RPOF Newsletter – Chairmans message
Chairman’s Message
Huge Election Day
Republicans thump Democrats in Florida and nationwide
Voters in Florida and across the nation soundly rejected the freedom-stealing, open-border, America-last agenda of the Democrats and the Biden administration during Tuesday’s off-year elections. Governor DeSantis described Tuesday as a wave building for 2022 that will be bigger than 2010.
Republicans in Florida won several key municipal races across the state, including multiple mayoral contests such as Steve Bovo in Hialeah.
In Virginia, a blue state that went for Biden by 10 points just one year ago, Republican Glenn Youngkin defeated long-time Democrat establishment figure Terry McCauliffe for governor. Republicans swept all the statewide races in Virginia and flipped the state house. And the Republican challenger shockingly came within a whisker of winning the governor’s race in New Jersey, which went for Biden by 16 points.
Republicans also flipped seats in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Texas and New Hampshire.
It was a very good night and portends well for slamming the door on the Democrats’ radical agenda.
Election integrity set for the 2022 Legislative Session
Governor DeSantis announced a new legislative proposal Wednesday for the 2022 session that begins in January that will further strengthen Florida’s election integrity.
“We are excited to say that next legislative session we are proposing another package of election integrity reforms that will make Florida the number one state for elections,” Governor DeSantis said. “I am excited that with this legislation, our state will be able to enforce election violations, combat voter fraud and make sure violators are held accountable. If potential violators know they will be held accountable, they will be much less likely to engage in improper conduct in the first place.”
Governor DeSantis called on the Legislature to take four additional steps to safeguard our elections:
- Establish an Office of Election Crimes and Security within the Department of State to investigate election crimes and fraud;
- Elevate the crime of ballot harvesting to a third-degree felony, recognizing that this offense is a serious attack on democracy;
- Require timelines for supervisors of elections to clean the voter rolls of ineligible voters; and
- Prohibit unsecure drop box locations in Florida.
Read more here: https://www.flgov.com/2021/11/03/governor-ron-desantis-announces-legislative-proposal-to-protect-floridas-election-integrity/
Watch the Governor’s press conference here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1614182528931181
“A recession is when your neighbor loses his job; a depression is when you lose yours; a recovery is when Dr. Fauci loses his.” – Governor DeSantis
Special Session Update:
Protections against vaccine status discriminationGovernor DeSantis announced that the Special Session to provide protections for Floridians who could lose their jobs due to vaccine mandates will begin on November 15, 2021, and go no later than November 19, 2021.
“Your right to earn a living should not be contingent upon COVID shots,” Governor DeSantis said. “We have somehow gone from 15 days to slow the spread to 3 jabs to keep your job. In Florida, we believe that the decision whether or not to get a COVID shot is a choice based on individual circumstances, so we are litigating against the Biden Administration and will be passing legislation in this Special Session to protect Florida jobs and protect parents’ rights when it comes to masking and quarantines.”
He added: “The health, education, and wellbeing of our children are primarily the responsibility of parents. As long as I am Governor, parents in Florida will play a strong role in determining what their kids are learning and how they’re treated in school.”
Here are some of the elements Governor DeSantis is calling on the Legislature to consider in the Special Session:
- Protect employees against unfair discrimination on the basis of COVID-19 vaccination status and ensure robust enforcement for this protection;
- Ensure that educational institutions and government entities are prohibited from unfairly discriminating against employees, students, and residents on the basis of COVID-19 vaccination status;
- Clarify that the Parents’ Bill of Rights, Chapter 1014, Florida Statutes, vests the decision on masking with parents, not government entities, and that schools must comply with Department of Health rules that govern student health, including rules that ensure healthy students can remain in school;
- Repeal the authority for the State Health Officer to order forced injections or vaccinations under Section 381.00315, Florida Statutes, originally enacted in 2002; and
Read more here: https://www.flgov.com/2021/10/29/governor-ron-desantis-announces-date-of-special-session-to-protect-florida-jobs/
Florida
Less than a week after Governor DeSantis announced Florida is suing the Biden Administration for unlawfully requiring mandatory injections for federal contractors, the Biden Administration quietly updated its guidance.
“The backtracking by the Biden administration demonstrates that Florida has been right to stand up for people’s jobs and against federal overreach,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We are continuing to fight for Floridians. This edict from the Biden Administration is creating chaos for both workers and businesses, as well as putting livelihoods at risk. In Florida, your right to earn a living should not be contingent upon COVID shots. Federal contractors in Florida should suspend their threats of termination over the Biden mandate.”
Governor DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the lawsuit last week against the Biden Administration’s order requiring employees of federal contractors to be vaccinated by December 8, making Florida the first state to bring a comprehensive legal action against the federal contractor vaccine mandate. The lawsuit seeks an immediate end to the unlawful requirement that federal contractors ensure that all employees have received a mandated injection. The lawsuit can be found here.
