Governor DeSantis Announces Next Week Legislative Agenda

November 12, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

Governor DeSantis, Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson announced the legislative agenda for the special session of the Florida Legislature that will begin Monday to protect Florida jobs.

“No cop, no firefighter, no nurse, nobody should be losing their job because of these jabs – we must stand up for people and protect their jobs and livelihoods,” Governor DeSantis said. “What the federal government is doing is wrong. It is wrong to kick people out of work; it is wrong to try to micromanage businesses; and it is wrong to deprive key industries of people that we need. Most importantly, what they are doing is unconstitutional and we have a responsibility to stand up for the Constitution and protect Floridians.”

The legislative agenda includes:

Prohibiting private employer COVID-19 vaccine mandates. If employers do have a vaccine policy, they must offer the following exemptions to employees:

Employees with health or religious concerns;
Pregnant women or women who anticipate pregnancy;
Employees who have recovered from COVID-19;
Employers must provide all employees the option to choose periodic COVID-19 testing or PPE as an alternative to vaccine requirements at no cost to employees, with test frequency to be determined by the Florida Department of Health.

Employers who violate these employee health protections will be fined $10,000 per employee violation for small businesses of less than 100 employees or $50,000 per employee violation for businesses of more than 100 employees.

Protecting Florida families in schools:

Educational institutions may not require students to be COVID-19 vaccinated;
School districts may not require students to wear face masks;
School districts may not quarantine healthy students;
Students and parents may sue violating school districts and recover costs and attorney’s fees.

Speaker Sprowls said: “Authoritarian edicts from the Biden regime stop here. The ‘Keep Florida Free’ agenda represents the strongest response in America against attacks on personal health decisions, livelihoods and liberty.”

Senate President Simpson said: “As a parent and grandparent, I continue to be dismayed at school district bureaucrats who think they know better than parents. Enough is enough. Our legislation to keep Florida free inserts some common-sense and clarity into the chaos we have seen in Washington by giving workers more options to stay safe on the job and honoring the rights and responsibilities of parents.”

And here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Media/PressReleases/Show/4054

Florida

Governor DeSantis’ education budget plan for the 2022 legislative session

Governor DeSantis announced his education budget proposals that will invest record funding in Florida’s public schools. The proposal includes a second consecutive year of $1,000 bonuses for Florida’s teachers and principals; $600 million to raise minimum teacher salaries for the third year in a row from $40,000 to $47,500 over those three years; and the highest per-student funding in Florida’s history at $8,000 per student.

“Since day one, I have been focused on making Florida a leader in education, and I am proud to announce my proposals to invest record funding into our education system over the next year,” Governor DeSantis said. “By continuing to boost teacher pay, give bonuses to principals and teachers, prioritize workforce education, foster a strong civics curriculum, and replace the FSA with progress monitoring, we’re making a significant difference in the lives of our students.”

Here are some of the highlights:

A second round of $1,000 bonus checks for 177,000 teachers and principals in Florida. $600 million for teacher pay – a $50 million budget increase over the past year – continuing Florida’s efforts to reach a minimum starting teacher salary of $47,500.

An increase in per-student funding to raise this year’s budget to $8,000 per student. This will represent the highest amount of per-student funding in Florida’s history.

$421 million for school safety and mental health initiatives. That includes $210 million for the safe schools program – an increase of $30 million over the previous year; $140 million for mental health – a $20 million increase over the previous year; $42 million for school hardening; and $4 million for safety initiatives at Jewish Day Schools.

Governor DeSantis is also proposing three major investments in Florida’s new education programs:

Fully eliminate the Florida Standards Assessment and implement progress monitoring in its place, with $15.5 million in recurring funding to provide progress monitoring tools to schools.

$500,000 to expand access to the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative into every school district in the 2022-2023 school year, which is in addition to $106 million Governor DeSantis announced earlier this year to provide teacher bonuses for earning a Florida Civics Seal of Excellence.

To further efforts to make Florida the number one state for Workforce Education by 2030, $534 million to support workforce education programs is included in the proposed budget. And $100 million is proposed for the Workforce Development Capitalization Grant Program, which will create and expand workforce development programs at Florida’s school districts and state colleges.

Court victories for parental and workers rights

In yet another victory for parents’ rights, the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings dismissed a case filed by six school districts who have disregarded the will of parents to make decisions for their children.

The Administrative Law Judge ruled that the Florida Department of Health had the legal authority to issue an emergency rule that empowers parents to decide if their children should wear masks at school and ensures healthy students can remain in school. This ruling follows an opinion issued by the First District Court of Appeals on October 29, which stated that School Districts “cannot stand between parents and their lawful right to make decisions on behalf of their children.” The courts are becoming crystal clear that parental rights to make decisions for their children’s health supersede school districts’ policies.

“There is no strong evidence of health benefits for children as a result of mask mandates in schools. The rights of parents continue to be protected in Florida, as we can see by this tremendous decision,” said Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. “Florida will not make decisions out of fear, but rather out of close analysis of the data.”

“When you break the law there are consequences,” said Commissioner Richard Corcoran. “If these districts continue to break the law, we plan to fully hold them accountable.”

