~ Scholarships provide high-quality options for thousands of Florida students ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that nearly 430,000 applications have been received from students for a scholarship under the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and the Family Empowerment Scholarship. Out of the historic number of applications, over 407,000 students have already been awarded a scholarship with more applications moving through the approval process. This year, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 1 which expanded school choice for Florida students and families, allowing more families to choose the educational setting that best fits their child’s needs. Today’s participation numbers represent a monumental increase over last year’s enrollment of nearly 250,000 students in the scholarship programs.

“With our historic move to universal school choice, families in record numbers are choosing the best educational options for their children,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am proud of the work we have done so far, but we’re far from done—we will continue to empower parents and expand opportunities so that our students receive the best possible education.” Continue reading →

This week, we issued a Consumer Alert warning Floridians who wish to give funds to those affected by the Maui wildfires of the potential for charity scams. The devastation caused by this disaster in Hawaii is heartbreaking—claiming more than 100 deaths and burning thousands of acres across the island of Maui. The residents in the affected areas have endured tragic losses and many Floridians may wish to donate to aid organizations.

However, scammers may try to exploit the tragedy to take advantage of generous donors.

Anyone wishing to donate to victims of the wildfires, or charities providing aid, should be on guard against scammers looking to exploit the disaster for personal gain.

Tips to avoid charity scams in the wake of a disaster include: Continue reading →

Costa Rica went its own way: without an army, but with investments in education and health, a sustainable economy and an open society, Costa Rica became a model state in Latin America.

Costa Rica is one of the most prosperous, peaceful and sustainable countries in Latin America. Although the Central American country is located in one of the most insecure and unstable regions of the world, the small country has managed to protect its peace and democracy. At the same time, the Ticos (the common name for people from Costa Rica) have made it prosperous. The country has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. All this despite the fact that before independence, Costa Rica was one of the most insignificant and underdeveloped parts of the Spanish colonial empire.

But how did the small Central American country manage to develop so much? And what can other countries learn from Costa Rica? Here are three of the most important points.

Schoolbooks instead of Firearms

Costa Rica won its independence without violence in 1821. However, the country was not spared conflicts thereafter. Repeated wars and civil wars broke out. For example, the American William Walker tried to conquer all of Central America and establish a slave state there under the influence of the USA. Under the leadership of Costa Rica, however, the states of Central America were able to defeat William Walker. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced results from the successful first year of strike force efforts to interdict human smuggling and trafficking and the seizure of illegal weapons and illicit narcotics transported through the state. Over the last year, strike force interdiction efforts have resulted in thousands of felony charges, more than 40 human smuggling charges, over 150 drug charges and the seizure of $2.7 million worth of illicit drugs.

“The Biden administration is asleep at the wheel, and Florida will not sit idly by while drugs continue to pour across the open southern border and into our communities,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The overwhelming success of our interdiction strike force serves as a blueprint for states across the nation to uphold the rule of law and protect their communities from the Biden Border Crisis.” Continue reading →

2023 season now totals 87 days, the longest combined season since the state assumed management of Gulf red snapper

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida is extending the already record 2023 recreational Gulf red snapper season by 17 days, adding every Friday through Sunday in September, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day to the previously announced season. The 2023 season now totals 87 days, the longest combined season since the state assumed management of red snapper.

Those fishing from private recreational vessels in state and federal waters in the Gulf, and charter vessels without a federal reef fish permit that are limited to fishing in state waters, will be able to participate in the 2023 Gulf red snapper season. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced $6.9 million in awards through the Florida Disaster Fund to support continued Hurricane Ian recovery efforts in Southwest Florida. These funds have been awarded to support efforts on the ground and ensure that the impacted communities have ample resources to support the long-term recovery efforts. With today’s awards, the Florida Disaster Fund has awarded all $63.2 million in committed and received funds raised to help Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian.

“When Hurricane Ian struck Florida, the First Lady and I made a promise that we would be with the people of Florida every step of the way,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Just under a year after the storm, I am happy to be awarding these funds to continue helping Southwest Florida in the recovery process. The Florida Disaster Fund has helped to cut through red tape and get money quickly into the hands of those who need it most. We’ve worked hard to raise more money than ever before and to disburse those funds faster than with any other storm.” Continue reading →

GAINESVILLE, FL — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) announced the introduction of a bipartisan bill to support aquaculture and seafood industries. The Supporting Equity for Aquaculture and Seafood (SEAS) Act reforms federal agricultural policy to ensure these industries receive equal treatment within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill requires the USDA Secretary to give the same consideration to aquaculture producers as animal agriculture producers and ensure adequate and fair funding levels are made available to aquaculture producers through grants under USDA programs. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-At Large) are original co-sponsors of the bill. Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Unfair trade practices by Mexico continue to harm American fruit and vegetable producers, especially growers in the Southeastern United States, and undermine our nation’s food security. There is strong, bipartisan support for federal action and relief from Mexico’s unfair trade practices.

Rep. Cammack joined U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to request an update on the status of the private sector trade advisory panel for Southeastern producers. Ambassador Tai committedto establish the panel in response to the bipartisan Florida Congressional Delegation’s August 2022 Section 301 petition regarding Mexico’s unfair trade practices. Continue reading →

GAINESVILLE, FL — Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) announced the Lake City Fire Department’s ‘Assistance To Firefighters’ Grant (AFG) award from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The department will receive $208,261.90 to improve its operations and safety, including using the grant for new protective equipment such as air packs.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant is one of three grant programs administered by DHS and FEMA to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and related hazards.

“I’m so excited for our brave men and women in Lake City to have the equipment necessary to help them do their jobs more safely and effectively. Our first responders are heroes and it’s imperative that we ensure they stay safe while serving our communities,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “I couldn’t be prouder of our firefighters in Lake City. As the wife of a firefighter and paramedic myself, I know how deserving our departments are of this grant and I know they’ll continue to demonstrate the very best of our first responder community in North Central Florida.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—As a new school year begins, Attorney General Ashley Moody is encouraging participation in a new initiative to help students build positive relationships with school resource officers. The Hallway Heroes initiative will provide schools with crime-prevention resources to foster relationships with school resource officers and urge students to report suspicious activity.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As the mother of a school-aged child who is about to head back to class, I am excited about our new initiative to keep students safe and help law enforcement stop crime. Our Hallway Heroes initiative will encourage students to build positive relationships with their school resource officers to increase school safety. We have already seen how building these bonds of trust between students and officers can help law enforcement stop crime and better protect students, and we hope this new initiative will serve to further strengthen these important relationships.” Continue reading →