The Republicans rammed through a Florida Abortion Ban in the middle of the night in addition to advancing the "Don't Say Gay" bill on a party-line vote. That, in addition to their budget that CUT $200 MILLION DOLLARS from our local kids' schools (among others) just for following CDC guidance during the peak of the Delta Wave. It was a tough week, but...

It's weeks like this one that highlight how critical our election really was. Because we held the line against a Republican-Super-Majority in our election here last year, we were able to force them to hear 17 amendments including one that would have added back the rape and incest exception they specifically removed.

It was a reminder that this Republican-dominated Legislature would rather spend entire weeks fighting their Right-Wing Culture Wars rather than debating serious policies that help people with rising prices in affordable housing, childcare, and healthcare. It's wrong.

In the Judiciary Committee, I caused a walkout of folks who came up from The Villages that came to spew anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and mock children who simply asked to not be bullied by the Republican "Don't Say Gay" bill. In my debate, I had mentioned that hateful rhetoric like what we were hearing had caused an insurrection at our Capitol on January 6th. Regardless of whether the Villagers were afraid the FBI was watching or just triggered, the group that had previously been there on religious grounds became skittish and stormed out.

But, I wasn't going to let things end there! I went to The Villages this weekend to say one thing "GAY."

Despite the awful debates, the undisputed highlight of the week was my family was in town!!! They FINALLY made it to the Capitol and we all had an absolute blast showing them Tallahassee before heading down to SeaWorld and Aunt Marie in The Villages for the weekend! 

In news back home, we FINALLY have the light going in at Rhodine and Balm Riverview! I'm 100% committed to fixing these damn roads and work is starting everywhere you look!

We did have one very good bipartisan bill we were able to pass, one for dads! The bill includes nearly 70 million dollars for non-profits that help fatherless youth and addresses the fatherhood crisis in our state. I'm a #ProudFLDad and this week brought it all home.

Back to the $200 MILLION DOLLAR CUT to our schools, among others... The purely punitive, vindictive, and petty budget proposed by the majority which they themselves acknowledge is simply punishment for following CDC guidance instead of the Governor's rhetoric passed the House Floor. It reminds me of the real victims of their political games, THE CHILDREN.

In summary, I think my good friend Rep. Diamond said it best:

Speaking of petty, have I mentioned lately how GREAT it is to represent CHAMPA BAY?!?!?

Ok, that's all I have time for now. We're back at it tomorrow!