RNC CHAT PART 2
MCREC’s Impact in Action: Legislative and Election Achievements
The MCREC’s dedication translates into tangible results, influencing policy and protecting our community’s interests. While each achievement offers a unique perspective for those seeking to understand our value, here are some key areas where the MCREC has made a significant difference:
- Baby Boxes Legislation:** We successfully advocated for legislation that provides a compassionate and realistic alternative to abortion, offering a safe haven for newborns and supporting maternal choice.
- Advancing Medical Freedom:** Our sustained efforts have strengthened patient rights, leading to ongoing progress in opposing mandatory vaccination and safeguarding individual autonomy in healthcare decisions.
- Protecting the Unborn:** We led local opposition to defeat proposed state constitutional changes that would have drastically increased abortion access and funding. Additionally, we actively supported legislation to decouple Florida from any potentially overreaching World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic requirements, prioritizing state sovereignty and individual liberties.
- Insurance and Tort Reform:** We’ve tirelessly advocated for crucial reforms aimed at reducing frivolous litigation, thereby working to stabilize and reopen Florida’s insurance market. While incremental changes have been made, this remains a critical work in progress.
- Preserving Our Heritage:** The MCREC has actively opposed legislation that threatened the preservation of our vital farmlands and the character of our cherished rural neighborhoods.
- Direct Legislative Influence:** Our members have provided impactful oral testimony to Senate and House Committees in Tallahassee on critical bills, frequently gaining support and influencing beneficial changes.
- Strategic Advocacy:** We maintain consistent engagement and meetings with State Senators and Representatives to advocate for issues specific to Marion County, ensuring our local concerns are addressed at the state level.
- Election Integrity Enhancements:** The MCREC championed legislation for improved county voter rolls and enhanced ballot box security, including more rigorous ID verification, to ensure fair and transparent elections.
- Leadership in Advocacy:** Our MCREC is widely recognized as a leader among county RECs for coordinating legislative advocacy letters, amplifying our collective voice across the state.
- Local Governance Impact:** We are deeply involved in local activities, engaging with the County Commission and School Board on crucial issues.
- Fair Impact Fees:** We successfully advocated for the fair reinstatement of transportation and school impact fees, a measure designed to alleviate taxpayer burdens and ensure responsible growth.
By Matt McCormick
When you’re new to a role, especially one rooted in community and connection, the best place to start is by listening. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with business leaders, partners, and stakeholders across Ocala and Marion County. Those conversations have been invaluable—not only in understanding where we are today, but in shaping where we’re headed next.
As we look toward 2026, the Ocala Chamber & Economic Partnership is entering the year with clarity around what matters most. Our work will be guided by three core priorities: growth, workforce development, and supporting our business community. These aren’t new ideas, but they are the right ones—and they are deeply connected.
Growth continues to be a driving force across our region. Businesses are expanding, new opportunities are emerging, and Ocala and Marion County are attracting attention for all the right reasons. The CEP’s role is to help support smart, sustainable growth—whether that’s through business attraction, expansion, or retention. It also means being a strong advocate on issues that directly affect growth, including transportation infrastructure and housing availability. These factors play a critical role in a company’s ability to invest, hire, and plan for the future. Continue reading
Staff writer
Drain the Swamp OR Clean the swamp! Donald Trump’s elected to Clean the swamp of terrorist, drug dealers, gangs, dishonest politicians and this is currently in the process. It will be hard to address but he is walking right into it, facing it with “True Grit!” A Modern Day John Wayne! I’m not sure how all this will end up but I’m sure the United States will be in a better place. As we race forward a great speeds with the internet and the cell phones, communications is instant, Knowledge is instant. The internet cost the newspapers a lot of money over night. The biggest money maker for paid newspapers was the classified pages, the Internet did it free. Some times progress hurts. Antique business had a change, buyers use to go to auctions and antique stores buying and part of the price of the product was to find it. I had some Flo Blue plates worth $100 per piece over night they dropped in half. Because they were easier to find.
Yes we are living and traveling at the speed of light, we are breaking the sound barrier every day. You can talk to your cell phone and get information in seconds! I really think that would be considered “Warp Speed!” I would like it to slow just a little. Give us time to think and make good decisions.
TomL
From the net!
I believe the voting by mail is the second best voting process. I myself challenged whether or not the mailing was safe, I had large mailings going into the Villages. There they own their own postal centers, their own streets, their own security and etc.
USPS continues to recommend that voters who plan to vote by mail send their ballots at least seven days before Election Day to ensure receipt by election officials.
If you want to make sure ballot is postmarked on the date it is received you may go to any post office and request a manual postmark free of charge. Continue reading
Dr. Matthew Cretul, Marion County’s legislative manager provided the Marion County Board of County Commissioners with a legislative update in advance of the beginning the of 2026 Florida legislative session. Marion County and FDOT approved a utility subordination agreement to address how existing utility infrastructure will be handled during construction of the I-75/ interchange. (Marion County Commission Provided Information)
By TomL
I agree the county needs the money for infra structure. The only answer to the County tax is Impact fees, not for the builder but paid by newcomers.The newcomers are moving in… No Stampeding in here by the thousands. Crowding our roads and some times being disrespectful to current residents. The people wanting to move to Florida are here. The County needs County tax money to get ready for them and take care of the people already here. Stop trying to make your long time residents to pay for it!
IMPORTANT FACT: Actually the taxes is only a portion, as I have said to raise the taxes, the county raises is done by raising value of your home, the mortgage gets a great finance move they now have a house that is worth 3 times more than when they started and the insurance company’s pounces on it. They can charge more to insure this house that is now three times what it was value at when the mortgage started. They say they are charging replacement value. Guess who decides how much insurance you need on your home mortgage The Insurance company’s! With the county raising the value the insurance companies have a perfect storm to make a big profit. Board of County Commissioners please stop this! Turn your money raising efforts into a county assessment tax and don’t raise money on the back of the long time residents. Continue reading
This is the last Networking event for 2025 at GlennView Country Club. Thank you to Glenview Country Club
65 Florida faith leaders have already signed up to support Donalds’ campaign.
NAPLES, FL – Today, the Byron Donalds for Florida Governor campaign launched a Faith Leaders Coalition consisting of individuals who lead their community in prayer, volunteer at their church or faith community, serve as clergy, or lead a faith-based organization. 65 faith leaders have already signed up to be a part of the coalition, which will hold weekly prayer calls led by rotating faith leaders.
“God calls us to pray for our leaders. This is not about politics. It is about standing in the gap and covering Byron Donalds’ leadership in prayer as we seek God’s best for our state of Florida,” said Pastor J, Jearlyn Dennie, Founder of She Leads Florida.
“We are called to pray for our leaders, and Congressman Byron Donalds is a fearless leader who shares our values and needs our prayers. In order for Florida to continue succeeding, common sense values of faith, family, and freedom must be reflected at the highest levels of state government in order to serve the public good,” said Anthony Verdugo, Founder of the Florida Christian Family Coalition. “Policy decisions impact the lives of everyday Floridians from vulnerable communities to houses of worship, and our state needs a proven leader like Congressman Donalds who listens and leads with the conviction of a man on a mission to strengthen our state. He respects the critical role faith institutions play in our state to help shape our culture and character, thus, this coalition exists to lift up Florida in prayer and support for a leader who shares and practices our values.”
The Faith Leaders for Byron Coalition follows the launch of the Veterans for Byron Coalition, co-chaired by elected officials who have served our country as part of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Navy JAG.
In polling and in fundraising, Byron Donalds is the clear front-runner in the race for Governor with endorsements from President Trump, Elon Musk, 75% of the Florida House Republican Caucus, top Florida sheriffs, 17 members of Florida’s congressional delegation, U.S. House Leadership, and leading Florida and national conservatives.
Celebrating Years of Service – Thank You, Team Lady Lake!
We proudly recognize and congratulate our dedicated Town of Lady Lake employees for their years of service to our community. Their commitment, professionalism, and institutional knowledge help ensure the high level of service our residents expect and deserve.
Years of Service Honorees:
5 Years Kourtney Fehr
10 Years Jacob Jackson
15 Years Brad Weeks
20 Years Johnny Gosneigh and Van Kao
25 Years Adam Cronk and Travis Lacey
30 Years Debbie Lopez
