue that has sparked the 1bn meals initiative by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to ensure no one in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia need go hungry. To further this cause affluent Emiratis will be invited to bid for unique number plates, with the proceeds raised paying for meals to be given to the neediest including refugees, displaced people and anyone affected by a humanitarian or natural disaster. According to the latest statistics released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 1,816,588 specialty license plates were sold in 2021 and a total of $39,472,454.00 was raised, the highest amount in the history of the program. Prior to 2009, specialty license plate sales increased every year, despite the economic recession. On October 1, 2009, the Florida State Legislature significantly increased vehicle registration fees, particularly with respect to purchasing specialty license plates. In 2009, annual sales of Florida Specialty License Plates amounted to 1,623,486. After 2009, there was a 19.78% decline in Specialty Plate sales, reflecting approximately $7 million lost in annual revenue. In September, 2013, the Florida Legislature reduced some fees associated with vehicle registrations, however, did not address the significant increase in the cost to purchase a new specialty license plate that was imposed in 2009. Despite the increase in fees, specialty plates have now surpassed thospre-2009 numbers, although the number of Florida residents - and Florida registered vehicles - has also significantly increased.   James Bond had a license to kill, but apparently he also wanted his very own license plate. Pierce Brosnan is well-known for his portrayal of James Bond in four films between 1995 and 2002, but most fans are less aware that he once designed a license plate for the state of California. In 2010, Brosnan and his wife Keely were among several people who co-founded the California Spay and Neuter License Plate Fund, with the goal of raising money to sponsor low- or no-cost procedures for pets from low-income families. A few years later, the fund worked with the California Department of Motor Vehicles to offer motorists the opportunity to purchase a special “Pet Lovers” license plate, with funds going toward the cause. While the majority of the plate’s color scheme is based on the standard California design, it also features the image of a purple dog and a cat in sunglasses — which is original artwork by Pierce Brosnan, depicting his adopted dog Shilo and his adopted cat Angel Baby. The fees collected from ordering the Pet Lover’s license plate are still awarded annually to facilities all over California. The money is first sent to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, to be then awarded on a grant basis to animal control units or nonprofit shelters that offer spay and neutering services. In 2021, for instance, the program awarded $330,000 across eight projects to help stop pet overpopulation. This year, there is up to $488,000 available in funding. The pet lover’s license plate can still be requested at California DMV locations and ordered online
A new design for the Florida Gulf Coast University specialty license plate is now available for purchase.
As of September 1, 2021, there were 1,673 valid registrations of the Florida Gulf Coast University specialty license plate. The Florida Gulf Coast University specialty license plate was enacted by the Florida Legislature in 1996. This is the first redesign of the plate. The Green & Blue tag doesn’t only signal your support for the university — it also helps ensure life-changing opportunities for generations of Eagles by funding scholarships. According to FGCU, FGCU is the only school in the Florida State University System where 100% of the proceeds of plate sales go to scholarships. Purchasing for the first time or switching your existing tag with ours? The specialty plate can be purchased any time of year regardless of your tag renewal month. Order here. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) announced a new Walt Disney World specialty license plate is now available at tax collector offices and license plate agencies statewide. Plates are being delivered by PRIDE this week. Floridians who purchased presale vouchers for the specialty plate are now also able to redeem them, and those who wish to purchase the new specialty plate may do so now.  32 new specialty license plates were authorized during the 2020 Legislative Session, and the presale process began in October 2020. The Walt Disney World specialty plate is the third plate from the 2020 Legislative Session to have their newly authorized specialty plate meet all design, development, manufacturing, and presale requirements established to begin the distribution process.
