RPOF Newsletter From the desk of Chairman Joe Gruters

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Chairman’s Message

Fighting for Florida’s resilient, environmental future

Governor DeSantis went to Pinellas and Miami-Dade counties to announce more than $404 million for 113 environmental projects across the state through the Resilient Florida Grant Program. This money will help prepare coastal and inland communities for the impacts of flooding and storm surge.

“Today’s record investment, as well as the projects included in the statewide plan for future funding, will strengthen our infrastructure to withstand the impacts of flooding and storm surge,” Governor DeSantis said. “For the first time ever, Florida has strategic coordination of statewide efforts to protect our coastal and inland infrastructure, and the dedicated funding to support these projects. This announcement is just the beginning. My administration will continue to support our communities’ resilience efforts across the state.”

The projects awarded this week span 25 counties to improve efforts to protect inland and coastal communities from storm damage. Including the local matches with these projects, the investment for resilience totals more than $730 million.

“Today’s record investment is a testament to our administration’s steadfast commitment to preserving and restoring Florida’s natural treasures,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, a South Floridian.

This is the result of Governor DeSantis’ vision and the support of the Republican Legislature. In his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22, Governor DeSantis recommended the creation of the Resilient Florida Grant Program to help prepare communities for the impacts of sea level rise and flooding. The Legislature answered the call, passing Senate Bill 1954. And the budget included funding to support the most significant investment in the state’s history — over $640 million — to support efforts to ensure state and local communities are prepared to deal with the impacts of sea-level rise, intensified storms and flooding.

Read more: https://www.flgov.com/2022/02/01/governor-ron-desantis-announces-award-of-more-than-404-million-for-113-projects-through-the-resilient-florida-grant-program/

The list of projects can be found here: https://protectingfloridatogether.gov/sites/default/files/documents/FY2021-22_Resilience_RFGP_Awards.pdf

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Governor DeSantis and Senator Rubio call on Biden for Everglades funding

The critically important Everglades restoration is supposed to be a 50/50 partnership between Florida and the federal government, but the federal government has long lagged in coming through with its half of the deal.

So Governor DeSantis was joined by Senator Rubio, Congressman Brian Mast, Congressman Byron Donalds and other stakeholders to call on the Biden Administration to allocate the federal share of funding to move forward the federal portion of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir project. Additionally, Governor DeSantis requested the Biden Administration include at least $725 million for Everglades restoration in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2023 budget request.

“The EAA Reservoir project is the crown jewel of Everglades restoration, providing relief from harmful discharges to the estuaries and sending more clean water south to the Everglades,” Governor DeSantis said. “Advancing the state’s portion of this project is our number one priority, but the federal government has stalled, most recently failing to dedicate a single cent from its infrastructure package to its portion of this project.”

Senator Rubio added: “The Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir is the crown jewel of Everglades restoration and is the single most important project for reducing harmful discharges and sending more water south. I am grateful that Governor DeSantis, Congressman Mast, and Congressman Donalds continue to prioritize this critically important project for our state. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration did not allocate a single dollar for the project.”

The EAA Reservoir Project is one of the most important Everglades restoration projects for reducing harmful discharges to the estuaries and sending more clean water south to the Everglades. Governor DeSantis expedited this critical Everglades project on his second day in office.

The importance of Everglades restoration is widely recognized, as is Governor DeSantis’ leadership.

“The Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir, to be built south of Lake Okeechobee, is the most important project in the entire Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, and this is something Governor Ron DeSantis has led on,” said Eric Eikenberg, CEO of The Everglades Foundation.

Read more here: https://www.flgov.com/2022/01/31/governor-ron-desantis-calls-on-biden-administration-to-prioritize-funding-for-the-eaa-reservoir-project/

And here: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F543BC41-0838-4A61-AD8E-A8CCE9C2CF6C

Read more of what other say here: https://www.flgov.com/2022/01/31/what-they-are-saying-governor-ron-desantis-calls-on-biden-administration-to-prioritize-funding-for-the-eaa-reservoir-project/

FLORIDA

Governor DeSantis announces $89 million in funding for workforce education

Governor DeSantis announced $89 million in funding for workforce education, including a first-of-its-kind Career and Technical Education (CTE) initiative for charter schools.

Governor DeSantis made the announcement at Santa Fe College, which was awarded funding to create a charter school that will allow high school students to earn credentials and college credit while in high school. The funding also includes high school CTE dual enrollment programs, apprenticeships and cybersecurity and IT training.

In 2019, Governor DeSantis set the goal of making Florida the number one state in the nation for workforce education by 2030, and with this investment, Florida has dedicated more than $3.5 billion to expand workforce education and training programs in the state since 2019.

“I set a goal to make big improvements to workforce education opportunities in Florida, and we are making great strides,” Governor DeSantis said. “Today’s announcement will expand technical education opportunities across Florida, especially for high school students. These initiatives will also help businesses in Florida recruit highly-skilled workers to fill needed positions, thereby strengthening Florida’s economic base.”

Read more here: https://www.flgov.com/2022/02/02/governor-ron-desantis-announces-89-million-for-workforce-education-initiatives-bringing-total-investment-to-greater-than-3-5-billion-since-2019/

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LG Nuñez holds panel on combating human trafficking

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez held a roundtable discussion aimed at combating human trafficking in the state of Florida as part of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The Lieutenant Governor was joined by Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Shevaun Harris, Citrus Health Network President and CEO Mario Jardon, and Kristi House CEO Amanda Altman.

“Governor DeSantis and I understand the threat that this pervasive evil poses to Floridians and we will not stand idly by as human trafficking runs rampant in our state,” Lieutenant Governor Nuñez said. “From parents to teachers to business owners and community leaders, each one has a role to play. While today we were able to shed a light on this practice that is hidden in plain sight, our administration will continue to do what we can to hold traffickers accountable, give victims the chance to live their lives that were stolen from them, and eradicate this crime in Florida.”

About 40 percent of human trafficking victims in Miami-Dade County are minors, with ages ranging between 12-14 years old for girls, and 11-13 years old for boys. Some estimates project that a trafficker can make $150,000-$200,000 per child per year and average 4-6 children. In fiscal year 2020-2021, DCF received 2,289 allegations of human trafficking throughout the state of Florida, affecting 1,750 children.

Read more here: https://www.flgov.com/2022/01/28/lieutenant-governor-jeanette-nunez-hosts-roundtable-to-highlight-human-trafficking-awareness-month/

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AG Moody slams Democrat authoritarianism and Biden’s border chaos

Attorney General Ashley Moody was on Fox Business Wednesday to discuss the struggle between “nonsensical, misguided, misinformed” authoritarianism and the resulting pushback from parents and leaders. She said school COVID mandates are “all about control.”

She also discussed Florida’s latest legal action against the Biden Administration to stop them from acting like a travel agency for illegal immigrants — who, because of the President’s terrible policies, are now essentially able to bill the American taxpayers for their travel expenses.

Watch AG Moody’s interview here: https://video.foxbusiness.com/v/6295015961001#sp=show-clips

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Florida Sheriffs explain why they support Senator Rubio

In highlighting the endorsement of 55 Florida sheriffs, Senator Rubio’s campaign released a video with comments from several of those Florida sheriffs.

“Senator Rubio understands law enforcement. He has a proven track record of supporting law enforcement, supporting the sheriffs. He understands that safe neighborhoods are the key to any successful community,” Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said.

“Senator Rubio is an amazing man. He has proven over the course of his term as a Senator to be a frontrunner and champion for law enforcement,” said Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “There’s one clear choice for U.S. Senate and that’s Marco Rubio.”

Watch more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvzZI2vyeGg

Life Update

Senate Committee passes bill to prohibit abortions after 15 weeks

On Wednesday, the Florida Senate Committee on Health Policy passed Senate Bill 146 on Fetal and Infant Mortality Reduction. Based on modern medical knowledge confirming significant developmental milestones of an unborn child by 15 weeks, the legislation prohibits abortion after that point. The legislation also increases health care and education resources available to pregnant mothers and women who may become pregnant with a focus on the prevention of fetal and infant death in Florida.

“When Roe v. Wade was decided almost half a century ago, scientific knowledge of fetal development was very limited. We now know so much more about how a baby develops inside the mother’s womb. We also know that later-term abortions pose greater health risks to women,” said bill sponsor Senator Kelli Stargel. “Having once been a scared teenage mother myself, I understand the challenge and anguish of a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy, but I support life, and believe we have a duty to protect it. This bill safeguards innocent, unborn children with beating hearts, who can move, taste, see, feel pain, and whose lives should be protected under the laws of this state.”

Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson added: “Abortion kills children and forever changes the life of the mother, the father, and the entire extended family. As an adoptive child myself, it’s always been important to me that we do everything we can to promote adoption as an alternative to abortion.”

ICYMI

Attorney General Moody files lawsuit against Biden border violations

On Wednesday, Attorney General Ashley Moody announced Florida is taking legal action against the Biden administration for ignoring federal immigration law as the out-of-control situation at the Southwest border continues.

The Attorney General filed an amended complaint challenging President Joe Biden’s latest unlawful immigration policy. Instead of commencing immigration court proceedings against illegal immigrants caught at the border, the federal government is releasing them into the interior without even starting the legal process for their removal. The government is calling this unlawful policy “Parole + Alternatives to Detention.”

The amended complaint comes after shocking evidence showed dozens of adult male illegal immigrants brought to a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement office, and then bussed to a nearby airport to be sent to their chosen destination inside the United States, including Miami, according to news reports.

