The Democrat Party Left Us – We’re Now Republican

Karen and Joe lived in a peaceful community, and they were both passionate about politics and had always considered themselves Democrats. They believed in social justice, environmental conservation, and equal rights. But as the years went by, they noticed changes within the Democratic Party that left them feeling uneasy and uncertain.

Their story begins with a conversation at their favorite coffee shop. Joe sipped his coffee and looked at Karen, concern in his eyes. “Karen, have you noticed how much the Democratic Party has changed in recent years? It’s become so radical, and some of their policies seem extreme.”

Karen nodded, her brow furrowed. “I know what you mean, Joe. I used to be so proud to call myself a Democrat, but now it feels like the party has shifted too far to the left. I don’t even recognize it anymore.”

Their concerns weren’t born out of disagreement with core values but from a sense that the party they had once aligned with had moved away from its original principles of unity, compromise, and representation of diverse perspectives.

One evening, they decided to attend a local Republican Club meeting, driven by their curiosity to explore alternative viewpoints. The atmosphere was different from what they had expected.

Instead of hostility or exclusion, they found a diverse group of people willing to engage in respectful and open conversations.

As they attended more meetings and met with local Republican members, they discovered a range of perspectives and policies that resonated with their values. They learned about conservative approaches to issues like economic growth, limited government, and personal freedom, which seemed to offer a different path toward achieving the goals they had once held dear.

Their journey wasn’t about abandoning their principles but finding a political home that still upheld those values while offering a more moderate and balanced approach. They met Republicans who were deeply concerned about the direction of the country and who wanted to work together with those from other backgrounds to address challenges.

Over time, Karen and Joe officially switched their party affiliation to the Republican Party. They were greeted with open arms, and the local party members were genuinely excited to welcome them into the fold. The experience was a stark contrast to the divisive and polarizing political climate they had encountered before.

Karen and Joe found that they weren’t alone in their decision to switch parties. Many others in their community and across the country were experiencing a similar shift, searching for a party that embraced diverse perspectives and encouraged open dialogue.

Their journey was a reminder that the strength of a political party lay in its ability to adapt, listen to its members, and provide a platform for all voices. It showed that, regardless of one’s political affiliation, it was crucial to engage in constructive conversations and seek common ground for the betterment of the nation.

Karen and Joe’s story serves as a persuasive reminder for Republicans to continue reaching out to individuals who may be disenchanted with their current political home. It underscores the importance of building a party that is welcoming, inclusive, and open to those seeking a more moderate and balanced approach to addressing the country’s challenges.

Senator Passidomo Oct 19 Update

Words

This week, members of the Florida Legislature convened in Tallahassee for legislative committee hearings.

On Wednesday, I hosted a joint press conference with Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast) condemning the atrocities committed by Hamas and showing Florida’s strong support for the people of Israel.  We were joined by members of the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives.

“We are always proud to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters and to speak out against not only the horrific terror attacks in Israel, but also the all-too-frequent acts of anti-Semitism and hatred we see here in our own country,” I said from the podium.  “We condemn these acts, and we pray for Israeli victory, and for peace.”

Speaker Renner and I issued a joint proclamation on behalf of our respective chambers that officially supports Israel’s right to defend itself, condemns the barbaric attacks by Hamas, and demands the immediate end to any direct or indirect financial support directed to Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran.  A copy of this proclamation will be presented to the President of the United States, each member of the Florida delegation to the United States Congress and the Ambassador of the State of Israel to the United States.

Florida has made it clear that we stand proudly with our brothers and sisters in Israel, we recognize their right to exist as a sovereign state, and we support their right to defend themselves from any and all threats.

 

Senator Ben Albritton Selected as Next Senate President

The Senate Republican Caucus selected on Tuesday Senator Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) as Senate President-Designate to lead the chamber through the 2024-2026 term.  Senator Albritton was nominated by Senators Ed Hooper (R-Clearwater) and Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and was elected by a unanimous vote of his Republican Colleagues.

I was proud to support my friend and colleague to be our next Senate President.  I have the unique privilege and opportunity to serve two more years in the Senate after my term as President comes to an end.  I know Senator Albritton will bring to this role a curious mind and boundless creativity.  I am confident he will lead this chamber with the same passion and energy that he has invested during his 13 years as a legislator. >> Watch My Remarks

In his speech, delivered after his election, the newly named President-Designate Albritton highlighted his roots in Florida’s Heartland, his love for his wife and family, his support for Florida agriculture and his vision of what Florida’s future can be.

Discussing his upbringing on his family’s citrus farm in Wauchula, President-Designate Albritton stated, “We made a conscious decision to protect our groves from the threats that came our way. That’s not dissimilar from the work we do here in the Florida Senate. We make a conscious decision to protect our state and our constituents from the threats that face our families, our homes, our schools and our economy.”

Looking toward his tenure as Senate President, President-Designate Albritton displayed his excitement to work with his fellow Senators and our colleagues across the Rotunda, led by Speaker-Designate Daniel Perez, as they look to meet the challenges of our time and deliver results for Floridians in every corner of the state.

 

Connecting Floridians through Key Investments in Broadband

The Florida Department of Commerce joined on Wednesday the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism, chaired by Senator Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City), to provide an update on broadband initiatives across the state.

The Department of Commerce highlighted the critical nature of broadband in regard to Florida’s economy as it plays a key role in economic development – impacting workforce, infrastructure, housing and finance.

Through various important programs, the State of Florida is working to expand broadband services to Floridians across the state. The Department of Commerce highlighted the state’s recent investments to bring high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved homes, businesses and communities. With over 151 active projects in 60 counties, for a total investments of over $473 million, Florida is bringing high-speed internet to more than 309,000 homes and businesses.

Florida’s investments in broadband help to address a specific need across the entire state, but specifically rural Florida. With the expansion of Florida’s current broadband infrastructure, rural communities will be more connected than ever, improving quality of life and stimulating economic development, and providing new opportunities in healthcare and education.

 

Florida Leads the Way in Supporting Families and Communities

The Florida Department of Children and Families appeared on Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, chaired by Senator Ileana Garcia (R-Miami), to provide a presentation on the new Office of Community Services.

