TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced that state offices will be closed on Thursday, July 2, 2026, and Monday, July 6, 2026, in celebration of Independence Day weekend, which this year marks America’s 250th anniversary of its independence.

“America’s 250th anniversary is a historic milestone and an opportunity to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and enduring principles that established the United States as the freest and most prosperous nation in the world,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “As Florida leads the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration, I am pleased to provide state employees additional time to celebrate our country’s founding, participate in America 250 events, and spend time with family and friends honoring the blessings of liberty that generations of Americans have fought to preserve.”

State offices will be closed on Thursday, July 2, and Monday, July 6, in addition to the regular state holiday observance of Independence Day on Friday, July 3. These office closures will create a five-day holiday weekend and will benefit nearly 100,000 employees in the State Personnel System.

The additional holiday time reflects Florida’s commitment to recognizing this once-in-a-generation milestone and providing state employees with the opportunity to participate in celebrations taking place across the state and nation.

Throughout 2026, Florida is commemorating America’s 250th anniversary through educational initiatives, community events, historical exhibits, and celebrations that honor the founding of our nation and the principles of freedom, self-government, and individual liberty. As part of these efforts, Florida is encouraging citizens to learn more about the people, events, and ideas that shaped the United States and continue to inspire future generations. Floridians can find more information at America250FL.com, the state’s official hub for the Semiquincentennial celebration.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced a comprehensive Medicaid integrity initiative aimed at strengthening oversight, preventing fraud before it occurs, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent on care for eligible Floridians.

The initiative includes enhanced provider screening, advanced fraud detection technology, enrollment controls for high-risk provider categories, and a statewide revalidation of all active Medicaid providers.

“Today, we announced major actions to strengthen the integrity of Florida’s Medicaid program and crack down on fraud,” said Governor DeSantis. “In Florida, we work to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and that public programs serve the people they are intended to serve.”

Florida has long prioritized fiscal responsibility, reducing spending for two consecutive years, cutting debt, maintaining a AAA credit rating, and exposing wasteful government spending.

“The Medicaid program exists to meet the health care needs of pregnant women, children, seniors, and some of our most vulnerable populations,” said Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Shevaun Harris. “Every dollar stolen through fraudulent schemes is one less dollar available to meet the needs of those who rely on the program most. That’s why we are working harder than ever to make sure the right people get the care they need, and everyone trying to exploit this program will be stopped.” Continue reading →

WINTER HAVEN, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis signed five public safety bills aimed at strengthening criminal penalties, combating dangerous drugs and gang activity, enhancing oversight of repeat offenders, and further supporting Florida law enforcement officers.

“Today, I was proud to sign five bills to enhance public safety and support law enforcement,” said Governor DeSantis. “These bills crack down on dangerous drugs, strengthen oversight of repeat offenders, disrupt criminal gangs, support law enforcement, and ensure that violent criminals face serious consequences. Florida is the law and order state, and our commitment to holding criminals accountable and keeping our streets safe forms the foundation for our state’s continued success.”

Since taking office, Governor DeSantis has made support for law enforcement and public safety a top priority.

Forida has prohibited local governments from defunding police departments, strengthened penalties for crimes committed against law enforcement officers, increased officer pay, expanded recruitment incentives, and provided more than 10,000 law enforcement recruitment bonuses. During Governor DeSantis’ administration, Florida has achieved a 50-year low in crime.

“Keeping dangerous predators and drugs away from our kids is common sense, and Florida leads the nation in passing common-sense policies,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for providing our prosecutors with the tools they need to push our historic crime lows down even further and keep Florida the best state in the nation to raise a family.” Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03), alongside Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18), introduced the bipartisan Freeze Disaster Assistance Act, which would provide $3.5 billion in disaster assistance to help Florida’s agricultural producers recover after the devastating freeze in January 2026. Cammack and Franklin were joined by a majority of the Florida Congressional Delegation. Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Ashley Moody (R-FL) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“Food security is national security. Right now, Florida’s farmers need us to deliver,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “As the only Floridian on the House Agriculture Committee, I’ve seen up close what this freeze did to our growers. Entire seasons gone. Families who don’t know if they can plant again. In March, I led our delegation in urging Secretary Rollins to grant Commissioner Simpson’s disaster declaration request, and we got it done. This bill puts Florida in charge of its own recovery instead of waiting on Washington. I’m proud to work with Congressman Franklin to deliver the relief our farmers need.”

“Florida agriculture operates differently than much of the country, and our disaster response policies need to reflect that reality,” said Congressman Scott Franklin, Vice Chair of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. “When a severe freeze hits Florida, many specialty crops and multi-year commodities face years of production losses, replanting costs and long-term financial impacts. Too often, growers are forced into a slow, one size fits all federal process that fails to reflect the realities of Florida agriculture. My legislation is an America First farm policy that ensures our growers stay in business, strengthening our domestic food supply and reducing dependence on foreign producers.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) joined Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Mark Glass for the 2026 Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at FDLE Headquarters, where five of Florida’s most distinguished law enforcement leaders were formally inducted. Following her remarks, Congresswoman Cammack presented each inductee or their family with an American flag flown over the United States Capitol in their honor, along with a challenge coin and certificate of recognition from her office.

“Law enforcement is not simply a profession. It is a calling,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “It is a commitment to run toward danger when others run away. It is a willingness to miss birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and family dinners. And it is a promise made every day to complete strangers: that no matter what happens, someone will answer the call.”

