The Melo Minute

News and updates you don’t want to miss.

December 9, 2022
A Week in Review!
Issue No. 87

District 82 Updates

Collier County and Hendry County Delegation Meetings

Featured with Representative Bob Rommel

This week I attended the Delegation meetings in Collier and Hendry counties. These meetings are a great opportunity for me to hear from the community
about their needs.

On Monday, Senate President Passidomo and I were in Clewiston to hear from our Hendry constituents. It was great to see friends and make new ones as I look forward to taking their issues to Tallahassee and addressing them.
Our rural communities are the backbone of our state, and we need to make sure they can continue to thrive.

On Tuesday, it was Collier’s turn. It was great to be with Rep. Rommel,
Rep. Botana and President Passidomo to hear the concerns of our Collier constituents. Smart growth management, medical freedom and the ability to continue to make choices for the best of their lives are some of the issues that concern our constituents the most.

House Leadership Teams

Florida House Speaker Paul Renner has unveiled the committees for the
2023-2024 term. I have been named the chair of the Postsecondary Education & Workforce Subcommittee and the Vice chair of the
Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee.

Below are my committees:

· Education & Employment Committee
· Postsecondary Education & Workforce Subcommittee (Chair)
· Commerce Committee
· Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee (Vice Chair)
· Transportation & Modals Subcommittee
· Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee

Application Deadline to Apply for
FEMA Aid Extended

After Hurricane Ian, the state of Florida and individual households received more than $2.97 billion in federal grants, disaster loans, and flood insurance payments. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) gave $769 million to individual households and $358 million to the state for emergency response.
Disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration totaled $1 billion, while payouts from the National Flood Insurance Program totaled $793 million.
Additionally, FEMA just disclosed that the deadline for applications from survivors has been extended to January 12, 2023.
FEMA has made individual assistance available to Collier and Hendry counties. The deadline for applications is January 12, 2023.

To apply for assistance, click here!

More Flood Insurance Options for
FHA-Insured Mortgage

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a final rule allowing private flood insurance for FHA-insured mortgages in special
flood hazard areas.
Please be aware that not all private plans will fall within the HUD’s definition of private flood insurance, despite the fact that the new regulation will greatly increase the options available to FHA borrowers for flood insurance.

To read the HUD press release, click here!

Happy Birthday First Bank!

From left to right:
Andrew Couse, EVP, Miller Couse, Chairman, Senator Kathleen Passidomo and
Carey Soud, President

I was happy to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of First Bank
earlier this week in Clewiston.
One of First Bank’s 7 locations, the Clewiston branch has been meeting the financial needs of its clients since 1922.

The Clewiston branch of First Bank is a full-service physical location.

Drag Racing Champion in LaBelle, FL

One of the fastest 11-year-olds in the nation lives in southwest Florida. Later this month, Victoria Beaner of LaBelle will compete against some of the top teenage drag racers in the nation.

For most 11-year-olds, traveling 75 mph on your own is not a common or everyday event, but for Beaner, who has been racing since she was seven, that is a typical day at the track.

She has participated in 40 events this season, taking home six victories and four runner-up spots. With 48 final-round appearances during her career, she has accumulated a strong resume.

Before stepping up, she was also recognized as the Junior Drag Racer of the Year in the 6–9 age group. She has won more than 40 races in her four years of competitive racing and become one of the top youth drivers in a sport where men predominate.

She has been invited to the Christmas on the Coast drag racing competition in Mississippi for the top 64 drivers in the nation and a chance at $10,000.

We wish you the best Victoria!

VETERANS
CORNER

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, resulting in the deaths of nearly 2,000 American soldiers and civilians and the injuries of over 1,000 others.
We celebrate the valiant World War II veterans who served our great country and remember the lives lost on that tragic day.
Governor DeSantis signed a proclamation instructing that on December 7, 2022, all local and state structures, facilities, and grounds in the state of Florida ,fly the American and Florida flags at half-staff.

To view the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Proclamation, click here!

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It is an honor to serve as your State Representative. My team and I will continue to listen, work, and legislate on your behalf as we look to the future. God bless you all, and God bless the great state of Florida!

Representative Lauren Melo
Florida House District 82

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Florida House District 82 | 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34112