“It is appalling that the president is using taxpayer dollars to fund his open-borders agenda — even facilitating flights to transport illegal immigrants around our own country,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody.

“The Biden administration has not only consciously refused to enforce immigration laws, but it has also developed an operation to secretly resettle illegal aliens into communities across Florida and the rest of the United States,” Governor DeSantis said. “They’re doing this in the dark of night without any coordination with states, without any background checks, and without any efforts to initiate the legal process for their removal. I am glad Attorney General Moody is continuing our fight to hold the Biden Administration accountable for its reckless disregard for immigration laws.”

Read more: https://www.flgov.com/2022/02/02/in-case-you-missed-it-governor-desantis-and-attorney-general-moody-announce-florida-is-taking-legal-action-against-biden-administration-for-releasing-illegal-immigrants-into-florida/

Read the complaint here: http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/GPEY-CB9JCG/$file/Parole+Amended+Complaint+as+filed.pdf

Social Media Highlights


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Legislative Update – February 5, 2022

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We’ve completed the fourth week of Florida’s Legislative Session. This week, the Florida Senate released a proposed balanced budget for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year. We are focused on making continued investments in education, the state child welfare system, state infrastructure, conservation efforts for Florida’s natural resources and wildlife habitats, and more.
As Senate Committees continued to meet, we discussed policies to protect the unborn, bolster child welfare support, increase condominium safety, safeguard Florida elections and expand Florida’s state tourism marketing efforts.

Senate Releases 2022-2023 Proposed Budget
This week, the Florida Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Kelli Stargel, released the proposed budget for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year, as well as the implementing bill and conforming bills associated with a balanced budget. Senate Proposed Bill 2500, the General Appropriations Act (GAA), contains historic funding for education, infrastructure and bolstering state reserves.
The GAA focuses on early literacy and PreK-12 education to ensure every Florida student is able to read by the third grade. The Florida Senate increases K-12 funding by $1.4 billion over last year, the second-largest total increase in funding in the last 30 years, and brings the Pre-K rate per-child funding to $3,294, its highest level ever. To continue strengthening Florida’s Child Welfare System, the proposed budget enhances benefits for foster families and caregivers who are relatives.
The Senate invests $1 billion to raise the minimum wage of many public servants to $15 per hour. To improve Florida’s prison system, the GAA raises officer salaries to $20 per hour and sets aside funds for two new prisons and two prison hospitals. The Senate continues to prioritize the protection and preservation of our world-renowned natural resources, and this budget makes significant investments in clean water and Everglades restoration, including northern storage ASR wells, as well as preservation and expansion of Florida’s wildlife corridor.
Earlier this week, each of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittees reviewed and discussed the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget issues relating to their specific policy areas. The subcommittee chairs highlighted several key investments prioritized by their respective committee.

The Florida Senate is Committed to Protecting Innocent Unborn Children
The Florida Senate continues to prioritize the life of the innocent unborn child. This week, the Senate Committee on Health Policy voted to advance legislation that increases protections for unborn children and supports parents who choose life. Senate Bill 146, Fetal and Infant Mortality Reduction, by Senator Kelli Stargel, prohibits abortions after 15 weeks and expands programs to prevent fetal and infant deaths.
When Roe v. Wade was decided almost 50 years ago, scientific knowledge of fetal development was extremely limited. We know so much more now than we did back then about how a baby develops inside the mother’s womb as well as making significant medical advances expanding fetal viability. With advanced medical and scientific information in hand, now is the appropriate time to consider whether or not terminating a pregnancy at 24 weeks is the appropriate benchmark.
With regard to the prohibition on abortion following 15 weeks of gestation, SB 146 provides the same exceptions under current law for the prohibition on third-trimester abortions to protect the health and safety of the mother. The legislation adds an exception for a “fatal fetal abnormality,” a terminal condition that, in reasonable medical judgment, is incompatible with life outside the womb and will result in death upon birth or imminently thereafter. In these horrible circumstances, an abortion may be performed if two physicians certify in writing that fatal fetal abnormalities are present.
This comprehensive pro-life measure also expands and funds fetal and infant mortality review committees (FIMRs) in areas of the state that do not currently have a program to reduce fetal and infant mortality and morbidity.
Currently, less than half of Florida’s counties do not have a FIMR to address the reduction of mortality rates in these areas. SB 146 directs the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to target counter-marketing advertising campaigns under the Comprehensive Statewide Tobacco Education and Use Prevention Program specific to pregnant women and women who may become pregnant to inform them about the potential risks and harm of tobacco use.

Legislation to Improve Florida’s Child Welfare System Passes Second Committee
Ensuring every child in Florida has the opportunity to build a successful life begins with a safe, permanent home. This week, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, chaired by Senator Aaron Bean, unanimously approved legislation that builds on the Senate’s efforts to improve services and support for children in out-of-home care.
Senate Bill 7034, by the Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Ileana Garcia, enhances benefits for caregivers who are relatives, increases the childcare subsidy and expands eligibility for college tuition waivers.
When children cannot live with their parents, placement with relatives is preferred over nonrelatives to provide more permanency for children and help maintain family connections. This legislation ensures relatives who step up and take on the responsibility of child-rearing receive the same level of support from the state as foster families. The legislation also provides a $200 per-month subsidy to foster parents and relative and nonrelative caregivers to help close the gap between the funding currently available and the actual cost of early education and child care programs required under the Rilya Wilson Act.
Additionally, SB 7034 expands eligibility for tuition and fee exemptions at a workforce education program, or a Florida college or university. Florida was one of the original states in the 1980s that began offering assistance with higher education to students leaving foster care, and the Florida Legislature has continued to expand tuition and fee exemptions to meet the evolving needs of students who are or were placed in out-of-home care. This legislation further expands the scope of eligibility for tuition and fee exemptions to include students placed in a permanent guardianship, who were in an out-of-home placement at the time they reached 18 years of age and those who after age 14 spent at least 18 months in out-of-home care and were then reunited with a parent.

Committee Approves Measures to Increase Condominium Safety
This week, the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries, chaired by Senator Travis Hutson, advanced important measures to increase the safety and structural integrity of Florida’s condominiums in response to the building collapse in Surfside.
Senate Bill 1702, Mandatory Building Inspections, by Senator Jennifer Bradley, establishes a mandatory milestone inspection program for residential condominiums and cooperative buildings. The legislation defines milestone inspections as a structural inspection performed by a licensed architect or engineer to determine the life safety and structural integrity of the building.
SB 1702 requires a milestone inspection for such buildings that are at least three stories to be conducted once the building reaches 30 years in age and every 10 years thereafter. If the building is within three miles of the coastline, required milestone inspections are increased to once the building reaches 20 years of age and then every seven years. The milestone inspections, which will be submitted to the building owner or board, include a phase-one visual inspection and, if the visual test identifies structural distress, a phase-two structural inspection. Additionally, the bill increases records transparency and directs the Florida Building Commission to establish structural and safety standards beyond the bill’s requirements.
Senate Bill 7042, proposed by the Regulated Industries Committee, includes some of the provisions contained in SB 1702 while increasing records transparency and adding additional safety measures. SB 7042 requires condominium and cooperative associations to conduct a reserve study at least once every three years to ensure adequate funds to address maintenance and safety issues. Additionally, the legislation authorizes unit owners to petition the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes to arbitrate or mediate disputes when the governing body fails to perform safety or structural inspections, conduct a reserve study, fund reserves, or provide necessary maintenance and repairs.

Safeguarding the Integrity of Florida’s Elections
Confidence in our elections is essential to maintaining a democratic form of government, and we must continue to safeguard our free and fair elections – a cornerstone of our nation’s democracy. Voters expect the voter rolls to be accurate, their personal information to be protected, and they want a clear process in place for investigating allegations of irregularities so that every legal vote is counted. Florida leads the nation in election reforms because the Florida Legislature has taken a proactive approach to address any election issues.
This week, Senate Bill 524, Election Administration, by Senator Travis Hutson, passed the Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections, chaired by Senator Dennis Baxley. SB 524 establishes a clear framework for investigating elections violations, protects vote-by-mail (VBM) ballots, improves accuracy in Florida’s voting rolls, and increases and expands penalties when individuals and organizations illegally interfere in our elections.

Senate Votes to Extend Record-Breaking Tourism Marketing Efforts
During this week’s sitting, the Florida Senate passed Senate Bill 434, Florida Tourism Marketing, by Senator Ed Hooper, extending the scheduled repeal of VISIT FLORIDA from October 2023 to October 2031. VISIT FLORIDA is Florida’s official tourism and marketing corporation that promotes our state around the country and internationally as a premier destination.
Unlike other states, Florida remained open for business in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it shows. Through aggressive and well-timed marketing, VISIT FLORIDA has played an integral role in our state’s robust tourism industry, especially in the wake of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following a significant dip in visitors during the 2020 pandemic year, Florida earned a return on investment (ROI) of $3.27 for every dollar invested in VISIT FLORIDA—the highest ROI ever calculated for VISIT FLORIDA.

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces $89 Million for Workforce Education Initiatives, Bringing Total Investment to Greater Than $3.5 Billion Since 2019
On Wednesday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced $89 million in funding for workforce education initiatives, including a first-of-its-kind Career and Technical Education (CTE) charter schools initiative. Funding also includes high school CTE dual enrollment programs, apprenticeships, and cybersecurity and IT training.
“I set a goal to make big improvements to workforce education opportunities in Florida, and we are making great strides,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today’s announcement will expand technical education opportunities across Florida, especially for high school students. These initiatives will also help businesses in Florida recruit highly-skilled workers to fill needed positions, thereby strengthening Florida’s economic base.”
For more information about this announcement, click here.