The 2026 class includes:

• Assistant Chief Larry Corbin, South Miami Police Department (ret.), whose nearly four decades of service include a Silver Medal of Valor, more than 200 commendations, and a volunteer deployment to New York City to support the NYPD in the days after September 11, 2001.
• Sergeant Michael “Mick” McHale, City of Sarasota Police Department (ret.), who serves as National President of the National Association of Police Organizations, representing more than 241,000 sworn officers nationwide.
• Sheriff O.L. Raulerson Jr.(posthumous), the only person to date elected sheriff in two different Florida counties, serving Highlands County and Okeechobee County across four decades.
• Sheriff J. Harrell Reid(posthumous), who served Hamilton County for nine consecutive terms over 36 years as Florida’s longest-serving sheriff and Dean of Florida Sheriffs.
• Chief Daniel Slaughter,Clearwater Police Department (ret.), whose more than 30 years of service included building a Real-Time Operations Center recognized as a national model and pioneering mental health co-response partnerships.

Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) joined area fire and law enforcement leaders at Marion County Fire Rescue Station 28 today to champion the Answering the Call Act of 2026 (H.R. 8637), her legislation to strengthen mental health support for first responders through the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

“First responders see the worst of the worst, day in and day out, and it takes a toll. This bill creates a resource dedicated solely to them, with counselors trained to understand exactly what they are going through,” said Rep. Cammack. “They answer the call every single time, and it is high time we answer the call in return.”

The Answering the Call Act directs dedicated outreach and support to first responders through the 988 Lifeline. It funds specialized training for the counselors who answer those calls so they understand what first responders face, provides grants for states and departments to raise awareness of the resource, and keeps access completely anonymous so no one fears retaliation or judgment for reaching out. The bill covers firefighters, law enforcement, corrections officers, dispatchers, and EMS personnel.

Research has found that police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and the crisis has hit Marion County directly.

The choice of Station 28 was deliberate. It was the home station of firefighter and paramedic Allen Singleton, a six-year veteran and member of the Marion County Fire Rescue and Sheriff’s Office SWAT Medic team, who died by suicide in January 2023. Marion County Fire Chief James Banta said the department has lost four firefighters to suicide, a toll that underscores the urgency of the legislation. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier sued TikTok, alleging the popular social media platform committed a series of violations of Florida law by actively targeting and contracting with minors while deceiving parents about the dangers of the app.

“TikTok’s success hinges on its ability to addict children and teenagers to the platform,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “TikTok knowingly deceives parents and allows children to be exposed to harmful and inappropriate content in direct violation of Florida law. We have zero tolerance for companies that prioritize profit over children’s safety. TikTok should expect to be held accountable.”

“The State of Florida stands with families in protecting our children from the abuses of addictive social media apps,” said Representative Chip LaMarca. “Thank you to the AG for pursuing the fight against these bad actors.”

The complaint alleges that TikTok is in violation of House Bill 3, Florida’s online child protections law, which took effect on January 1, 2025. Specifically, TikTok is accused of letting children under 14 years old create accounts, and letting 15- and 16-year-olds do the same without parental consent. Both violate H.B. 3, which bans children under 14 years of age from social media platforms entirely and requires parental consent for 15 and 16-year-olds to create accounts. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier joined community leaders and law enforcement partners in South Florida to reinforce joint prevention efforts against human trafficking. This comes as Miami anticipates an increased risk of trafficking activity while hosting the FIFA World Cup and several other large-scale global events.

“We are taking a proactive approach and joining forces across government and private industry to combat human trafficking,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Large-scale global events bring an increase in trafficking activity and crimes of exploitation, which is why we are standing together to get ahead of the bad guys. With six more World Cup matches in Miami, South Florida will see record-breaking tourism, but we will not let that devolve into record-breaking crime.”

“Human trafficking is modern-day slavery, and there is no place for it in South Florida. As millions of visitors arrive for the World Cup, law enforcement, businesses, and community leaders are working together to ensure that traffickers find no safe haven here,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Jason Reding Quiñones. “The Southern District of Florida is committed to identifying victims, dismantling trafficking networks, and holding those who profit from human exploitation fully accountable. Our message is simple: if you traffic human beings in South Florida, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will seek justice for your victims.”

“Human traffickers revel in their ability to dehumanize their victims, particularly their child victims, by stripping them of their individuality and turning them into walking money machines dispensing cash to the trafficker,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “Only effective partnerships, such as our partnership with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and our local, state and federal law enforcement communities, combined with the help and assistance of our business and educational communities can end the activities of these criminal traffickers.” Continue reading →

By Brigette Smith

Executive Director of the Republican Party

Remembering the true essence of our Independence. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation this July 4th, it’s time to remember what this holiday is truly about. In 1776, fifty-six brave men stood together and signed the Declaration of Independence. With those signatures, they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to a dangerous idea — that a free people could govern themselves. These weren’t reckless dreamers. They were defying the greatest military power on earth — Great Britain, with the world’s most powerful navy. They had no standing army, no navy of their own, and everything to lose.

Yet they chose liberty over safety. Some paid a heavy price. Homes were burned. Property was seized. Families suffered. Richard Stockton of New Jersey was captured and imprisoned. Others lost land and wealth. But they stood firm. Their courage gave us the chance to build something extraordinary. Continue reading →

Where did this picture come from? I don’t know where it came from but it is a sign! It a beautiful picture to display this time and date.