Passidomo Legislative update April 17

/0 Comments/in , /by
This weekend, we began the budget conference.  The Florida Senate and House come together to resolve differences between the two chambers’ versions of the state budget.

Each chamber passed a version of the state budget last week, but a lot has changed since then.  While we planned for a major budget shortfall, the most recent revenue estimate for FY 2021-2022 projects Florida will receive $2 billion more in revenue than the most recent estimate.  The increase is a result of federal relief funding and higher tax revenues expected as we continue to recover and rebuild our economy from COVID-19.  While the latest revenue projection is a strong improvement, we have important decisions to make about how we fund the many priorities and challenges our state faces.  We must ensure that every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely and provides a strong return on investment for Floridians.

While the budget process moves forward, we continue to hear important legislation on the Senate floor. Below is an update on activities this week.  To search and follow any of the proposed legislation for the 2021 session, you may view them here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bills/2021.

 

  Florida COVID-19 Vaccine Update

As of Thursday, April 15, 11,956,854 vaccine doses have been administered in Florida.  There are now 6,942,405 individuals who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Florida.

Remember, all individuals aged 18 and older are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines. You may watch the Governor’s previous announcement here.

Check the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 website for the latest information.

  

 

  COVID-19 Update: Florida Case Data

As of April 15, there have been 2,148,448 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida, including 32,713 in Collier County, 4,554 in Hendry County and 63,558 in Lee County.

As of April 14, the state’s positivity rate for new cases is 6.66%.

To find the most up-to-date information and guidance, you can visit the Florida Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 webpage.

For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.

  

 

  Senate Passes Legislation to Repeal Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law

This week, the Florida Senate passed Senate Bill 54: Motor Vehicle Insurance by Senator Danny Burgess.

Florida is one of only two states that does not currently require drivers to carry liability coverage that immediately kicks in if they cause bodily injury or death.

SB 54 transforms ineffective and outdated insurance practices to result in a more stable insurance market and better outcomes for all insured Floridians.

This legislation repeals Florida’s No-Fault Law and instead enacts a bodily injury liability system, providing fairness to insured drivers and placing liability on the at-fault party in an accident.

Enacting Senate Bill 54 will ensure more significant bodily injury liability coverage for Floridians and require insurance companies to offer first-party medical coverage (MedPay) of $5,000 or $10,000 to all drivers.

Senate Bill 54 also reforms bad faith actions in order to reduce litigation by providing a set of standards that will govern the conduct of both parties during the claims handling process.

  

 

  Measure to Preserve First Amendment Rights, Combat Violent Riots Passes Florida Senate

Our constitutional right to protest has played a critical role in the great history of American democracy.  Every American has the right to peacefully protest, however, there is absolutely no excuse for destroying property or attacking law enforcement in the course of exercising your constitutional right.

While violence and destruction from dangerous riots have plagued our state, Washington D.C., and cities around the country over the last year or more, the Florida Legislature is taking action now to ensure public safety and safeguard the First Amendment right of all Americans to peacefully protest.

House Bill 1: Combating Public Disorder, presented by Senator Danny Burgess, passed the Florida Senate and will now be sent to the Governor’s desk.

House Bill 1 upholds the rule of law and protects law enforcement officers from violent attacks.  The legislation increases criminal penalties for violence, burglary, and destruction during a riot, allows law enforcement to prohibit individuals from blocking traffic and obstructing roadways if a permit has not been obtained, provides for a six-month mandatory sentence for battery against a law enforcement officer during a riot, creates a process to reject efforts to defund the police, and makes doxing a first-degree misdemeanor.

Rioting, violence and destruction silences those protesting peacefully, and will not be tolerated here in Florida.

  

 

  Senate Committee Reaffirms Commitment to Support Our Veterans and Their Families

The Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Kelli Stargel, unanimously approved Senate Bill 260: Services for Veterans and Their Families, by Senator Gayle Harrell.

The legislation authorizes the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to create the Florida Veterans’ Care Coordination Program to provide both veterans and their families with dedicated behavioral health care referral services, primarily for mental health and substance abuse.

Through the program, a veteran may call a separate veteran-dedicated support line to receive assistance and support from a fellow veteran who is trained to respond to the calls for assistance.  The Florida Senate is committed to ensuring Florida remains the number one state in the nation for our military and veteran communities and their families.

  

 

  Senate Approves Bill to Help Save Lives of Police Canines

The Florida Senate is enhancing care and protections for our hardworking police canines.

Senate Bill 388: Injured Police Canines, by Senator Tom Wright, gained unanimous support in the Senate.  The bill allows for a police canine injured in the line of duty to be transported in an emergency vehicle to a veterinary clinic or similar facility if no person requires medical attention or transport when the canine needs it.

Senate Bill 388 also authorizes Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics to provide emergency medical care to the injured police canine at the scene of the emergency or while being transported.

  

 

  Life-Saving Legislation Passes Committee

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, chaired by Senator Doug Broxson, unanimously approved Senate Bill 280: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training in Public Schools, by Senator Dennis Baxley, a potentially life-saving measure to require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in schools.

The legislation requires school districts to provide basic training in first aid, including one hour of hands-only CPR instruction, for all students in grades 9 and 11.  The legislation also encourages school districts to provide this critical training for students in grades 6 and 8.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death for student-athletes.

Bystander CPR can double or triple a person’s chances of survival if started immediately, but one major barrier to bystanders providing this lifesaving care is a lack of training.  Senate Bill 280 seeks to lower that barrier and ultimately save lives.

  

 

  Legislation to Ensure Medicaid Coverage for Former Foster Youth Advances

Gaining unanimous support in the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senate Bill 1526: Medicaid Coverage for Former Foster Youth, by Senator Ileana Garcia, will assist former foster young adults in maintaining their Medicaid coverage.

The legislation helps ensure young adults who have aged out of foster care continue to be provided Medicaid coverage until age 26 by directing the Department of Children and Families and community-based care lead agencies to develop a program and conduct outreach for eligible young adults to facilitate their continued coverage.

Currently, Florida requires young adults who have aged out of foster care to apply for Medicaid continuing coverage and to re-apply or re-certify each year through the maximum age of 26.

Young people are often not aware of their eligibility or have difficulty navigating through the administrative process to obtain and maintain their coverage. Senate Bill 1526 ensures Florida’s former foster youth receive the care and coverage afforded to them.

