Florida State Wide
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!
Rubio was in town. He went to visit the Mojo Family, a great group of people. Here they are posing for this picture at one of the many locations. Rondo has done a great job!
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis formally announced the appointment of Gregory Tony as Sheriff of Broward County. Tony, a former Coral Springs Police Sergeant, will serve as Broward County’s first African-American Sheriff.
“The people of Broward County deserve accountable, competent leaders who can safeguard our communities,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Gregory Tony will be a champion for Broward County who will work tirelessly to safeguard our schools and our streets while ensuring accountability within the Sheriff’s office.”
“This is an enormous honor and privilege to be appointed Sheriff of Broward County,” said newly appointed Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony. “It is my intention to embark on this enormous task to restore the confidence of families and residents of Broward County toward the Broward Sherriff’s Office, which also requires that I fix the problems that exist. I thank Governor Ron DeSantis for this honor and I commit to faithfully fulfilling my duties to this office.”
This week, I spoke to journalists from across the state at the 2019 Associated Press Legislative Planning Session. We discussed our priorities and important legislation we will be pursuing during the upcoming legislative session.
We must end the opioid crisis. While running for office, I talked about the devastating reality that Florida lost 14 people a day to opioid overdoses. Today the death toll has risen to 17.
According to the latest Medical Examiners Report, Fentanyl analogs contributed to more than 1,500 overdose deaths in Florida alone—THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. That is why, before I even took the oath of office, we began working to create a Statewide Opioid Abuse Working Group.
Our working group is already meeting to address the crisis, but we need to do more. During the upcoming legislative session, we will work with house and senate leadership to establish the Statewide Task Force on Opioid Drug Abuse. Continue reading
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, the Florida Cabinet accepted the State Board of Administration’s recommendation of placing Airbnb on the Scrutinized Companies List. Please see the below statement from Governor Ron DeSantis on this decision:
“Israel has had to face scrutiny like no other country in history has ever had to face. Airbnb made a conscious decision to discriminate against the Jewish people and as Governor I have an obligation to oppose policies that unfairly target the world’s only Jewish State and our greatest ally in the Middle East. Our action today solidifies the State of Florida’s resolve to stand with Israel and if Airbnb does not denounce their previous policy of discrimination we may be compelled to explore additional action.”
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis formally announced the appointment of Gregory Tony as Sheriff of Broward County. Tony, a former Coral Springs Police Sergeant, will serve as Broward County’s first African-American Sheriff.
“The people of Broward County deserve accountable, competent leaders who can safeguard our communities,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Gregory Tony will be a champion for Broward County who will work tirelessly to safeguard our schools and our streets while ensuring accountability within the Sheriff’s office.” Continue reading
Hello Floridians! I am so honored to be your 38th Attorney General. This first week has been an amazing experience that I will never forget. I look forward to the many hard-working days ahead serving our great state.
Taking the oath of office this week was one of the most special moments in my life—to have my dad, James S. Moody, Jr., a Senior United States District Judge in the Middle District of Florida, swear me in on a beautiful January morning. It was even more special to take the oath of office on the same Bible that my grandfather, James S. Moody, Sr., took the oath of office on when he was sworn in as a judge over 60 years ago.
I also had my loving husband Justin and my wonderful nine-year-old son Connor by my side. Five days before the inauguration, Connor watched his older brother Brandon begin his service in the United States Army. I missed Brandon being with us, but I am so very proud of him. Continue reading
As this is my final newsletter as Florida’s Attorney General, I look back on the last eight years and I am so grateful to have served this great state. It has been the honor of a lifetime to be my home state’s chief legal officer. Since being elected in 2011, my office has made tremendous strides to reduce crime, save lives, protect consumers and make Florida the best state to live, work and raise a family.
When I first took office, Florida was referred to as the Pill Mill Capital of the United States. Through the shutdown of pill mills, cracking down on drug traffickers and comprehensive litigation to battle the opioid crisis, we have made significant progress to fight drugs in Florida. Efforts to eradicate human trafficking have progressed tremendously from new laws, raising public awareness and creating new resources to provide help for victims. Also, defending Florida consumers from fraud and scams, developing programs to prevent school shootings and aiding our military veterans have been just some of the many initiatives that I am proud to be a part of and hope will continue to be a priority going forward. Continue reading
