Chairman's Message



Happy Easter!



Florida is Pro-Life and Pro-Family!







In an emotional, powerful event the day before Easter weekend, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law today the Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality bill that will protect the lives of unborn babies after 15 weeks of gestation.



“We are here today to protect life. We are here today to defend those who cannot defend themselves,” Governor DeSantis said to a large, passionate crowd in Kissimmee. “House Bill 5 protects babies in the womb who have beating hearts, who can move, who can taste, who can see, and who can feel pain. Life is a sacred gift worthy of our protection, and I am proud to sign this great piece of legislation which represents the most significant protections for life in the state’s modern history.”



Speakers included women who had abortions and regretted it, women who changed their mind at the abortion clinic and a 30-year-old survivor of a botched abortion.



“Life remains life whether planned or unplanned. Life remains life whether inside the womb or outside,” said Florida State Rep. Erin Grall, the House sponsor. “Without a commitment to life, nothing else we do matters.”



In the 50 years since Roe v. Wade, science has revealed that a baby in the womb rapidly develops the functions and form of a child long before the point of viability outside the womb, which itself has been pushed earlier with modern medicine. Florida’s new law takes into account these advances in medicine and science that confirmed that babies at 15 weeks in the womb have beating hearts and functioning brains, can taste and react — and can feel pain. This is proven science and Florida will no longer allow the legalized killing of these most innocent of people.



Florida’s law increases health care and education resources available to pregnant mothers and women who may become pregnant with a focus on the prevention of fetal and infant death in Florida. The bill also expands and funds fetal and infant mortality review committees in areas of the state that do not currently have one to reduce fetal and infant mortality and morbidity. And the bill requires all hospitals that offer labor and delivery services to participate in at least two initiatives within the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative to reduce infant mortality.



Governor DeSantis linked the signing of the bill with a bill he signed earlier in the week that will equip fathers to be more active and engaged in their families. “There are a lot of challenges to being a parent,” he said. “But I can tell you, that responsibility is not something I would change for the world.”



Read more:[link removed]



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Equipping men to be fathers in the home







Florida is launching a focused effort to help men become the responsible fathers in their homes that their families need them to be. This often overlooked area is becoming a crisis in our country and state — and Florida leaders are acting.



Governor DeSantis has signed into law HB 7065, which includes educational programs, mentorship programs and one-on-one support to encourage responsible and involved fatherhood in Florida. The law includes nearly $70 million in funding to provide a wide spectrum of family and youth support through the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF).



“There are more than 18 million children in our country who live without a father in their home,” Governor DeSantis said. “This has a severe impact on children, and often leads to dropping out of school, crime and substance abuse. Incredibly, there are those who diminish the importance of fatherhood and the nuclear family. We will not let that happen in our state. I am proud to say we are doing everything we can to support involved fatherhood in Florida.”



“We cannot legislate fatherhood, accountability or character, but we can provide support for fathers to equip and encourage them to take an active role in the lives of their children,” said House Speaker Chris Sprowls, who brought attention to the fatherhood crisis during his 2019 designation speech."



“This is going to be tremendous and such a good help to fathers in Florida,” said Coach Tony Dungy, Former Head Coach, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “This bill is so important. I want to thank all of the men and women that have been behind this. It is going to allow groups like All Pro Dad and people like those here today to do great things for our fathers here in Florida.”



One of the law’s main provisions is supporting and creating mentorship programs at DJJ for at-risk youth. For many of these youth, their mentor may be the closest thing they have to a father. The law provides a wide spectrum of family support, including fatherhood classes, a statewide campaign on the importance of responsible fatherhood, helping non-profit organizations that use evidence-based parenting education to help fathers engage with their children, find employment, transition from incarceration and manage their obligations.







Read more:[link removed]



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Florida provides major boost to foster families



Surrounded by foster families and legislators, Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 7034, furthering Florida’s support for foster families. The new law raises monthly payments for caregivers, increases the monthly subsidy for child care and expands postsecondary education waivers for foster children. Prioritizing this need in 2019, Florida has since added more than 4,000 licensed foster parents across the state.



“My administration is committed to supporting our most vulnerable children and Florida has already added 4,000 more licensed foster parents than we had in 2019,” Governor DeSantis said. “Not only does this bill allow us to expand our support for foster parents, but it also creates more opportunities for foster children. Including our work on early literacy and fatherhood, Florida is a national leader in setting young children up for success.”



“There is no more important institution in our society than the family,” Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez said. “By signing this bill, we are placing our foster children on a path to excellence, in which they can achieve their God-given potential.”







