TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Attorney General James Uthmeier directed an investigation into proxy advisors Glass Lewis & Co. and Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) for potential misrepresentations related to their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) investing policies in violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and possible unlawful collusion in adopting and enforcing these policies in violation of the Florida Antitrust Act of 1980. Civil Investigative Demands will be forthcoming.

“We won’t allow ESG goals to handcuff Florida businesses and threaten Floridians investments,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “If these proxy advisors use their overwhelming market power to advance partisan political agendas rather than maximizing shareholder value, we will hold them accountable.”

Glass Lewis and ISS provide vote recommendations to institutional investors and control a large share of the proxy-advisory market, with some estimates as high as 97%. Institutional investors, such as those who manage the portfolios of many Americans’ retirement accounts, rely on proxy advisors to direct them on how to vote their shares. Thus, the decisions of proxy advisors have a substantial influence over how major American companies are run. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Consumer Protection Division secured a lifetime ban and final judgments totaling more than $4 million settling ongoing litigation related to a Florida-based moving brokerage scheme. Charles Abrams, Rudolph Rice, and Daniel Metz operated a common enterprise of moving brokerage companies, including Gold Standard Moving and Storage and others.

“We will not tolerate shady moving operators scamming hardworking Floridians,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Thanks to the work of Senior Assistant Attorney General Josie Warren, Deputy Director Sasha Funk Granai, and Assistant Attorney General Pooneh Charkhian-Martinez of the Consumer Protection Division, these operators and entities are permanently banned from the moving business in Florida and will be paying millions of dollars in monetary judgments.” Continue reading →

Governor Ron DeSantis Welcomes SpaceX’s Starship Operations to Florida

TALLAHASSEE Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis welcomed SpaceX’s decision to bring Starship launch capacities and processing operations to Florida. Starship will be the first rapidly and fully reusable launch vehicle in history, designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

In support of these missions, SpaceX will construct new launch and landing infrastructure for Starship at multiple pads within NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, pending environmental approval, as well as a new integration facility, called Gigabay, which will have more than 40 million cubic feet of vehicle processing space. The project includes at least $1.8 billion of SpaceX capital investment and will bring an estimated 600 new full-time jobs in the Space Coast by 2030. Continue reading →

Dear Neighbor,

This week was the last of three busy weeks in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday evening, the House voted to pass a bill to keep the government open and funded. The Senate plans to vote on the legislation this morning to support President Trump’s agenda and keep the government open.

I introduced two pieces of legislation this week, one aimed at supporting our producers with necessary disaster assistance following hurricanes, and the second supporting maternal health. You can read more about each bill below and stay tuned for more legislative updates with more bills dropping in the next several weeks. Continue reading →

State Affairs:

by Briggitte Smith

Chairman, Marion County Republican Executive Committee

The Marion County Republican Executive Committee Legislative Affairs committee traveled to Tallahassee for the special session. We have been sending prior emails regarding the immigration legislation, but below is a new rule to vehicle registration that we learned about during our trip.

New Rule 15C-1.015, FAC – Vehicle Registration Information, rule was established to define a “valid passport” when filing an application to register a motor vehicle; when filing an application for vehicle registration, an individual applicant must provide a valid driver license or identification card issued by this state or another state or a valid passport. For purposes of s. 320.02(2)(a), Florida Statutes, new Rule 15C-1.015, FAC, defines a “valid passport” as: (1) An unexpired passport or passport card issued by the United States government; or (2) An unexpired passport issued by the government of another country with: (a) A stamp or mark affixed by the United States Department of Homeland Security onto the passport to evidence and authorize lawful presence in the United States; or (b) An unexpired I-94, or current permanent resident card, or unexpired immigrant visa, issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security. Continue reading →

(Ensuring Government Efficiency)

WHEREAS, state and local governments should be efficient, effective, transparent, and responsive and should be held accountable for achieving these goals; and

WHEREAS, fiscal accountability is necessary to ensure good government and to minimize financial burdens on the taxpayer; and

WHEREAS, all levels of government should continue to work to eliminate unnecessary and inappropriate spending; and

WHEREAS, the State of Florida has a strong record of responsible fiscal management and stewardship; and