7 more proposed specialty plates will be added to the list of Presale Vouchers on October 1, 2021 including a new plate for Protect Marine Wildlife. More than 10,000 presale vouchers have been purchased by Floridians for the Walt Disney World specialty license plate and it is expected to do very well. Endless Summer is the current top selling specialty license plate. The revenue collected annually from the sale of the Walt Disney World specialty license plate will be distributed to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida, a Florida nonprofit, for activities and programs for families with critically ill children. You can order your Walt Disney plate online now. MyFloridaSpecialtyPlate is awaiting delivery of the tags from the state and should have them in stock this week.  SB 940/HB 599 Disease Prevention & Early Detection has been filed by Senator Berman and Representative Robinson to create a new specialty license plate to benefit the Women's Breast & Heart Initiative, Florida Affiliate, Inc., to provide increased education and awareness relating to early detection, prevention, and screening of breast and heart issues. Based in Miami Lakes and headed by Andrea Ivory, a breast cancer survivor and WBHI Founder and sole officer, director and Executive Director. WBHHI was formerly known as the Women’s Breast Health Initiative, Florida Affiliate. It was established in 2005 with a single goal of providing at-risk women access to early detection and proper treatment for breast cancer, WBHI created a unique, door-to-door neighborhood outreach program that increases awareness of breast health and the importance of early detection, as well as providing access to mammograms for women who are uninsured and underserved by the health care system. In 2013, WBHI addressed another crucial health care need in the community by incorporating education and awareness of heart disease – the leading cause of death in women – into their grassroots campaigns. According to WBHHI, to date these efforts have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
Prior to 2009, specialty license plate sales increased every year, despite the economic recession. On October 1, 2009, the Florida State Legislature significantly increased vehicle registration fees, particularly with respect to purchasing specialty license plates. In 2009, annual sales of Florida Specialty License Plates amounted to 1,623,486. As a direct result of those increases fees, there was a subsequent 19.78% decline in Specialty Plate sales, reflecting approximately $7 million lost in annual revenue. In September, 2013, the Florida Legislature reduced some fees associated with vehicle registrations, however, did not address the significant increase in the cost to purchase a new specialty license plate that was imposed in 2009. Despite the increase in fees, specialty plates have had begun to get back to the 2008 numbers. However, according to the latest statistics released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 1,382,959 specialty license plates were sold in CY 2020, this is 8.1% (121,997) lower than the total specialty license plates that were sold in CY 2019 (1,504,956). Revenue fell to $32,149,618.00 for CY2020 from $34,898,976.00 in CY 2019. A loss of $2,749,358.00 (7.9%). Biennial fees (2 year registrations) were also down in 2020, falling to $6,198,728.00, compared to $6,494,715.00. A loss of $295,987.00 (4.6%). The 1,382,959 specialty plates represent 8.2% of the 16,844,969 Florida registered vehicles. In CY2020, 183,906 new plates were issued and 1,199,053 were renewed. In CY2019, 212,911 new plates were issued and 1,292,045 were renewed.   Endless Summer, designed by Michael Towner and Steve Diossy, has now surpassed the University of Florida as the top selling specialty license plate in Florida, notwithstanding generating slightly less revenue this year compared to 2019. Miami Heat and Tampa Bay Bucs both increased their sales and revenue in 2020, the only two specialty plates to do so in the Top 10. 10,193 Presale Vouchers were sold in 2020, representing $336,369.00 total revenue, with $254,825.00 of those fees to be distributed to the presale voucher organizations, provided they complete their presales goal within two years of October 16th, 2020. So far in the 2021 Florida State Legislative Session, 5 new specialty plates have been proposed and bills have been filed for the following: Explore our State Parks - Rep Allison Tant (D-Leon County) / Senator Dennis Baxley R-Lady Lake Inter Miami CF - Senator Manny Diaz (R-Hialeah Gardens) Toastmasters - Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) Gopher Tortoise - Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) Orlando United - Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando)
Two new Florida specialty license plates are now in a race to complete their Presale Voucher phase, where they have to get 3,000 before the plate will be made - both featuring quarterbacks.
The Dan Marino license plate will benefit the Dan Marino Campus, Tom Brady's image is being used to benefit Best Buddies International. Both organizations have chosen a black background, which is trending throughout the United states. So who will be the first to complete their presale? And which plate will sell more? The Florida Legislature prioritized their list of new plates when approving them this year, and the DMV must cycle through them for approval in that order. Marino starts at #11 in the order of plates to be approved, Brady/Best Buddies is at #21.
With Tom Brady still playing, and Dan Marino retired, a comparison of the two quarterbacks can still be made. Both were measured at 6' 4" and nearly 225 lbs, Marino was drafted in the 1st round (27th overall) in 1983 and Brady was drafted in the 6th round (199th overall) in 2000. Brady has appeared in 9 Super Bowls, Marino in 1. Brady has been voted NFL MVP 3 times, Marino 1.
