Tallahassee–The Florida Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Doug Broxson (R-Pensacola), today released Senate Proposed Bill 2500, the General Appropriations Act, as well as the implementing bill and conforming bills associated with a balanced budget for the upcoming 2024-2025 fiscal year. The legislation makes significant investments in Florida’s infrastructure, with record funding for public schools and school choice opportunities for Florida parents. The budget authorizes paying off $455 million in state debt, accounts for significant tax relief, and sets aside record state reserves. Additional legislation advancing in the Senate includes historic funding to grow Florida’s health care workforce and new, dedicated investments in Florida’s environment & clean water resiliency.

Comments from Chair Broxson, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples), and the Chairs of the five Senate Appropriations Committees governing various budget silos include several highlights of the proposed budget.

“Here in the free state of Florida, we wisely utilized pandemic funds to make critical, one-time, generational investments in our infrastructure – from roads and bridges, to education facilities, to clean water and coastal resilience,” said President Passidomo. “As the timeline to spend pandemic funds is coming to end, we are making smart, fiscally-responsible adjustments and right-sizing our balanced budget to a level sustainable for the long term. Our revenues are increasing, but instead of spending all of we have, we are paying down debt, setting aside historic reserves, and providing for meaningful tax relief, so Floridians can keep more of their hard-earned money.”

“Other states are making deep budget cuts and raising taxes because they spent pandemic funds on recurring expenses they can’t afford and are now facing post-pandemic declining revenues and budget deficits, which is only making matters worse. Thanks to sound financial management throughout the pandemic by Governor DeSantis and the Legislature here in the Sunshine State, forward-looking investments are shoring up our infrastructure, helping to create good jobs in growing communities,” said Chair Broxson.

“With more than 300,000 people a year moving to the free state of Florida, we are getting ready and building a transportation, housing, health care, and clean water infrastructure that can accommodate significant population growth over the next decade,” continued President Passidomo. “With all the growth we are experiencing, we can’t and won’t forget one of the main reasons people move here in the first place – our environment. We are continuing to expand our wildlife corridor, and making ongoing investments in land management that will expand public access for recreation and preserve our environment and natural resources for future generations of Floridians and visitors.”

“Our budget continues our commitment to retain the talented and dedicated workers who serve in state government with an across the board salary increase to address inflation, and targeted raises for some of the most difficult jobs in state government,” said Chair Broxson.

Senator Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford) Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government:

“We are continuing our longstanding efforts to preserve Florida’s unique natural resources and making critical improvements to our environmental and clean water infrastructure. These investments benefit current and future generations of Floridians, while also safeguarding Florida’s economy as our pristine natural features continue to attract visitors from across the country and around the world.

“We are investing over $1 billion for water quality improvements and Everglades restoration, and more than $400 million for conservation acquisitions, including our Wildlife Corridor. We have $120 million for our Flood and Sea Level Rise Program and $770 million for the Wastewater and Drinking Water Revolving Loan Programs as well as $178 million for water infrastructure improvements. We account for additional legislation by Senator Hutson that appropriates significant funding for clean water infrastructure and our Wildlife Corridor, including land management efforts that will expand public access to state recreation and game lands. On the governmental operations side of our committee, we are ensuring our agencies continue to run effectively and efficiently.”

Senator Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Civil and Criminal Justice:

“Our budget focuses on the highest priority request of nearly all of our agencies with an across the board salary increase, continuing state efforts to address staffing, recruitment and retention issues in the Department of Corrections (DOC), Department of Juvenile Justice, and our Court System.

“The centerpiece of our Senate budget is a massive investment to address major needs in our prison infrastructure. We are providing $100 million a year for 30 years, a total of $3 billion, to address both long-term construction projects and the repair of our aging prison infrastructure. The first year of funding would provide funds to complete the Lake Mental Health facility, and funding for four new dorms at existing prisons.

“Last year we funded a historic expansion of education and vocational programming in the DOC, with an emphasis on virtual education. This budget provides $11.1 million to continue the expansion, including additional teachers and IT Infrastructure, equipment, and educational materials to expand current learning labs and online education opportunities. This funding is intended to help address inmate educational deficits, prepare them for the workforce upon release, reduce recidivism, and reduce the problem of inmate idleness in our institutions. We are also expanding funds for our phone call savings program. This program awards inmates with a free 15-minute call each month if they remain incident-free the prior three months, which gives families of inmates a break on costs and incentivizes good behavior.”

Senator Keith Perry (R-Gainesville), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Education:

“This budget continues our strong support of education in Florida. We are increasing K-12 per student funding by $218 and of that amount, $175 is an increase to the base student allocation, which we know provides important, needed flexibility for our districts. As parents across the state continue to guide how and where the funding for their children’s education is spent, utilizing education options provided by the Family Empowerment Scholarship, again this year we are holding $350 million in reserve for FES scholarships in case more students then we expect enroll in the program. This level of funding ensures traditional, neighborhood public schools continue to see a historic level of per student funding.

