Senate President Kathleen Passidomo March 17 Update

On Friday. the Florida Legislature wrapped the second week of meetings of the 2023 Legislative Session.

The Florida Senate debated and discussed proposed policy both in committee meetings and on the Senate floor this week. Legislation focused on rebuilding local communities that suffer damage from hurricanes, upholding the parent’s right to choose the best school for their children, addressing labor shortages in workforce revitalization and protecting Florida from foreign threats.

Rebuilding After Natural Disasters

Wednesday, Senator Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) presented Senate Bill 250 in the Senate Committee on Community Affairs where it passed with unanimous committee support. Senate Bill 250 assists local communities impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole with the recovery process while ensuring that Florida is better prepared to respond to future natural disasters. Senator Yarbrough presents Senate Bill 254 to the Senate Committee on Health Policy

This legislation among other things allows residents of devastated areas to stay on their land while rebuilding their homes, encourages local governments to develop an emergency financial plan, and requires the Division of Emergency Management to assist local governments and residents with the debris removal process.

Senate Bill 250 lays the groundwork for Floridians to recover stronger and faster in the case of future natural disasters.

 

Funding Students, Not Systems

Thursday, Senator Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) presented Senate Bill 202 in the Senate Appropriations Committee where it passed with strong committee support. Senate Bill 202 establishes universal school choice across the State of Florida, ensuring that Florida students receives an education that meets their unique needs.

This legislation expands Florida’s educational voucher program and allows every student in Florida to receive an education in a setting fit to their own individual needs. Through this legislation, families of students who fall below 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL) will be prioritized, with a second priority for households with income below 400% of FPL, to receive an empowerment account to take education dollars earmarked for their child and choose among a variety of options to customize their child’s k-12 education.

Senate Bill 202 puts parents in the driver’s seat regarding their child’s education, provides parents and students with the full array of educational opportunities, and ensures that a child’s future is not determined by their zip-code. Through this legislation, Florida will continue to lead the way in education, delivering positive educational outcomes that result in lifelong success.

 

Reimagining Workforce Development

Tuesday, Senator Travis Hutson (R-Palm Coast) presented Senate Bill 240 in the Senate Committee on Pre-K – 12 Education where it passed with unanimous committee support. Senate Bill 240 reimagines and revitalizes workforce development programs hosted within Florida’s schools.

Through a comprehensive approach, incorporating local businesses, community boards, and public schools, this legislation expands opportunities for middle and high school students to receive valuable career training while still enrolled in a Florida public school.

Senate Bill 240 revises current high school graduation requirements to place a specific emphasis on educational curriculum that is focused on technical education and career training. Additionally, this legislation establishes a program that allows local businesses to assess the job market for their specified region and collaborate with local schools to ensure that roles found to be of a greater need are greater emphasized in our educational system.

As the entire nation attempts to address labor shortages in key fields such as nursing and logistics, Florida will lead through innovative educational policies that benefit individual students and the economy as a whole.

 

Defending Florida from Foreign Threats

Tuesday, Senator Jay Collins (R-Tampa) presented Senate Bill 264 in the Senate Judiciary Committee where it passed with strong committee support. Senate Bill 264 prohibits foreign adversaries and companies funded by adversaries from purchasing agricultural land in the State of Florida.

Due to the growing threat of the Chinese Communist Party’s attempts to weaken America’s national security through strategic land purchases, it is critical that we protect the health of our agriculture industry. Senate Bill 264 ensures that America’s enemies will be strictly prohibited from purchasing agricultural land in the State of Florida. This is a crucial step to protect Florida’s food supply and broader security interests.

 

RPOF Newsletter March 13

Governor Ron DeSantis Delivers State of the State Address


Governor DeSantis Exposes Book Ban Hoax


Attorney General Ashley Moody Secures Victory Over Planned Parenthood

 

AG Moody Wins Major Immigration Case; Federal Judge Sides with Florida, Agrees that Biden Broke the Border

CFO Jimmy Patronis Unveils 2023 Legislative Priorities

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Legislative Priorities

Republican Party of Florida News

 

2023 Legislative Session News

Other News

Kathleen Passidomo March 10 Legislative Update

On Tuesday, the Florida Legislature convened to mark to the start of the 2023 Legislative Session.