Since the ruling Friday, several school districts have withdrawn their mask mandates for children.

And here: https://thecapitolist.com/judge-slaps-down-school-board-challenges-to-desantis-ban-on-mask-mandates/

A federal appeals court on Saturday temporarily halted the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for businesses with 100 or more workers.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted an emergency stay of the requirement by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration that those workers be vaccinated by January 4 or face mask requirements and weekly tests.

Governor DeSantis called a special session of the Florida Legislature starting Monday to pass new laws that would block this unconstitutional overreach by the federal government. (See top story.) This court ruling is a temporary win, but Floridians need laws in place to protect them.

Florida also filed suit against the Biden administration’s actions.

“We started with 15 days to slow the spread and now it’s get jabbed or lose your job,” Governor DeSantis said. “We’re supposed to be a government of laws, not a government of men. This OSHA rule is 500 pages of a government of bureaucracy, a government that is being run by executive edict, not a government bound by constitutional constraints.”

“The remarkable ease at which this president will abandon the rule of law and separation of powers is astonishing and devastating to the autonomy of American workers,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “For this reason, I will take swift legal action to stop this unprecedented overreach by the federal government — to protect Florida and our workers from the unlawful edicts emanating from President Biden and his handlers.

Governor DeSantis announced $481 million for 103 wastewater and springs projects. The projects will improve water quality in water bodies across Florida, reducing total nitrogen loading by a combined 700,000 pounds per year.

“These awards are going to make a big difference for our world-renowned springs and water quality all throughout the state of Florida,” Governor DeSantis said. “Florida’s water resources are what our economy runs on – they are an economic driver, but even apart from that, our environment is really integral to what these communities are all about. We’re blessed to have it and we have a responsibility to leave it better than we found it.”

Governor DeSantis announced the launch of First Lady Casey DeSantis’ statewide anti-drug abuse initiative: The Facts. Your Future. This program directly engages youth in Florida to improve their understanding of the life-altering effects of drug abuse and empowers teens to reach their full potential. Through a series of school assemblies, the program will provide an interactive space for schools to educate their students on the consequential impacts of substance abuse.

“Substance abuse is one the major reasons some of our youth fail to reach their true potential,” Governor DeSantis said. “As the First Lady continues to advocate and support Florida’s youth, this new initiative is another key step to protect and educate our children. We must ensure teens across our state have the tools and knowledge to make good decisions that will positively impact the rest of their lives.”

“The Facts. Your Future empowers Florida students with the facts needed to make informed decisions for their future,” First Lady Casey DeSantis said. “The earlier teens start using drugs, the greater their chances of continuing to use them and developing substance abuse problems later in life.”

Washington, D.C.

Val Demings violated federal campaign finance law by fundraising with Terry McAuliffe’s political action committee, “Common Good Virginia,” according to a new complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission by the nonpartisan group Americans for Public Trust.

In October, Val Demings for Senate, a federal campaign committee, sent fundraising solicitations with Common Good Virginia, a non-federal “soft” money PAC.

“These fundraising solicitations, which were paid for by non-federal funds, represent an illegal use of non-federal (or ‘soft’) funds to raise money for a candidate for federal office,” the complaint reads. “As such, Representative Demings’ campaign has accepted an in-kind contribution and thereby violated the federal soft money ban.

“Demings hitched her wagon to one of the biggest opponents of parent involvement in education, and she appears to have broken the law in the process. As Demings said herself, ‘Nobody is above the law.’ Demings and her campaign must comply with any investigation that follows from these claims,” said Elizabeth Gregory, communications director for Marco Rubio for Senate.

ICYMI

Americans have seen enough of the Biden’s unmake America agenda

A USA Today/Suffolk University Poll reveals devastating poll numbers for the Biden/Harris administration. According to reporting from USA Today:

“A year before the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans hold a clear lead on the congressional ballot as President Joe Biden’s approval rating sinks to a new low of 38%.

“A USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll, taken Wednesday through Friday, found that Biden’s support cratered among the independent voters who delivered his margin of victory over President Donald Trump one year ago.”

The poll found that:

Nearly half of those surveyed say Biden has done a worse job as president than they expected. Amazingly, Independents, by 7-1 (44%-6%), say he’s done worse than they expected.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans, 64%, say they don’t want Biden to run for a second term in 2024. That includes 28% of Democrats.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ approval rating has plummeted even further, standing at an embarrassing 28%.
Two-thirds of Americans (66%) say the country is on the wrong track; one in five (20%) say it is headed in the right direction.

A new Rasmussen Reports survey found more than half of U.S. voters said recently that they would be less likely to vote for a candidate in their state if that candidate were endorsed by Joe Biden. The survey found that just 27% of respondents reported being more likely to vote for a candidate endorsed by Biden, while 51% reported being less likely to vote for such a candidate.

In fact, Biden’s endorsement would be much less valuable in a state or local election than would be an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, especially with independent voters.

The shocking poll indicates that Biden’s rapidly sinking popularity has now become a political liability for the Democratic Party as a whole and could prove to be a major factor in the upcoming 2022 midterm elections.