Read more:[link removed]



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GOP 2024 campaign kick-off training







The GOP is holding a Florida weekend of action April 22-24! This is a statewide effort to recruit, train, and activate volunteers to officially kick off the 2022 campaign season.



To sign up, go to:[link removed]









FLORIDA







Governor’s Medal of Freedom awarded to Benjamin Ferencz, the last living prosecutor of Nuremberg Trials



Governor DeSantis awarded the Governor’s Medal of Freedom to the last living prosecutor of the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials, Benjamin Ferencz. Governor DeSantis also recognized two Holocaust survivors, Samuel Ron and Norman Frajman, during the ceremony at Florida Atlantic University.



“Ben Ferencz held the Nazis accountable for the atrocities they committed in perpetrating the Holocaust, and it is because of his work as the Chief Prosecutor for the United States at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials that we have the fortitude today to say never again will we let a tragedy like the Holocaust occur,” Governor DeSantis said. “As the last surviving Nuremberg prosecutor, Ben Ferencz is a living legend, and we are proud that he is a Florida resident.”



The Governor has also awarded the Governor’s Medal of Freedom to legendary Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden, Cuban-American freedom fighter Felix Rodriguez, and champion of pediatric healthcare Barbara Nicklaus.



At the ceremony, Governor DeSantis signed SB 1360, making the Governor’s Medal of Freedom a permanent feature of Florida statutes, affording more great Floridians the opportunity to be honored with this accolade in the future.



Read more:[link removed]



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$23 million for hardening infrastructure against hurricanes







Governor DeSantis awarded more than $23 million to Northwest Florida communities for rural infrastructure to continue rebuilding and hardening after the devastation of Hurricane Michael.



“The best defense is a good offense and the long-term resilience of the Florida Panhandle is dependent on continuing to provide resources to support the success of these communities,” Governor DeSantis said. “Robust resources and infrastructure improvements created by each of the projects awarded today are invaluable to Northwest Florida communities that are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Michael and other challenges.”



“A huge thank you to Governor DeSantis for providing vital support to our Panhandle communities more than three years after Hurricane Michael’s devastation,” Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said. “The funding provided today will go a long way in improving the infrastructure needed to support the families and businesses who are still working to recover from this historic storm.



Read more: [link removed]



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Apalachicola gets $1.3 million for infrastructure and workforce training



While in Apalachicola, Governor DeSantis announced more than $1.3 million to Franklin County for workforce training and infrastructure to recover from storms and unique economic hurdles. Additionally, the Governor announced his support for a $4 million line item in this year’s General Appropriations Act to replenish sand at St. George Island State Park.



“Apalachicola is a special place and the state is proud of this community,” Governor DeSantis said. “The City of Apalachicola is a part of our state’s rich history and we are committed to helping the community succeed for its workforce, its families, and the entire region.”



“Between storms and the impacted oyster industry that generations of families have relied upon, this community has been through a lot,” Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said. “Today’s announcement reaffirms the Governor’s commitment to ensuring our Panhandle communities rebuild.”



Read more:[link removed]



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Jared Perdue appointed FDOT Secretary



Governor DeSantis announced the appointment of Jared W. Perdue as Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Perdue has extensive experience with FDOT where he has served for nearly 18 years, and currently serves as District Five Secretary.  



“Secretary Perdue brings a wealth of knowledge and understands the unique aspects of Florida’s transportation industry,” Governor DeSantis said. “I am confident in his ability to lead FDOT and to continue to advance our transportation systems.”



Perdue has served at FDOT for 18 years, most recently as District Five Secretary where he was responsible for leading and developing a workforce of nearly 600 employees and managing an annual budget of nearly $1 billion.



Read more:[link removed]



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Defund teacher unions, not charter schools







Senator Marco Rubio recently wrote a guest column in the Tampa Bay Times, pushing for more funding for charter schools and defunding the anti-parent teacher unions.



Does public education exist to benefit children or teacher unions? The answer should be obvious, but President Joe Biden appears to have it backwards. Last year, he gave national unions free rein to keep classrooms closed and kids out of school. This year, he plans to defund charter schools to further empower union bosses.



By all accounts, [charter schools are] one of Washington’s greatest success stories. Research shows charter schools produce greater academic gains than traditional public schools while using less money to do so….



The only reason to crack down on charter schools is cronyism. The national teacher unions hate charters because they give parents the option to flee failing schools or look for a better fit for their kids. These shine a light on where traditional public schools fall short, an embarrassment to unions’ failures.