We wasted no time to pass bills that strengthen our state. On Wednesday, we passed Senate Bill 102, the Live Local Act, sponsored by Senator Alexis Calatayud. This measure will expand attainable housing for Florida’s workforce.

We also passed Senate Bill 106, by Senator Jason Brodeur, this week. This bill expands access to Florida’s iconic Wildlife Corridor by connecting the corridor to Florida’s Greenways and Trails System and the SUN Trail Network, as well as recreational pathways to heritage small towns across Florida. All Floridians will have the opportunity to enjoy the precious natural landscape of Florida’s heartland.

During his State of the State Address in a joint session, Governor Ron DeSantis detailed Florida’s success in protecting individual freedoms, rebuilding from recent natural disasters, and defending the rights of parents to be involved in their children’s education.

Visit the Florida Channel to watch my remarks from opening day and the Governor’s  State of the State Address.

 

While we accomplished a great deal this first week of session, there is more work to do:

  • We will make school choice a reality for every child in every family across our great state. We must invest in the education of every Florida student, no matter where they choose to go to school.
  • We will cut red tape on traditional public schools. These institutions – which have served our communities for generations – will have a meaningful opportunity to compete right alongside other school choice options.
  • We will enhance public safety by codifying the constitutional right of citizens to keep and bear arms. At the same time, we will expand tools available to law enforcement and educators working to keep our communities and schools safe.
  • We will promote career and technical education with a focus on work-based learning opportunities linked to local employment.
  • We will work to secure our borders because the federal government has failed to do so.
  • We are going to cut taxes on more essential items so Florida families can keep more of their hard-earned dollars where they belong – in their pockets.
  • And we’re going to pass meaningful tort reform to curb the practices of those attorneys who file frivolous lawsuits which increase the cost of living in our state.

Expanding Access to Florida’s Wildlife Corridor

Senate Bill 106, which passed with unanimous support on the Senate floor this week, will connect the corridor to Florida’s Greenways and Trails System and the SUN Trail Network, as well as recreational pathways to heritage small towns across Florida.

Our wildlife corridor provides a unique opportunity to experience the wonder and beauty of Florida’s heartland. We have the chance not only to preserve this natural resource for future generations, but to expand access so more Floridians can walk, run, and bike from trail town to trail town, taking in all our great state has to offer. I envision Florida’s Wildlife Corridor as a top destination for recreational tourists from across the country and around the world. As I have said before, I believe this will be Florida’s Central Park – a legacy we can be proud to leave for future generations of Floridians and visitors to enjoy.

Florida’s Wildlife Corridor encompasses approximately 17.7 million acres, including almost 10 million acres of conservation lands. The corridor is being created through the state’s purchase of development rights of farmers, ranchers, and other landowners who will be able to continue their operations in perpetuity and the lands will never be developed.

 

Creating Workforce Housing

Senate Bill 102, Housing, by Senator Alexis Calatayud, also earned unanimous support from the Florida Senate this week. The legislation contains the comprehensive, statewide workforce housing strategy and is designed to increase the availability of attainable housing options for Florida workers who seek to live in the communities they serve.

Floridians are ready to live local, and to spend less time commuting and more time building their lives and raising their families in the heart of the communities they serve. With this comprehensive legislation, we are shutting down affordable housing stereotypes and creating attainable housing options needed by the majority of our workforce, the backbone of Florida’s economy.

 

Expanding School Choice in Florida

Senator Corey Simon presented Senate Bill 202 to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Education which passed with strong committee support. Senate Bill 202 expands Florida’s educational voucher program and implements universal school vouchers across the state.

Senate Bill 202 ensures that educational funding in Florida follows students, not systems. Florida’s students will now be able to receive an education in a setting that best fits their unique needs, abilities, and goals. Whether a student and their family wish to attend a public, charter, private, or home school, this legislation will give every Florida student the opportunity to excel and thrive through their educational journey regardless of their zip code.

This legislation also removes burdensome regulations on teachers that unnecessarily overcomplicate the recertification process.

With Senate Bill 202, Florida will offer dynamic educational opportunities that will improve educational outcomes for every student.

 

Protecting Students’ Privacy

This week, Senator Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) presented Senate Bill 662 to the Senate Judiciary Committee where it passed with strong committee support. Senate Bill 662, cited as the “Student Online Personal Information Protection Act,” establishes a secure shelter of students’ personal information.

