Dear Friends,
As we prepare for the next legislative session, allow us to take the time to remind you to stay prepared during hurricane season. Stretching from June 1st to November 30th, we still have three long months until we’re in the clear. During last session, the Florida Legislature passed two separate two-week Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays to help Florida citizens prepare for the coming stormy weather. The first sales tax holiday was between May 27th and June 9th. Don’t worry, if you forgot to take advantage of the first Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, there is another one from August 26th to September 8th. Hurricane season is well underway but there’s still time to stock up on all the supplies you’ll need!
Despite the rainy season, our summer has been full of exciting and memorable events that are well worth sharing with the constituents of Senate District 13. Firstly, any Christian elected official or anyone supporting Christians serving in elected office were afforded the opportunity to attend the National Association of Christian Lawmakers Conference in Lynchburg, Virginia. NACL is an incredible platform that allows Christian lawmakers from all over the U.S. to come together and work as a team to ensure that faith, family, freedom, opportunity, and life are at the forefront of our nation. Also, members of the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice were so graciously invited to tour the Sumter Correctional Institute, Ocala Center for Success and Independence, the Marion Regional Juvenile Detention Center, and the Arnette House (CINS/FINS Shelter). All of these facilities provide various opportunities for Florida citizens to get back on their feet and on the right path. Sumter CI has partnered with Pride Enterprises, which is a self-funded enterprise whose mission makes a positive difference in Florida by training eligible inmates in vocational skills and transitioning them into the job market upon completion of their sentences. The Ocala Center for Success and Independence serves males, between the ages of 15 and 18 years of age who are adjudicated to the Department after being assessed and referred as appropriate for non-secure placement and are in need of Mental Health Overlay Services and/or Substance Abuse Treatment Overlay Services. The Marion Regional Juvenile Detention Center provides supervision of youth in a safe, secure and humane environment. Services for youth include: education, mental health, substance abuse, and health care. Lastly, the Arnette House provides programs and services to the 5th circuit which includes Marion, Lake, Sumter, Citrus, and Hernando Counties by caring and dedicated professionals who focus on the strengths of the family while providing skills and knowledge to help improve life at home. Touring these facilities equipped us with an even more profound understanding of the importance of faith, family, freedom, opportunity, and life.
As we sail through the last few months of summer and prepare for the next legislative session, I hope this letter encourages you to support your community and reminds you, not only to be prepared for the end of hurricane season, but to continue to have an active part in your government. Nothing significant is ever done alone, but one person can make a difference!
Thank you for letting me serve you in the Florida Senate.
Onward & Upward
Senator Dennis Baxley