“We know students are best-served when education is linked to the realities and opportunities of the economy and the job market. Along those lines are we are continuing our commitment to Career and Technical Education opportunities with supports for schools districts, colleges, and universities that create or expand these vital programs.

“In higher education, we maintain the low cost of tuition and do not authorize any tuition increases at Florida colleges and universities. Like last year, each university can spend tuition and fee revenue collected without having to seek legislative authorization to increase spending authority. This approach does not allow for tuition increases, but gives universities additional flexibility as their enrollment increases. We also appropriate $845 million to support performance and excellence initiatives in our state universities, which includes an additional $100 million for preeminent research universities.”

Senator Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services:

“Our Health and Human Services budget complements the historic appropriations throughout our Live Healthy legislation with important investments to improve the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable in our state, particularly our children, elders and our fellow Floridians with disabilities. We are also increasing funds to support independent living for our youth in the child welfare system, raising the level of respite support for families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, and expanding needed services for those struggling with substance abuse. We are yet again committing to the long-term care of our veterans by providing funding for our 9th state veterans’ nursing home in Collier County, ensuring Florida remains the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.

“This budget, and our Live Healthy proposal, have a tremendous focus on mental health that will expand the number of providers and really change the way people can access mental health services. Whether it’s an online provider via telehealth, or someone who needs more intensive, long-term services, we want people to know that Florida has the options you need.

“With the investments contained in this budget and the entirety of our Live Healthy package, Florida is creating an efficient and effective health care system that will provide more options for the people of our state to receive the best care possible in an environment best-suited to their needs.”

Senator Ed Hooper (R-Clearwater), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development:

“Our transportation infrastructure is the foundation for Florida’s vibrant, diverse economy. This budget continues our historic, generational infrastructure investments in transportation. Affordable housing options for our workers – the backbone of Florida’s economy – are also a critical component of our state infrastructure. We maintain the critical commitment and vision for workforce housing, outlined in our Live Local Act of 2023. Additional legislation by Senator Calatayud includes $100 million for our Hometown Heroes program to assist Florida workers in purchasing homes in their communities.

“We also continue our efforts to help communities impacted by recent hurricanes with investments that will assist local governments with infrastructure repair and replacement including road and sewer and water facilities. When it comes to hurricane damage, we are all in this together, and the funding we are including in this budget will help our communities continue to recover and rebuild.

“We are continuing our efforts to recruit law enforcement officers to our state. These dedicated public servants help our fellow Floridians in some of our darkest hours, and I’m glad we have the funds to show our strong support for their efforts.”

A full summary of SPB 2500 is attached. The legislation will be considered by the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis has held two briefings on Hurricane Ian at the State Emergency Operations Center and delivered remarks while meeting with linemen in North Central Florida. Full remarks are available here, here, and here.

Ian is currently a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour, nearing a category 5. Because of the severity and devastation of this storm, Governor Ron DeSantis is requesting a Major Disaster declaration from President Biden for all 67 counties of the state. As part of this request, Governor DeSantis is also asking that President Biden approve a FEMA federal cost share of 60 percent for 45 days to support recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ian. This FEMA funding would support debris removal and emergency protective measures (FEMA Categories A and B) to help counties that will be directly impacted by Hurricane Ian. The President has the authority to issue a waiver and increase the federal cost share for hurricane recovery. The approval of this funding has the potential to save Florida communities and the state hundreds of millions of dollars.

• FEMA Category A funds costs associated with the removal of debris following a storm. This includes wreckage produced while conducting emergency work, and anything that eliminates the immediate threat to lives or public health and safety.
• FEMA Category B funds emergency protective measures taken before, during and after a disaster. This includes warnings of risks and hazards, search and rescue efforts, emergency evacuations, food and water provisions at central distribution points and emergency mass care.

Current Watches and Warnings in Effect:

• Hurricane Warnings: Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Hendry, Glades, Hardee, Desoto, Highlands, Okeechobee, Osceola, Polk, Lake, Orange, Seminole
• Tropical Storm Warnings: Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Brevard, Volusia, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Levy, Dixie, Marion, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, Clay, Duval, coastal Nassau, coastal Taylor, coastal Jefferson, coastal Wakulla, coastal Franklin
• Tropical Storm Watches: Inland Nassau, Baker, Union, Bradford, Alachua, Gilchrist
• Tornado Watches: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie

State preparation and response efforts include:

Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)