Governor DeSantis Issues Executive Order Related to Agriculture in Response to Freezing Temperatures
On Wednesday, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 22-27 (Emergency Management – Freezing Temperatures, Harm to Agriculture).
Since Friday, January 28, the Florida Division of Emergency Management has been working closely with each of the county emergency management offices, the Florida Department of Citrus, and other agricultural industry partners to respond to and recover from the recent freezing temperatures, and will continue to provide support to the impacted areas.
You may view the full Executive Order 22-27 here.

Florida Department of Management Services Launches its Annual ‘Art in the Capitol’ Competition
This session, the Florida Department of Management Services is sharing new pieces online for the 2022 Art in the Capitol Competition. Every year, DMS hangs art created by students throughout Florida on the second and third floors of the Capitol Rotunda.
If you pay a visit to the Capitol this session, be sure to check out the display!
Learn more about the program at https://www.floridacapitol.myflorida.com/the_capitol/art.
You can view the art virtually here.

In the News
Collier museum aims to bring respect to neglected and unmarked 1930s Black cemetery
National Signing Day: Fort Myers’ Greg Delaine signs to play football at Syracuse
In the Know: SWFL Hall of Famers show success in business can help communities and children

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

Naples Office:
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Naples, FL 34112
239-417-6205
LaBelle Office:
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Room J-101
LaBelle, FL 33935
863-674-7122
Tallahassee Office:
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Tallahassee, FL 32339
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NEWS ALERT! Sen. Rick Scott is Fighting to Preserve the American Dream!

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NEWS ALERT!

Sen. Rick Scott is Fighting to Preserve the American Dream; Biden’s Inflation and Supply Chain Crises are Hurting Families and Businesses

Under the Biden administration, inflation has grown every month. Washington’s wasteful spending has skyrocketed the federal debt to nearly $30 trillion – an unimaginable $233,000 in debt for every American family. The Democrats’ wasteful tax-and-spending spree is causing raging inflation and skyrocketing prices on every day goods, hurting families and businesses in Florida and across the nation.

Senator Rick Scott has been clear that the Biden administration needs to take responsibility for its reckless spending and develop a plan to curb the devastating impacts of rising inflation on American families. That’s why Senator Scott has introduced the Supply Chain Emergency Response Act, the Federal Debt Emergency Control Act and the Full Faith and Credit Act to rein in Washington’s out-of-control spending and tackle our nation’s debt.

Since being elected to the U.S. Senate, Senator Scott has repeatedly urged action to address America’s debt crisis. He will continue to fight against reckless spending and socialist policies that are fueling the raging inflation crisis and hurting American families — especially poor families like his growing up.

Read more on Senator Scott’s efforts to protect hardworking American families below.

Sen. Rick Scott Hosts Roundtable With Local Business Leaders on Biden’s Supply Chain Crisis

Senator Rick Scott joined business leaders at the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce to discuss the devastating impacts of the Biden administration’s raging supply chain and inflation crises on Florida families and job creators.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Since he took office, President Biden has pushed a socialist agenda that is killing opportunity for families and businesses across the nation. I’ve been hearing about the devastating impacts of Joe Biden’s inflation and supply chain crises for months, and I heard it again from business leaders in Naples today. America is seeing inflation at a 40 year high, but Biden has done NOTHING to stop these out-of-control prices, or fix the supply chain crisis that’s making this problem even worse. Biden’s failures are forcing hardworking Floridians, like the mom from Southwest Florida I spoke with recently, to rely on food banks just to feed their families. What’s worse is that every time I and my Republican colleagues in the Senate put forward a commonsense way to fix these issues, Democrats stand in the way and block them. Restoring our supply chains is critical to getting the American economy rolling again, and I won’t stop fighting for Florida families and to put an end to this crisis.”

Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott on PPI Inflation Report: Joe Biden Continues to Fail the American People

Following the release of December’s staggering Producer (PPI) and Consumer Price (CPI) Indexes, Senator Rick Scott released an update on his actions to fight Joe Biden’s raging inflation and debt crises. PPI and CPI data showed inflation continued to rise in December increasing 9.7% and 7.0% respectively over the year. Senator Scott has been adamant about the need to implement substantive fiscal reforms to end the ongoing inflation crisis fueled by the Biden administration’s socialist tax-and-spend agenda. December’s data shows that there has been a significant increase in inflation every month of Biden’s presidency, resulting in the highest inflation increases in 40 years. Following the damming CPI report, Senator Scott released the following quote:

Senator Rick Scott said, “Joe Biden’s presidency has been nothing but non-stop failure. Since Biden took office, Americans have been hit with the highest inflation increases in decades, yet the president has done NOTHING to stop skyrocketing prices. Instead of taking care of the issues that are hurting hardworking families, Biden and his Democrat underlings in Congress are 100% focused on their radical plan to federalize elections. It’s shameful just how far Joe Biden will go to put the Democrats’ political power grab over the needs of the American people.

“I recently heard from a woman in Florida who helps operate a food pantry. It used to be normal for her to serve about 15 families per day, but now she is seeing upwards of 70 families per day. The terrible thing about inflation is that as more folks are coming to her food pantry in need, it’s getting harder and harder to afford to help them. That’s the reality of Joe Biden’s inflation crisis and I am sick and tired of seeing this failed president do NOTHING to help. I came to Washington to make this place work for Florida families. The reckless spending must end. The socialist agenda must end. Democrats may have turned their backs on the American people, but I won’t stop fighting.”

Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott: America’s Seniors are Paying the Price for Biden’s Inflation Crisis

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement slamming Biden’s inaction to address the inflation crisis he and Washington Democrats have created with reckless spending and socialist policies, which is expected to cause significant price increases on seniors citizens and Medicare recipients. According to a report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles will both increase by 15% and Medicare Part A deductibles will increase by 5% in 2022, leaving seniors paying hundreds more for the health care and benefits they desperately need.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Here’s my question for Joe Biden and Democrats: who is your reckless spending and socialist agenda helping? It’s clearly not families on fixed incomes, like mine growing up, struggling to keep up with inflation and put food on the table with higher and higher costs. It’s definitely not our businesses facing higher costs and a supply chain crisis fueled by Biden’s failed policies and unconstitutional vaccine mandates. And it’s obviously NOT our seniors depending on Medicare who will be left paying HUNDREDS more for the care they need. We need to be LOWERING health care and drug prices and strengthening this vital program for seniors and future generations, not crippling the system and leaving families to pay the cost. It’s now clearer than ever that Democrats don’t care who pays the price for their liberal wish list, they have their blinders on, following Bernie Sanders’ socialist lead on an all-or-nothing multi trillion dollar tax-and-spending spree. I came to Washington to FIGHT for our seniors. We cannot allow this to move forward.”

Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott to America’s Supply Chain Leaders: Let’s Work Together to Get America Back on Track

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to America’s supply chain leaders thanking them for their hard work to keep the American economy running during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In his letter, Senator Scott highlights his concerns with the Biden administration’s disastrous policies and socialist agenda which has imposed unconstitutional vaccine mandates and created labor shortages, causing a massive supply chain crisis and further fueling inflation that’s hurting America’s poorest families. Senator Scott is requesting input from these leaders on the challenges they’re facing and what solutions can be implemented to help families across America get what they need.

Read more HERE, HERE and HERE.

Democrats Want Americans in the Dark, Block Sen. Rick Scott Transparency Proposal to Address Rising Energy Prices

As energy prices across America surge higher, Senator Rick Scott spoke on the Senate floor to request unanimous consent on his Give Americans Stability at Pumps as Rising Inflation Causes Emergencies (GAS PRICE) Act. This simple legislation, cosponsored by Senators Roger Marshall, Cynthia Lummis, Shelley Moore Capito, Ron Johnson, Jerry Moran and Marsha Blackburn, would direct the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to report to Congress any policy or rule set by the Biden administration which raises energy costs for American families. Senate Democrats blocked its passage.

Reports from the EIA have shown that prices on energy, like gasoline, have increased 55% in just one year, and it is predicted that this winter, home heating prices are going to rise by more than 40% for homes that use heating oil, more than 30% for homes using natural gas, and 54% for homes using propane.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Just this week, the South Florida Sun Sentinel ran a story with the headline, ‘Gas Prices hit their highest level since 2014. When will we get a break?’ As gas prices keep rising, the message from Florida couldn’t be more clear. But this is about more than just headlines. There skyrocketing prices are hurting real families who are living paycheck to paycheck, and struggling to keep up. I grew up poor. When my parents’ bills went up, it made it more difficult on my family. When gas prices went up, it meant we had less food to put on the table.

“The only person to blame for what we are seeing across this country is Joe Biden. He’s done everything in his power to destroy America’s energy independence. In his first month in office, he cut the Keystone Pipeline permit and killed thousands of American jobs. Then he suspended new oil and gas leasing and drilling permits for federal lands. Of course, Joe Biden only knows how to blame everyone but himself. Since the Biden administration has shown ZERO interest in fixing this urgent problem, I introduced a simple bill today that just made it so Congress would be informed when a new policy or rule causes energy costs for American families to go up. Of course, Democrats blocked it. Joe Biden’s lieutenants in the Senate will do anything to cover up the disastrous impacts of his failed energy agenda and today was just further proof of that fact. It’s shameful but I won’t stop fighting against the Democrats’ radical socialist agenda that is driving up prices and hurting American families more every day.”

