Politics
State Rep. Daisy Morales Meets with Lawmakers During Puerto Rico Visit
Published
4 years agoon

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – State Representative Daisy Morales visited Puerto Rico this week in an effort to learn firsthand what the needs of the Puerto Rican people are.
Rep. Morales told Florida National News this two-week visit is intended to strengthen the alliance between the Puerto Rican government and Florida’s government, as well as communicate the people’s needs to their family members here on the mainland, inspiring them to use their right to vote.
Rep. Morales met with Puerto Rican lawmakers to learn what policies are important to them so that she can bring those ideas back to Florida and garner state and federal support for them. She spoke with Puerto Rican Senators Carmelo Javier Rios and Jose Luis Dalmau Santiago, along with their colleagues.

State Representative Daisy Morales meets with Senator Carmelo Javier Rios and his colleagues in Puerto Rico. Photo courtesy of Senator Carmelo Javier Rios (Facebook).

Rep. Morales meets with Puerto Rico’s Senator Jose Luis Dalmau Santiago ahead of Florida’s 2022 Legislative Session. Photo courtesy of State Representative Daisy Morales (Facebook).

State Representative Daisy Morales poses for a photo in Puerto Rico’s Capitol. Photo courtesy of State Representative Daisy Morales (Facebook).
After being elected November 2020 as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, Rep. Morales became the highest ranking Puerto Rican woman elected official in Florida, representing Florida House District 48 in Orange County.
Orange County ranks second nationally with an estimated 209,151 Puerto Ricans, behind The Bronx, which has 268,556 residents of Puerto Rican origin in 2018, according to the census. “Within Orange County, District 48 has a large Puerto Rican population, so it’s important to strengthen my office’s relationship with the governing bodies in Puerto Rico, its businesses, organizations and families,” Rep. Morales told Florida National News during a phone interview.
Rep. Morales took action when the influx first began in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. She travelled to Tallahassee to push for disaster relief from then governor Rick Scott’s administration.
Since Hurricane Maria, more than 400,000 people have relocated to Florida, many who have family members back home in Puerto Rico who need assistance.
Rep Morales shared that Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) Regional Office is located in District 48. “I’ve worked closely with the Regional Director Anthony Carrillo to create a resource pipeline between Central Florida and Puerto Rico.”
Deeply Rooted in Puerto Rico
Rep. Morales has deep roots in Puerto Rico. Though she was born in the Bronx, Rep. Morales’s parents took her back to the island when she was a child and raised her there. She also attended college on the island, receiving an associates degree. Much of her family lives there.
One of Puerto Rico’s most recent shining moments came during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with Jasmin Camacho-Quinn making history as Puerto Rico’s first-ever gold medalist in athletics after winning the women’s 100-meter hurdles finals. Even a week after the Olympics are over, Puerto Ricans continue to celebrate, and eagerly await her arrival. “I felt such a sense of pride when she won,” said Rep. Morales. “She’s a great example of perseverance, especially after her heartbreak in Rio. She’s a true comeback kid.
“What makes it so surreal is that she chose to train for the Tokyo Olympics here in the Orlando area,” Rep. Morales added.
Puerto Rico: The Aftermath
Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the entire island of Puerto Rico over three years ago. Unfortunately, the hurricanes’ effects were worsened with the earthquakes that followed, which caused even greater damage to the island’s land and energy infrastructure. Now the island is also battling the COVID-19 pandemic, which has put a huge strain on its health care system. This week, Rep. Morales got to witness those struggles with her own eyes.
After Hurricane Maria, Congress had allocated approximately $42.5 billion in federal funds for the island´s recovery. Three years later, much of the funds have been delayed, including Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) that were made available.
Three Congressional members represent parts of Rep. Morales’ district: U.S. Representatives Val Demings, Stephanie Murphy, and Darren Soto.
“Our fellow American citizens need help, and I’m here to help amplify their voice in any way I can,” Rep. Morales told Florida National News. “I’ll continue fighting for all Puerto Ricans on the island and the constituents who now call Central Florida home.”
_____________________________________________________
Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News. | mellissa.thomas@floridanationalnews.com
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Politics
Florida Legislature Unanimously Passes “Gage’s Law” to Combat Fentanyl Crisis
Published
6 days agoon
April 17, 2025
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – The Florida Legislature has taken decisive action against the deadly fentanyl epidemic. On Monday, HB 1195/SB 1346 – Fentanyl Testing, also known as “Gage’s Law”, passed unanimously in both the Florida House and Senate, marking a major bipartisan step in the state’s fight to save lives. The bill now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis’s desk for signature.
“Gage’s Law”, sponsored by Senator Tina Polsky (D-Boca Raton) and Representative Rita Harris (D-Orlando), is named in memory of Gage Austin Taylor, a bright and promising young man who died in 2022 after unknowingly ingesting a substance laced with fentanyl.
