Florida is setting an unapologetic pro-freedom, pro-parental rights, child-focused example in education for other states to follow.

"We should be unfaithful to ourselves if we should ever lose sight of the danger to our liberties if anything partial or extraneous should infect the purity of our free, fair, virtuous, and independent elections."

 ~John Adams~ 

Donate to the Florida Disaster Fund

To contribute, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.

RPOF CHAIRMAN JOE GRUTERS' MESSAGE

The 2022 General Election is less than a month away!

Let’s all unite to ensure VICTORY!

In a recent video, First Lady Casey DeSantis shared who Ron DeSantis is. In this poignant message, the First Lady shares how Governor DeSantis grew up in Florida, volunteered to serve our country in the Navy and literally picked her up as she underwent breast cancer treatments.

Watch here: That is Who Ron DeSantis Is

Click Here to Watch New Ads 

Get the DeSantis Playbook

The DeSantis Playbook is a comprehensive guide to Governor Ron DeSantis’ and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ accomplishments over the past 3 1/2 years and their priorities moving forward.

The DeSantis Freedom Agenda includes:

• Putting kids first and protecting parents’ rights
• Florida’s economy is outpacing the nation
• Keeping our communities safe
• The Environment: Keeping Florida Beautiful
• Protecting the Integrity of our elections
• Standing up for Moms and Florida families
• Florida: The most veteran-friendly and pro-military state
• Fighting special interests

Get your copy of the DeSantis Playbook here and share with your family, friends and neighbors. We need everyone to join the fight to Keep Florida Free!

Governor DeSantis Awards $126 Million to Northwest Florida for Hurricane Michael Relief 

The Funding Demonstrates Florida’s Long-Term Commitment to Recovery for Hurricanes, Including Ian

Governor DeSantis recognized the four-year anniversary of Hurricane Michael this week by announcing more than $126 million in new awards through the Rebuild Florida Program for 24 communities impacted by the 2018 hurricane. In Port Charlotte, Governor DeSantis pointed out that in the same way the state will continue its unwavering long-term commitment to rebuilding Southwest Florida after Hurricane Ian. 

“Today’s $126 million awarded to 24 Hurricane Michael impacted communities is an example of our lasting commitment to helping Florida communities rebuild following a storm,” Governor DeSantis said. “Four years later, Northwest Florida has made remarkable progress, but it has been a difficult journey with more work ahead.”

Read more: https://www.flgov.com/2022/10/10/governor-ron-desantis-awards-126-million-to-northwest-florida-on-four-year-anniversary-of-hurricane-michael-and-affirms-floridas-long-term-commitment-to-hurricane-ian-recovery/

Governor Awards $2.5 Million in Small Business Loans to Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Ian

Governor DeSantis awarded an initial $2.5 million to businesses through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, which provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses damaged by Hurricane Ian. Receiving initial awards are: 

• 28 businesses in Lee County are receiving loans totaling $1.27 million
• 8 Businesses in Collier County are receiving loans totaling $355,000
• 6 Businesses in Hillsborough County are receiving loans totaling $300,000
• 4 businesses in Charlotte County are receiving loans totaling $175,000
• 3 Businesses in Sarasota County are receiving loans totaling $150,000
• 2 Businesses in Manatee County are receiving loans totaling $100,000
• 2 Businesses in Lake County are receiving loans totaling $75,000
• 1 Business in Monroe County is receiving a loan totaling $50,000
• 1 Business in Highlands County is receiving a loan totaling $50,000

More loans are being approved daily. Applicants can apply now through December 2, 2022, or until all available funds are spent.

For more information, go to: https://deosera.force.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/

Report Price Gouging at the Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline

All Floridians can now report instances of severe price increases on essential commodities to the Attorney General's Office. Florida’s price gouging law only applies to commodities and services essential to preparing for, or recovering from, a storm during a declared state of emergency

For tips on reporting price gouging, click here.

For more information on price gouging, click here.

To download Attorney General Moody’s Scams at a Glance: Price Gouging brochure in English, click here. To download the Spanish version, click here.

WE’RE STRONGER PULLING TOGETHER!

RNC is Seeking Poll Workers and Poll Watchers as Part of Florida Election Integrity Efforts

The Republican National Committee has been working diligently since shortly after the 2020 election to ensure that our elections are safe and secure. In Florida, we have passed laws to make it easy to vote but hard to cheat.

However, the laws need monitoring at all levels. The RNC, coordinating with the RPOF, is supplementing what our Florida county parties are doing to help with that.

Click here https://www.protectfloridavoters.com/ to volunteer as a poll worker or poll watcher on Election Day, November 8^th. 

AG Moody and Law Enforcement Agencies Bust Gang Members and Seize Enough Fentanyl to Kill Half of Florida’s Population

Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement shut down a major drug trafficking organization this week operated by gang members affiliated with Mexican drug cartels. 

Attorney General Moody’s Statewide Prosecutors are charging 25 defendants, including SUR-13 gang members, with multiple felony counts related to drug trafficking, violent criminal acts and conspiracy. Authorities seized more than 50 pounds, or 23 kilograms, of fentanyl — enough to kill more than 11 million Floridians, approximately half the state’s population.

In just a few months’ time, authorities have seized enough fentanyl to wipe out the combined populations of 66 of Florida’s 67 counties—more than 19 million people! The prevalence of this dangerous substance poses a critical threat not only to the wellbeing of the citizens of our state but also our nation.”