–––––––
Read more here: https://www.flgov.com/2021/11/02/governor-ron-desantis-continues-fight-against-federal-contractor-mandates-following-biden-backpedaling/
Governor DeSantis announced $6 million for the City of Tavares to build a regional workforce training and innovation center in partnership with Lake Technical College. While Lake Technical College currently can enroll 16 students in its programs for diesel systems technology, automotive services, and automotive collision, this new center will allow the college to triple its enrollment to 48 students. This will help Florida meet the demand of more than 67,000 new openings in these occupations over the next eight years.
Governor DeSantis has been focused on making Florida the best state in the nation for workforce education by 2030. This year, Governor DeSantis has awarded more than $20 million for workforce training initiatives in Florida. While these are creating immediate jobs, they are also creating skilled workers that are combating the nation’s supply chain crisis.
“In Florida, we are stepping up in the midst of the nation’s supply chain woes. Our ports are open and have capacity, we are standing up for businesses, and we are continuing to support the supply chain by training skilled workers across our state,” Governor DeSantis said.
Washington, D.C.
Newsmax reported Senator Marco Rubio’s stinging denunciation of the Biden Administration.
“Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, ridiculed the deviations between then-candidate and now-President Joe Biden, explaining to the National Conservatism Conference on Monday that the reasons for the difference are – if expressed during the campaign – he would not have been elected.
“‘I think it’s telling that the agenda promoted by the candidate Joe Biden is very different from the one that’s being pushed by President Joe Biden,’” Rubio said via a livestream video conference to the three-day gathering in Orlando, Florida.
“‘Candidate Joe Biden, for example, promised a return of competency and professionalism; President Joe Biden delivered chaos: Historic calamity on the southern border, humiliating and deadly debacle in Afghanistan, stranded cargo ships off the coast of California, and the skyrocketing prices of literally everything.’”
“Rubio was slated to join in person but was affected by the ongoing American Airlines flight cancellations.
“He began declaring Biden is governing differently than he campaigned because he knew from the outset his actual ideas were unpopular with the majority of ordinary Americans – as opposed to those managing society on a day-to-day basis.
“‘The problem is they have power beyond the numbers,’” Rubio said. “‘They happen to be the people who run our schools and our universities, our tech companies, our large corporations, meetings, boards, the entertainment industry; they are the most generous donors and enthusiastic activists in one of our two major political parties.’”
Read more here: https://www.newsmax.com/us/conservative-conference-florida-candidate/2021/11/01/id/1042863/
–––––––
Seeing the shocking results in Tuesday’s elections in Virginia, New Jersey, Florida and elsewhere, Senator Marco Rubio tweeted this truism:
“364 days a year a powerful minority tells everyone what they are allowed to believe, do and say. And Election Day is the day the normal majority tells them they are crazy.”
ICYMI
The New York Post recently published a column titled:
The country needs a dose of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to battle COVID-19
“Florida has the lowest COVID-19 case rate in the country. They did it without vaccine mandates, without mask mandates in school and with no restrictions on businesses. Life simply went on.
“Over the summer, when Florida was experiencing a spike in cases, the media was wall-to-wall news about the numbers. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis was a frequent target for the blame. His sensible moves, such as not forcing low-risk kids to wear masks, was treated as akin to murder by the media.
“In August, President Biden criticized DeSantis, although not by name, saying: “Some state officials are passing laws that forbid people from doing the right thing. I say to the governors, please help. If you’re not going to help, get out of the way of the people that are trying to do the right thing.”
“But what DeSantis understood is that there is no absolute “right thing” where COVID-19 is concerned, that we are living in an endemic (no longer a pandemic thanks to vaccines) and that there is very little political action that can be implemented to stop it. At the time of Florida’s spike, the state had an above-average vaccination rate when compared with the rest of the country. They weren’t doing anything differently than places with lower case rates, they were simply at the peak of their seasonal spike.
“Florida is doing better in per-capita cases and deaths from COVID than states that put in universal mask mandates and lockdowns. But you won’t hear that from the media. Now that DeSantis’ strategy has worked, they have quietly moved on without acknowledging their predictions of doom were wrong.
“It’s a lesson that we need to quickly learn. Encouraging vaccination is important, but ultimately COVID will be something we need to handle with less hysteria going forward, and DeSantis has been a model for that.”
Read the entire column here: https://nypost.com/2021/10/28/florida-gov-ron-desantis-has-shown-how-to-handle-covid-19/
Social Media Highlights
REMEMBER: @FloridaGOP and retweet and share. The Republican message must be spread around the state and you are integral to making that happen.
PAID FOR BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FLORIDA. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE.WWW.FLORIDA.GOP
Governor DeSantis Introduces Election Integrity Plans
|
Republican Men’s Club Featured on Good Neighbor Podcast
Click the Green Play Button to Listen
Senator Rick Scott’s Week in Review 10/30/21
| This week, 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 common sense legislation 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.
