Dear Friends,
2023 is off to a quick start in the Florida Senate as we focus on preparing for the Legislative Session which begins March 7th. So far, we have completed four weeks of committee meetings and a special session and we have another three to go. There have been, roughly, 300 bills filed in the House and Senate. In previous years, we have seen as many as 4000 filed bills before the end of Session. So, it is a bit surprising how low this number is, but these last three weeks is when the majority of these bills will reach the “filed” status. When that happens, there will be a lot of information to sift through, but a good thing to remember is that less than ten percent of bills actually pass the legislature and lots of bad (and some good) ideas will die off.
Currently, in addition to serving as President Pro Tempore, your Senator sits on the following eight committees. The policy Committees on Agriculture, Community Affairs, Judiciary, Rules and Children, Families and Elder Affairs. The Appropriations Committees on Health and Human Services, Criminal and Civil Justice, and the full Committee on Appropriations. The full Appropriations Committee and the Rules Committee are the largest of the Senate Committees and most, if not all, of bills filed will have to come through one of these two committees. We are very excited to be a part of both of those committees and for the opportunity we have to review, give input, and vote on every piece of legislation that comes through the Florida Senate. Continue reading
The media has had a lot of fun with former President TRUMP and current President BIDEN.
Apparently, both of them have taken home a bunch of so-called’ ‘Secret Government Documents’ which, they say, is illegal.
Recently these allegations have expanded to include a former Vice President PENCE.
In BIDENS case, the problem goes back to his many years as a senator and Vice President to OBAMA.
But, now, one report said, “Classified documents were found at Mike Pence’s home in Indiana, and his lawyer turned them over to FBI/Department of Justice – (National Security Division).
Of course, like a typical modern politician Pence has previously said that he did not retain any classified information after leaving office.
Back in November, Pence was asked, “Did you take any classified documents with you from the White House?”
He said, “I did not”. Continue reading
The Marion County Library System and Coping with Dementia LLC have announced a Spring series of free ABC of Dementia workshops again in 2023. Dates and locations through April, 2023 are as follows.
Belleview Library, located at 13145 SE County Hwy 484. Workshops will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, February 27; Friday, March 31; and Friday, April 28, 2023.
Freedom Public Library, located at 5870 SW 95th Street in Ocala. Workshops will be offered on Thursday, January 26, 2 to 4 p.m.; Friday, February 24, 2 to 4 p.m.; and Friday, March 10, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Dunnellon Public Library, located at 2-351 Robinson Road, will offer a workshop on Thursday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Marion Oaks Library, located at 294 Marion Oaks Lane in Ocala, will offer a workshop on Wednesday, April 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sankofa Public Library, located at 1821 NW 21st Street in Ocala, will offer a workshop on Thursday, April 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Continue reading
Ocala, Florida – Marion Therapeutic Riding Association (MTRA) has been serving Marion, Lake, Sumter, and Alachua counties for 40 years. A celebration will take place on February 4th, 2023, at CF Vintage Farm from 6 to 10 pm. Come share in the memories and love that so many have made possible. MTRA provides equine assisted services to individuals with physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges. Programs include therapeutic riding, equine assisted learning, PTSD psychotherapy for Veterans in partnership with the Ocala Vet Center and Speech and Language pathology through Hippotherapy in partnership with Advent health. “Community support is what has driven this organization to a successful 40 years of service” says Executive Director Pam Morrison.
MTRA relies heavily on the generosity of the community and it’s businesses through donations, grants and other funding. They have maintained the equine assisted therapy program in Ocala for over forty years. Continue reading
Duke Energy Florida announced it has identified four locations in Franklin, Highlands and Marion counties for inclusion in its 2022 Site Readiness Program to evaluate and prepare industrial site opportunities for economic development investments.
“Duke Energy Florida is committed to powering the lives of our customers and the vitality of our communities,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Through the Site Readiness Program, we continue to work closely with various government and private sector organizations to bring new jobs and capital investment to the state of Florida. We are proud of this program’s initial success and we will continue to offer economic development initiatives that bring value to the communities we serve.”