The Office of Community Services includes a variety of programs focused on care, prevention, and concentrated services to result in positive long-term outcomes for Florida’s most vulnerable children, adults and families.  Initiatives include prevention measures relating specifically to human trafficking, domestic violence, continuing care, and homelessness.

Through these critical programs, Florida continues the effort to increase vital services to support and protect our most vulnerable populations across the state.

 

The Florida Legislature will convene again in November for additional committee hearings.

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

Respectfully,

Kathleen C. Passidomo

Senate President
State Senator, District 28

Florida GOP Announces Republican Gains for September

With all the chaos occurring across the world and the focus on the back & forth of the Speakers race back home, I have some great news to share about the Republican Party back here in Florida.

Little background…On August 1st, the Florida Democrat Party launched and hyped a $1 Million statewide voter registration effort.

We had been curious how their efforts would impact the state voter registration numbers and with the state releasing the official numbers today, I will share there was an impact on voter registration… As The REPUBLICAN PARTY continued to EXPAND our voter registration lead by adding another 37,588 to our margin from September 1st to September 30th. Embarrassing for the Democrats, but well deserved considering just how vile and radical the Democrat Party has become. Read below for the full story of where Florida is trending!

-Christian Ziegler
Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida

Florida GOP’s Voter Registration Surge Dominates, Leaving Democrats in the Dust!

In under five years, the political landscape of Florida has been transformed. In September alone, the Republican Party of Florida added another 37,588 to our voter registration advantage, bringing our lead over Democrats to 626,518 as of September 30. This isn’t just a shift; it’s a seismic movement. Florida doesn’t merely lean red; it radiates a deep, darker red.

STATEMENT BY FLORIDAGOP CHAIRMAN CHRISTIAN ZIEGLER:

“It’s evident that the Democrat Party is on the path to extinction in our state, and their recent initiatives, such as the ‘Take Back Florida’ campaign, seem more like a $1 million can of snake oil sold to their donors, rather than genuine outreach.

Despite the noise, the clear message is that Floridians cannot distance themselves fast enough from the radical Democrat Party. Why? Well, it turns out that allowing the invasion of our country from the south while indoctrinating, sexualizing & mutilating children as prominent members of their party carry Hamas’ water just isn’t popular in our state, and the monumental swing of 956,946 voter registrations toward the GOP since 2016 proves that.

This shift in voter registration is good news not just for us today but for my daughters’ generation as we further continue to establish a sanctuary of sanity and freedom here in Florida. With that said – while the momentum is no doubt on our side, there’s no room for complacency, and The Republican Party cannot relax until every Democrat is out of office and no Democrat considers running for office in Florida.” – Christian Ziegler, FloridaGOP Chairman.

Sen. Rick Scott – Come Visit Us at Mobile Office Hours!

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Come Visit Us at Mobile Office Hours!

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Southwest Florida:

 

Next week, the staff of Senator Rick Scott will be holding Mobile Office Hours to assist Floridians with federal services, including help with federal agencies and veterans’ resources. See some of the tools and resources Senator Rick Scott’s Office offers HERE.

Next week’s Mobile Office Hours will be on:

Thursday, October 19, 2023

at the following location:

Ken & Susan Meyer Center for Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs

10:00AM – 1:00PM

Ken & Susan Meyer Center for Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs

3645 Gateway Lane

Naples, FL 34109

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President’s October Message – Love One Another

Russell Tuff
President
Collier County Republican Men’s Club

Salute, Connect and Love One Another

It’s finally here! Our next meeting on November 3 will be a luncheon, and it is our 6th Annual Salute to Veterans. This is our major fundraising event of the year.

While we always have an outstanding and inspiring speaker at our monthly meetings, this annual event also provides the funding for our veteran services donations and our scholarships. Please plan to attend, and I promise you’ll go home feeling proud to be an American, and you will be contributing to the future greatness of our community and country.

Learn more here.

It’s New

Hopefully you can make it on Tuesday October 10 to our first ever early evening social event that we’re calling “The Right Connections.” This event was originally scheduled in September, but was canceled due to Hurricane Idalia.

In addition to our regular breakfast meetings, many members have expressed an interest in meeting later in the day in order to have a better chance to socialize than is possible when one must leave to meet the challenges of the day after a breakfast meeting.  Learn more here.

To fill that niche, the Republican Men’s Club will be hosting a social at South Street Oven at Immokalee Road and Collier Blvd.

Promoting Republican Values

I am deeply concerned about the internal divisions within the Republican Party and our failure to uphold the Judeo-Christian values we often speak of. When any of us find ourselves criticizing fellow Republicans, we should instead strive to follow the commandment to “love one another” and remember the words from Corinthians: “If I don’t have love, I am but a clanging cymbal.”

Name calling such as “RINO’s” and other names because our fellow Republicans may hold minor differences in opinion, leaves openings for more policies by the Democrats, who seem to be able to overcome their differences and move even more to the
Left.

To achieve our goals in a Democrat-controlled Senate and White House, we must point out the shortcomings of the Democrat’s policies and highlight the benefits of implementing Republican values. We should focus on winning over the undecided 10% of voters through a message of love rather than belittling them. We already have the “right” leaning voters in our camp. We now have to get the moderates, and those more left leaning that have had enough of the destruction being promoted, such as men competing in women’s sports, boys in girl’s bathrooms, our overwhelmed borders, and Bidenflation causing $700 additional monthly expenses to the average household. I could go on and on.

This approach is essential for reclaiming our country and living in accordance with the cherished values we hold dear.

Senator Rick Scott’s Week in Review

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Dear Fellow Floridian,

Each quarter, I am grateful for the opportunity to support the incredible organizations serving our state and community by donating my Senate salary.

This quarter, Ann and I have the privilege of supporting the work of Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Citrus County Family Resource Center and the Cedar Key Food Pantry, and all these organizations have done for their communities and families after Hurricane Idalia.

After any major storm like Idalia, you see devastation and destruction, but among the stories of heartbreak, you see incredible acts of heroism, love and selflessness. That’s what makes Floridians so resilient, and these organizations and their volunteers are the perfect example of that. Despite facing impacts to their own homes and belongings, they jumped into action to open their doors and serve others in need. I have seen the good that their work has done firsthand during my visits to impacted communities after the storm.

