>> Good morning and welcome to Seminole County legislative
delegation meeting we will now call a session to or not I am
sharp.
Before we begin I'd like to ask all the attendees to please
silence all electronic devices and I know what do you and the
audience to be calling you throughout the period and that
your phone rings you're buying the first round.
All right. If we wouldn't
okay
a pitching with cocaine got it.
If you would just simply stand for the invocation and remain
standing for the pledge of allegiance.
Senator Brodeur.
>> At 75 or thank you so much for the opportunity to gather
here this morning and participate in our government
please keep safe all of the folks that are here please look
out for our first responders and those who make sure that we
are able to participate in this great Republic. Thank you for
all you do when your name we pray, Amen and thank you very
much.
>> That's all face the American flag place, our hands over our
hearts.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to cans one nation under God indivisible with liberty
and justice for all.
You may be seated.
Senator Brodeur would you please call the roll.
Yes, I will chairman Smith here.
Vice chair playing here.
Representative Plasencia here representative banks
warm
thank you senator we do have a quorum welcome to the meeting,
let's. I think most people I see from the audience have a
copy of the agenda that you can obtain outside in the lobby
area. As a reminder if you would like to speak today,
if you not filled out the form in advance you'll need to do so
before you're recognized to speak that's an appearance
form. And those are Michael Albert has those in the back.
And let's let the record show that
the representative bankson is joined us.
That completes the delegation. I would like to recognize the
elected officials and I hopefully nobody snuck in late,
but will start and will hear shortly from. Commissioner
Lockhart we have a Seminole County commissioner, hers and
hers back over here.
We've got to
best sheriff in Florida, sheriff Dennis lemma in the
back.
The man deserves love.
Applause a okay, we've got to our property appraiser David
Johnson is here.
Clerk of the courts. I saw gravel Loy
according to court and comptroller there we go.
Yeah, absolutely, but but he's here on behalf of habitat for
humanity side and want to know you know
steal his thunder we have from their school board we have Amy
panic.
Almost sure there she is a Abby Sanchez, my good friend.
Gabby melts from solar water board there we go.
As I quickly scam.
Bottom gar Larry from the school board your hind.
Okay,
any any other takers any anybody like to be elected
official.
Does the right answer.
All right. And again just is opening comments from as a
chairman, I just like to say welcome it really is heartening
to see so many people turn out for this delegation meeting.
I although I think of the 53 speakers that have already
signed up and more forms coming in I think over this last year
and had the opportunity to meet with or 2 world zoom meeting
those kind of things on on many of the issues that we're going
to talk about today, there are important to us to help us is a
legislative delegation go to prepare for the upcoming
session. Next week will be in our 3rd interim committee week
and the House, I think's number 2 for the Senate perhaps and
then of the 6 week preparation and then session starts in
January runs through or 60 day session. So this input is very
good to us as we can relate bills that we may hear our
meetings we may take in Tallahassee to go you now,
somebody came and spoke to us about habitat for humanity or
second harvest or some other issue that will hear about
their so it's great to hear bill in town I see but to all
this meeting allows us to tie it back to citizens right here
in our district so it's good to see any other the delegation
members like to make a comment that senator Brodeur.
>> So great, thank you very much welcome everybody and
thank you for coming participating today. We have a
fun-filled packed agenda. My name is Jason Brodeur,
I have a Senate district 10 for Seminole County. The only
senator yet so some counties have more some have less but
each district has about 600,000 people in it which is the size
of Wyoming and so Seminole County is not big enough to
have more than one and that's how we got
our organization from Iowa. Office I have a sack is here
Victoria's here waving their hands. Mason still back at the
office hold down the Fort for our Littles of walking traffic
that we get during the day. But very excited to to work
with what we've got on the agenda here. We will have a
packed year and I see a lot of issues that are somewhat
familiar so thank you all for being here and looking for a
check.
Representative Michael you're recognized.
>> Good morning, everyone and welcome to district 36 this is
my district on the cover Sanford Lake Mary all the way
out to Geneva, northern winter Springs in northern Longwood my
office is located at 4.34 by 4 in the Iowa building always
enjoy meeting with constituents and both of my age are here
this job and my legislative aide.
And also Michael Alford is here somewhere like there.
So welcome I always enjoy meeting with constituents so he
ever did anything feel free to come and see us.
>> Representative Plasencia you're recognized.
>> Thank you I represent district 37 that's parts of
Oviedo also chuluota and Orange County.
So in the audience here I have my legislative aide victim it
nurse and Danielle Elliot.
So if you have any concerns if you have any questions if you'd
like to speak with me afterwards please come see me
or come speak to these gentlemen right over there.
Thank you.
>> And representative bankson you're recognized good morning,
everyone. My name is Doug bankson I represent district 39
and much of Orange County and Seminole and so it's exciting
to be here this morning. My district 8 and legislative
aide are sitting right back there together Nicole in
Crystal if you can wait and we're excited about this this
new coming years some great things on the agenda and just
ready to get rolling and if I'm moving a little gingerly I
decided to that my body was younger than what it actually
is and then did a number on my back so part of my my slow
moving this morning. Couch and understood, and I guess.
I think it, I know so many people in the audience I kind
of forgot to my legislative aide, Kathy Johnson is here
most everybody knows if you've been around the Legislature
party like the Times back over here and a fairly new to the
office those we don't come down front this might. District gade
so if you've got meetings or calendar issues like that you
go to so you've got legislative ideas are things that are
before another agency you go to Kathy and we're right there on
4.34 a neck for 34 for 17. And the ucf think you better
building something and I thank you very much and I guess we'd
like to get started right now by recognizing. Chairman
amy lockhart to come and give some welcoming comments issue
comes down the aisle and under. Commissioner you're welcome to
take more than 3 minutes. And thank you for the UC or
facilities today and like always and.
>> And you're recognized straight. Thank you so much it
will I will endeavor to not use more than 3 minutes because I
know there are a lot of folks here today. But a lot of great
things to share with you. We just want to welcome you on
behalf of the Board of County commissioners. We love the
partnership that we have with each and every one of you and
your offices, we love the fact that you have the ability to
use this facility for your for coming together as a
delegation, this is a great opportunity for citizens to
come and speak with you, but I will encourage all of them like
we have learned over the years this relationship with our
legislators goes on all year long and it's important to
build those relationships and talk about the things that are
important to us many of us in this room today where multiple
past. I'm I'm here today welcoming us the chairman of
the county Commission. But I'm also wearing my Seminole state
blue and gold as a trustee at Seminole state College. But
there are so many folks and partnerships that are so
incredibly important in this community and I think you'll
hear that over and over again today the emphasis on
partnerships and relationships. So thank you for your work and
your willingness to serve, I know it comes from very good
places from each one of you and that hope today is a wonderful
time for you to hear all the great things that are happening
in our community and the things that we can all work together
on moving forward so have a great day.
Thank you very much.
Well, I guess our first
>> the order of business today is the minutes of our January
2023 meeting need to be approved is there a motion to
approve the minutes so moved.
We have a motion. The minutes are approved without objection.
The next no order of business. It's time to for the election
of the delegation office for our 2024. Session will begin
hearing nominations for the 3 positions of chairman vice
chairman and secretary and vote. Accordingly night here a
nomination for chairman.
I'd like to nominate Rachel plakon for chairman so U.S.
representative Flake and has been nominated. And we don't
need a second so all in favor say aye aye all right all
right, let's show that chairman play can has been elected
unanimously and now for the Office of vice chairman to hear
any nominations what can nominate representative bankson
great choice. Representative bankson has been nominated for
vice chairman of the delegation all in favor aye I to show that
unanimous on and then selecting and now
our secretarial position for the delegation to and any
nominations. Representative plakon like to nominate
representative Susan profession, simple sense.
He has been nominated to retain as secretary all in favor.
I let's show that unanimously then that is our slate of
delegates. And
at this point in time I will now turn the gavel over to our
new chairman chairman Rachel play can. She will now assume
the duties as chairman of the Seminole County delegation.
>> Thank you so much as an honor to have the confidence of
my colleagues and I value their trust and dispositions and
thank you.
All right, but this time I'd like to welcome Seminole County
sheriff Dennis lemma to the podium seeing that we have no
local bills come on up sure.
>> And he's going to discuss his priorities for the upcoming
legislative sessions for staff and good morning
congratulations of the change of command structure and it was
a colonel in the Marine Corps that's a plus he had a big
smile on your face that day but one that relations and almost
like a car. Chairman said you know we get back with you
throughout the year and we're grateful for the friendship,
the partnership, a collaboration.
And congratulations on an incredibly 6 successful year.
I'm typically not want to read my comments but in the interest
of brevity and making sure that I get all of our list down I am
going to read for majority of this
again I would like to thank all of you for providing this
opportunity and your support not only for Seminole County
but the Seminole County Sheriff's Office are members.
The agency end your advocacy for a legislative priorities
that advance our policing profession and most importantly
keep our community safe.
Last year we had a top our bill Spencer sponsored by
representative play King and senator boater thank you both
for that. A huge success that was the controlled substance
bill HB 3.65 and Senate bill 2.80,
which fortunately passed and was signed by governor DeSantis
this bill has provided us with a valuable tool in combating
control substances and reducing the amount of overdoses and and
fatal fentanyl poisonings not only here in Seminole County
but across the state of Florida we are seeing a reduction in
those numbers based on strategies that are implemented
just like that and quite frankly of people from across
the country are coming here to look and try to replicate that
to their legislative process we just had the chief of staff of
the DEA spent 3 days. With us try to be a voice for
legislative priorities like that.
Thanks to this legislation we can now hold drug dealers
accountable to the fullest extent of the law and I'm
talking about the shark or has not the people who are
suffering with their own addiction. People who are
really profiting from this they're typically not using the
substance is themselves. Prior to this legislation they
are there was no law on the books that held a drug dealer
accountable, when they dealt a deadly dose of narcotics when
police officers, public safety professionals EMS personnel
were deploying the lifesaving drug naloxone bringing people
back to life. Again to to just give a snapshot here in
Seminole County alone. It's about a 100 times we bring
people back to life for the use of the lawsuit. Prior to this
long drug dealers were quite literally getting away with
murder because the most important thing that you can do
is save a life. But when you saved a life it was really
protecting the drug dealers from prosecution because of
your efforts and this new law we can now 40 drug dealer
accountable for second degree felony culpable negligence
every time they deal a deadly dose of narcotics and we bring
them back so again.
Thank you for that. Another important bill that was
sponsored this last year for representatives of a sense he
and senator Burgess was the special persons registries bill
that was HB 1275 in 1277 in Senate bill 7 84 7.86. That
also passed and was signed by governor DeSantis this LEGIS
legislation was known as the protect our loved ones at and
allows a law enforcement agency to develop and maintain a
database call the persons with disability registry. This
registry was really a significant effort and and will
help us protect our citizens and police officers as well and
again it provides the appropriate public records
exemptions. That is absolutely necessary for people to step
forward and voluntarily be a part of this effort.
We're also incredibly grateful for the continued support of
our collective partnership here in Seminole County not just
with the sheriff's office but the Seminole County in our
various municipalities for the advent health hope and healing
center.
Again received $500,000 appropriation this year I think
tolling now one point to 2 million dollars over the past
3 years now, this is also Garner support not only from
our state but federal and private funding sources as well
which makes it incredibly unique when it comes to the
strategy moving forward, and one that's gaining a lot of
interest here in Seminole County the state of Florida and
across our country.
Additionally we appreciate the support of this delegation for
the purchase of a new a mobile command vehicle for our
sheriff's office which replaces a vehicle that was more than 22
years old. This vehicle provide our deputies and detectives
with the necessary resources to conduct thorough and timely
investigations at large scene events throughout the county
and your support for this is greatly appreciated in this
will be a resource not only no use for the members of the
sheriff's office but partnering municipality that's out there
typically when there's a missing person a large crime
scene whether it's a homicide. It's that vehicle that you out
there that we're operating from a forward a mobile command
post. We also use that vehicle when it comes time to natural
disasters as we know here Seminole County that that is an
extended period of time well after the storm has passed
because of the flooding.
