Florida State Wide
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Something about JD Vance’s path to becoming a United States Marine, and what being a veteran means to me.
He grew up in the small town of Middletown, Ohio.
Middletown was once an industrial powerhouse, but thanks to the unfair trade deals signed by our “leaders” in DC, the people of Middletown were left behind.
Like most of the enlisted Marines he served with, he joined the military to serve my country. It was also a way for a kid from a poor family to achieve the American Dream.
When he got off the bus and stepped on the yellow footprints at Marine Corps Recruit Training, I honestly didn’t know what I was getting into.
But when his Drill Instructor handed him his Eagle, Globe, and Anchor and I earned the title of United States Marine, it was one of the proudest moments of his life.
Dear Neighbor,
This week, I am back home in the Sunshine State’s Third Congressional District! It’s always a breath of fresh air to be back and on the ground meeting with my neighbors. After a busy legislative year, I always look forward to August as the chance to connect with you and take back more great ideas to Washington in September.
As we head into the weekend, we’re closely monitoring Invest 97L, a tropical development heading into the Gulf of Mexico. The latest models as of Friday morning indicate it will weaken as it moves north, but we know how quickly these storms can change. With this in mind, please stay tuned to local news and weather alerts for the latest information regarding heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and flooding that this storm may bring. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
This week, we said goodbye to our four summer interns as they finished their final week in our office. We’re so thankful to have had these wonderful students work for our district. I wish them luck as they return back to the Swamp and law school this fall.
Back home, Team Kat had the privilege to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for our community’s newest green space, Ocala Park Estates. This new park will only add to our already beautiful home and serve as a place for all to enjoy. Continue reading
This week, as millions of Florida students prepare for another academic year, we honored the school resource officers who protect them with a Thin Line Tribute. Our Thin Line Tribute initiative recognizes the daily, often thankless efforts, of Florida’s front-line law enforcement officers—and you don’t get more front line than serving in a school!
During the tribute, at a high school in Volusia County, we also announced that the school district will be joining our Hallway Heroes program. We created Hallway Heroes last year to encourage students to build bonds of trust with school resource officers—so they are more comfortable reporting suspicious or dangerous activity in schools.
Through this unique program, attention-grabbing, age-appropriate posters are strategically placed in school hallways instructing students on how to engage with school resource officers. For older students, these displays include our statewide anonymous crime-reporting tipline, **TIPS. Continue reading
The current federal income tax system is clearly broken – unfair, overly complex and almost impossible to completely understand. There is however a reasonable and nonpartisan alternative that is both fair, efficient and easy to understand and that is the FAIRtax (HR 25).
The FAIRtax is a national sales tax that treats every person equally and allows American businesses to thrive while generating the same tax revenue as the four-million-word-plus tax code we now live under. The FAIRtax is NOT an add-on but a REPLACEMENT of the current income tax.
Under the FAIRtax, for the first time in recent history, American workers will bring home what they earn with the elimination of federal withholding from their paychecks giving them an instant raise in take-home. Social Security and Medicare benefits will not change. In fact, the FAIRtax actually puts these programs on a more solid foundation. Instead of being funded by worker’s wages, which is a relatively small pool, they will be funded by taxes on overall consumption by all residents. Continue reading
Good morning friends-With the elections just around the corner, I wanted to share some more information with you.
In Lake County, Vote-By-Mail Ballot mailouts begin on July 12th. Sample Ballots are available on July 29th.
Early Voting dates and times for the 2024 Primary Election are August 8th-17th, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Primary is on August 20th.
Early Voting dates and times for the General Election are October 21st – November 2nd, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The General Election is on November 5th.
It’s not too early to make sure your voting registration is in order, and you know where your voting precinct is located. For more information, contact your Supervisor of Elections office.
Onward & Upward
Nearly 130,000 printed resources have been distributed to law enforcement across the state as a way to help Floridians find help.
ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis spoke at the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) Summer Conference to highlight Hope Florida as a referral resource for Florida Sheriffs and law enforcement.
“Often, law enforcement personnel encounter individuals who need help outside of the criminal justice system,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “They just need help and aren’t sure where to start. Now they can call one number to rally a community to help meet their needs, address their challenges, and ultimately provide a plan and a path to prosperity. We are proud to offer Hope Florida as a simple way for law enforcement to ensure those who need help can be connected quickly to Hope Navigators who are ready to provide assistance.”
“Florida Highway Patrol is proud to be directly involved in distributing information and supporting Hope Florida’s mission to the many Sheriff’s Offices and Police Departments throughout the state,” said Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Hope Florida is an incredible asset that allows the men and women who protect and serve Floridians to direct them to available resources that cater to each individual’s specific needs, making a significant impact on their lives.” Continue reading
ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis, joined by Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris and Guardian ad Litem Executive Director Dennis Moore, hosted a hands-on, healthy cooking class for Hope Florida mentors and mentees. The event showcased the partnership between Hope Florida and the Guardian ad Litem program, which has produced hundreds of mentorship pairings since it was launched in September 2023. More mentors are needed across the state of Florida for those youth aging out of the foster care system.
“As a mom to three young children, I know how important strong role models are to the success of our youth,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “It was heartwarming to spend time cooking with these amazing boys and girls in Florida’s foster program. There is a need for mentors across Florida—with over 100 in the Orlando area. I encourage those with a call to mentorship to apply through Hope Florida.”
The First Lady’s Hope Florida – A Pathway to Promise initiative encourages foster families and youth aging out of foster care to connect with Hope Navigators who can pair them with volunteer mentors who assist with the transition to independent living by offering guidance, motivation, and emotional support. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Paul “P.J.” Marinelli, Karl Rasmussen, and Morgan Wilbanks and the reappointment of Michael Stephens, Scott Stryker, and Stephanie Wardein to the Florida Greenways and Trails Council.
Paul “P.J.” Marinelli
Marinelli, of Naples, is the President of RiverGlades Family Offices, LLC. Active in his community, he serves as Chairman of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation Board of Directors. Marinelli earned his bachelor’s degree from Duke University.
Karl Rasmussen
Rasmussen, of Tallahassee, is a Senior Policy Advisor at Metz, Husband, & Daughton, P.A. Previously, he served as a Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Cabinet Affairs for Governor Rick Scott. Rasmussen also served as the Assistant Director of State Lands and as the Cabinet Affairs Director for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Continue reading
PENSACOLA, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded funds for workforce development and infrastructure improvements through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) and the Defense Infrastructure Grant (DIG). Awards were made to Pensacola State College, the city of DeFuniak Springs, Santa Rosa County, and Jackson County for projects that will support the aviation and aerospace industry, the military and defense industry, and increase access to workforce housing.
“Today’s awards will help bring high demand, high wage jobs and businesses to Northwest Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “These strategic investments will benefit Escambia, Walton, Santa Rosa and Jackson counties and provide new opportunities for families from across the Panhandle.”
“Governor DeSantis’ focus on catalytic infrastructure and workforce investments, especially in sectors such as manufacturing, aerospace and aviation, and military and defense, will continue to bring job creators and job seekers to Northwest Florida,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “I’m especially grateful for the Governor’s support of the community-driven visions in each of these projects.” Continue reading
I was glad to join my colleagues in signing onto H.R. 7014, the Protect Medicaid Act. The bill prohibits federal payment under Medicaid for the administrative costs of providing health benefits to noncitizens who are ineligible for Medicaid based on their immigration status. American taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for the health care of those in the country illegally.
Congresswoman Kat Cammack