  

 

  Online Sales Tax Bill Sent to Governor DeSantis’s Office This Week

On Monday, the Florida Legislature sent Senate Bill 50: Online Sales Tax by Senator Joe Gruters to the Governor’s office. When a bill is submitted to the Governor’s office, there is a seven-day period in which the Governor may choose to sign the legislation into law or veto the bill.

Under the law, online purchases are not tax-free. Every time government turns a blind eye on collecting taxes, we put a greater burden on the businesses and Floridians who are following the law. Making sure out-of-state businesses are collecting and remitting taxes that are owed is the right thing to do.

SB 50 will help to prevent an unexpected tax hike on Florida businesses, creates a fair playing field for in-state businesses, and creates a revenue stream to replenish the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund to support Florida workers seeking re-employment.

  

 

  Alcohol-To-Go Legislation Passes Both Florida Chambers

This week, the Florida House passed SB 148: Beverage Law by Senator Jennifer Bradley in a 115-1 vote.

The legislation would allow restaurants to package alcoholic drinks or bottles as part of to-go meals.

The bill aims to support restaurants by allowing alcoholic drinks or bottles as part of take-home meals.

The bill limits the “to-go” option to licensed restaurants, caps individual container sizes at 32 ounces and requires motorists to place the drinks in locked compartments, vehicle trunks or an area behind the last upright seats in vehicles.

In order to purchase drinks to-go, SB 148 also requires at least 25% of an individual’s takeout order to include non-alcoholic beverages or food items.

  

Big Tech censors are at it again

/0 Comments/in /by

Big Tech censors are at it again

Ironically making the case for why there must be guardrails put on Big Tech censorship of political speech, last week YouTube took down a video of a Governor Ron DeSantis’ roundtable in March with premier national doctors and epidemiologists from Harvard and Stanford. These actual experts, not the self-anointed Silicon Valley types, substantiated the unnecessary damage caused by lockdowns and the need for in-person schooling. And YouTube refused to allow such dissenting opinions to stand and deleted the video.

So Governor DeSantis came right back at them Monday and held another roundtable with the same experts discussing the same topics.

“YouTube’s decision to remove the video of our previous roundtable is just another example of unabashed overreach and bias by Big Tech,” the Governor said. “Silicon Valley and the corporate media have drawn a line in the sand: they don’t care about the facts. They only care about pushing their agenda and will do so by whatever means necessary, the truth be damned. That’s why we are taking action here in Florida to hold Big Tech accountable and call out their hypocrisy.”

The three health care experts hit hard on the issue of authoritarian-style censorship and the damage it is causing to honest scientific inquiry.

“There’s nothing more dangerous than being able to censor what is said in a country, because then you are simply not ever going to even hear the truth,” said Dr. Scott Atlas, Robert Wesson Senior Fellow in health care policy at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University. “And you are entering into a phase of countries that we used to criticize severely like the USSR, like communist China.”

“For science to work, you have to have an open exchange of ideas,” said Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, professor of medicine at Stanford University and research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. “If you’re going to make an argument that something is misinformation, you should provide an actual argument. You can’t just take it down and say, ‘Oh, it’s misinformation’ without actually giving a reason…Science works best when we have an open debate.”

“When we do censoring and slandering, even if we are willing to continue to speak out, there are many other scientists that I know, including junior scientists, who do not want to speak out because they see what’s happening to us,” said Dr. Martin Kulldorff,  biostatistician, epidemiologist, and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “They don’t want to have to go through the same thing. So, we really need a debate.”

You can watch the roundtable here, as long as YouTube deigns to allow it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBjstx_IhoM

––––

The Wall Street Journal published a guest column from Dr. Jay Bhattacharya titled, Masks for Children, Muzzles for Covid-19 News. Dr. Bhattacharya wrote that in the guise of combating “misinformation,” YouTube censored scientific debate. He discusses multiple studies showing masks do more harm than good in school children.

Read more here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/masks-for-children-muzzles-for-covid-19-news-11618329981?st=3aume8hd1f3wv9c&reflink=article_imessage_share

––––

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune published a guest column from Julio Fuentes, CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce under the title, Florida Lawmakers Right to Reign in Big Tech, in which Fuentes agrees with the Governor and Florida Republicans legislative actions:

“Freedom of speech is one of our most important rights as Americans. Unfortunately, it is also a right that’s increasingly under attack, especially online where Big Tech companies control everything we see and do. It may not be government censorship, but it amounts to the same thing when just a handful of companies hold so much power and influence…

“Florida lawmakers should be commended for working to enhance transparency and accountability by Big Tech companies. Their efforts will help to shift the balance of power back to consumers – and help to provide much-needed clarity regarding the specific standards, regulations and practices that impact our lives both online and offline.”

Read more: https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2021/04/08/opinion-florida-lawmakers-right-rein-big-tech/7120307002/

 

COVID-19 Update

The Florida Department of Education has issued emergency orders continuing the orders from last year that resulted in the successful opening of Florida public schools, and expanding the statewide testing windows to ensure that every student can safely complete their state assessments.

“Over the past year and beyond, Florida has led on prioritizing the education and wellbeing of our state’s students,” Governor DeSantis said. “This emergency order will empower students, families and teachers with data on students’ progress and growth and provide them with the necessary tools to create the best educational experience for each individual.”

“Similar to last year, this Emergency Order protects our high school seniors and empowers local school districts and schools to make the important decisions on graduation, promotion and whether to opt-in to school grades and improvement ratings,” Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran said. “This is the ultimate flexibility and reinforces the compassion and grace we have used throughout this pandemic in making these decisions.”

Read more: https://www.flgov.com/2021/04/09/florida-department-of-education-issues-emergency-order/

Florida Update

Governor DeSantis has directed the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a long-term plan to close the Piney Point site.

Governor DeSantis was joined at the Piney Point facility in Manatee County by Senate President Wilton Simpson, Senator Jim Boyd, Representative Tommy Gregory, Representative Will Robinson, DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein and the entire Manatee County Board of County Commissioners.

“The longstanding problems at Piney Point must end,” the Governor said. “I am directing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to develop a plan to close Piney Point to ensure this never happens again. I am redirecting $15.4 million for innovative technologies to pre-treat water at the site.”

DEP’s team of engineers and scientists, who are critical to response efforts, will develop a plan for site closure, which moves the state forward with a science-focused and thoughtful approach. This plan will ensure this closure is the last chapter in the long history of Piney Point.

