TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is recognizing the 2022 Florida Women’s Hall of Fame inductees. The Florida Commission on the Status of Women added Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, Lilly Pulitzer and Audrey Schiebler to the Hall of Fame during a ceremony today for significant contributions to the citizens of Florida.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “I’m honored to induct three amazing women to the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, Lilly Pulitzer and Audrey Schiebler each play an extraordinary role in our state’s history and inspire many Floridians to this day. They have paved the way for the many women who will follow in their footsteps. Their impact on our state will continue to be felt for years to come.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is announcing the arrest of the owner of a home and community-based services company for Medicaid provider fraud. Leslie Diane Minor, owner of Minors Helping Hands Support Services, allegedly caused a loss of more than $12,000 to Florida Medicaid for billing for services never rendered.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This home and community-based services provider overbilled Medicaid by more than $12,000. Her company billed for services not rendered to disabled adult patients for over a year and a half. Our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit put a stop to her scheme ripping off taxpayers and the Medicaid program.”  Continue reading →

It’s come to our attention that numerous unaccredited individuals in North Central and Northeast Florida are presenting themselves as licensed officials authorized to assist with VA claims. Visiting folks in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, these fraudsters are taking advantage of veterans and seniors with false information.

Veterans or survivors seeking to file claims with the VA should do so through an accredited representative, including a service agency, claims agent, or attorney recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs. These individuals are certified by the VA and have the proper training necessary to assist our heroes.

To see a full list of accredited individuals and organizations authorized to assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA claims, click here. Please also feel free to reach out to our Gainesville office at (352) 505-0838.

ear Neighbor,

This week was a busy one in Washington, D.C. As we prepare to honor our veterans before Veterans Day this weekend, we focused on several important issues central to our veteran community in North Central Florida.

I sent a letter to Sunshine Health Network Director David Isaacks to inquire about the wait times veterans across our region have been experiencing at VA facilities. We learned that some veterans are often forced to wait 30 days or more to access important care and health appointments. Our heroes deserve the very best and I will always fight to make sure they receive the care they have earned. Continue reading →

Earlier this week, I shared updates from another busy day in D.C. Catch up with me as I walk and talk through the Capitol!

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Dear Neighbor,

Now that the House of Representatives has Speaker Johnson at the helm, we have a big month on the horizon. This month we will celebrate our veterans on Veterans Day, finish passing appropriations bills before Thanksgiving, and continue advocating for our allies in Israel.

This week, I spoke in committee about a new bill to increase transparency for fees charged at hotels and other sites. With tourism as important to our region and the Sunshine State as it is, it’s important people know what they’ll pay up front. You can check out this clip and others below.  Continue reading →

A structure on the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes system plays an important role in protecting surrounding areas from flooding. But the structure is more than 50 years old and needed repairs. That construction is now complete and the structure is once again operating as designed. Watch this video to learn about the repairs made and how the structure functions within the overall system.

From https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/

Senior citizens as a group fair better under the FAIRtax than under the current income tax. Although some erroneously believe they pay no taxes if living on Social Security alone, they are still paying the hidden corporate income tax and employer payroll tax imbedded in everything they buy. Under the FAIRtax, those hidden costs are removed. Plus, senior, like ever other citizen or legal resident will receive the prebate at the beginning of each month for taxes paid on the cost of necessities. Since once an item is taxed it is not taxable again, all purchases of used goods are rendered tax free. If a senior wishes to continue working, they are freed from the regressive payroll taxes on their earnings under the FAIRtax and there is no income tax on their Social Security. The income tax imposed on investment income and pension benefits or IRA withdrawals is repealed. An income tax deduction from most pension funds, IRAs and 401(k) was taken for contributions to most of these plans. All beneficiaries and owners of these plans expected to pay income tax on them upon withdrawal, but are not required to do so under the FAIRtax. Plus any interest on savings you may have acquired is no longer subject to taxation. Seniors have a dramatically higher home ownership rate than other age groups but those who wish to sell their homes face capital gains tax under the current system. Senior also have the comforting knowledge that if they wish to pass their estate on to their heirs, that the heirs will not have to sell all or part of that estate in order to pay the inheritance tax. There is no capital gains tax or inheritance tax under the FAIRtax. The FAIRtax makes the economy much more dynamic and prosperous. Consequently, federal revenues grow which makes it less likely that federal budget pressures require Medicare and Social Security benefit cuts. And, since the FAIRtax requires a certain percentage of all revenues collected to be distributed between these two programs, Medicare and Social Security will be much more stable for years to come. For more information, go to FAIRtax.org