Florida State Wide
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—As spring breakers continue flocking to the state, Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning students about the dangers of fentanyl. At a news conference in Daytona Beach, Attorney General Moody urged spring breakers to never use illicit drugs, since more fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills now contain a lethal dose than ever before.
Flanked by Volusia County first responders, Attorney General Moody also announced that the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the police departments of Daytona Beach, Deland, Ormond Beach, Ponce-Inlet and South Daytona, as well as the Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue team, are now participating in Attorney General Moody’s Helping Heroes program. The program provides free access to life-saving naloxone for first responders. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody filed an amicus brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in support of Intervenor States seeking to keep the Biden administration from using shadowy gamesmanship to manipulate the president’s most vulnerable political liability in an election year: the border crisis. The Biden administration, on multiple occasions, used these tactics in an attempt to provide cover from his historical outright failure to protect the sovereignty of the nation. In this case, the Biden administration appears to have abandoned its defense of the “Circumvention of Lawful Pathways” rule, a rule that allows the Department of Homeland Security to turn away some asylum seekers, seeking instead a settlement agreement with pro-illegal immigration organizations, such as the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, an immigration-services nonprofit based in California.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This administration has repeatedly shown that it cannot be trusted, especially as it relates to defending the sovereignty of our nation and safety of our citizens. This president has turned every state in the country into a border state by allowing millions of unvetted and undocumented aliens into the interior. States have a right to be party to any settlement negotiations that will dictate border policy because we have an interest in protecting the safety of our citizens and the resources of our communities.” Continue reading
How much does government cost? That is a powerful question and the answer is: nobody really knows. The government has no money of its own. All they have is tax money extracted from the citizens and so many taxes are hidden that no one can say for sure just how much the government costs. Each year we spend money, time and energy to fill out income tax forms to find out how much it costs us individually to keep government running and fulfill our national and international obligations. The Income Tax is so convoluted that most individuals need to spend money on tax preparers or tax software to complete these forms. An entire industry has arisen to help people combat the I.R.S. if they get audited. In my opinion, any law that spawns such an industry to get around it, is a bad law to begin with and should be repealed. However, if you repeal the Income Tax you need to replace it with something better and that is the FAIRtax. Continue reading
Dear Friends,
It has been yet another great month in the Florida Legislature. I am honored to be able to represent the constituents of District 13 here in Tallahassee. With Session coming to an end, here are a couple of key pieces of legislation that we have had the pleasure of working on.
Firstly, The Florida Senate passed Senate Memorial 598, sponsored by Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill), with bipartisan support. This memorial urges the federal government to enforce current immigration laws and secure our southern border.
The willful and systemic refusal of the Biden Administration to enforce immigration laws has allowed for a crisis to unfold at our southern border. This crisis impacts every community, not only across the State of Florida, but across the entire country as illegal immigrants overrun our southern border with those associated with drug cartels bringing weapons, fentanyl, and other contraband that devastates families and communities. Further, the influx of illegal immigration has placed a significant financial burden on Florida’s taxpayers. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, the Department of Management Services and FloridaCommerce hosted “Pitch Day at the Capital” in collaboration with SelectFlorida, the Florida Opportunity Fund, and the Florida-Israel Business Accelerator. Highlighted by multiple Memoranda of Understanding and historic trade missions led by Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida and Israel share a unique economic relationship, particularly in the technology sector.
Attendees included representatives from the Florida Governor’s Office, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of State, Florida Department of Revenue, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Division of Emergency Management, and Space Florida.
“In addition to our one-of-a-kind economic relationship, there is no greater friend to Israel and the Jewish people than the DeSantis administration,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “Bringing more Israeli businesses to Florida cements both our economic and cultural ties at a time when our partnership has never been more important.”
Following remarks from Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez and Deputy Consul General Mike Driquez, 30 technology companies delivered pitch-style presentations to state agency leaders and procurement officials. Companies in the infrastructure, supply chain, cybersecurity, and healthcare industries presented ideas and technologies that could further bolster the resources and capabilities of state entities. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis announced an investment of nearly $25 million from the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program to either create or expand 19 programs dedicated to strengthening workforce development across Florida. The initiative underscores Florida’s dedication to equipping students statewide with the essential skills required for success in high-demand occupations.
Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant funding provides Florida students with opportunities for hands-on educational experiences in a broad range of career and technical education programs such as automotive maintenance and light repair, digital video and technology, allied health assisting, criminal justice operations, entrepreneurship, emergency medical responder and many more.
“In Florida we have become the number one state in the nation for talent development by making strategic investments in our workforce,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We will continue to equip students in our state with the skills they need to succeed, without being burdened by debt.”
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida is strategically investing in workforce development, ensuring that our state remains at the forefront of innovation,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “This funding reflects our dedication to equipping students with the skills necessary to excel in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis deployed more National Guardsmen and Florida Highway Patrol Troopers to Texas to assist Texas officials as they work to secure our southern border. Fifty National Guardsmen departed Pensacola in this wave, alongside 76 Florida Highway Patrol Troopers.
“The Biden Border Crisis has made every state a border state, requiring the states to step up and defend our territorial sovereignty,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I want to extend my sincerest thanks to every law enforcement officer, National Guardsman and member of the State Guard who is serving in Texas.”
Since 2021, Florida has sent more than 2,400 law enforcement officers to assist Texas at the southern border. With those officers, the state has also sent more than 600 assets including boats, command buses and ATVs.–
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced the establishment of a bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to explore how Congress can ensure America continues to lead the world in AI innovation while considering guardrails that may be appropriate to safeguard the nation against current and emerging threats. Congresswoman Kat Cammack was tapped as a member of the new group along with three other Republicans from the Florida delegation.
Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries have each appointed twelve members to the Task Force that represent key committees of jurisdiction and will be jointly led by Chair Jay Obernolte (CA-23) and Co-Chair Ted Lieu (CA-36). The Task Force will seek to produce a comprehensive report that will include guiding principles, forward-looking recommendations and bipartisan policy proposals developed in consultation with committees of jurisdiction.
“Because advancements in artificial intelligence have the potential to rapidly transform our economy and our society, it is important for Congress to work in a bipartisan manner to understand and plan for both the promises and the complexities of this transformative technology,” said Speaker Mike Johnson. “I am happy to announce with Leader Jeffries this new Bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence to ensure America continues leading in this strategic arena.” Continue reading
Dear Neighbor,
This week I was back home in the district after three long weeks in Washington! It is always great to be home working with my team to best advocate for the policy issues that impact and matter the most to you. This week, we visited Alachua, Marion, and Gilchrist Counties to meet with folks and hear from them about what’s most on their minds. We’re looking forward to sharing more details and photos from those stops next week.
While back home in Florida, I joined a letter with 80 of my peers to demand President Biden take a cognitive test. America is the greatest and most powerful country in the world, and the chief executive must be mentally and physically equipped to tackle the challenges we face. We’re concerned about President Biden’s mental fitness and are united in ensuring the president—no matter the party—is up to the job.
Additionally, the 2024 Congressional Art Competition is now open. I am so proud of the art our students produce in Florida’s Third, and I can’t wait to see what this year’s competition has in store. Interested applicants can read more about submitting their artwork here. The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 5 at 5pm ET. Continue reading
Dear Neighbor,
It was a big week in Washington. The House finally impeached DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for the utter negligence at the southern border. We will continue to hold him accountable and push for stronger border security that puts an end to the crisis.
In the Energy & Commerce Committee, we made meaningful headway in gathering support for the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act. I am a proud sponsor of this bill and had the chance to speak about it during a legislative hearing with the bill’s namesake in the audience. Advocating for the sanctity and quality of life for people with disabilities is our responsibility and one I take seriously.
Additionally, I spoke on the House Floor this week about the Biden administration’s LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) export ban. The House also passed H.R. 7176, the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act, to reverse this LNG ban to protect our American energy jobs and our economy. Continue reading