Tweets

Governor DeSantis introduced new policy items he hopes to pass in the upcoming legislative session to further secure Florida’s elections

November 4, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

Team DeSantis

@teamrondesantis

“A recession is when your neighbor loses his job; a depression is when you lose yours; a recovery is when Dr. Fauci loses his.”

His proposal outlines 4 primary prongs to help strengthen Florida’s election integrity:

Establish an investigative unit to investigate election crimes and reports of fraud;
Elevate the crime of ballot harvesting to a third-degree felony;
Establish a timeline for local supervisors of elections to clean the voter rolls;
Secure locations for Florida’s drop boxes

PALM BEACH – Today, Governor DeSantis introduced new policy items he hopes to pass in the upcoming legislative session to further secure Florida’s elections.

“A recession is when your neighbor loses his job; a depression is when you lose yours; a recovery is when Dr. Fauci loses his.”

His proposal outlines 4 primary prongs to help strengthen Florida’s election integrity:

Establish an investigative unit to investigate election crimes and reports of fraud;
Elevate the crime of ballot harvesting to a third-degree felony;
Establish a timeline for local supervisors of elections to clean the voter rolls;
Secure locations for Florida’s drop boxes

Governor DeSantis also embraced the “Let’s Go Brandon” frenzy, dubbing Joe Biden’s administration the “Brandon administration.”

“If you look at all the things that are going on and you see Big Tech, corporate media. If you look at what’s going on with some of the big corporations with their woke agenda. If you look at the Biden, or Brandon administration in terms of what they’re doing…bottom line is, we’ve got a lot of things that we’re facing. We’ve now seen after Virginia that people are willing to fight back. You know I’m willing to fight back.”

Florida’s DeSantis dubs Biden admin the ‘Brandon administration’

“What we need now more than ever, with all the stuff that’s going on, we need people to stand for the right things. They need to stand up and they need to display courage and backbone and not back down in the face of all the things we need to deal with.”

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Weekly Wrap-Up with Congressman Byron Donalds November 1

November 3, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

This past week, Congress remained in session as Democrats continued their streak of failing to address the multiple crises facing the American people.

Joe Biden’s desperation for approval is now causing his administration to look to illegal immigrants for support. As his open border policies remain a massive failure, the President and his administration are considering a plan to provide illegal immigrants up to $450,000 per person due to the legal and appropriate handling of their unlawful entry into our nation enforced under President Trump. This proposal is estimated to cost more than $1 billion of taxpayer dollars and will undoubtedly exacerbate the crisis on our southern border.

As we quickly approach this holiday season, Americans are expected to experience the most expensive Thanksgiving holiday on record. In the ten months that Joe Biden has been in office, his failed policies have caused record inflation, a crippling supply chain shortage, and a national labor shortage – the burden of these crises falling upon the American people and their wallets. Democrats on Capitol Hill are struggling to pass a multi-trillion-dollar socialist spending package that will send our nation further into debt and raise taxes on America’s middle class are significantly out of touch with reality and Americans’ economic struggles. Rather than trying to bring much-needed relief to the American people and bring forth sensible solutions to any of the crises facing our nation, Democrats are solely focused on passing the most invasive form of government overreach in history. While Congressional Democrats stand in denial and disarray, my colleagues & I on this side of the aisle are committing to solving crucial issues like the border crisis, massive inflation, labor shortage, and the supply chain crisis.

Continue reading for a more detailed update on sponsored legislation, must-see interviews, and more!

Legislative Updates

This past week, I introduced a resolution honoring the life and the legacy of General Colin L. Powell. A trailblazer, a legendary statesman, and a great American – I was

General Colin L. Powell was a trailblazer, a legendary statesman, and a great American. This past week, I was honored to introduce a resolution to properly honor the life and legacy of Gen. Powell and his lasting impact on American politics and military affairs.

Read the resolution in its entirety here:

H. Res. 748 – Honoring the Life and Legacy of General Colin L. Powell

Last week, I was proud to join my colleague Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in cosponsoring the BE GONE Act.

This bill seeks to protect every community in America from the dangers of illegal immigrants convicted of sexual assault.

Biden has failed to protect America at home and abroad.

This past week, I joined a press conference with members of the Florida delegation to highlight the important need to fight these authoritarian mandates.

To the hundreds of thousands who fear losing their livelihoods for not complying with Biden’s unconstitutional & tyrannical mandates:

In Florida, we respect medical freedom and reject mandates that infringe upon the rights of the American people. Watch the press conference below:

Rep. Byron Donalds Speaks Out on Unconstitutional Vaccine Mandates

Last week, House Oversight and Reform Committee held a hearing on ‘Fueling the Climate Crisis: Exposing Big Oil’s Disinformation Campaign to Prevent Climate Action.’ This committee, led by Chairwoman Maloney continues to intimidate energy companies, which provide power to the American people.

Let’s be clear, the world will always demand energy.

