$11.9 Million Awarded to the Town of Fort Myers Beach TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $11.9 million to the Town of Fort Myers Beach through the Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan – the first award through the program created in a Special Legislative Session earlier this year. Governor DeSantis presented Fort Myers […]
Read MoreFirst Lady Casey DeSantis Discusses Best Pet Practices with Florida Animal Advocates
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis was joined by Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Melanie Griffin and Florida animal advocates to discuss ways to improve protections for Florida’s pet population and lower euthanasia rates among animals admitted to a shelter. To watch the press conference click he
Read MoreSTATEMENT: Florida Senator Shevrin Jones on Committee Passage of 15-Week Abortion Ban
Tallahassee — Today, the Florida Senate Health Policy Committee heard and passed a 15-week abortion ban (Senate Bill 146) out of committee, along party lines. Florida Senator Shevrin Jones (SD-35), member of the Health Policy Committee, released the following statement: Time and again, Florida Republicans have made it abundantly clear that they wou
Read MoreSEN. ANNETTE TADDEO AND REP. SUSAN VALDÉS JOIN STUDENT ADVOCATES TO ENSURE FOOD SECURITY AT COLLEGE CAMPUSES
Tallahassee — Working to provide food security for those attending post-secondary institutions, State Senator Annette Taddeo and Representative Susan Valdés filed SB 1916/HB 1407. This bill will designate certain qualified campuses as “Hunger Free”, meaning that there will be measures taken to certify the wellbeing of students and eradicate food in
Read MoreSTATEMENT: Leader Book Responds to Neo-Nazi Demonstrators in Orlando
Tallahassee — Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book (D-Plantation) issued a statement condemning Neo-Nazi hate symbols displayed in Orlando along I-4. With the current rise of anti-Semitism across Florida, we must condemn these violent actions. “Just days after Holocaust Remembrance Day, Neo-Nazis put their hate on full display in Orlando. We must a
Read MoreSTATEMENT: Florida Senator Shevrin Jones Celebrates the Start of Black History Month
Tallahassee — Today, Florida Senator Shevrin Jones (SD-35) released the following statement regarding Black History Month: Throughout our nation’s history, Black Americans have displayed incredible courage, creativity, and resilience, and made innumerable contributions to the American story. As we mark the start of Black History Month, it is imper
Read MoreGovernor Ron DeSantis Signs HB 543 – Constitutional Carry
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill (HB) 543 which strengthens Floridians’ Second Amendment rights by allowing Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit. HB 543 goes into effect on July 1, 2023, making Florida the 26th state to enact Constitutional Carry legislation. “Constitutional C
Read MoreState Legislators Join Advocates in Call to Address Florida’s High Uninsured Rate
Tallahassee — As Florida recovers from the pandemic, health care remains unaffordable for working but low-income Floridians. Nearly 800,000 uninsured Floridians are in the “coverage gap” meaning they earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little for tax credits in the marketplace. Despite the opportunity to cover more people at a savings to
Read MoreGovernor Ron DeSantis Appoints Thomas Epsky to the Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Thomas Epsky to the Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission. Thomas Epsky Epsky is the Director of Human Resources and Risk Management for the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners and an Adjunct Professor for Indian River State College. He previously served
Read MoreGovernor Ron DeSantis Appoints Two to the Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Jared Novick and Jerry “JJ” Scott to the Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board. Jared Novick Novick, of Oviedo, currently serves on the advisory board of BlueVoyant where he was previously the Head of Strategy. He was a board member for the American
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