First Lady DeSantis is Cancer Free
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that First Lady Casey DeSantis is cancer free and thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers. Our First Lady is an inspiration to us all and her courage has inspired many facing the same battle.
State Legislative Maps Approved
The Florida Supreme Court has approved new legislative maps for Florida House and Senate seats. The decision now allows candidates to run for the newly created districts.
No decision has been made for congressional districts as the House, Senate and Governor DeSantis disagree on map boundaries. The state has until June 17 to resolve differences to finalize the map to allow candidates to run for congress.
***SEE NEW OPTION TO ATTEND SOLD OUT LINCOLN DAY DINNER IN HAPPENINGS***
CHAIRMAN JOE GRUTERS' MESSAGE
President Trump Freedom Tour Hits Florida
For one historic day, the American Freedom Tour is coming to Florida March 19 at FLA Live Arena in Fort Lauderdale! It’s time for conservatives to get motivated and defend freedom.
The American Freedom tour will be in Fort Lauderdale. Come see President Donald J. Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Candace Owens, Dan Bongino, Sarah Huckabee Sanders and many, many more live and in person. Get your tickets now. This is a historic, must-attend event featuring America’s top insiders and influencers. Register today. Build important relationships, help promote a conservative agenda and protect America’s future.
$4.4 Million for Southeast Florida Rural Infrastructure
DeSantis announced more than $4.4 million for communities in Southeast Florida to build and improve rural infrastructure at C.J. Cannon's, Vero Beach, last Monday.
Indian River County will use its $750,000 to attract new industry opportunities to the Headwaters Commerce Park in Fellsmere. Broward County will use the funding to increase internet accessibility and provide rental assistance to residents. Monroe County will use funds to make improvements to a community waterfront park that will be a multi-use location.
“By connecting Floridians with the resources, they need to create jobs, support new talent, and help businesses to stay open and grow, we are supporting Florida’s economic resiliency,” Governor DeSantis said. “I will continue seeking strategic approaches to long-term opportunity for all Floridians.”
Governor DeSantis Liberates Students from “COVID Theater”
It seems there are some things only Governor DeSantis is willing to say, but we all know is true.
One of those moments came during a press conference on cybersecurity training at the University of South Florida, where several high school students were arrayed behind the Governor, and all were dutifully masked up. All of the adults were unmasked, even while these youth have all along been the least vulnerable to COVID, and with Omicron have essentially zero risk. Why were they masked?
Like he so often does, Governor DeSantis said what most common-sense Americans have been thinking for a very long time. Enough already.
The Governor walked to the podium but addressed the students first: “You do not have to wear those masks. Please take them off. Honestly, it's not doing anything. We've got to stop with this Covid theater. So, if you wanna wear it, fine, but this is ridiculous.”
And that, folks, is what the science says. There was absolutely no reason for them to be masked at their expense beyond theater for some adults. As usual, the Democrat media avoided the merits of the Governor’s point — which are unassailable — and spun it into “bullying.” Seriously. So desperate. But also as usual, they are wrong. Governor DeSantis actually was liberating the students, allowing them to breathe freely and all of us to see their faces. Their faces showed it.
Florida Launches Cybersecurity and IT Training Expansions
Governor DeSantis announced $20 million for cybersecurity and IT training opportunities while visiting Cyber Florida — the Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida.
Starting next week, the University of South Florida will use the money to begin coordinating three regional partnerships to develop workforce education clusters in cybersecurity for middle school, high school and college students. Last school year, nearly 143,000 Florida middle and high school students were enrolled in career and technical education programs that accelerate cybersecurity and IT pathways.
“This funding will not only create opportunities for Floridians seeking jobs in this important field but will also improve our national defense, protect Floridians and their businesses, and maintain the integrity of our elections,” Governor DeSantis said. “By doubling available opportunities in this field, Florida continues to lead.”
In 2019, Governor DeSantis set the goal of making Florida the number one state in the nation for workforce education by 2030. So far, Florida has invested over $3.5 billion to expand workforce education and training programs in the state. Globally, the shortage of cybersecurity professionals is estimated to be about 2.7 million. In Florida, there are an estimated 22,000 unfilled cybersecurity-related jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that cybersecurity employment growth will be around 31 percent over the next few years, with average median wages around $104,000 annually.
Florida Provides $7.1 Million to Help with Tornado Recovery
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the availability of more than $7.1 million in funding and resources to help families recovering from the impacts of recent tornadoes in Southwest Florida on January 6. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has also sent people to Charlotte and Lee counties to help homeowners in need.
Following the federal government’s denial of Florida’s request to provide assistance to individuals impacted by the tornadoes, Governor DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management launched a donation portal to provide immediate relief for disaster survivors impacted by the tornadoes. The donation portal is available at FloridaDisaster.org/Assistance.
“Victims of these tornadoes in Southwest Florida deserve assistance to kickstart their recovery process,” Governor DeSantis. “Despite the Biden Administration’s failure to help Floridians in need, I will continue working with state agencies to find ways that we can assist our residents who have been devastated by these tornadoes.”
AG Moody Leads 26 Other States in Supreme Court Fight for Religious Freedom
Leading 26 other states, Attorney General Moody is urging the Supreme Court of the United States to reverse the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on Joseph A. Kennedy v. Bremerton School District.
In this case, the Ninth Circuit failed to uphold the constitutional rights of a high school coach who was punished for praying alone on a football field in view of students.
“High school coaches, like other government employees, do not check their constitutional rights at the door when they agree to pursue a career of public service,” AG Moody said. “We should be encouraging people of faith to pursue noble careers educating and coaching our youth.”
The amicus brief argues that:
- Contrary to the Ninth Circuit’s opinion, Supreme Court precedents do not hold that a public employee’s private speech, like Coach Kennedy’s private prayer, is exempt from First Amendment protection.
- Allowing the school district to justify its discriminatory actions under the Establishment Clause not only conflicts with settled constitutional principles, but it also creates problems for both public employers and employees.
- The Ninth Circuit’s curtailment of First Amendment liberties is detrimental to public service. Private religious expression and public service can and must coexist.
Senator Rubio Comes on Strong at CPAC
Senator Marco Rubio released a new video with highlights from his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando last week. Here’s one such highlight:
“There are people that perhaps have never voted the same way any of you have in a presidential race. And they’re really angry. And they’re getting rid of school board members because they’re coming for their kids. And they’re getting rid of local government officials because they’re coming for their business. And they’ll get rid of federal leaders that are coming for their freedom.”