• FDEM has compiled a Shelter in Place Survey to provide critical information to first responders during and after the anticipated landfall of Hurricane Ian. We are asking all individuals in the impact area of Hurricane Ian that made the decision to shelter in place complete the survey. Please visit FloridaDisaster.org/Info to find the Shelter in Place Survey.
• FDEM has activated the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) to provide an additional resource for Floridians to receive up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Ian. Residents and visitors can call this toll-free hotline at 1-800-342-3557.
• FDEM Liaisons are being identified and deployed to counties to provide on-site response assistance and to conduct damage assessments after the storm.
• At the direction of FDEM Director and State Coordinating Officer Kevin Guthrie, an Incident Management Team (IMT) from Ohio is on-scene to ensure additional support for response and recovery efforts after the storm.
• FDEM is deploying several hundred shelter support staff to address staffing needs in counties that have opened their Special Needs hurricane shelters. Currently, more than 200 public shelters are open and available to impacted residents, with more than 50 of these being Special Needs Shelters.
• FDEM is leading the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) for the Hurricane Ian response, with more than 350 SERT members staffing the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).
• The Division has received nearly 1000 resource requests for Hurricane Ian and fulfilled. Over 800 of these requests are currently being processed and are either en route or being mobilized. This includes the coordination of resources such as: trucks of food and water, generators and water pumps.
  • FDEM has loaded 360 trailers with over 3.5 million meals and over 1.8 million gallons of bottled water in preparation for distribution to impacted areas.
  • Several hundred generators and pumps, in addition to debris equipment, have been staged for response and recovery efforts.
  • 100,000 tarps to protect homes and allow more residents to stay at home rather than in a public shelter.
• Five Florida Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams are activated and will be prepared to deploy to impacted areas. Federal USAR Teams from Virginia, Texas, Ohio and Indiana are on-scene and stand ready to assist in response and recovery efforts.
  • FDEM is currently coordinating the provision of meals for first responders staged in Orange County.
• FDEM has begun setting up a Logistical Staging Area in Polk County and is identifying potential additional staging areas and points of distribution to ensure food and water are readily available if counties request it.
• FDEM is in constant communication with all 67 county emergency management offices and state agencies to coordinate protective actions and needed resources ahead of potential storm impacts.
• FDEM is coordinating with utilities to ensure crews are prepared to respond and restore power. Utility providers have more than 30,000 linemen staged and prepared for power restoration efforts.

• A total of 5,000 Florida Guardsmen are being activated to State Active Duty and pre-positioned at armories across the state for Ian response operations. Up to 2,000 Guardsmen from Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina are also being activated to assist.
• In addition, the Florida Guard has mobilized and is on standby with five Route Clearance Teams and Aviation assets.
• The Florida National Guard is well-equipped, with assets including high-wheeled vehicles, helicopters, boats, generators and more.

• FDLE regional support and logistics teams throughout the state are preparing to deploy personnel and equipment for a ready response to the aftermath of the storm. FDLE has started pre-staging equipment and mobile command posts at strategic locations. Teams with chainsaws, tarps, and other supplies are assembling.

• DOH and Agency for Health Care Administration have initiated Patient Movement Mission to support medical transport and evacuations of health care facilities.
  • This mission is evacuating 15 hospitals in areas of anticipated landfall. DOH continues to assess and support any additional necessary evacuations.
  • This mission also supports the evacuation of over 100 health care facilities.
• Over 400 ambulances, paratransit busses, and support vehicles are responding to areas of anticipated landfall.
• DOH has prepared for Special Needs Shelter operations to begin in areas of anticipated landfall. A press release has been deployed statewide for additional information on special needs shelters.
• The State Surgeon General has signed Emergency Order 22-001 waiving statutory procurement requirements to ensure DOH is able to deploy necessary action due to Hurricane Ian. This can be found here.
• The State Surgeon General has signed a letter to allow staff of the Department and Agency for Health Care Administration to travel past curfews across state lines to conduct any necessary health and safety actions.
• DOH has coordinated with the Office of Insurance Regulation to distribute an alert regarding permitted early prescription refills during a State of Emergency. This alert was sent to health insurers, managed care organizations, health entities, and licensed health care providers. The alert can be found here.
• DOH has coordinated with Federal partners to support the deployment of nearly 100 individuals through various health and medical teams. These teams stand ready in Orlando, Atlanta, and Warner Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia.
• DOH continues to coordinate across 67 county health departments on any necessary preparation resources, in coordination with county emergency managers.

• AHCA has activated reporting in the Health Facility Reporting System (HFRS) and is requesting all health care providers report their census, available beds, evacuation status and generator status information. This information allows AHCA to assist health care providers in transferring patients if needed and ensure health care providers in impacted areas have the necessary resources and adequate power.
• Patient Movement Mission (DOH 4052) is activated. This mission is a combined by AHCA, along with FHA, FHCA, LeadingAge, Florida Senior Living and Florida Assisted Living Associations.
• This mission also supports the evacuation of nearly 7,000 patients and residents from more than 150 health care facilities.
• AHCA sent a Medicaid Provider Alert outlining Key Medicaid Information for Fee-For-Service and Managed Care Providers during Hurricane Ian, this can be found here.
• AHCA has activated the Emergency Patient Look-Up System (E-PLUS).  Special needs shelters for 16 counties are able to utilize the system to retrieve patient medical records. E-PLUS is also available to assist medical providers and emergency response personnel with locating missing or displaced persons after the storm.
• The State Surgeon General has signed a letter to allow staff of the Department and Agency for Health Care Administration to travel past curfews across state lines to conduct any necessary health and safety actions, this can be found here.
• 81.61% of all facilities have reported into the Health Facility Reporting System.
• AHCA has completed 343 onsite visits in Nursing Homes and ALFs that were previously identified as out of compliance with generator requirements.
• AHCA has identified Home Medical Equipment providers that can assist with supplying oxygen supplies to Special Needs Shelters.
• AHCA partnered with Florida Health Care Association and Florida Hospital Association to initiate statewide calls with long term care facilities and hospitals.
• As of yesterday, 100% of operating long-term care facilities have a generator on-site. The Generator Status Map for long-term care facilities is available here.