Growing up Senator Scott watched his mom struggle to make ends meet and put food on the table, and now we are seeing skyrocketing prices hurt families today who are living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to keep up. While the Biden administration refuses to take responsibility for its policies that are causing rising energy prices, or take action to fix this urgent problem, Senator Scott continues to propose real solutions and fight against the Democrats’ radical socialist agenda that is driving up prices and hurting American families more every day. See more HERE — See more of what Senator Scott has been up to this week below. |
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Sen. Rick Scott: The Government is No Replacement for Parents When it Comes to Education
As the rights of parents are under attack by the Biden administration, Senator Rick Scott, joined by Leader Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Richard Burr and nearly thirty other Republican senators introduced a resolutionsupporting parents’ rights to be fully and actively involved in the education of their children. Recently, Joe Biden and his administration have politicized and weaponized the Justice Department, threatening to use federal law enforcement resources to intimidate and silence parents who speak out to protect their children from harmful curricula like critical race theory that’s being pushed by Biden and the far-left. Biden’s dangerous tactics are a clear violation on parents’ rights of free speech and the right to have a say in their child’s education. This resolution is also cosponsored by Senators John Barrasso, Marsha Blackburn, John Boozman, Mike Braun, John Cornyn, Tom Cotton, Kevin Cramer, Mike Crapo, Joni Ernst, Deb Fischer, Lindsey Graham, Chuck Grassley, Josh Hawley, John Hoeven, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Jim Inhofe, Ron Johnson, John Kennedy, James Lankford, Mike Lee, Cynthia Lummis, Roger Marshall, Jerry Moran, James Risch, Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, Thom Tillis, Tommy Tuberville, and Roger Wicker. Senator Rick Scott said, “The Democrats’ war on parents is disgusting. As a proud father of two, and grandfather to seven, it makes me furious to hear people say that the government knows better than a mom or dad when it comes to the education of their child. That’s why today I am proud to have Leader McConnell, Ranking Member Burr and nearly thirty other Republican senators join me in introducing a simple resolution supporting parents’ rights to be engaged and have a say in their child’s education. It’s not controversial or radical to say that we support the right of parents to be the leading voices in the education of their children. And it’s not controversial or radical to expect teachers, schools and school districts to regularly engage parents in constructive and open dialogue about school policies, curriculum, and instructional materials – and to LISTEN to their feedback. Moms and dads know what is best for their children, and it is a great thing when they get involved. We won’t let the Democrats use their radical, socialist agenda to drive parents out of education and replace them with the failed ideas of big government.” Read more HERE. — Sen. Rick Scott: GDP Bomb Shows Biden is Driving America Toward Economic Doomsday Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following the Department of Commerce’s latest Bureau of Economic Analysis Report noting that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell to a 2% annualized rate of growth in the third quarter amid President Biden’s growing supply chain and inflation crises. These awful, below estimate GDP figures, which serve as the primary indicator of the country’s economic health and growth, further prove what Senator Scott has been saying for months: Biden’s dangerous, socialist policies are pushing America backward, killing jobs and driving our nation toward an economic doomsday. Senator Rick Scott said, “Joe Biden has been an absolute disaster for our country. By embracing radical socialist policies over what’s truly in the best interest of American families, he has brought America to a dangerous low after just nine months in office. At every turn, he has made the wrong choice. Vaccine mandates? Kills jobs. Paying people more to stay home than go back to work? Kills jobs. Reckless government spending? Fuels inflation and creates a massive supply chain disaster that’s causing shortages and raising prices for almost everything. I hear it from Florida families every week – they are sick and tired of Joe Biden’s failed policies that are making it harder and harder to put food on the table, gas in the tank and a roof over their head. Folks can’t get by in Joe Biden’s America. It’s time for the president to wake up and listen before a devastating economic doomsday comes for the United States.” Read more HERE. — 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. These 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.” Read more HERE. — Sen. Rick Scott Sends Open Letter to G-20 Leaders: I Won’t Support a Global Minimum Corporate Tax Ahead of the G-20 Summit in Rome, Senator Rick Scott sent an open letter to the G-20 leaders expressing his opposition to a country-by-country minimum tax rate of 15% on multinational enterprises, which represents a significant threat to American competitiveness. In his letter, Senator Scott reminds global leaders that any changes to tax code or tax treaties must obtain approval by the U.S. Senate. Read more HERE. — Sen. Rick Scott: I Urge Airlines to Fight Biden’s Unconstitutional Vaccine Mandates Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Airlines for America President and CEO Nicholas Calio and National Air Carrier Association President George Novak urging the airline industry to abandon plans to impose President Biden’s unconstitutional vaccine mandates on their workforce—a driving force for unemployment. Throughout the pandemic, airline employees have worked hard to keep themselves and passengers safe. Now, the Biden administration is attempting to bully hardworking Americans and threatening their livelihood by forcing a false choice: get the vaccine or lose your job. Read more HERE. — Sen. Rick Scott to President Biden: Taiwan Deserves Invitation to White House Democracy Summit Senator Rick