TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is issuing a Consumer Alert warning Floridians about an increase in jury duty scams. In these scams, an imposter will call a target about missing jury duty, then threaten the potential victim with jail time if a fine is not paid. A recent news report from Miami-Dade County states that authorities there are seeing an alarming number of jury duty scams.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This scam is so troubling because the scammer on the phone will threaten a victim with potential jail time if a fine is not paid. Floridians should know that failing to report for jury duty is not grounds for immediate arrest, and court officials will never demand payment over the phone. By being aware of how to avoid this increasingly common scam, we can build a Stronger, Safer Florida.” Continue reading →

ATTORNEY GENERAL MOODY’S STATEWIDE PROSECUTORS CHARGE HUMAN TRAFFICKER FOR COERCING WOMEN AND TEEN INTO SEX TRADE

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is charging a human trafficker with multiple felonies for coercing women and a teenager into sex work for the trafficker’s personal gain. The Boca Raton Police Department arrested Brandon Gutman on charges of human trafficking of a minor and human trafficking of an adult. According to the investigation, Gutman withheld all money and identification documents from the women, and knowingly trafficked a 16-year-old girl.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This human trafficker kept women under his control with physical abuse and by withholding all their identification documents. He then forced them into sex work for his own financial profit, including knowingly trafficking a young 16-year-old girl. Thanks to the bravery of the survivors working with authorities and the investigative efforts of law enforcement, this predator will now face my Statewide Prosecutors.” Continue reading →

My bill, the REINS Act, passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation is a core part of House Republicans’ mission to reintroduce government accountability and to restore Congress’ role to check the regulatory actions of federal agencies. I’m grateful to the overwhelming support of my colleagues on this bill, and now, it’s just one step closer to becoming law.

Additionally, I was proud to host my colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee in Newberry earlier this week for a listening session on the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. Farmers from across the state gathered by the hundreds to solicit critical feedback about the issues they’re facing in their industries. It was an honor to host the one-and-only listening session for the Farm Bill in the entire state of Florida.

With all that’s happening this Congress, it is my greatest honor to represent you and hear from you about the issues that matter most. You can read below about what we’ve been up to this week, and as always, you can stay up to date with us here, on our website, and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

For Freedom,
Congresswoman Kat Cammack Proudly Representing Florida’s Third Congressional District

Dear Friends,

We have new day! What an exciting time it is to live in Florida and to be a part of an incredible team in the Senate. We are winning battles that your Senator has long been a part of, and it is very encouraging to see us finally having this much success on so many different fronts.

Just this week, the Florida Senate voted to pass a comprehensive bill that would protect Florida’s youth from dangerous gender altering surgeries and treatments. Specifically, the legislation prohibits harmful and irreversible gender reassignment procedures or prescriptions for children and adolescents in Florida. Additionally, the legislation strengthens doctor-patient consultation requirements for adults who seek these same treatments and prohibits the use of telemedicine to ensure that patients are fully informed on the risks associated with these treatments. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 300, the Heartbeat Protection Act, which prohibits abortions once the unborn child has a detectible heartbeat.

“We are proud to support life and family in the state of Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I applaud the Legislature for passing the Heartbeat Protection Act that expands pro-life protections and provides additional resources for young mothers and families.”

While other states like California and New York have legalized infanticide up until birth, Governor DeSantis has enacted historic measures to defend the dignity of human life and transform Florida into a pro-family state. In 2022, Governor DeSantis signed groundbreaking legislation to encourage responsible and involved fatherhood in Florida through educational programs, mentorship programs, and one-on-one support. Also in 2022, Governor DeSantis signed SB 7034, which expands support for foster parents and opportunities for foster children. In 2021, Governor DeSantis signed SB 2518, which helps reduce maternal mortality rates by extending postpartum eligibility for Medicaid from 60 days to 12 months post-delivery. Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $4 million to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to add a new interchange at I-75 and Northwest 49^th Street in Marion County. These funds will create new opportunities for the Ocala area by building infrastructure needed to support a new Buc-ee’s location, reducing traffic congestion at other Ocala area I-75 interchanges and expanding access to I-75 for two industrial and commercial development complexes and the nearby World Equestrian Center. The new Buc-ee’s location is the third to be built in Florida and will consist of an 80,000-square foot travel center, supporting 120 fuel pumps with more than 720 parking spots for visitors. FDOT’s infrastructure project is expected to have and economic impact off $21 million and create 1,500 new jobs. The new interchange will further establish the City of Ocala as a strategic Central Florida hub for freight-related traffic.