Read more here: https://www.flgov.com/2021/04/13/governor-ron-desantis-directs-dep-to-develop-long-term-closure-plan-for-piney-point/

––––

House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, made revamping Florida’s education and career training programs to help people get meaningful jobs is a top priority. Speaker Sprowls challenged the House to create an Opportunity Agenda that zeroes in on working-class families.

Aakash Patel, the founder and President of Elevate, Inc., praised the Speaker for his leadership in a recent Tampa Bay Times column title, This is the Ideal Moment to Redesign Florida’s Workforce

“If there is a right time to improve how Floridians can learn about the best opportunities for new jobs or about job training to learn new skills, a pandemic that has upended the state’s economy is it…The bottom line: This is the ideal moment to redesign our workforce and education systems to efficiently serve Floridians and prepare them to succeed in a redesigned economy. We are fortunate that Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, are making this overhaul a priority during this legislative session.

“This is an ambitious effort, and it’s critical for Florida’s economic future. As the state recovers from the pandemic, we have to ensure Floridians have a solid grasp of new job opportunities and access to the training needed to learn the skills to succeed in those jobs.”

Read more here: https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2021/04/09/this-is-the-ideal-moment-to-redesign-floridas-workforce-column/

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez was on the Bob Rose Show on News Talk 97.3 The Sky in Gainesville to discuss the Florida response to Covid-19 and the strategy of focusing on seniors first. She also was able to point out the strong economic growth that Floridians have been able to enjoy because of the decisions to keep the state free and open.

Listen to her interview here: https://www.facebook.com/LtGovNunez/videos/491627008689382

 

Social Media Highlights

 

REMEMBER: @FloridaGOP and retweet and share. The Republican message must be spread around the state and you are integral to making that happen.

 

Big Changes – 400,000 New Voters – President’s Message

/0 Comments/in /by

Big Change – 400,000 New Voters

Be aware over 400,000 people have moved out of the Urban Democrat controlled cities this year. Guess where they are moving. They are moving to places that respect law enforcement, keep their schools open, show respect for the American flag and respect the Constitution. Florida is taking in a large portion of the people fleeing tax burdens and overbearing governance.

Fear – Our Lifestyle Is At Risk

We fear the new people moving to Florida do not realize that they need to vote Republican.  Collier County Republicans elected from local offices to the State House do work together to create our quality of life.  We want to remind our new residents to vote against burdensome taxes and government overreach.

We are attempting to take action to educate our new friends and neighbors to help them understand the way they vote impacts our collective ability to preserve our great quality of life and freedoms we all enjoy in Florida.  To accomplish these objectives, a committee was created to reach out to the newcomers and encourage them to join one of the Republican clubs and volunteer to Keep Florida Red and Normal!

The committee is named the Collier County Citizens Values PAC.  We will be distributing flyers (download here) that encourage our new friends and neighbors to vote Republican and get involved locally. We are working on Candidate Ratings guided by Republican Values (see here) to assess the behavior of elected officials and candidates! Where needed, new candidates will be recruited that match those values.

Help – We Need You

We cannot count on the media.  This new organization will distribute news and share which elected officials are displaying our values.

To carry out this mission, The committee needs $200,000 to impact local elections.  It is not too early to donate.  The mid-term elections are coming up fast; beginning February 1, 2022 with the Naples City Council.

If you believe in keeping this community great, then please help. Your dollars and talents focused on Collier County are of tremendous value.  Please do not leave these issues to someone else to address.

Click here to help.

Legislative Update – April 11, 2021

/0 Comments/in , /by

Legislative Update – April 11, 2021

This week, the Florida Senate passed the proposed $95 billion state budget for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year. The budget aims to support Floridians as we continue to recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the budget includes funding for key initiatives that will benefit our state beyond the pandemic.
Priorities include support for new workforce opportunities, projects to help address the rising sea level and Everglades restoration, and major investments in Florida’s infrastructure.
The Florida House passed its proposed budget this week, too. Budget negotiations will begin as early as next week to resolve differences and produce a consensus budget before April 30 for the Governor’s consideration.
As the budget process progresses, legislation continues to move through the process. It is important to note that bills as originally filed oftentimes change dramatically in committee hearings due to input from the public and committee members. SB 86 on Bright Futures is such an example (see my comments below). If you are interested in following the course of any piece of legislation go to the Florida Senate website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bills/2021.

Florida COVID-19 Vaccine Update
As of Thursday, April 8, 10,732,071 vaccine doses have been administered in Florida. There are now 6,942,405 individuals who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Florida.
As of this Monday, all individuals aged 18 and older are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines. You may watch the Governor’s previous announcement here.
Check the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 website for the latest information.

Reminder: Pre-Register for the COVID-19 Vaccine & Use the DOH Vaccine Locator
Visit the Florida Department of Health (DOH) statewide vaccine locator site and preregistration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
Both websites help eligible Floridians preregister for the vaccine and locate nearby vaccination sites.

COVID-19 Update: Florida Case Data
As of April 9, there have been 2,111,807 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida, including 32,138 in Collier County, 4,507 in Hendry County and 62,224 in Lee County.
As of April 8, the state’s positivity rate for new cases is 6.66%.
To find the most up-to-date information and guidance, you can visit the Florida Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 webpage.
For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.

Senate Unanimously Approves Balanced Budget with Major Investments in Infrastructure, Environment
The Florida Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 2500: Appropriations, the Senate’s proposed budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The $95 billion budget includes key investment infrastructure, water quality improvements and environmental restoration, child welfare, and an increase in the minimum wage for state workers.
The balanced budget includes $5 billion in reserves to responsibly plan for Florida’s future as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The budget proposal fully funds the Medicaid program, which increased by 730,000 enrollees as a result of the pandemic and maintains last year’s unprecedented level of per-student funding for K-12 education, including a $500 million allocation to raise teacher salaries. The budget also provides for a $50 million increase in our investment in the child welfare system and increases the minimum wage for state workers to $13 per hour, three years ahead of the timeline outlined by the constitutional amendment that passed last fall.
Additionally, the Senate approved conforming bills associated with the balanced budget that make comprehensive investments in Florida’s infrastructure and environment. Senate Bill 2512, Documentary Stamp Tax Distributions, forms a three-part infrastructure plan to prioritize funding in state and local affordable housing programs, mitigate the impacts of sea-level rise, and enhance wastewater programs, including septic-to-sewer conversions. The new framework provides that affordable housing programs would receive approximately $200 million. Programs established to mitigate the impacts of sea-level rise and enhance wastewater programs would each receive approximately $111 million.