Scott urged President Joe Biden to publicly invite Taiwan to participate in The Summit on Democracy, which is being convened by the White House and Department of State on December 9th and 10th, to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the world’s democracies. Senator Scott’s letter follows President Biden’s public statement committing to protect Taiwan in the event of an invasion by Communist China. Senator Scott continues to fight for his bill, the Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act, to end America’s failed policy of strategic ambiguity. Read more HERE. — Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Cynthia Lummis, John Barrasso, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Marsha Blackburn, Mike Rounds and Roger Marshall to introduce the Having Employees Return to Duty (HERD) Act of 2021. This bill would require federal employees to return to their duty station and the hours they were working prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to help citizens across the country who are currently being underserved by federal agencies due to remote work and a backlog of casework issues. Senator Rick Scott said, “I’ve heard from families across Florida who are facing issues due to backlogs at federal agencies. Americans everywhere are expected to go to work each day and are able to do so safely – the federal government shouldn’t be any different. We must get the government back to work for the American people and I hope all of my colleagues will support this good bill.” Read more from Senator Lummis’ office HERE. — Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell making it clear that he will not support Chair Powell for another term as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve unless he shows that the Federal Reserve is an independent agency working in the best interests of American families. Throughout this year, Senator Scott has repeatedly expressed his frustration with Chair Powell’s blind obedience to the failed policies and agenda of President Biden and the Democrats, and his lack of independent leadership to mitigate the harmful impacts of rising inflation. As hardworking families across America continue to suffer because of skyrocketing inflation, a supply chain crisis, a workforce disaster and a historical amount of federal debt, Chair Powell has continued to direct the Federal Reserve to manipulate markets with huge treasury bond purchases and done nothing to protect families. Read more HERE. — Sen. Rick Scott: Raging Inflation Shows Biden’s Socialism & Powell’s Inaction are Destroying America Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following the Bureau and Labor Statistics Reportnoting the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index has risen to 4.4% over the year, the highest level seen all year. This data shows how President Biden’s inflation crisis, caused by his and Democrats’ socialist policies and reckless government spending, is shrinking budgets for families as the prices of everyday goods continue to skyrocket. Senator Scott has been urging President Biden to stop his unconstitutional vaccine mandates which are causing families to make an impossible choice: comply to keep their job, quit, or be fired. Reports from the Federal Reserve have shown that reckless policies like this are fueling Biden’s supply chain and inflation crises. Earlier this week, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Federal Chair Jerome Powell making it clear that if Powell does not start showing the Federal Reserve is acting as an independent agency, Senator Scott will not support another term for Powell as Chair. Senator Rick Scott said, “What in the world is President Joe Biden thinking? Report after report shows plain and simple that Biden’s socialist policies and unconstitutional vaccine mandates are killing our economy, harming our businesses and leaving our families with less and less. And what is he doing to fix it? NOTHING. Biden signed up to lead the country but he’s done absolutely NOTHING to help American families. This is hurting mothers like mine growing up, who struggled to make ends meet, and it makes me furious. The incompetence is astonishing. But, Biden isn’t the only one to blame. As Biden destroys the economy, Chair Powell has been nothing but a puppet for his disastrous agenda. With inflation still raging and the latest GDP figures showing the economy is headed in the wrong direction, we must act now to protect American families. If Biden and Powell can’t do the job, they need to get out of the way.” Read more HERE. |
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Fox News: GOP senators demand fully-vaccinated federal employees return to in-person work to address massive backlog
National Review: Exclusive: Congressional Republicans Affirm That There Is No International Right to Abortion Jerusalem Post: GOP bill seeks to stop Jerusalem consulate for Palestinians Taipei Times: Invite Taiwan to summit: US’ Scott Breitbart: Report: 129 Republicans Demand 11 Biden Admin Officials Resign Jerusalem Post: Senate GOP bill seeks to block Jerusalem consulate reopening WKMG: Senators call for new zip codes for Ocoee, Oakland in bill Florida Daily: Rick Scott Calls on Airline Industry to Resist Mandatory Vaccinations Florida Daily: Rick Scott to HHS Inspector General: American Families Demand Answers on COVID-19 Origins Florida Daily: Rick Scott Wants to Know if State Department is Investigating Pan American Health Organization Florida Daily: Rick Scott Introduces the Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act With Kyrsten Sinema’s Support Florida Daily: Marco Rubio, Rick Scott Want New Zip Codes in Florida Florida Daily: Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, Michael Waltz Continue Efforts to Change Water Quality Allocation to the States |
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Senator Scott has received his COVID-19 vaccine, and he encourages everyone consider doing the same. The COVID-19 vaccine works and is critical to ending the pandemic and saving lives.
For more information and to find out where you can get the shot, visit floridahealthcovid19.gov/vaccines. |
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
RPOF Newsletter – Chairman Joe Gruter’s Message
Chairman’s Message
Florida job growth soars. Covid cases plummet.
