Things are really picking up speed around here! The redistricting maps are done, my bills are moving, and draft budgets totaling $108 billion dollars have been released!

First, my bill to empower Home Chefs passed its first committee on Thursday. If you missed it, you can watch my presentation here or read my original blog post to learn more! 

Want to help me by e-mailing Rep. Tomkow to hear the bill at its next committee stop? Click the button below and let's keep the momentum rolling!

In Judiciary, I spoke out against two bills that would harm Floridians. The first was Rep. Beltran's bill that limits Constitutional Amendments proposed by citizens. If passed, amendments like the All for Transportation referendum, class sizes, and medical marijuana would be all but impossible to pass.

The second bill is one that would require Florida to participate with the Federal Immigration Policy, which could potentially harm families like the Afghan refugee family I recently welcomed home. It's a hateful piece of legislation that hurts real people and kids all to appease the worst instincts in the Republican base. 

On the House floor, we finalized the proposed redistricting maps for the next decade of Florida's elections. They split Brandon into 4 districts (effectively reducing our voice) and lump parts of Brandon and Riverview with Downtown St. Pete in some moronic argument that water can make a district "contiguous" under the state constitution. Anyways... It was a big NO from me!

As for the impact on the district I represent though, the seat will get slightly more Republican leaning and it is shaking up to be the marque race in the state as the projected district is even closer than the one I just won in. Here's a snapshot of the state. 

And here's the new FL-69. As you'll see, I lose Brandon north of HWY-60 as well as everything West of I-75. But, I pickup Fishhawk down to the county line. It's a more rural seat, but it's absolutely still winnable if we work for it!

Lastly, Florida Department of Veterans Affairs had a Wall of Honor in the Capitol Courtyard with the faces of all we've lost to the War on Terror. I went down to pay my respects and find my buddies. 

With everything happening in the world today, let's all go home and watch some Olympic curling and give peace a chance.