Through the Site Readiness Program, Duke Energy identifies high-potential sites and partners with county officials, local economic development professionals and landowners to develop a strategy for getting sites fully ready to market to industrial prospects. In Florida alone, the Site Readiness Program has resulted in 680 new jobs and $183 million in capital investment in Florida since 2013. Continue reading
Scams and fraud tactics are part of our society. With advanced technology, predators can easily commit crimes from the comfort of their home or “workplace.” The Police Department receives complaints about scams frequently. Here are a few that are noteworthy and are driven on emotion or fear. Think before you react! Do not give out personal information, make any wire transfer or purchase gift cards.
- The IRS called requesting personal information or threatening arrest for a payment of owed taxes. The IRS will not call you and request you make payments using gift cards or wire transfers.
- Another financial scam people report is their bank or other financial institution calling “alerting” that their account has been hacked and they need your information to stop a transaction from happening. If it’s truly your bank calling, they will have all of your information, right? Hang up and call your bank to verify if you need to.
- The “Grandparent” scam is still prevalent in this area. You may receive a call from your “grandchild” who is trouble and is afraid to call their parent. A request for a wire transfer or gift card will be made for bond. Call your son/daughter to verify where your grandchild is.
- If you receive a call from a person who allegedly works for Microsoft or any anti-virus company indicating that there is a problem with your computer, they are looking to access your computer remotely. They want you to give them permission to access your computer to “fix” the problem. This person will have access to all of your information and any saved banking and/or credit card information. If you are on the internet and a message pops up indicating you have a virus and need to call Microsoft or an anti-virus software company, do not call them. They are attempting the same scam.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced nearly $20 million to support water quality improvement projects along the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). These projects will help collect stormwater runoff and treat it to reduce the amount of pollutants and nutrients that enter the IRL. These projects are in addition to the $255 million Florida is already investing to protect the IRL, including targeting wastewater, septic to sewer, and other needed restoration projects.
“Investing in the protection of our waterways is a great way for us to ensure the long-term health of our natural resources,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This funding will help build the infrastructure needed to improve water quality as we continue to make investments to protect and restore the Indian River Lagoon.”
“Decades of human impacts have resulted in impaired water quality in the Indian River Lagoon, specifically from nutrients,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “As a result of the leadership of Governor DeSantis and unprecedented investments in water quality, the Department, in conjunction with project partners, is focusing on tackling the root cause of nutrient pollution.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —(Read to the end) Governor Ron DeSantis signed and Excutive Order 23-06 (Achieving Even More Now for Florida’s Environment) to further advance the protection of Florida’s environment and water quality.
Read what environmental leaders and stakeholders are saying about the future of conservation in Florida:
“The Everglades Foundation applauds Governor DeSantis’ four-year record commitment of $3.5 billion for the Everglades.
“A week after his inauguration, on the anniversary of the momentous executive order he signed four years ago, Governor DeSantis has signed a new executive order laying out a blueprint that builds off the promises he fulfilled during his first term. The executive order increases his funding commitment to $3.5 billion over the next four years for Everglades restoration, water quality initiatives, and protecting water supply for Floridians, “Clean and usable waterways are the backbone of Florida’s economy. Governor DeSantis recognized this issue from the beginning of his term and has continued to deliver on his commitments. Continue reading
Over 140 GOP Conference members sign on as original cosponsors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack announced the introduction of the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2023.
This bill would reassert Congress’ legislative authority and prevent excessive overreach by the executive branch in the federal rulemaking process. It would require every new “major rule” proposed by federal agencies to be approved by both the House and Senate before going into effect. The bill would also preserve Congress’ authority to disapprove of a “nonmajor rule” through a joint resolution.
The REINS Act would define a “major rule” as any federal rule or regulation that may result in: an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. Continue reading
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Rep. Kat Cammack joined more than 100 Republican Members of Congress on House Republican Conference Vice Chairman Mike Johnson’s (LA-04) congressional resolution condemning the nationwide wave of violence, property damage, threats, trespassing, and intimidation against pro-life organizations in 2022 by pro-abortion activists in the wake of the Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade.
“The Supreme Court opinion re-establishing the authority of individual states to prohibit the killing of unborn children sent the Democrat Party and other radical pro-abortion activists off the deep end in 2022,” said Rep. Johnson. “Since there has been so little accountability for the leaked draft opinion and ensuing violence and intimidation against pro-lifers, we are introducing this resolution to make the position of Congress crystal clear: violence, property damage, threats, and intimidation tactics must be condemned, and these clear violations of federal and state laws must be prosecuted.”
The resolution is scheduled for a vote in the House this week.