At the same time as Covid cases continue to plunge in Florida, to the lowest in the nation, the state’s job growth soars to the highest in the nation — demonstrating again the wisdom of Governor DeSantis’ freedom-first agenda.
Florida’s Covid case count is down 90 percent from two months ago, and 76 percent since Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo signed new rules about a month ago that empowered parental control over their children’s health, banned quarantining healthy people and kept kids in school mask-free. Florida’s case rate is currently half of California’s, which has the strictest mask and vaccine requirements in the nation and is mandating every child over five be vaccinated to attend school.
“Without mandates or lockdowns, COVID-19 cases in Florida have decreased 90% since August,” Governor DeSantis said. “In addition to cases, hospitalizations have plummeted in our state. This has been accomplished by making monoclonal antibody treatments and vaccines widely available throughout our state while protecting Floridians from government overreach.”
Draconian, freedom-squashing government mandates do not stop Covid and Florida’s path is shown to be the best in dealing with the virus while allowing people to freely make their own health decisions.
These freedoms have fueled Florida’s economy by allowing businesses and consumers to go about creating a thriving marketplace.
Florida’s economy rapidly accelerated in September, growing at three times the rate of the nation’s growth. Florida gained 84,500 total jobs, marking 17 consecutive months of private-sector job growth. Importantly, Florida has also seen 11 consecutive months of labor force increases, adding 50,000 workers in just the past month. Florida’s labor force growth of 5.4% is dramatically higher than the national rate of 0.8%.
In total, Florida has gained more than one million jobs since April 2020, and September’s job creation was almost twice that of California.
“While the entire nation gained 194,000 jobs in September, Florida gained 84,500 jobs in the same month – we are outpacing the nation in job growth and job opportunities because businesses know that Florida will stand up for them,” Governor DeSantis said. “We will continue to work hard to keep Florida open, free and built for opportunity.”
Governor DeSantis was joined this week by representatives of three Florida-based businesses — Tervis, PGT Innovations, and Anna Maria Oyster Bar — to highlight the recent success of Florida’s job market and support Florida-based companies.
“Governor DeSantis has created a business environment that has enabled us to hire 115 people since June that has helped minimize the broader impact that the pandemic created, and Tervis is very fortunate to be in a state with a healthy economy,” said Rogan Donelly, President and CEO, Tervis. “Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, Tervis was able to keep our headquarters open in order to manufacture our products, our employees were able to safely stay at work and provide for their families.”
“The pro-business atmosphere in Florida has been crucial for PGT innovations to prosper; specifically over the last 18 months, our business has benefited from low taxes from forward-thinking policies,” said Rod Hershberger, Chairman, PGT Innovations. “We’re able to stay open and continue working because of Governor DeSantis’ efforts to protect Florida jobs. This is the best place to work from a tax perspective and from the leadership that we have, and we intend to stay here for a long time.”
“Everybody in our industry feels we’ve got a governor that’s got our back, that’s working with us, that’s working to help us,” said John Horne, President & Owner, Anna Maria Oyster Bar.
These three represent the sentiments of thousands of thriving and grateful Florida businesses.
FLORIDA
Governor DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a lawsuit today against the Biden Administration’s order requiring employees of federal contractors to be vaccinated by December 8. The Governor promised to take legal action to stop federal overreach and is keeping that promise, making Florida the first state in the nation to hold the President accountable.
The lawsuit seeks an immediate end to the unlawful requirement that federal contractors ensure that all employees are injected.
“Just months ago Joe Biden was saying that it wouldn’t be appropriate or lawful for the federal government to mandate these COVID shots,” Governor DeSantis said. “But now we have somehow gone from 15 days to slow the spread to 3 jabs to keep your job. The federal government is exceeding their power and it is important for us to take a stand because in Florida we believe these are choices based on individual circumstances.”
“I have never seen such blatant disregard for the Constitution or the laws governing our country,” said Attorney General Moody. “President Biden does not have the authority to force millions of Americans to receive a shot, nor does he have the ability to punish Florida economically for not abiding by his authoritarian, unlawful, and unconstitutional executive order.”
The Governor and Attorney General were joined at the announcement by Floridians who are facing consequences as a result of vaccine mandates.
Read more here: https://www.flgov.com/2021/10/28/governor-ron-desantis-announces-lawsuit-against-biden-administrations-unconstitutional-vaccine-mandates/
And here: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/florida-biden-lawsuit-covid-vaccine-mandates-federal-contractors
Watch the full press conference here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=337652531454633
Read the lawsuit here: https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/047123627394.pdf
WASHINGTON, D.C.
With Congress back in session, Val Demings radicalness is impossible to hide. She is in lock-step with the most extremist members of Congress, such as the socialist Squad, and out of touch with Floridians by supporting every penny of the full-fledged $3.5 trillion socialist spending spree.