Watch Senator Scott’s floor speech HERE

Sen. Rick Scott: Biden’s Inflation Crisis Demands Action

Senator Rick Scott led his colleagues in a press conference demanding President Biden take immediate action to address the inflation crisis his tax-and-spend agenda has created, which is hurting working American families.

As the Biden administration continues to mislead the American public about how Washington’s reckless spending is leading to the rising prices of every day goods, Senator Scott has been calling on the president to take responsibility for his wasteful spending proposals and release a plan to curb the impacts of rising inflation on American families. See more HERE.

Watch Senator Scott’s remarks HERE or below. Watch the full press conference HERE.

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Senator Rick Scott said, “For years, I’ve been warning about the impact Washington’s reckless spending will have on American families – including the threat of inflation. Now, as the Biden administration lays out plans for $7.1 trillion in new spending after taking office, inflation is here. 83% of Americans are already tightening their budget due to inflation pressures. For a growing number of American families who are struggling to make ends meet, the Biden administration’s policies mean the price is wrong. Meanwhile, President Biden is totally silent about his inflation crisis. Our debt is out of control and now we’re seeing the consequences. Biden needs to show up and address his binge spending before even more families get hurt.”

Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott Announces Supply Chain Emergency Response Act to Help Alleviate Shipping Bottlenecks

Senator Rick Scott announced his bicameral Supply Chain Emergency Response Act to help alleviate the impacts of President Joe Biden’s disastrous supply chain crisis that is affecting families and small businesses across America. Congressman Carlos Giménez introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The Supply Chain Emergency Response Act is endorsed by Heritage Action for America.

Last week, Senator Rick Scott wrote to leaders of the port, trucking and retail industries requesting input on the supply chain challenges they’re facing and what solutions can be implemented to help families across America get what they need.

Senator Rick Scott said, “As empty shelves grow more and more common, prices are surging higher and small businesses can’t access the goods they need to serve their customers. Joe Biden’s supply chain and inflation crises are devastating for so many Americans, but it’s our poorest families, those on low and fixed-incomes like mine growing up, that are hurt the most. Yet, Biden does nothing to help. Unlike the Biden administration, I’m not going to just sit around and play TV commentator. Today, I am proud to partner with my friend and colleague Congressman Giménez in introducing the Supply Chain Emergency Response Act to get products flowing to American families and businesses again. We need to make Washington work for Florida families. Fortunately, Florida’s ports are ready and able to help with this crisis and I hope all of my colleagues work with us to quickly pass this good and urgently needed bill.”

The Supply Chain Emergency Response Act would:

Redirect $125 million of unspent, unobligated funding from the CARES Act to help facilitate the move of cargo vessels currently holding along the West Coast across the Panama Canal and dock in the East.
Allow state governors to use unspent, unobligated CARES Act funding to help offset port fees and other related state-level expenses.
Prohibits any individual who is a member of the Chinese Communist Party or any company owned, in whole or in part, by the Chinese Communist Party from being eligible for the provisions under this act.
Read more HERE.

Senators Rick Scott & Pat Toomey Lead Colleagues in Reintroducing Full Faith and Credit Act to Address Federal Debt Crisis

Senator Rick Scott and Senator Pat Toomey were joined by Senators Thom Tillis, Ron Johnson, Mike Braun, Bill Hagerty, Ted Cruz, Kevin Cramer, Shelley Moore Capito, Marco Rubio, John Barrasso and John Hoeven in reintroducing the Full Faith and Credit Act to ensure the federal government prioritizes funding for our military, veterans and seniors should the federal debt ceiling be reached with no action from Democrats to raise or suspend it. Senator Scott has been demanding that Congress take action to address America’s nearly $30 trillion federal debt and get the reckless spending which fuels it under control. Senator Scott continues to urge his colleagues to refuse to increase the debt ceiling without also enacting true spending reform.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Washington’s reckless spending is completely out of control. The United States is nearing $30 trillion in debt and Democrats are pushing a radical, socialist tax-and-spending agenda that will push us to an unimaginable $45 trillion. Too many in Washington have accepted deficit spending, blank checks, tax hikes and skyrocketing inflation as the status quo. We need to be clear: there will be a day of reckoning for this and unfortunately American families will pay the price. It’s time for Congress to take significant action to put our nation back on a path of economic success. I did it in Florida and we can do it in Washington.

“Our bill, the Full Faith and Credit Act, would require the U.S. government to fulfill critical payments to the debt to avoid default and full fiscal calamity if Democrats refuse to take accountability for their wasteful spending and address the debt ceiling. It also ensures Americans depending on Social Security, Medicare, veteran benefits, as well as our service members, are not punished for Washington’s dysfunction. I want to thank my friend and colleague, Senator Pat Toomey, for previously introducing this bill and allowing me the opportunity to lead this effort with him at this critical moment. It’s time for Washington to start living within its means, just like every family and business across the nation does, and preserve the American dream—this bill is a great start.”

Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Federal Debt Emergency Control Act to Fight Washington’s Spending & Debt Crisis

Senator Rick Scott led his colleagues in introducing the Federal Debt Emergency Control Act to rein in Washington’s out-of-control spending and provide a concrete path forward to tackle the nation’s nearly $30 trillion debt. The Federal Debt Emergency Control Act is endorsed by the National Taxpayers Union, the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, Americans for Tax Reform, Americans for Prosperity, FreedomWorks, and Club for Growth.

The Federal Debt Emergency Control Act:

Requires the Office of Management and Budget to declare a “Federal Debt Emergency” in any fiscal year where the federal debt exceeds 100% of that year’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This emergency designation would trigger several provisions to help control and reduce the federal debt to levels below 100% of GDP, including:
Terminating any unobligated funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, and any previous stimulus bills, and sending it back to the Treasury General Fund immediately for deficit reduction.
Requiring all legislation that increases the federal deficit, as determined by the Congressional Budget Office, to carry its own offsets. If it does not, the legislation shall be considered out of order and will require at least two-thirds of all Senators to vote to increase federal debt before even being able to consider the bill.
Fast-tracking any legislation that would reduce the federal deficit by at least 5 percent over ten years.
Senator Rick Scott said, “America is in a debt crisis. Our nation is barreling toward $30 trillion in debt – an unimaginable $233,000 in debt for every family in America. It’s a crisis caused by decades of wasteful and reckless spending by Washington politicians. Now, President Biden is continuing this way of governing by pushing for trillions in wasteful spending, raising the U.S. federal debt by 60% to $39 trillion and the debt-to-GDP ratio to 117% in 2030, the highest level ever recorded in American history. Spending beyond our means has consequences. We’re already seeing rising inflation, which disproportionately hurts the poorest families, like mine growing up.

“That’s why I am leading my colleagues in introducing the Federal Debt Emergency Control Act to rein in Washington’s out of control spending. This includes preventing Washington politicians from mindlessly spending by requiring that two-thirds of the Senate vote to increase the debt before approving any bill. I look forward to every fiscally responsible Republican and Democrat working with me to quickly pass the Federal Debt Emergency Control Act.”

Watch Senator Scott introduce the Federal debt Emergency Control Act on the Senate floor HERE or below.

Read more HERE.

Southwest Florida Business Owners Discuss Supply Chain Issues with Sen. Rick Scott

Senator Rick Scott met with business leaders at the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday to discuss the devastating impacts of the Biden administration’s raging supply chain and inflation crises on Florida families and job creators.

“One Florida lawmaker says he understands you being upset and concerned with prices rising. Supply chain issues make it more challenging to get the things we need. So Southwest Florida business owners met with Senator Rick Scott and talked about their frustrations.

Sen. Scott promised business owners that he would do everything in his power to help them, including working with federal agencies to reduce regulations and work through issues with the department of transportation.
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Ships aren’t getting to ports fast enough, and trucks aren’t getting their products out on time. Ryan Carter is well aware of this. Carter is the president of trucking company Scotlyn USA, based in Lee County.

‘In the past, it would take maybe a day or two days to get a truck fixed. It can take a week or up to 6 to 8 weeks to get our truck fixed,’ Carter said.
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Jennifer Whyte owns Fort Myers Brewing Company, and she says she’s seen these effects as she tries to continue running her business. ‘From everything from the small things like plastic cups to things that we use all the time like aluminum cans,’ Whyte said. ‘An aluminum can has tripled essentially in cost.’
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Sen. Rick Scott listened to their concerns. But he also had something to say. ‘I think the big thing it’s really frustrating the Biden administration just doesn’t react, I mean. One thing you have to do as a government is you have to say, ‘here’s our problem, let’s go solve the problem,’ Sen. Scott said.

Read the full article on WINK HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott in National Review: In Biden’s Sticky Inflation Crisis, Poor Families Suffer the Most

Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed for the National Review discussing the burden of President Biden’s sticky inflation crisis on American families. As inflation jumps to its highest rate in more than 30 years, Senator Scott details how President Biden’s reckless spending, socialist agenda and policies that turn people away from the workforce are creating a lasting inflation crisis that is devastating for working Americans, especially low and fixed-income families like his growing up.

In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, “Here’s what’s clear: Biden’s inflation crisis isn’t transitory. It’s sticky. Trends don’t lie. With inflation surging higher every month of Biden’s presidency, we can’t allow the president and his economic advisers to continue ignoring the obvious.

Sticky inflation is dangerous because it has the ability to completely upend the American economy. It has a domino effect. Think about it like this. Frivolous government spending causes prices to go up. Then income doesn’t go as far as it once did. When income stops being enough to afford rent, groceries, and other necessities, you have to ask your employer for a raise. When everyone requests higher wages, companies are forced to raise prices. It’s a cycle. Prices go up. Costs go up. Wages go up. Prices go back up and the cycle restarts.

What I’m describing here is a downward spiral that hurts families and businesses and kills our economy. The buying power of American families, such as that family from Wauchula, is devastated. We know that, even if wages increase, they won’t do so at the same rate as inflation, so the dollar is doing less and less. And it all starts with reckless government spending and burdensome regulations.
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Of course, instead of tackling the problem head-on, Biden continues to act like everything is just fine. Even as American families begin to see more and more empty shelves, Biden and his administration do nothing.
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If we’re going to find a way out of this problem, America is going to have to change course.

No more unconstitutional vaccine mandates that exempt Congress but punish private business. No more reckless government spending to fuel Biden’s inflation fire. Let’s take our debt seriously. Let’s stop raising taxes and start being responsible with our budget. Let’s get rid of government waste and cut the regulations that are causing bottlenecks in our supply chains. And let’s end the campaign against energy independence.

We can get out of this mess. But President Biden has to actually start caring about the economy.”

Read the full op-ed in the National Review HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Carlos Gimenez in Miami Herald: We have a Solution to the Supply-Chain Crisis, Which Biden Administration is Ignoring

Senator Rick Scott and Congressman Carlos Gimenez wrote an op-ed for the Miami Herald highlighting their solution to President Biden’s growing supply-chain crisis, the Supply Chain Emergency Response Act. Their bill will redirect $125 million of unspent CARES Act funds to subsidize the cost for cargo vessels stuck on the West Coast of the U.S. and reroute to the East Coast where ports, especially those in Florida, are open for business.

In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott and Congressman Carlos Gimenez wrote, “It is a grave failure of the Biden administration that our store shelves are empty, and that Americans cannot find basic goods and products. These supply-chain issues have been festering for months, and rather than the Biden administration taking meaningful action to fix them, it, instead, has doubled-down on the premise that everything is OK.

That is why we came together to introduce the Supply Chain Emergency Response Act, a commonsense solution to get Washington working for Florida’s families.

Our legislation redirects $125 million of unspent, unobligated CARES Act funds to facilitate cargo vessels currently on hold along the West Coast to cross the Panama Canal and dock in the East.
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Getting these cargo vessels to Florida and other Eastern states also alleviates the shipping-container shortage, which has made it difficult for American producers to ship their goods and products abroad. Despite what the Biden administration wants to say, empty shelves grow more common, prices are surging higher and small businesses can’t access the goods they need to serve their customers. President Biden’s supply chain and inflation crises are devastating for so many Americans, but it’s our poorest families, those on low and fixed incomes like ours growing up, that are hurt the most.
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Fortunately, Florida’s ports are ready and able to help with this crisis, and it is our hope that all of our colleagues work with us to quickly pass this good and urgently needed bill to provide a commonsense solution to this supply chain crisis.”

Read the full op-ed in the Miami Herald HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott in the Financial Times: Biden Should Turn to the Florida Playbook

Senator Rick Scott wrote a letter to the editor of the Financial Times in response to a recent editorial on how Democrats should accept a “lighter” version of Biden and Democrats’ multi-trillion dollar tax-and-spend spree that pushes a massive expansion of government through deficit spending. In his letter, Senator Scott argues that if Democrats actually care about doing what’s best for Americans, they’d follow Florida’s playbook: Cut taxes, get Americans back to work and stop their insane socialist policies and deficit spending.

In the letter, Senator Rick Scott wrote, “There’s a popular saying that’s especially true in Washington: garbage in, garbage out. It’s a perfect fit for President Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” package.

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“While every president has the right to push their own agenda, Biden has shown that to fulfil his liberal wishlist, he is willing to bury our nation in a debt so massive that we will never be able to pay it off.
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“Too many American families, especially poor families like mine growing up, are suffering from rising costs due to inflation. We don’t need a lighter bill. We need a hard reset.

Biden and his Democrat pals in Congress should take the proven playbook we used in Florida when I was governor. Cut taxes, get Americans back to work, stop with the insane mandates on families and businesses and boost the economy so we can pay down the debt and fund our priorities without increasing deficits.”

Read the full letter to the editor in the Financial Times HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott: How to stop Dems’ spending, debt mismanagement from destroying our financial security

In case you missed it, Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed for FOX Business on how the Federal Debt Emergency Control Act and the Full Faith and Credit Act will hold Congress accountable for their spending and restore the financial future of America.

In the op-ed Senator Rick Scott wrote, “These are the types of reforms our country needs to reverse course, rebuild its accountability to the American people and secure a stronger and more certain tomorrow for our children and grandchildren. It can be done. I know because I led similar efforts to restore financial stability to my state when I was Governor of Florida. Over eight years, we paid down a third of the state debt, cut taxes 100 times, slashed 5,000 burdensome regulations and saw Florida business boom creating more than 1.7 million new jobs. The Democrats said the sky was falling. It wasn’t. Our playbook worked in Florida and it will work across the nation.”

Read the full op-ed in FOX Business HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott in Tampa Bay Times: Here’s how I’d rein in Washington’s reckless spending

In case you missed it, Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed for the Tampa Bay Times on how his bill, the Federal Debt Emergency Control Act, will help rein in Washington’s out-of-control spending and provide a concrete path forward to tackle the nation’s unsustainable, nearly $30 trillion debt.

In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, “Congress can’t keep maxing out America’s credit card with no way to pay it off. It’s time for Washington’s binge-spending to end. It’s time to bring the same accountability to our nation’s capital that families and businesses across Florida show every day. Washington needs a wakeup call and I’ve introduced the Federal Debt Emergency Control Act to start ringing the bell.

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America is barreling toward $30 trillion in debt. That’s equal to $233,000 in debt for every American family — a debt crisis caused by decades of wasteful and reckless spending. Now, President Joe Biden is continuing this way of governing by pushing for trillions in wasteful spending, raising the U.S. federal debt by 60% to $39 trillion and the debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio to 117% in 2030. Biden’s budget takes the United States to its highest sustained levels of federal spending since World War II. That’s insane, and there’s no way to pay for it.

Spending beyond our means has consequences. We’re already seeing rising inflation, which devastates our poorest families, like mine growing up. When inflation happened, I saw how hard it was for my parents to make ends meet. When inflation hit and food prices went up, we put less food on the table. No family should have to go through that.

…

My Federal Debt Emergency Control Act aims to rein in Washington’s out of control spending with concrete checks and balances that bring down the debt and help stop the reckless spending that causes inflation and kills opportunity for families across our state.

The Federal Debt Emergency Control Act would require the declaration of a Federal Debt Emergency anytime the debt exceeds 100% of GDP. Declaring a Federal Debt Emergency would initiate common sense debt reduction measures, including forcing two-thirds of the Senate and House to vote to increase the debt before approving any bill with deficit spending. We can’t let politicians spend without consequence.

…

If we don’t get spending under control, it’s our children and grandchildren that will suffer most as opportunity fades. Now is the time to act. I urge every Floridian to join me in demanding change that secures a prosperous and strong future for our nation.”

Read the full op-ed in the Tampa Bay Times HERE.

The Melo Minute

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The Melo Minute

January, 28st 2022
Regular Session – Week 3
Issue No. 48
Bill of the Week!
HB 411 – Safe Harbor

Team Melo is happy to announce the return of our “Bill of the Week” segment! This week we want to highlight and provide an exciting update to House Bill 411. This bill ensures that materials, such as PPE, training, and potentially even private loans, provided by a business owner to subcontractors during a declared emergency would not alter their employment status. The bill creates a “safe harbor” for business owners from legal claims arising from their good faith actions. For example, if a business provided independent contractors with hand sanitizer or masks, it may be at risk of having those contractors become direct employees under Florida law. This gives those independent contractors the opportunity to sue Florida businesses based upon the masks and hand sanitizer. HB 411 will prevent such a suit and would allow those business owners to continue doing good deeds for those who contract with them. On Wednesday, HB 411 made its final stop in the Judiciary Committee, passing unanimously 20-0, and will soon find its way to the House Floor! I am looking forward to making sure that “good deeds do go unpunished” here in the State of Florida!

Legislative Highlights

Lifting Off

The Honor Flight Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization servicing “Korean War, Vietnam War, intermediary operations, and in special cases of terminal illness or injury, veterans from more recent service eras.” Veterans are treated to a trip to and from Washington, visiting the memorial from that veteran’s service. To learn more about the Honor Flights program, click here.

Be More Do More!

My District 80 staff is always available to meet with our constituents and listen to your concerns. Please feel free to call or visit our offices listed above to speak with me or a member of Team Melo and let us know how we may best assist you! #BeMoreDoMore

What We’re Reading

Legislation to Discount Property Tax Bills for Essential Workers Advances

Anne Geggis
Florida Politics

Florida House Redistricting Committee Sends New Statehouse Map to the Floor

Jacob Ogles
Florida Politics

This Week’s Words Of Wisdom

The Song Of The Week

This week’s Song of the Week is
“Taking Care of Business” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

I passed 3 bills through committee this week! One of those bills, HB 411 – Safe Harbor, made its final stop in the Judiciary Committee and is on its way to the House Floor. We are definitely “taking care of business!”