Senate Prioritizes Legislation Expediting Water Storage North of Lake Okeechobee
Senate Bill 2516: Water Storage North of Lake Okeechobee, works to improve the water quality in Lake Okeechobee and reduce damaging discharges.
The legislation expedites the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project, providing for water storage north of Lake Okeechobee, and secures $50 million annually to ensure the success of this transformative policy.
Senate Bill 2516 will serve to mitigate toxic algal blooms, protect against droughts, improve water quality and quantity, and preserve Florida’s unique environment for generations to come.

Measure to Replenish Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, Cut Business Rent Tax Sent to Governor’s Desk
The Florida Senate recognizes the hardships Florida’s businesses have endured during the ongoing pandemic. Senate Bill 50: Taxation, by Senator Joe Gruters, passed off the Senate Floor and prevents an unexpected tax hike on Florida businesses, creates a fair playing field with out-of-state businesses, ensures necessary compensation is available for Florida workers seeking re-employment and cuts Florida’s business rent tax by $1 billion.
Unlike brick and mortar businesses here in Florida, out-of-state retailers or marketplaces that sell products online do not always remit the sales tax for each purchase. This legislation simply ensures marketplaces and out-of-state retailers collect the owed sales tax at the point of sale for remote purchases, and remit these taxes to the state, just like in-state retailers. This measure helps create a fair climate for our state’s businesses, where everyone plays by the same rules.
Senate Bill 50 directs these funds, approximately $1 billion of uncollected sales tax from out-of-state retailers, to be collected and deposited into Florida’s Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund for the next four years, or until the Trust Fund is replenished to pre-pandemic levels. Replenishing the trust fund will prevent an impending 700% increase in unemployment taxes facing businesses while ensuring that the fund remains solvent for employees when they need to claim their benefits. Once the Trust fund is replenished, additional funds collected from out-of-state retailers will go toward reducing Florida’s business rent tax rate from the current 5.5% to 2%.
Cutting the business rent tax by 3.5% will lower taxes on businesses by over $1 billion. Florida is the only state to charge sales tax on commercial rentals of real property. This meaningful tax cut will lower operating costs for Florida businesses while helping decrease new businesses’ startup costs.

Legislation Safeguarding First Amendment Rights, Combating Violence Passes Committee
In the last year, violence and destruction from dangerous riots have plagued our state, Washington D.C., and cities around the country.
Now, the Florida Legislature is taking action to ensure public safety and preserve the First Amendment right of all Americans to peacefully protest. House Bill 1: Combating Public Disorder, presented by Senator Danny Burgess, passed the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
House Bill 1 upholds the rule of law and protects law enforcement officers from violent attacks.
The legislation increases criminal penalties for violence, burglary, and destruction during a riot, allows law enforcement to prohibit individuals from blocking traffic and obstructing roadways if a permit has not been obtained, provides for a six-month mandatory sentence for battery against a law enforcement officer during a riot, creates a process to reject efforts to defund the police, and makes doxing a first-degree misdemeanor. The Florida Senate is committed to ensuring individuals’ First Amendment right to peacefully protest. Rioting, violence and destruction only silence those protesting peacefully, and will not be tolerated here in Florida.

Measure to Combat Human Trafficking in Florida Advances to Senate Floor
The Senate Committee on Rules approved Senate Bill 1826: Human Trafficking, by Senator Manny Diaz, Jr., in an ongoing effort to end human trafficking in Florida.
The legislation expands the definition and scope of “human trafficking,” to better ensure
traffickers are brought to justice for this form of modern-day slavery.
The legislation also provides that certain communications between a human trafficking victim advocate or trained volunteer with the victim are confidential. This will help individuals feel more comfortable sharing their experiences and receiving these critical services in a private setting.

Measure to Stabilize Florida’s Property Insurance Market Passes Senate
With the cost of property insurance in Florida increasing rapidly, the Florida Senate passed legislation to stabilize Florida’s property insurance market. Senate Bill 76: Property Insurance, by Senator Jim Boyd, addresses several issues surrounding the rising cost of property insurance in Florida. Specifically, the bill clarifies options for insurance coverage related to roof damage and replacement, creates a uniform period for filing a property insurance claim, requires that the insured party provide notice to the insurance company before filing a lawsuit, and changes how attorney fees are awarded in property insurance litigation.
“We want to make certain that Floridians have access to property insurance that is both reliable and affordable. Right now we have a situation in our state where homeowners are paying more for their property insurance, and yet insurance companies are suffering massive losses,” said Senator Boyd. “One of the biggest drivers of rate increases is the extraordinary number of roofing claims in Florida. This bill provides a needed update to roofing policies to both protect homeowners and prevent the abuse of claims by predatory attorneys and contractors.”

Senate Passes Statewide Flooding and Sea-level Rise Resilience Plan
The Florida Senate this week passed Senate Bill 1954, Statewide Flooding and Sea-level Rise Resilience, by Senator Ray Rodrigues.
SB 1954 establishes statewide resiliency programs that assess and address inland and coastal flooding and sea-level rise.
The bill creates the “Resilient Florida Grant Program” within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which will provide funding, subject to appropriation, to local governments for the costs of resilience planning and projects to adapt critical assets.
The bill further creates the “Comprehensive Statewide Flood Vulnerability and Sea Level Rise Data Set and Assessment,” to be updated every five years. The DEP must develop a statewide data set necessary to determine the risks to inland and coastal communities, including statewide sea level rise projections; and develop a statewide assessment, based on the statewide data set, which identifies vulnerable areas, infrastructure, and critical assets.

Comprehensive Legislation to Improve Emergency Response Efforts Passes Committee
The ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic has highlighted several areas where the Florida Legislature can make improvements to benefit our state moving forward.
Senate Bill 2006: Emergency Management, by Senator Danny Burgess, updates the State Emergency Management Act to better address the threat posed by a pandemic or other public health emergency. This legislation passed the Senate Committee on Rules, chaired by Senator Kathleen Passidomo, its final committee stop before consideration by the full Senate.
Last year, Senate President Wilton Simpson announced the creation of a new committee, the Select Committee on Pandemic Preparedness and Response, chaired by Senator Burgess. The committee reviewed a wide range of issues regarding the state response to the pandemic, and this legislation is one step in addressing the gaps that were identified.
The bill provides for additional oversight and transparency regarding exercises of the executive branch’s and local government’s emergency powers to protect the individual rights of all Floridians while keeping our communities safe. It ensures the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) maintains a stockpile of personal protective equipment.
Senate Bill 2006 also requires the DOH to create a state public health emergency management plan and for DEM to incorporate it into a comprehensive emergency management plan.

