Florida State Wide
“Florida will always be welcoming to all of our athletes with disabilities, regardless of COVID vaccination status,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Special Olympics International should have never imposed a vaccine mandate on their athletes. Special Olympians who were in limbo for months will now be able to compete in Florida thanks to our continued actions to keep Floridians’ medical decisions private.”
Dear Friends,
This is Part II of our report on the 2022 Legislative Session. As of this writing, we have already worked through one Special Session addressing congressional redistricting and independent special districts (Disney, Reed Creek). Both of these have been highly publicized already, so we won’t spend much time on those, except to tell you two things:
First, the congressional maps that we passed are fair and constitutional, and we fully expect that it will be upheld by the higher court. The Fair Districts Act, while (possibly) well intended, sends the wrong message about how we should operate as a society. Drawing a district to favor a population, based on the color of their skin, is moving us further away from the dream of Dr. King where we judge men not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Second, in regards to the Disney and the Special Districts Bill, the robust authority granted to the Reedy Creek Improvement District stretches well beyond those for other cities and counties. It was time for the legislature to conduct an extensive review of the powers and authorities of special districts through the lens of today’s environment. As elected officials, it is our duty to represent the best interest of Floridians, not boardrooms in California. Continue reading
By TomL
We had a ribbon cutting and dedication of the new REC headquarters in the Teal Brooke Complex. The Republican Chair person who is also an RN nurse. First the tour of the facilities. Very nice building and area. The waiting room was furnished nicely by Brigitte Smith RN furnishing’s. There is a receiving window for staff to welcome people that are visiting. There is a lunch/kitchen area, Brigitte’s office, A board meeting room and a larger room for meetings.
There was standing room only. I think we need this new REC in Ocala we use to have big gathering luncheon’s at the Hilton with a full house and have many great guest speakers. We are on track to do that again. There were a lot of dignitary’s from local and state government. I won’t try too name them all. Personally I think Brigitte has surrounded herself with very capable people, with her being the driving force. It is a recipe for success.
The week after the ribbon cutting they showed the 2,000 mules video, what an eye opener it is a must see.
I ask Brigitte what her goals were? Short range and long range. Here is what she said.
My vision for the REC has passed it’s first goal. My first goal was to fill precincts. We have about 122 precincts. Our REC has over 50% precincts filled, but I will get the exact percentage. The ultimate goal would be to fill 100% which then truly engages the Republicans of Marion county. The second goal of the REC is to engage each of the dozen republican/conservative clubs and ensure each club has their club President as a precinct member of the REC. What that does is promotes strength of the party in addition to ensuring information is disseminating to each club. When we have call to actions or trips to lobby in Tallahassee we then have a much greater pull of conservatives to get active. The next goal is to promote GOTV activities with representation of all these Republican groups. We will ensure a Republican sweep with all these endeavors. My vision to educate our electorate is coming to fruition, as our new Victory Center also enables us to host multiple informational sessions at different times daily and several days to maximize our reach. We are able to provide Republican candidates information to the public and so much more. Our current REC is moving in forward direction in high gear and we will continue to support our Republican Party!
Ocala, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Marion County has reissued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Orange Lake, near McIntosh.
This is a continuation of a previous Health Alert the department issued for the lake on March 4. This alert is being reissued after a water sample taken on April 21 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection indicated that toxins were still present.
The public should exercise caution in and around Orange Lake.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions: Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is calling on U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to terminate the creation of a disinformation board that attacks Americans’ First Amendment rights. Along with 18 other attorneys general, Attorney General Moody argues that the proposed Disinformation Governance Board will hurt the constitutional freedom to speak freely, debate and disagree with the government—freedoms that state attorneys general are responsible for defending.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “President Biden is attempting to confuse and distort legitimate criticism and the perspective of American citizens. This authoritarian maneuver could be straight out of the novel 1984 and should frighten Americans of all political persuasions.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is calling on United States Attorney General Merrick Garland to enforce federal law against attempts to intimidate U.S. Supreme Court Justices by protesting outside the Justices’ homes. Along with 24 other Attorneys General, Attorney General Moody is demanding the U.S. Attorney General take action to safeguard and ensure the integrity of the rule of law.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The integrity of our courts is paramount to a free and democratic society. Any attempt to threaten or intimidate United States Supreme Court Justices so they change their votes should be thoroughly investigated by the Department of Justice—not just for the safety of judges and their families, but for the independence of our nation’s entire judicial system.” Continue reading
This week, I filed an emergency rule to outlaw eight synthetic opioids known as nitazenes, adding these dangerous drugs to the state’s Schedule I controlled substances list. This means possessing or selling them in Florida is now a felony, punishable by time in prison.
I hope this sends a strong message to drug dealers, that we will not allow them to poison Floridians.
While we do not know yet exactly how prevalent nitazenes have become in the illicit drug market, we do know that Florida law enforcement has identified more than 260 cases involving these substances since 2020—including more than 80 so far this year.
Nitazenes have also been linked to at least 15 deaths in our state. The scariest thing about these drugs is that users often have no idea they are taking them. Continue reading
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by pro-life advocates and community leaders to sign HB 5, the Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality Act, to protect the lives of Florida’s most vulnerable by prohibiting all abortions after 15 weeks of gestation. HB 5 represent the most significant protections for life in Florida’s modern history. Read more on what they are saying below.
“Life is precious and children are a God-given gift,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “That is why House Bill 5 is so important, as it provides added protections for the unborn child. Governor DeSantis and I remain steadfast in our commitment to defending the sanctity of innocent human life and protecting the unborn.”
“Every abortion kills a special and unique human being who deserves protection under the laws of this state and the chance to grow up in a loving family,” said Senate President Wilton Simpson. “As an adopted child in a family that took in foster children, it has always been important to me that our state do everything we can to promote adoption as an alternative to abortion. Floridians can be proud that we live in a state that not only protects innocent, unborn life, but also supports children and parents. I commend Governor DeSantis for making strong pro-life, pro-child, and pro-family legislation the centerpiece of his administration.” Continue reading
MIAMI — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the approval of $100 million for cancer research and care in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget, a $37 million increase over the current budget. Last year, the First Lady held a roundtable to announce the Governor’s proposal of this historic funding for Florida’s top cancer centers to continue providing world-class care to cancer patients.
“Cancer remains a leading cause of death in Florida, and we will continue to support those fighting this deadly disease,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “With this funding, cancer centers will continue their cutting-edge research and provide high quality care to patients. Our family is grateful for the care that the First Lady received during her cancer treatment this past year, and we want to make quality care available for all Floridians.”
“I am incredibly proud to see this record funding secured for cancer patients, their families, and the facilities that serve them,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “Early detection is a game changer in the cancer fight. I encourage anyone reading this to be proactive about your health — it might just save your life.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 1571, which prohibits picketing and protesting outside of a person’s place of residence.
“Sending unruly mobs to private residences, like we have seen with the angry crowds in front of the homes of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This bill will provide protection to those living in residential communities and I am glad to sign it into law.”
Once this law takes effect, law enforcement officers will provide a warning to any person picketing or protesting outside of a dwelling and will make arrests for residential picketing only if the person does not peaceably disperse after the warning. Residential picketing will be punishable as a second-degree misdemeanor.