I’m not done fighting to get those impacted by Ian and Idalia the relief they need to recover, starting with my Federal Disaster Responsibility Act, which ensures FEMA’s disaster relief fund is fully funded and our farmers get the block grants they deserve.

One note on the ongoing funding fight in Washington. We need to end the shutdown hostage taking. That’s why I’m fighting to pass the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act, which would make sure the government never shuts down again, and No Budget, No Pay, requiring Congress to pass an annual budget & meet appropriations bill deadlines or forgo their taxpayer-funded salaries until the job is done.

When I came to Washington, I was hired by Florida families to make Washington work for them, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.

Read more about my fight to help Florida families recover HERE.

 

Sincerely,

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Rick Scott

United States Senator

 

To be the first to find out about Senator Scott’s actions and statements, follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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

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Sen. Rick Scott Discusses Fight for Florida Ag During Roundtable with Sen. John Boozman & Ag Comm. Wilton Simpson

Senator Rick Scott hosted a roundtable to discuss issues facing Florida’s agriculture industry and his priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill. Senator John Boozman, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Florida farmers joined Senator Scott for the discussion at Parkesdale Farm in Dover, Florida.

For nearly a year, Senator Scott has been fighting to deliver resources to Florida’s growers and ranchers by getting his bipartisan Block Grant Assistance Act to President Biden’s desk. This urgently needed legislation provides authority for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue block grants to Florida’s growers and all U.S. agriculture producers devastated by recent natural disasters. Following the devastating landfall of major Category 3 Hurricane Idalia, Senator Scott introduced his Federal Disaster Responsibility Act, which includes the Block Grant Assistance Act, to fully fund FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund and deliver support to America’s growers and ranchers.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Today, I was proud to welcome Senator Boozman to the Sunshine State so he could hear directly from Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and our state’s hardworking growers about what they need to succeed. As the Senate considers the upcoming Farm Bill, I am focused on helping our growers and ranchers by cutting red tape, encouraging buy-America requirements, and strengthening disaster relief aid so folks can recover from natural disasters that have impacted Florida’s farmland. Today’s roundtable made clear that while Florida’s agriculture industry is known around the world, things are tough for hardworking families in our state right now. Our growers and ranchers keep food on our tables and drive our economy forward – we must make sure that they have the resources needed to recover from the many challenges they’ve recently faced and thrive in the years ahead. That’s why I’ll be fighting hard to deliver for our growers in the Farm Bill and to make sure Congress finally passes my Federal Disaster Responsibility Act.”  

Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott: Rumored Disaster Aid in CR isn’t Enough, Senate Must Pass My Disaster Relief Bill

After months of fighting to secure disaster relief funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), Senator Rick Scott released the following statement demanding passage of his Federal Disaster Responsibility Act. This bill would fund FEMA’s DRF with $16.5 billion in addition to any funding the DRF receives in a continuing resolution, and deliver urgently needed disaster aid to America’s growers and ranchers. Reporting from earlier this month suggested that the continuing resolution being crafted behind closed doors by Senate leadership would provide $20 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, $16 billion less than the agency has said it needs for disaster response and recovery efforts.

Last week, Democrat Senator Sheldon Whitehouse blocked Senator Scott’s request on the Senate floor to schedule a vote on his bill because it didn’t have Ukraine aid. With Senator Whitehouse’s objection, Senate Democrats denied the Senate an opportunity to vote on and pass this bill.

Senator Rick Scott said, “For months, Senate Democrats have stood in the way of my commonsense legislation to make sure that FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund is fully funded and American growers and ranchers can access the block grants they need to recover from natural disasters. Democrats said no to this proposal again last week when I asked on the Senate floor for a simple vote on this bill. Here’s the deal—Florida families aren’t taking no for an answer and neither am I. I’ve heard rumors that the continuing resolution will have $20 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund. That’s $16 billion less than what FEMA has told us it needs to be whole and continue showing up for disasters. That’s why my bill would authorize additional funding—on top of whatever funding is in the CR—so we can deliver urgently needed supplemental disaster funding for families in Florida, California, Hawaii and other states recently impacted by disasters, as well as block grants for American farmers. FEMA said it needs $36 billion and anything less than that is simply inadequate and will cause more pain for hardworking Americans. I will not yield to more Washington dysfunction. I will raise hell until the Senate does right by American families and puts Americans above foreign aid and votes on my commonsense disaster relief bill.”

Read more HERE.

Following Bipartisan Push from Senators Rick Scott & Jacky Rosen, Israel Admitted to Visa Waiver Program

Senators Rick Scott and Jacky Rosen applauded the announcement of Israel’s inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program following their bipartisan push. The Visa Waiver Program allows individuals from participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Today’s announcement of Israel’s admittance into the Visa Waiver Program is great news and the product of months of strong, bipartisan support for Israel in Congress. I have been proud to work alongside Senator Jacky Rosen to urge the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security to take this action, which further strengthens the bond between the United States and our great ally, Israel, through increased tourism and business travel. Every step toward increased partnership between the American and Israeli people only reinforces the special relationship between our nations. I look forward to seeing the positive cultural and economic outcomes this development will bring.”

Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott Leads Reintroduction of Unnecessary Agency Regulations Reduction Act

Senator Rick Scott was joined by Senators Tom Cotton, Thom Tillis, James Risch, Mike Crapo, Ron Johnson, Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz and Eric Schmitt to reintroduce the Unnecessary Agency Regulations Reduction Act to reduce burdensome government regulations and more efficiently dispose of outdated, duplicative or unnecessary agency regulations. This legislation will create a mechanism to eliminate multiple regulations originating from federal executive branch agencies in a joint resolution.

The Unnecessary Agency Regulations Reduction Act is endorsed by Heritage Action, FreedomWorks, Americans for Prosperity, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the National Taxpayers Union, the R Street Institute and the Competitive Enterprise Institute.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Washington’s complete dysfunction is on full display. Everywhere you look you see a confusing web of outdated regulations, duplicative processes and burdensome red tape within our federal agencies, some of which haven’t been reviewed or used by these agencies for decades. It’s inefficient and a complete waste of tax dollars. Our Unnecessary Agency Regulations Reduction Act will streamline the federal government to make it work better for the American people. We did this in Florida when I was governor, cutting more than 5,000 burdensome regulations, and businesses thrived. With Joe Biden and Democrats’ overreaching and inflation-fueling policies hurting American families, it’s about time we bring this commonsense approach nationwide.”