Senate Passes Comprehensive Plan to Invest in Florida’s Infrastructure
The Florida Senate today passed Senate Bill 2512, Documentary Stamp Tax Distributions, and Senate Bill 2514, Resilient Florida Trust Fund. These conforming bills associated with the state budget establish the statewide plan to fund key infrastructure programs.
Senate Bill 2512 funds key infrastructure priorities; including critical wastewater programs, affordable housing, and mitigating sea-level rise, without raising taxes on Floridians.
This comprehensive proposal modernizes our documentary stamp tax distribution by dedicating a steady stream of funding to address these three critical areas of public policy.
SB 2514 creates the Resilient Florida Trust Fund within the Department of Environmental Protection and provides that the trust fund is established as a depository for documentary stamp revenues dedicated to resiliency projects as provided for in SB 2512.

Legislation to Provide Students With Improved Career Planning Tools Passes Senate Florida
On Thursday, Senate Bill 86, Student Financial Aid, by Senator Dennis Baxley passed the floor.
Since the Bright Futures Program was established, it has been modified many times, to include increases in investments. In 1997, the state funded $69 million in scholarships. This year’s budget invests $651 million of state resources into Bright Futures. When Bright Futures was first established, the funding was based on the cost of tuition, but today the program includes more support, such as the cost of books.
Over the last several weeks, I have received a number of emails on this bill, many from people who expressed concerns about the original version and were not aware of revisions made in recent weeks. The originally filed version did not contemplate reducing funding for Bright Futures. Instead, it tied the funding for each student to whether or not they were enrolled in a degree program that would lead to them getting a job once they graduated. That provision caused a great deal of concern to me and to students and parents all over the state.
I and many of my colleagues spoke with the bill sponsor to share these and other concerns about the bill. As a result the bill was amended dramatically.
The current version of the bill does not limit any student in their choice of degree selection or the courses they may take. The bill provides that the scholarships will be funded through an amount annually specified in the General Appropriations Act (GAA). The budget recently passed by the Senate fully funds Bright Futures Scholarships at current levels.
The updated Senate Bill 86 that passed the Senate floor this week provides a framework for Florida students and families to make more informed decisions about educational options and expands avenues of eligibility for merit-based financial aid scholarships.
Senate Bill 86 requires the Board of Governors (BOG), State Board of Education (SBE) and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) to create and publish a list, by December 31, 2021, of programs and certificates that will not directly lead to jobs.
University students will also have access to the real-world outcomes of state university graduates by academic area, and students will be able to explore post-graduation median salary, debt, loan, and continuing education information before declaring a major.
The bill provides additional eligibility options for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program beginning for graduates of the 2021-2022 academic year.

Senate Committee to Meet Next Week on Three Proposed Gaming Bills
Next Monday, the Committee on Regulated Industries will meet to discuss three new proposed bills related to gaming in Florida.
As a member of the committee, I will participate in discussions regarding the following proposals: the creation of a Gaming Control Commission, the decoupling of jai alai, harness and quarter horse racing, and conform Florida statutes to the constitutional prohibition on greyhound racing.
Senate President Simpson recognizes that Florida is a diverse state and that Senators and constituents have many different opinions, beliefs and convictions regarding gaming. The fact remains, gaming is a voter-approved industry that has contributed billions of dollars to our economy for education, health care and infrastructure while providing hundreds of thousands of jobs to Floridians for nearly 100 years.
I will continue to keep you updated as discussions progress.

In the News
Collier CARES app launching to connect people with essential services
Minor league baseball: Fort Myers Mighty Mussels to open season with limited attendance

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office any time that I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Passidomo
Senate Rules Chair
State Senator, District 28

The Melo Minute

/0 Comments/in , /by

April 9th, 2021 — Sprint to the Finish Edition

My Bills Heading to the Floor

Welcome back to the Melo Minute! I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter weekend with your families.

My team and I have been hard at work pushing forward legislation in the House. We’re now halfway through Session with some terrific bills that are ready to go to the House Floor!

HB 579 – Evidentiary Standards for Actions Arising During an Emergency
This bill works to protect businesses responding to declared emergencies from having specific civil causes of action put against them. It is similar to SB 72 which was recently signed into law by the Governor.

HB 1231 – Domestic Violence
This bill, should it be enacted, ensures that our domestic violence centers have better funding mechanisms and fiscal management. It also reestablishes a standardized batterers’ intervention program in our State.

HB 1505 – Workforce Programs and Services
This bill mandates that CareerSource Florida and state agencies collaborate in creating a single Workforce Information System for consumers. It requires that the DOE reports data on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program participants’ earnings. Lastly, it makes it so that paid out-of-classroom work-based learning opportunities for students are prioritized within education.

HB 1507 – Workforce Related Programs and Services
This is a bill where Representative Clay Yarborough and I share primary sponsorship. It works in tandem with HB 1505 in streamlining workforce programs/services to bolster our economy, collect more data, and open more pathways for our students.

HB 1637 – Immokalee Water and Sewage District, Collier County
This bill provides clarity on how Immokalee’s District Board of Commissioners is constituted. As a result of eliminating any confusion about the Board’s make-up and its rules, the Immokalee Water and Sewage District can secure necessary federal funds to address local water and sewer issues.

Local Happenings

This Saturday, April 10th, the LaBelle Rotary is planning a Clean Up Day at the LaBelle Nature Park on Fraser Ave from 9AM to 12 noon. This nature park is one of LaBelle’s hidden gems and the Rotary proudly cares for it. They would appreciate anyone who can lend a hand. My District Secretary, Kathleen Elrod, will be out there helping out, too!

Events with Cars is holding an event at Hello Coffee this Sunday, April 11th, from 8AM to 11AM. You can grab a coffee and see cool cars on the second Sunday of every month at the same time. The event is located at 15495 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, Florida 34110. For more information click here.


What We’re Reading…

FGCU Students Explore Medical Device Industry Through Arthrex Partnership

Annie Hubbell

Travel Industry Reviving in Southwest Florida

Joey Pellegrino

FL House Passes Bill… Guns at Churches that Share Locations with Schools

News Service of Florida

Vaccine Information

Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 21-81 forbidding local governments and businesses from requiring individuals to have been vaccinated or have “vaccine passports.” Governor DeSantis: “It’s completely unacceptable for either the government or the private sector to impose upon you the requirement that you show proof of vaccine to just simply participate in normal society.”