As we look ahead to the new legislative session, we're
excited about representative plaguing and senator Broder
once again coming to our aid and sponsoring that no walks
and a word to stay here in Florida and that's HB 89 and
Senate bill 66. This initiative is part of a national movement
that aims to recognize June 6th as national no walks and
awareness day. The single family who also founded the
Victoria voice Foundation after there. Tragic death of their
daughter from a drug overdose has been instrumental in
promoting the use and awareness of no walks and a one-time
David was single-handedly funding no walks in to police
agencies here in central Florida himself. But again in
Seminole County. Those numbers are incredibly alarming what is
reassuring those we've seen about a 25% shift from
firefighters and police officers deployed a life-saving
drug naloxone to citizens actually deploying the drug
blocks and so again. Increase awareness is so incredibly
important so thank you both for that
we're working on a formal probe raise requests related to our
continued to expand partnership as a county and that expanded
partnership is course with adventhealth and other agencies
regarding our mental health strategies. We have these Rick
we will have these request to you before the House deadline
of number but November 14th we're seeking to continue
support for Seminole County's opioid a strategy and
partnership programs like the hope and healing center that we
have here in Seminole County as well as funding for some
criminal justice programs that one hand our crime fighting
ability and improved technology. I know that each of
you have worked closely with us in the Florida sheriffs
Association as well and you've been tremendous partners with
that over last legislative session you actually implement
a lot of the the Florida sheriffs office priorities as a
result of that and that's something that makes me
incredibly proud as a board member of the Seminole County
resident as well.
We just had our legislative summit 2 weeks ago, so we'll be
reaching out to your staff's to kind of schedules a meeting
with 4 major priorities this year one is reemployment after
retirement. The second is increased penalties for Lori or
enticing a child 30's, mental health wellness programs and
for his juvenile gun control provisions for offenders.
Again. These are these are top priorities for for you and for
us and for our community I want to express my sincere gratitude
for this delegation for your support of policing. You're
part of the greatest pro public safety a legislative body that
has ever existed here in the state of Florida or folks
recognize and appreciate that you're great partners for what
you do not only for us here at the Seminole County Sheriff's
office but more broadly of the Florida sheriffs the men and
women that are working in the streets in the community are
grateful.
That we have preserved those things that are just and humble
about this on the profession, lastly as I wrap up you'll hear
that a lot of the priority asks over the past couple years and
the things that you have all gotten behind
typically 1520 years ago would have not been in the law
enforcement space at all they would have been consequences of
things that were addressed in the beginning particularly
substance use disorder, a mental health. And that's our
philosophy and I think that as a county and as a legislative
body, you're leading the way I'm changing that narrative
that that you know people who are addicted to substances and
suffering mental health. Are victims of that process
themselves and if we address the underlying conditions that
lead people down the pass to commit a crime in the first
place we're we're keeping our community safer, we're helping
human beings.
We're allowing boys and girls of of of who are born to the
families like this to have a chance so sustainability and
that ultimately preserving that the quality of life that we
have all taken a pledge to uphold. So I again I thank you
for that I also want to thank Bob Cortes my team because you
know his his experience with government affairs his
experience in the Legislature and maintaining positive
effective working relationships have been a tremendous benefit
not only to our organization but but to the state of
Florida. For Central Florida community so again thank you
for that I thank you for the effort and appreciate the
partnerships.
>> We thank you sheriff next would like to share.
>> Thank you very much chair, I just want to thank you for your
leadership and let let the community know
we're really lucky to have sheriff lemma and I don't say
that just because we stand here and it's public form it looks
good for me. It's he's a national leader when it comes
to tackling fentanyl we see in the news all the time and it's
a pleasure to work with you and your team because of that is
that taking the time to and vision to his regular duties to
make sure he's leading on this issue, not only statewide but
nationally
when we have local issues recently we have turned Child
Protective Services back over to the Department of children
families a job that was formerly in house with this
County and 6 others and the partnership that he had with
the state and the ability for him to have wrap around
services in the inner local agreement OU with DCF as well
as housing, our workers are having our workers reintegrated
was just spectacular that it makes us look good. It makes us
look easy and quick anecdote is people from agencies or law
enforcement agencies all over Florida come into the office
and
sometimes they'll bring up issues that they're having that
they need us to address and they say are you familiar with
these issues. These are big deals are now not later where
are you from ago Seminole County that you would have
these problems you have one.
And so thank you very much for for your work continue to work
and continued partnership, we look forward to another great
year this year senator appreciate it.
>> Yes, thank you sheriff for being such a trusted
I colleague an ally next I'd like to welcome perk of the
court grants alluding to speak about Seminole County court in
Clark issues.
>> Pretty much you know if the cameras work and I had a couple
graphics but if it's not and so the story about I believe so.
A special meeting,
not not a big issue is no thanks so much. I really
appreciate your help on the bill last year it seems like
I'm always up here every year saying the same thing
which I'm doing it again right so you know as you know the
clerk's office has all the data with access to the courts.
We keep track of the record which we recording and and the
clerk function, our office we get about. Formally pages of
documents that come through each year's enormous amount of
data we serve the public we put in things like a low-cost legal
clinic with Orange County bar Association. Also a more forms
online.
But we keep running into the same issue as you know the
clerk's office on the course I gets funded only through the
fees on the fee schedule.
And one of the graphics I put together that was showing the
other day was these fees are basically remained the same
since 2004, however inflation has not remained the same if
you take a look at the clerk's budget in Seminole County.
If you factor in inflation and go back to 2008. We have 38%
less funding to do more work. We have back in 2008 we had
about a 194 FT ease full-time equivalents last time I checked
it was a 120 so it's getting tougher and tougher do things
with the same prices. You know more than 20 years ago the
price of a big Mac has gone from 2.92, I think 5.88,
but the cost of recording a document Mister is $10. The
same on the traffic citations everything is the same price on
the radar right last year and I do appreciate your help on that
bill what happened. Afterwards was half the reader acts.
Didn't there are some warning problems that didn't work.
So only got have to redirect that work
a promise from the GR to the clerk trust fund. The other
thing is we want to the revenue estimating committee
after the bill was passed they lowered our our estimated
revenue by $300,000 after all that work at the end of the
year with less money than we started with so it's an ongoing
problem inflation is really eating us and to give an
example of an finish after this, how silly the the last
cut sometimes when you factor in inflation we mail out
witness checks to people come and testify might be a traffic
accident and the state law says specifically we are to
reimburse them. At $5 and then $0.6 a mile. So we write these
checks out for 6 and a half boxer 7 bucks. Sometimes they
call me offended that I just said, I said was what the state
law says, you know the jury duty, it's still $15. And
that's been the same for under 20 years as funny and a
statewide says to prevent hardship. Right. I don't think
you can buy much of the $15 so at some point we really no need
to address the fee schedule, the effects of inflation on it
because all of our these are set by state law and they
haven't changed in 20 years. I don't know of any other the
government that operates on less money in a smaller than it
was 20 years ago and we still been able to deliver but some
point this all kind of crashes.
So I know you guys been quick to answer the phone. I
appreciate your support just want to give you a follow-up to
what happened last year and what you know the big issues
still exist. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Next up is supervisor of elections. Chris Anderson.
Is there any other elected officials who would like to
speak.
Be sure to see Michael Frey on form and get you.
But up right after
supervisor of elections. Anderson.
When your official capacity, yes.
Work this morning to the delegation and everyone
attending was Chris Anderson supervisor of elections in
Seminole County. The first thing I want to say is. Thank
you for allowing me to be able to speak a very proud to stand
here as a supervisor of elections. And now Ward winning
elections office for the first time in history. The Seminole
County supervisor of elections office we have been nationally
recognized for work here and Seminole County and that is
because of the great men and women that we have working for
us we have thousands of election workers the election
staff of about 23 for time employees we have seasonal we
have election workers and I kid you not that have been working
as election workers since Ronald Reagan was in office,
they literally will tell you that and one of the things that
I take great pride in has been one of the few supervisors
across the state of Florida who actually trains all of the
election workers. The majority of them. I personally trying
because I believe if you're going to serve as an election
worker that you should do so by if you want to serve as an
election worker that you should see the supervisor of
elections, what they should be one grieving you and I know
from my larger County as always they do have that ability to
train as many like the 2 to train everyone because they
have more election workers and that brings me to a very very
important point I know you've all seen this bill come across
your desk before and I want to really stressed protection of
election workers information.
It is a big deal. It is one of those things. Recruiting
election workers is is the struggle is real. It is always
very difficult. If you can think about it this way you
have to go and find people who were available on a random
Tuesday.
And that is not always easy to do and you don't get rich doing
it and it asked for was too because it's a civic duty,
however contrary to popular belief. You you do get paid for
it and I put the plug in a guy like to be an election worker
please go to vote similar dog. Election workers fill out the
form and you can become an election worker. So with that
said I sit on the legislative Committee for the for the
supervisor of elections Association and the chairman
and one of the organ one of the committees. But you please
consider this to be a deeply that election workers call me
they're very very concerned and that individuals are going to
get their information and they're going to be around yes,
so I would say that it would help us keep good election
workers in Kiev experience for us coming back in this is a
decision factor for them when they are going to sign up and
work for us. The second. Point I'd like to talk about is
House bill 57 that I believe has been is you all will be
reviewing which is term limits for County commissioners.
I believe that that is I strongly support term limits.
I think term limits should be for several positions and that
is what we always need to have those fat fresh perspectives
coming into organizations. I can tell you that coming into
the office I came into as it might have appeared as though
that we then the change there was much change needed from
space issues to implement it retention issues to leadership
issues. There was a lot of different things behind the
curtain and needed to be addressed that I was not being
addressed that. I'm we're working on now.
One of the issues is having this
explaining it to County commissioners who have a lack
of understanding of of what we do and also don't take the time
to actually come in learning because it is a very it's a
wet. It's a complex process and it would it would help for us
to have those 2 individuals which leads me to my next point
which is reviewing Florida State statute, one oh 2.1 4,
1, which is the canvassing board statute. I think we need
to see stronger legislation in requirements of those because
it says that the supervisor of elections in the chairman of
the Board of County Commission is supposed to serve on the
canvassing board along with the county judge who will serve as
chair.
Now there are specific reasons that are not outlined in
Florida law that would cause them to have to recuse
themselves how would I would like to see us revisit that
update that that statue and put some more requirements that
that would require those commissioners to serve because
he is what it would do if commissioners was serving on
the canvassing board they would be in our building and they
would see how tight the spaces and how give me an example in
twenty-twenty because as we roll into a presidential year.
Let's compare.
We had a 104,000 people vote by mail 115,000 people early
42,000 people vote won election day. So you know all together
we had 262,729 individual that piece of paper that you keep
track all of that slide work.
You need space and you need to be able to do those things and
with our robot bill we're doing this in a room that's not much
bigger than 1500 square feet the canvassing board staff has
to be in there along with the canvassing board and members of
the public. It was very cramped buries it we just don't have a
lot of space will had County Commission is being and
participated in these functions they would have had it
firsthand on-the-job training knowledge of seeing that well
all right so we doesn't need more space and more
improvements to their their 18 1000 square-foot building which
is now 20 years old so when coupled with all those things I
would like to to see it and of course you all know Jason,
I want to come see David always got to come up and Rachel Susan
Doug you can count on me I want to come see you in Tallahassee
doing all legislative weeks for FSU cause I will reiterate
these things too but I wanted to take the time now that
you're here and always say continue to reach out if you
have questions about elections related information a lot of
you have my cell phone number if you don't I will provide it,
David you've reached out to me when you were reading the
committee like I got to talk about something Chris, what is
this and I was spotted that back to you and say that this
is what that means because it's important for our legislators
to work with us because that's what makes elections safe and
secure in Florida is that the legislators are listening to a
bus. We're listening to you work at this great partnership
that keeps us being the goal standard of elections.