WHEREAS, in addition to balancing the budget each year, my Administration has consistently strived toward streamlining government; and

WHEREAS, for example, the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 “Focus on Florida’s Future” Budget saved Florida taxpayers $3.5 billion; and

WHEREAS, Florida has paid down 41% of the State’s total historic tax-supported debt since 2019; and

WHEREAS, Florida’s debt per capita is estimated to have decreased by 54% from $1,457 in Fiscal Year 2010-2011 to $664 in Fiscal Year 2023-2024; and Continue reading →

LADY LAKE — In celebration of National Arbor Day on April 25, the Town of Lady Lake is announcing its annual Tree Raffle, reinforcing its commitment to conservation and community beautification.

This year, the Town Commission doubled the award to $10,000, allowing 50 residents to win $200 in gift certificates to Fairfield Farms Nurseries in Oxford, where they may choose from a variety of trees and plants. Winners must arrange for pickup and planting

How to Enter:

Open to Lady Lake residents only (addresses will be verified).

One entry per household (previous winners from the last two years are not eligible).

Submit raffle tickets to the Town Clerk’s Office at 409 Fennell Blvd. no later than 6

p.m. on April 14, 2025.

The drawing will take place on April 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall

Commission Chambers (409 Fennell Blvd., Lady Lake). Winners will be notified and do not

need to be present.

Entry forms can be found online at www.ladylakefl.gov and at Town Hall.

For the 20th consecutive year, Lady Lake has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, highlighting its dedication to urban forestry, tree preservation, and responsible development. The Town’s tree bank, funded by developer contributions, supports initiatives like the annual tree raffle to ensure a greener future for Lady Lake.

“Being named a Tree City USA for 20 years solidifies our ongoing commitment to protecting our environment,” said Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske. “This raffle is a wonderful way to engage residents in beautification efforts.”

Elisha Pappacoda

OCALA, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the groundbreaking of over 31 miles of new auxiliary lanes to be added to I-75, from State Road 44 in Wildwood to State Road 326 in Ocala. This latest Moving Florida Forward project has been fully funded and is beginning 10-15 years ahead of schedule.

“We launched Moving Florida Forward in 2023 to accelerate road projects with an emphasis on alleviating traffic. We are accelerating this I-75 project near Ocala because residents and visitors alike need relief from the congestion,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This project was not slated to begin for another 10-15 years, but thanks to our program, construction is now underway.”

“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, congestion relief along I-75 will be delivered 10-15 years ahead of schedule,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “With nearly 114,000 vehicles driving the corridor daily, these improvements will make traveling easier and bring a $2.3 billion economic impact to the region.” Continue reading →

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced he is recommending pay increases for state law enforcement officers and firefighters in his Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
“We support the men and women who keep our streets and communities safe,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Throughout my time in office, I have delivered on my promise to support law enforcement and first responders. Therefore, in the coming fiscal year, I am recommending a well-earned pay raise.”

The Governor’s Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget recommends $118.3 million in pay increases for more than 4,700 state sworn law enforcement officers and more than 730 state firefighters. This includes a:

• 20% pay increase for state entry level sworn law enforcement officers; and
• 25% pay increase for veteran sworn law enforcement officers and all state firefighters.
  These pay increases will build on the support already delivered to support law enforcement and first responders. As a result of these initiatives, Florida continues to have record-low crime rates; continues to be a great place to live, work, and raise a family; and remains the friendliest state in the country for first responders.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida continues to be the top destination for travelers from all over the world as it welcomed a record-breaking 142.9 million visitors in 2024. This marks a 1.6% increase over 2023, the previous record annual visitation in the state’s history.

The fourth quarter of 2024 also set a new benchmark with 33.1 million visitors, surpassing the previous record for a Q4 period—setting the highest visitation for any fourth quarter. The record-breaking visitation was fueled by 29.9 million domestic visitors, 2.5 million overseas visitors, and 742,000 Canadian visitors.

“The results are clear—Florida is the best place to visit, live, and do business,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Another record-breaking year is proof that leadership matters, and the Free State of Florida is a model for the nation.” Continue reading →