This legislation will prohibit operators of websites, online services, or online applications from collecting, disclosing, or selling student data. Under this legislation, operators will only be able to collect information that is necessary for the operation of educational technology and will be prohibited from using student data to engage in targeted advertising.

Given the increased reliance upon the internet and other software programs in educational settings due to the pandemic, it is important that the personal information of Florida students is protected in a comprehensive manner. Senate Bill 662 ensures that when Florida students enter the classroom, the educational technology they operate is utilized solely for education, and not as a tool for third-party companies to profit off of a student’s personal data.

Florida GOP March Update – Disney – False Book Bans – More

Text

Governor DeSantis Shuts Down Disney’s Corporate Kingdom

Governor DeSantis Condemns False Rumors of ‘Book Bans’

Governor DeSantis Calls Out Media, Politicians, on Origins of COVID-19

Attorney General Moody Unveils Protection for Victims of Human Trafficking in Court

 

CFO Jimmy Patronis Welcomes New Residents from Blue States

 

Senator Marco Rubio Calls on Biden to Cancel Cuban Visit

 

Senator Rick Scott Introduces ‘Protect Our Seniors’ Act


Republican Party of Florida News

 

Other News

REMEMBER: Like @FloridaGOP and retweet and share. The Republican message must be spread around the state, and you are integral to making that happen.

 

Florida Republican Update

Governor DeSantis, RPOF, Moms for Liberty and Key Education Leaders Meet to Strategize on Removing Woke School Board Members

 

Governor DeSantis Proposes Legislation to Protect Floridians from Biden’s Border Crisis

 

Governor DeSantis Shares Florida Success in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago on “Back the Blue” Tour

 

First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces Cancer Connect Collaborative

 

Attorney General Moody to Ban ‘Frankenstein’ Opioids

 

AG Moody Looks to Protect Floridians from ‘Foreign-owned apps’

 

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson Highlights Importance of Farmers

 

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis Wants Maximum ROI

 

Senator Marco Rubio: Ohio Train Derailment Could Have Been Avoided

 

Senator Rick Scott

REMEMBER: Like @FloridaGOP and retweet and share. The Republican message must be spread around the state, and you are integral to making that happen.

 

Lauren Melo Minute

HB 1217 – Energy Regulation – Filed

This bill will protect our freedom from government overreach making laws to control our use of energy.

 

To read more, click here!

HJR 1157 – Hunting and Fishing – Filed

An amendment to State Constitution to preserve hunting & fishing

as a public right; it does not limit nor restrict any law

relating to trespass, property rights, or eminent domain.

 

Pre-legislative Session Panel Luncheon

From left to right: Senator Jonathan Martin, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, Representative Adam Botana, Representative Tiffany Esposito, Representative Bob Rommel and Representative Spencer Roach.

 

On Wednesday, I attended the pre-legislative session panel luncheon hosted by the Chamber of Southwest Florida, along with the Southwest Florida delegation. The participants were eager to discuss many of the upcoming Bills with us.

To learn more about the Chamber of Southwest Florida, click here!

 

Author: Ron DeSantis

 

On Wednesday, Governor DeSantis stopped in Naples to promote his new memoir called “The Courage to be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival”. A large crowd gathered to hear him speak and show their support.

 

Holding a Winner?

 

The 57th Annual LaBelle Swamp Festival

was a huge success!

 

The Rotary Club Armadillo Races raised over $30,000,

a 62% increase over last year!

 

I was happy to attend this annual event.

Invasive Burmese Pythons

Burmese python populations, which can grow to 20 feet long have exploded in south Florida.

 

A team of researchers has been using location-tracking collars on species like raccoons and opossums that pythons prey on.

 

The researchers have been able to better locate, capture, and remove pythons from the Florida’s Everglades.

International Women’s Day

8 March

In recognition to International Women’s Day we salute our Senate President, Kathleen Passidomo, third woman to serve as Florida Senate President.

 

There has not been any woman yet, in the position of

Florida Speaker of the House.

 

For more information on The Senate President, click here!

 

 

 

Swamp Buggy Night Races If you enjoyed the races on January 28, do not miss the night races taking place at Florida Sports Park, 8520 Rattlesnake Hammock Rd in Naples.