Connect With Me!

Social Media

Follow our social media pages on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
@LaurenMeloFL

Have Any Suggestions?

We are always ready to help!
If you have a question you would like us to address within The Melo Minute, send us an email:

HDIST080@myfloridahouse.gov

Representative Lauren Melo
Florida House District 80

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Florida House District 80 | 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34112

Senator Rick Scott’s Week in Review

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This week, as Communist China prepares to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Senator Rick Scott hosted a press conference with Boston Celtics Center and human rights activist Enes Kanter Freedom, as well as members of the Uyghur and Hong Kong communities to highlight the horrific human rights abuses committed by the Chinese Communist Party.

For more than two years, Senator Scott and numerous human rights groups have called on the International Olympic Committee and others to move the games out of Communist China and to a nation that truly respects human rights.

Joining Senator Scott at the press conference were members from Hong Kong Watch, Hong Kong Social Action Movement, Hong Kong Professional Network, DC4HK, the Hong Kong Democracy Council, the Campaign for Uyghurs, the Uyghur American Association and the Uyghur Human Rights Project.

Watch the full press conference HERE or below.

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See more of what Senator Scott has been up to this week below.

Sen. Rick Scott Slams Biden Admin for Secretly Resettling Illegal Aliens as 2021 Border Crossings Topped 2 Million

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following reports that, as more than two million illegal aliens unlawfully crossed the U.S. southern border in 2021, the Biden administration is continuing to ignore U.S. law and secretly resettle them in neighborhoods across America. Last week, Senator Rick Scott and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik led more than 100 of their colleagues in sending a letter to the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a comprehensive review of the decisions by the Biden administration that have led to the worst border crisis in United States history. This followed the introduction of their Upholding the Law at Our Border Act, which requires the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security to investigate the vetting and processing of illegal aliens apprehended along the southwest border and to ensure that all laws are being upheld.

Senator Rick Scott said, “President Biden and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have shown a reckless disregard for U.S. immigration law and the consequences of their failed leadership are devastating. It’s no wonder that our brave border patrol agents have completely lost faith in this administration. In Joe Biden’s first year, more than TWO MILLION illegal aliens unlawfully entered the United States. That’s about equal to the ENTIRE population of Washington, D.C. illegally crossing the border THREE TIMES. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Biden administration is continuing to secretly resettle illegal aliens in the middle of the night in neighborhoods all across America. That’s right, your tax dollars are being used to charter private flights in the middle of the night to take illegal aliens from the southern border to neighborhoods all across our nation. It’s a disgusting misuse of taxpayer money and it must end now, and exactly why I am urging the DHS Inspector General to immediately launch an investigation into the Biden administration’s horrific mismanagement and blatant ignorance of U.S. immigration law.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Leads Senate Colleagues in Demanding Transparency on Biden’s Botched Afghanistan Withdrawal

Senator Rick Scott led 17 of his Senate colleagues in a letter to Senator Jack Reed and Senator Bob Menendez, the chairs of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, ahead of a closed joint hearing to receive testimony from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on President Biden’s botched and deadly withdrawal of U.S. Armed Forces from Afghanistan.

In the letter, Senator Scott and his colleagues called for a portion of this joint hearing be open to the public so that American families and all impacted by the botched withdrawal can hear directly from Secretaries Blinken and Austin. Senator Scott was joined by Senators John Barrasso, Marsha Blackburn, Bill Cassidy, Tom Cotton, Joni Ernst, Deb Fischer, Ron Johnson, Bill Hagerty, Josh Hawley, James Lankford, Roger Marshall, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Dan Sullivan, Thom Tillis, Tommy Tuberville and Roger Wicker. Read more HERE.

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Sens. Rick Scott and Rubio Urge Biden to Approve Florida Request for Major Disaster Declaration in Tornadoes’ Wake

Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio urged President Joe Biden to approve Governor Ron DeSantis’ request for a major disaster declaration to be issued for Charlotte and Lee Counties as a result of a severe weather system last week. The storm produced two tornadoes of EF-1 and EF-2 strengths. The request also includes a request for Individual Assistance for the two Florida counties. Read more from Senator Rubio’s office HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott: Communist China Cannot Whitewash Genocide with Olympic Games

As Communist China prepares to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Senator Rick Scott hosted a press conference with Boston Celtics Center and human rights activist Enes Kanter Freedom, as well as members of the Uyghur and Hong Kong communities to highlight the horrific human rights abuses committed by the Chinese Communist Party.

For more than two years, Senator Scott and numerous human rights groups have called on the International Olympic Committee and others to move the games out of Communist China and to a nation that truly respects human rights. Joining Senator Scott at today’s press conference were members from Hong Kong Watch, Hong Kong Social Action Movement, Hong Kong Professional Network, DC4HK, the Hong Kong Democracy Council, the Campaign for Uyghurs, the Uyghur American Association and the Uyghur Human Rights Project.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Next week, the 2022 Olympics will begin in Beijing and the world will watch as Communist China tries to whitewash its crimes and churns its propaganda machine to make the world forget just how evil its regime is. Today, I was proud to bring together powerful and important partners and voices to send a clear message to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP): WE WILL NOT LET ANYONE FORGET ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN COMMUNIST CHINA. I want to thank Enes Kanter Freedom, Samuel Chu, Joey Siu, Mustafa Aksu and Elfidar Iltebir for joining me to deliver that message. America must be clear that Communist China’s abuses will not be tolerated. We must call out these crimes and we stand by the brave advocates for freedom and democracy in China, Hong Kong, Tibet and around the world. And every day we must show that the United States is an unyielding and unapologetic advocate for human rights – and unafraid of speaking the truth and upsetting General Secretary Xi and his communist party thugs. We won’t stop this fight.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Issues Weekly Update on Biden’s Inflation Crisis

Senator Rick Scott released a weekly update on his actions to address America’s debt crisis and rising inflation following the announcement that the Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) price index increased 5.8 percent from one year ago, the highest reading since 1982—a clear indication that Democrats’ reckless, socialist spending agenda is only further fueling President Biden’s raging inflation crisis.

Senator Rick Scott said, “We’ve now seen a year of America under Joe Biden’s leadership and one thing is abundantly clear: families are far worse off now than they were then. Inflation is at a 40-year high and still RAGING higher. Poor families, like mine growing up, can’t get by. Millions more are struggling to make ends meet while store shelves are empty. More folks are relying on food banks and it’s getting harder and harder to help them as prices climb.

“This is Joe Biden’s America. This is what happens when you foolishly push a socialist agenda, pay people not to work, waste TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS in taxpayer money and then lie to the American people and tell them everything is okay. It’s time for Joe Biden to wake up, listen to the American people, remember that he is the President of the United States and lead. Our country can’t afford another year of his miserable missteps and failures.” Read more HERE.
El Senador Rick Scott en Actualidad Radio: Inflación, fronteras abiertas y alto costo de la vida; el legado del primer año de Biden en la Presidencia

En una entrevista la semana pasada con Yoli Cuello en Actualidad Radio 1040 AM, el Senador Rick Scott habló sobre el primer año de Joe Biden en la Presidencia y cómo las familias en Florida, Estados Unidos y en todo el mundo se han visto afectadas por la incompetencia de Biden y sus políticas fallidas de fronteras abiertas, gasto masivo y apaciguamiento. Durante la entrevista, el Senador también condenó la debilidad de esta administración ante los dictadores y regímenes opresivos del mundo e hizo un llamado a defender la libertad y la democracia en Latinoamérica, apoyar a nuestros aliados democráticos en el hemisferio como Colombia y Brasil y seguir luchando por Cuba, Venezuela y Nicaragua.

Escuche la entrevista completa de Actualidad Radio AQUÍ.

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Fox News: Sen. Rick Scott accuses Biden admin of supporting China’s ‘genocidal regime’ with ‘Made in China’ COVID tests

C-SPAN: Senator Rick Scott News Conference on Winter Olympics and Human Rights Abuses in China

Forbes: Uyghur Activist Asks How World Can Stand By ‘Do Business As Usual’ With Chinese Government

Forbes: IOC Deserves ‘All The Disdain And Disgust’ It Receives For Awarding Olympics To China: Activist

Florida Daily: Rick Scott, Elise Stefanik Want Answers From DHS on the Border Crisis

Florida Daily: Florida’s Senators Call on Joe Biden for Major Disaster Declaration After Tornadoes Hit Charlotte, Lee Counties

Alberto News: Senador Rick Scott: Siempre apoyaré a Venezuela en la lucha por la libertad y la democracia

Alberto News: Senador Rick Scott: Inflación, fronteras abiertas y alto costo de la vida; el legado del primer año de Biden en la Presidencia
Sen. Rick Scott Speaks with Latin Builders Association

Senator Rick Scott spoke with members of the Latin Builders Association in Coral Gables to thank them for all they do to support Florida’s economy and provide an update on his fight to make Washington work for all Florida businesses and families. Read more HERE or en español AQUÍ.

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Sen. Rick Scott Meets with South Florida’s Jewish Leaders 

Senator Scott met with members of South Florida’s Jewish community to thank them for their support, especially their strength and guidance in the aftermath of the Surfside building collapse and recent anti-Semitic attacks. Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Tours Herbert Hoover Dike and Remarks on His Continued Commitment to Florida’s Everglades 

Senator Rick Scott joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local officials to tour the Herbert Hoover Dike and discuss his commitment to Florida’s environment and the Everglades.

