TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Continuing the Summer Scams Series, Attorney General Ashley Moody is issuing a Consumer Alert to warn Floridians about potential online shopping scams. Many online retailers host huge summer sales. Scammers may mimic these legitimate events to target consumers with malware, phishing texts and other messages designed to steal personal or financial information.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Summer sales are a popular way for online retailers to attract customers and promote seasonal items. Scammers know this and may exploit these shopping events by posing as representatives of major retailers to steal money or personal information from unsuspecting consumers. As we continue our Summer Scam Series, I am asking consumers to take a few proactive steps to avoid fake emails, text messages and websites designed to impersonate legitimate companies.” Continue reading →

In Case You Missed It: From the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council

 Florida’s “Open for Business” Strategy Answering Supply Chain Demands

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (July 13, 2022) – Strong investments in Florida’s 15 seaports have well-positioned Florida to answer supply chain demands, and take advantage of a realignment in global trade routes, a new report shows. The Seaport Mission Plan, Florida Ports: Open for Business, released by the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council (FSTED), provides an analysis on the health and capabilities of Florida ports, as well as trends on the horizon.

The report comes as 29 West Coast ports are working without a negotiated labor contract, and many shippers have already changed lanes to reroute to East Coast ports in fears that 2022 labor negotiations could lead to similar strikes, lockouts and slowdowns that occurred in 2002, 2008, 2012 and 2014. Continue reading →

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis attended Florida’s annual Teacher of the Year Conference in Orlando to recognize the best educators in the state. At the event, Governor DeSantis highlighted five teacher of the year finalists and awarded each one with a $15,000 bonus. Governor DeSantis also highlighted Florida’s continuing education achievements over the past year, including Florida’s ranking as third in the nation for K-12 achievement according to the latest Quality Counts report.

“Florida is the education state not just because we have good policies, but because we have great teachers who go above and beyond for their students,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “It was great to join some amazing teachers today and to show our appreciation for their hard work and sacrifice. We will continue to invest in our schools and educators, while putting policies in place that improve outcomes for students.”  Continue reading →

TAMPA, Fla. — Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis held a roundtable discussion to highlight how the State of Florida is working to support and empower Florida’s foster and adoptive families through the Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity initiative. The Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity initiative, spearheaded by First Lady DeSantis and implemented by the Florida Department of Children and Families, utilizes ‘Care Navigators’ to guide Floridians on an individualized path to prosperity by focusing on community collaboration between the private sector, faith-based community, nonprofits, and government entities to break down traditional community silos in an effort to maximize resources and uncover opportunities. The goal is to help individuals realize economic self-sufficiency and prosperity. Continue reading →

Dear Friends,

This will be the third column reporting on the 2022 Legislative Session and the good work done on behalf of the citizens of the free state of Florida!

This past month, Governor DeSantis signed off on $109.9 billion budget that includes a record $1.24 billion in tax relief for Floridians. Providing ongoing tax relief to Floridians, especially in the midst of extraordinary inflation brought on by the federal government’s irresponsible policies, remains a top priority of the Florida Legislature. This tax package includes: A Gas Tax Holiday: October 1-31, 2022, reducing the cost of fuel by $0.25 per gallon, a Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: July 25 – August 7, 2022, on clothing, footwear, backpacks, school supplies, computers and electronics, and software. Additionally, it includes: Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday: May 28 – June 10, 2022, on flashlights, lanterns, radios, tarps, coolers, batteries, smoke detectors, and generators. The tax bill also included some long-term tax relief on items like: Impact Resistant Windows, Doors and Garage Doors, Children’s Clothing and Shoes, Children’s Diapers, Energy Efficient Appliances, and Farm Trailers and Fencing. Continue reading →

Dear Neighbor,

This week while I was in Washington, D.C., gas prices reached an all-time high. According to Triple A, the national average for a gallon of gas today is $4.986, just cents away from hitting $5.00. As inflation continues to take its toll and prices gradually increase around the country, Americans are struggling to pay for daily expenses. Just this week, economists predicted that if oil prices reach $150/barrel, a recession will hit, inevitably devastating the nation. It’s time to unleash our domestic capabilities by making the United States energy independent again and relieving Americans of these crippling costs.