“By making strategic investments like today’s $4 million Job Growth Grant Fund Award, Florida will continue to fuel economic growth across the state,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Ocala’s ideal location at the center of our state makes it prime for new manufacturing opportunities and for visitors looking for a place to stop and grab some beaver nuggets. I look forward to seeing the opportunities this award will create for Floridians, businesses and communities in Central Florida.” Continue reading →

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.  — Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and members of the Legislature to announce legislative and Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) Board actions to nullify the eleventh-hour agreements adopted by the outgoing Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) with Walt Disney World. These agreements are riddled with legal deficiencies, including including failure to provide required notices, and are a blatant attempt by a private corporation to subvert the will of Floridians through shady tactics.

“Disney’s corporate kingdom is over – despite their repeated and futile attempts to circumvent the Legislature and the will of the people,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Their cheerleaders in the media thought that Disney ‘outsmarted’ the state, but the new control board uncovered their sloppy scheme, and the agreements will be nullified by new legislation that I intend to execute. Disney will operate on a level playing field with every other business in Florida. I look forward to the additional actions that the state control board will implement in the upcoming days.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  —Governor Ron DeSantis announced the award of more than $13.6 million for innovative technologies and short-term solutions to aid in the prevention, cleanup and mitigation of harmful algal blooms. A list of innovative technologies projects selected for funding can be found here.

Upon taking office, Governor DeSantis created the Blue-Green Algae Task Force to address the issue of recurring algal blooms in the state of Florida. The task force recommended investment in a diverse portfolio of innovative technologies to detect, prevent, clean up and mitigate harmful algal blooms in a cost-effective, environmentally safe way.

“In addition to our record investment in water quality projects to reduce nutrient loading at its source, my administration has secured dedicated funding to deploy innovative technologies to address algal blooms,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “These projects will help identify new ways to treat, predict and respond to blue-green algal blooms, protecting our environment and our economy.” Continue reading →

The Governor and a delegation from Florida will visit four countries to discuss expanding economic opportunities 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that he will lead an international trade mission, organized in conjunction with Enterprise Florida, to Japan, South Korea, Israel and the United Kingdom. The mission will build on economic relationships Florida has with each country, and the Governor will meet with business executives and government leaders to discuss ways in which Florida can expand economic partnerships. The Governor will be joined by First Lady Casey DeSantis, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Florida Secretary of Commerce Laura DiBella.

“Florida has the 15th largest economy in the world, and that is because our state has worked to create partnerships with other countries to create jobs and boost the economy,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This trade mission will give us the opportunity to strengthen economic relationships and continue to demonstrate Florida’s position as an economic leader.” Continue reading →

GAINESVILLE, FL –Congresswoman Kat Cammack served as the distinguished speaker for the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, where she provided a legislative update to the local community and spoke with business leaders in Florida’s Third Congressional District about the issues impacting their industries.

Mr. Eric Godet, President and CEO of the Greater Gainesville Chamber, introduced Congresswoman Cammack at the luncheon to an audience of about fifty attendees, including representatives from the University of Florida and Santa Fe College, as well as leaders from industries spanning construction, electric and utilities, senior living and health care, aeronautics, banking, and more.

Congresswoman Cammack opened the luncheon with a legislative update pertaining to the REINS Act, which she introduced at the start of the 118th Congress in January. This critical piece of legislation, which reasserts Congress’ legislative authority and prevents excessive federal overreach, would help to remove the red tape and burdensome, regulatory costs that are currently impacting businesses across the nation. Continue reading →