We know from the past two years that national unions’ interests don’t always align with what is best for parents and their kids. But the unions are experts at getting “their people” into political office, and they donate tens of millions (much of it from teachers’ union dues) to political action committees. Their outsized influence allows them to buy widespread support for their anti-charter agenda.



Never mind that many Democratic voters are in favor of school choice. And never mind that students will be worse off without charter schools. What matters to Democratic politicians like Joe Biden is keeping their special interest donors happy.



America’s families deserve better than special interest politics and destructive “one size-fits-all” mandates from the federal government…. If President Biden really wants to help our country’s children, he should defund radical teacher unions, not charter schools.



Read his full column:[link removed]



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Senator Rubio advocates for burn pits health care bill for veterans



From the Pensacola News-Journal:



Speaking to reporters Tuesday at a campaign event in Pensacola, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio said a bill that will provide health care coverage for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits in warzones will get a floor vote in the Senate before August.



“My understanding is that we're going to get a floor vote on our bill," Rubio said. "It's bipartisan, but it doesn't have unanimous support in either party.”







The Florida Republican partnered with U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, to introduce bipartisan legislation to have Veterans Affairs cover health problems veterans face after being exposed to toxic pollution from burn pits that were common on U.S. military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq.



Read more:[link removed]



Watch the latest Rubio for Senate ad:[link removed]



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Taxpayers should not fund Amnesty International’s anti-Semitic agenda







Following broadly condemned anti-Israel remarks by Amnesty International, Senator Rick Scott introduced a bill prohibiting the organization from receiving taxpayer assistance and benefits from the United States government.



Amnesty International has received more than $2.5 million in federal funds over the past two decades, but there are now reports that the group is using its platform as an international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to foster and disseminate false, anti-Semitic reports attacking Israel, America’s strongest ally in the Middle East.



“Amnesty International has proven itself to be a sham of a ‘human rights’ organization that perpetuates anti-Semitic propaganda and refuses to hold the world’s dangerous and genocidal regimes accountable, like Communist China, Iran, Russia and Venezuela,” Senator Rick Scott said.



Senator Scott pointed out that just last month, Amnesty International’s USA Director said: “We are opposed to the idea that Israel should be preserved as a state for the Jewish people.”



“Under no circumstances should American taxpayer dollars subsidize this or any organization that continually acts against U.S. interests and demonizes our great ally, Israel,” he said. “My bill will cut off Amnesty International from federal funding and relief programs and make it abundantly clear that the United States will not support the radical left’s dangerous anti-Israel agenda.”



Senator Braun co-sponsored Senator Scott’s bill.



Read more:[link removed]



Read the bill:[link removed]



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13 gang members from the Sex Money Murder gang arrested







Attorney General Ashley Moody, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the arrests of 13 gang leaders who are part of the Bloods-affiliated Sex Money Murder gang.



All but two of the defendants belong to the Florida section of the SMM gang. The defendants face an array of charges through a complex scheme to deal drugs in state prisons, including racketeering, directing the activities of a criminal gang, witness tampering and conspiracy to commit murder.



“This massive law enforcement operation eliminated the main state leadership of a notorious, nationwide gang operating across Florida” Attorney General Moody said. “Our law enforcement heroes put in countless hours and risked their own safety to take down gangsters who demonstrated a complete lack of respect for human life. Because of these officers and my Statewide Prosecutors, we are all safer, and their actions will have far-reaching, positive implications on communities across the state.”



Read more:[link removed]



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CFO Patronis announces arrest in fraud scheme targeting Habitat for Humanity homeowners







Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Jairo Adolfo Rivera on multiple counts of unlicensed public adjusting in Collier County.



Rivera is accused of approaching Habitat for Humanity homeowners in Immokalee and offering them free kitchens and roofs if they signed an Assignment of Benefits (AOB), duping homeowners into unknowingly giving him the right to file insurance claims on their behalf and even sue their insurance company.



“Insurance fraud drives up rates for families statewide,” CFO Jimmy Patronis said. “Bad actors are manipulating Florida homeowners into using their property insurance as a home warranty, instead of for emergency repairs as intended. This type of fraud is especially heinous when used against Habitat for Humanity home recipients, who just want to provide a good home for their family to live a better life.”



Read more:[link removed]



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Disney needs to hard look at mirror, mirror on the wall



On Newsmax TV, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez said Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill is defending children and family integrity and that Disney is the one supporting ideas that threaten that integrity.



“We’re protecting families, we’re protecting children, we’re empowering parents to make decisions that should strictly be in the domain of moms and dads,” she said.



Watch a clip here:[link removed]











Social Media Highlights



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