Read more HERE. 

Sen. Rick Scott Donates Quarterly Salary to Organizations Helping Floridians Impacted by Hurricane Idalia

Senator Rick Scott and Mrs. Ann Scott announced that the senator is donating his quarterly Senate salary to Second Harvest of the Big Bend, the Citrus County Family Resource Center and the Cedar Key Food Pantry. These organizations have played major roles in their communities to support families and businesses following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Idalia. Senator Scott has donated his Senate salary every quarter since taking office in 2019.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Ann and I are grateful for the opportunity to support the work of Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Citrus County Family Resource Center and the Cedar Key Food Pantry and all these organizations have done for their communities and families after Hurricane Idalia. After any major storm like Idalia, you see devastation and destruction, but among the stories of heartbreak, you see incredible acts of heroism, love and selflessness. That’s what makes Floridians so resilient and these organizations and their volunteers are the perfect example of that. Despite facing impacts to their own homes and belongings, they jumped into action to open their doors and serve others in need. I have seen the good that their work has done firsthand during my visits to impacted communities after the storm. As I fight to make sure the federal government continues to show up until the job is done, these organizations are having a direct positive impact for Floridians every day and we are so grateful for their work.”

Read more HERE. 

On Hurricane Ian Anniversary, Sen. Rick Scott Demands Relief for Florida Families, Farmers

On the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian, Senator Rick Scott released the following video sharing an update and demanding the passage of his Federal Disaster Responsibility ActThis urgently-needed bill, which Senator Scott announced just days after Hurricane Idalia made its catastrophic landfall in Florida’s Big Bend, includes key authorizations and funding to make sure the federal government is a reliable partner to those fighting to recover from natural disasters.

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Read more HERE. 

Sen. Rick Scott Leads Colleagues on Bill to Keep Border Agents Paid During Government Shutdowns

As the border crisis continues to rage out of control and the federal government approaches a possible shutdown, Senator Rick Scott led his colleagues in introducing the Keep Our Border Agents Paid Act. This bill would ensure U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and contractors are paid in the unfortunate case of a government shutdown. This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Jim Risch, Tim Scott, Roger Wicker, Dan Sullivan and Ron Johnson, and endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council. Read more from Fox News HERE.

Senator Rick Scott is also a cosponsor of the Pay Our Military Act and the Pay Our Coast Guard Act to ensure the military and Coast Guard are paid as well in the event of a government shutdown. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats blocked both efforts to ensure these members are paid for their work and held harmless.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I have been to the southern border three times since President Biden took office, and the crisis is worse each time I visit. Failed leadership created this crisis and we cannot allow the border to go unchecked, and our border patrol agents to go unpaid, due to a failure of Washington to fund government.”

Read more HERE. 

Sen. Rick Scott Leads Colleagues in Demanding Mayorkas Rescind Appointments of Known Disinformation Spreaders to Intelligence Group

Senators Rick Scott, Rand Paul, Ron Johnson and Roger Marshall, all members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging him to immediately rescind the appointments of James Clapper, John Brennan and Paul Kolbe to the newly formed Homeland Intelligence Experts Group. The senators are also demanding answers on how these appointment decisions were made. These individuals are known purveyors of disinformation who asserted, without evidence, that the abandoned laptop of Joe Biden’s son and the voluminous records of incriminating information it contained were “Russian disinformation.”

Read the full letter HERE.Read more HERE. 

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. This week, Senator Rick Scott hosted a roundtable discussion with Florida farmers who are feeling the pain of Washington’s dysfunction and reckless spending spree amid rising inflation and the failure of the federal government to provide block grants to Florida’s growers and all U.S. agriculture producers devastated by recent natural disasters. Senator Scott recently spoke on the Senate floor calling for passage of his Federal Disaster Responsibility Act, which includes his Block Grant Assistance Act, but Senate Democrats blocked it.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I was with Florida farmers earlier this week and they’re all feeling the pain of Washington’s reckless spending spree. Instead of fighting inflation and providing crucial disaster block grants to these folks, Democrats are leaving our farmers out to dry as they face soaring costs. While Senate Democrats While have been happy to green light TRILLIONS in reckless spending, their refusal to stand with American farmers makes you mad. It’s CRAZY and a slap in the face to these hardworking Americans who put food on our tables and keep America’s economy moving. Our farmers, growers and ranchers deserve better than to be used as a political pawn to get aid for a foreign cause. It’s past time to put the folks fueling our economy and feeding our families first. We must pass my Federal Disaster Responsibility Act NOW!”

Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.

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10 Tampa Bay: Sen. Rick Scott Continues Fight to Deliver Disaster Relief for Florida Ag Community

Senator Rick Scott hosted a roundtable in Dover to discuss issues facing Florida’s agriculture industry, his priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill and the urgent need for Congress to pass his Federal Disaster Responsibility Act and deliver federal disaster aid following major Hurricanes Ian and Idalia. Senator John Boozman, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Florida farmers joined Senator Scott for the discussion at Parkesdale Farm.

For nearly a year, Senator Scott has been fighting to deliver resources to Florida’s growers and ranchers by getting his bipartisan Block Grant Assistance Act to President Biden’s desk. This urgently needed legislation provides authority for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue block grants to Florida’s growers and all U.S. agriculture producers devastated by recent natural disasters. Following the devastating landfall of major Category 3 Hurricane Idalia, Senator Scott introduced his Federal Disaster Responsibility Act, which includes the Block Grant Assistance Act, to fully fund FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund and deliver support to America’s growers and ranchers.

