State SenatorDebbie Mayfield – Mayfield Minute 03/09/24

Mar 10 2024

State SenatorDebbie Mayfield – Mayfield Minute 03/09/24

Good Morning!

The final week of the 2024 Legislative Session is officially complete. The 126th Regular Session since Statehood in 1845 was declared Sine Die at 2:25 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024.

My Senate colleagues and I worked around the clock to amend and pass a number of bills and to provide a thoughtful and comprehensive budget of $117.46 billion. (See highlights below in the Senate and Budget Update section).

During my farewell speech on the Senate floor last week, I shared how deeply grateful and honored I am to have represented the citizens of Brevard County and Indian River County. If you would like to view the farewell speech in full, click here.

Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for the Mayfield Minute.

If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My staff and I are here to serve you throughout the completion of my term!

Statewide Update

Governor DeSantis Highlights Achievements of the 2024 Legislative Session

Last week, Governor DeSantis joined Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner to close the 2024 Legislative Session and highlight the record number of historic wins that have been delivered for the people of Florida.

In his remarks, Governor DeSantis thanked Florida’s leaders for their hard work and noted that Florida is the best state in the nation and will remain safe, strong, and fiscally sound for generations to come.

“We have delivered unprecedented victories for the people of Florida,” said Governor DeSantis. “I asked the Legislature to deliver as boldly as they did last session, and they have done so. Florida continues to show the nation how to lead on every issue.”

Governor DeSantis highlighted session achievements citing:

Fiscal responsibility
Florida as the law-and-order state and recognizing that law enforcement officers and first responders are valued and honored in our state
Greater protections for Floridians from illegal immigration
New and continuing tax reliefs for Florida families
Measures taken to fight back against the Chinese Communist Party and their interests in Florida
Putting a stop to the ‘WOKE’ agenda
Prioritizing parental rights and protecting children

To view the Governor’s remarks in detail, click here and for a quick snapshot, click here.

Florida State Guard Graduates 205 from the February Initial Entry Training Class

Governor DeSantis announced that the Florida State Guard (FSG) graduated 205 soldiers from the February Initial Entry Training (IET). Over the past three weeks, volunteers completed the robust training program earning the title of Florida State Guard Soldier.

“The Florida State Guard serves an important role in emergency response for the state,” said Governor DeSantis. “I am pleased to see this important volunteer force continue to grow to serve the people of Florida.”

Members of the February IET class received instruction and earned industry-recognized certifications in crisis and emergency response operations including:

CPR/AED
Wildland Firefighting Introduction
FEMA Incident Management

Focus areas included team skills training in basic lifesaving; medical evacuation; land navigation; route reconnaissance and clearance; damage assessment; land and maritime search and rescue; wildfire response; and distributed logistics.

The February IET class of 205 expands force capability and capacity by more than 120%.

If you are interested in joining the FSG or more information about the services they provide, click here.

Senate and Budget Update

Senate Budget Update

On Friday, the Florida Senate and Florida House passed the the 2024-2025 state budget of $117.46 billion for consideration by Governor DeSantis. The Governor has 15 days from the date he receives the budget to sign and exercise line-item vetoes.

Senate budget highlights includes:

Significant investments in education for public school funding with $1.2 billion for teacher salaries and $1.7 billion for early learning services, and additional funding for school choice opportunities.
The payoff of $500 million in state debt and the setting aside of $10 billion in state reserves, and critical funding to prepare and recover from natural disasters.
Nearly $10 billion in agriculture and environment funding.
Approximately $1.5 billion in tax relief for families and small businesses, a reduction of taxes on property insurance premiums, and continuation of statewide sales tax holidays.
Over $46 billion for the “Live Healthy” initiative to increase access to health care services and for critical funding for qualified heath care centers, rural clinics, adoption services, and state nursing homes.
Approximately $220 million for Veteran health care services and $38 million in funding for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to expand and support residents in need of home and community-based health care services.
Nearly $11 million to increase services for 2,250 seniors needing home and community based care.
Approximately $174 million for the “Live Local Act” which provides affordable housing options and other rental assistance.
Over $17 million to fund law enforcement bonuses to recruit officers to serve and protect our communities.

The Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget now moves to the Governor for his consideration.

Local Funding Projects Update

Additionally, I have secured 25 local funding projects in the budget totaling $31,732,432 in appropriations of which $28,732,432 are specific to Brevard County. All local funding projects are subject to approval by Governor DeSantis.