Throughout the United States of America, I cannot tell you as a
travel outside of the state. And I talked to other election
officials your superstar when you from Florida for election
officials, they know you from Florida to like wow it we were
getting phone calls from other election officials across the
state across the country want to know how we do things here
and lastly we have counties coming to since Seminole now
wanting to learn our processes
and that is a great complement to the men and women of our
organization. I just got finished training some workers
from other counties wanted to learn how Seminole does it
because of these award-winning process is we put in place so
I'm very proud to stand here and tell you that I look
forward to continuing these conversations, thank you very
very much. Thank you.
>> Okay will not proceed with public testimony. Each speaker
group Willie time it will have a maximum of 3 minutes to
address the delegation.
Michael be operating the collective, but please know
that when we invite speakers up based on topic of reverend
relevance when I call your name and organization at the
beginning of the topic area please wind up to address the
delegation. We do have over 47 speakers today that have
submitted a request form by the deadline that we have a lot to
here so please be patient and attentive during the meeting so
that we can stay efficient and on time.
Okay first stop is going to be D o C and police is the topic
and Kim white.
We'll start us off.
And after Kim white will be Monica current.
Warning try to do it in 3 minutes.
Thank you for allowing me to speak, I was 3 and to the world
of the Department of Corrections several years when
my son was arrested for DUI manslaughter. Something that
could happen to anybody that was with David for a drink
after this meeting.
I just want his blood was '07 this can happen to anybody.
He will stop burning game time he was sentenced to 15 years
the maximum sentence, he deserves something he was on
his phone and not paying attention I do not deny that
was given 15 years and he will stop you learning gain
rehabilitation credits in year 7 that means for 8 more years,
he serves the day today. Nothing and they wanted to
behave my son does became he teaches GED at tomoka
Correctional
and he is using his time to help others which is wonderful.
So we need a mechanism in place to help these people that are
doing the right thing to be released back into society,
something needs to change.
Speaking of change the food needs to change
has no oversight the person in charge of making the food.
And if you have a scanner that you can put this up there can
you.
The person in charge works for my not the OC they sort the
portions
that food I have seen and tasted it is disgusting I don't
people lose weight in there and let me get back on track the
portions that are not enough to be my grandchildren I have seen
lunch is served with for chicken Nuggets
and challenge any of you to survive on them out of food,
they give the people a president they are they're
locked up is the punishment not being starved.
We need to
oversight on these contracts where we allow legal
facts to be given to Deo see because we do not fund them
enough to do their job.
If we want to imprison the 3rd highest population in the
country in prison we need to fund that.
I know some of you have visited prisons and I appreciate that
I am chap my pay grade debut has a typo I want you to visit
announced.
Please visit tomoka because it is an example to the state
prisons. And then when you are in Tallahassee I want you to go
out to almost any person in the Panhandle announced and visit
in compare that to yourself if you go announced they're going
to give you a dog and pony show I've seen it happen that
visitation
are there any questions.
But that's the food I have tasted all of them. It's
mystery meat and it taste disgusting.
Thank you. Thank you.
Next up we have Monica current.
And then after that will be animal welfare and the
environment.
Good morning. Thank you for your time and your ship my name
is morning that if they do.
And before you as a board member of the autism Society of
greater Orlando as a Seminole County Conn statement and as a
mother of a child with autism
I have been bought just want him how to interact with law
enforcement officers for half his life.
Still today, I cannot but how that interaction is going to
turn out my son has and no logic of this community that's
that's a function in office for any one dissented with high
anxiety or out of the board in our situations. He doesn't
necessarily respond in a way you when I would
how that line there's the purse it terrifies me one in 36
children is diagnosed with out to some it is the fastest
growing there let the men told the some of the than the United
States. Yeah doesn't miss invisible when an officer Voges
a severely and they do so in higher or knowing Eve their
encounter in a situation that might put them where others in
danger.
If that can do it all has also some they got 36 can look very
similar to what they an officer rule saying as suspicious
behavior they might look like if they're on their game
Florence. Ariza narcotics they might relate to the courts
sentence as far as phrases out of context, they might know or
see no compliant. Some behaviors may cost concerned
that the Senate by a note to the comparison.
Those could be a nice honor stead when indeed all with a
lot of some is where wildfires doesn't fully understand what
is suspected in a situation. In 2017 HB 39 created a static
that mandated law enforcement officers access to training or
not just us and I like to
they're required to take 40 hours of continuous employment
training every 4 years, 7 teens aren't mandatory topics,
representative Paula stark has been working on a bill to
include not just some training as one of the mandatory topics
we're still working on securing a sponsor from the Senate.
There are concerns that this takes that I like they need of
having law enforcement training on on to some
as 27th inside he found that about 20% off on their age
people have had interactions with police and 5% of those
have been relaxed state Seminole County has done a good
job
have been a large amount of their officers train.
Just recently there in the summer all of their sro's for
trying not to some. It is imperative for law enforcement
to system where ties running on how to interact with out to
some with people on the spectrum we will continue to
see any way something he deals with a dozen leading Hamas.
Ali will encountered, I mean our family sending our daily
lives have in mind that a law enforcement training on to
some.
We'll have little if any assets coming back. Thank you so much
for your time.
Thank you so much.
Next up
is Linda Reagan Katrina shadix and market Tele
as Mister Tom Brady.
Morning I I pray that you will seek divine wisdom.
Assessing the issues before you today and hear what the people
say to you I'm in favor of a statewide animal abuse registry
database where convicted felons and list of convicted.
Criminals with felonies and misdemeanors will not be
allowed to own animals again.
It will be a resource for animal adoption, organizations
or individuals rehoming in animal
by putting in the name they would determine easily whether
that person is an acceptable owner.
They wouldn't have to go search by each County individually and
some counties don't have a database.
I have a then to a couple of the hearings with Seminole
County
animal abuse cases and the iris reports and the pictures of the
conditions of the animals and their environment is
disturbing.
A statewide database would benefit the state by cutting
expenses for reinvestigation court expenses law enforcement
expenditures, etcetera
our Seminole County. Shelter is currently overcrowded during
currently do to animals residing there Raul incurring
costs to care for them medically as well as housing.
Many animal related bills are not considered important and
therefore no advancement so I ask you to remember the cases
you hopefully will review that I gave you all and
decide to support an animal abuse database, statewide I
also had wanted to share.
I wearing black today to signify the death in cruelty of
wildlife and to ask.
And now so will has a Ray of sunshine in the hope that you
all consider working at and revisiting the amendment as to
L S 1, 2, 3, 4, or HR 1, 1, 5, 7, that was put on a that wants
to be put on the ballot for 2024.
I would like for you to all consider including details
protecting property rights
and the citizens voice is an objection to any of the
message, the preferred means as it stays in that amendment.
But I also want to copies of the amendment you all
to hunt and fish is a privilege and the Florida statutory
recognized as such I believe it would be best to assure those
who want to see conservative humane methods established be
given these opportunities and get more respect for wildlife
and to live in our responsibility
where to live more responsibly
this and that seems to be in favor of the hunters more than
anything thank you.
Thank you Mister Dunn
next up is cocina shadix with bear warriors United
where several is coming from
was that you know high
your paper start to get them to do now.
With that.
So this was like what are some answer facing existential
threats for during summer one in the nation for most
polluted.
Most water too polluted for swimming or aquatic life
7 million acres of land would like to have it enforced on the
chopping block to be turned into a strong housing. Nearly
40% of manatees have died in 2 years and I have a local
extinction event is well underway.
When you have was fares and we do manatees we only have 4,050
pairs left in existence in Florida. And the population is
being decimated by vehicle strikes loss of habitat
poaching and in humane traps as seen in your purse and collage
of trapped victims. These atrocities are happening to the
inspiration mascot. I don't want my 41.
And you know several documents and lots of research to support
I ask for the 2024 session, which also solutions to the
problem patient, our ecosystems and wildlife resulting from
over 22 million people weaving in sort of with 2000 new people
moving here every day from other states and countries
first task is pass a statewide animal abuser days of the
database. The second is close to conservation easement
loophole. My mother to senator passadomo and speaker Renner is
provided in explains loophole for conservation easements
number 3 is safe the state billions of dollars by
supporting programs to better for the existing septic to
relocation on site you turn your production technology.
Well before stop paying the Communist government of China,
no use of state taxpayer dollars for that oversight
chemicals that are dumped into the water switch killer,
fish, birds and wildlife.
Find the state Capitol immunity or natural food source by
mechanically harvest in aquatic plants, instead of spring.
Those plants with deadly Chinese chemicals.
Number 6 band used to steal job traps snares encana bear trap,
statewide
number 7 withdrawn them into from the 2024 ballot to ensure
that our pets and life are now made in torture and traps and
make killing there's just not become the preferred way to
manage fares.
And great I actually have proving that peace and
coexistence and securing trash is the most effective cost
efficient and humane way to handle millions of people
living in bear country, not killing them the very existence
of I want my supporters and land hang in the balance please
pass through and strong legislation next year to ensure
that our children and grandchildren to enjoy and
appreciate sorts natural beauty.
If you look at your documents you have a lot of pictures of
the animals that are in traps some of them are trapped by the
face. And that would become a preferred method managing my
population to the amendment 2 passes and you also see a
picture of the alligator missing have the things that is
from the snare trap. And right now those are illegal and you
will be legal for ever and it's and then the 2 passes. So I can
go to a lot more detail about this type of thing you some of
the state today. Thank you miss shadix.
Madam chair.
>> Just a clarification is the author of amendment to that is
not true. It is the amendment to put on the ballot in the
Constitution, the right to hunt fish other states have tried to
outlaw hunting and fishing. It also says the Fish and
Wildlife will continue to manage it just like they do now
that's it and so it is not the preferred method now it's not
going to be the preferred method going forward and so I
think there's a lot of misinformation out there about
folks who think this is some kind of Trojan horse. What a
reality, it's simply to protect exactly what we're doing now
and states as such in both the notes the legal analysis and
the plain language of the amendment itself. Thank you.
>> Thank U next up is market telly with Florida native plant
society.
And after him will be children and family issues starting with
Jerry Glenn.
So Mister Glenn could please get ready.
And at this time market telling.
As Mister cattelan here
OK that will go ahead and take
Jerry Glenn with embrace families community-based care.
>> Good morning and thank you members of the Seminole County
delegation. And as you indicated by ensuring glam and
I serve as the embrace families community-based care, interim
CEO,
and as all of you know embrace families community-based care.
The central Florida's child welfare agency coordinating
providing care for vulnerable children in orange Osceola and
Seminole County on behalf. The Department of children and
families we work with many other community partners,
including kids House camera community care Gulf Coast,
Jewish family services and many more little community providers
to keep families intact and children safe.
But also provide for children when they do have to be removed
from their families.
And we don't have a specific legislative.
We're already at this time, but I did we just want to thank you
all your staff for being fierce advocates for the EU to
Seminole County and across the state. It's been a pleasure to
meet with each of you this past year as we work together
towards a common goal of making central Florida. The best place
in the world to be a kid.
For the sake of brevity I'll just mention a few things
specifically senator Broder we want to thank you for your
continued work in improving the foster care system and the
adoption policies represent Smith for your tremendous
support for prevention and diversion programs and
representative, well you can play sense here and banks and
for your ongoing support of our child welfare funding needs in
central Florida as we can talk to you over the past year we've
highlighted that one of the major and cost drivers for
foster care, he's the QB of the kids
we're getting teenagers and younger kids are system with
severe behavioral issues
until we find a community solution to this tremendous
need of our kids we will continue to have a major strain
on our system of care.
