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 →

GAINESVILLE, FL —Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03), with the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA), hosted a tour of Central Florida’s agricultural facilities to gather feedback from growers and producers ahead of the 2023 Farm Bill.

Every five years, Congress passes legislation that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policy, commonly referred to as the “Farm Bill.” With the 2023 Farm Bill on the docket this year, members of the House Agriculture Committee are gathering feedback from farmers, ranchers, producers, and foresters in their districts and states about the must-address issues in this year’s legislation.

In an effort to collect this critical feedback from producers in Florida, Congresswoman Cammack and stakeholders toured several farms and nurseries throughout Central Florida, speaking with representatives from each operation about their Farm Bill priorities. Continue reading →

GAINESVILLE, FL — Congresswoman Kat Cammack begins her Central Floria Agriculture Tour with stops in Umatilla and Mount Dora, Florida. With the 2023 Farm Bill in development during this first session of the 118th Congress, Rep. Cammack is speaking with farmers, ranchers, and producers across the state this spring to learn more about the issues most important to them and how she can continue to be a voice for Florida Agriculture in the U.S. House of Representatives.

On Tuesday, Rep. Cammack will visit Wild Goose Farm in Umatilla and H&A Farms in Mount Dora. While at each stop, the congresswoman will hear from stakeholders and discuss crop insurance, risk management for specialty crops, labor and immigration reform, trade, and more.

On Wednesday, Rep. Cammack will visit AgriStarts in Apopka, Jon’s Nursery in Eustis, and Dewar Nurseries in Mount Dora, FL.  Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) introduced the bipartisan Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced the Senate companion on Tuesday.

The bill prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the organ transplant system. It upholds, clarifies, and builds upon rights established in the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Sec. 504 of the Rehab Act, and Sec.1557 of the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, the bill prohibits covered entities from determining that an individual is ineligible to receive a transplant, deny an organ transplant or related service, refuse to refer the individual to an organ transplant center, refuse to place an individual on a waiting list, or decline insurance coverage for a transplant or related service based solely on the fact that the individual has a disability.  Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—As the 2023 Tax-Season Scams Series draws to an end, Attorney General Moody is issuing the final alert by highlighting a drastic increase in reports to the IRS on suspicious activity. The Internal Revenue Service reported a more than 300% increase in reports of suspicious activity from 2021 to 2022. Attorney General Moody launched the Tax-Season Scams Series to highlight common tax-related schemes and provide tips about how to avoid falling victim.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “IRS reports of suspicious activity skyrocketed last year—up more than 300%. To make sure Floridians are protected from common tax scams, I launched this series and hope that it continues to guide taxpayers as we move closer to the filing deadline.”

Here are some of the most common tax-related scams: Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is demanding information about whether a Biden administration program used taxpayer money to purchase crack pipes for drug addicts. Attorney General Moody is taking legal action against two federal agencies due to withheld information with respect to the program’s suspected practices. In February 2022, Florida sent Freedom of Information Act requests to the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services seeking records regarding the alleged use of federal grant funds to promote drug use through safe smoking kits—in which some were reportedly found to include crack pipes and other drug-related paraphernalia. Now, more than a year later, with both agencies failing to reply to the state’s request, Attorney General Moody is taking DOJ and HHS to court to bring the information to light.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “If Biden is using your tax dollars to buy crackpipes for drug addicts, you have the right to know. Our country is in the grips of a drug overdose crisis, and the Biden administration is stonewalling our requests and keeping the public in the dark about so many misguided, reckless policies. We are taking them to court to get answers for the American people.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is activating Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline following reports of extreme flooding in Broward County. The following expansion comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis declares of a state of emergency due to areas of Broward County that are flooded after receiving heavy rainfall of more than 25 inches.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “With the declared state of emergency in Broward County for extreme flooding, I am activating Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline to protect Floridians from any unlawful increases.”

It is important for all residents of Broward County to begin preparations for any additional flooding. This includes having an emergency plan in place and staying informed through local news and weather reports. Attorney General Moody recommends citizens follow the guidance of local officials and take all necessary steps to ensure safety. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is calling on Congress to investigate the Biden administration subjecting unaccompanied minors to human trafficking. This call comes after a Florida Statewide Grand Jury released its third presentment documenting horrible conditions unaccompanied minors experience because of the Biden administration’s failed policies and lack of oversight. Attorney General Moody is imploring Congress to convene hearings and act to prevent children from being assaulted and exploited.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “A Florida Grand Jury found shocking and horrific evidence of the Biden administration facilitating human trafficking and child exploitation of unaccompanied minors. It should enrage everyone that any child is being exposed to such dangerous and terrible conditions. I’m calling on Congress to conduct hearings to further the investigation and uncover the evidence that HHS refused to provide to Florida’s Statewide Grand Jury.” Continue reading →