Our final Committee Week preparing for the 2022 Legislative Session next month was a doozie! I had a HUGE legislative rollout, five formal committee meetings including a Congressional Redistricting Committee, and dozens of one on ones with stakeholders, constituents, and members in the Capitol. 

But first, did you notice the cones and construction beginning at 301 and Bloomingdale? We're widening the onramp to I-75 and repaving the intersection as a part of the historic bipartisan infrastructure bill! In fact, all the interchanges from Big Bend, to Boyette, 301, and HWY-60 are being improved along I-75. I said I'd help fix the damn roads and I meant it! 

P.S. Don't worry, we are replacing all the trees when construction is complete. :)

The big news from my office this week was a HUGE rollout of a bipartisan medical marijuana bill I filed along with Coast Guard Veteran Rep. Spencer Roach (R) out of Fort Myers. Last year, Rep. Roach was the lead author of a bill to cap medical THC so having him, Senator Gruters (the Republican Party Chairman and sitting State Senator), along with Senator Shev Jones out of Miami really brings together all sides of this historic debate for a positive step forward.  

Under our bill, the price to participate in the medical marijuana program would be reduced by more than 60%, we add age limits to mind-altering products, along with a slew of other positive changes. Here's a fact sheet of what's included.

Here's a great Tampa Bay Times article explaining the bill in more context. Remember, this is the first bipartisan positive step forward for the program in over five years. This isn't the bill I'd run if I was king, but it's one I'm confident I have the votes to pass. 

Regardless, I'm having fun with it! ;)

As for the elephant in the room, I sat on the Congressional Redistricting Committee this week and pressed the majority hard on their plan to crack and therefore dilute Hillsborough County into six congressional districts, to have one district span Tampa Bay (a flaw that ultimately was ruled unconstitutional and threw out the maps a decade ago by the Supreme Court), and I questioned whether or not we should read into the fact that all four major state universities are on the borders (therefore splitting their votes) of multiple districts.

Below is a bit of context on the State House maps from Tampa Bay Times. But my summary in the article is simple: 

“In what world does it make sense for a member to drive an hour and a half and cross three other districts and the bay just to get to the other side of their own district?” asked Rep. Andrew Learned, D-Brandon. “You can create minority districts without crossing the bay.”

For context, their proposal is to lump Brandon in with South St Pete. Please, make that make sense to me... 

You can view all the maps here.

Also this week, it was GREAT to see so many of you at Leadership Blue this weekend in Orlando! Along with the entire House Democratic Caucus THANK YOU for your support in helping us keep Florida safe, prosperous, and free.

And lastly, it was full holiday season in YOUR Florida House this week. You'll hear it from me again, but Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah!