State Senator Debbie Mayfield – Mayfield Minute 04/14/24

Apr 14 2024

State Senator Debbie Mayfield – Mayfield Minute 04/14/24

Good Morning!

Florida remains the leading “law and order” state in the nation stated Governor DeSantis last week. He signed legislation passed by the Florida Legislature to increase penalties for those who harass law enforcement officers (LEO) in the course of their duty and legislation to prohibit localities from using political entities like Civilian Oversight Boards to drive an anti-police agenda.

“I am proud to support the men and women of law enforcement throughout the state,” saidGovernor DeSantis. “Today’s legislation will ensure law enforcement can do their jobs without the threat of harassment. While blue states vilify and defund the police, Florida will continue to be the friendliest state in the nation towards our law enforcement community.”

Since Florida initiated the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus program, nearly 5,000 bonuses have been awarded to experienced LEO’s relocating to our State.

Additionally, Governor DeSantis signed five bills to protect children from exploitation by sexual predators and to increase punishment for those responsible for offenses involving children.

For links to these bills, please see the “Bill Action” section below.

I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. 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!

Bill Action by Governor DeSantis

Since the close of the 2024 Legislation Session, Governor DeSantis has signed 86 bills into law, vetoed two bills, 14 remain pending his action, and 211 have not yet been sent for his consideration.

Upon receipt of a bill, the Governor has seven days to sign, veto, or take no action at which point the bill will automatically become law.

Bills signed by Governor DeSantis last week include:

CS/CS/CS/SB 718 – Exposures of First Responders to Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogs

CS/CS/SB 66 – Revive Awareness Day

CS/HB 549 – Retail Theft and Porch Piracy

CS/HB 305 – Offenses Involving Children

CS/HB 1545 – Child Exploitation Offenses

CS/CS/HB 1235 – Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders

CS/CS/CS/SB 1224 – Protection of Children and Victims of Crime

HB 1131 – Online Sting Operations Grant Program

SB 0592 – Historical Preservation Programs

SB 0968 – Spaceport Territory

SB 1090 – Unauthorized Sale of Alcoholic Beverages

CS/HB 201 – Emergency Refills of Insulin and Insulin-related Supplies or Equipment

HB 0937 – Purple Alert

HB 0135 – Voter Registration Applications

HB 0433 – Employment Regulations

HB 0709 – In-store Servicing of Alcoholic Beverages

HB 1227 – Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day

HB 1337 – Department of Corrections

HB 601 – Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers

SB 184 – Impeding, Threatening, or Harassing First Responders

Bills received and pending consideration include:

HB 0113 – Tax Collections and Sales

HB 0151 – Florida Retirement System

SB 0276 – Review of Advisory Bodies

HB 0353 – Alternative Headquarters for District Court Judges

SB 0478 – Designation of Eligible Telecommunications Carriers

HB 0537 – Student Achievement

SB 0544 – Swimming Lesson Voucher Program

HB 0623 – Builder Warranties

HB 0781 – Unsolicited Proposals for Public-private Partnerships

HB 0813 – Certified Public Accountants

SB 0958 – Local Government Employees

HB 1147 – Broadband

HB 1555 – Cybersecurity

HB 7011 – Inactive Special Districts

If you have an interest or concern regarding any of the above bills, you can reach out to the Governor’s office directly here or please contact my office at 321-409-2025.

Statewide Update

Florida Department of Emergency Management

Know Your Zone, Know Your Home

With less than 50 days until the start of hurricane season on June 1st, Florida’s Division of Emergency Management (FLDEM) is reminding residents to know if you live in an evacuation zone, low-lying or flood prone area, a mobile home or an unsafe structure.

FLDEM also stated that it is important to ‘know your home.’ If an evacuation order is not issued for your area and your house is not in an evacuation zone, and you are sheltering in place, be cognizant of your home’s ability to withstand strong winds and heavy rain.

Instructions for the Know Your Zone, Know Your Home Initiative:

Click on the map at Know Your Zone Map
Type in your address
If your address is in one of the colored evacuation zones (these are flood zones)
If you are in an evacuation zone, listen to evacuation orders from local officials
Typically Zone A is the most vulnerable and the most likely to evacuate first. Zone E is most likely to evacuate last

Florida AG Moody Leads Coalition of AGs to Sue Biden Administration on Student Loan Forgiveness

Last week, Attorney General Ashley Moody and a coalition of five state attorneys general (Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio and Oklahoma) filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s “latest attempt to force Americans to pay someone else’s debt.” The lawsuit targets what the federal government calls the “SAVE” Plan, which will cost Americans $475 billion—$45 billion more than its last unlawful student debt forgiveness plan.