The City of Naples is scheduling and reserving Moderna vaccination appointments for those 18 years of age and older. Their reservation line is (239) 260-3087 and it’s only open at specific times. For more information on when they are scheduling appointments over the phone click here.
The only information a caller should provide is their full name and their call back number.


Check Out My Social Media!

The Vince Lombardi trophy made an appearance in the Florida House this week. Proud of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for bringing home the prize. Follow me on my social media to keep up to date with all of the latest happenings during session!

Q&A’s

I have a great team here in HD80. We are always ready to help out.
If you have a question you would like for my team and I to address within The Melo Minute feel free to send an email to:
HDIST080@myfloridahouse.gov

RPOF Newsletter 4/9/21

/0 Comments/in , /by

60 Minutes hit job collapses under the weight of lies

“The reporting was not just based on bad information — it was intentionally false.”
Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner

Over the past year, we’ve been treated to a steady stream of negative media coverage of Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Republicans. Pretty much the entire fabricated narrative has disintegrated as the evidence of principled, conservative, freedom-based policies has piled up: Florida has handled Covid and individual liberties better than any state. Our per-million Covid data and low employment numbers are the proof.

So the smear job attempted by 60 Minutes to further yet another bogus narrative of “pay for play” in vaccines was just another day of media coverage for Governor DeSantis, except for two critical points. There was video evidence undermining the claim and some Florida Democrats stepped up to call bull. They were on the inside and they knew the truth. And it came out that 60 Minutes knew from the beginning the story was not true.

A Newsweek columnist wrote:

“On Sunday, the CBS show 60 Minutes aired a dishonest, convoluted, story about Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The segment leveled a completely unfounded accusation against Gov. DeSantis, accusing him of choosing the Publix supermarket chain to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine because Publix had contributed $100,000 to his Friends of DeSantis campaign PAC.”

This whole column is worth a read. But a no less surprising source than CNN called the 60 Minutes hoax “a massive gift” to Governor DeSantis.

“The problem is that, in the wake of the “60 Minutes” report, multiple Democratic elected officials have come out to debunk the tie between the donation and Publix distributing the vaccine. Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner, a Democrat, said that the news program had run “intentionally false” information because, he insisted, the producers knew that the county, not the governor, had been the one to request the Publix partnership.

The report — and the backlash — amount to a massive gift to DeSantis as he looks to his reelection race next year…”

When the mainstream media, including CNN, and Florida Democrats call out a “news” story as an embarrassment, malarkey and intentionally false, you know the screw-up is on a Titanic level. And it was a screw-up because the entire narrative of “pay for play” is fiction; 60 Minutes got caught in the big lie.

Read more:
https://www.newsweek.com/media-tried-smear-ron-desantis-it-backfired-opinion-1581410

And here:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/06/politics/ron-desantis-florida-vaccination-publix-60-minutes/index.html

COVID-19 Update

Floridians have been writing thank-you notes to Governor DeSantis for his successful vaccine rollout. The Governor made Florida the first state in the nation to put Seniors First and prioritize residents 65 and older to receive a vaccine. This decision was part of Governor DeSantis’ data-driven approach to protect our state’s most vulnerable residents, as individuals over the age of 65 represent more than 80% of all COVID-related deaths.

The strategy to put Seniors First has proven highly effective and has protected millions of lives: Nearly 3.5 million seniors over the age of 65 have been vaccinated in Florida, which is roughly 75% percent of Florida’s 65 and older population.

As a result, cases and hospitalizations in those 65 older have drastically reduced. In the 65 and older population, the number of new cases were down by 84% the week of March 21 – March 27, as compared to the week of December 27 – January 2, and hospitalizations were down by 83%.

Since the beginning of the state’s partnership with Publix, grateful Floridians have written to Governor DeSantis, thanking him for the opportunity to receive the vaccine at Publix.

Read more:

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:Florida Seniors Thank Governor DeSantis for Publix Partnership

Florida Update

Governor DeSantis demanded that the Biden Administration rescind its recent executive action allowing criminal aliens to go free. These dangerous and reckless policies jeopardize the health, security and wellbeing of Florida communities.

The Governor called on the federal government to return to the rule of law and ensure the transfer of criminal aliens to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities upon completion of their state prison terms. The Governor insisted that ICE continue to detain these criminals, and if found to be in this country illegally, remove them.

“Florida will not sit by and watch idly as the federal government sets criminal aliens free and abdicates its legal obligation to enforce immigration law,” Governor DeSantis said. “That’s why I’m calling on President Biden and ICE to take immediate action to detain and remove these dangerous criminal aliens. Too many lives have been lost because immigration officials failed to do their jobs and too many parents have lost children at the hands of criminal aliens who were irresponsibly set free.”

Read more: https://www.flgov.com/2021/04/01/governor-ron-desantis-demands-enforcement-of-federal-immigration-law/

–––––

Governor DeSantis announced Hurricane Michael recovery assistance of nearly $27 million to help in Northwest Florida’s recovery from the devastating hurricane. The Governor is directing the Florida Division of Emergency Management to approve disaster recovery cost-share waivers for eligible local governments, which is expected to provide an estimated $22 million in financial relief to these communities.

The Governor also announced $4.7 million for two educational institutions through the Rebuild Florida Workforce Recovery Training Program for Hurricane Michael Recovery. The program is designed to train Floridians in construction trades necessary to support disaster recovery efforts.

“I remain dedicated to the recovery of Northwest Florida and will continue to work tirelessly to deliver assistance to impacted communities,” Governor DeSantis said. “We look forward to bringing this additional relief to the region, as well as enhancing career and job opportunities for local residents through this training program.”

–––––

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez was on Newsmax TV with Greg Kelly and did a great job explaining why Florida has been so successful in dealing with Covid, ensuring that the state’s economy is one of the strongest in the nation and defending Governor DeSantis from the spurious 60 Minutes smear.

“We’re really happy that Floridians appreciate living here in the great state of Florida, where you have freedom and our economy is open, and that is a testament to our administration and the great work that Governor DeSantis has been doing.”

Watch her interview here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=154358999911385

–––––

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis was on Fox Business Tuesday to be asked if Florida Republicans are concerned about a backlash to new voting rules working through the Legislature now that Georgia has faced a boycott from their new laws. (Hint: We are not.)