• APD’s Tacachale Center in Gainesville, home to 242 residents, has enacted its Emergency Preparedness Plan. They have confirmed adequate food, water, medications, fuel, and other necessities.
• APD is hosting a virtual meeting daily with its partner associations to update them on storm activities and to offer assistance, if needed.
• 99 APD-licensed group homes have evacuated to ensure client safety from Hurricane Ian.
• APD has developed and disseminated a curfew letter for Direct Support Professionals who will need to travel past curfews to provide necessary health care and personal supports to clients with developmental disabilities following the storm.

• DCF’s federal waiver request to release SNAP benefits early in preparation for Hurricane Ian was approved, and food assistance benefits were released on 9/27to Floridians that may be impacted by Hurricane Ian. More information here: ACCESS Florida – Florida Department of Children and Families (myflfamilies.com)
• Early Learning Coalitions have closed in the following counties: Bradford, Baker, Brevard, Broward, Citrus, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, Hendry, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Levy, Martin, Manatee, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Putnam, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Volusia.
  • DCF is maintaining contact with contracted partners, including, Managing Entities, Community Based Care lead agencies, and child care providers to ensure Florida’s communities remain apprised of all storm updates.
  • DCF is also ensuring all Mental Health Treatment Facilities and methadone treatment programs are prepared for the storm.

• DOEA service providers around the state are in progress or have completed check-in and informational calls to their senior clients.
• Area Agencies on Aging that are expected to be impacted by Hurricane Ian have been distributing shelf-stable meals to their home delivery meal clients.
• Area Agencies on Aging in the affected areas are coordinating with other agencies to answer local Elder Helpline calls during power outages (1-800-96-ELDER).

• Veterans enrolled in VA Health Care in need of routine or urgent care services in the projected path of the storm can contact VA Health Connect, also known as the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center, at 1-877-741-3400.
• The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will close the following locations for in person and procedure appointments:
  • C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center: Monday, September 26 through Thursday, September 29. This closure extends to the Emergency Department.
  • North Pinellas and St. Petersburg VA Clinics: Wednesday, September 28 and Thursday, September 29.
  • Sarasota, Bradenton, and Port Charlotte VA Clinics: Wednesday, September 28.

• Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. communicated to all Superintendents and College Presidents that the DOE stands ready to assist if needed before, during, and after the storm.
• The Florida Department of Education is consistently updating their website with school district closures, as well as State University System and Florida College System Closures.
• As of 10 a.m. closures have been announced in 59 school districts, 24 Florida College System institutions and 11 State Universities. For a full list of closures, visit fldoe.org/storminfo.

• Floridians should stay indoors and stay off the roads.

• Bridges have been closed in Central Florida. The complete list of closures as of 12:00pm includes:
  • Manatee County
    • Bridge at S.R. 64 / Manatee Ave East
    • Cortez Bridge
  • Sarasota County
    • John Ringling Causeway
  • Pinellas County
    • Sunshine Skyway Bridge

• Tolls have now been suspended on roadways in Central Florida. The complete list of toll facilities include:
  • SR 91 Turnpike Mainline from Osceola Parkway (MP249) north to I-75
  • SR 417 – Southern Connector Extension, Central Florida Greeneway and Seminole Expressway
  • SR429 – Western Beltway
  • SR429 – Wekiva Parkway
  • SR408 – Holland East-West Expressway
  • SR528 – Beachline Expressway
  • SR414 – John Land Apopka Expressway
  • SR538 – Poinciana Parkway
  • SR453
  • SR551 – Goldenrod Road Extension
  • I-4 Express
  • Polk Parkway in Polk County
  • Suncoast Parkway in Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus County
  • Veterans Expressway, the I-4 Connector, and the Selmon Expressway in Hillsborough County
  • Pinellas Bayway and Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Pinellas County
  • Alligator Alley in Collier and Broward Counties

• Updated toll suspension information, including those west coast roadways whose tolls have already been suspended, can be found at fdot.gov/IanTollSuspension

• All ports currently have adequate fuel supplies and are staging appropriate measures to be well-positioned after the storm in order to quickly reinstate operations and keep fuel supplies moving.
• Ports that are currently closed: Port Tampa Bay, Port of St. Petersburg Seaport Manatee, Port of Fort Pierce, Port of Palm Beach, and Port of Key West
• Ports that are open while preparing for storm impacts: Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port Fernandina, JAXPORT (closure expected Wednesday) Port Canaveral (closure at midnight Tuesday) Port of Pensacola (with restrictions), Port Panama City, and Port St. Joe

• Current status is listed below. While some facilities have scheduled closures, individual airlines may decide to cease flights earlier than that.