 

The Florida Sports Park is a 50-acre motorsports complex including a 3.5 acre “Event Field,” 8000 grandstand seats, 7000 square feet of banquet space, and many more amenities.

 

To purchase a ticket, click here!

Clewiston

Big Cypress Indigenous Festival – March 4-5

For more information, click here!

 

VETERANS

CORNERThe Alpha House has Re-opened

 

 

The Alpha House, one of the transitional homes for Warriors of Collier County was destroyed by hurricane Ian.

 

Thanks to the help of members of the community, Alpha House was able to reopen on Monday.

 

For more information on Wounded Warriors of Collier County, click here!

 

News Alert from US Senator Rick Scott

Sen. Rick Scott: VP Harris’ Incompetence & Weakness on Communist China is Dangerous

Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after Vice President Kamala Harris told POLITICO that Communist China’s threats and recent incursion into American airspace with a spy balloon will have no impact on diplomatic relations between the United States and the communist Chinese regime.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Vice President Harris has shown nothing but total incompetence when it comes to dealing with the threats facing America. As President Biden’s ‘border czar’ her utter failures to secure our southern border have allowed historic illegal immigration and tons of deadly fentanyl to pour into our communities and kill thousands of our fellow Americans. Now after watching Communist China fly a spy balloon over the entire United States, she thinks that we should just carry on like nothing happened? Her failure to understand and act on the threats facing our nation isn’t just embarrassing, it’s dangerous. Communist China is our enemy and wants to destroy our way of life. If Kamala Harris doesn’t understand that, she should resign. The American people cannot afford weakness from unserious politicians in the White House.”

Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott Announces Legislative Package to Protect Americans, Hold Communist China Accountable

Senator Rick Scott announced a package of five national security focused bills to hold Communist China accountable and better protect American families. This legislative package contains bills which prohibit the U.S. Government from buying drones made by America’s adversaries, protect Taiwan from Communist China’s growing aggression, sever all financial transactions between the U.S. and Communist China once it engages in armed aggression against Taiwan, reestablish the China Initiative at Department of Justice, and require a list to be published listing all countries who have a bilateral security arrangement with Communist China to protect Americans abroad and prevent CCP police stations in the US. Since being elected to the Senate in 2018, Senator Scott has been urging both federal agencies and private businesses to decouple operations and investments from Xi’s communist regime and hold it accountable for the genocide and human rights atrocities it continues to commit against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Communist China’s disturbing actions in recent days have been yet another reminder that Xi’s regime will stop at nothing to exploit Americans and take advantage of the United States. But a Chinese spy balloon is only one of many threats from the Chinese Communist Party as it works toward world domination. We cannot take these threats lightly. I have been fighting for years to take an all of the above approach to cut ties with and isolate the evil Communist Chinese regime, protect America’s national security and the interests of our allies and keep Americans safe from China’s spying, data theft and covert operations. Today I am proud to introduce multiple pieces of legislation which advance these priorities, put American interests first and keep Communist China in check. I’m proud to have such strong, bipartisan support from my colleagues and look forward to fighting this Congress to pass these good bills, hold Communist China accountable and keep American families safe.”

Senator Scott’s package to hold Communist China accountable includes the following bills:

The American Security Drone Act, cosponsored by Senators Marco Rubio, Mark Warner, Chris Murphy, Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn

This bill works to protect U.S. national security by prohibiting the federal government and military from buying drones manufactured in countries that are adversaries, like Communist China.

The Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act

This bill works to protect Taiwan from Communist China’s growing aggression. The bill would further reinforce the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and strengthens Taiwan’s ability to resist Communist China’s aggressive policies and military actions. The bill also helps Taiwan counter Communist China’s military buildup across the Taiwan straits and establishes a limited authorization for the President to use military force to secure and protect Taiwan against an armed attack.

The Deterring Communist Chinese Aggression Against Taiwan through Financial Sanctions Act, cosponsored by Senator Kevin Cramer

This bill would impose devastating financial sanctions on the Chinese government if Communist China invades or blockades Taiwan, or attempts to change the status of Taiwan’s governance through use of force.