If you’re not getting energy from us, where we actually produce energy more clearly and more safely, countries will get it from Russia or China – and they don’t care what the climate activists have to say on Twitter. Watch the segment of the hearing below:

Last Thursday, I released a statement condemning the House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Maloney’s planned subpoenaing of oil companies. Tying the hands of our energy industry is a threat to our national security, the health of our climate, and our stature on the world stage, and I will not stand idly by as Democrats seek to kill jobs and enrich our rivals.

Read my full statement below:

In the Media

Last week, I had the privilege to write an op-ed honoring the late Gen. Colin Powell and his inspiring vision of a great American Dream. As a Black man, several generations to his junior, my success in business and politics was only possible through the tenacious and intrepid spirit of men like Gen. Powell. May he rest In eternal peace.

Read my op-ed below:

Rep. Byron Donalds: Colin Powell and His Inspiring Vision of a Great America

This past week, I had the opportunity to join ‘Unfiltered with Dan Bongino’ on Fox News to discuss the Democrat’s attempt to divide America based on vaccination status, big media’s bias towards America’s Governor, Gov. Ron DeSantis, and the Biden Border Crisis.

Watch the interview below:

Last week, I had spoke on Fox Business about the Democrats radical socialist spending policies. There is just not enough money amongst the rich to subsidize their crazy plans. Simply put, Washington cannot get their hands on enough of YOUR money to fund their massive government takeover.

Watch a segment of the interview below:

This past week, I had the pleasure of joining ‘Tucker Carlson Tonight’ on Fox News to discuss COVID-19 and the unconstitutional vaccine mandates by the Biden administration. A message for Biden, when you cough into your hand, make sure you wash it before you start shaking hands with the people around you. That was nasty before COVID; now it’s just stupid.

Get vaxxed if you want, and leave those who don’t want to the hell alone. Watch the full interview below below:

Last Wednesday, I joined Lawrence Jones on Fox News ‘Primetime’ to discuss one of the most consequential failures of the Biden-Harris admin, the blatant mishandling of our southern border.

Biden and Harris are aiding and abetting human and drug smugglers and this crisis. Be sure to watch the interview below:

This past week, I had spoke to EWTN’s ‘News Nightly’ on President Biden’s final attempt to sell his massive multi-trillion dollar social agenda.

As I pointed out, it’s not going to bring in the revenue they think it’s going to bring in… it’s going to increase debt. Watch the full interview below:

Serving the hardworking men and women of Florida’s 19th Congressional District is my distinct honor and privilege. It’s time Washington works for our community’s values, and every day I will always strive to ensure your government is working for you.

Sincerely,

Byron Donalds
Member of Congress

Senator Rick Scott’s Week in Review – October 30

October 30, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

This week, as energy prices across America surge higher, Senator Rick Scott spoke on the Senate floor to request unanimous consent on his Give Americans Stability at Pumps as Rising Inflation Causes Emergencies (GAS PRICE) Act. This common sense legislation would direct the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to report to Congress any policy or rule set by the Biden administration which raises energy costs for American families. Senate Democrats blocked its passage.

Growing up Senator Scott watched his mom struggle to make ends meet and put food on the table, and now we are seeing skyrocketing prices hurt families today who are living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to keep up. While the Biden administration refuses to take responsibility for its policies that are causing rising energy prices, or take action to fix this urgent problem, Senator Scott continues to propose real solutions and fight against the Democrats’ radical socialist agenda that is driving up prices and hurting American families more every day.
See more HERE or in the video below.

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

Sen. Rick Scott: The Government is No Replacement for Parents When it Comes to Education

As the rights of parents are under attack by the Biden administration, Senator Rick Scott, joined by Leader Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Richard Burr and nearly thirty other Republican senators introduced a resolution supporting parents’ rights to be fully and actively involved in the education of their children. Recently, Joe Biden and his administration have politicized and weaponized the Justice Department, threatening to use federal law enforcement resources to intimidate and silence parents who speak out to protect their children from harmful curricula like critical race theory that’s being pushed by Biden and the far-left. Biden’s dangerous tactics are a clear violation on parents’ rights of free speech and the right to have a say in their child’s education.
This resolution is also cosponsored by Senators John Barrasso, Marsha Blackburn, John Boozman, Mike Braun, John Cornyn, Tom Cotton, Kevin Cramer, Mike Crapo, Joni Ernst, Deb Fischer, Lindsey Graham, Chuck Grassley, Josh Hawley, John Hoeven, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Jim Inhofe, Ron Johnson, John Kennedy, James Lankford, Mike Lee, Cynthia Lummis, Roger Marshall, Jerry Moran, James Risch, Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, Thom Tillis, Tommy Tuberville, and Roger Wicker.
Senator Rick Scott said, “The Democrats’ war on parents is disgusting. As a proud father of two, and grandfather to seven, it makes me furious to hear people say that the government knows better than a mom or dad when it comes to the education of their child. That’s why today I am proud to have Leader McConnell, Ranking Member Burr and nearly thirty other Republican senators join me in introducing a simple resolution supporting parents’ rights to be engaged and have a say in their child’s education. It’s not controversial or radical to say that we support the right of parents to be the leading voices in the education of their children. And it’s not controversial or radical to expect teachers, schools and school districts to regularly engage parents in constructive and open dialogue about school policies, curriculum, and instructional materials – and to LISTEN to their feedback. Moms and dads know what is best for their children, and it is a great thing when they get involved. We won’t let the Democrats use their radical, socialist agenda to drive parents out of education and replace them with the failed ideas of big government.” Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott: GDP Bomb Shows Biden is Driving America Toward Economic Doomsday