• Tampa International Airport will suspend operations at 5pm Tues September 27
• St.Pete/Clearwater International Airport will close at 2pm Tues September 27
• Sarasota Bradenton International Airport- Airport will close 8pm local Tuesday September 27 through 8pm Thursday September 29
• Southwest Florida International Airport – All flight operations are cancelled at Southwest Florida International Airport for Wednesday, September 28. Many flights have also been cancelled for Thursday.
• Tallahassee International Airport- Currently open and continuing storm preparations
• Pensacola International Airport- Currently open and continuing storm preparations
• Punta Gorda Airport- Currently open and continuing storm preparations
• Orlando International Airport- Closing Wednesday, September 28 at 10:30 am
• Orlando Sanford International Airport- Passenger terminal closing at 5pm. Airport Facility closing at 11PM. Flights on Wednesday and Thursday are cancelled

• HART suspended transit service in Zones A and B at 9 p.m.
• HART, Pasco, and LeeTRAN suspended fares
• Transit agencies focused on life-sustaining trips
• Amtrak service cancelled south of Jax September 27-29
• Regional Rail (Florida Central, Florida Midland, Florida Northern and Port Manatee Railroads) shut down operations beginning, September 27 at midnight.

• The Florida Highway Patrol is assisting FDOT with bridge closures across impacted areas, including the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
• FHP completed an escort of volunteer shelter workers convoying from out of state to Pinellas County to support sheltering efforts in Florida due to Hurricane Ian.
• FHP has deployed a mobile command center to the State Emergency operations Center to provide enhanced communication capabilities and additional resources.
• More than 1,700 sworn FHP members are ready to assist with enhanced evacuation and response efforts.
• FHP has activated 12-hour Alpha, Bravo shifts for more than 400 Troopers across Florida gulf coast.
• FHP has placed 330 Quick Reactionary Force troopers on standby, ready to move into affected areas quickly to provide immediate relief.
• FHP has strategically staged its fixed-wing aircraft to monitor traffic routes and to aid search and rescue and damage assessment efforts.
• FHP has placed its unmanned aerial vehicle teams on standby to assist in search and rescue and damage assessment efforts.
• FHP Regional Communications Centers are preparing to perform take-over services for other impacted FHP dispatch centers to ensure all state law enforcement officers continue to receive dispatch services.
• FHP is providing liaisons to affected county emergency operations centers.
• FHP encourages evacuating motorists to report disabled vehicles or dangerous driving conditions to *FHP (*347).
• FLHSMV driver license and motor vehicle service center closures can be found here.
• FLHSMV has issued Emergency Order 092422, which:

• • Waives specific requirements for commercial motor vehicles providing emergency relief; and
  • Waives the replacement fees for driver’s license and identification credentials, vehicle registrations and titles, vessel registrations and titles and temporary parking permits for impacted individuals.

• 87 FWC officers and 1 vehicle and vessel mechanic are prepared to deploy following the storm’s passing, anticipated Thursday morning.
• 15 FWC Special Operations Group officers from the Northwest Region are staged in Orlando with Urban Search and Rescue Teams for pre-landfall briefings and preparation for immediate insertion into the affected area following the storm’s passing.
• The FWC will be deploying 1 mobile command trailer and 2 BERG units to provide communications and operational support in the event lodging, power and water may not be available to responding units.
• FWC will be deploying more than 100 four-wheel drive vehicles, approximately 50 vessels of various drafts, ranging from airboats to shallow to large platform vessels.
• FWC responding officers have UTVs, ATVs, and swamp buggies for rough terrain and high-water response functions.
• 30 FWC officers from the Northwest Region are standing by to augment the first wave of response units, with additional four-wheel drive vehicles, vessels, UTVs, ATVs and other equipment.
• Nearly 300 FWC patrol officers, including 30 SOG members, live and work in potentially affected areas. Following the storm’s passage, if personal circumstances permit, all will mobilize to assist the storm response effort. These assets include approximately 300 officers (30 SOG), approximately 300 four-wheel drive vehicles, approximately 250 vessels of various drafts and additional UTVs, swamp buggies, etc.
• Officers are preparing a variety of specialized equipment, including shallow draft boats, larger platform vessels, ATVs, airboats, and four-wheel drive vehicles to use in the response, and will likely stage Wednesday in safe locations, for immediate post-storm insertion. These assets do not include local FWC officers in potentially affected areas.
• FWC Aviation Section has readied all appropriate aircraft for deployment for EOC aerial assistance, reconnaissance, and post-storm damage assessments.
• FWC is directing the public to myfwc.com/notices/ for information about wildlife management areas, fish management areas, shooting ranges and FWC office closures due to the forecasted effects of Hurricane Ian.