AG Moody said, “Last year, the Supreme Court struck down Biden’s illegal attempt to force Americans to pay off someone else’s debt. Now, Biden thumbs his nose at the court like he has done with so many issues, including immigration, and does what he wants, trying again to mass-cancel student debt. We will fight in court to make sure that hard-working Americans, who are struggling to buy groceries thanks to Biden, are not on the hook for other people’s debt.”

In the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision, the court struck down Biden’s repayment plan as unconstitutional, citing the massive $430 billion-plus impact on the federal budget without express authority from Congress. AG Moody referenced the latest action by the Biden administration as another attempt of unilateral and unlawful wealth transfer of hundreds of billions of dollars in student loan debt to taxpayers.

To see AG Moody’s full announcement, click here.

Constituent of the Week

Mr. Robin L. Fisher

Our Constituent of the Week is Mr. Robin L. Fisher.

He became a resident of Brevard County when his family moved to the area in 1971. Upon his graduation from Satellite High School in 1978, he attended the University of Florida on an athletic scholarship. Mr. Fisher set the record for the only defensive lineman to lead the entire Gator defensive team for most tackles in one season, a record he still holds today. In 1982, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. He went on to play professional football in the USFL with the Chicago Blitz and the Arizona Wranglers.

He began his career as a State Farm Insurance Agent 35 years ago and continues to serve customers with all their insurance needs. In addition to his commitment to his clients, Mr. Fisher has been actively involved in community development enhancements and public service throughout the district.

He served on the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners representing District 1 for two terms (2008-2016) including holding the position of Chair. Mr. Fisher is a former member of the Palm Bay City Council, Titusville City Council, and Vice-Mayor of Titusville.

During his public service, he proposed the creation of the North Brevard Economic Development Zone which spans SR 520 north to the Volusia County line. The “Zone” is providing millions of dollars in funding to help incentivize and recruit high-wage jobs and redevelopment in North Brevard.

Mr. Fisher served on the United Way Board of Directors, Brevard Community College Board of Trustees, Tourist Development Commission, and the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.

He is the former Chair of the Central Florida YMCA Board, which includes six counties and 26 locations. As Campaign Chair for the Brevard County YMCA, he was responsible for raising $2.5 million which resulted in the construction of the Titusville YMCA Family Center. In 2007, he was presented with the John W. Sterci Award, the YMCA’s highest honor, in recognition for 25 years of volunteer service.

Mr. Fisher formerly served as the Board Chair for the Brevard County Field of Dreams , a multi-sport park for individuals with special needs. He has been instrumental in raising more than $3 million and celebrated the completion of the park with a grand opening game in January 2016.

Professionally, with the State Farm Insurance Company he has accumulated many awards including the Legion of Honor Qualifier, the Crystal Excellence Award and he is a distinguished member of the company’s National Convention Qualifier President’s Club.

Mr. Fisher and his wife, Rhoda, of 36 years are residents of Titusville and they have two adult children, Cara and Cory, and 2 granddaughters.

SD 19 truly appreciates Mr. Fisher’s service to our community. His civic service and volunteer work has resulted in job creation, recreational opportunities for individuals with special needs and families participating at the YMCA, among many other benefits to Brevard County.

District Highlights

Eastern Florida State College Ground Breaking

Eastern Florida State College leaders broke ground Monday on a new Center for Innovative Technology Education (CITE) which will set a regional standard in training high-tech workers.

The $20 million facility on the Melbourne Campus is scheduled to open in August 2025 with programs that can lead to bachelor’s and associate degrees and college certificates.

EFSC President Dr. Richey said that CITE will be a critical component in creating jobs and helping to ensure the continued economic growth of the Space Coast.

Some of the features of the 31,500 square foot facility will include:

Simulation labs and student collaboration areas
Access to software used by high-tech employers
Virtual reality and artificial intelligence programming
Tailored training programs designed for individual companies
Assistance for start-up companies seeking to build technical teams
CITE will support students in programs that include Engineering Technology, Robotics, Mechatronics, 3D Printing, Computerized Drafting, Computer Information Systems, Cybersecurity and more.

For more information, click here.

Florida’s Primary and General Elections

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Space Coast League of Cities meeting. Brevard County’s Supervisor of Elections, Tim Bobanic, served as the Keynote Speaker.

Mr. Bobanic, stated that in this busy election year, it is important for Brevard residents to “Be Election Ready” by staying informed about key election related information and important dates.

Florida’s primary election will be held on Tuesday, August 20th. This is a closed primary therefore only those registered with a political party can vote in that party’s primary election. All voters can vote in nonpartisan races such as judicial, school board, municipal, and referenda. It’s important to remember the last day to register to vote for an election or change your political party affiliation is 29 days before each election.

The general election is on Tuesday, November 5th. In addition to the candidate races, there will be six statewide constitutional amendments on the ballot. You can view a summary of the constitutional in last week’s Mayfield Minute. Voters should also expect to see county and municipal referendums on the ballot.

Voters have the option to choose one of three methods to cast their vote in Florida.

Vote-by-mail: As of December 31, 2022, all mail ballot requests expired and voters are required to make a new request to receive mail ballots.
Early voting: Brevard has 10 early voting locations throughout the County. Locations and hours can be found on VoteBrevard.gov under the early voting tab.
Election Day voting: On election day, you must vote at your precinct specific polling location.

You can visit VoteBrevard.gov to ensure your registration is current.

City of Melbourne Ranked #3 by US News & World Report in Top 14 Florida Cities to Live

According to the US News & World Report’s latest rankings of the ‘Top 14 Best Places to Live in Florida’, the City of Melbourne earned the #3 spot. Families, professionals, and retirees have made the Space Coast one of the most populated metro areas, according to the US News & World Report.

The publication highlights regional advantages of the area such as:

Regular Space Launches
Melbourne’s Eau Gallie Arts District
Historic Melbourne Downtown district
Indian River Lagoon
Space Coast is committed to blending the arts, science and economic development into its energetic community

Congratulations Melbourne!

For more information on the publications rankings, click here.

The 2024 Walk in My Shoes Event Passed through Brevard

Event raises awareness of child sexual abuse

Last Friday, I joined Senator Lauren Book and many other walkers in Brevard County for the Lauren’s Kids Foundation 2024 “Walk in My Shoes” event. This is one of many events that Senator Book sponsors to bring awareness for the prevention of child sexual abuse and the healing of survivors. Walk in My Shoes, founded in 2010, is a 1,500-mile journey across Florida beginning in Key West and ending in Panama City.

April is National Sexual Assault and Awareness and National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Sadly, national statistics show:

1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will suffer sexual abuse before graduating high school
There are over 42 million child sexual abuse survivors living in the United States
1 in 5 children with access to digital devices will be sexually solicited online

If you are a victim or know someone who is a victim of sexual violence, call 1-888-956-7273 or visit Florida Council Against Sexual Violence for immediate assistance.

Upcoming Events

National Earth Day is Celebrated April 22nd Annually, Local Events will Take Place Saturday, April 20th

The first Earth Day was established on April 22, 1970 and serves to increase public awareness of the world’s environmental challenges and to celebrate our remarkable planet. Organizers of events worldwide remind everyone ‘to think globally, act locally’ regarding the environment.

Below I have included several Earth Day events that will take place in our communities on Saturday, April 20th.

Enchanted Forest Sanctuary in Titusville

The annual Earth Day Celebration at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary (444 Columbia Boulevard) in Titusville will take place Saturday, April 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event is free of charge and activities include guided hikes, special presentations with Florida wildlife, environmental exhibitors, live music, children’s interactive activities, and arts, crafts, and food vendors.

For more information, visit www.eelbrevard.com or call (321) 264-5185.

Earth Day Spring Plant Sale in Satellite Beach

In celebration of Earth Day, the City of Satellite Beach along with the Sustainability Board and Beautification Board will be hosting an Earth Day spring plant sale on Saturday, April 20th at 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the DRS Community Center (1089 South Patrick Drive) in Satellite Beach.

A wide variety of accent, host, native and nectar plants, as well as aeroponic starters, many of which attract butterflies and other pollinators.

For more information, contact the Planning and Sustainability Department 321-428-2546 or email [email protected].

Brevard Zoo to Host Earth Day Celebration

The Brevard Zoo is hosting the Party for the Planet Sunset Bash to celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 20th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

“We are throwing a party for our planet in celebration of Earth day. It is an opportunity to connect with nature, spend time with family, and experience the Zoo in a completely new light,” he said.

Activities include special animal encounters, hands-on games and activities, tours of the zoo at sunset, a live DJ, and opportunities to win prizes. For an additional fee, visitors can experience the Zipline adventure and wetlands kayaking.

Tickets are available for $35 per adult and $30 per child with members earning a $5 discount on admission.

For more information, click here.

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