You'll spend valuable time with us over the past few months
discussing these issues facing our children in our community
and we look forward to continue to work with you. In this
upcoming sessions. So thank you very much that I don't know if
any of the members have a question for that.
Thank you Mister Glenn thank you.
>> Next we have Rebecca
Linenger talking about embrace families solutions. Good
morning. Thank you madam chairwoman
fellow members of the Seminole County delegation. My name is
Rebecca lining her and I serve as vice president of operations
for embrace families, solutions.
Embrace families solutions is actually a separate nonprofit
that works to strengthen the families and the communities in
which they live getting ahead, I'm challenges like
homelessness and mental health to disrupt families and if left
unchecked can lead to deeper involvement in the child
welfare system.
In our most recent year we were privileged to support just over
700 children and young adults in this capacity.
Senator Broder and representative smash we want to
thank you specifically for helping our organization secure
funding and the state budget last year to target child
welfare of all families with housing support
through your work our pathway to home program. He's been able
to intervene in the lives of dozens of families in that past
12 months preventing their removal of children from
at-risk homes and helping families reach self-sufficiency
pathway to home actually started right here in Seminole
County as a community partnership amongst several
agencies, including Seminole County government Seminole
County schools Seminole County. Sheriff's office.
We have now expanded across 3 counties, thanks to our success
in serving families.
First year with the state appropriation project we
supported 180 children and a conservative analysis indicates
that for each dollar spent the state avoided $2.53 on more
costly interventions our quarter one analysis for this
current year is actually about double that return on
investment.
We have accomplished this while keeping children in a safe and
loving home with their families.
We look forward to continuing this could work with your
support.
Thank you any questions.
Thank you thank you.
Next up is Rick sisolak with boys and girls clubs of Central
Florida that's your last name correctly.
>> Yes, he did thank you.
Good morning twin cities like just as he said.
I remember the first time the central Florida, but also the
board chair of the floor alliance and the Florida
alliance is we serve all communities throughout the
state of Florida, we serve 326 club sites we have over 228,000
members here in central Florida in Seminole County alone we
operate clubs and the Goldsboro Wesley inferred we do in the
Windward area of the cell tomorrow and we also have a new
club in East Oviedo, which is a relatively new club but
everybody including the sheriffs I we should open one
over there for the safety of our kids we do all summer long
and we do after school that time between 3, 6, is when
children normally get in trouble if they don't have a
safe haven to go into so that's what we offer. One thing,
I'm very proud of was this past year, a 100% of our seniors
graduated high school so we give them at the extra effort
of learning and make sure that they do graduate. One of the
things that I want to point out is we have studied an economic
study done by the University of Michigan for every dollar spent
on the boys and girls Club, but the returns $9.60. So are asked
this year is 20 Million. We're asking for a little bit
of a raise from last year. What we're looking for is our
positive youth development which is to the djj and we're
looking for 6 million there, we're looking for mentoring and
student assistance which is a 5 million dollars city dealing,
we're also looking for workforce readiness which was a
new program we got last year of those 100% that graduated 85%
either went to college went to vote at school or join the
military and the other 15% went right into the work force so we
have that workforce readiness program looking for and lastly
when senator Breaux D sponsored this bill for opioid prevention
and we've got 5 movie last year and we're looking for the same
this year work with a program called lead which is helping us
develop these programs in the club's debts for drug abuse and
and preventing that from going forward so I do appreciate your
time I do appreciate your service not only to this
community but to the full state so if you have any questions.
>> Representative bankson to the question you have any
breakdown on the the family background for the kids in the
program in other words how many are from a 2 parent home single
parent home special need home.
>> Yeah, we and I do 93% of the students in Seminole County
qualify for free or reduced lunch.
And 55% of those families earn less than 40,000 in the year.
But the makeup of the home itself you haven't yeses and I
get to that said majority are single-family homes.
>> More questions all right, thank you I thank you very much
the next topic is abortion and pro-life legislation and we
will have first cherry with SEC, Rick. And Larry Brown back
with protect human life Florida.
Good morning. Good morning.
Thank you all for your service to our great state and thank
you for allowing me to come here and speak this morning I
will be brief.
Several County Republican executive committee has several
areas of concern for so long which
well action integrity,
parental rights educating our children.
One of the ones we also are very involved in is the voice
for the unborn we have a second life Committee.
Now at this time. Florida is number one in tourism.
In this country and it's the wrong kind of tourist we don't
want to be known for its abortion tourism.
Because of our ban on abortion.
That is not taken place yet.
We had people flocking to this state to have abortions.
God commands us to protect our children,
especially the unborn once they don't have a voice so we are a
voice for those children show
there's an amendment out or a petition for an amendment at
this time this very deceptively called women's Healthcare
rights or women's rights. It is a pro abortion petition.
We want to make everyone aware to decline decide if you are
pro life declined to sign we want to make sure that you all
are aware of this petition that's out to get on the
amendment or get on the ballot for 2024, so that abortion
could be on demand in the state of Florida and it doesn't
matter what launch pass if it's protected in our Constitution
abortion will be on demand.
I personally will fight for the unborn and I know several
members of our Seminole County GOP well as well so just want
to make everyone aware of that decline to sign there is
another petition out to get on the amendment it doesn't look
like it's going to pass it is a pro life petition.
Abortion not just effects that unborn child it also affects
the mothers. These women many times in life wind up having
addiction to alcohol drugs become suicidal are more prone
to b***** and ovarian and uterine cancer because of the
abortions, the father's many of them tend to suffer from
posttraumatic stress because of having enticed their partner
their wife, the girlfriend to have an abortion.
We want to protect life period.
I thank you for your time this morning if I can answer any
questions for you
please let me know
thank you Mister chair.
>> Next up is Larry Brown back with protect human life Florida
and after him will be the topic of housing that can evince.
>> Well good morning and thank you so much for this
opportunity to speak. Again I have spoken to you again on
previously on this topic
human life protection amendment and Bruce mentioned that
it is amendment to the Florida Constitution.
It is a grassroots citizens initiative to amend the Florida
constitution to recognize the right to life over the prewar
the most victim of and from people group and our state
in order to accomplish this we need to secure 9 almost 900,000
signatures on their petitions
from about from registered voters in the koreshan state of
Florida and we just do this by February 1st to coming in 2024.
Where I was very important mission as a state of Florida
ranks, 3rd in the number of abortions in the nation's in
the nation and with nearly 80,000 abortion let Morton's
last year this year were there even more so we expect that
that figure is going to be much higher for 2023. And as as
Bruce mentioned, we're number one in tourists, a portions
women that come to Florida under the auspices of tourism
to get abortions.
The amendment recognizes like God given right to life of the
preborn individual that assigns preborn individual has a pretty
warm human person at any stage and development
it affirms that the lifesaving procedures to save the life of
the mother shall not be construed as a violation what I
call made by reasonable steps to save the life of the preborn
individual as well.
The past him and that will add to be added to the Declaration
of rights under article one of the Constitution for the
prosecution.
Ever since I last spoke to a countermeasure the amendment
has been proposed and Bruce mentioned that as well. We
refer to it. Death amendment.
As
it is very well funded and they actually pay their people to
get petitions signed. We are on limited funding and we're all
volunteers. This is a citizens initiative carried out by
volunteers, the opposing amendment makes our efforts to
save the lives of the unborn extremely important.
We have been working this petition actively all year,
but we still need more petition site.
I might add that the Seminole County human life protection
amendment team is one of the largest and the most active in
the state.
But we still need your support and we need more volunteers to
help us so Karin von tears that you know of that want to give
us and we appreciate it, thank you very much. Thank you.
>> Next up is on the topic of housing cat Givens and after
this Givens is Kelly
because the to
thank you very much for your time today.
Kind of a hard act to follow something that touches your
heart strings like a like abortion does.
But
I recently had a problem with a friend of mine
with her H.O.A. and so first off it was a bad thing in many
ways they're the most local from the government available
to us.
But nobody wants to pay for.
And so it's one of those things where
it's
give and take you have to pay for it in order to have it.
How do you can be a good thing you can help regulations within
your community ways that you like
unfortunately, the way my friends ran into was a
situation where
we're already paying nearly $500 a month. In a relatively
average community
and all of a sudden the into informed them that that was
going to be increased to $950 a month, we're just a little more
than their mortgage.
This this puts them in jeopardy of losing their home.
And which can happen because if they can't pay the H.O.A. fees
that can put a lien against it and essentially take their home
from them it also makes it where they largely can't move
you can't get away from it because he's going by in
Wednesday into a fees are so high. So I approached rains
actually to tell me look into some possibilities for my
friends, I really was the legislative solutions, not a
quick solution, but it is something that could
potentially prevent things like this into the future. And so
the idea that I had was a potential cap. They could be
tied to the homeowners, there's our idea.
The homestead exemption the assessed value you can said a
percentage of the home's value has not small amount for any to
a fee as a reasonable fee. For example, a one quarter of a
percent would be $500 a month on a $200,000 home that seems
like a reasonable amount it's really high. I would want to
pay that. But at the same time it's not out of the room of
what somebody can reasonably pay and you can't go out so
quickly, which is also something that would be a risk
to seniors or anybody on a fixed income.
There's an awful lot of people who if they suddenly had to pay
nearly $500 more every month would quickly lose their home.
And it also helps prevent phone the easy.
The fluidity of movement between homes which can help
stifle the movement of people within the workforce because
you can't sell off where you live then you can't move you
can't go on to something else. And it helps to stifle the
economy in that way.
I'm in a case.
Please help consider this even if this is not something that's
on your immediate agenda. There's something else that
would like to offer a bill in this nature to take the ball
and rolled forward. Thank you for your time.
>> I have a quick question short. If we were to do a
Catholic save our homes do you envision that that would then
be set up on change of ownership just like say Mahomes
does so that absolutely makes.
>> Because of the based on assessed value and the Erie
said when yet.
OK thank you.
We had the winter Springs mayor Kevin McCann I believe that
wanted to speak would you like to speak now.
Come on up.
And after him will be Robin do linger.
>> Good morning, everyone and thank you so much to each and
every one of you for the work that you do for the residents
of winter Springs for Seminole County. I sincerely I do
appreciate each and every one of you and appreciate the hard
work in that.
How tough it is sometimes said do I genuinely do appreciate
it. We are. We are very fortunate in winter Springs,
we've got a lot. We do have a number of really important
projects that are coming before us. Some bridge were a
significant infrastructure work on wastewater treatment plants
and thanks to that will continue to move forward.
I will be spending a little bit of time is in Tallahassee over
the next couple of weeks, I'll be making repeated trips.
Hope to have a chance to sit down with each and every one of
you if either here or there, you know a Springs is very
fortunate. We're actually represented by 4 of the 5 of
you and that really does that I think that really puts us in a
really great position. Topics as we come before you to want
to make it real clear we are not asking for the Legislature
to they let southward to do things were simply looking for
continued collaboration and working together to to to
accomplish some of the goals for the residents winter
Springs and Seminole County again keep Israel brief.
Thank you for all the residents who want to Springs to each and
every one of you will be in touch and I hope we have time
for a cup of coffee. Thank you all thanks. Thank you. Mayor.
Next up Robin Dillinger
followed by Canada Glover.
>> Morning, the Florida Constitution states in part
that the education of children is a fundamental value of the
people in the state of Florida and adequate provision shall be
made by law for uniform efficient safe secure and high
quality system, a free public schools that allow students to
pay high quality education
funds for competitive teacher pay for all teachers capital
improvement in stress, innovation resources has not
kept pace since Florida for years.