• DEO has activated the private sector hotline at 850-815-4925 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• DEO is working with its private-sector partners to provide updates on FloridaDisaster.biz/CurrentDisasterUpdates related to supply chain concerns, inventory storages of emergency supplies, and general concerns and priorities of the business community.
• Partners including Walmart and Publix have indicated that they are constantly bringing additional supplies into the state to restock inventory.
• VISIT Florida has activated Emergency Accommodations Portal at Expedia.com/Florida is being updated with the latest on available listings.
• Comcast has opened Xfinity WiFi hotspots in Central, North and Southwest Florida, and the Panhandle for Xfinity customers and non-customers to stay connected during and after the storm. Details are available at Florida.Comcast.com/2022/09/27/comcast-opens-free-xfinity-wifi-hotspot-network-as-hurricane-ian-approaches/.
• Lowe’s continues to have stores open in counties not directly impacted by Hurricane Ian to receive storm and recovery-related products, such as generators, plywood, and other materials. Additionally, 30 fuel trucks staged at Lowes store locations for re-entry after the storm.
• The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is getting the word out to lodging establishments to relax their pet policies and to share that there are still available hotels and other lodging available from Tallahassee to Pensacola and Palm Beach, Broward and Dade.
• As families evacuate and create their emergency plans ahead of Hurricane Ian, UHaul is offering 30 days of free storage and U-Box container usage at 43 Florida locations. Find additional information at www.uhaul.com/about/ listed under “Top Stories.”
• Private-sector partner, Uber, is offering round-trip rides to and from Southwest Florida shelter locations in counties listed at www.FloridaDisaster.org/PlanPrepare/Shelters. Riders can enter promotional code IANRELIEF in the app to redeem a free round-trip up to $30 each way. Rides must be requested to or from any state-approved evacuation shelter in Florida.
• DEO is working with business, industry, and economic development partners to distribute informative flyers about disaster preparation, response, and recovery.
• DEO has alerted the statewide Community Action Agency (CAA) Network to initiate disaster preparedness activities following the Emergency Order.
• DEO’s Secretary Dane Eagle distributed a memo on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, releasing $1.4 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistant Program (LIHEAP) set-aside emergency funding for use by LIHEAP providers across the state to support preparedness activities such as transportation and temporary housing to preserve health and safety.
• DEO has closed its offices in Jacksonville, Orlando, and Ft. Lauderdale pursuant to local county government closures. While this may impact wait times, the Department is supporting the call lines with additional staff to support Floridians. The Tallahassee contact center will support all calls starting Wednesday, September 28, 2022; Floridians in need of support will receive assistance.
• DEO’s Rebuild Florida team is mobilizing construction teams to secure construction sites on in-progress Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Irma construction projects.
• Career centers in the following counties may experience temporary closures following county closure announcements:
  • CareerSource Gulf Coast
  • CareerSource Florida Crown
  • CareerSource Northeast Florida
  • CareerSource North Central Florida
  • CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion
  • CareerSource Flagler Volusia
  • CareerSource Central Florida
  • CareerSource Brevard
  • CareerSource Pinellas
  • CareerSource Tampa Bay
  • CareerSource Pasco Hernando
  • CareerSource Polk
  • CareerSource Suncoast
  • CareerSource Research Coast
  • CareerSource Palm Beach County
  • CareerSource Southwest Florida

• VISIT FLORIDA has activated its Emergency Accommodations Module on Expedia to provide real-time hotel availability and lodging resources for impacted Floridians and visitors.

• Florida Housing has ensured that all current listings are up to date in the event that families need to quickly relocate at www.FloridaHousingSearch.org.
• Each SHIP office has an adopted disaster strategy that allows for assistance in the immediate aftermath of a declared disaster. Strategies may include temporary relocation and rental assistance, debris removal and short-term repairs to prevent further damage to the structure or to allow for occupancy until further repairs are made.

• The Lottery’s Orlando District Office will be closed to employees and the public beginning Wednesday, September 28 until further notice.
• The Lottery’s Tampa and Fort Myers District Offices remain closed to employees and the public until further notice.
• Players are encouraged to visit www.flalottery.com for the most up-to-date information regarding Lottery office closures.

• DBPR has published an emergency page at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/emergency/ for the current status of DBPR office locations, executive orders, board meeting updates, and other resources related to Hurricane Ian.
• DBPR’s Division of Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics is coordinating with wholesale distributors of prescription drugs and medical gases to provide information and support relating to exceptions for the emergency distribution of these critical supplies where needed.

• OIR is coordinating with its regulated entities, including property and casualty insurers, to collect information on Hurricane Ian preparedness efforts and to ensure companies have all necessary resources to assist policyholders.
• OIR has updated its list of resources to assist Florida policyholders with their hurricane preparedness and response efforts.

• Following the issuance of the Governor’s Executive Order, DEP issued an Emergency Final Order waiving permitting requirements for the storage and processing of solid waste, including storm debris.
• DEP has also issued an Emergency Final Order to expedite necessary repair, replacement and restoration of structures, equipment, surface water management systems, works and other systems damaged by the storm.
• Inspectors completed pre-storm beach surveys in all shoreline counties.
• Hazardous Area Response Teams are preparing for potential assessment and deployment to impacted areas.
• All significant Hazardous Waste facilities within the affected counties have been contacted to ensure all pre-storm landfall preparations are being made.
• Florida state park closures can be found at www.floridastateparks.org/StormUpdates.
• Visitors with existing camping and cabin reservations at impacted parks will be notified of their reservation status.
• WaterTracker is active, DEP’s online portal for wastewater and drinking water facilities to report their operational status.

• The Telecommunications Division is working with telecom partners to ensure that the state’s communications networks have redundancies and remain operations for first responders to respond to Floridians during the storm.
• State buildings in the following 25 counties are closed for Wednesday, September 28, 2022:
  • Alachua
  • Bradford
  • Brevard
  • Broward
  • Charlotte
  • Citrus
  • Clay
  • Collier
  • DeSoto
  • Duval
  • Flagler
  • Glades
  • Hardee
  • Hendry
  • Hernando
  • Highlands
  • Hillsborough
  • Indian River
  • Lake
  • Lee
  • Levy
  • Manatee
  • Marion
  • Martin
  • Monroe
  • Nassau
  • Okeechobee
  • Orange
  • Osceola
  • Palm Beach
  • Pasco
  • Pinellas
  • Polk
  • Putnam
  • Sarasota
  • Seminole
  • St. Johns
  • St. Lucie
  • Sumter
  • Volusia

• Florida’s temporary licensing program, which allows exporters, petroleum carriers, and importers to request a temporary license during a disaster or declared state of emergency, has been activated. Applicants are not required to submit a fee, secure bonding, or undergo a background check if they apply for and receive a temporary license.

• DJJ facilities in the projected impacted areas have generators in the event of loss of power, and ensured food, medicine, and emergency supplies are stocked and ready.

• All inmates housed in facilities impacted by Hurricane Ian are safe, secure and have ample food and water supplies. All institutions have back-up power generators in the event commercial power is lost.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — The Daisy Morales campaign announced Friday that the State Representative has filed first for Florida House District 44 in the 2024 election, hand delivering her campaign documents to the Florida Division of Elections in Tallahassee Thursday.

State Rep. Daisy Morales signs the candidate oath form to file for Florida House District 44 in the 2024 election. Photo: Daisy Morales campaign.

The Democrat freshman lawmaker joins fifteen others who have also filed early to run in 2024, including fellow Democrat State Reps. Allison Tant, Christine Hunschofsky, and Felicia Robinson, according to the Florida Division of Elections website.

Morales Makes the Case for HD 44

Simply put, Rep. Morales laid out a long case in the campaign press release for why she’s choosing to run for HD 44 again.

According to the release, she’s running at the urging of supporters, donors and voters from left, right and center (ideologically) who “expressed their outrage to her at the seat being given to someone with no legislative experience.”

Morales doubled down on the need for Hispanic and Puerto Rican voices in the Florida House while firing a shot at Jennifer “Rita” Harris, who won the August 23rd primary. “District 44 and the Florida House deserve a Hispanic voice that represents the people. Experience and diversity matter,” she said in the press release. “House District 44 will need more than just an activist and noisemaker like Rita Harris in Tallahassee.

“This district is an economic engine that requires an effective lawmaker that has a history of getting results in the form of bills being signed into law benefiting Floridians and funding coming back to the district. Rita Harris has none.”

Morales also reiterated her shots against Harris from the primary campaign.

“District 44 needs a representative that is not bogged down in massive IRS debt, is open about their employment history, and can speak to both the English and Hispanic communities.”

Reiterating the Track Record

In the campaign press release, Morales decided to say her track record again a little louder for the people in the back, highlighting a few laws:

• Property Tax Exemptions For Widows, Widowers, Blind Persons, or Persons Totally and Permanently Disabled (CS/HB 13) (sponsor, 2022) was included in this year’s history-making Taxation Bill (HB 7071, co-sponsored) and provides a tenfold tax exemption increase from $500 to $5,000 for widows, widowers, the blind and the permanently disabled. That’s $5,000 in tax savings in their pockets.

• Educational Opportunities for Disabled Veterans (CS/HB 45) (sponsor, 2022) – this bill, now signed into law, releases funding to cover any remaining out of pocket costs disabled veterans may have in their pursuit of education after all other funding options have been applied.

  This law is on track to become a national model. Louisiana State Representative Lou Beaullieu wants to model the law in his state, which creates an opportunity for every single state government across the country to adopt it for the veterans in their states as well.

• Specialty License Plates (CS/HB 213) (sponsor, 2022) – this bill was included in the now signed Specialty License Plates law (CS/CS/SB 364), which allows the State of Florida to sell Down Syndrome awareness license plates (a first for the state) and uses the proceeds to help fund housing and education opportunities as well as employment assistance for Floridians in the Down Syndrome community.