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following the Department of Commerce’s latest Bureau of Economic Analysis Report noting that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell to a 2% annualized rate of growth in the third quarter amid President Biden’s growing supply chain and inflation crises. These awful, below estimate GDP figures, which serve as the primary indicator of the country’s economic health and growth, further prove what Senator Scott has been saying for months: Biden’s dangerous, socialist policies are pushing America backward, killing jobs and driving our nation toward an economic doomsday.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Joe Biden has been an absolute disaster for our country. By embracing radical socialist policies over what’s truly in the best interest of American families, he has brought America to a dangerous low after just nine months in office. At every turn, he has made the wrong choice. Vaccine mandates? Kills jobs. Paying people more to stay home than go back to work? Kills jobs. Reckless government spending? Fuels inflation and creates a massive supply chain disaster that’s causing shortages and raising prices for almost everything. I hear it from Florida families every week – they are sick and tired of Joe Biden’s failed policies that are making it harder and harder to put food on the table, gas in the tank and a roof over their head. Folks can’t get by in Joe Biden’s America. It’s time for the president to wake up and listen before a devastating economic doomsday comes for the United States.” Read more HERE.
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Democrats Want Americans in the Dark, Block Sen. Rick Scott Transparency Proposal to Address Rising Energy Prices

As energy prices across America surge higher, Senator Rick Scott spoke on the Senate floor to request unanimous consent on his Give Americans Stability at Pumps as Rising Inflation Causes Emergencies (GAS PRICE) Act. This simple legislation, cosponsored by Senators Roger Marshall, Cynthia Lummis, Shelley Moore Capito, Ron Johnson, Jerry Moran and Marsha Blackburn, would direct the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to report to Congress any policy or rule set by the Biden administration which raises energy costs for American families. Senate Democrats blocked its passage.
Reports from the EIA have shown that prices on energy, like gasoline, have increased 55% in just one year, and it is predicted that this winter, home heating prices are going to rise by more than 40% for homes that use heating oil, more than 30% for homes using natural gas, and 54% for homes using propane.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Just this week, the South Florida Sun Sentinel ran a story with the headline, ‘Gas Prices hit their highest level since 2014. When will we get a break?’ As gas prices keep rising, the message from Florida couldn’t be more clear. But this is about more than just headlines. These skyrocketing prices are hurting real families who are living paycheck to paycheck, and struggling to keep up. I grew up poor. When my parents’ bills went up, it made it more difficult on my family. When gas prices went up, it meant we had less food to put on the table.

“The only person to blame for what we are seeing across this country is Joe Biden. He’s done everything in his power to destroy America’s energy independence. In his first month in office, he cut the Keystone Pipeline permit and killed thousands of American jobs. Then he suspended new oil and gas leasing and drilling permits for federal lands. Of course, Joe Biden only knows how to blame everyone but himself. Since the Biden administration has shown ZERO interest in fixing this urgent problem, I introduced a simple bill today that just made it so Congress would be informed when a new policy or rule causes energy costs for American families to go up. Of course, Democrats blocked it. Joe Biden’s lieutenants in the Senate will do anything to cover up the disastrous impacts of his failed energy agenda and today was just further proof of that fact. It’s shameful but I won’t stop fighting against the Democrats’ radical socialist agenda that is driving up prices and hurting American families more every day.” Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott Sends Open Letter to G-20 Leaders: I Won’t Support a Global Minimum Corporate Tax

Ahead of the G-20 Summit in Rome, Senator Rick Scott sent an open letter to the G-20 leaders expressing his opposition to a country-by-country minimum tax rate of 15% on multinational enterprises, which represents a significant threat to American competitiveness. In his letter, Senator Scott reminds global leaders that any changes to tax code or tax treaties must obtain approval by the U.S. Senate. Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott: I Urge Airlines to Fight Biden’s Unconstitutional Vaccine Mandates

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Airlines for America President and CEO Nicholas Calio and National Air Carrier Association President George Novak urging the airline industry to abandon plans to impose President Biden’s unconstitutional vaccine mandates on their workforce—a driving force for unemployment. Throughout the pandemic, airline employees have worked hard to keep themselves and passengers safe. Now, the Biden administration is attempting to bully hardworking Americans and threatening their livelihood by forcing a false choice: get the vaccine or lose your job. Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott to President Biden: Taiwan Deserves Invitation to White House Democracy Summit

Senator Rick Scott urged President Joe Biden to publicly invite Taiwan to participate in The Summit on Democracy, which is being convened by the White House and Department of State on December 9th and 10th, to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the world’s democracies. Senator Scott’s letter follows President Biden’s public statement committing to protect Taiwan in the event of an invasion by Communist China. Senator Scott continues to fight for his bill, the Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act, to end America’s failed policy of strategic ambiguity. Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sen. Cynthia Lummis and Colleagues in Legislation Requiring Federal Employees to Return to Work

Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Cynthia Lummis, John Barrasso, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Marsha Blackburn, Mike Rounds and Roger Marshall to introduce the Having Employees Return to Duty (HERD) Act of 2021. This bill would require federal employees to return to their duty station and the hours they were working prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to help citizens across the country who are currently being underserved by federal agencies due to remote work and a backlog of casework issues.
Senator Rick Scott said, “I’ve heard from families across Florida who are facing issues due to backlogs at federal agencies. Americans everywhere are expected to go to work each day and are able to do so safely – the federal government shouldn’t be any different. We must get the government back to work for the American people and I hope all of my colleagues will support this good bill.” Read more from Senator Lummis’ office HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott: Chair Powell Must Prove Federal Reserve is Independent & Working for American Families

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell making it clear that he will not support Chair Powell for another term as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve unless he shows that the Federal Reserve is an independent agency working in the best interests of American families. Throughout this year, Senator Scott has repeatedly expressed his frustration with Chair Powell’s blind obedience to the failed policies and agenda of President Biden and the Democrats, and his lack of independent leadership to mitigate the harmful impacts of rising inflation. As hardworking families across America continue to suffer because of skyrocketing inflation, a supply chain crisis, a workforce disaster and a historical amount of federal debt, Chair Powell has continued to direct the Federal Reserve to manipulate markets with huge treasury bond purchases and done nothing to protect families. Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott: Raging Inflation Shows Biden’s Socialism & Powell’s Inaction are Destroying America

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following the Bureau and Labor Statistics Report noting the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index has risen to 4.4% over the year, the highest level seen all year. This data shows how President Biden’s inflation crisis, caused by his and Democrats’ socialist policies and reckless government spending, is shrinking budgets for families as the prices of everyday goods continue to skyrocket.

Senator Scott has been urging President Biden to stop his unconstitutional vaccine mandates which are causing families to make an impossible choice: comply to keep their job, quit, or be fired. Reports from the Federal Reserve have shown that reckless policies like this are fueling Biden’s supply chain and inflation crises. Earlier this week, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Federal Chair Jerome Powell making it clear that if Powell does not start showing the Federal Reserve is acting as an independent agency, Senator Scott will not support another term for Powell as Chair.

Senator Rick Scott said, “What in the world is President Joe Biden thinking? Report after report shows plain and simple that Biden’s socialist policies and unconstitutional vaccine mandates are killing our economy, harming our businesses and leaving our families with less and less. And what is he doing to fix it? NOTHING. Biden signed up to lead the country but he’s done absolutely NOTHING to help American families. This is hurting mothers like mine growing up, who struggled to make ends meet, and it makes me furious. The incompetence is astonishing. But, Biden isn’t the only one to blame. As Biden destroys the economy, Chair Powell has been nothing but a puppet for his disastrous agenda. With inflation still raging and the latest GDP figures showing the economy is headed in the wrong direction, we must act now to protect American families. If Biden and Powell can’t do the job, they need to get out of the way.”

Stopping Dysfunction and Deterioration at Naples City Hall

October 29, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

Russell Tuff
Chairman, CCCVPAC

The dysfunction is getting worse with Napes City Council members. The city manager resigned, the new interim city manager resigned, and a couple of high ranking supervisors have left as well.

Naples government is falling apart. Action needs to take place to change the dysfunctional city council. The long marathon meetings with no meaningful outcomes are tiring. The change can only come through elections.

We’ve been here before.

Were you around in the early 1990’s? If you weren’t here, you didn’t witness the severe deterioration of 5th Ave South in Naples. It became depressing to walk what was once a vibrant downtown.

It became run down with many open storefronts. There was a group of city council people nicknamed the “Three Amigos” who were against investing in downtown and let the deterioration continue.

To meet consumer demand, new shopping locations were built to meet consumer demand. The mall expanded, we saw Waterside Shops, Village Walk, and later Mercato.

Improving Naples

It was determined at that time something had to change in City Hall. A few vision projects took place across the community to get the public engaged with names like FOCUS and other planning programs.
Eventually, Andres Duany was hired to create a new vision for downtown Naples, and we see the result of that.

Businesses always need to be changing, adapting, and investing to remain vibrant. People began to proudly walk downtown with great dining and shopping. It became one of the jewels of Naples again.

Once again we are see the area get a little tired and the need to revitalize certain areas is becoming apparent if we are to maintain the strength and jewel of Naples.

There is resistance and dragging of feet with the current city council members, who want to focus on “affordable housing’ and other ventures, while the streets need better lighting to keep residents safe and planned improvements are delayed.

What we are seeing is a good example in Naples of what is happening in the US now that Democrats have taken control – Complete dysfunction.

The Cure for Naples

Why are we here again? It is because we elected Democrats who changed their political affiliation in order to be more palatable to the Naples Republican base.

We have the ability to remove those formerly Democrat candidates. We just have to show up to vote.

We will disclose who the Republicans are in the election to help you vote to right the ship.

We have a Ratings committee set up to evaluate the current candidates and any new people putting their hat in the ring. We will keep you informed of the findings, based on voting records, experience and remaining true to Republican values.

We need to send out postcards, emails, electronic and social media advertisements to change the dysfunction in Naples City Council. If you agree, we could use your help.

Please donate $20.22 for the 2022 election cycle and keep Naples as the crown jewel it is today. Click Here to Donate

Low Republican Voter Turnout of Republicans in City Elections Harmed Naples

We will run a strong Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Campaign for this election cycle. Absentee ballots go out to voters in December and we need to send mailers, emails, and electronic messages with the candidate ratings, and the GOTV emphasis to All Registered Republicans. Be part of the solution and vote.

Protecting Florida Jobs

October 29, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

Governor DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a lawsuit today against the Biden Administration’s order requiring employees of federal contractors to be vaccinated by December 8. The Governor promised to take legal action to stop federal overreach and is keeping that promise, making Florida the first state in the nation to hold the President accountable.

The lawsuit seeks an immediate end to the unlawful requirement that federal contractors ensure that all employees are injected.

“Just months ago Joe Biden was saying that it wouldn’t be appropriate or lawful for the federal government to mandate these COVID shots,” Governor DeSantis said. “But now we have somehow gone from 15 days to slow the spread to 3 jabs to keep your job. The federal government is exceeding their power and it is important for us to take a stand because in Florida we believe these are choices based on individual circumstances.”

“I have never seen such blatant disregard for the Constitution or the laws governing our country,” said Attorney General Moody. “President Biden does not have the authority to force millions of Americans to receive a shot, nor does he have the ability to punish Florida economically for not abiding by his authoritarian, unlawful, and unconstitutional executive order.”

The Governor and Attorney General were joined at the announcement by Floridians who are facing consequences as a result of vaccine mandates.

Florida job growth soars. Covid cases plummet.

October 29, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

At the same time as Covid cases continue to plunge in Florida, to the lowest in the nation, the state’s job growth soars to the highest in the nation — demonstrating again the wisdom of Governor DeSantis’ freedom-first agenda.

Florida’s Covid case count is down 90 percent from two months ago, and 76 percent since Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo signed new rules about a month ago that empowered parental control over their children’s health, banned quarantining healthy people and kept kids in school mask-free. Florida’s case rate is currently half of California’s, which has the strictest mask and vaccine requirements in the nation and is mandating every child over five be vaccinated to attend school.

“Without mandates or lockdowns, COVID-19 cases in Florida have decreased 90% since August,” Governor DeSantis said. “In addition to cases, hospitalizations have plummeted in our state. This has been accomplished by making monoclonal antibody treatments and vaccines widely available throughout our state while protecting Floridians from government overreach.”

Draconian, freedom-squashing government mandates do not stop Covid and Florida’s path is shown to be the best in dealing with the virus while allowing people to freely make their own health decisions.

These freedoms have fueled Florida’s economy by allowing businesses and consumers to go about creating a thriving marketplace.

Florida’s economy rapidly accelerated in September, growing at three times the rate of the nation’s growth. Florida gained 84,500 total jobs, marking 17 consecutive months of private-sector job growth. Importantly, Florida has also seen 11 consecutive months of labor force increases, adding 50,000 workers in just the past month. Florida’s labor force growth of 5.4% is dramatically higher than the national rate of 0.8%.

In total, Florida has gained more than one million jobs since April 2020, and September’s job creation was almost twice that of California.

“While the entire nation gained 194,000 jobs in September, Florida gained 84,500 jobs in the same month – we are outpacing the nation in job growth and job opportunities because businesses know that Florida will stand up for them,” Governor DeSantis said. “We will continue to work hard to keep Florida open, free and built for opportunity.”

Governor DeSantis was joined this week by representatives of three Florida-based businesses — Tervis, PGT Innovations, and Anna Maria Oyster Bar — to highlight the recent success of Florida’s job market and support Florida-based companies.

“Governor DeSantis has created a business environment that has enabled us to hire 115 people since June that has helped minimize the broader impact that the pandemic created, and Tervis is very fortunate to be in a state with a healthy economy,” said Rogan Donelly, President and CEO, Tervis. “Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, Tervis was able to keep our headquarters open in order to manufacture our products, our employees were able to safely stay at work and provide for their families.”

“The pro-business atmosphere in Florida has been crucial for PGT innovations to prosper; specifically over the last 18 months, our business has benefited from low taxes from forward-thinking policies,” said Rod Hershberger, Chairman, PGT Innovations. “We’re able to stay open and continue working because of Governor DeSantis’ efforts to protect Florida jobs. This is the best place to work from a tax perspective and from the leadership that we have, and we intend to stay here for a long time.”

“Everybody in our industry feels we’ve got a governor that’s got our back, that’s working with us, that’s working to help us,” said John Horne, President & Owner, Anna Maria Oyster Bar.

These three represent the sentiments of thousands of thriving and grateful Florida businesses.

FL Senator Kathleen Passidomo – Elected Senate President

October 22, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

“Entering public service amid a long legal career in the private sector, President-Designate Passidomo knows what it takes to run a successful business. She also knows that more often than not, success in politics is getting government out of the way of decent, honest people who are just trying to work hard and make a living,” said Senate President Wilton Simpson.

