I hope you are having a great weekend. For me, it was another busy week of connecting with constituents. To keep you updated, I want to provide a brief overview of the important things taking place in District 59. 

But first, a reminder that COVID-19 vaccines are available to all Floridians aged 12 and over. To find a vaccination site near you, please visit floridahealthcovid19.gov. Or simply text your zipcode to 438829.

HB 429 Signed into Law

During session, I proudly sponsored HB 429, the Purple Star Campuses Act. It cleared both chambers unanimously, and this week the bill was signed into law. 

The average military child attends 8-10 schools during their k-12 career. Often, their parents deploy for months at a time, and many students struggle as a result. This legislation provides stability by creating Purple Star Campuses designed to serve military families' unique needs. Click here to learn more about the challenges we are seeking to address.

Governor DeSantis Targets LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month

On Tuesday, Governor DeSantis signed the Transgender Sports Ban. He followed that by vetoing mental healthcare funding for victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub mass shooting. Click here to read more.

As Democrats, we cannot tolerate the continued attacks on our brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ+ community. When the Florida House of Representatives reconvenes in January, I will fight to repeal the transgender sports ban, fund mental healthcare for Pulse nightclub victims, improve school and workplace protections, and end discrimination against LGBTQ+ parents.  

Critical funding for the Tampa Bay area vetoed 

From a policy and budgetary perspective, there have been some disappointing developments this week. The Governor has vetoed crucial funding for numerous infrastructure projects in Tampa Bay, costing our community high-paying union jobs and hindering economic growth. In addition, he removed funding for ZooTampa's bear and panther exhibits and summer learning programs for students impacted by COVID-19. Click here to read more.

Team Andrew Hosts June Town Hall 

This week we held our monthly town hall to discuss key legislative issues in Florida. It was perhaps our shortest town hall, but we still covered several important matters including, the 2021 state budget, public education, roads and infrastructure, and more! Click here to watch.

Thank you for taking the time to read my weekly review! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out.

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