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CHAIRMAN, Jay Kramer * 772-321-7724 * [email protected]

VICE CHAIRMAN, Lamarre Notargiacomo * 772-559-1968 * [email protected]

SECRETARY, Linda Anselmini * 609-577-5139 * [email protected]

TREASURER, Steve Gagne * 772-480-6671 * [email protected]

STATE COMMITTEEWOMAN

Elly Manov

772-696-1665

[email protected]

STATE COMMITTEEMAN

Shawn Frost

772-264-4373

yes@gopwelcomesyou.com

IRC REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN

Jay Kramer

Jay

Republican Headquarters:

865 20th Place

Vero Beach, FL 32960

Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Phone: 772-492-8394

“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”

Thomas Jefferson

Honoring America’s Presidents

By Ambassador Callista L. Gingrich and Speaker Newt Gingrich

On Presidents’ Day, it is important to remember the exceptional leaders of our nation, the legacies they left behind, and what we can learn from them today.

Presidents’ Day initially honored the birth of America’s first president – George Washington. Because of Washington’s indispensable role in the founding of our nation, America has celebrated his birth since 1800, following his death in 1799.

America’s Founding Fathers held Washington in their highest esteem and knew his moral force transcended politics and personal ambition. Washington commanded the Continental Army for eight years during the American Revolution, presided over the Constitutional Convention, and served two terms as the first president of the United States.

In Washington’s Farewell Address, in which he announced his decision to decline a third presidential term, he wrote, “I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness, but am supported by a full conviction that the step is compatible with both.” At a time where others may have gone astray and followed in the footsteps of autocrats and dictators, he, and perhaps he alone, would not.

Washington’s example, built upon a framework of human equality and liberty under the law, was carried forward by another American president, Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln made clear throughout his campaign and presidency that America’s founding principles were worthy of preserving and defending, even as he shepherded the nation through internal conflict. In notes Lincoln used during his 1859 campaign, he wrote, “The people – the people – are the rightful masters of both Congresses, and courts – not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.”

More than a century after him, President Ronald Reagan would continue to carry the torch of American idealism at a time when the antithesis of those ideals dominated half of the world.

Reagan, too, recognized that if we are to be worthy successors of the legacies of those who came before us – and pass them on to future generations – we must be willing to fight to preserve our founding principles.

As Reagan said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation.”

Reagan’s words ring true today. At a time when America is gripped by the throes of disunity and polarization, it is important that we preserve the memory of our nation’s presidents and educate future generations about their role in U.S. history.

WE SUPPORT THE CANADIAN TRUCKERS' FREEDOM CONVOY

The authoritarian Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is using “emergency powers” to destroy the individuals who have participated in the peaceful protest of that nation’s truckers. No holds barred in the brutal uncalled for, attack on those who kept Canada functioning during the worst of the pandemic. The trampling of participants with horses are Gestapo tactics reminiscent of Nazi Germany. Shame on the PM for refusing to even speak to the truckers! So much for the freedom of assembly and association in our neighbor to the north.

RPOF CHAIRMAN JOE GRUTERS' MESSAGE

Florida Busts Through Tourism Records

Governor DeSantis' determination to keep Floridians free and Florida open for business continues to pay off for the state and Americans everywhere as more people than ever are flocking to Florida for vacations. They are escaping more than just cold weather. Lockdowns, mask mandates and weariness over the endless authoritarianism in many other states makes Florida a refuge from crushing policies.

The Governor announced that 30.9 million visitors came to Florida between October and December 2021, marking the second consecutive quarter that visitation has surpassed 2019, pre-pandemic levels. That brings the overall totals for 2021 to nearly 118 million domestic visitors to our state — the highest level in state history, as residents of other states flocked to Florida as a haven from lockdown policies.

“In Florida, we put freedom first, and as a result people are choosing to vacation in our state from across the country and the world to escape lockdowns, including the politicians who advocated for those reckless policies and who are often spotted vacationing here,” Governor DeSantis said. “While tourism in other states is only just beginning to recover, Florida is at the front of the pack — now we are surpassing pre-pandemic levels and setting new visitation records. I’m thankful that VISIT FLORIDA continued to market our state throughout the past two years, and I am confident that 2022 will be another great year for Florida’s tourism industry.”

Here are a few highlights from the report:

Estimates from VISIT FLORIDA show that 29 million domestic visitors traveled to Florida in the fourth quarter of 2021, reflecting a 57 percent increase from the same period in 2020, and a 7 percent increase from pre-pandemic 2019.
Approximately 1.5 million overseas visitors came to Florida in the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of 198 percent from 2020, and 43 percent from the third quarter.
About 359,000 Canadian travelers visited Florida in the fourth quarter of 2021, nearly three times as many as in the previous quarter.
Latin America was the driving force of overseas visitation in 2021, with Colombia becoming the state’s No. 1 international market with a record 710,000 visitors.
In addition, Florida’s total hotel revenue reached its highest ever in 2021 at $17.3 billion, a 2 percent increase over 2019.