Florida ranks in the mid 40's out of 50 states related to
spending in K 12 education for people spending and for teacher
salaries as a former public school teacher principal and
assistant superintendent I understand how critical it is
that funding is to provide for the best educational
opportunities for all students.
I urge you to increase spending for public schools,
specifically Harper people spending and teacher salaries.
As that you require every school or home educator
receiving state funds to utilize curriculum and
instructional materials that align with the Florida
standards every school receiving public funds,
including private schools and home education years should be
required to administer to students the state assessments
required of all public school students
as an alternative consider requests. All public schools
and any private school education receiving public
funds to administer the saying nationally nor assessment so
that all students are progress monitor. And the progress is
determined utilizing the same assessment.
Florida statute reserves for the parent of a minor child,
the right to direct the education and care of his or
her minor child in this been a law for many many many years
when legislation allows an individual parent or resident
to mitigate the parental rights parents that other parents,
this is a violation of that fundamental principle
legislation passed in 2022 2023, allows one parent or one
resident to make decisions regarding instructional
materials for other parents.
Not only is the situation creating an adversarial
environment and requiring expenditures of human resources
is also impacting relationships between parents children in
communities and teachers and schools
ask that you focus your efforts on providing increased funding
for high quality education and carefully guarded the rights of
every parent to direct the education and care of his or
her minor child in collaboration with their
child's teachers and schools. Thank you.
Thank you miss to linger.
>> To habitat for humanity's standing in for MS. To see our
to Israel property appraiser David Johnson on her behalf.
Thank you welcome.
>> Thank you very much and thank you for being here today
and for the opportunity I have my different hat on today and
like the sheriff actually read my comment to him we I'd like
to talk gets the grease labor. A lot of facts here and
appreciate the opportunity to be with you so I hear as the
chair of habitat for humanity here in the pocket and the
Seminole County that talk about affordable housing home of home
ownership in Florida and specifically habitat for
humanity in Florida. We have 50 habitat affiliates and we
produce more homes than any other state today. Habitat
affiliates in Florida bill we have and repaired over 26,000
homes.
I want to ship pay more than something to my heart over
12 million dollars in property taxes, annually.
Your hometown habitat has built re have been repaired over 250
homes and we're looking at an additional 20 families this
year to serve.
Some highlights from your hometown habitat from our last
year are as follows.
16 families protect their forever. Homes 95% of new
homeowners improve their financial well-being
202 people graduate from our financial academies fuss-free
financial literacy program
families paid off their mortgages.
Our affiliate alone
provided over 18 million dollars of economic impact to
our community. This includes new homes on the tax rolls and
point subcontractors, etcetera
all this being said there's much work still left to be done
the country and specifically for a dozen housing crisis.
One of 6 households in Florida pays more than 50% of their
income for housing.
This is not sustainable says families up for failure.
And Seminole County a person believe it or not must turn
over $82,000 a year to 43 bedroom apartment with the
brunt of over $2000 a month
with habitat payments or 50% of that number here in this
affiliate alone
with the legislative session about to begin with the best
investment you can make this year and every year is an
investment in affordable housing programs such as the
ship. What you have done very well and funding all of these
years.
State housing initiative partnership with what chip
stands for and help and assistance here in Seminole
County.
These funds allow our organization to layer funds to
keep housing affordable.
Please consider as you've done in the past to continue
support. The schip program and we know what habitat we are not
the total solution, but we think is a nonprofit partnering
with the business community partnering with government that
we can help move this affordable housing situation
forward and we appreciate your support as you've done over the
years and I've gotten questions because try to answer this for
you.
Thank you, thank you very much appreciate the opportunity.
>> Next up is kinda Glover with children's home society.
And after MS. Connor is Jean Van Smith with the foundation
for Seminole public schools.
>> My name is kind of clever. I am the program manager for
healthy families Seminole County. Within children's home
Society of Florida
on behalf of all of us to children's home society,
thank you so much for the 2 million dollars that was
appropriated to healthy families in last year's
legislative session in addition to Seminole County children's
home society has 14 other counties that we serve with
healthy families across the state. The funds were needed to
help stabilize our critical workforce. Many of our staff
made under the minimum wage and often make under what the
families were serving.
So we're very appreciative of that funding.
I'm healthy families is celebrating 25 years of helping
children and family stay safe, healthy and not in the foster
care system this year. The data that we have chosen one year
after family receive our voluntary prevention services,
they're 99% free of maltreatment and 95% after 3
years.
So addressing those needs and challenges to the families
before crisis occurs as a top priority for children's home,
society and healthy families. So we're asking for your
consideration to include the 2 million dollars in recurring
funds to healthy families. In the next legislative session
that way we can continue to support our team and the
mission of keeping our children and family safe and strong.
Thank you so much for your time and your enthusiasm to serve
our state and your consideration, 5 per priority
we look forward to continuing to work with you. Thank you so
much.
>> Next up is Jean Van Smith with the foundation for
Seminole public schools, too.
And after her will be sorry to see and superintendent Seminole
County.
>> Good morning chair plake and delegation members morning,
I'm Jean Van Smith executive director of the foundation for
Seminole County public schools. I think all of you know we are
a nonprofit with a mission to enhance education in Seminole
County public schools.
Each year we raise and distribute over 4 million
dollars with 91% of that going directly to programs like our
teacher resource store mentoring through take stock in
children, stem education career Tech education and more.
I'm here to mention 2 programs that we receive state funding
through the first is take stock in children which is a
mentoring program.
The state funds this statewide and when we receive money for
our staff salaries as well as to offset the cost of the
college scholarships that we purchase for the students in
the program.
We currently have 107 low-income students receiving
mentoring college success coaching and when they graduate
a two-year Florida prepaid scholarship many of these
students will be the first in their family to go to college
and last year our high school students had a 100% graduation
rate from the program which we're very proud of.
In addition we utilize the school district education
Foundation matching grant program.
This is a 6 million dollar appropriation statewide so
thank you so much for supporting this last year.
What that means is here in Seminole we receive about a
$130,000 all of which we have to match dollar for dollar with
private funds.
Last year we used funds from the matching grant program to
support a school and classroom, many grant program.
And one school Eugene Gregory Memorial Hughes Academy of it
one received a grant to create a school garden which many of
our schools choose to utilize that you great Eugene Gregory's
unique 100% of the students, a gene got here on their free and
reduced meal program and it's a title one school.
With this grant students used science skills to research
store oil plant conditions and create the garden and even
improve their social skills by working as a team.
It's really special projects like these that make learning
fun for students and make a memorable experience and the
teacher shared. Thank you so much to our wonderful donors
you really are making a difference in my students lives
and have provided an experience they may never had.
Given the growth in our programs and aggressive
education Foundation statewide our organization is requesting
an increase in the matching grant this year from 6 million
dollars to 7 million dollars. So I hope you'll consider that
more information is in that packet that I shared and if you
have any questions you can always feel free to reach out
to me and thank you so much for being such good partners for
public education.
Thank you miss Ben Smith.
Next up is superintendent of the men.
Good morning. And some of the men the superintendent of
Seminole County public schools, I'm joined today by all 5 of
our board members chair Kristine Kraus vice chair at
the Sanchez and members I don't care and Kelly Davis and the
panic.
Before I highlight this year's priorities. I want to thank you
for representing our families and our students so well,
during the 2023 legislative session. Because of your
support and the $2 appropriation to Seminole
County public schools will the caddie at Seminole high school
this thing, not and eyes. So that our students are well
prepared for their future.
Students also directly.
What if it is from your support of House bill 1537 which
allowed approximately 400 and the Seminole County seniors to
graduate.
And March with their cars their classmates in May
because of your work. Thank you so much.
I first legislative priority for this year relates again to
to school accountability the tight system related to
calculation medics before and its allies is high schools when
students come plea algebra one and geometry and middle school
since the Florida Legislature already appropriates funds to
administer the PSA team too 10th graders.
The board recommends utilizing the PS a T mathematics score as
an option for students to on accountability points for their
high school. If the student has already passed algebra, one and
orange on the tree and middle schools doing so will more
accurately reflects the achievement of all students
enrolled in high school. And that's not.
No lies the acceleration that is so prevalent and you are a
way to get academically high-performing school system.
Our second priority as an appropriation requests for the
lake Howell high school cybersecurity program.
That Lake Powell students have opportunities to experience is
an industry certifications and cybersecurity
computer science and uncle sizes, modern classroom,
spaces, you network infrastructure and cyber for
hacking competitions are essential to the development of
the site can be therefore if the board recommends creating a
pipeline for cybersecurity professionals by funding the
first phase of the program expansion and the amount of
3 million dollars.
I would meet priorities all related to deregulating
statutory language that ultimately resulted in the
district having more flexibility to me our teachers
and therefore retain them.
I look forward to talking with each of you about all of these
priorities and I do and as always thank you for your
support of Seminole County public schools. Senator Brodeur
you're recognized for a new superintendent mean.
>> What would be the pushback of using the P sat for algebra
and geometry it seems like common sense because we want to
make sure that students are incentivized to do well if
we're going to penalize for that doesn't that seems we're
what would the opponents say as to why we're not doing it.
>> I'm not sure this is something that we've been
asking for war and at least 3 years and right now because of
the reset with the new standards in the new assessment
is the perfect opportunity to to do just that great, thank
you thank you superintendent.
>> Next up is President George Rennes from Seminole state
College.
>> Good morning. Renee opportunity to speak with you
today, I'd like to recognize 3 of our board members who are
here today commissioner Amy Lockhart we're in for some will
say on live. And our chair Bob Cortes
and you're going to hear from trustee Roseburg in just a
moment, I'd like to thank each of you for your support and
advocacy during the 2023 session and for the initial
funding for 2 of our projects announcement Springs campus to
expand nursing and other allied health care workforce,
preparation programs.
In addition to Seminole State's priorities. I want to briefly
highlight the Florida college system priorities outlined in
the documents that were given to you. These include inclusion
in the state health insurance program for employees to be in
alignment with the state university system as well as an
additional 100 million dollar investment in the college
system to be distributed via the new funding formula.
So speaking on behalf of Seminole state today is Mister
Sean Welz burger shine as a college trustee and senior vice
president of Orlando health Northeast region. He's in a
perfect position to talk to you about how we will address the
need for health care professionals with our new
facilities shot.
Morning everyone.
>> Some will say is a key partner for Orlando health and
the region's other health care providers. The college is
focused on doing all it can to increase the number of
outstanding there says that it produces each year and meet the
needs of Central Florida with the goal to double the number
of undergraduates this isn't constrained by the lack of
classroom and lab space at the Altamonte Springs campus.
The funding, the calls received last legislative session to
enables us to begin to fill this gap.
Now we ask for your continued support of fun year to these
projects that we can then begin construction today, I'm asking
this delegation to support the college's 2 top legislative
priorities. The first is an additional 36 million for the
year 2 funding for the construction of building B
Altamonte Springs campus.
This investment will increase the capacity for nursing and
support the growth of other vital health care programs,
including health Sciences,
physical therapy and respiratory care. The new
construction will also increase instructional a capacity for
mass, science and technology but in the gaps in stem
education in the country
and expand our ability to offer foundational courses for
careers and that's it and health care as a result.
The second ask us for 3 million dollars for year 2 funding for
the remodel the student services center also in
Altamonte Springs, this will allow the college to relocate
support services for students to space in unused facility,
the remodeled space will consolidate student focus
services into one stop shop which will strengthen student
support on site.
Free up instructional space and improve degree completion.
Lastly we also seek your support for additional funding
to remodel existing space at the Altamonte campus to create
and medical technology and microbiology lab.
