TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 300, the Heartbeat Protection Act, which prohibits abortions once the unborn child has a detectible heartbeat.

“We are proud to support life and family in the state of Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I applaud the Legislature for passing the Heartbeat Protection Act that expands pro-life protections and provides additional resources for young mothers and families.”

While other states like California and New York have legalized infanticide up until birth, Governor DeSantis has enacted historic measures to defend the dignity of human life and transform Florida into a pro-family state. In 2022, Governor DeSantis signed groundbreaking legislation to encourage responsible and involved fatherhood in Florida through educational programs, mentorship programs, and one-on-one support. Also in 2022, Governor DeSantis signed SB 7034, which expands support for foster parents and opportunities for foster children. In 2021, Governor DeSantis signed SB 2518, which helps reduce maternal mortality rates by extending postpartum eligibility for Medicaid from 60 days to 12 months post-delivery. Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $4 million to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to add a new interchange at I-75 and Northwest 49^th Street in Marion County. These funds will create new opportunities for the Ocala area by building infrastructure needed to support a new Buc-ee’s location, reducing traffic congestion at other Ocala area I-75 interchanges and expanding access to I-75 for two industrial and commercial development complexes and the nearby World Equestrian Center. The new Buc-ee’s location is the third to be built in Florida and will consist of an 80,000-square foot travel center, supporting 120 fuel pumps with more than 720 parking spots for visitors. FDOT’s infrastructure project is expected to have and economic impact off $21 million and create 1,500 new jobs. The new interchange will further establish the City of Ocala as a strategic Central Florida hub for freight-related traffic.

“By making strategic investments like today’s $4 million Job Growth Grant Fund Award, Florida will continue to fuel economic growth across the state,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Ocala’s ideal location at the center of our state makes it prime for new manufacturing opportunities and for visitors looking for a place to stop and grab some beaver nuggets. I look forward to seeing the opportunities this award will create for Floridians, businesses and communities in Central Florida.” Continue reading →

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.  — Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and members of the Legislature to announce legislative and Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) Board actions to nullify the eleventh-hour agreements adopted by the outgoing Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) with Walt Disney World. These agreements are riddled with legal deficiencies, including including failure to provide required notices, and are a blatant attempt by a private corporation to subvert the will of Floridians through shady tactics.

“Disney’s corporate kingdom is over – despite their repeated and futile attempts to circumvent the Legislature and the will of the people,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Their cheerleaders in the media thought that Disney ‘outsmarted’ the state, but the new control board uncovered their sloppy scheme, and the agreements will be nullified by new legislation that I intend to execute. Disney will operate on a level playing field with every other business in Florida. I look forward to the additional actions that the state control board will implement in the upcoming days.” Continue reading →

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 →