Other interesting comparisons: NFL Passing touchdown leader: Brady 2 - Marino 3. NFL Passing Yards Leader: Brady 2 - Marino 5. Touchdown Passes: Brady 50 (2007) - Marino 48 (1984) Passing Yards: Brady 5235 (2011) - Marino 5084 (1984) Interceptions Thrown: Brady 0 (2008) - Marino 3 (1983) Stay tuned! Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Friday which, among other things, will introduce 32 new specialty license plates onto the road. The bill, sponsored by former Rep. Jamie Grant, paves the way for the 32 new specialty license plates, establishes a cap of 150 specialty license plates and formalizes a discontinuation process for low performing specialty license plates. HB 1135 also authorizes the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to issue specialty license plates for fleet and motor vehicle dealer vehicles. The bill also provides for a redesign of the Special Olympics tag to change the slogan to “Be a Fan”; redistribution of proceeds for the “Live the Dream” license plate to be limited to Sickle Cell organizations and the Miami based Chapman Partnership, with March of Dimes and Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions being deleted, and the DMV now responsible to pay a 5% royalty fee to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc. for the use of the image of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ; and a change in the use of proceeds for “In God We Trust” tag with up to 90% to be utilized to provide education in public and private schools regarding the historical significance of religion in American and Florida history. The revenue from the Florida Law Enforcement Officer license plates, originally distributed to the Police and Kids Foundation, Inc., to invest and reinvest, and the interest earnings must be used for the operation of the Police and Kids Foundation, Inc., now may be directly used for the operations, activities, programs, and projects of the Police and Kids Foundation, Inc. Preserve Vision Florida is changing their name on their plate from Prevent Blindness. A cap of 150 plates is now in place, with 32 new plates created by the bill, provided they meet the presell requirementswith the current number of plates at 122. To create the new plate, the organization must submit its proposed art design to DHSMV as soon as practicable, but no later than 60 days after October 1, 2020 . Within 120 days from October 1, 2020, DHSMV must establish a method to issue a specialty license plate voucher allowing for the presale of such plate. The $5 processing fee, the service charge and branch fee, and the annual use fee for the specialty license plate are charged for the voucher. All other applicable fees are charged at the time the license plate is issued. The presell is now 3,000 (4,000 for out of state colleges) The bill provides that new specialty license plates that have been approved by law but are awaiting issuance will be issued in the order they appear in s. 320.08058, F.S., provided all requirements, including the presale requirement, have been met. If the next awaiting specialty license plate has not met the presale requirement, DHSMV must proceed in the order provided in law to identify the next qualified specialty license plate that has met the presale requirement. DHSMV must cycle through the list in statutory order. If the Legislature has approved 150 or more specialty license plates, DHSMV may not make any new specialty license plates available for design or issuance until a sufficient number of plates are discontinued so that the number of plates being issued is reduced to fewer than 150.
DHSMV must cycle through the list in the following statutory order:
The bill requires DHSMV to discontinue the specialty license plate with the fewest number of plates in circulation, including license plates exempt from a statutory sales requirement on January 1 of each year. For the specialty license plates in the bottom 10 percent of sales, the bill requires DHSMV to mail a warning letter to the sponsoring organizations. Effective July 1, 2023, the bill requires DHSMV to discontinue the issuance of approved specialty license plates if the number of valid registrations falls below 3,000 plates (4,000 for out of state colleges) for 12 consecutive months. In addition to the existing exemption from the 3,000 plate sales requirement for in-state collegiate license plates, the bill provides exceptions from the discontinuance requirement for license plates: · For institutions in and entities of the State University System; · With statutory eligibility limitations for purchase; · For which the annual use fees are distributed by a foundation for student and teacher leadership programs and teacher recruitment and retention; and · Florida Professional Sports Team license plates. The bill requires DHSMV, in cooperation with the independent colleges and universities, to create a standard template specialty license plate with a unique logo or graphic identifying each independent college or university. Each independent college or university may elect to use this standard template specialty license plate in lieu of its own specialty license plate. Annual use fees from the sale of these license plates are distributed to the independent college or university for which the logo or graphic is displayed and must be used as provided in s. 320.08058(3), F.S. Independent colleges and universities opting to use the standard template specialty license plate will have their plate sales combined for purposes of meeting the 3,000 plate minimum sales threshold and determining the 150 plate limit. These plates must be ordered directly from DHSMV. Prior to the development of an out-of-state college or university license plate, DHSMV must have documentation on file indicating the college or university has consented to use an appropriate image on the license plate. The bill prohibits any entity from using specialty license plate revenue for lobbying. The current prohibition is limited to agencies. According to Kevin Jacobs, Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, creation or modification of specialty and special license plates require system programming to implement. Depending on the number of distributions tied to the plate, the amount of programming may vary as will the resources needed to complete the changes. The average specialty/special license plate with a single distribution requires approximately 200-250 hours of programming, at a rate of $35 to $40 per hour. The bill creates 32 new specialty license plates, four new special license plates and removes from law five specialty license plates that have been discontinued. While DHSMV has not determined its fiscal impact, it is likely to be between $7,000 and $10,000 per plate created. Many existing plates had to pay a fee of $60,000.00 to cover those costs in the past. DHSMV states the cost to perform an audit every three years of each specialty license plate may result in a workload impact that can also be absorbed within existing resources.
DeSantis signed the bill on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the “Florida Stands with Israel” tag was originally submitted to the House in a separate bill co-sponsored by House Minority Leader Kionne L. McGhee and Rep. Scott Plakon. “This shows that our relationship with the State of Israel touches upon many of Florida’s most vital interests, values, and ideals,” the pair said in a joint statement. “Accordingly, the overwhelming majority of Floridians support this special relationship and now have a wonderful way to celebrate it.” Plakon in a separate statement recognized the plate’s symbolic passage. “I cannot think of a sweeter way to wish Florida’s Jewish community a Shana Tova – Happy New Year!” he added. Current law prohibits the redesign of a specialty license plate unless the inventory of the license plate has been depleted. However, the organization may purchase the remaining inventory of the specialty license plate from DHSMV at the department’s cost.133 Special Olympics Florida may be required to purchase the remaining inventory of its specialty license plate at DHSMV’s cost prior to the authorized redesign of its license plates. |
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