This will support a new program for that tax we called at the
request of Healthcare partners throughout the region and
provide additional capacity to offer direct the courses for
nursing and allied health programs at the Altamonte
campus. We're very proud to continue success of the
college's pro and as evidence by or 98.6 a popular as make
sure I think Lou that 0.6 A and a 100% licensure passage rates
for nursing and respiratory therapy graduates which again
and on the country that's the highest I've ever seen. Thank
you for listening and for your persistent advocacy for your
college.
And our students with your help the Legislature we look forward
to filling the work force cap for nursing Healthcare
professionals, we could have a new address any questions you
may have.
Thank you thank you.
>> OK from ucf next up is Janet Owens. We have Fred could
injure and place of the heavier janitor once but good to see
Fred, thank you, madam chair, good morning members of the
delegation, yes, I'm a double a utility enjoys the broad for me
a minor league team to pitch in for Jen and this morning.
>> Well, half of that, you know it's my pleasure to bring both
greens and a big dose of gratitude to each of you for
the support you've given ucf and that gratitude comes from a
board trustees from our president doctor Karl R****,
69,000 students who make up the nation's number 43 most
integrated University. As we look forward to those students
become graduates from the 80% of their way to stay in state
of Florida and 62% will stay right here in central Florida.
As we look forward to next year's session.
Listen we didn't first. Thank you from heavy lifting that
you've done in the past 2 years. It specifically wants it
wants this is number one the nursing pipeline privilege or
created in 2022 23 because of your operation construction
support will break ground in January of 2024 and with
additional faculty staff will be able to double our movement
of nursing students. It's also more hard-headed thanks to a
private partners. Today adventhealth Orlando health the
doctor Phillips charities suspect is a great team effort
to make that possible. The second. Thank you comes to you
for the work that you provide the funding provided for our
College of engineering. Right now we have we turn to our core
mission to support the workforce. That provides the of
the workers for our aerospace and defense industries Inc were
found in 1963 because of your work for now once again for the
second straight year. The number one supplier
workers to their space and national Front's firms across
the country and if you look at NASA, 29% of employers caring
that ucf deployment.
As we look into this year's session. There are 3 specific
task we haven't all come under the umbrella of hoping ucf to
become Florida's premier engineering and technology
innovation University, the first one is to support state
funding will allow us to increase our engineering
students from 13,000 to 20 1000. Also have an additional 5
thousands to relay to students and technology degrees. Also
during the vetting category while sudden or gradual want to
bring in national researchers that help us develop these
research clusters across economic lines. Thanks Paul.
What industry needs and allow us to look at expanding online
offerings for engineering computer science courses,
the second one is research to building this allows us to have
no inkling room space for 3 of our colleges are also allow us
to expand greatly much and maybe have for research level
one research activity taking place in those labs are
critical of the second during his innovation hub that allows
us to have one in classrooms and innovation labs for our
students and use 25% believe also be classrooms but again
was designed produced a workforce that we need here in
Florida. As we look forward to the 2024 session. I know we
have a lot more conversations with you all for supporting the
port of working with you climb ration as we support for his
economic prosperity needs thank you Mister Kissinger, thank you
too.
>> 2 minutes next up we have Judy Wagner on the topic of
health followed by Richard Wagner and
I'm going to shorten the time to 2 minutes and 45 seconds
we're a little behind schedule.
>> Thank you I am obviously not to be my name is Richard
Wagner.
Thank you all for having me speak today, I appreciate that
I'm just really speak about our experiences with the agency for
people with disabilities. It's been extremely hard and
frustrating and expensive and for the tremendous
difficulties, unfortunately stories like ours are not
unique.
Our son was denied services by APD in March of 2022. Since
that time we've been blessed to have connected with.
Representative sent here who and her staff I should say
she's performing cuts work by championing legislation to help
the disable June are grateful to representative placenta and
her missing staff are providing a voice for those that can't
the purpose of the legislation is to cry transparency in ATP
is determination process.
Currently determination letters are not specific and written
using 10 pleaded forms
in my son's case that now litter seem disconnected with
reality, the only specific course for the night was a
failure to substantiate the communication disorder. We
could not understand a key piece determination since James
communication deficits. Well at the heart of his disability,
we have no idea why my son was being denied. The lack of
transparency has created an abusive system that lacks
procedural safeguards.
Don't tell him off the idea of transparency is the provision
of ATP provide funding for independent evaluations.
In fact the rules already cold for up to questions to provide
funding for independent evaluations. Unfortunately,
an opportunistic Lee AP has to find this rule to me only 18 he
has questions has nothing to do with the petitioner
independent assessments and evaluations police an
extraordinary burden on an already disadvantaged
population
APD bankrupting families is terrible. It is power may make
it hard or even impossible for my son to be placed on the
waitlist but that does not mean APD has acted lawfully and
acted in the public's interest.
You pressed for time you have any questions.
Thank you.
>> As miss Judy Wagner, not here today.
Okay, she's
OK thank you. All right, thank you for sharing is James Wagner
wanting to speak as well. Okay, thank U next up we have
begun confess gaga Zoe's with Howard's Phillips Center for
children family is I apologize for that ring last name there
can use a last name.
>> I'm going to think Megan forgetting Howard Phillips
center on the agenda today. My name is and soul and I'm the
senior director Howard Phillips Center for children and
families, thank you for your ongoing support of our work.
The Howard Phillips enters part of the Orlando health Arnold
Palmer hospital for children and exist to advocate for
respond to the needs the most vulnerable children in central
Florida, those who face medical, emotional and
developmental challenges, especially those related to
child abuse and neglect.
Our central Florida early steps program provides comprehensive
developmental evaluation YS and specialized early interventions
services right here in Seminole County we work with children 0
to 36 months old with all types of developmental delays and
disabilities.
Last year alone this extraordinary early steps team
provided over 65,000 hours early intervention services in
the form of development of valuations therapeutic services
and case management.
I have seen how some seemingly small things our team does
become life changing moments for our families, I mean one
member one baby his first sounds did not include some of
the early milestone, consonants typical of the baby that age
that rain gear our staff recognized the baby may not be
developing the lip muscles needed to says she tot mom to
have baby drink liquids to a straw.
This supports vocal muscle development, simple right.
Costly now not when we invest certainly not only have experts
who can identify such a discreet sound and help correct
for the long term if not caught early.
This could lead to speech to raise and a whole cascade of
potential issues for families and the school system in the
years to come.
It is imperative that each of us care about what happens to
children not only because it is the right thing to do that
because it has a direct correlation to the future
workforce, and the long-term health and well-being of our
entire community.
When we intervene on children's behalf entire communities that
you better.
As the population continues to grow so does the need for our
services that is why the House Phillips entered sis and games
for a better future for all of us we just need more folks such
as yourself to help us sustain our incredible valuable
programs.
Thank you and you're always welcome to come take a tour of
the House the Senate.
Thank you. So so yes.
>> Next up Florida dental hygienist Association, a rule
demarco,
followed by Todd Dixon with aspire health partners.
>> Good morning. My name is Sarah grace to Marco Island
Florida licensed and just as well as a member of the Florida
dental hygienist Association
on behalf of the FDA Jay I'm asking you to support efforts
to increase access to dental care to provide licensed to
provide for licensure mobility and loan forgiveness for dental
hygienist
a recent report found that Florida had the highest rate of
emergency department visits in the country for non traumatic
dental conditions for children under the age, 14
sort of Medicaid cover the cost of those visits, a 86% of those
visits. And the most common reason given for those
emergency department visits was an abscess
access caused by unfilled cavity
easy fix.
There's not just one solution to increasing access to dental
care instead, we hope the Legislature will consider
several following options first following other states that
have authorized mid-level dental providers called dental
therapist to join the clinical team.
These providers are required to graduate from an accredited
dental program to take the same state licensing exam, a dentist
takes for the lake procedures they will perform and then
become licensed
dental therapists are trained to perform complicated services
normally provided by a dentist to extend the reach of that
general practice or community program
but to be clear
the license dentists decide what treatments they're down on
their fists are allowed to provide to their patients don't
care of us are supervised and must work under the supervising
ventas contract agreement
increasing the Dona workforce Interstate by allowing
reciprocity for dental hygienist licensed and
practicing safely in other states these high chests must
have graduated from an accredited program
pasta state licensing exam and national board exam and
practice safely for several years and fortunately to work
in Florida. These professionals have to take another licensing
exam. What Americans
licensing exams are designed for entry level hygienist who
have just graduated not for experience hygienist they're
already licensed in other states.
It can be costly to become a dental hygienist in the state
of Florida to your program ranges anywhere from 25,000 to
$80,000.
Many of these programs are rigorous and do not allow
students to work while they're attending school.
Having a loan forgiveness program similar to loan
forgiveness programs already in place for already in place for
Florida dentists will help those who may not choose to go
to Donna hygiene school because of the inability to work for
pursuing their education.
I thank you for your consideration and your time and
your service to our state
and I and our stomachs
thank you.
Next to Todd Dixon with aspire health partners.
>> Mister Dixon you're recognized thank you good
morning to join the parade of folks who have come here this
morning to congratulate you on what a great year we have in
the Legislature last last year. Our budget was very healthy and
saints to many of the members here today aspire health
partners is a been able to move forward on some of our key and
niche senator Byrd or and where president played and you were
instrumental in getting funding for a Seminole County central
receiving system that's something that we have been
working towards here in this County senator you know we've
talked to you for quite quite some time to get a rental car
really that was pioneered in Orange County and we we hope to
see that funding for them to DCF like so many agencies are
struggling with some staffing issues to process contracts,
but we hope to see that opened by the beginning of December we
haven't quite seen that money show up and in our contracts
yet, but we understand they're going to a process just like
everybody else. We did have a chance representative Plasencia
and senator Byrd or during our recent tours to talk about our
homeless veterans program.
We are on track to break ground on that project and again in
December. However, unfortunately as I think we
have shared so many people have learned over the last 2 years.
Construction costs have gone through the roof and what was
originally budgeted as a 3 and a half million dollar project
when we finally completed all the zoning variance
requirements and put project out for bid it came back in at
double the original estimate, your assistance to leverage the
Department of veteran affairs project last year was
tremendously appreciated and we're hoping that potential you
be able to help us again this year to help close that gap
between what was originally funded and what the actual
costs will be spoken to your staff and we'll get more to you
and just want to say thank you represent play can worker says
sorry that we didn't get to tour the facility with you that
we have to be able to schedule something against him. Thank
you.
For example since you're recognized for question.
Thank you it would be my pleasure to help again those
services are needed and I'm looking forward to a completed
building. So thank you very much. We're too. Thank you so
much.
Next up is a Katie a shake-up with Florida voices for health.
Followed by Kimberly Smith, us.
>> Hi good morning, everyone, thank you so much for allowing
me to speak my name is Acadia advocacy director at Florida
voices for House, I had the pleasure of meeting with
several of your teams. We are a statewide non-profit
non-partisan health advocacy organization and our mission to
is to increase access to health care, especially for those
right now income or moderate income. I'm here today because
Senate president Kathleen passidomo has said her focus
this agenda is House, but when asked for her plan she said she
is thinking of Health affairs and the like and what we really
want to know is what houses are going to do for the 500,000
Floridians who live in the coverage gap who do qualify for
Medicaid or subsidized plans under the affordable care act.
Well fears do for John now she has sickle cell when uninsured,
she fainted had to be transported to the hospital she
is now insured but is paying down 10's of thousands of
dollars in medical debt. Markey says a student working
part time he was in a car accident and due to the cost of
care can Ford ongoing treatment more than 7 world safety net
hospitals have been could have closed in recent years and
communities throughout the state are going without
preventative and specialized treatments House, here's why
help those families having babies on the literal sides of
highways folks losing limbs because of the hours it takes
to get to the ER.
We determine nations are ongoing 1.4 million Floridians
are being confronted by the harsh realities of how
restrictive access to care can be in our state families are
falling into that coverage gap some at-risk that we've met a
young child 5 year-old 5 years old going through cancer
treatment. A young mom with a new one we needed that care to
manager chronic heart condition.