• Autonomous Vehicles (CS/CS/HB 1289) (co-sponsor, 2021) – This law made it possible for BEEP’s fleet of autonomous shuttle buses to serve the Lake Nona community.

• $50 million in funding for Visit Florida (HB 489, SB 434) (co-sponsor, 2022) – this law allocates $50 million in funding to keep Visit Florida, the marketing arm for Florida’s tourism industry, running until 2028.

• $3 million in funding for Farm Share (HB 2189) (co-sponsor, 2022) – In partnership with Farm Share, Rep. Morales helped feed thousands of families during the COVID-19 pandemic, and co-sponsored this bill, which was signed into to law, to continue the organization’s invaluable service to Florida families.

• $4 million in funding for UCF’s Nursing School building in Lake Nona (HB 3841) (co-sponsor, 2022) – this funding will help UCF build its Nursing School building in Lake Nona’s Medical City.

Central Florida Hispanic Leaders Abandon Hispanic Political Voices?

Rep. Morales alleges that Central Florida’s Hispanic leaders sold out or abandoned the Hispanic and Puerto Rican community in the rush to support Rita Harris for the seat.

In the below video from Johanna Lopez‘s campaign, Lopez, who has a November election, was helping Rita Harris campaign on primary election day on August 23, along with Samuel Vilchez Santiago, Morales’s former opponent from the 2020 Democratic primary for Florida House District 48 (for which Lopez was the campaign manager), and others.

Rep. Morales is currently the highest elected Puerto Rican woman in the Florida House, and if Johanna Lopez is elected in November, that mantle would go to her, but the number is still just one. State Senator Victor Torres is the only Puerto Rican represented in the Florida Senate, so the total is two at the state level. By comparison, there is greater representation among African Americans in the Florida House and in Congress, yet the African American community is still fighting for more and greater representation–which spurred State Reps. Travaris McCurdy and Angie Nixon’s sit-in on the Florida House floor in protest to Governor Ron DeSantis’s Congressional maps, which phased out two black Congressional districts altogether.

While Puerto Ricans make up a large part of Florida’s Hispanic population, which is the second highest in the state compared to the African Americans’ third place, African Americans appear to be more protective of their representation by comparison.

Rep. Morales wants to see more of this among Puerto Ricans at the state level.

“The primary election is over,” said Rep. Morales in the release, “But our work is far from over. I was the target of Hispanic leaders who chose to turn their back on their own community in an effort to forfeit this seat to pretty much anyone else—because that’s the message they sent on August 23rd. What has long been a Puerto Rican seat is pretty much anyone’s seat now.

“I won’t stand for that. Our community deserves to be represented in District 44, and one thing about us as Hispanics, especially Puerto Ricans, is that we will be heard, no matter what, and we know the power of our vote, especially in Central Florida.”

Name Dropping

The Morales campaign even dropped in a word from Republican former State Rep. Rene Plascencia, the only other Puerto Rican representation in the Florida House (he’s half-Puerto Rican) prior to resigning his seat for a private sector job.

“Other lawmakers had the opportunity to notice the dirty tricks used against Rep. Morales’s campaign,” reads the press release. “Some did nothing, some chose to join in on the foolishness, and others spoke out. Former State Representative Rene Plascencia, who is also half-Puerto Rican, had this to say on his personal Facebook page:

‘In my two years of serving with Daisy Morales I have nothing but positive things to say about her. She worked hard for her constituents, always trying to find common ground to build relationships off of while never compromising her principles. It’s unfortunate that the Orlando Sentinel tries to influence elections by twisting the truth and facts. They are attempting to do it for the second time against Rep Morales. If you find her on your ballot, please consider voting for her.’”

Former State Representative Rene Plascencia took to his personal Facebook account on August 12, 2022 to defend State Rep. Daisy Morales and speak out against the Orlando Sentinel’s article attacking her. Image: Rene Plascencia (Facebook).

Morales Reiterates Voting Record

Rep. Morales beat the drum on her voting record as well. “Also, for some reason, there’s this narrative that I didn’t vote with my party, yet Progress Florida and Florida Watch, two independent progressive organizations, gave me an A+ (97%) on my voting record for their Florida’s People First Report Card. That’s higher than many of our other Democratic Orange County State Legislative Delegation colleagues, including State Senators Victor Torres (94%), Randolph Bracy (83%), and Linda Stewart (81%); and State Representative Kamia Brown (88%). Out of 160 lawmakers, I’m in the top ten. I tied for second place with State Reps. Geraldine Thompson, Travaris McCurdy and Joy Goff-Marcil.”

Morales’s Reason for Repetition

“There was a massive misinformation campaign against me in the last election, and it’s not going to happen this time,” Morales said in the press release. “Voters deserve to know the truth. Our new campaign team is ready to take on the establishment’s deceptive attacks in order to keep the voters informed heading into the 2024 election.”