Appropriations

Eastern Florida State College Advanced Technologies Center (ATC) — $10,000,000

Agriculture, Environment, & General Government

Brevard County Port St. John Regional AWWT Plant Phase 2 — $1,250,000
Rockledge AWT Phase 1 — $2,500,000
Satellite Beach Grand Canal/Finger Canals Muck Dredging –$3,000,000
Treasure Coast Food Bank – Feed Unite Flourish — $1,250,000
Brevard County Eau Gallie NE Environmental Dredging and Interstitial Water Treatment — $1,500,000
Cocoa Beach Gravity Sewer Rehabilitation — $1,000,000
City of Melbourne Lead & Copper Service Line Replacement — $250,000
Brevard County Merritt Island Lift Station Replacement — $1,000,000
City of Palm Bay Baffle Boxes Project — $750,000
Brevard County Merritt Island Sewer & Manhole Lining Phase 2 — $1,000,000
Brevard County Indian River Lagoon, Septic Upgrades to Advanced Treatment Units (100 Sites) — $450,000
Brevard County Indian River Lagoon Quick Connects to Sewer — $450,000
West Melbourne Flood Risk Reduction – Connect Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District Canal 70 — $400,000
West Melbourne Flood Risk Reduction – Technology Drive — $150,000
Palm Bay Indian River Lagoon Water Quality Improvement Project — $550,000

Education

Big Brothers Big Sisters Bigs Inspiring Scholastic Success (BISS) Project — $1,250,000

Health and Human Services

Veteran Housing & Homelessness Intervention Program — $250,000
Who We Play For: Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention — $975,000
Lifetime Counseling Center: Thrive From Within — $650,000
Medal of Honor Tribute Merritt Island Veterans Memorial Park — $600,000

Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Ellis Road Widening Project Pre-construction Activities — $5,769,432
Melbourne Orlando International Airport Operations Center — $5,000,000
Cape Canaveral Light Station Reconstruction Phase 2 — $650,000
Brevard County SW Public Safety Complex and Emergency Operations Center — $588,000

Remembering Jerry Sansom

Last week, at my request, the Florida Senate held a moment of silence to remember Mr. Jerry Sansom, our long-time friend and tireless advocate for Brevard County.

Mr. Sansom passed away on Wednesday, March 6th. He was intricately involved in the legislative process representing a number of clients including Northrop Grumman, Florida Aviation Aerospace Alliance, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and multiple cities and towns in Brevard County.

He is probably most known for his persuasive advocacy on behalf of the commercial fishing industry. He is the former Executive Director of the Organized Fishermen of Florida and has served as a member of the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council, the Florida Inland Navigation District, the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority, the Brevard Cultural Alliance, the Marine Resources Council of East Central Florida, and as a Trustee of the Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Marine Science Education from Florida Tech.

Mr. Sansom and his wife, Dixie Sansom, a former member of the House of Representatives (1984-1992) have been married for over 50 years.

It is with great sorrow that we extend our sympathy to Mrs. Sansom and their family for their loss while we also extend our sincere gratitude for Mr. Sansom’s lifelong service and memorable contributions to Brevard County.

Constituent of the Week

Pastor Shane Winnings

Our Constituent of the Week is Pastor Shane Winnings, CEO of Promise Keepers.

Mr. Winnings is a graduate of Rockledge High School. He attended the Church of Viera as a teenager and was a member of the Church’s student group. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Aviation Management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2012 and was a member of the ROTC.

Upon graduation he joined the United States Army serving in the Special Operations Command from 2012-2016. He was a Platoon Leader (2012-2014) based at Fort Lewis in Washington, Director of SUPCEN (Support Center) in the Ghazni Province of Afghanistan (2014), and an Executive Officer at Fort Lewis (2015-2016). After his military service, he served as a police officer for the City of Federal Way in Washington (2016-2021).

In 2021, he heeded his evangelical natural calling, leaving his job as a police officer to help people in a different way, as a traveling preacher, pastor, and missionary. During the COVID pandemic, he preached online through social media and amassed over 1.3 million followers, capturing the attention of the retiring CEO of Promise Keepers, a renowned international men’s ministry. In January 2024, Promise Keepers named Pastor Winnings the CEO.

“As a former officer in the United States Army and a leader in the police force, leadership is something I have always been in to. To lead a legacy men’s ministry like Promise Keepers is a very high calling and a humbling one,” said Pastor Winnings.

Former University of Colorado football coach Bill McCartney founded Promise Keepers in 1990. The ministry’s mission is based upon seven promises.

Promise Keepers is currently based in Colorado and one of Mr. Winnings primary goals as CEO is to relocate the organization to Brevard County. He also plans to host a large event accommodating 4,000 to 6,000 participants at the Space Coast Daily Park next Spring to advance the mission of Promise Keepers, Building men of God for a better tomorrow.”

Pastor Winnings has visited over 44 cities throughout the United States as a traveling preacher and he is the author of two books, I Will Always Overcome: A 63-Day Guide to Lasting Faith and Your Next Leap of Faith.

He resides in Rockledge with his wife, Jessica, and their two sons, ages 2 ½ and six months.

District 19 wishes Pastor Winnings great success as CEO of Promise Keepers and we are grateful for his noble service in the United States Army and as a police officer.

District Highlights

SpaceX’s Crew-8 Dragon Capsule Successfully Docks at the ISS

UND

SpaceX’s Crew-8 astronaut mission arrived at the International Space Station aboard the Dragon capsule early this past Tuesday morning, March 5th. Crew-8 sent NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeannette Epps and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin to the ISS for a six-month stay.

After two weather delays, Crew-8 launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Sunday, March 3rd at 10:53 p.m. EST. Crew-8 is led by Commander Dominick, along with Pilot Barratt and Mission Specialists Epps and Grebenkin. According to Space.com, all astronauts are “spaceflight rookies” except Barratt, who has flown on two prior missions.