Floridians in Seminole and practices state are really
being left behind by our current health system and we do
deserve the actual policy solutions HB 5.11 will not just
save our state 1.7 5 billion annually but literally save
lives when hundreds of thousands of jobs. Walter needs
hospital systems bolster excuse me
how close disparities in outcomes and so much more.
I think you all for standing with Floridians in support of
policies that do advance local community and state health and
well-being and I look forward to seeing you on your teens in
time I see the session. Thank thank you miss Jacobs just
number did come out.
>> On behalf of the Senate. The live healthy act is going
to be focused mostly on access and technology, it's not just
health fairs I think she might have been flipping it so you'll
have a suite of bills that will work on scope issues access
issues things like that. I don't know little dress
everything on your list, but I think we're going to get make a
significant bite at it.
>> That's really. I think you know I look forward to
representative Smith Junction in just a HB 5.11 and John of
that number I've not read that bill yet, but this is the
president passadomo is not kidding, I mean there is this
is going to be the the year of health care fact I am very good
bill working with senator Ana Maria Rodriguez we have not
filed yet we're dot our I's cross the T's to feel what we
call the missing doctor in Florida which is natural
Patrick doctors that are licensed and 26 other states
but not in Florida. Some years ago with the stroke of a pen.
The stroke of a pen the Legislature eliminated this
from Florida and we have these matchup at the doctors from
other states operating in Florida today. And we were not
managing our own health care system and so we hope to fill
that void of that missing doctor right here in Florida.
>> Thank U next up is Kimberly Smith followed by Betsy had
God.
>> Thank you for allowing me to speak to about something I
never thought I would be speaking about the public
safety crisis important questions like most of you I
never thought this issue would affect me. But I've learned the
last few years that no matter who you are or you think you
are one bad decision can humble you and your family.
My son's financial crime for which he is serving an 8 year
prison sentence has had a silver lining it opened our
eyes to the inhumanity taking places like prisons.
I can speak to you for hours about the rats. Popovich is the
rampant staph infections by and disrespect by staff the
inedible food as previously mentioned the forest and paid
labor each day and a myriad of other real problems because of
time I want to bring your attention to one thing. I'm
confident we can finally remedy the lack of air conditioning in
our prisons were you aware that aside from a few facilities are
Florida prisons don't have air have never had air.
That is a shock to everyone I need even though those who work
in law enforcement and the legal system the cement
buildings with metal roofs that warehouse, you're incarcerated
constituents, cause them to their temperatures reaching and
surpassing 100 degrees in the summer.
Can you imagine during this heat like you're locked in the
building you can't escape them with a 100 strangers perhaps
for years for decades for life.
Can you imagine during the Heat if you are elderly or have
asthma or some other health condition, Midwest by heat that
is a recipe for violence, not to mention the mental health
and suicide better spot on by constant Missouri.
The sentence should be the sentence not the torturous
conditions inside prisons that use dogs for training programs
have rules for their animals can be housed and must be kept
to a certain temperature range. There are no set standards for
the humans housed inside.
This issue finally made the front pages of Florida
newspapers this year because we've had some of the highest
temperatures our state has ever seen the legislators who have
visited a prison. Can tell you that the inside temperature
these buildings is on average 15 degrees hotter, than the
outside temperature on a summer day it is unlivable the DMZ
requires that ice for the provided to residents daily but
100 men sharing a five-gallon court does not last long.
Prison should also be safe for staff and volunteers, there are
hundreds of positions left vacant by the resignations of
Corrections officers installing a C would improve work
conditions for staff attract quality applicants as well as
more volunteers.
We must start treating these human beings like we would
treat our neighbors because 90% of these folks are returning to
society and will be a neighbor's one day our future
community workers impacts our future employees
in closing.
The goal of the prison should be to prepare returning
citizens to leave prison better than they going not worse the
harm done by a scented should never be greater than the harm
caused by the crime.
I urge you to visit a prison you haven't already in plain
clothes and announced to see what it's really like for your
citizens, I urge you to support House bill one 81 to find air
conditioning in our prisons once and for all, and the staff
and the less heat stroke or death homelessness and
long-term damage that goes along with not having it I'm
not asking you to be soft on crime asking you to be smart on
crime.
>> The Alzheimer's Association, and I'm going to ask if there's
any way you can keep your comments to 2 and a half
minutes from here out because we're behind schedule
absolutely. Thank you so much Sir.
>> Thank you for this time, I'm glad to hear that it's the year
of health from Betsy had a veto resident and one of the many
faces of Alzheimer's here in Florida
down died last year after a 10 year battle with Alzheimer's,
but I didn't become an advocate because he died I became an
advocate because he suffered and my family and all families
who are affected. Florida has the second highest number of
individuals living with Alzheimer's in the country over
half a million for residents are living with Alzheimer's and
dementia those are just the one state news so far and that many
of you have been affected by this terminal disease in the
cost of care.
I found purpose in volunteering with the Alzheimer's
Association and we're hopeful of your support of our 2020 for
these things first it's imperative to educate our
community about early warning signs of Alzheimer's and the
importance of brain health.
So we need to raise awareness for to look for and when to go
to a doctor King for funding for public health awareness
campaign
7,
his share of whether the kid from legislature recently
created a little persons with disabilities registry for use
by law enforcement and thank you representative for the 10th
year for the year so it's been great for staff and we want to
ensure that law enforcement has the resources they need to
understand how to work with people living with Alzheimer's
and other dementia 6 out of 10 individuals with dementia will
wander this month and ended
when we have a King for dementia training to be
available to law enforcement as a counterpart to last year's
legislation and finally we asked the Legislature to
continue supporting the funding of critical programs for those
in need, including the Alzheimer's Association bring
bus.
Thank you very much for your support and we'll see you in
time I have seen every 13 to 14 for anyone that because the
case.
Thank you so much.
>> Next up is Michael left and with central Florida cares
health system
was Mister Lupton present.
Okay to move along to Donna Walsh was shepherds hole but
Shepard is home
and then after Donna will be Alison and JJ Holmes.
>> It is separate so 72 with a one story the typo is a type of
the words, thank you. So good morning Seminole County
legislative delegation, my name is Don president CEO Shepard so
thank you for the opportunity to present to something
as a free and charitable clinics Shepard so Custer
fighting quality can be especially health care through
over 330,000 visits for uninsured patients since
founded in 1997 3 division of pastor bill Barnes from Saint
Luke's United Methodist Church in Orlando.
Our services are made possible through a dedicated team in the
compassionate care of her 3100 health care and support all in
tears for j**** which are currently active. This was our
partnerships with community agencies hospitals specialist
in universities and colleges
shepherds who was the mechanized for the platinum
rating on gold star for transparency is a nonprofit
organization
and the goal member rating from the National Association of
free and charitable clinics.
9, $0.1, of every dollar donated shepherds who goes
directly to patient care.
With the rising cost of health care insurance as well as a
recovery from the pandemic and Medicaid and mining safety net
services such as sharp or so is needed now more than ever.
Sugar to was the only free and charitable clinics serving
Seminole County for over 10 years.
In coordination with other social service agencies to
address social and economic barriers that our community has
challenged with every day.
10% of Seminole County households are living in
poverty and 11.2% are uninsured.
15% of Orange County households are living in poverty and 15.4%
are uninsured and 13% of Osceola County households are
living in poverty in 16.3% are uninsured.
47% of Central Florida families are below the heart of Florida
United way Alice, which is asset limited income
constrained employed individuals special.
Making more than the federal poverty level but not enough
for the cost of living
shepherds who was served here 3,000 patients annually in
Seminole County since 2012 and along with the location and the
sharing center Plaza,
4243% of our patients are employed that ensured with
income at or below 200% of poverty level.
56% of our patients treated said that they would not have
enough or have cited any medical care without access to
our health centers.
Our services result the cost savings of millions of dollars
to center for the health care system with 18 million dollars
in savings in 2022.
The average cost of an emergency department visit in
central Florida says thousands of dollars possibly 3500 and
rising versus hundreds of dollars that are shipped to
clinics.
People without insurance coverage often go without
medical care, including preventive care and services
for major health conditions and chronic diseases. Due to
constant fear increase medical debt.
In addition to your kids specially can sure to provide a
prescription scholarship program healthy eating and
active lifestyle for them to help the program back to school
sports physicals and partnership with 2 more
children so can others liver clinic in Longwood mental
health in partnership with the mental health Association out
with clinic telehealth services outreach case, management and
Healthcare navigation.
Shouldn't have been able to continue serving our central
Florida community and help them mostly for locations, including
winter garden downtown early and Mister lander in Longwood
and outreach and 2 and a half million dollar budget to
generous donations contributions and grants,
including the Florida Association for insurance
clinics which provide support for nonprofit clinics in
Florida
continued support from the fcc's important for Shepard so
one of the French are clinics to continue our important work
of safety net health care services.
Sugar to the scene at the crease in the ACC contributions
by half the amount granted in previous years increase
spending with our clinics to meet the demanding health care
needs of our community.
And the most and thank you for your ongoing support and
advocacy serving.
Our most vulnerable community members and health and
wellness.
We invite you to visit any number of patients to learn
more about our services in further ways to support our
mission.
Founder doctor bill Barnes often mentions that of us can
do all that but all of us can do some of it, we're caring
people caring for people, thank you so much. Thank you miss
Ross.
>> Okay next up is Alison and JJ Holmes.
>> JJ Holmes and what college freshman and that team waiting
for my way for disability services for 17 years.
I was born in Florida last 8.
Yeah, well treat, Floridians with disabilities.
And this ability program and we've got the most people
waiting for services.
Last huge meeting I asked you to fund the waiver program so I
can get his ability services.
Senate backs then you said only funding the waiver makes its
have said so I was pretty excited just to us now I had
planned
Chang's out now saying much.
There was no priest funding, which means that we're still on
the waiting list.
This year.
Being able to drive a car and used its toll roads 35 times
said. I see Jack pot
as she gazes drivers half a billion dollars.
That's really and most of Lee.
I mean it's totally cleared the waiting list.
So so yeah, your friends and chase last.
Also for the 22,434 disabled Floridians on the waiting list.
There's something wrong. Last year. Hours these in
Tallahassee weny's for you got to know about people like me
you're giving Billie Jo, there's no way should show road
drivers didn't even ask for your help.
Hey you just on the waiver so I can get off the waiting was 7
start living my life.
Thank you for listening.
>> He recognized thank you thank you JJ Nelson I would
tell you that my authorities from last year haven't changed
unfortunately have a 159 other colleagues with their own
opinions about how to do things I'd like you wish, I could wave
a magic wand to do whatever I wanted and second is I would
tell you to stay tuned.
>> Thank you I just want to say JJ is always an inspiration.
Thank you for being here, I know we have been able to help
you with some of the constituent concerns and we
will continue to help you work with you thank you okay,
you're recognized as well, thank you.
>> 16 years 8 months 25 days that's along with son JJ has
been on the waitlist for disability services through the
I budget will midway the program
when your child has a disability that will is already
much harder to navigate for them and for that can give a
the responsible for another human being the one who is
dependent on you for everything is exhausting it's stressful is
isolating and it takes its toll. I'm physically
emotionally mentally and financially white tie.
However, the hard truth is that as long as the severely
disabled Floridians have an agile in the home who has a
polls you will provide any disability support services,
unless a so-called crisis strikes. Because you've chosen
to lot of money tow drivers instead of prioritizing
severely disabled kids that means in Florida only a
cataclysmic crisis will get you on the waiver.