Key Provisions of the Legislation
Hospitals and campus emergency departments will be required to test for fentanyl in all suspected overdose or poisoning cases.
Mandatory follow-up testing when initial test results are positive.
All fentanyl test results must be preserved in the patient’s official clinical record.
“Fentanyl tears apart communities by claiming lives too soon,” said Senator Tina Polsky. “I’ve been honored to work with Representative Harris, Gage’s mother Gretchin, and countless advocates to pass Gage’s Law, which is a powerful step in fighting the ongoing fentanyl crisis.”
Florida’s Fentanyl Crisis
Florida ranks second in the nation for fentanyl-related deaths.
Nearly 5,000 Floridians died in 2022 due to fentanyl overdoses.
“Gage’s Law” is designed to ensure rapid detection and response, giving medical staff and law enforcement critical tools to combat the epidemic.
“This policy will equip hospitals with the guidance they need to treat fentanyl overdoses while giving law enforcement the tools to hold traffickers accountable, all in honor of those we’ve lost,” added Representative Rita Harris.
What’s Next?
If signed by Governor DeSantis, “Gage’s Law” will take effect on July 1, 2025, becoming one of the most impactful fentanyl-related measures in Florida’s legislative history.
Politics
Florida AG James Uthmeier Charges Felon on Probation with Voter Fraud in 2022 Election
Published
6 days agoon
April 17, 2025
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has charged a convicted felon currently on probation with voter fraud in connection to the 2022 General Election. The defendant, Jeffrey Luke Crane, is facing charges of voting by an unqualified elector and false affirmation after knowingly casting a ballot while ineligible under Florida law.
“Ensuring the integrity of our elections is important to safeguarding our republican form of government,” said Attorney General Uthmeier. “This defendant knowingly participated in the 2022 election as a felon on probation, and our Statewide Prosecutors will hold him accountable for this criminal action.”
Background of the Case
Crane is currently on probation for a string of serious offenses, including:
Aggravated fleeing with injury or damage
Resisting an officer with violence
Failure to stop or remain at the scene of a crash involving injury
Driving under the influence
According to a law enforcement investigation, Crane signed a Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) probation form acknowledging he could not vote while on probation.
Despite the signed acknowledgment, Crane went on to vote in the 2022 election and later admitted during an interview that he:
Signed the official FDC probation form;
Received a letter from the Supervisor of Elections informing him he was ineligible to vote;
And voted anyway.
Prosecution and Legal Action
The case will be handled by Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Sophia Birriel-Sanchez under the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
This incident is part of ongoing efforts by Attorney General Uthmeier to safeguard the voting process and prosecute election fraud across Florida.
#ElectionIntegrity
#VoterFraud
#FloridaPolitics
#JamesUthmeier
#FloridaNews
Politics
Florida House Unaninously Passes State Rep. Franklin Bill To Strengthen Home Health Care Services
Published
6 days agoon
April 17, 2025
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – In a major bipartisan victory for patient-centered care, the Florida House of Representatives unanimously passed CS/HB 1353 – Home Health Care Services, a bill led by State Representative Gallop Franklin (D-Tallahassee) aimed at expanding access and improving the quality of home health care across the state.
“Floridians deserve high-quality care in the comfort of their own homes—and this bill helps make that possible,” said Rep. Franklin. “I’m grateful to my colleagues in the Florida House for recognizing that home health care is a cost-effective, patient-centered option. This legislation removes barriers and ensures better care for the people who need it most.”
Key Provisions of CS/HB 1353:
Empowers contracted registered nurses to conduct initial patient visits on behalf of home health agencies, offering increased flexibility in staffing.
Removes outdated geographic restrictions, allowing administrators to oversee up to five home health agencies under the same controlling interests.
Directs the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to modernize its standards to better reflect the diversity of home health care providers, ensuring consistent and elevated care delivery.
The bill also seeks to strengthen Florida’s Excellence in Home Health Program, a recognition initiative inspired by the state’s Gold Seal Program for nursing homes. Agencies that meet the highest standards of care can earn this designation—serving as a trusted indicator for patients and families seeking dependable home health providers.
On Wednesday, the Senate Rules Committee unanimously advanced the companion measure, SB 1412, sponsored by Senator Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami), bringing the legislation one step closer to becoming law.
What This Means for Floridians
If signed into law, this legislation promises to:
Expand home health care access statewide
Attract more providers to Florida’s excellence program
Provide families with more trusted options for in-home medical support
Promote innovation and responsiveness in a rapidly growing industry
Stay tuned to Florida National News (FNN) for continued updates as this bill moves to the Senate floor.
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