Dear Friends,
We are in our second month of committee meetings and only two months away from the official start of the 2024 Legislative Session, which begins on January 9th, 2024. We have been busy in Tallahassee preparing for this exciting day. We will share with you some important highlights that have recently taken place at the Capitol.
The Senate Republican Caucus selected Senator Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) as Senate President-Designate to lead the chamber through the 2024-2026 term. Senator Albritton was nominated by Senators Ed Hooper (R-Clearwater) and Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and was elected by a unanimous vote of his Republican Colleagues. In his speech, delivered after his election, the newly named President-Designate Albritton highlighted his roots in Florida’s Heartland, his love for his wife and family, his support for Florida agriculture, and his vision of what Florida’s future can be. Looking toward his tenure as Senate President, President-Designate Albritton displayed his excitement to work with his fellow Senators and our colleagues across the Rotunda, led by Speaker-Designate Daniel Perez, as they look to meet the challenges of our time and deliver results for Floridians in every corner of the state.
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) and Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast), joined by members of the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives, held a joint press conference condemning the atrocities committed by Hamas and showing Florida’s strong support for the people of Israel. During the press conference, President Passidomo and Speaker Renner issued a joint proclamation on behalf of their respective chambers that officially supports Israel’s right to defend itself, condemns the barbaric attacks by Hamas, and demands the immediate end to any direct or indirect financial support directed to Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. A copy of this proclamation will be presented to the President of the United States, each member of the Florida delegation to the United States Congress, and the Ambassador of the State of Israel to the United States. Florida has made it clear that we stand proudly with our brothers and sisters in Israel, we recognize their right to exist as a sovereign state, and we support their right to defend themselves from any and all threats.
The Florida Department of Children and Families appeared before the Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, chaired by Senator Ileana Garcia (R-Miami), to provide a presentation on the new Office of Community Services. The Office of Community Services includes a variety of programs focused on care, prevention, and concentrated services to result in positive long-term outcomes for Florida’s most vulnerable children, adults and families. Initiatives include prevention measures relating specifically to human trafficking, domestic violence, continuing care, and homelessness. Through these critical programs Florida continues the effort to increase vital services to support and protect our most vulnerable populations across the state.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. As always, it is an honor to be your Senator and we look forward to continue serving our constituents in Lake and West Orange County.
Onward & Upward,
Senator Dennis Baxley