Senator Rick Scott said, “It was good to be with the Army Corps and our strong local leaders today to see the great progress being made at the Herbert Hoover Dike. By prioritizing Florida’s environment we know that generations to come will grow up in the Sunshine State we all know and love. While I was governor, we really put an emphasis on the importance of our environment by investing one billion dollars in Florida’s natural resources. I was the first governor to dedicate state funding to make the critical repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike at Lake Okeechobee and am proud that Senator Rubio and I were able to help secure an unprecedented one billion dollars for Everglades restoration, the largest single amount ever allocated by the federal government. Now, I’m working to make sure that every dollar of this funding will go toward the most critical projects that build on our restoration efforts and provide a good return on investment for Floridians and all American taxpayers.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott: We Proudly Stand for Freedom & Democracy in Latin America

Senator Rick Scott met with Colombian community leaders in Doral to hear about the issues facing the Colombian community in South Florida and discuss federal efforts to promote freedom and democracy in Latin America. Senator Scott was joined by Congressman Carlos Giménez, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, Doral Mayor Juan Carlos “JC” Bermudez and Mayor of Weston Margaret “Peggy” Brown.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The constant attacks threatening the Colombian people and their government are dangerous and reprehensible. It’s clear that ELN, FARC, and terrorist organizations backed by the Castro/Diaz-Canel and Maduro regimes are behind these despicable attacks, which are nothing but a disgusting attempt to destabilize Colombia’s democracy. It makes me furious that in the face of these vicious assaults on democracy, Joe Biden has again and again chosen appeasement over the security and stability of our hemisphere. His lack of support is a complete betrayal of the United States and Colombia’s commitment to promoting security, prosperity, human rights and democracy across the Western Hemisphere. Last year, I was proud to introduce a resolution in the U.S. Senate that makes clear that America stands with Colombia in the fight to defend freedom, condemns efforts to undermine democracy and urges the international community to join the United States in supporting Colombia. I will always support the people of Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua in the fight for freedom and democracy. We won’t stop until all of Latin America sees the freedom and liberty its people deserve.” Read more HERE or en español AQUÍ.

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Sen. Rick Scott Tours Patrick Space Force Base

Senator Scott toured Patrick Space Force Base and met with members of Space Launch Delta 45. Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott’s Office Holds Mobile Officer Hours

This week, Senator Rick Scott’s staff held mobile office hours in DeBary, Bunnell, Spring Hill and Okeechobee to connect with constituents and help with issues involving federal federal agencies.
TALLAHASSEE
111 N. Adams Street, Suite 208
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: (850) 942-8415		 WEST PALM BEACH 
415 Clematis Street, Suite 201
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 514-0189		 TAMPA
801 North Florida Avenue, Suite 421
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 225-7040
KISSIMMEE 
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 300
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Phone: (407) 586-7879		 PENSACOLA 
221 Palafox Place, Suite 420
Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone: (850) 760-5151		 MIAMI 
901 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 505
Miami, FL 33134
Phone: (786) 501-7141
NAPLES
3299 Tamiami Trail East, #106
Naples, FL 34112
Phone: (239) 231-7890		 JACKSONVILLE
400 West Bay Street, Suite 289
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 479-7227		 ORLANDO
225 East Robinson Street, Suite 410
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 872-7161
  WASHINGTON, D.C.
716 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5274		  
  Fax: (202) 228-4535  

Melo Minute

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Subject: BREAKING NEWS

 

Governor DeSantis Press Release on Regeneron

 

Melo Minute

 

 

January, 25th 2022

 

 

Governor DeSantis Condemns Biden Administration’s Haphazard Decision to Revoke Authorization of Lifesaving Monoclonal Antibody Treatments

 

 

“Governor Ron DeSantis is demanding the Biden Administration reverse its sudden and reckless decision to revoke emergency use authorization (EUA) for Regeneron and Eli Lilly monoclonal antibody treatments. This abrupt and unilateral action by the Biden Administration will prevent access to lifesaving treatments for Floridians and Americans.”

 

“The Biden Administration without logic or reason has decided to shut down Florida’s Regeneron and Monoclonal antibody treatment sites. I am furious for the 2,000+ Floridians who just had their appointments canceled today. We will not let this go unanswered.” – Representative Lauren Melo
Click Here for Governor Desantis’s full press release.
 

 

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2022 Legislative Session – Week 2 Representative Bob Rommel

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 2022 Legislative Session – Week 2

 

Personal Message from Bob Rommel

 

The Florida House continued to work on important issues facing Floridians during the second week of the 2022 Legislative Session.
In committees, state lawmakers approved a wide range of bills, including those that protect life, promote parents’ rights, increase school board accountability, support law enforcement, and improve ethics in government.See below for details.

 

Representative Bob Rommel
District 106

 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

 

Education & Employment Silo
Education & Employment Committee Votes
for School Board AccountabilityAs elected officials, school board members need to be kept accountable to their communities, and public input is vital to do so.
HB 1467 promotes public participation by ensuring that any district school board meeting held to rank, eliminate, or select instructional materials is advertised and open to the public. The bill requires training for school board members involved in selecting library materials and protects students by putting assigned school materials through a rigorous vetting process to ensure that they are age-appropriate, support state academic standards, and allow parental contribution. It also aligns school board member salaries with the majority of board members nationally who currently serve without compensation.

HB 1467 passed its first committee stop on Thursday, January 20, and is now headed to the Appropriations Committee.
Education & Employment Committee Votes for Parents’ Rights

Parents have a fundamental right to make decisions regarding the upbringing of their children.

HB 1557 empowers parents by setting standards for school boards to have procedures to notify parents if there is a change in their child’s services or monitoring related to the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health and wellbeing or the school’s ability to provide a safe and supportive learning environment. The bill respects parents’ rights by requiring school district employees to encourage a student to discuss issues with his or her parent, ensures parents have access to their child’s education records, and allows parents to sue if the school district violates the law.

HB 1557 passed its first committee stop on Thursday, January 20, and is now headed to the Judiciary Committee.

Health & Human Services Silo
Professions & Public Health Subcommittee Votes to Protect Life

The Florida House remains steadfast in our commitment to Florida’s children, both born and unborn, and our commitment continues after birth.

HB 5 ends the practice of abortions after 15 weeks with limited exceptions: to save the mother’s life, to avert a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment to the mother, and in the case of a fatal fetal abnormality confirmed by two physicians.
The bill invests in evidence-based initiatives working to reduce fetal and infant mortality rates, including new fetal and infant mortality review committees in areas of the state without them and a new counter-marketing advertising campaign on the health hazards of tobacco targeted to pregnant women and women who may become pregnant. It also expands on the success of local health care community efforts to reduce infant mortality by requiring hospitals to participate in Florida Regional Perinatal Quality Collaborative initiatives.

HB 5 passed its first committee stop on Wednesday, January 19, and is now headed to the Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee.
Judiciary Silo

Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee Votes
to Support Law Enforcement

We owe it to our law enforcement officers to express our appreciation not only in word, but in action.

HB 3 creates a culture of appreciation of our law enforcement, assists law enforcement agencies in retaining officers, and incentivizes individuals to enter the profession in our state. The bill supports law enforcement with new health and wellness training, Family Empowerment Scholarships for their children, and college credit for training and experience acquired while serving. It also assists recruitment by authorizing bonus payments to new officers and relocation assistance for out-of-state applicants.

HB 3 passed its first committee stop on Tuesday, January 18, and is now headed to the Appropriations Committee.

Pandemics & Public Emergencies Silo

Pandemics & Public Emergencies Committee Votes
to Prepare for Any Emergency

Florida needs to be prepared for threats posed by any emergency and act quickly to mitigate negative effects.

HB 7023 & 7025 create the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Fund for the Governor to use exclusively during emergencies; ensure that funding for disaster relief or response comes first from state and local agency funds, then from the EPR Fund if demands on those funds are too great; and allow the Governor to request additional funds from the Legislative Budget Commission if necessary.

HB 7023 & 7025 passed their first committee stop on Wednesday, January 19.
Public Integrity & Elections Silo

House Judiciary Committee Votes to Implement Constitutional Lobbying Restrictions

In 2018, over 78% of Florida voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment to expand ethics in state and local government. The amendment, going into effect next year, restricts paid lobbying and abuse of office by current and former public officials.

HB 7003 is one of two bills filed to implement Amendment 12 that the voters approved to strengthen accountability in state and local government by implementing prohibitions on paid lobbying for current public officials outside their official duties and former public officials for a 6-year period after leaving office. The prohibitions implemented by HB 7003 apply to state Supreme Court Justices and judges who vacate their office on or after December 31, 2022. The bill authorizes enforcement by the Commission on Ethics and provides penalties for violations.

HB 7003 passed its final committee stop on Thursday, January 20.

 

 

Celebrating Literacy Week – January 24-28, 2022

 

During Celebrate Literacy Week, our office is encouraging parents of K-5 readers to participate in the New Worlds Reading Initiative. This is the program inspired by Speaker Sprowls’ vision to have every child reading on grade level by 2030.

Click HERE for further information about the program.

 

 

 

Doings in Tally

 

Below are photos of some of the visitors to our office in Tallahassee this week.

 

 

Representative Rommel together with representatives for Florida Tourism, Lois Louie Croft, Kerry Morrissey, John Lai, Sean Doherty and David Haynes.

 

 

Representatives from FANA, the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.

 

 

Florida has no income tax and a balanced budget. 
Let’s keep it that way!