The third week of Florida’s committee hearings proved to be an exciting time in Tallahassee. While several committees continued to meet this week to discuss Florida’s child welfare system, student literacy and more, I was selected as the next Florida Senate President for the 2022-2024 legislative term.

On Tuesday, October 19, the Republican Caucus of the Florida Senate met in the Senate Chamber. We were joined by Governor Ron DeSantis, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Senate President Wilton Simpson, House Speaker Chris Sprowls, Speaker-designate Paul Renner, and many other current and former legislators.

On Tuesday, I was most proud to be joined by my 98-year-old father, Dr. Alfonse Cinotti; my husband of 42 years, John Passidomo; my three daughters, Catarina Passidomo Townes, Francesca Passidomo and Gabriella Passidomo; my sister, Carol and my aunt, Doris Cinotti. I was also honored to have my fellow law partners and legal staff from the Kelly, Passidomo & Kelly firm in Naples. The Senate Gallery was also filled with many friends and supporters from District 28 who traveled over six hours to Tallahassee for the ceremony.

I am extremely humbled to have been selected by my colleagues in the Senate for this statewide leadership role. I am ready and willing to serve our great state. The Florida Dream is alive and well, and we’re going to fight to protect it. I look forward to working with each and every one of my fellow lawmakers in the years ahead and I’m grateful for the opportunity you’ve given me. I will not let you — or our state — down.

Governor DeSantis calls for quick legislative action to block vaccine mandates

October 22, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

Governor DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, and Floridians threatened with job loss due to vaccine mandates stood together today as the Governor called a Special Session of the Florida Legislature to provide protections for employees.

“Your right to earn a living should not be contingent upon COVID shots,” Governor DeSantis said. “When the vaccines first came out, we worked very hard to provide them, particularly to our elderly, but we said from day one: we will make it available for all, but we will mandate it on none because ultimately we want individuals to make the determinations about what is right for them. I want a state in which people are able to maintain their livelihoods, earn a living, and provide for their families. And if the federal government or big corporations are hurting people, then we have a responsibility to step up and lead.”

During this Special Session, Governor DeSantis is asking the Florida Legislature to provide protections for employees facing termination because of discriminatory vaccine mandates and to make clear that government entities, including school districts, may not fire any employee based on vaccine status. Employers’ broad liability protections should also be reevaluated if they harm their employees through vaccine mandates.

Further, the Governor is asking the Florida Legislature to provide greater protections to parents to manage the health care decisions of their children, including the freedom to opt their children out of mask mandates. According to Florida Department of Health data over the last twelve to fourteen months, COVID-19 infection data from Florida counties reflects no meaningful difference between counties with parent opt-outs for mask requirements.

There is strong support for these freedom-protecting steps in Florida leadership.

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez: “Mandates have no place in the free state of Florida.”
Attorney General Moody: “We will always fight illegal government actions that negatively impact first responders, America’s workers, and public safety.”
Dr. Joseph Ladapo: “Condemning Americans to financial instability is detrimental to the well-being of this country and to public health.”

Florida Ports helping break supply chain logjam

Governor DeSantis is making it clear that Florida Seaports have the available capacity to help unclog the supply chain in America and meet holiday demand, while other seaports across the country, particularly in California, are struggling to keep up.
At an event with the Governor, Jaxport officials announced this week that they will be offering incentives to any company that chooses to bring its business to the port, freeing up backlogs at other ports while ensuring Americans are able to receive the goods they order.
“Year after year we continue to invest in our seaports, in infrastructure and in workforce education to make sure our supply chain is resilient,” Governor DeSantis said. “I’m especially proud of Florida’s seaports. They are crown jewels in our state.”
While California is just now opening their ports 24/7, that is the norm in Florida.
“While other U.S. ports are just now announcing around-the-clock operations, in Florida many of our ports are used to serving Florida farmers, families and businesses with 24-hour operations,” Governor DeSantis during a press conference at Jaxport. “As the rest of the nation faces rampant inflation and businesses stare down unprecedented supply chain problems, our message is this: Florida is here, we have capacity, we have incentive packages to help businesses who want to move here and we are going to make sure Americans get their Christmas Gifts this season.”
The Governor pointed out that at least one European container ship supplier has chosen Jaxport for its U.S. unloading destination bringing an extra 1,000 shipping containers a week through the port, highlighting an incentive package aimed at gaining more customers to the state.
The Governor also said that Port Everglades unloaded nearly 7,000 containers from a ship this past weekend, and a second ship from India is coming to the port with more than 9,000 containers.
“We in Florida have the ability to help alleviate the logjams and help ameliorate the problems with the supply chain,” the Governor said. “Part of it is because we’ve long been committed to reliable, modern and accessible port facilities.”

Fixing the City of Naples from Dysfunction and Resignations

October 20, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

Russell Tuff
Chairman, CCCVPAC

The dysfunction is getting worse with Naples City Council members. The city manager resigned, the new interim city manager resigned, and a couple of high ranking supervisors have left as well.