The Protect America’s Innovation And Economic Security from CCP Act, cosponsored by Senators Bill Hagerty and Marco Rubio

This bill would codify the China Initiative and reinstate its effort to prevent spying by the Chinese Communist Party on U.S. intellectual property and U.S. academic institutions. The China Initiative would focus on identifying and prosecuting those engaged in trade secret theft, hacking, and economic espionage, as well as protecting our critical infrastructure against external threats through foreign direct investment and supply chain compromises.

The No CCP (Chinese Communist Police) in the United States Act of 2023, cosponsored by Senators Thom Tillis and Mike Braun

This bill would require the State Department, in collaboration with the FBI, to publish all countries who have a “joint police initiative” with the Chinese Communist Party to ensure all American travelers are aware of existing agreements when traveling to another country for business or leisure.

Read more HERE.

 

Sens. Rick Scott, Mark Warner Introduce Legislation to Ban Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Countries Identified as National Security Threats

Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Mark Warner to introduce their American Security Drone Act which would prohibit the purchase of drones from countries identified as national security threats, such as China.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I’ve been clear for years: the United States should never spend taxpayer dollars on anything made in Communist China, especially drones which pose a significant threat to our national security. Xi and the Communist Party of China are on a quest for global domination and whether it’s with spy balloons, TikTok or drones, they will stop at nothing to infiltrate our society and steal our data. I’m proud to join my colleagues to reintroduce the bipartisan American Security Drone Act to STOP the U.S. from buying drones manufactured in nations identified as national security threats. This important bill is critical to our national security and should be passed by the Senate, House and signed into law IMMEDIATELY.”

Read more from Senator Mark Warner’s office HERE.

 

Senators Rick Scott, Ted Cruz Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Prohibit Sale of Oil from SPR to China

Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to introduce a bipartisan bill to prohibit the sale of American crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to any company under the control of the Chinese Communist Party, and prohibit the export of any crude oil from the SPR to China.

Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Angus King (I-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) cosponsored the legislation. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed similar legislation by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote of 331-97, with 113 House Democrats voting in support of the bill.

Senator Rick Scott said, “In only two years as president, Joe Biden has managed to cozy up to Communist China AND wage a war on American energy. Families are facing historically high prices when it comes to gas and groceries and it is forcing them to make tough choices. The LAST THING Joe Biden should be doing with America’s strategic petroleum reserve is giving it away to our adversaries. We must focus on unleashing American energy for America—NOT Communist China.”

Read the legislation HERE.

 

Sens. Rick Scott, Tom Cotton & Colleagues Introduce Bill to End China’s Permanent Normal Trade Status

Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Tom Cotton and their colleagues in introducing the China Trade Relations Act to strip China of its Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status.

This legislation would require China to obtain Most Favored Nation (MFN) status through annual presidential approval, per the requirements of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. The bill would also expand the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to include human rights and trade abuses as disqualifying factors for MFN status.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The CCP cares about one thing: undermining America. There is no reason why the United States should be helping a communist government’s trade operation through preferential treatment and ‘most-favored-nation’ status. That is absolutely absurd when they are working against us. It is time to put American interests first, not the CCP, and reverse this antiquated law.”

Read more HERE.

 

Washington Examiner: Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Bill Posey demand links between Chinese spy balloon and illegal trade practices be investigated

Senator Rick Scott and Representative Bill Posey are demanding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo investigate whether Chinese solar companies under investigation for illegally circumventing U.S. trade law helped power a Chinese surveillance balloon before it was shot down.

In the letter to the secretaries, Senator Scott and Representative Posey note they are moving forward with bipartisan legislation that utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to reverse the damage done by the Solar Emergency Declaration. It is believed this declaration may have possibly undermined economic and national security by protecting Chinese solar manufacturers that are not only illegally violating U.S. trade law, but also advancing the surveillance activities of the Chinese military and intelligence agencies. Below is an excerpt from the Washington Examiner article:

“In the letter, Scott and Posey argued that an emergency rule intended to quell a nervous solar industry could be shielding companies linked to Beijing’s spy balloon fleet. The lawmakers also asked whether the Biden administration would take action against Chinese panel manufacturers violating U.S. trade laws intended to level the playing field for American workers.

‘Not only is the Biden administration protecting Chinese solar companies and allowing them to continue illegal trade activity without consequence, but the administration is also quite possibly protecting the very same companies providing solar panels that are powering Chinese spy balloons,’ Scott and Posey write.

