Dear Neighbor,

Now that the House of Representatives has Speaker Johnson at the helm, we have a big month on the horizon. This month we will celebrate our veterans on Veterans Day, finish passing appropriations bills before Thanksgiving, and continue advocating for our allies in Israel.

This week, I spoke in committee about a new bill to increase transparency for fees charged at hotels and other sites. With tourism as important to our region and the Sunshine State as it is, it’s important people know what they’ll pay up front. You can check out this clip and others below.  Continue reading →

A structure on the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes system plays an important role in protecting surrounding areas from flooding. But the structure is more than 50 years old and needed repairs. That construction is now complete and the structure is once again operating as designed. Watch this video to learn about the repairs made and how the structure functions within the overall system.

From https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/

Senior citizens as a group fair better under the FAIRtax than under the current income tax. Although some erroneously believe they pay no taxes if living on Social Security alone, they are still paying the hidden corporate income tax and employer payroll tax imbedded in everything they buy. Under the FAIRtax, those hidden costs are removed. Plus, senior, like ever other citizen or legal resident will receive the prebate at the beginning of each month for taxes paid on the cost of necessities. Since once an item is taxed it is not taxable again, all purchases of used goods are rendered tax free. If a senior wishes to continue working, they are freed from the regressive payroll taxes on their earnings under the FAIRtax and there is no income tax on their Social Security. The income tax imposed on investment income and pension benefits or IRA withdrawals is repealed. An income tax deduction from most pension funds, IRAs and 401(k) was taken for contributions to most of these plans. All beneficiaries and owners of these plans expected to pay income tax on them upon withdrawal, but are not required to do so under the FAIRtax. Plus any interest on savings you may have acquired is no longer subject to taxation. Seniors have a dramatically higher home ownership rate than other age groups but those who wish to sell their homes face capital gains tax under the current system. Senior also have the comforting knowledge that if they wish to pass their estate on to their heirs, that the heirs will not have to sell all or part of that estate in order to pay the inheritance tax. There is no capital gains tax or inheritance tax under the FAIRtax. The FAIRtax makes the economy much more dynamic and prosperous. Consequently, federal revenues grow which makes it less likely that federal budget pressures require Medicare and Social Security benefit cuts. And, since the FAIRtax requires a certain percentage of all revenues collected to be distributed between these two programs, Medicare and Social Security will be much more stable for years to come. For more information, go to FAIRtax.org

Dear Friends,

We are in our second month of committee meetings and only two months away from the official start of the 2024 Legislative Session, which begins on January 9^th, 2024. We have been busy in Tallahassee preparing for this exciting day. We will share with you some important highlights that have recently taken place at the Capitol.

The Senate Republican Caucus selected Senator Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) as Senate President-Designate to lead the chamber through the 2024-2026 term. Senator Albritton was nominated by Senators Ed Hooper (R-Clearwater) and Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and was elected by a unanimous vote of his Republican Colleagues. In his speech, delivered after his election, the newly named President-Designate Albritton highlighted his roots in Florida’s Heartland, his love for his wife and family, his support for Florida agriculture, and his vision of what Florida’s future can be. Looking toward his tenure as Senate President, President-Designate Albritton displayed his excitement to work with his fellow Senators and our colleagues across the Rotunda, led by Speaker-Designate Daniel Perez, as they look to meet the challenges of our time and deliver results for Floridians in every corner of the state. Continue reading →

On October 20, 2023, in News Releases, by Staff

MIAMI — Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis held a roundtable at Mt. Sinai Medical Center to discuss ongoing efforts to support Israel and make awards through the Volunteer Florida Foundation and Hope Florida Fund to support organizations that are providing services to the Israeli and Jewish communities in the state. At the event, the First Lady highlighted health care supply donations for Israel that have been made by Florida medical providers.

“I am proud to live in a state with a Governor that sees an issue that is having a deep impact on Floridians and takes immediate action,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “Through the incredible support from the health care community and many others, we have been able to gather thousands of donated supplies to send to our friends in Israel. I am also proud that our state agencies have been able to help organizations here in Florida that are providing important services to those impacted by this tragic war on Israel. We continue to stand with the people of Israel and the Jewish community.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Great Outdoors Initiative to encourage Floridians to go outdoors and explore Florida’s natural resources, including our award-winning state parks, vast recreation areas, and world-renowned waterways. As part of the Great Outdoors Initiative, Governor DeSantis signed Executive Order 23-209 (The Great Outdoors Initiative) directing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to provide a significant 50% discount on annual state park passes and FWC Gold Sportsman hunting and fishing licenses.

Since the initiative was announced, sales of FWC Gold Sportsman licenses have increased, with 26% of all Gold Sportsman licenses sold over the last week being purchased by first-time license holders. This includes more than 1,400 Gold Sportsman Lifetime licenses being purchased for children 4 years old and under so that they can enjoy the outdoors for the entirety of their lives. Sales for annual state park passes have also seen huge increases over the last week, with more than 2,488 passes sold in the last week in comparison to 690 passes sold in the same week in 2022.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis applauded and urged swift action in a Special Session of the Florida Legislature to address urgent issues facing the state. The Special Session will feature Governor DeSantis’ proposal to strengthen sanctions on Iran to ensure Florida does not do business with companies aligned with Iran that could in turn fund Hamas and other terrorist groups. The Special Session will also include additional resources for Hurricane Idalia relief, lowering the costs of homeowners’ insurance, increasing access to school choice for students with unique abilities, and additional protections for Florida’s Jewish communities. The Special Session will convene at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 6, and will extend no later than 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, November 9.

“Following the horrific atrocities committed by Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas against Israel, I am calling on the Florida Legislature to act swiftly to ensure our state does not send a penny to the Iranian terror state,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am glad to see the Legislature’s willingness to convene and address this along with other important issues for the state.” Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mexican tomato exporters are conducting unfair trade practices and dumping tomatoes into the U.S. market, despite the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement. This is forcing American tomato farmers out of business and destroying the domestic tomato industry.

Rep. Cammack joined U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo urging the department to terminate the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement with Mexico and defend the American tomato industry. Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Kat Cammack joined Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) at a press conference outside the Capitol Building with Women for Gun Rights, a nationwide organization of women committed to safeguarding the Second Amendment, and discussed upcoming gun rights legislation.

“The Second Amendment is clear: shall not be infringed. I was glad to stand with my colleagues and advocates for women’s rights to keep and bear arms,” said Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03). “Thank you to Congressman Hudson and the advocates who traveled to the Capitol today to share their support for this fundamental right.”

“Women for Gun Rights is proud to stand with Congressman Hudson and other members that work to protect the rights of citizens to be able to protect themselves,” said Dianna Muller, Founder, Women for Gun Rights (DC Project). “Witnessing the horror of citizens being murdered in their homes in Israel has really shed light on the importance of our 2nd Amendment and highlighted why we feel safer being armed.”  Continue reading →