Additionally, as Democrats continue to fight for gun control in the name of public safety, it’s perfectly clear that their radical measures do little to stop criminals, and instead punish law-abiding citizens who lawfully exercise their Second Amendment rights. Stripping Americans of their God-given right to keep and bear arms does nothing but make our communities less safe.

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 .

In Liberty,

Kat Cammack

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Kat Cammack and U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough regarding an Inspector General report on a June 2020 incident in which the VA failed to provide emergency care to a veteran at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center Emergency Department in Gainesville, Florida that resulted in the veteran’s death.

“We are appalled by the information presented in the May 31, 2022 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG) Report, ‘Failure to Provide Emergency Care to a Patient and Leaders’ Inadequate Response to that Failure at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center (MR VAMC) in Gainesville, Florida,'” the lawmakers wrote. “The report details an incident in June 2020 when MR VAMC Emergency Department (ED) nurses and administrative staff prioritized determining the patient’s veteran status over rendering him emergency care. Alachua County EMS subsequently transported the patient across the street to UF Health Shands Hospital who admitted the patient. According to the OIG report, the patient was later determined to be an eligible veteran. Shands UF provided emergency care, but the veteran passed away approximately 10 hours after admission. This incident, and potentially others mentioned in the report, call into question the competency, professionalism, and commitment of MR VAMC ED medical providers and staff to our nation’s veterans.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) and Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL-09) led a bipartisan letter with members of the Florida Delegation to the House Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Agriculture, urging them to provide equitable relief with respect to crop insurance for specialty crop farmers.

Due to an unintended consequence of the 2011 cap on administrative and operative (A&O) expense reimbursements, specialty crop insurance funding has been cut dramatically. Historically, the contract between the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) and the crop insurance companies has prevented A&O costs associated with specialty crops’ policies from rising when prices of products like corn wheat, soybeans, or cotton increase. However, the effects of this flawed funding design have detrimentally impacted crop insurance for specialty crops, yielding a nearly 40 percent cut nationwide, with Florida among the top five states to be hit hardest. Continue reading →

Attorney General Moody Releases Fast Facts on Fentanyl to Educate Parents About the Dangers of Synthetic Opioids

Attorney General Ashley Moody is releasing a new informational toolkit about protecting children from digital drug dealers during summer break—when kids often spend more time online. The Fast Facts on Fentanyl Toolkit highlights how drug dealers utilize social media to sell illicit substances, and warns that those substances may contain deadly amounts of synthetic opioids. Attorney General Moody encourages Floridians to download the free toolkit and learn about synthetic opioids—including the emerging threat of Nitazenes.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Drug dealers are utilizing the internet to conduct their illicit business—often using social media to pressure children into purchasing deadly substances. Minors may be increasingly susceptible to digital dealers during the summer, when they may spend more time online. That is why I am releasing Fast Facts on Fentanyl to help parents talk to their children about the dangers of drug use. Sadly, we are reminded almost daily that one pill laced with fentanyl can kill. I hope this resource can help families better understand the risks associated with drug use and avoid tragedy.” Continue reading →

Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians about an emerging text message scam offering a ‘free gift’ for paying a bill on time. The Better Business Bureau details recent reports of this scheme that entices text recipients with the promise of a present to click on a link to an unfamiliar website requesting personal information. Attorney General Moody reminds Floridians to never use links from unknown phone numbers or reply to suspicious messages—especially if free gifts or money are promised.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Scammers will try anything to steal your personal information. Their latest trick is simple, but effective—the promise of a gift in exchange for personal information. Don’t fall for it. Never provide personal information in response to a solicitation or click on links contained in a suspicious message. Remember that if something seems too good to be true, then it’s probably a scam.”