Florida State Wide
BORDER SECURITY: Securing the Southern and Northern border of the United States takes a combination of physical infrastructure, technology, personnel, resources, authorities, and the ability to close legal loopholes that are exploited by smugglers, traffickers, cartels, criminals and terrorists.
The Department of Homeland Security must have the tools to deter illegal immigration; the ability to remove individuals who illegally enter the United States; and the vital authorities necessary to protect national security.
These measures below are the minimum tools necessary to mitigate the rapidly growing surge of illegal immigration.
$25 billion trust fund for the border wall system, ports of entry/exit, and northern border improvements and enhancements.
Close crippling personnel deficiencies by appropriating additional funds to hire new DHS personnel, ICE attorneys, immigration judges, prosecutors and other law enforcement professionals. Continue reading
As we approach opening day of Legislative Session on March 5th, many bills are in drafting and over 1,600 filed by members. Of the many bills being heard in committees, I will focus on two. The Senate Education Policy Committee has passed an update to school safety expanding access to The Guardian Plan which permits more educators to volunteer for service, additional training, and background clearance to provide an added defense team of leaders already on site to provide armed response in the first three minutes in a crisis to prevent an incident from becoming a massacre like we saw last year . Time is of the essence. Seconds count. No educator is required to participate but can be considered. Thankfully over 2.8 million students safely attend school. There are full safety and prevention steps in the updated school safety plan. Another bill filed that is stirring debate is the Heartbeat Bill which will protect the unborn child who demonstrates a heartbeat. Over 60 million young lives have been extinguished since abortion rights were expanded by court ruling in 1973, more than all soldiers killed in all the wars of American history. It is time to reconsider this sensitive policy that erodes our future and our respect for human life.
We look forward to a meaningful debate for the many issues before us. Be a part of this discussion. It is your government.
Sincerely,
Dennis Baxley
Photo Credit: Governor Ron DeSantis Press Office
The Villages, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced his commitment to create a prescription drug importation program for Florida. This program will offer access to FDA-approved prescription drugs that have been imported from Canada, allowing the drugs to be sold to Floridians at a much lower cost. The Governor was joined at the announcement by Speaker Jose Oliva, Representative Ray Rodrigues and Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Mary Mayhew.
“One of the biggest drivers of this country’s out of control healthcare spending is the cost of prescription drugs,” said Governor DeSantis. “While our prices remain high, our neighbors in Canada are spending significantly less for the same drugs. These price disparities are indefensible and inexcusable and I am ready to act. I thank Speaker Oliva for prioritizing this issue and look forward to working with him to reduce the prices of these drugs for Floridians that depend on them.” Continue reading
President Trumps results of latest medical exam were released. Dr. Sean Conley, his physician, says Trump gained four pounds in the past year but proclaimed that he is in good health.
Chuck Schumer and Alex Soros, yes son of George Soros, having drinks. Chuck is probably being reminded of who is really in charge!
Governor DeSantis also announced an additional $2.8 million in matching funds for debris removal in Mexico Beach
Bay County, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long visited local communities in the Florida Panhandle that were heavily impacted by Hurricane Michael. Stops included Panama City, Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe.
Governor DeSantis and Administrator Long, along with Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz, also received a full briefing on recovery efforts at the Calhoun County Emergency Operations Center.
“Today marks my second trip to the Panhandle since taking office. Hurricane Michael may be gone but the emergency remains,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We thank Administrator Long for recognizing the recovery effort is far from over. We will continue to work diligently with our federal, state and local partners to support Florida families as they rebuild.” Continue reading
Chairman’s Report
January 4, 2019
By Steve Hayes, Chairman and President – Americans for Fair Taxation
THE ELITE SEEK A REWARD FOR THEIR FAILURES
Most people in America still believe in the basic principle that to get more of something you should reward it. We know that if children find that they can get what they want by screaming and throwing a tantrum every time someone says no, they will use screaming and tantrums as a way of addressing anything they don’t like.
If an employee who is habitually late, makes many errors and is more interested in looking at social media than working is given the same raise as other employees who are on-time, work hard and concentrate on their job—the company will be sending a message to the hard-working employee that they can get the same pay but are actually somehow stupid for working diligently.
In a more basic example, we want to stop people stealing and we have laws. Unfortunately, we are seeing that for most of us, if we are caught stealing then we are prosecuted. However, if we are part of the Elite then it becomes, as Bill Clinton famously said, “It depends on what the definition of “Is” is”.
The symbols for change and opportunity are the same symbol in Japanese (or so I’ve been told).
As we are returning for legislative committee weeks, that certainly rings true with new Florida Senate and House leaders. Many new legislators, new governor, new lieutenant governor, new cabinet members, new Secretary of State, new department heads, staff members, and new committee assignments with new looks at familiar issues and some new issues before us. Now is a great time to reach out to elected leaders with your concerns for the approaching 2019 Legislative Session.
It has been very refreshing and informative to be at home with “the people” since election season to hear how these public policies touch the ground and where the rubber meets the road. It has been inspiring to visit with so many people meeting the challenges and confronting realities as they engage to make our state the best place to visit, work, play, build a business, raise a family, gain education, and enjoy retirement. Despite our challenges, North Central Florida is a great place to do life—because of each of you. Thank you for doing your part. Remember, it’s your government!
Onward and upward,
Dennis Baxley
Florida State Senate – District 12.
Tallahassee, Fla – Today, the Florida Cabinet unanimously approved Governor DeSantis’ appointment of State Representative Danny Burgess to serve as the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
“I thank my fellow members of the Florida Cabinet for approving Danny to lead the Department of Veterans’ Affairs,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “His unwavering commitment to our nation and support for our veterans during his time in the legislature make him the right man for the job and I could not be more excited to see what all he accomplishes for our veteran community in this new role going forward.”
Danny Burgess is a Captain and Judge Advocate in the United States Army Reserve. He was elected to represent eastern Pasco County in the Florida House of Representatives in 2014, and was subsequently re-elected in 2016 and 2018. Prior to joining the Florida House of Representatives, Burgess served on the Zephyrhills City Council and as Mayor of Zephyrhills. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida and his Juris Doctorate from the Barry University School of Law.
Sebring, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis issued the following statement regarding the tragic shooting in Sebring, Florida:
“This is a terrible day for Sebring, Highlands County and for the state of Florida. Casey and I extend our most sincere condolences and sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims. The people of Florida stand with the community of Sebring. In light of this tragic circumstance, I’ve directed FDLE to provide the necessary resources at the state level to assist with the ongoing investigation. This is an individual that needs to face very swift and exacting justice.
“I want to thank both the Sebring Police Department and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office for their response and continued efforts during this tragedy.”
Publishers Note: My son was in that bank the day before!