Scott and Posey said the event raises major questions about whether the administration’s solar policy is undermining national security ‘by protecting Chinese solar manufacturers that are not only illegally violating U.S. trade law, but also advancing the surveillance activities of the Chinese military and intelligence agencies.’

In the letter, Scott and Posey ask if the administration has determined whether the panels that helped operate the balloon were manufactured by a company with known trade violations and whether the Pentagon has panels in use by the same company.

The episode has stirred questions about Beijing’s surveillance programs and Washington’s willingness to respond to even the most visible incursions. Now, Scott and Posey are urging the Biden administration to connect the dots between China’s trade violations made possibly by the government’s use of industrial subsidies and its aerial spy program.”

Read the full article in The Washington Examiner HERE and the full letter HERE.

 

Early Voting Start October 27th in Collier

As long as you are registered to vote in Collier County, you can vote at one of the Early Voting locations we have across the county.  Voting times are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Here is a link to the voting locations and estimated time to vote. https://www.colliervotes.gov/Election-Info/Vote-Early

We encourage voters to have a plan when voting during Early Voting. Get a Voter Guide Here. Bring your marked sample ballot with you to help limit time spent in the voting booth and know what voter ID is required when voting in person. Voters who do not provide an acceptable form or identification will be provided with a provisional ballot.

Republican Party of Florida Candidate Update

Chairman’s Message

Governor DeSantis Follows Through on Promise to Relocate Illegal Immigrants to Sanctuary Cities

Governor Ron DeSantis’ message to illegal immigrants who are illegally entering our country is clear: Florida is not a sanctuary state, and Florida will gladly facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants to sanctuary jurisdictions. President Biden needs to do his job and secure the border.

Governor DeSantis is making good on his promise to relocate illegal immigrants to places that welcome illegal immigration with open arms, such as sanctuary cities and states, and they can bear the strain on resources and to public safety that these open border policies bring.

Governor DeSantis requested funds in the state budget to transport illegal aliens to sanctuary states. It’s paid for using interest from federal funds. Meanwhile, Biden used our tax dollars to pay contractors to smuggle thousands of illegal immigrants to our cities in the dead of night for months, and the federal government has completely lost control of the southern border.

 

Florida Ranks Number One in Education Freedom

Governor DeSantis highlighted Florida’s number one ranking in education freedom at the unveiling of The Heritage Foundation’s 2022 Education Freedom Report Card. The report lauds Florida’s dedication to education transparency, regulatory freedom and return on investment, while praising the state’s rejection of critical race theory and championing of school choice and educational savings accounts.

“When other states were locking people down and keeping their kids out of school, we made sure kids were in school because we put their well-being before politics,” Governor DeSantis said. “While states like California, New York, and Illinois that denied in-person education to their children are now suffering from plummeting educational outcomes, Florida’s schoolchildren are thriving because we invest in our students and we empower parents to decide what learning environment is best for their kids.”

Throughout his time in office, Governor DeSantis has made education a top priority. By enshrining parents’ rights, expanding school choice, raising teacher pay, promoting civics education, bolstering workforce education and holding higher education accountable, Florida is leading the way as an educational model for the nation.

Read more: https://www.flgov.com/2022/09/09/governor-ron-desantis-highlights-floridas-number-one-ranking-for-education-freedom/

Florida Public Universities Ranked Among the Nation’s Best

Governor DeSantis announced that Florida public universities earned top spots in multiple categories in U.S. News and World Report’s 2022-2023 Best Colleges rankings.

  • The University of Florida is ranked number 5;
  • Florida State University is number 19;
  • The University of South Florida was ranked among the top 50 public universities in the country at number 42; and
  • The University of Central Florida and Florida International University came in at 64 and 72 respectively.

As of 2021, Florida has been ranked the number one state for higher education for five consecutive years by U.S. News and World Report.

“Florida schools are some of the best in the nation, and these rankings show that our investments in higher education and our focus on providing an affordable, quality education are paying off,” Governor DeSantis said. “I am especially proud that we have not allowed tuition increases since I have been Governor, making higher education in Florida as affordable as virtually anywhere in the nation.”

Read more: https://www.flgov.com/2022/09/14/florida-public-universities-ranked-among-the-nations-best/

 

WE’RE STRONGER PULLING TOGETHER!

You have the ability to greatly expand the message of the Republican Party by sharing Facebook and Twitter posts. Please follow and retweet us on Twitter @FloridaGOP, and like and share us on Facebook at FloridaGOP. We can win over even more if we all pitch in to reach them with our message.

 

FLORIDA

Governor DeSantis Again Thanks Florida’s First Responders with $1,000 Bonus

Governor DeSantis met with members of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department to deliver $1,000 bonuses that reward our first responders, recognizing them for their dedicated public service.

“Florida supports our first responders because these men and women put on their uniforms every day to serve and protect,” Governor DeSantis said. “These bonuses are a token of our appreciation for the work that they do and the sacrifices they make to keep Florida safe.”

Eligible recipients of the first responder recognition bonus payments are police officers, sheriff’s deputies, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and firefighters employed by local governments throughout the state.

Learn more information about the First Responder Recognition Bonuses:  www.FloridaJobs.org/Recognition-and-Recruitment.

Read more: https://www.flgov.com/2022/09/12/governor-ron-desantis-awards-recognition-payments-for-floridas-first-responders/

Governor DeSantis Activates the Florida National Guard to Assist the Department of Corrections

Governor DeSantis activated the Florida National Guard to help the Florida Department of Corrections reduce overtime and provide relief for correctional officers on a temporary basis.

During the 2022 Legislative Session, Governor DeSantis approved record pay increases to recruit and retain corrections officers. These historic pay increases and other incentives have shown early signs of success, with a net gain of nearly 640 officers since the conclusion of the 2022 session, compared to a net loss of more than 465 in the same amount of time prior.

Read more: https://www.flgov.com/2022/09/09/memorandum-executive-order-22-213-activating-florida-national-guard-to-assist-the-department-of-corrections/

Senator Rubio Ad: Val Demings Would be the Most Liberal Florida Senator Ever

Watch and share video below:

Senator Rubio Ad: Getting Things Done

Watch and share video below:

AG Moody Collects Devastating Evidence of Biden’s Plans to Immediately Release Masses of Illegal Immigrants into U.S.

Attorney General Ashley Moody continues to obtain devastating evidence of President Joe Biden’s failed immigration policies. Through aggressive litigation efforts, AG Moody’s office obtained a memo outlining the federal government’s plan to simply mass-release immigrants into the United States once Title 42 is repealed.

During the Attorney General’s Office deposition of U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz, the chief testified that he had never before, during a 31-year career, seen or issued an order like the emergency memo.

“The Biden administration’s failed immigration policies are disastrous. Expecting to be overrun, Biden’s Border Patrol drafted a plan to hunker down and allow inadmissible immigrants to flood into the country,” Attorney General Moody said. “But for the efforts of our office and other responsible-minded, public-safety oriented attorneys general, Title 42 would have been repealed and Biden would have released untold thousands of additional immigrants into the interior of our country — outrageous!”

Read more: http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/967FAEA6A500F3DC852588BC00535F64?Open&

Watch deposition comments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If6NtwjbtZU

CFO Patronis: “Not On My Watch.”

Releases Bill to Yank Licenses from IRS Vendors Who Discriminate

Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis released draft legislation this week for the upcoming legislative session to take the licenses of IRS vendors who discriminate. The legislation would establish anti-discrimination provisions on state licensed debt collectors.

“With 87,000 new IRS personnel, there is absolutely no doubt that some of those new agents are going to target Floridians based on their political beliefs, and it’s likely they could hire state licensed debt collectors to go after you,” CFO Patronis said. “Not on my watch. If a debt collector wrongly discriminates against, or targets, Floridians based on their political affiliation, ideology, viewpoint or conduct, we’ll yank their license to do business in Florida.”

Read more: https://www.myfloridacfo.com/sitePages/newsroom/pressRelease.aspx?id=6268

LG Nuñez on Newsmax: A Pedophile is a Pedophile

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Núñez told Newsmax this week that the push to rebrand pedophiles as “minor-attracted persons” is “disgusting” and Florida won’t stand for it.

“A pedophile is a pedophile and they’re a pervert, and so that’s what we need to refer to them as,” she said. “There is no wokeism in our book that is going to allow a pedophile to be cast in a positive light.

Watch here: https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/jeanette-nunez-florida-pedophiles/2022/09/12/id/1087062/

 

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