 

Copyright © 2022 State Representative Bob Rommel, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in to see updates from State Representative Bob Rommel.Our mailing address is:

State Representative Bob Rommel

3299 Tamiami Trl E Ste 304

Naples, FL 34112-5746

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The Mello Minute

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The Melo Minute
January, 21st 2022
Regular Session – Week 2
Issue No. 47
Legislative Alerts!
My fellow House Representatives introduced these major pieces of legislation this week in committee. Keep these bills on your radar during Regular Session. Also, don’t forget to share the Melo Minute with your friends and family. Make sure they click the link at the bottom of the Melo Minute to subscribe so they can keep up with all of the other important legislation being considered for passage.
Rounding Up Resources
Thank you to my friends Liesa Priddy from JB Ranch and Donny Crawford of Florida Cattlemen’s Association for visiting our office in the Tallahassee. It is vital that we protect our natural resources and ensure that both our agriculture and our environment have a sustainable and lasting future.
Engaging For Employment
If you or someone you know and love is transitioning out of active service and switching to civilian life, it may sometimes be a culture shock. While there are many tasks to complete while transitioning to civilian life one of the more challenging factors one might face is employment. Fortunately, there are many great programs to assist our military members in this task. One way to help determine what course to take is with a Military Skills Translator. Which can be found here. This resource helps filter jobs based on the branch of military service as well as the position held while on active duty.
Proper Priorities
This Week I had the privilege of speaking with members of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly. We spoke about their legislative priorities for 2022 and how we can continue to keep Florida free. Thank you to the members of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly for stopping by I look forward to working with you all in protecting the freedoms we enjoy in this great state.
What We’re Reading
This Week’s Words Of Wisdom
The Song Of The Week
This week’s Song of the Week is
Only two weeks into session and we can feel things heating up!
Connect With Me!
Social Media
Follow our social media pages on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
@LaurenMeloFL
Have Any Suggestions?
We are always ready to help!
If you have a question you would like us to address within The Melo Minute, send us an email:
Representative Lauren Melo
Florida House District 80
If you’re new to The Melo Minute and would like to subscribe, click here!

RPOF Newsletter – From the desk of Joe Gruters

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Chairman’s Message

Biden again fleeces Floridians in favor of blue states

The Biden administration announced Florida would get significantly less money than other states for bridge repairs!

Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted this week how Florida is receiving less than $245 million for bridge repairs out of the almost $27 billion for bridges nationally through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The formula used to calculate the amount given to states penalizes Florida for doing its job and successfully maintaining the infrastructure that Floridians require to live and work every day. But even then, Florida’s small amount still does not add up.

“The Biden Administration continues to punish states that are succeeding,” Governor DeSantis said. “Despite obstacles created by the Biden Administration, the State of Florida continues to thrive and foster an environment that draws new residents and tourists every single day. By doing so, Florida has continued to grow, and our infrastructure must be able to keep up the pace. The Biden Administration though is short-changing Florida yet again.”

The federal government claims the funding is based on the number of bridges in disrepair. But states with a similar or fewer number of bridges in disrepair are frequently receiving more than twice as much funding as Florida. Florida has more than 12,500 bridges statewide, and the Bridge Formula Program has identified 408 bridges that are in poor condition and provided $245 million for those.

Under the same formula, Washington State has 416 bridges identified as in poor condition, similar to Florida’s 408, but Washington State is set to receive $605.1 million from the federal government. Connecticut has 248 bridges identified as in poor condition and is set to receive $561.4 million in funding, over twice as much as Florida is receiving with 160 fewer bridges to repair. Biden’s home state of Delaware will receive $225 million, just $20 million less than Florida, but has only 19 bridges to repair according to the formula.

This is just another attempt to harm Floridians because our leaders have rightly criticized the Biden Administration’s reckless policies, and Florida stands out as a leader in job creation and economic growth while the nation, as a whole, suffers under Democrat mismanagement.

Americans see it all. Destructive Democrat policies have created a wave of new Florida arrivals. Between July 2020 and July 2021, Florida added 220,890 new residents from other states, the largest net gain in the country. People are fleeing other states for the free and growing state of Florida, and all of them will need access to quality infrastructure that was not available in the states they left.

​​Florida

$20 million to Panama City to fully restore water systems

Speaking of infrastructure, Governor DeSantis has announced more than $20 million has been awarded to Panama City to make repairs and replace 2.4 miles of water lines, 2.4 miles of stormwater lines and 3 miles of sewer lines that were damaged by Hurricane Michael. These improvements will fully restore water quality, functioning stormwater drainage and dependable sewer for the area.

“Since the beginning of my administration, we have remained committed to helping Northwest Florida recover from Hurricane Michael, and today I am proud to award another $20 million to help Panama City’s recovery,” Governor DeSantis said. “This project will make a real difference by restoring water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure in the city.”

Read more: https://www.flgov.com/2022/01/13/governor-ron-desantis-awards-more-than-20-million-to-repair-water-sewer-and-stormwater-infrastructure-damaged-by-hurricane-michael-in-panama-city/

 

New substance abuse prevention curriculum for schools

First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the launch of a free substance abuse prevention curriculum for Florida schools. The School Assemblies Toolkit, part of Florida’s “The Facts. Your Future” campaign, directly engages youth in Florida to improve their understanding of the destructive effects of drug abuse and helps teens to reach their full potential.

“With the heartbreaking overdose death statistics, we’re witnessing across the country, and as a mom of three, I want Florida’s youth to know they have the power to resist and overcome drug use and abuse,” said First Lady DeSantis. “Our ‘The Facts. Your Future’ initiative is reinventing the way substance abuse prevention is taught in our schools.

Read more: https://www.flgov.com/2022/01/14/first-lady-casey-desantis-announces-free-substance-abuse-curriculum-for-schools-through-floridas-the-facts-your-future-campaign/

 

Defense spending in Florida has nearly $100 billion impact

Governor DeSantis announced Thursday that Florida’s military and defense industry supported more than 860,000 jobs in 2020 and Florida experienced a 12 percent increase in direct defense spending from $44 billion in 2018 to $49.3 billion in 2020.

According to the recently published 2022 Florida Defense Industry Economic Impact Analysis by the Florida Defense Support Task Force (FDSTF), defense spending in 2020 generated more than $96.6 billion in value-added economic impacts, or 8.5 percent of the entire Florida economy.

“My administration has worked hard to make Florida the most military friendly state in the country,” Governor DeSantis said. “Creating a military friendly environment has not only benefited veterans and current military personnel, but also our economy by creating civilian opportunities in a thriving defense industry.”

Read more: https://www.flgov.com/2022/01/19/governor-desantis-announces-floridas-military-and-defense-industry-supports-more-than-860000-jobs/

Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez

Lt. Gov. Nuñez on Fox News: Hispanics ‘flocking’ to Republican Party for freedom, opportunities

During an interview on Fox & Friends Weekend, Lt. Gov. Nuñez slammed President Biden’s disastrous policies that are leading more Hispanics to join the Republican Party, according to recent polls.

“When you look at these numbers, it should not be a shock to anyone. We have seen the disastrous policies across the board from Biden since he took office. You have seen that Hispanic voters are flocking to the Republican Party,” Lt. Gov. Nuñez said.

“We are the party that will provide them freedom, that will provide them opportunities for their families. And when you see children that are being indoctrinated in the schools and that Biden and his cronies are calling their parents domestic terrorists, those are things that really have an impact on the voters. And that’s why I strongly believe that the midterm election and beyond is going to be an incredible turn of events for the president and for the party.”

Read and watch more: https://www.foxnews.com/media/fl-lt-gov-nunez-hispanics-flocking-to-republican-party-for-freedom-opportunities

Senator Marco Rubio

Senator Rubio smacks down Chuck Schumer on filibuster

Senator Marco Rubio smacked down Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on the Megyn Kelly Show for playing to his New York base over the filibuster in hopes of not being primaried by someone like AOC.

“I think a lot of Democrats, particularly Chuck Schumer in a state like New York, see that over the last few years you’ve had longtime incumbents taken out by people from the far left, and they’re concerned about it,” Senator Rubio said. ”Maybe he thinks he’s still going to win but doesn’t want to go through that process.”

Rubio told Kelly that Schumer is looking only at his own political fortunes and not what is good for the country or even considering the constituents that other senators must answer to at election time.

Read more: https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/rubio-schumer-politics-senate/2022/01/14/id/1052528/

Watch the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTn0oXGrmS4

ICYMI

Another Historic Win For The Florida GOP

This week, the Florida GOP notched another historic win by doubling the number of newly active registered voters in one month.

According to the latest Florida Department of State, Division of Elections data, Florida Republicans have an advantage of 45,153 active registered voters who are showing their preference for conservative Republican principles. Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and state and local leaders, Florida will remain a free and open state and continue to attract Republicans.

The total number of current, active registered voters is:

REP: 5,122,213

DEM: 5,077,060

NMP: 4,081,300

Tweets

https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1483883471529549825

 

https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/1483855332430565387

 

https://twitter.com/FloridaGOP/status/1483887080845586436

 

https://twitter.com/AGAshleyMoody/status/1483901993378844672

 

https://twitter.com/JimmyPatronis/status/1482759903085268992

 

https://twitter.com/RonDeSantisFL/status/1481681260288389120

 

https://twitter.com/TeamMarco/status/1482083346314235904?s=20

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

 
PAID FOR BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FLORIDA. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE. WWW.FLORIDA.GOP