Florida State Wide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Cammack joined Rep. Vern Buchanan and 52 House colleagues in a letter demanding answers and accountability from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following stunning revelations that an agency supervisor instructed staff to avoid providing storm assistance to homes displaying campaign signs for President-elect Trump.

According to reports from sources inside FEMA, at least 20 homes with pro-Trump campaign signs or flags were bypassed by relief workers from late October through November, as a result of guidance from a FEMA supervisor directing workers to avoid these homes. The supervisor alleged that this practice of political discrimination was “not isolated” to Florida, but also extended to the Carolinas. She even stated that “senior leadership will lie to you and tell you that they don’t know” while FEMA continues to deny assistance to storm victims across the country.

“Americans deserve better. In this country, we protect all our citizens, regardless of political affiliation. We urge FEMA to take swift and decisive action to address this issue, hold those responsible fully accountable and restore public trust in its ability to serve every American in need,” said the lawmakers in the letter. Continue reading

GAINESVILLE, FL — On Saturday, Rep. Kat Cammack hosted House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-01) to survey damage from the recent hurricanes and their impacts on the agricultural sector. Congressmen Austin Scott (GA-08), Darren Soto (FL-09), and Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) also joined for the visits in Florida before moving to Congressman Scott’s district in Georgia later in the afternoon.

In Florida, the Members toured Shenandoah Dairy in Live Oak, held a roundtable with producers at the Suwannee County Farm Bureau, viewed a timber track with the Florida Forestry Association, and viewed infrastructure damage at Adams Farm in Jasper. The Members then traveled to Jennings, Florida to meet with fruit and vegetable producers impacted by the hurricanes. According to a preliminary estimate by Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Hurricane Milton caused $1.5B to $2.5B in damages to Florida’s crops and agricultural infrastructure.

Dear Neighbor,

This week, President Trump has continued to announce strong American leaders to fill his cabinet! The 20th of January is quickly approaching, and I cannot wait to see President Trump take command. After four years of runaway inflation, a disastrous border crisis, rising crime, and more, we’re ready for a breath of fresh air.

The Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, Glenn “GT” Thompson, recently visited our home in Florida’s Third to speak with farmers and survey the agricultural damage from Hurricane Helene. As Chairman, Representative Thompson has the knowledge and ability to shape policy in support of our farmers. With the Farm Bill awaiting action in the Senate, it’s critical that we keep pushing for its passage and vocally supporting the amazing work of our producers. Thank you for visiting, Mr. Chairman.

In recognition of Thanksgiving next week, Congress will be in recess until December 3. We wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving with your families and look forward to ringing in the holiday season thereafter. Continue reading

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is fighting to protect children online. Attorney General Moody, along with 31 other attorneys general, is urging Congress to pass the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, crucial legislation that protects children from online harm, before the end of the year. Attorney General Moody and the coalition are emphasizing the need to address the growing crisis of youth mental health linked to social media use, with studies showing minors spend more than five hours daily online.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As the mother of a school-aged child, I am extremely concerned about how social media is affecting the mental health of our children. As Florida’s Attorney General, I am joining my colleagues in asking Congress to put into place simple measures to protect minors online.”

In a letter to congressional leadership, Attorney General Moody and the coalition highlighted several key provisions of KOSA that would enhance online protections for minors: Continue reading

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is recognizing Utility Scam Awareness Day by issuing tips to help Floridians avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes. Utility scams occur when scammers impersonate utility companies and pressure ratepayers to make an immediate payment under the threat of having their power terminated. According to one report last year, more than 500 Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas customers and more than 1,300 Duke Energy customers reported utility scam attempts. Attorney General Moody’s Scams at a Glance: Power-Off Fraud contains tips and information about these schemes to help Floridians avoid falling victim.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Utility scams are a threat to Floridians, with scammers constantly finding new ways to trick ratepayers out of their money. Utility Scam Awareness Day serves as an important reminder for all Floridians to stay vigilant against these schemes. Our Scams at a Glance: Power-Off Fraud resource can help Floridians recognize the signs of utility fraud, and I encourage ratepayers to use this tool to stay informed and avoid falling victim.” Continue reading

