The Melo Minute

January 27, 2023
A Week in Review!
Issue No. 94

District 82 Updates

HB 1: School Choice

HB 1 just passed its first committee 13-4

 

 

 

Housing – SB 102 Filed

Excerpt from the Florida Senate website:

Housing; Citing this act as the “Live Local Act”; deleting the authority of local governments to adopt or maintain laws, ordinances, rules, or other measures that would have the effect of imposing controls on rents; providing an exemption from ad valorem taxation for land that meets certain criteria; authorizing local governments to adopt ordinances to provide an ad valorem tax exemption for portions of property used to provide affordable housing meeting certain requirements; suspending, for a specified period, the General Revenue Fund service charge on documentary stamp tax collections; authorizing the Governor, under the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, to approve state or local public infrastructure projects to facilitate the development or construction of affordable housing, etc. APPROPRIATION: $811,000,000

Effective Date: Except as otherwise expressly provided in this act and except for this section, which shall take effect upon becoming a law, this act shall take effect July 1, 2023

Last Action: 1/26/2023 Senate – Filed

To read senate bill 102, click here!

For the press release, click here!

Empower Educators

On Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced an unprecedented legislation to empower educators, protect teachers from overreaching school unions and raise teacher pay.

To read the proposal here!

Clewiston
Construction of the Herbert Hoover Dike Rehabilitation Completed

 

 

On Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District (USACE) celebrated the completion of the construction at a ribbon cutting event.

Crews have been bolstering the 143-mile-long Herbert Hoover Dike for more than ten years in order to safeguard people and property in the Lake Okeechobee area.

To read more, click here!

Everglades National Park #1

 

Roseate spoonbill

White pelicans

Reddish Egret

With more than three hundred bird species, the park has been recognized as the best birding park by Travel Lens.

It is the largest wilderness east of the Mississippi River and encompasses 1.5 million acres of a subtropical paradise that is exclusive to South Florida. The park is renowned for its abundance of birds, including bald eagles, wood storks, and roseate spoonbills.

Everglades National Park is enormous, and it is also home to the Florida panther, black bears, and Burmese pythons. The abundance of species is proof
that it is one of the most productive ecosystems on our continent.

Takeaways from the Collier County Commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday.

Affordable Housing

 

Collier County Commissioners have approved the project to build a maximum of 400 apartments near Palmetto Ridge High School.

10% will be reserved for affordable housing.
To qualify renters will need to earn from 80% to 100% of the county’s median income.

At the present time, qualified tenants at the 100% cutoff may anticipate paying around $2,200 per month
for a two-bedroom unit – $800 below current market rate.

Medical/Cannabis Dispensaries

The Collier County Commissioners have agreed
to ban the land amendment code to allow medical/cannabis dispensaries
in the same zoning districts as pharmacies, at their next meeting in February.

Collier County residents who require medicinal marijuana must go to a neighboring county, have it sent to them by mail, or visit the only dispensary on Marco Island.

National Florida Day

National Florida Day is observed on January 25 every year, despite the fact that Florida became the 27th US state on March 3, 1845.

La Florida, which translates to “land of flowers,” was the name given to Florida by the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León.

Florida, also referred to as the Sunshine State, is well-known for its pleasant, sunny climate and stunning scenery.

The Florida Everglades is the only region on earth
where crocodiles and alligators coexist.

You are never more than 60 miles from the ocean in Florida,
regardless of where you are.

St Agnes Blue Mass

On January 28, 2023, at 11:00am, St. Agnes Parish in Naples will hold its annual Blue Mass to honor and remember the service of current, past, and deceased law enforcement, fireman, and first responders who dedicate their life to the community’s safety and well-being.

VETERANS
CORNER

Take a Soldier Fishing

Naples Take A Soldier Fishing is a 501c3, non-profit organization that supports the brave men and women serving in the United States Armed Services. Each September, for over 10 years, a local group of fishing captains and anglers host over 150 active-duty combat soldiers and wounded combat veterans to fish both the inshore and offshore waters of beautiful Naples.

For additional information, click here!

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Lauren.Melo@myfloridahouse.gov

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