Watch more HERE 

Fox News: Senator Rick Scott to roll out measure to ‘keep our border agents paid’ during possible government shutdown

Florida’s Voice: Patronis, Scott plan to host roundtable to combat Biden’s IRS

Florida’s Voice: Commissioner Simpson works with Rick Scott on passing pro-farmer legislation

Florida Daily: Rick Scott, Jackie Rosen Helped Get White House to Include Israel in Visa Waiver Program

The Floridian: Scott Celebrates Israel’s Inclusion to the Visa Waiver Program

The Floridian: Scott Reintroduces Bill to Cut Down on Govt. Agency Regulations

The Floridian: With the Farm Bill Looming, Scott Addresses Florida’s Agriculture Problems

The Floridian: Florida Congressional Delegation Remembers Dianne Feinstein

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Senator Scott in Plant City

Senator Scott stopped by Johnson BBQ to hear Owen Johnson’s story of how his business started and continues to grow 60 years later.

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Senator Scott in Dover

Senator Scott hosted a roundtable to discuss issues facing Florida’s agriculture industry and his priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill. Senator John Boozman, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Florida farmers joined Senator Scott for the discussion at Parkesdale Farm.

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Senator Scott in Marianna

Senator Scott also had the privilege of visiting Jackson County Sheriff Donnie Edenfield and meeting with local law enforcement officers to thank them for all they do to keep the community safe.

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Senator Scott in Jackson County

Senator Scott also joined Jackson County officials for the dedication of Governor Rick Scott Drive and to thank them for the honor.

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Senator Rick Scott’s Week in Review

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Dear Fellow Floridian,

As I travel the state to talk to Florida families, inflation is the number one thing that comes up.

The unfortunate reality is that Bidenomics in action means another month of rising inflationthat continues to hurt Floridians. Recently, I heard from a first responder in Southwest Florida who told me, ‘… gas money to and from work is outrageous, and the cost of food has increased substantially. All of this makes it unaffordable to both live and work in Southwest Florida. I am unable to buy a home in the community that I serve…’ I also heard from an 82-year-old Floridian struggling in retirement because of Biden’s skyrocketing inflation crisis. As someone on a fixed income, who saved their whole life for retirement, she can barely make ends meet while already on a frugal budget. She wrote, ‘We elderly do not expect to live high on the hog. We are from the generation that learned to be frugal, but we can’t even afford do that now.’

On top of soaring prices from Biden’s inflation crisis, countless Florida families recovering from Hurricane Ian and Idalia are now facing other challenges as they recover and rebuild.

It’s heartbreaking to hear this from any Floridian and especially infuriating to hear it from someone who is putting their safety at risk to serve others or a family working to recover from devastating hurricanes.

Florida families need relief from Democrats’ spending spree and sky rocketing inflation and they need it NOW. As Congress considers yet another spending package, I’ll be fighting like hell to force Washington back to fiscal sanity and ensure Floridians get theresources they need from their federal government to recover.

To read more about my fight to Make Washington Work for you, click HERE. For a robust guide of the federal resources available to Floridians recovering from Hurricane Idalia, click HERE.

Sincerely,

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Rick Scott

United States Senator

P.S. Sunday, September 17th, is the LAST DAY to apply for a U.S. Military Service Academy Nomination this year. Click HERE to apply. 

To be the first to find out about Senator Scott’s actions and statements, follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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

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Sen. Rick Scott: We Will Never Forget

On the 22nd anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement and video to remember and honor the Americans lost on that tragic day in 2001.

Senator Rick Scott said, “It has been 22 years since the devastating terrorist attack that shook the United States. I was in New York City on September 11, 2001, and saw the terror and devastation inflicted on our nation. The tragedy continues each and every day for the survivors, first responders and families of the victims. As we remember the lives we lost too soon during that horrific act of terror, I wish to extend my condolences and prayers for those mourning the loss of their loved ones this Patriot Day. The United States will always stand for freedom, democracy and opportunity. That will never be taken from us, and we will never forget.”

Watch the full video HERE.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING… Sen. Rick Scott’s Disaster Relief Bill Garners Support From Florida’s Sheriffs, Counties & Leaders

Earlier this month, following the devastating landfall of major Category 3 Hurricane Idalia, Senator Rick Scott introduced his Federal Disaster Responsibility Act to provide emergency relief for natural disasters, deliver support to America’s growers and ranchers and authorize tax cuts for disaster losses. Senator Marco Rubio joined as a cosponsor of the bill and Congresswoman Kat Cammack is leading the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Senator Scott’s proposal has been endorsed by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Wilton Simpson, the Florida Association of Counties, and the Florida Sheriffs Association.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Wilton Simpson said, “Florida’s agriculture community suffered more than a billion dollars in damage and losses during last year’s hurricane season, and they are now recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Idalia. I applaud Senator Scott, Senator Rubio, and Representative Cammack for bringing forward this critical piece of legislation that puts hardworking Americans first. The Federal Disaster Responsibility Act will ensure the final passage of the Block Grant Assistance Act, which will give the support and relief needed for our agricultural industry to recover from devastating natural disasters. It will also secure an expanded version of the Hurricane Tax Relief Act, that will provide disaster-loss tax relief to families impacted by hurricanes.”

Florida Sheriffs Association President and Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said, “Senator Rick Scott and Florida’s leaders are commonly the first to act when it comes to responding to natural disasters because they know the impact of the devastation all too well. The Federal Disaster Responsibility Act will ensure that we are addressing disaster relief and recovery efforts so that essential resources are available to respond, recover, and rebuild.”

In a letter from the Florida Association of Counties, President Bill Truex wrote, “On behalf of the Florida Association of Counties representing Florida’s elected county commissioners, I am writing in support of the Federal Disaster Responsibility Act, which you and Senator Rubio have introduced in the U.S. Senate. We understand that Congresswoman Kat Cammack recently introduced the companion measure (H.R. 5343) in the U.S. House of Representatives…

“The substance and timing of the proposed legislation is critical to Florida. It ensures storm victims receive disaster relief. Additionally, the $16.5 billion included in the bill, which exceeds the Biden Administration’s request by $500 million, guarantees resources will be available for continued hurricane response, recovery, and rebuilding activities in our affected local communities. Moreover, in light of the agriculture losses from Hurricane Ian – estimated at $1.03 billion by the University of Florida – this legislation provides needed relief to a critical sector of Florida’s economy.

“In addition, we appreciate the language in Section 5 that limits the application of mandatory easements for shore protection projects when storm rehabilitation efforts are required. This important modification will ensure coastal communities, not only Florida but around the nation, can restore beaches ravaged by natural disasters with federal participation, move projects forward without delay, and provide needed protection before the next disaster.”

Read more HERE.

Sens. Rick Scott, Marco Rubio & Rep. Neal Dunn Introduce Bill to Honor Former FSU Coach Bobby Bowden

Senator Rick Scott announced the introduction of legislation in the U.S. Senate to award the late Florida State University (FSU) Football Coach Bobby Bowden, a legend and leader who passed away in 2021, with a Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions on and off the gridiron. Coach Bowden served as head coach of the FSU football team from 1976 to 2009. Coach Bowden’s teams at FSU won two national championships (1993 and 1999) and 12 Atlantic Coast Conference titles. Bowden posted a 316-97-4 record in his 34 years at FSU and was also widely revered for his humanitarian contributions. In 2011, he was awarded the ‘‘Children’s Champion Award for Leadership Development’’ by the Children’s Hunger Fund, and in 2004, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization began presenting an annual ‘‘The National Bobby Bowden Award’’ to a football player for their philanthropic work. Senator Marco Rubio is a cosponsor of the bill and Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. is leading the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

The Congressional Gold Medal seeks to honor those, individually or as a group, “who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient’s field long after the achievement.” It is Congress’ highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals or institutions.

Senator Rick Scott said, “While Coach Bobby Bowden was a legend on the football field, it is the generations of students, athletes and countless others he led and served off the field, that will forever define his greatness as an extraordinary leader, Floridian and American. Coach Bowden will be forever a Seminole, forever a Floridian, and with this legislation forever honored and recognized by the United States Congress for his lifetime of service and leadership.”

Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott on 0.6% Rise in Inflation Last Month: Bidenomics is Forcing Retirees Back into the Workforce

Following the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Senator Rick Scott released the below statement highlighting the need to implement substantive fiscal reforms to end the ongoing inflation crisis fueled by the Biden administration’s reckless tax-and-spend agenda. August’s CPI data shows that there has been a significant rise in inflation during Biden’s presidency, with CPI increasing 0.6% last month and 3.7% over the year in August 2023. Since Biden took office, inflation is up 17.3%. If inflation continued to increase at this monthly rate, CPI would be at 7.4% annualized.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Bidenomics in action means another month of rising inflation that continues to hurt Floridians. As I travel the state to talk to Floridians, inflation is the number one thing that comes up. I recently heard from an 82-year-old Floridian struggling in retirement because of Biden’s skyrocketing inflation crisis. As someone on a fixed income, who saved their whole life for retirement, she can barely make ends meet while already on a frugal budget. She wrote, ‘We elderly do not expect to live high on the hog. We are from the generation that learned to be frugal, but we can’t even afford do that now.’ It’s real people like this Floridian who are struggling that I wish the president would listen to and care about. As Congress considers yet another spending package, I’ll be fighting like hell to force Washington back to fiscal sanity. Since 2019, our population has grown just 1.8% but the budget is up 55%. That’s unsustainable, fueling inflation and must end NOW.”

Read more HERE. 

Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sen. Rand Paul in Requesting Information on CIA Whistleblower Allegations Concerning COVID-19 Origins Investigation

Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Rand Paul, Lindsey Graham and Ron Johnson in sending a letter to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William J. Burns, requesting information on the recent whistleblower allegations related to the CIA’s investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

According to a letter from the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic (Select Subcommittee) and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), a recent whistleblower testimony made by a senior-level CIA Officer contends that the Agency paid off six analysts that determined COVID-19 likely originated from a lab leak. The letter states that the CIA assigned seven officers with significant scientific expertise to a COVID Discovery Team. After their review, six of the seven members believed the intelligence and science available were sufficient to make a low-confidence assessment that COVID-19 originated from a laboratory in Wuhan, China. The letter asserts that the six members were given a significant monetary incentive to change their position, leading to the CIA’s public determination of uncertainty on COVID-19 origins.

“These allegations are deeply concerning and raise serious questions about the Agency’s investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the senators wrote. “For this reason, we request you provide our offices with the following information no later than September 25, 2023.” 

Read more HERE. 

Sen. Rick Scott on PPI Inflation Report: Bidenomics is Ruining Floridians’ American Dream

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which showed inflation continued to rise. Since Joe Biden became president, PPI has risen 17.6%.

Senator Rick Scott said, “With PPI inflation now up 17.6% since Joe Biden took office, small businesses across Florida have only one choice: raise prices or go under. That means that hardworking Florida families are continuing to suffer from high prices everywhere they go: the gas pump, the grocery store and their favorite local shop. It’s destroying their budgets and savings and making the American Dream nearly impossible to reach. I recently heard from a first responder in Southwest Florida who told me, ‘… gas money to and from work is outrageous, and the cost of food has increased substantially. All of this makes it unaffordable to both live and work in Southwest Florida. I am unable to buy a home in the community that I serve…’ It’s heartbreaking to hear this from any Floridian and especially infuriating to hear it from someone who is putting their safety at risk to serve others. As we work on government funding bills for the coming fiscal year, we have an opportunity to stop Washington’s reckless spending that keeps fueling inflation. I’m hell bent on getting that done and forcing Washington to finally work for Florida families.”

Read more HERE. 

Sen. Rick Scott Celebrates Third Anniversary of Abraham Accords

On the third anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords, Senator Rick Scott shared his Fox News op-ed, originally published on July 14, emphasizing the importance of Israel as America’s ally in the Middle East and the significance of the Accords in fostering peace throughout the region and beyond. Earlier this year, Senator Scott visited Israel, Bahrain and the UAE where he met with leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In his op-ed, Senator Scott praises the progress achieved under the Abraham Accords and stresses the need for U.S. policy to be rooted in America’s security interests. Read more about Senator Scott’s visit to Israel HERE.

Read more HERE. 

VIDEO RELEASE Sen. Rick Scott Celebrates Florida’s Hispanic Communities During Hispanic Heritage Month

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In recognition and celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Senator Rick Scott released a video featuring Hispanic leaders and entrepreneurs from Florida’s Puerto Rican, Cuban, Venezuelan, Colombian, and Nicaraguan communities. In the video, Senator Scott highlights and celebrates the incredible people, stories, and contributions of the Hispanic community that have shaped Florida’s history and helped to make the Sunshine State an incredible melting pot and the best place in the nation to live, work and raise a family.

Senator Rick Scott said, “As we mark the first day of this special month, I want to highlight some of the many Hispanic Floridians, who with their hard work and dedication, have helped make Florida the best place in the country to live, work and visit. Their contributions have become icons in Florida, and everyone should know the story behind them. Thank you to the Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and the entire Hispanic community in Florida for demonstrating with actions the importance of fighting for freedom and democracy, for never resting until you achieve your dreams and for enriching our state with your wonderful culture. ¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!”

Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.

Sen. Rick Scott & Colleagues to President Biden: Deny Evil Regimes’ Visa Requests for UN General Assembly

Senator Rick Scott led two letters with his colleagues to President Biden demanding that his administration deny visas for Cuban dictator Miguel Díaz-Canel, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and their staff to attend the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Read more HERE.

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 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releasing Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) numbers for August, which showed inflation continued to rise. Since Joe Biden became president, CPI has risen 17.3% and PPI has risen 17.6%.

Earlier this week, following the latest CPI announcement by the BLS, Senator Scott released the following statement.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Bidenomics in action means another month of rising inflation that continues to hurt Floridians. As I travel the state to talk to Floridians, inflation is the number one thing that comes up. I recently heard from an 82-year-old Floridian struggling in retirement because of Biden’s skyrocketing inflation crisis. As someone on a fixed income, who saved their whole life for retirement, she can barely make ends meet while already on a frugal budget. She wrote, ‘We elderly do not expect to live high on the hog. We are from the generation that learned to be frugal, but we can’t even afford do that now.’ It’s real people like this Floridian who are struggling that I wish the president would listen to and care about. As Congress considers yet another spending package, I’ll be fighting like hell to force Washington back to fiscal sanity. Since 2019, our population has grown just 1.8% but the budget is up 55%. That’s unsustainable, fueling inflation and must end NOW.”

Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.

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Sen. Rick Scott in the Palm Beach Post: Replenish FEMA but don’t tie that to Ukraine Aid

Following the Palm Beach Post’s September 6th opinion piece that advocated for pairing Ukraine funding with disaster funding following the landfall of Major Category 3 Hurricane Idalia in Florida, Senator Rick Scott responded with a letter to the editor reiterating his call to keep the two separate and the need for Congress to immediately pass his Federal Disaster Responsibility Act.

Last week, Senator Scott introduced his Federal Disaster Responsibility Act to provide emergency relief for natural disasters, following the devastating landfall of major Category 3 Hurricane Idalia in Florida’s Big Bend. This bill will ensure Florida families, agricultural communities and all Americans facing hardships following natural disasters are taken care of. Senator Marco Rubio joined as a cosponsor of the bill and Congresswoman Kat Cammack is leading the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

In the letter to the editor, Senator Rick Scott wrote:

“I’m glad to see the Editorial Board agree (Sept. 6) that Washington needs to stop playing politics and pass a bill that fully funds FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) now – something I discussed personally with President Biden when I met him in Live Oak last weekend. I, along with Senator Marco Rubio, have been fighting to get this done for months – long before Hurricane Idalia devastated the Big Bend as a major Category 3 storm – but it’s even more important now. However, the Editorial Board is mistaken in its assumption that it would be easier and better if every other member of Congress just passed President Biden’s funding proposal, including the $40 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine he is requesting. Not true at all.

“While the president’s proposal is far from being widely embraced and accepted in Congress, every major provision of our Federal Disaster Responsibility Act has been previously passed by Congress in response to a hurricane. The president’s proposal funds FEMA’s DRF at $16 billion, which is $500 million less than the $16.5 billion that our bill authorizes, and it does not include the other, critically important measures contained in our Federal Disaster Responsibility Act. After Hurricanes Irma and Michael, Congress gave growers access to block grants to make sure our agriculture industry had the resources needed to recover. Doing this again in our bill by passing the Block Grant Assistance Act would help growers in Florida, Georgia, California and Illinois. The president’s proposal does not include this.

“Unlike the president’s proposal, our bill would also pass the Hurricane Tax Relief Act, providing tax cuts for losses suffered in disasters. This would apply across the nation and include relief for taxpayers in New York, Hawaii, California, Illinois, Florida and others. Congress previously extended this tax relief following storms like Hurricanes Irma, Wilma, Dorian, and Michael. Finally, unlike the president’s proposal, our Federal Disaster Responsibility Act commits necessary funds and resources to America’s military installations to fully rebuild and recover from hurricane damage.

Funding for Ukraine should NEVER be paired with disaster relief for American families. We need to put American families first and immediately pass the Federal Disaster Responsibility Act.”

Read the letter to the editor in the Palm Beach Post HERE.

NBC: Sen. Rick Scott: Americans ‘will never forgive’ Biden if he pardons Hunter

Newsmax: Rick Scott Pushing to Shift Pharmaceutical Production Away From China

Daily Caller: GOP Senator Teams Up With Elizabeth Warren To Sound The Alarm On ‘Compromised’ Fed Official

The Hill: Rick Scott marks ‘Bald is Beautiful Day’ by welcoming Mike Lee into the club

Breitbart: Rick Scott: ‘Unbelievable’ Senate Democrats Holding Disaster Relief Hostage for Ukraine Aid

Okeechobee News: Scott asks officials, public to speak out against hate

The Floridian: Scott Demands Answers on CIA Bribing Agents Over COVID Origin

The Floridian: Rubio and Scott File Bill to Expand Florida’s Miccosukee Reserved Area

Florida Daily: Wilton Simpson Backs Rick Scott’s, Kat Cammack’s Disaster Relief Proposal

Florida Daily: Florida Congressional Republicans: Proposed Critical Habit for Rice’s Whale Must Not Impact Gulf Testing and Training Range

Florida Daily: Rick Scott, Neal Dunn Want to Honor Bobby Bowden With Congressional Gold Medal 

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Senator Scott’s Team in Naples

Senator Scott’s team attended the Collier County Sheriff’s Office 9/11 Memorial Ceremony in Naples.

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Senator Scott’s Team in Orlando

Senator Scott’s team also attended the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida iLatina Leadership Summit Gala in Orlando.

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Senator Scott’s Team in Bradenton

Another event Senator Scott’s team attended was the Tribute to Heroes Memorial Ceremony in Bradenton.

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Senator Scott’s Team in Miami

Senator Scott’s team also celebrated with Israel’s Consul General and South Florida Elected Officials for the kickoff of Rosh Hashanah.

 

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Three Exciting events in 60 days – September President’s Message

Russell Tuff
President
Collier County Republican Men’s Club

We’ve got an exciting agenda ahead over the next two month for the Republican Men’s Club of Collier County. First the business news. We announced at the September meeting that we offered up a proposal for changing the By-Laws that will be voted on at the next meeting. If you didn’t receive them, you can reach them by clicking here.

We had great comments from the attendees of our speaker Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli. She promised the full version of her presentation.  click here to view the details  In addition, Dr Ricciardelli provided a Fiscal Report and the upcoming budget proposal. There is also a photo gallery of the morning participants.

It is imperative that we remain steadfast in our commitment to our Republican ideals, advocating for policies that promote personal freedom, fiscal responsibility, and economic growth. By standing united, we can ensure that our voices are heard, and our vision for a prosperous America remains at the forefront of local and national discussions.

Please consider joining fellow members in a strictly social setting as we kick off “The Right Connections” which will be held on October 10th from 5 to 7 pm, at South Street City Oven in the Founders Square at Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard. The intent is to get to know each other a little better and provide opportunities to attract new members to our Republican club. Women are invited. Learn More Here.

Jason Lewis is our October speaker. He is a firebrand talk show host in Minnesota, often guest hosted the Rush Limbaugh show, is an author, and a former congressman. Learn more here.

Last, but certainly not least, we provided over $16,000 in scholarships to young Republicans as the go to college. We can only continue to do that if you support our upcoming Salute to Veterans program. It is an event where we honor our veterans and help in providing funding to support veteran services.

In the coming months, let us work together tirelessly to advance Republican values. We encourage everyone to get involved, volunteer, and support Republican candidates who share our vision for Collier County and our nation.

Thank you for your dedication to our cause. Together, we can make a positive impact on our community and preserve the principles we hold dear.

Sincerely,

Russell Tuff

President, Republican Men’s Club of Collier County.

Wrap Up – Breakfast With School Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli – What to know

From Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli,

I want to express my gratitude for such a warm welcome and for the opportunity to introduce myself to the group and to share information on CCPS. As promised, I have attached the presentation I shared this morning.

Click on the Presentation Here

Also, I want to include some additional information for your members just in case they want to dig a little deeper into the work of the school district. Visitors to our school district’s “Did You Know” webpage (link and screen shot below) will see the Explaining Figures section where this is a one-page flyer regarding the 23-24 Proposed Budget.  They will also be able to go through the Fiscal Responsibility presentation from a recent School Board meeting and also be able to view a video presentation addressing common misconceptions from our Chief Financial Officer John Antonacci.

Click Here to review fast facts

 

View the Photo Gallery from the breakfast

 

September Clerk of Courts

Download a PDF copy of this newsletter

The Clerk’s Report – September 2023

The peak of hurricane season is officially upon us. Collier County did not take a direct hit from Hurricane Idalia, but we need to remain vigilant throughout the season. Make sure to get your supplies ready and regularly check the news for hurricane warnings and updates. Always stay prepared!

Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation Budgeting Practices Impact Taxpayers

Over the past few months, we’ve shared news about critical issues impacting Courts around the state with updates on HB 977 and its impact on the budget issue. The current funding model for Clerks of Court around the state is unworkable.

Collier Clerk’s Satellite Locations Make Services More Accessible

Did you know that in the first half of 2023, an average of 76% of the passport applications processed by the Clerk of Courts were accepted through the Clerk’s satellite offices? That includes a staggering 7,691 passport applications.

Your Career Path Starts Here!

Meet Satellite Deputy Clerk Tim Jones!
Watch his full video here.
Become a part of our team! Visit CollierClerk.com/careers to see available job opportunities!

Collier County is Florida’s Most Generous County

Congratulations, Collier County citizens! According to a recent study by SmartAsset, Collier County is the most charitable county in Florida, with 11.87% of tax returns itemizing charitable contributions, contributing an average of 2.99% of our income.

Closing the Books on Fiscal Year 2023

One of the critical roles of Collier County Clerk’s Finance Department is closing the books and preparing an audit report of how Collier’s $1.9 billion budget was spent. As September approaches, it’s time for the County and Constitutionals to prepare for the fiscal year end 2023.

Moments in Collier County’s History:
A Conversation with Lila Zuck

During our Centennial Celebration, it was an honor to sit down with one of our local historians. Upon arriving in Collier County, Ms. Lila Zuck found no comprehensive history of our community. She spent more than a decade researching and interviewing local officials to author “Naples, A Second Paradise” a 1,007 page history of Collier County since its inception in 1923. Additionally, she authored “Naples’ Oldest Tradition: Swamp Buggy Days.”

Unveiling the Web of Email Threats

Email threats continue to be a pressing concern for our community. With the nation’s widespread digital connectivity, cybercriminals capitalize on the familiarity of email to launch attacks on your computer.

Why Did My License Get Suspended?

There are several reasons a driver’s license may be suspended/revoked. Many agencies have the authority to have a suspension placed against your driver’s license and for multiple reasons.

We asked our Deputy Clerks one question,
“Why do you serve the public?”



September 15th-October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month! We celebrate all our Hispanic staff who are tirelessly working to provide quality services for the people of Collier County.

Rocio Moran, a Hispanic immigrant and a dedicated Deputy Clerk for the Clerk’s office, shares with us why she chose to serve Collier County.

Thank you to the Naples Interagency for inviting me to speak about the Future of Collier County!

It was a privilege to speak with members of Lely ProMedica about the role of the Clerk’s Office and the Future of Collier County.

Would you like Clerk Kinzel to speak at one of your upcoming events?

Email cyndee.woolley@collierclerk.com to confirm a date!

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Website

Email

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
3315 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 102
Naples, Florida 34112  USA
www.CollierClerk.com

Community Relations and Outreach
(239) 252-6879

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