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is charging three members of an organized crime ring with multiple felony counts for stealing from retailers in South Florida. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigation, Ariel McFarlane, Lequentin Butler and Eddy Etienne committed more than 35 thefts in Palm Beach and Broward counties in a four-month period. The group targeted major retailers and stole items from laundry detergent to fragrances and expensive clothing.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “All the laundry detergent and perfume in the state of Florida couldn’t cover up the stench of guilt emanating from these organized retail thieves. They committed more than 35 thefts from multiple retailers in South Florida, stealing more than $15,000 worth of laundry detergent, fragrances and expensive clothing. Now, my statewide prosecutors will make sure they pay for this four-month crime spree spanning multiple counties.” Continue reading

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is charging a tax preparer with multiple felony counts for scheming to defraud Floridians, many of whom are seniors. The Broward Sheriff’s Office arrested Ricardo Karns for using his tax preparation business to defraud at least 21 unsuspecting victims — 19 of whom are seniors. Karns operated Karns Taxes & Investments and obtained the personal identification information of nonclients and fraudulently used the information to open credit card accounts in the victims’ names. Once obtaining the fraudulent credit cards, Karns used the cards at Karns Taxes & Investments, making it appear that the victims purchased the tax preparation service.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This tax preparer stole personal information to defraud Florida seniors. He tried to launder his ill-gotten gains, funneling the stolen funds through his tax business — where he spent countless hours executing his illegal scheme. Now, my Statewide Prosecutors will make sure he pays for his crimes with an extended stay at a taxpayer-funded facility.” Continue reading

Waste-misuse of funds or resources through excessive or nonessential expenditures. Illegal! (Jail Time!)

Waste involves the taxpayers not receiving a reasonable value for money in connection with any government-funded activities due to an inappropriate act. Paying or not paying.

Fraud-an attempt to obtain something valuable through intentional misinterpretation.

If you suspect fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement of federal funds, FraudNet can help report your allegations to the right people. (Jail Time!)

Fraud is defined as the wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. (jail Time!)

At least 20 homes with Trump signs or flags were skipped from the end of October and into November due to the FEMA guidance. (Jail Time!) Fraud on the people by government agency! (Need to be Fired!) Continue reading

ROME, Italy—Recently, Governor Ron DeSantis met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to grow the relationship between Italy and Florida. Both share common bonds, values, industry, and trade, and many Italian Americans call Florida home. Both are peninsulas with historic significance and uniquely beautiful natural landscapes.

ROME, Italy—On the first day of Florida’s trade and business development mission to Italy, Governor Ron DeSantis announces new partnerships to benefit Florida. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Sapienza University of Rome have entered into a partnership to share research and increase academic cooperation as Florida continues to grow its aerospace industry.

Space Florida invited Italian aerospace companies to plant their roots in the state at the Space Life Sciences Lab to take advantage of the proximity to Florida’s commercially driven spaceport system, talented workforce, and extensive commerce ecosystem. Space Florida president and CEO Rob Long also championed the recently designated Florida University Space Research Consortium, which could open innovative research opportunities for Italian companies and universities, which can shape the future of the global aerospace economy with Florida at the center.

 

Caption: Speaker Johnson, Rep. Cammack, and Rep. Dunn speak to members of the local, state, and national media about their visit.

 GAINESVILLE, FL — Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) joined Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) and Congressman Neal Dunn (R-FL-02) for a visit to the areas in North Central Florida devastated by Hurricane Helene.

The group took an aerial tour of the damage, viewing Cedar Key, Suwannee, Horseshoe Beach, and Steinhatchee from above. Hurricane Helene made landfall last Thursday evening, dumping heavy rain that generated 18 feet of storm surge along the coastal areas in Florida’s Big Bend region. 

The congressional leaders stopped in Steinhatchee to view the damage on the ground and to visit with local leaders who have been working around the clock to aid in initial cleanup efforts. The lawmakers also spoke with members of local, state, and national media, sharing important updates about recovery efforts and what more Congress can and should do to help the communities devastated by the storm. 

Speaker Mike Johnson told members of local, state, and national press during a stop in Steinhatchee: “I think this has been an extraordinary effort by Florida, the state and local officials. It’s just really inspiring to see how well it’s been covered and how much the community is rolling up its sleeves and working together. Here in this community, it would inspire the entire country to see how they’re really banded together. They’re undeterred. This is a very resilient community of people. That’s the best of America. We have this disaster now that’s around the country. We have people in North Carolina still stranded in their homes in the mountains, and people in Georgia and a number of other states that have been terribly affected by this storm. So, Congress is on the ground, the representatives who represent all those districts are there with their constituents, with their people trying to help, and we will do what’s necessary to make sure that Americans are taken care of.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CEP – Click to learn more

Subscribe to Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required
Newsletter and/or digital publication