Read more: http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/727FA39D1967BBAE852588D9005563F9?Open&

Jimmy Patronis Sounds Alarm on Dangerous Mix of Electric Cars and Storm Surge

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is raising the alarm over electric vehicles’ dangerous mix of lithium batteries and storm surge. 

Patronis, who is also Florida’s Fire Marshal, said Congress needs to assess fire risks associated with saltwater on electric vehicles, adding that fire teams need more resources to deal with an “inevitable” increase in fires associated with electric-powered automobiles.

“I joined North Collier Fire Rescue to assess response activities related to Hurricane Ian and saw with my own eyes an EV continuously ignite, and continually reignite, as fireteams doused the vehicle with tens-of-thousands of gallons of water,” CFO Patronis said. “Subsequently, I was informed by the fire department that the vehicle, once again reignited when it was loaded onto the tow truck. Based on my conversations with area firefighters, this is not an isolated incident.”

Read more: https://myfloridacfo.com/news/pressreleases/details/2022/10/10/in-case-you-missed-it-florida-politics-jimmy-patronis-sounds-alarms-on-dangerous-mix-of-electric-cars-storm-surge

LG Jeanette Nuñez Highlights Work of National Guard, Churches, Red Cross and Nonprofits

Lieutenant Governor Nuñez has been on the ground helping out and highlighting the work of churches, nonprofits, the Red Cross, the Florida National Guard and other organizations in Southwest Florida. In the photo above she is helping distribute meals to families in need at a Red Cross shelter.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHLEY MOODY

Just a few weeks ago, Hurricane Ian ripped through our state destroying homes, critical infrastructure and even claiming lives.

As the rebuild efforts continue, I want to remind Floridians that our Price Gouging Hotline remains active, and my Rapid Response Team continues to quickly address allegations of extreme price increases.

We also have investigators on the ground in some of the hardest hit regions of our state.

These investigators are answering consumers’ questions and standing ready to respond to scams that may arise as recovery efforts continue.

In total, our Rapid Response Team has secured more than $17,000 in refunds for more than 100 Floridians since Ian struck.

For additional information and tips on how to guard against scams that may arise following a natural disaster, Floridians can check out my Scams at a Glance: After the Storm resource. Also, our Scams at a Glance: Price Gouging tool provides more information about what price gouging is, what evidence to collect and how to report cases.

Both are free to download at MyFloridaLegal.com/ScamsAtAGlance.

If you suspect price gouging or encounter a scam related to the recovery efforts, please contact my office at 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.

SENATOR MARCO RUBIO

Rubio, Langford, Colleagues Oppose the VA Illegally Providing Abortions

A new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Interim Final Rule (IFR) allows the VA to provide abortion counseling, and abortions up until the moment of birth, paid for by U.S. taxpayers, directly violating federal law. 

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and James Lankford (R-OK) submitted a bicameral public comment letter urging the VA to obey the law and rescind the IFR.     

• “The VA does not have the power to override an Act of Congress to impose its preferred policy of taxpayer-funded abortion on demand until birth.”
• “Section 106(a) of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 (VHCA) restricts the VA from providing abortions: ‘In furnishing hospital care and medical services under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may provide to women . . . [g]eneral reproductive health care . . . but not including under this section . . . abortions.’”

Want more? Read the full letter here and click here for a full list of cosigners.

Marco Rubio Leads the Florida Delegation in Urging USDA to Declare Disaster for Florida Agriculture

Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) led bipartisan members of the Florida congressional delegation in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in support of the State of Florida’s request to declare a Disaster for Florida counties that were impacted by Hurricane Ian, and to make assistance available to growers whose crops were damaged or destroyed. 

U.S. Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Scott Franklin (R-FL), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Bill Posey (R-FL), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Mike Waltz (R-FL), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Brian Mast (R-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Greg Steube (R-FL), Val Demings (D-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) also signed the letter.

• “Florida’s growers have a unique role in the American food economy, as Florida is one of the only locations in the United States where major agricultural production can occur in the winter and spring months. Florida’s agriculture industry feeds more than one hundred million Americans who live along the eastern seaboard, when they otherwise do not have access to domestically grown fresh food. In order to support the growers who were affected by Hurricane Ian, and to ensure that they can recover from losses and continue their important service of feeding America, the expeditious approval of a disaster declaration is warranted and necessary in order to have a successful winter and spring harvest season.” 

Earlier this week… Rubio attended Florida Citrus Mutual's Annual Citrus Crop Estimate to discuss post-Hurricane Ian assistance to growers. He also released details of an initial $33 billion major disaster supplemental spending measure, including nearly $3 billion for U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.  

The full text of the letter is below. 

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

We write in support of the State of Florida’s request for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to declare a Disaster for Florida counties that were impacted by Hurricane Ian, and to make assistance available to growers whose crops were damaged or destroyed. 

Florida’s growers have a unique role in the American food economy, as Florida is one of the only locations in the United States where major agricultural production can occur in the winter and spring months. Florida’s agriculture industry feeds more than one hundred million Americans who live along the eastern seaboard, when they otherwise do not have access to domestically grown fresh food. In order to support the growers who were affected by Hurricane Ian, and to ensure that they can recover from losses and continue their important service of feeding America, the expeditious approval of a disaster declaration is warranted and necessary in order to have a successful winter and spring harvest season. 

As you know, Florida’s growers have been severely impacted by a range of challenges. Your support for the State of Florida’s request would make meaningful impact for our growers and assist their efforts in support of our food security and national security.

Thank you for your consideration.

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