Dear Friends,
Our first round of committee meetings in January are completed and we have begun our preparations for another three weeks in February. The 2021 Regular Session will convene on March 2nd, but much of the work happens in the weeks leading up to then. Per our state constitution, the Legislature’s only duty is to pass a balanced budget and we will have that completed by April 30th, unless a special session is called by the Senate President and Speaker of the House. We are grateful that we live in fiscally responsible state that understands that we cannot spend beyond our means. This year, due to the impact of COVID-19, Florida will have to make cuts to our budget to fulfill that responsibility and tough decisions will be made. My colleagues in the Senate, both Republican and Democrat, are united in this effort and in the past few years, the final vote on our budgets has been largely unanimous (note: there have been years with a single member “nay” vote). In 2021, our leader on the budget will be Senator Kelli Stargel and we are very confident in her ability to lead us through the coming changes.
Last month, President Wilton Simpson appointed your Senator to The Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys. This Council was created in 2006 by the Florida Legislature to study conditions that negatively affect black males in our state. The 19-member council is housed in the Office of the Attorney General and has focused on researching strategies to reduce high school dropout rates, recidivism, and violent crime rates. The Council hopes to establish community partnerships and help local communities establish best practices to help make a positive impact and bring awareness to the socioeconomic conditions that black males face in Florida. This will not be my first time serving on this Council, but it is honor and privilege to be able to serve again in this capacity. In America, we all have an opportunity to serve each other, encourage each other, and succeed together.
Due to issues surrounding the pandemic, our Senate President has asked us to restrict in-person meetings at the Capitol and we will honor that request until such time that he feels it is safe proceed otherwise. We are, however, available by phone, e-mail or if you wish to make a virtual appointment then we are more than happy to accommodate. Please do not let that be a reason not to contact us and let us know your thoughts and suggestions. This process does not work without you and we need your involvement. Thank you for letting me sit in your seat in the Florida Senate and fight to protect faith, family, freedom, opportunity and life.
Onward & Upward,
Senator Dennis Baxley
