GOVERNOR DESANTIS APPOINTS MICHAEL BARNETT TO PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMISSION
~ Flips County Red ~

On Tuesday, January 10, Governor appointee Michael Barnett was sworn into office as Palm Beach’s newest County Commissioner. Barnett, who also serves as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County, is a member of the Republican Party of Florida’s State Executive Committee and an attorney with the Shiner Law Group.

GOVERNOR DESANTIS COMMITS TO PROTECTING FLORIDA’S NATURAL RESOURCES

Governor Ron DeSantis signed an Executive Order on January 10 designed to protect Florida’s unique environment and water quality. The Order directs strategic actions with a focus on accountability, sound science, progress and collaboration, including a proposed $3.5 billion over the next four years to ensure we leave Florida to God better than we found it.

The Order includes, among others:

• Continuing historic funding for Everglades restoration and protection of water resources;
• Protecting and restoring the Indian River Lagoon;
• Expanding the existing Wastewater Grant Program;
• Improving local long-term comprehensive environmental and sustainable growth planning;
• Ensuring continued funding for the Resilient Florida Program; and
• Expediting the state’s land conservation efforts, with a focus on acquisitions within the Wildlife Corridor.

More information on Governor DeSantis’ environmental accomplishments in his first four years can be found here.

Read more about the Executive Order here and here.

GOVERNOR DESANTIS PROPOSES LEGISLATION TO INCREASE BIG PHARMA TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

On Thursday, January 12, Governor DeSantis unveiled a legislative proposal to rein in unchecked Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and drive transparency among prescription drug prices influenced by Big Pharma. This proposal furthers the DeSantis Administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug prices and reaffirms the state’s commitment to assist Floridians in making more informed health care decisions. 

To read the full proposal, click here.

GOVERNOR DESANTIS APPOINTS SIX NEW MEMBERS TO THE NEW COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Governor DeSantis recently appointed six new members to the New College of Florida’s Board of Trustees. The appointments include Dr. Matthew Spalding, Dr. Charles R. Kesler, Dr. Mark Bauerlein, Christopher Rufo, Debra Jenks and Jason “Eddie” Speir.

Read more about the appointees here.

GOVERNOR DESANTIS HIGHLIGHTS MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 2022

Over the past year, Governor Ron DeSantis’ bold leadership guided the efforts of his administration on behalf of Floridians, including:

• Fostering a Nation-Leading Economy
• Hurricane Response and Recovery – Hurricanes Ian, Nicole and Michael
• Florida As The Education State and 2022 was the Year of the Parent
• Safeguarding the Right to Life and Supporting New and Existing Families
• Ensuring Comprehensive Cancer Care
• Ending Substance Use Disorder and Overdose
• Data-Driven Response to COVID-19
• Empowering Patients and Ensuring Individual Freedoms
• Investments in our Heroes
• Historic Funding for Everglades Restoration and Protection of Water Resources
• Historic Investments in Infrasturcture
• Protecting Floridians from Foreign Countries of Concern

Read more about the DeSantis Administration’s 2022 highlights here.

GOVERNOR DESANTIS DOUBLES DOWN AGAINST CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY INFLUENCE IN FLORIDA

At a press conference in Bonita Springs on Tuesday, January 9, Governor DeSantis responded to media inquiries regarding Florida’s economy and China. He reiterated that the Chinese Communist Party should not be able to purchase land in Florida, including near military bases.

The Florida Legislature has already taken action to eliminate Confucius Institutes at state universities, programs funded by the Chinese government to inform students about the nation’s culture that DeSantis said are designed to “bring propaganda” into schools, and the CCP’s ability to fund research at state universities.

In 2021, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 7017, which requires greater scrutiny on gifts and grants to Florida state agencies and political subdivisions from a “foreign country of concern,” and requires certain state universities and other entities to screen certain foreign applicants seeking employment in specified research positions.

DeSantis stated, “I think we’re going to go even further on that.”

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

• Under Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida is leading the nation!
  
  
• ANOTHER Republican flip thanks to Governor @RonDeSantisFL
  
  
• “The 2022 midterms were a disaster across the board for Democrats, but losing Miami-Dade County was perhaps the single biggest symbolic blow.”
  
  
• There ain't as many Democrats around as there used to be. We had something to do with that in November 2022...

IN THE NEWS

• Paltry finance report underlines Florida Democrats’ woes
  
  
• Some Miami Democrats want party chairman to resign after GOP wins
  
  
• Florida Democrat Party Chair Manny Diaz Resigns Following Historic Losses
  
  
•  Florida Democratic chairman resigns after midterm thumping rendered Democrats 'irrelevant'
  
  
• DeSantis Activates National Guard in Response to ‘Alarming Influx’ of Migrants Landing in the Florida Keys

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