Our first Committee Week in Tallahassee has come and gone and there as A LOT to take in.

First, I swung by Cedar Key to see how my bill for Florida's clam and oyster farmers was working out. I got a little wet and sandy while getting to see what Florida's cleanest water does for the ecosystem. In the end though, it was a great excuse to load up the car and drive to Tallahassee for a members-only bipartisan Clam Bake to welcome in the 2022 Legislative Session.

In the Criminal Justice Subcommittee, I questioned the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Corrections on a letter they sent us citing "crisis levels" of staffing shortages and floating the idea of an emergency release of inmates to reduce system pressures. The VAST majority of our state prisons are so chronically understaffed that they often have just one guard for upwards of 150 inmates. 

So, I went to see it first-hand and talk with the team at Jefferson CI. This was my fourth unannounced visit to a state prison, as one of only a few dozen people allowed inside the walls, I take that oversight responsibility seriously. 

Jefferson is a incentivized prison, meaning it's where every inmate in Florida wants to spend their time if they can maintain good behavior. Because of this, the moral was excellent, the prison was better staffed, and the inmates were even working on electrical credentials to help them get jobs upon release. As a bonus, check out this art the inmates painted inside the Veteran's dorm.

Lastly, the League of Cities came by my office to present an award for my defense of home rule last session. I feel strongly that local governments know their communities best and are the best representatives of their communities' needs and will continue to fight for local control.

Finally, some good news for CHAMPA-Bay!!!

As always, if you have any bill ideas, need assistance, or want to chat about upcoming legislation simply hit that reply button and let me know! Thanks for giving me this opportunity to serve; I'm loving it!