Crew-8 will relieve four astronauts of SpaceX’s Crew-7 mission who arrived at the ISS in August 2023 and will begin their return on Monday, March 11th.

Crew-8 is the eighth operational astronaut mission flown by SpaceX to the ISS for NASA.

NASA signed a similar commercial-crew agreement with Boeing which plans to launch astronauts on its new Starliner capsule for the first time next month.

Visit Space.com for real time updates on all space missions and activity.

Melbourne Police Officers and Employees Honored for Outstanding Service in 2023

The Melbourne Police Department recently held their annual awards ceremony to recognize and celebrate police officers, communications officers, and civilian employees for their outstanding performance, dedication, courage and professionalism.

City of Melbourne Police Chief David Gillespie announced the following winners of these prestigious awards:

Officer of the Year – Jordan Wilson
Employee of the Year – Andy Moscrip
Communications Officer of the Year – Robert Evenson
Detective of the Year – Edwin Carlson
Field Training Officer of the Year – Skyler Philbin
Supervisor of the Year – Nancy Chapman

To learn more about each recipient, click here.

Congratulations to the Melbourne Police Department award recipients for their superior service and honorable commitment to protect the members of our community.

Upcoming Events

Change to Daylight Saving Time Also Changes Local Watering Restrictions

In addition to changing your clocks, please also remember to change your lawn and garden irrigation schedule.

From March 10th thru November 3rd, irrigation is limited to no more than two days per week on scheduled days:

Residential irrigation is allowed on Wednesdays and Saturdays at addresses that end in an odd number or have no address and on Thursdays and Sundays at addresses that end in an even number.
Nonresidential irrigation is allowed on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Water only when needed and not between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Water for no more than one hour per zone.
These restrictions apply to private wells and pumps, ground or surface water and water from public and private utilities.

Reclaimed water is not subject to year-round water restrictions that apply to potable water or groundwater well irrigation systems. However, reclaimed water users are encouraged to follow recommended best practices for irrigation.

The St. Johns River Water Management District’s watering restrictions are designed to ensure the efficient use of water for landscape irrigation.

For more information, click here.

Meg O’Malley’s and Melbourne Mainstreet to Celebrate 25th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival

Meg O’Malley’s 25th annual Irish Celebration Week begins today, March 10th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. thru Sunday, March 17th. Daily activities include live entertainment, special Irish themed events, food and beverages vendors, and much more.

Special events on Saturday, March 16th include the Shamrock Shuffle 3K, the Downtown Melbourne St. Patrick’s Day parade, and free concerts all day on the mainstage.

Highlights on Sunday, March 17th, include the celebratory Mass by the Florida Tech Catholic Campus Ministry with a full band at 8:00 a.m. followed by an Irish breakfast buffet hosted by Meg O’Malley’s, and free concerts all day on the mainstage.

For a full listing of daily events, times, and designated stages for performances, click here.

Space Coast State Fair Opens Friday, March 15th

The annual Space Coast State Fair at Space Coast Daily Park (5775 Stadium Parkway) in Melbourne begins Friday, March 15th thru Sunday, March 24th.

Hours of operation are:

Monday – Thursday: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Friday: 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Sundays: 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Daily admission is $7.00 and includes all shows. Rides are not included in the admission fee. Parking is $5.00.

Other admission information includes:

Children under 36 inches in height and seniors over age 65 receive free admission
Unlimited arm bands are available Monday thru Thursday for $25 per day and Friday thru Sunday for $30 per day
Individual ride tickets are also available at varied prices
Veterans with proof of ID receive free admission

For more information on daily admission discounts, $2.00 deals, and buy-one-get-one-free specials, click here.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations in Indian River County

The Kilted Mermaid (1937 Old Dixie Highway) in Vero Beach will host their 12th annual St. Patrick’s Day Blowout featuring the Rowan’s Irish Rebels, Just Irish John, and the Hillbilly Hellcats bands on Sunday, March 17th beginning at 11:00 a.m.

John McDonald and The Irish Rush will perform at a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Captain Hirams Sandbar (1580 US 1) in Sebastian on Sunday, March 17th from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

The band Last Night Fun will perform traditional Celtic music at Pareidolia Brewing Company (712 Cleveland Street) in Sebastian on Sunday, March 17th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. O’Melly’s Green Ale and traditional Irish fare will be served.

For more St. Patrick’s Day events in Indian River County, click here.

Brevard and Indian River County Republican Presidential Primary is Tuesday March 19th

The Brevard County and Indian River County Republican Presidential Preference Primary will be held on Tuesday, March 19th from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

In Brevard and Indian River counties, early voting began on Saturday, March 9th and will end on Saturday, March 16th.

Some Republican party candidates for president have suspended or ended their presidential campaigns. However, if they did not submit a formal withdrawal from the Republican presidential race by December 12, 2023, the candidate nominee’s name must remain on the Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) ballot.

To preview a sample ballot, inquire about the Presidential Preference Primary process, and identify early voting locations and your polling precinct: