Melo Minute – April 16

The Speaker of the House, Chris Sprowls, commented on the bills favorably after both had passed. Speaker Sprowls: “[This] is the most significant redesign of our workforce system of any other State in America. It has a purpose that makes it very clear that what this chamber has just said is that we care about our people. That our people are significant and they are not forgotten. And they deserve — that when their government engages with them — that we help them find a job, we help them find purpose and meaning in work, and that we help them find a pathway for prosperity for their family.”

HB 579 – Evidentiary Standards for Actions Arising During an Emergency

This bill works to protect businesses responding to declared emergencies from having specific civil causes of action put against them. It passed the House on Wednesday, April 14th, with 115 Representatives in favor of it.

This piece of legislation passed the House 118-0, on April 15th. I am grateful to my colleagues for supporting me with this bill as it ensures our domestic violence centers have better funding mechanisms and re-establishes a standardized batterers’ intervention program in our State. Click here to see it in action on the Floor.

HB 1637 – Immokalee Water and Sewage District, Collier County

We all read the spoiler at the start, so there’s no surprise for this one! Indeed, HB 1637 also passed the House 118-0. This bill provides clarity on how Immokalee’s District Board of Commissioners is constituted. This will help the Immokalee Water and Sewage District secure federal funds to address local water and sewer issues.

·     The US Open Pickleball Championships are being held at East Naples Park from 4/17 through to 4/24. Head to East Naples Park this Saturday to watch this great sporting event kick off! For more information click here.

·     Speaking of “Opens,” Naples has an Open Air Farmers Market every Saturday from 7:30AM – 11:30AM. It is located at 3rd St. S. & Broad Ave. S. to 3rd St. S. & 13th Ave. S. For more information about the event you can call (239) 261-8936.

·     Kicking for Wishes is having their first annual kickball tournament benefitting Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. It is being held at North Collier Regional Park. Feel free to join them for some fun and send them your support this Saturday at 11AM. For any questions regarding participation or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Taylor Norman at tnorman@sfla.wish.org or (239) 992-9474.

  What We’re Reading

Chris Sprowls Celebrates House Passage of Workforce Bills

Haley Brown

Collier County’s mask mandate has ended as of April 13th. There are no plans from the County to renew the mandate. It should be noted that private businesses maintain the right to ask you to wear a mask. If you feel that you still want to wear a mask for your own healthy and safety, you are free to do so.