In joining fellow radicals to push this budget, Demings is supporting 40 separate tax increases that would take $2 trillion out of Americans’ pockets. In addition to tax hikes on Florida families, the socialist spending spree paves the way for the Green New Deal, amnesty for illegal immigrants, and taxpayer-funded abortion.
Demings is trying to unseat Senator Marco Rubio, who released a great ad highlighting how radical his opponent is, voting with the Squad 94 percent of the time.
Watch the Rubio ad here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccc2oKnGBG8
ICYMI
What they’re saying about Governor DeSantis calling for a Special Session
Business owners and industry leaders from around the state applauded Governor DeSantis’ call for a Special Session of the Florida Legislature last week to protect Florida employees from unconstitutional vaccine mandates and vaccine passports.
Here is what they are saying:
Ralph A. Lewis, Co-Owner of Florida’s oldest steakhouse, Okeechobee Steakhouse, said: “Without Governor DeSantis holding his ground and making decisions based on scientific facts, our loss of business would be catastrophic. From the staff of Okeechobee Steakhouse and Okeechobee Prime Meat Market, thank you, Governor DeSantis, for allowing us to keep our jobs.”
Charles Musgrove, Jr., CPA and Founder of CAPSERV360, said: “Thank you to Governor DeSantis for standing in the breach to protect our liberties. I have never been prouder to be a Floridian than over the past 18 months. Your leadership is inspirational for all Americans and an example for all political leaders whether local, state, or federal.”
Nick Sarra, Chief Operations Officer of Saltwater Restaurants, said: “Allowing customers to freely dine without mandated vaccine passports has allowed us to continue to employ hundreds of workers in our nine restaurants across Northwest Florida. Placing our employees on the front line of our customers’ medical decisions is not their responsibility as professionals in the restaurant industry. We are grateful for Governor Ron DeSantis’ strong support of restaurants and our employees.”
Read more here: https://www.flgov.com/2021/10/22/what-they-are-saying-businesses-applaud-governor-desantis-protecting-floridians-jobs-and-livelihoods/
Social Media Highlights
REMEMBER: @FloridaGOP and retweet and share. The Republican message must be spread around the state and you are integral to making that happen.
PAID FOR BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FLORIDA. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE.WWW.FLORIDA.GOP
Weekly Wrap-Up with Congressman Byron Donalds
|
|
|
This past week in Congress, instead of working to find solutions for the national labor shortage, supply chain crisis, rising inflation, or the worsening border crisis – Speaker Pelosi instead called members back to Washington, D.C. to unsuccessfully rally support for her radical agenda.
Abiding by his constitutional requirement to testify in front of Congress, Attorney General Merrick Garland appeared in front of the House Judiciary Committee this past week to discuss a wide range of issues. Most notably his weaponizing of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to target concerned parents who oppose the implementation of Critical Race Theory in their child’s curriculum. Attorney General Garland weaponizing the DOJ, an agency intended to serve as a non-partisan agency to seek equality and justice under the law, being used to intimidate law-abiding parents without legal basis will not stand. Parents belong in education, not the FBI.
The Hyde Amendment, an amendment that has had bipartisan support since its inception in 1976, has been cut from Biden’s budget. The Hyde Amendment prohibits federal taxpayer dollars from funding abortions. This legislation has saved over 2.5 million lives from abortion, and today’s progressive Democrat Party wants to end this lifesaving amendment. It’s time to tell the radical Democrats in DC that taxpayer dollars should never fund abortions.
Lastly, the crisis occurring at our southern border continues to reach new heights. During the 2021 Fiscal Year, Border Patrol agents have now apprehended 1.7 illegal immigrants. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now warning Americans that they expect roughly 400,000 illegal border crossings during the month of October. As the severity of this crisis rapidly worsens, our President continues to take another vacation to his Delaware home. Along with his absent leadership on the border crisis, Joe Biden is also attempting to sneak in mass amnesty for up to 10 million illegal immigrants, leaving the American taxpayers with the $100 billion burden.
Every day that the border remains open and vulnerable, our national security is at risk. President Biden, it’s time to Build The Wall!
For a continued update on legislation out of Capitol Hill, the latest on what’s happening on the House floor, and more, keep reading!
|
|
|
|
|
|
| This past week, I spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives of the radical reconciliation package that includes a $100 billion provision that provides a pathway to amnesty for 10 million illegal immigrants.
This provision endangers our country, further escalates the border crisis, and fails to protect our national security. Watch my full speech below:
|
|
|
|
|
This past week, the House Committee on Small Business held a hearing on global supply chains amidst the national worker shortage that our economy is currently facing. In this committee hearing, I discussed the economic consequences that stem from extended federal unemployment benefits and the supply chain crisis that we are currently facing. Watch my remarks below:
Rep. Byron Donalds – Supply Chain Labor Shortage
|
| On the House floor last week, I spoke on the very real economic dangers that will arise from Biden’s multi-trillion-dollar Build Back Better Act. Watch my full remarks below:
|
|
|
|
| Last week, I had the opportunity join NBC’s Meet the Press Reports with Chuck Todd to discuss the ongoing textbook wars and the dangers of implementing Critical Race Theory in our schools.
