LAKE WORTH, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced his support for an update to the 2020 Decennial Census, which could potentially yield additional congressional seats for Florida. Governor DeSantis was joined by Attorney General Uthmeier, who has been a leading voice in the fight for a corrected census and proper reapportionment to ensure that Floridians have the representation they deserve in Congress.

“Even the Biden administration acknowledged that Florida got shortchanged in the reapportionment stemming from the last census,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “My office is working with Attorney General Uthmeier in our mission to secure Floridians’ due representation in Congress and to fix mistakes that have been identified in the aftermath of the 2020 Census.” Continue reading →

Department of Commerce Ends Supension Agreement, Reinstating Tomato Tariffs

Washington, D.C. — A newly released national survey of registered voters reveals a bipartisan majority of Republicans (69%), Democrats (52%) and Independents (51%) support the idea of replacing the current income tax system with a national sales tax. Also, 50% of voters surveyed support the elimination of the IRS.

Conducted by Quantus Insights and commissioned by the National Tax Research Committee, the poll suggests that Americans, particularly younger and working-class voters, are increasingly open to bold structural changes in how the federal government collects revenue.

At a time of continued economic uncertainty and public dissatisfaction with federal institutions, 58% of voters say they would support a national consumption tax that allowed workers to retain their paychecks without federal with-holding. This proposal, central to the FAIRtax Plan (HR25), envisions eliminating income, payroll, corporate, capital gains and estate taxes and replacing them with a single, visible sales tax applied at the point of retail purchase. While long discussed in academic and political circles, the FAIRtax concept appears to be gaining traction with the public. Continue reading →

MONTICELLO, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced the official launch of Florida’s America250FL campaign to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. As part of the celebration, the Governor unveiled a new statue of Thomas Jefferson in Jefferson County—honoring the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and one of America’s most influential founding fathers.

“While others are tearing statues of our founding fathers down, Florida is putting them up,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Thomas Jefferson was a critical figure in the formation of our country, especially in drafting the Declaration of Independence. In Florida, we celebrate the Founding Fathers.”

The event marked the second in a series of statue unveilings planned across Florida counties named for America’s founders. Statues will also be installed in Washington, Franklin, Hamilton, Madison, and Monroe Counties over the next year. Many other events and celebrations are planned and will ramp up across Florida all year in celebration of next year’s semiquincentennial.  Continue reading →

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— Governor DeSantis announced school grades for the 2024-25 academic year and highlighted statewide progress monitoring testing. Continuing the trend from 2023-24, improvements were seen in K-12 school performance grades across all school types, including 71% of all graded schools (2,461 schools) earning either an “A” or “B” grade, compared to 64% (2,215) of schools last year. Florida charter schools are also thriving with 77% earning “A” or “B” grades.

For information about positive results from Florida’s progress monitoring testing, refer to this press release.

“Florida’s use of statewide progress monitoring is yet another example of how Florida leads on education,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Providing more opportunities for parents and teachers to intervene in a child’s performance in school leads to better outcomes and a higher quality education.”

“This year’s school grades demonstrate that Florida’s focus on the future of education has paid off,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has implemented innovative strategies like progress monitoring and provided students with the choices they need to succeed. The 2025 school grades are a reflection of the nation-leading education reforms that Florida has implemented.”

“Florida has laid the blueprint for educational success in America,” said Incoming Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “These school grades are another example of how our approach is working.” Continue reading →

SARASOTA, Fla.—Today, Governor DeSantis announced Florida has earned the #1 spot on the First Liberty Institute’s Religious Liberty in the States Index. The “Religious Liberty in the States Index” is a comprehensive, peer-reviewed comparison of how all 50 states protect religious liberty through law. The index offers the most comprehensive legal analysis of religious liberty protections across all 50 states, evaluating factors such as religious exemptions, protections for religious organizations and schools, and the freedom of individuals to live out their faith in both public and private life.

“Florida holds several #1 rankings, leading the nation in education, economy, and tourism—and now, Florida is #1 in religious liberty,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We’re grateful for this recognition from the First Liberty Institute, which has just named Florida the #1 state in the nation for protecting religious liberty. Religious liberty is critical to the foundation and function of America, and I am proud that Florida excels in protecting this right.”

Florida has championed policies and legislation that have protected religious freedom for Floridians.

Washington, D.C. – The .S. House of Representatives passed the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act, a landmark, bipartisan bill that protects Americans with disabilites from being denied life-saving organ transplants solely based on their disability. This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), ensures that disability is never used as a barrier to receiving critical medical care.

This bill upholds, clarifies, and builds upon protections established under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. It prohibits discrimination by covered entities–including hospitals, transplant centers, and insurance providers–in the organ transplant process.

Specifically, the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Act bars the following actions solely based on disability:  Continue reading →

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—a historic package that secures our border, cuts taxes, strengthens rural communities, and delivers real results for Americans. Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) released the following statement following its passage:

“Florida’s Third District is home to hardworking families, first responders, small businesses, and rural communities—and this bill reflects their priorities.

It permanently extends the Trump Tax Cuts, preventing the largest tax hike in U.S. history. Without these provisions, more than 452,000 taxpayers in FL-03 would face higher rates, over 81,000 families would see their Child Tax Credit cut in half, and local small businesses and farms would be devastated by rising taxes. This bill stops that.

It also puts money back in families’ pockets by eliminating federal taxes on tips, overtime, and car loan interest. It protects rural hospitals, cleans up waste in programs like SNAP and Medicaid, and ensures benefits go to those who truly need them—not illegal immigrants or elite institutions gaming the system.

Most importantly, this bill secures our southern border with the strongest enforcement measures in a generation—deploying new technology, adding more boots on the ground, and reinstating policies that stop the flow of illegal crossings and fentanyl at the source.

This is what Americans voted for last November. They demanded tax relief, secure borders, and real accountability in Washington, and that’s exactly what this bill delivers. This is what the America First agenda looks like, and I’m proud to support it.”

Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) released the following statement following U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ announcement of $675.9 million in federal disaster assistance for Florida farmers impacted by Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene, and Milton:

“Florida’s agriculture industry isn’t just the backbone of our state’s economy—it’s a cornerstone of our national food security. From citrus growers and cattle ranchers to timber operations and family farms, the devastation from back-to-back storms has been overwhelming. This $675.9 million investment will go a long way in helping our producers rebuild infrastructure, recover lost income, and stay in business,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “I want to thank President Trump, Secretary Rollins, and our state partner, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, for recognizing the urgent needs on the ground and delivering the targeted, meaningful relief our ag community needs and deserves.”  Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has added a count of victim tampering against a defendant already charged with human trafficking of a minor. While in pretrial detention at Wakulla County Jail, authorities intercepted three letters sent by Sky Skidmore to the victim, the victim’s mother, and Skidmore’s mother. These letters were intended to intimidate the victim.
“This defendant, who is currently in pretrial detention for committing heinous acts of human trafficking against a minor, chose to escalate his terrible situation by sending letters to intimidate and deter the victim from testifying at trial,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Our Statewide Prosecutors have added this additional charge for this human trafficker and will continue to work diligently to hold him accountable for his atrocious crimes.”
Last year, the Office of Statewide Prosecution charged Skidmore with human trafficking, lewd and lascivious bat-tery, encouraging the sexual performance of a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. Skidmore remains in pretrial detention.
Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Guillermo Vallejo is handling the case.