For more details on the tourism numbers: https://visitflorida.app.box.com/s/yybwlayqp5ul95851p1vobhwjpsxr2cr

Story here: https://thecapitolist.com/2021-saw-the-highest-rate-of-domestic-tourism-in-state-history/

Tourist-related Businesses and Organizations Praise the Governor

The principled, freedom-driven policies of Governor DeSantis are drawing high praise from businesses and organizations around the state, who realize that those policies set the foundation for VISIT FLORIDA’s marketing successes.

Richard Gonzmart, fourth generation Co-Owner of Columbia Restaurant Group, said, “Florida’s food and beverage sector heavily depends on visitation to our state, so tourism’s record year in 2021 is a huge win for our industry. We sincerely appreciate everything Governor DeSantis and VISIT FLORIDA have done to generate visitors and support businesses.”

Darien Schaefer, President and CEO of Visit Pensacola, said, “Tourism in Pensacola and beyond is thriving thanks to Governor DeSantis and VISIT FLORIDA’s unwavering commitment to our industry. Their efforts have allowed us to take full advantage of the national pent-up travel demand and introduce millions of new visitors to everything our great state has to offer.”

Philip McDaniel, CEO of St. Augustine Distillery said, “As one of Florida’s top destinations, St. Augustine runs on tourism, and VISIT FLORIDA has been crucial for boosting our visitation share this past year. We are grateful for Governor DeSantis’ support of Florida’s No. 1 industry and keeping our tourism economy strong.”

Loretta Shaffer, Director of the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau, said, “Florida tourism’s amazing year further underscores the value of Governor DeSantis’ leadership and VISIT FLORIDA’s marketing, which has helped drive visitation to Florida’s destinations large and small. Marion County was one of Florida’s fastest growing counties for domestic visitation in 2021.”

More about what they’re saying: https://www.flgov.com/2022/02/16/what-they-are-saying-florida-tourism-industry-is-booming/

Governor DeSantis Denounces Biden Administration Denial of Individual Assistance for Victims of SW Florida Tornado

Governor DeSantis announced today that Florida will appeal the federal government’s denial of emergency aid for Southwest Florida after a series of severe storms in the early morning of January 16 generated an EF-1 tornado in Charlotte County and an EF-2 tornado in Lee County.

The victims of the disaster represent a significant elderly population, with 84 percent of the impacted population receiving Social Security Income. On January 24, Florida requested all programs under the Individual Assistance program, including the Individuals and Households program, Disaster Case Management, Crisis Counseling and Training program, Disaster Legal Services and Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

The Florida Department of Emergency Management will appeal the denial due to the amount of destruction and number of displaced residents caused by the tornadoes. FDEM is also helping residents in identifying other forms of disaster assistance that may be available to help them recover.

$91 Million for Panhandle Communities Hit by Hurricane Michael

Governor DeSantis announced more than $91 million to 14 communities across the Panhandle region to strengthen infrastructure, including improvements to wastewater and sanitary sewer, potable water and stormwater systems.

“I’ve said from the beginning that recovery from Hurricane Michael would be a long-term process,” Governor DeSantis said. “Michael has forever left a mark on Panhandle communities, but through the funding provided today, we can ensure these communities are stronger and better equipped for the future.”

“More than three years since Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle, Governor DeSantis continues to make good on his promise to support these communities with vital resources to recover from this historic storm,” Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said. “This additional $91 million in recovery funding will go a very long way in improving the infrastructure needed to support the families and businesses impacted by Hurricane Michael.”

AG Moody Fights to End Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate

Continuing to fight for Floridians, Attorney General Ashley Moody is leading 17 other states in filing an amicus brief in support of the state of Georgia’s multi-state suit against President Joe Biden's federal contractor vaccine mandate.

The suit seeks an immediate end to the unlawful requirement that federal government contractors require all employees receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Not only are there many Florida companies that will be negatively impacted by the unlawful requirements, but the vaccination requirements intrude on Florida’s laws expressly restricting employer-vaccine mandates.

Attorney General Moody filed a similar action in October 2021 and won a preliminary injunction against the unlawful mandate. The federal government is currently appealing the state of Georgia’s case.

“While COVID-19 infections are rapidly decreasing, President Biden is showing no signs of relenting in his pursuit of power over the personal medical decisions of Americans,” Attorney General Moody said. “As Florida’s Attorney General, I am fighting to protect Floridians from Biden’s unlawful federal overreach and I am proud to lead a multi-state effort in support of Georgia’s case to stop the unlawful vaccine mandate for federal contractors.”

Florida Pulling Out of Federal Illegal Immigrant Minor Program

The Florida Department of Children and Families is proposing a rule prohibiting the renewal of licenses for organizations that house Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC), mostly older teenagers, whom the federal government is resettling across the United States, including Florida, unless there is a cooperative agreement between the State of Florida and the federal government.

“Through its policies, the federal government has made a decision to encourage the mass smuggling of minors to the southern border without their parents,” DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris said. “No government that claimed to care for children would ever tolerate this. The federal government’s careless policies have led to this unsafe situation, and Florida will no longer be complicit in it. By ending the state’s involvement with the UAC program, the proposed rule will finally force the federal government to take full responsibility for the care and treatment of the UAC population.”