“This last election cycle we were fast, we were effective and everyone who wanted to vote got the chance to vote,” CFO Patronis said. “I don’t need Coca-Cola or Delta airlines getting involved in my politics.”

He pointed out that 900 people move to Florida every day from other states for a reason.

Watch his interview here: https://video.foxbusiness.com/v/6246911057001#sp=show-clips

Palm Beach County Mayor Calls 60 Minutes Reporting “Intentionally False”

/0 Comments/in /by

Palm Beach County Mayor Calls 60 Minutes Reporting “Intentionally False”

Dear Friends,

Last night 60 Minutes aired a story that was baseless, deceptive and a journalistic embarrassment.

In fact, we have learned that 60 Minutes also refused to interview people who disputed its false narrative, selectively editing video, hiding facts, and omitting data that would have debunked its thesis by accurately describing Florida’s real vaccination efforts.

Governor Ron DeSantis thoroughly and succinctly responded to questions by a 60 Minutes reporter, but they chose not to use his full responses lest they allowed the facts to get into the way of their misleading story.

Below we are sharing an In Case You Missed It that was distributed to media by the Governor’s Press Office – which includes a quote and letter from Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner who states, “The reporting was not based on bad information – it was intentionally false.”

See more below:

ICYMI: Palm Beach County Mayor Calls 60 Minutes Reporting “Intentionally False”

Despite Palm Beach County being central to last night’s 60 Minutes story, they refused to interview the Democratic Mayor of Palm Beach County, Dave Kerner, because he would have debunked their false narrative.

“The reporting was not just based on bad information – it was intentionally false. I know this because I offered to provide my insight into Palm Beach County’s vaccination efforts and 60 Minutes declined.” – Mayor Dave Kerner

View Letter: https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Statement-from-Mayor-Kerner.pdf

The Melo Minute

/0 Comments/in /by

The Melo Minute
April 2nd, 2021 — Easter Edition

Team Melo wishes you and your families a wonderful Easter!

The Latest in Tallahassee

Governor DeSantis Signed SB 72 Into Law

Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 72 into law on Monday, March 29th. The bill, entitled Civil Liability for Damages Relating to COVID-19, works to ensure that businesses have certain protections from litigation against them as a result of the pandemic.

For instance, SB 72 makes it so that if a plaintiff attempts to argue that a business did not adequately act in good faith — regarding the health and safety of their employees and customers — then the burden of proof is on the plaintiff to show that failure.

SB 72 appeared before the House last week and I voted in favor of its passage. I have filed similar legislation that works to protect businesses during the pandemic — HB 579. We need to ensure the prosperity of our businesses that are still reeling from COVID.


HB 1637 – Immokalee Water and Sewage District

This bill provides clarity on how Immokalee’s District Board of Commissioners is constituted. Historically, Board members have continued to serve past the expiration of their terms until a successor is appointed. HB 1637 amends the charter of the Immokalee Water and Sewer District by clarifying that members of the Board serve until the Governor appoints their successor.

By clarifying this process, HB 1637 will eliminate any confusion going forward when Immokalee attempts to secure federal grant funds to address local water and sewer issues.

When this bill came before the its final committee, the State Affairs Committee, it was unanimously voted on with 21 members in support of its passage.


Local Happenings

Immokalee Community Park is having an extravagant Easter celebration with an egg hunt, various fun activities, and the Easter Bunny appearing as a special guest. It’s from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Kids should have their own basket for collecting eggs. The address for the event is 321 N. First St., Immokalee. For more information click here!

What We’re Reading…

FGCU, FWC Team up to Restore Lake Trafford Using Eelgrass

WINK News

Collier County Hires a New County Manager
Lynn Alexander

Vaccine Information

Florida Department of Health data reported that Collier County has vaccinated over 119,000 individuals and Hendry County has vaccinated over 5,700. Keep in mind that, according to U.S. census data from 2019, 33% of Collier County’s population are 65 years of age or older and that 14% of Hendry County’s population are 65 years of age or older.

If you or someone you know still needs to get a vaccine, here are some resources you can utilize:
You can pre-register for a vaccine through the State’s system by going to myvaccine.fl.gov, or by calling (866) 201-4885 if you’re in Collier County or (866) 201-6745 if you’re in Hendry County.
CVS website for scheduling an appointment.
Publix website for scheduling a vaccination.
Homebound seniors can get a vaccine by sending an email to HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com

Check Out My Social Media!

Q&A’s

I have a great team here in HD80. We are always ready to help out.
If you have a question you would like for my team and I to address within The Melo Minute feel free to send an email to:

HDIST080@myfloridahouse.gov

Representative Lauren Melo
Florida House District 80

Kathleen C. Passidomo – Legislative Update – April 2, 2021

/0 Comments/in /by

This Thursday marked the halfway point of the 2021 legislative session. This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee met to discuss the proposed 2021-2022 state budget. Chair Kelli Stargel outlined the priorities funded in the budget, including key investments in child welfare, water quality improvements and environmental restoration.
Beginning next Monday, April 5, all individuals aged 18 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Remember, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) has offered a vaccination site locator and vaccine registration platform to help you schedule your appointment. Please continue to take the necessary health measures to ensure your safety.
I hope you all have a most blessed Good Friday and Easter weekend.

Florida COVID-19 Vaccine Update
As of Thursday, April 1, 9,136,036 vaccine doses have been administered in Florida. There are now 5,979,4461 individuals who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Florida.
Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis announced he would lower eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. Beginning Monday, April 5, all individuals aged 18 and older will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines. You may watch the Governor’s announcement here.
Check the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 website for the latest information.

Reminder: Pre-Register for the COVID-19 Vaccine & Use the DOH Vaccine Locator
Visit the Florida Department of Health (DOH) statewide vaccine locator site and preregistration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
Both websites help eligible Floridians preregister for the vaccine and locate nearby vaccination sites.

COVID-19 Update: Florida Case Data
As of April 1, there have been 2,064,525 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida, including 31,421 in Collier County, 4,452 in Hendry County and 60,679 in Lee County.
As of March 31, the state’s positivity rate for new cases is 6.1%.
To find the most up-to-date information and guidance, you can visit the Florida Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 webpage.
For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.

Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation into Law to Provide COVID-19 Liability Protections
This week, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 72 into Florida statute. This new law will shield businesses and health care providers from fraudulent or opportunistic lawsuits related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
I was grateful to take part in this momentous event. For more than a year now, business owners, employees and health care providers have endured many challenges while serving on the front lines.
When a business makes a good faith effort to adhere to safety guidelines and reopen during a period of extreme uncertainty, our laws should protect them from frivolous and costly litigation.
In addition, amidst continually changing and conflicting guidelines, many health care providers were faced with making difficult judgment calls. This law will ensure that health care providers who do the right thing are not threatened with frivolous lawsuits that hinder their ability to care for their patients.

Legislation to Reduce Fraudulent Property Insurance Claims Moves to Senate Floor
This week, Senate Bill 76: Residential Property Insurance, by Senator Jim Boyd, was presented on the Senate Floor.
With the rising cost of property insurance in Florida, Senate Bill 76 aims to provide fair and reasonable guidelines for both the insurer and the insured during the claims process.
SB 76 also helps prevent the abuse of claims by predatory attorneys and contractors. These reforms seek to reduce fraudulent claims by bad actor attorneys, public adjusters and contractors who take advantage of areas that were affected by hurricanes. The bill discourages frivolous property insurance claims and litigation by accepting the federal standard lodestar approach for calculating attorney’s fees.
This legislation ensures there is a clear understanding between homeowners and their insurance companies regarding when a roof replacement will be covered in full. It also establishes a clear and reasonable two-year time period for filing a claim.

Senate Budget Reflects Strategic Investments and Safeguards Key Government Functions
The Florida Senate’s proposed budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year provides for key investments in child welfare, water quality improvements and environmental restoration. The budget responsibly plans for Florida’s future, despite a decline in revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Kelli Stargel, approved Senate Bill 2500: Appropriations, which proposes a $95 billion balanced state budget and provides $5 billion in state reserves.
The budget proposal fully funds the Medicaid program, which increased by 730,000 enrollees as a result of the pandemic. It also maintains last year’s unprecedented level of per-student funding for K-12 education, including a $500 million allocation to increase teacher salaries.
SB 2500 provides a $50 million increase in the investment of Florida’s child welfare system and increases the minimum wage for state workers to $13 per hour, three years ahead of the timeline outlined by the constitutional amendment that passed last fall.
The budget does not include the approximate $10 billion in anticipated non-recurring federal pandemic relief funds, currently under review. This funding will be addressed later by the Florida Senate once we receive more information on our state’s overall budget outlook.

Measure to Increase Unemployment Benefits Advances
The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on issues within Florida’s unemployment system.
The Florida Senate is taking the necessary steps to address these challenges. Senate Bill 1906: Reemployment Assistance, by Senator Jason Brodeur, passed the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism, chaired by Senator Ed Hooper.
The legislation proposes to increase the maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $275 to $375 and increase the minimum weekly benefit from $32 to $100, bringing Florida on par with the national average for state unemployment benefits.
“Representing a Central Florida district, my constituents were among the hardest hit when tourism came to a standstill last spring. This was an unprecedented situation that no one could have planned for, but it has brought to the forefront several important issues that should be discussed. We have a moral obligation to provide enough support to help meet some basic needs for Floridians who are out of work, through no fault of their own, and are looking for employment,” said Senator Brodeur.

Targeted Approach to Improving Lake Okeechobee Water Quality Passes
The Florida Senate is taking a strategic approach to address and improve the water quality in Lake Okeechobee and reduce damaging discharges.
Senate Bill 2516: Water Storage North of Lake Okeechobee gained approval from the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Over the years, the Florida Legislature has appropriated unprecedented funding to address environmental restoration, and through collaborative efforts between the state and federal government, construction of the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee has been expedited.
Water storage north of Lake Okeechobee is essential to accomplish the water quality goals outlined in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Senate Bill 2516 expedites the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project and provides $50 million in annual funding.
Senate Bill 2516 will serve to mitigate toxic algal blooms, protect against droughts, improve water quality and quantity, and preserve Florida’s unique environment for generations to come.

Legislation to Ensure Life-Saving PPE Reserves for Health Care Workers Passes Committee
In the early days and months of the COVID-19 pandemic, in Florida and across the country, there was a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Non-essential” health care procedures were temporarily halted to preserve PPE, while many frontline workers wore garbage bags and reused masks in light of the scarcity of this critical equipment.
The Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability approved Senate Bill 1760: Personal Protective Equipment, by Senator Ben Albritton, to ensure life-saving equipment is available to Florida’s health care providers in the event of a future emergency.
SB 1760 requires the Division of Emergency Management to acquire a stockpile of PPE, such as respirators, gloves, gowns and masks, so that it may be available for doctors, nurses and other health care practitioners to purchase in the event of a declared emergency caused by an infectious or communicable disease. The bill also ensures equipment may not be resold at a higher price than it was procured.
The legislation makes certain our frontline workers have access to the supplies necessary to continue providing the best possible care for Floridians in need.

Education Committee Addresses Impacts of COVID-19 on Florida’s Education System
A year ago, students of all ages and educational institutions at every level were drastically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Florida Senate is addressing the concerns of the students, parents, educators and schools who were forced to adapt to this evolving situation.
Senate Bill 7070: Impact of COVID-19 on Educational Institutions unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Education. SB 7070 provides protections for colleges and universities from lawsuits that decided to close campuses, and alternatively offer virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill also suspends the penalties of K-12 standardized assessment results for this year, including school grades, turnaround status and student retention, and rewards schools that improved or maintained high performance during the pandemic.

Senate Moves to Expand Veterans Preference in Employment
The Florida Senate is making it easier to hire veterans here in Florida.
Senate Bill 922: Veterans’ Preference in Employment, by Senator Danny Burgess, unanimously passed off the Senate Floor.
The legislation gives state and local governments the option to waive educational requirements for veterans applying for certain positions if deemed appropriate by the governmental entity.
By empowering state and local governments to waive educational requirements for veterans — if deemed suitable for the position — more veterans will have the opportunity to find jobs in Florida.
This legislation continues the Florida Senate’s efforts to keep Florida as the most veteran-friendly state in America.

In the News
Hendry, Glades counties send teams to vaccinate rural areas
All Floridians 18+ eligible for COVID-19 vaccine April 5; people 40+ eligible Monday
Five miles of Old Tamiami Trail removed as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan
New programs at Collier County Schools help with students’ post-pandemic mental health, stress

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office any time that I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Passidomo
Senate Rules Chair
State Senator, District 28