Watch a segment of the feature interview below:
|
|
|
|
| On Saturday, I had the pleasure of joining ‘The Unfilteredwith Dan Bongino’ on Fox News to discuss Governor Ron DeSantis’ efforts to ban vaccine mandates in Florida, New York’s rising COVID numbers, and Biden’s ongoing border crisis.
Watch the interview below:
|
|
|
|
|
Serving the hardworking men and women of Florida’s 19th Congressional District is my distinct honor and privilege. It’s time Washington works for our community’s values, and every day I will always strive to ensure your government is working for you.
Sincerely,
|
Office Locations |
||||
|
||||
RPOF Newsletter – Joe Gruters -Chairman’s Message
|
Legislative Update – October 17, 2021
We just completed the second week of committee hearings in Tallahassee. Several committees met this week to hear briefings about the data-driven efforts to regrow Florida’s economy and strengthen tourism in the state. We also received updates on the modernization of Florida’s highways.
Next week, the Republican Caucus of the Florida Senate will meet to elect a Senate President for the 2022-2024 legislative term. I am extremely humbled and honored to be nominated. I am also grateful for the support of my colleagues in the Senate, my professional staff in the office and the constituents of District 28. Thank you for the opportunity to serve our great state. If you are interested to tune into the ceremony next week, I’ve included information below on how to view the livestream.
The Senate Republican Caucus Meeting and Senate President Designation is Next Tuesday
The Republican Caucus of the Florida Senate will meet on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. in the Florida Senate Chamber to officially select the next President-Designate for the 2022-2024 Legislative Term.
You may tune in to watch the event at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 19 at https://thefloridachannel.org.
History of Women Presidents of the Florida Senate
Next Tuesday, during the Senate President designation ceremony, I will be the third woman ever elected to serve as Senate President of the state of Florida.
In 1990, Senator Gwen Margolis (D-Miami), a former realtor, became the first woman to serve as President of the Florida Senate. President Margolis retired from the Senate in 2016, concluding more than four decades of elected service in state and local government. She passed away last year on June 9, 2020, at the age of 85.
In 1996, Senator Toni Jennings (R-Orlando), a former elementary school teacher who later ran her family’s construction business, became the second woman to serve as Senate President in Florida. She later became the first woman to serve as Lt. Governor. President Jennings, 72, retired from elected office in 2007, upon the conclusion of her term as Lt. Governor. She continues to reside in Central Florida.
Presidents Margolis and Jennings were both inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.
Reapportionment and Redistricting
The Florida Constitution directs the Legislature to redraw district boundaries during the Regular Session in the second year following each decennial census. When the Legislative Session convenes on January 11, 2022, this once-in-a-decade process of updating congressional, state House and Senate boundaries will be on the agenda. The new maps will be completed in compliance with both the U.S. and Florida constitutions.
Senate President Wilton Simpson created three committees to conduct the redistricting and reapportionment processes: The Senate Committee on Reapportionment, chaired by Senator Ray Rodrigues; The Select Subcommittee on Congressional Reapportionment, chaired by Senator Jennifer Bradley; and the Select Subcommittee on Legislative Reapportionment, chaired by Senator Danny Burgess. These committees will meet during the 2022 Legislative Session and during the preceding interim committee weeks to discuss the process, consider maps and receive public testimony.
During this interim committee week, the Senate Committee on Reapportionment held a meeting to hear a presentation from legal counsel regarding redistricting law, to watch a walkthrough and demonstration of the new www.FloridaRedistricting.gov website and mapping tool, and to hear public testimony.
The 2022 Redistricting website is a joint website created in coordination with the Florida House of Representatives. Through this website, members of the public have access to all of the same data and map-drawing application used by the Legislators and staff, and after creating a free account can submit redistricting plans for Senators to consider. The website also provides extensive information about the 2022 redistricting process and how the public can get involved.
Each committee meeting can be watched live at www.TheFloridaChannel.org. If you wish to provide online feedback, you may do so at www.FloridaRedistricting.gov/pages/public-input.
Florida’s Long-Range Financial Outlook is Bright
Florida remained free and open for business in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations begin to develop Florida’s budget for the 2022-23 Fiscal Year, they are analyzing the effects of these data-driven recovery efforts on our state’s economy. This week, Amy Baker, the Office of Economic and Demographic Research Coordinator, presented Florida’s Long-Range Financial Outlook and Revenue Forecast.
Appropriations Chair Kelli Stargel and committee members received updates on Floridians’ personal income, unemployment, the housing market, sales tax and general revenue. Following an economic downturn in FY 2019-20, Florida has rebounded stronger than expected largely due to swiftly re-opening our economy.
Ms. Baker reported that Florida’s general revenue is on track to substantially surpass pre-pandemic economic estimates. The revenue forecast even received a significant increase from estimates made in April, with estimates revised upward to the tune of $2.6 billion over the next two years. Florida’s unemployment rate continues to remain below the national average, with approximately 77 percent of the 1.27 million jobs lost during the pandemic already restored.
Additionally, Florida’s personal income is expected to continue to increase as more Floridians find new opportunities in the workforce.
While some economic uncertainty and challenges still remain, Florida is in a far better position than other states.
Florida is Everyone’s Favorite Destination
Unlike other states, Florida remained open for business in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it shows. VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO Dana Young outlined to the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism, chaired by Senator Ed Hooper, the ongoing efforts that have generated record tourism numbers and a historic return on investment (ROI).
VISIT FLORIDA is Florida’s official tourism and marketing corporation that promotes our state around the country and internationally as a premier destination.
The presentation by CEO Young highlighted that following 10 years of consecutive record visitation in 2019, our state saw a 40-percent dip in visitations during the 2020 pandemic year.
Florida is now beating out destinations like New York, Hawaii, California and Las Vegas as a favorite destination among American travelers. At the onset of the pandemic in March of last year, VISIT FLORIDA began working on a comprehensive plan to bring visitors back to the state. This aggressive and well-timed marketing, while other states remained closed, resulted in Florida receiving a return on investment (ROI) of $3.27 for every dollar invested in VISIT FLORIDA according to the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research —the highest ROI calculation for VISIT FLORIDA to date.
The presentation also highlighted that between April and June of this year, Florida welcomed 31.7 million total visitors, an increase of more than 220 percent from 2020. Florida also consistently outperforms the national average on key performance indicators including hotel demand, traveler spending and domestic air capacity. At the U.S. Travel Association’s Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations, the president and CEO of Visit California admitted, “Florida is eating our lunch.”
Modernizing Florida’s Roadways
The Senate Committee on Transportation, chaired by Senator Gayle Harrell, is working to continue the modernization of Florida’s roadways. Soon residents will be able to download digital versions of their drivers’ licenses and identification cards to their mobile devices as an additional option for proof of age, identity and driving privileges. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) updated the committee on the implementation of these electronic credentials, known as Florida Smart ID.
Last session, Chair Harrell championed the passage of House Bill 1313, Digital Drivers Licenses and Identification Cards. The innovative law directs DHSMV to establish a secure and uniform system to issue optional digital IDs to Floridians with verified IDs and builds on the department’s multi-phased program to make digital IDs contactless and secure.
The Smart ID serves as an identification “proof” with a limited profile, so only specific information will be available to requesters of a Smart ID through the electronic credentialing system. The law also protects the privacy of users by prohibiting private entities from storing, selling or sharing personal information collected by scanning a digital driver’s license or ID unless consent is provided.
The Florida Smart ID app will be available for use on IOS and Android phones and tablets. To ensure these digital IDs will be recognized and accepted throughout Florida and the country, DHSMV reported the Florida Smart ID meets American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.
The committee also heard updates from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on the efforts to strengthen the resiliency of Florida’s transportation system, the backbone of our economy’s supply chain. The implementation of the resiliency policy will center on the ability to adapt to changing conditions, withstand and recover from natural disasters which will continue to build on the solid foundation of our state.
$5.8 Million to Collier County Public Schools
On Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $5.8 million in Florida Job Growth Grant Funds to Collier County Public Schools to open iTECH Glades Technical College in Moore Haven, a new location of Immokalee Technical College.
I worked closely with Secretary Dane Eagle of the Department of Economic Opportunity to secure funding for the program.
The new iTECH Glades campus in Moore Haven will serve an area that does not have any post-secondary training programs within 30 miles. The $5.8 million award will cover five years of startup costs for the technical college and will allow the campus to offer 12 career training programs. Workforce training will be offered in high-demand fields such as HVAC, diesel systems, accounting, nursing, welding and healthcare, and will be available to Floridians in Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee and Collier counties.
“I am proud to award $5.8 million through the Governor’s Job Growth Grant Fund to create a new technical college campus in Moore Haven,” said Governor DeSantis. “This new campus will provide the area with access to workforce education that actually helps Floridians find high-paying jobs without being saddled by debt. By investing in projects that make a meaningful difference to Florida’s workforce, we have been able to keep our economy growing month-after-month, and we are continuing to build an even stronger industrial base in our state.”
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 28Naples Office:
3299 East Tamiami Trail
Suite 203
Naples, FL 34112
239-417-6205LaBelle Office:
25 East Hickpochee Avenue
Room J-126
LaBelle, FL 33935
863-674-7122Tallahassee Office:
330 Senate Office Building
Tallahassee, FL 32339
850-487-5028Not paid for at taxpayer expense.
Paid political advertisement paid for by Working Together for Florida P.C., 133 South Harbor Drive, Venice, FL 34285.
The Melo Minute – October 10, 2021
| News and updates you don’t want to miss. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|