The proposed rule will not affect the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) program because there is a cooperative agreement that governs the resettlement of URM. Additionally, the rule also bars existing licensees from adding to their UAC population, and requires them to conduct regular, in-person welfare checks of any UAC from their current population who are placed with sponsors in Florida.

These unaccompanied teens are often smuggled or trafficked by criminals, sometimes with the knowledge or participation of family members who are already illegally in the country. The Biden Administration’s willful refusal to faithfully enforce the nation’s immigration laws has incentivized this intolerable state of affairs. In President Biden’s first year of office, the number of unaccompanied minors arriving at the southern border ballooned to more than 146,000, compared to approximately 33,000 in fiscal year 2020 and 80,000 in fiscal year 2019.

Posey Works to Block Funding to CCP Research

Rep. Bill Posey along Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-NM) and other House colleagues introduced The Stop Funding Our Adversaries Act, which is designed to push back against the corrupt Chinese Communist Party and promote U.S. research initiatives by prohibiting any federal agency from using American tax dollars to conduct or support research with the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

“This legislation is a commonsense step to protect the interests of the United States and make sure CCP-entities like the Wuhan Institute of Virology, who should be investigated as a likely source of the COVID-19 pandemic, never see a cent of American funding again” said Rep. Posey. “A growing and unchecked China is one of the biggest threats to the United States, and their bad-faith actions have affected American patients and inventors, targeted our position as leader in space, and threatened our nation’s cybersecurity.”

The bill is part of Rep. Posey’s larger agenda to take on China and make the U.S. less dependent on foreign competitors and adversarial nations. Last year Posey introduced legislation to protect Americans from tainted Chinese pharmaceuticals, to make America more competitive for space launches and incentivize American companies to move manufacturing equipment back to the United States. Posey also co-led legislation to create an independent commission to study vulnerabilities in our critical supply chain and investigate the origins of the pandemic.

Study Shows 69% of Retailers Have Seen Increased Organized Crime Within the Last Year

The Senate passed a bill Thursday cracking down on organized retail theft in Florida.

The bill (HB 1511) stiffens penalties against thieves who steal multiple items from multiple stores in a short period of time. The Senate passed the bill unanimously after a brief debate. Bradenton Republican Sen. Jim Boyd and Newberry Republican Rep. Chuck Clemons sponsored the proposal.

Under the measure, theft of 10 or more items from at least two different locations is deemed a third-degree felony if committed within 30 days. The theft of 20 or more items, meanwhile, would be a second-degree felony.

Businesses would need to tabulate their losses within those 30 days. The items must total more than $750.

“Men and women who put their life savings into stores and building their businesses are really loved and they’re being robbed because the thieves know they can’t be prosecuted,” Boyd said. “All we’re saying in this bill is that is not going to be tolerated in Florida.”

Organized retail theft is a national problem. In December, Florida garnered national news when more than $1 million in goods were stolen from a small business in Palm Beach.

The issue, though, is more than a few isolated incidents. A study shows 69% of retailers have seen increased organized crime within the last year.

“The increasingly risky environment has repercussions that extend well beyond a company’s bottom line into actual threats against employees and customers,” the National Retail Federation warned in the study.

Lawmakers, including St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes, probed about the measure’s details before signing on. Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office is also supporting the bill.

“Thank you, Sen. Jim Boyd and the Florida Senate, for passing this important legislation that will help us better prosecute organized retail theft in our state — building a stronger (and) safer Florida,” Moody tweeted after the passage.

The bill now awaits House consideration. If approved, the increased penalties would take effect in October.

Florida Legislative Session Goes Thru March 11

Stay up to date on the status of bills by using the bill tracker.

https://legislativeactioncenter.org/2022-bill-tracker/

Unity - Let's get it together!

As we approach the 2022 mid-term elections and the 2024 presidential election, and in light of the abject failure of the Biden administration, we know that the very survival of our republic depends on the outcome of those elections. Therefore, we must stay unified. Never lose sight of who our political opponents are… the progressive left Democrats who are taking our country off a cliff with the active help of Big Tech and the old-line national news media. Our fellow Republicans are not the enemy!

HAPPENINGS

**The https://www.givesendgo.com/stevegagne campaign is still available to make donations to help our treasurer, Steve Gagne offset Covid and housing costs. **

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Vero Beach Gun Shows at IRC Fairgrounds

March 5-6, 2022

June 25-26, 2022

Sept 24-25, 2022

Nov 5-6, 2022

Volunteers will be needed!

Contact Jeff Mosesso at [email protected]

WAKE-UP AMERICA

Join Robin Pelensky

and friends waving the flag on Friday nights 5:30-6:30 PM on the Barber Bridge. It is a Wake-Up America event each Friday. It's so encouraging and important to remind people to pay attention and get engaged and it's really fun!

AMERICAN FLAG WALK

Join Barbara DeFrino

to flag wave at 10:00 AM Saturday mornings on the Barber Bridge.