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Dear Neighbor,
I’m humbled that my constituents have placed their trust in me once again by giving me the privilege to continue representing Florida’s 12th Congressional District in the United States Congress. Having the opportunity to serve as your voice in Washington is truly one of the greatest honors of my life. There are some changes on the horizon due to the boundary changes approved by the Florida Legislature earlier this year. Effective January of 2023, my district will no longer include Pinellas or Hillsborough counties. Instead, it will include all of Hernando and Citrus counties as well as large portions of Pasco County. Voters have selected Congresswoman-elect Anna Paulina Luna to represent North Pinellas County and Congresswoman-elect Laurel Lee to represent Wesley Chapel, Lutz, and Zephyrhills. I look forward to working with both of my new colleagues to ensure a smooth transition for all constituents. I’m committed to carrying on my strong tradition of outstanding constituent service and communication with my new constituency. As I continue working to understand the needs of my new constituents, my team and I will strive to be as accessible as possible. In January, we will be opening new, fully staffed offices in Inverness and Brooksville. We will also continue to have our New Port Richey office open. My Tarpon Springs office will be closing on December 12th in preparation for this transition. However, any constituent in need of help should not hesitate to contact my office at 727-232-2921 for assistance.
I am proud of what my team and I have already been able to achieve in recent years and look forward to the chance to build upon that success. As we await final vote tallies in key races that will determine the balance of power in Washington, I’m prepared to deliver on my promise to ensure: an economy that is strong, a nation that is safe, a future that is free and a government that is accountable!
Please continue reading for a brief overview of my work on your behalf last week.
Honoring our Nation's Heroes
Veterans Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the brave men and women who have given so much to defend our nation and keep us safe. However, we owe these heroes far more than our gratitude on only one day out of the year because the price of our freedom has been paid through their service and sacrifice. I will never stop fighting on their behalf to ensure they receive the care and benefits they deserve. Despite the terrible weather, my team and I were honored to attend many Veterans Day events all throughout Tampa Bay last week. Here are a few photos from the inspiring celebrations!
Additionally, in case you missed it, I recently partnered with local dentists and Pasco Hernando State College to provide free dental care to local Veterans as part of Stars, Stripes and Smiles. While I appreciate the generosity of local dentists, I believe all Veterans should have access to dental care, which is why I’m pushing my VETCARE bill. Click here to learn more.
Protecting your Data
I’m alarmed by new reports that certain social media platforms are tracking the online behavior of its users and sharing that data with third parties, including the Chinese government. My colleagues and I want to be sure Americans’ sensitive data is protected and we are demanding answers from Big Tech about these new revelations. Click here to learn more.
Rebuilding our Struggling Economy
Last week’s economic data showed that inflation remains high, coming in at 7.7% in October while real hourly wages for workers decreased. Costs keep rising, with fuel up 68.5%, food up 10.9%, and shelter up 6.9% when compared to last year. New reports also indicate that the workforce shortage is getting worse. This aligns with what I’m hearing from small business owners throughout our community. There are nearly two job openings for every available worker. This shortage has put our economy in a dangerous wage-price spiral. To build an economy that is strong, we must get Americans back to work!
Studies also show that higher prices may not peak until July 2023, and won’t return to normal levels until 2025. This is bad news for Americans who are struggling now. We can’t solve these problems with more of the same failed policies that have created this economic crisis. We’ve got to stop the reckless government spending and implement commonsense solutions to lower the cost of living.
One important part of stabilizing our energy costs. Gas prices throughout Florida have spiked in recent weeks, and Florida families simply can’t afford these continual increases. Unfortunately, our diesel reserves are also now at the lowest seasonal level since 1951. Diesel is used to fuel trucks, ships, tanks, and other vessels that are crucial to our economy. We must return to practical energy policies, starting with restoring American energy independence by boosting domestic production.
Securing our Border
On my recent border trip with local law enforcement, we saw how the irresponsible policies at our nation’s border are having a negative impact on the lives of Americans with record amounts of fentanyl being trafficked throughout the country. Border security is national security and we must implement commonsense solutions to protect our country! Click here to learn more about our trip.
Supporting Small Businesses
Small Business is the backbone of our economy. Each week, I highlight newly opened or expanded businesses in our community that my team or I have visited. Congratulations to these hard-working entrepreneurs and best wishes for their continued success as they realize their American Dream!
Congratulations to Shira Flanagan, owner of Butcher's Mark Fresh Meats & Marinades in Odessa on the opening of her new business!
Constituent Corner
My office recently received the following message from a constituent.
I'm so grateful that you were able to help me reach someone within the VA to help me get my dad an electronic wheelchair. I had been trying for four months, leaving message after message with no return phone call. Within 10 days of reaching out to your office, my dad has his wheelchair! We will never forget your support.
This is just one example of the work we do each day. Constituent services are a critical element of our congressional office. The federal government is a massive operation, and my office is available if you ever need assistance in navigating the bureaucracy or cutting through red tape. We are here to serve you! |