Logan from Collier County didn't get the waiver until he
fell out of a second-story window was critically and
permanently injure it
jaden from Putnam County who is unintentionally a serious
danger to himself and to others was denied crisis enrollment as
his mother has no police reports jayden's 14 the family
has countless professionals confirming the clear and
present danger he is in the jaden needs to be arrested
before you let him onto the waiver program these kids
really have to hit rock bottom and then some before you lacked
everything is already hard enough or not children. It JJ
may have to leave college because the state hasn't been
paid August 21st she started and she hasn't received a dime
that would have happened if you have to wait for
leaving JJ over 22,000 of the severely disabled Floridians
languishing on the waitlist until a catastrophic crisis
hits his cruel beyond measure. And now you're planning to
switch everyone on the wave over to a for-profit managed
care program, what changes on the managed care plans to CMS
that's what was so utterly desperate for the waiver.
Only gets is a city sent in from cold once a month and
generally when we need some said they always have an excuse
for not providing it one times cam on a jet actually emailed
me to suggest like a run churches to ask if they have
miscellaneous funds disability services,
whenever you sink is being done for these kids on managed
health care plans is no.
The session the way to go a similar amount of money issue
allocated to horse racing in the state this vulnerable group
of Floridians is viewed as having called purple needs to
horse racing. And is viewed as less deserving the toll road
uses we're asking you to fully from the waiver or asking you
to give APD is sitting in for landing to negotiate a budget
based on need and we're asking you not to let a managed care
company take over the waiver and use my son, another
vulnerable Floridians like in here to make a profit off of it
like to come to so that
to look at these people the way over on the waitlist who don't
want managed care.
OK, thank you.
All right next up is Valerie Schultz with Florida's.
>> National popular vote and we're going to have to shorten
the time to a one minute and 40 seconds from here out thank
you.
We have a problem off the grid.
First of all. I'd like to say that the ratings for national
popular vote are all volunteers. And I'm not here to
ask for any money.
I'm I only ask is that the representatives would
co-sponsor HB 67 and that senator Berger would co-sponsor
SB 2.36 we now have a bill number.
Why am I asking this because Florida, some correct winner
take all all along with similar laws across the U.S. create
battleground states where a few 1000 votes from only 20% of the
U.S. voters that live in the States decide the presidency.
Even worse the U.S. presidency could be decided in the courts
by even smaller number of people that is not democracy
with just an Interstate compact do it instructs a member state
to award its electoral college elect to worse. And should the
U.S. candidate who wins the National popular vote. Instead
of the popular vote. Just in that state.
Presidential runner said the average 4 million votes.
So it leads in the popular vote across the last 9 elections.
This reduces if not eliminate controversy over one.
In a poll by the Pew research published just last month,
65% of us adults say the winner of the popular vote nationwide
should be president every state is given the right in the U.S.
constitution to decide how to reward their electors and the
political identity of a state includes all that citizens,
not just those who vote with the majority
every vote equal every voter relevant every election.
Thank you.
Next up is Kelly show son.
Good morning, good morning. I'm
and just.
I'm here to support the request for an investigation into the
actor. The actions of the supervisor of elections,
Chris Anderson, by chairman like art.
>> A couple weeks ago I learned that Chris Anderson was
attempting to insert himself into a meeting without
invitation and what his request was politely declined he
resorted to by passing chairman la cart and going to chairman
cherry to get an invitation.
I'm expressing my concerns about a missed it, Anderson's
involvement in the meeting as I felt it would not be productive
and didn't have anything to do with him. He.
He went around it and
basically
whether it's cherry cherry and when I spoke to Mister tie.
Mister cherry regarding my concerns we agree that I was
going to invite into the meeting so up on that. I'm
expressing my concerns with Mister Chris is. Mister
Anderson's about an onion that it was not intended. I found
myself
and others the subject of a facebook live outburst with
such which transpired on the premises at the supervisor of
elections office while wearing the supervisor of elections
shirt. I facebook live. It's also worth mentioning that was
blocked from viewing and defending I myself on these
malicious attacks. It is crucial to emphasize that race
was never a consideration in the decision it was you can
bring in for a landing. My gosh, I'm sorry I
basically he made accusations tonight himself.
What they signed discrimination. Pay prevented
the the members from and it was reviewing it. He has stated
that it was based on race. He's Rick I've refused FOIA
request his his videos his wife could be cut calling people fat
boy in fact, snake and I've lost the
I lost the trust that he can hold a fair election. So please
please investigate and support her request. Thank you thank U
next up is Mike Johnson.
Speaking for Julie Ann reckon with in Julian, okay.
>> Congratulations to everyone for getting reelected in
elected for the first time a couple of you
I'm going to mission that tiny House legislation you're
talking about your favorite Johnson's have not you know the
habitat humanity when you consider that bill trying to
get some partisans change that are locally we've been getting
you know, Ali houses from the
for seniors like me and for the folks that really can avoid a
bigger House.
Tony. I got a couple of things I just want to drop their open
it because I'm really impressed by the speakers today compared
with the years will be coming here, it's really great do you
think company a lot of great orators very great emission
think great subjects of that you guys need to consider the
Tallahassee were just absolutely past few years got a
great staff sat there and I appreciate all the work and
hard work to do and you guys got a great big.
I think one this coming year with health issues. I have 2
grandchildren and they don't have no coverage at all right
now they're in that room that midway point. I want to talk to
really make an Overland over time about secret governments
and I was really disappointed when and I see the S e
that's the Florida sunrise elections Association sitting
out a memo about trying to.
This isn't the government to try to close down records
request.
For the public we need to record and records in
everybody.
That's our right as citizens in this country here. So the F S e
in my opinion to be shut down and and are able are they have
to be following the sunshine act. Government bring it in for
a landing at least.
That's that's really what I want to pack a lot of things
might play here. But you'll see guys up in Tallahassee thank
you very much, thank you.
>> To the shop near is next with Seminole County election
integrity task force followed by Barbara margin, we saw huts.
10 and Lawrence stuffy.
>> I know that the barbers not going to be able to speech was
unable to make it here this morning.
I want to thank you for your dedication and commitment to
all the hard work necessary work that you all are doing for
for us right here.
Many citizens and your constituents like myself
believe that without fair secure and transparent
elections. We don't have representative government.
Well, it appears that our election system in Florida is
better than most we're currently ranked 7th.
We still have many weaknesses and risks that need to be
addressed. I'm here today to call your attention to 3 topics
number one permit only us citizens to register and vote.
That you support closing the gaps in Florida statutes which
allow non-citizens to register.
And yes, even vote.
I'm in close 3 documents as far as supporting information on
this topic to topic number 2 mandating use of electronic
tabulators to count votes I ask that you support
lifting the tabulator mandate in Florida statute, one oh 1.56
'04
and permit counties to decide if they want to hand count is
the precinct level.
Currently there are 32 counties across the 11 states.
But hand count.
This is nothing new.
I closed to documents in your packet.
On this topic number 3 Seminole County supervisor of elections.
Chris Anderson I call on you to support the county commissioner
you can bring in for landing here please one who has
requested a good governor DeSantis investigation on the
unprofessional behaviors and radical racial remarks which
are greatly concerned citizens who now believe that the so he
is incapable.
A properly administering to the 2024 election cycle. Thank
thank you for your time and consideration on these topics
thank you
we've got it all.
>> 13 people left with about 15 minutes to go so I'm going to
have shortened to one minute each.
But as always you're welcome to meet with any of us call our
offices. Next up is Lisa Huston with SEC wreck election
integrity task force.
Good morning. It's Lisa Houston, Houston.
>> One of the most important duties and responsibilities
that are for the county commissioners have a serving on
the Seminole County canvassing board the canvassing board's
work is crucial to strengthen trust in our democratic process
and safeguards a free and fair election. This trust has been
eroded, however is not of our current County commissioners
with a combined service on the board of County Commission for
45 years has ever served on the Seminole County canvassing
board. The supervisor of elections, the Board of County
commissioners and judges have all been complicit in
conducting canvassing board appointments on a two-year term
instead of for each and every election. The current County
commissioners have many inflated the current Florida
statute, 102.1 4, 1, that allows them to be disqualified
if they actively participate in a campaign. This clause in the
statute has enabled him to never have served at all.
The commissioners have not been unable to serve they have been
unwilling to serve. Commissioner zembower is reason
for not serving on the Seminole County canvassing board for the
last 5 years has been because it is too volatile.
Florida statute, one or 2.1 4, 1, needs to be strengthened by
replacing the word shower with must do not allow Commission
could bring it in for a landing please do not allow
commissioners to actively campaign for candidates or
attend fundraisers.
And also the commissioners must hold a public meeting letting
people know of the canvassing board
being put on the canvassing board members being put on the
canvassing board. These member these trees wrap up the parks
and yet he has a chance to see thank You's measures would
ensure commissioners serve on the canvassing board is Florida
statute, one oh 2.1 4, 1, intense than 2.
>> Thank U next Lawrence stuffy and Brenda stun, so.
The French toast and so could please get ready as well as we
could keep it moving.
>> We're really moving right along here fighting one step
you several County resident since 1985.
A few weeks ago, yes task force chairman that is shipping who
just spoke with Republican members of the community with a
series of questions revolve around election integrity and
what concerns they may have with more than 240 respondents
is noted in the hand of it provided in my introductory
application
is a concern of noncitizen voting 100% of all respondents
flag, but you flagged us citizenship is a mandatory
buddy voting require that needs to be acceptable and thorough
ways to validate mandatory us citizenship for all of us
voters.
Also high concern is the need to have elections will be fair
and secure with accurate voter rolls and I say little voting
to put the option of having hand count of ballots should be
available to every election supervisor in Florida, this was
noted by 90% of those polled. I also rise votes by mail
concern, greater than 80% of the respondents, you must be
aware that accurate and for doing differently in place and
the list of concerns of many if not most of your voting public.
She's been responsive to things your constituents. Thank you,
thank you.
>> Next up from distance, followed by Kathy sweat low.
>> Yes, good morning accurate voter registration rolls are
one of the many crucial parts of securing elections in
Florida, the attached 15 sheets in Irvine to reflect the
results of canvassing completed by defend Florida. A statewide
non-partisan grassroots it is important to station campus.
A test for speak with ready to meet with supervisors of
elections and state representatives to communicate
discover weaknesses and ways to mitigate voting irregularities,
the attachments give overviews and summaries of legislative
proposals with the appropriate statutes cited and recommended
changes yellow underlying tax I requested additions and strikes
are is a request removals current Florida statues need to
be strengthened to enable tightly defecation and removal
of voters in Nevada state or become deceased in Florida and
out of state some are still listed in voter registration
rolls decades later supervisor election should make the
necessary changes by being given information from the
Social Security Administration death tax Florida Department of
highway safety and motor vehicles and the State
Department elections through online queries and 60 day
reports also like to add that 2 removed from the voter rolls
when their addresses are shown undeliverable as address not
responding. Thank you card.
D*** stuff is.
>> These were low with the League of Women, voters
followed by Linda coffin.
>> I did provide to you I legislative priorities for this
year, they are for
but voting rights education, reproductive health and gun
violence prevention in the interest of time I'm going to
talk about only 2. We ask your support increasing
accessibility to the electoral process specifically in 2
distinct areas, voter registration and vote by mail
we ask that you not opposed that you oppose any further
efforts to undermine voter registration efforts and we ask
that funds be allocated to the division of elections into
local affection election officials with the requirements
that they use every means at their disposal to educate
voters about the recent changes to the vote by mail process now
in terms of gun violence because of gun violence is the
leading cause of death of our children. I gave you each one
of our bumper stickers that says it is easier to childproof
your gunman bulletproof your child, but really it is
impossible to bulletproof a child but it was in entirely in
our hands bring it in for a landing. Please yes, ma'am it
is entirely within our abilities to childproof those
guns and so bottom line safe storage say flies and that
should be your greatest priority as it is ours thank
you. Thank you.
>> Moms demand action.
Sendejo see so much of me, I'm going to introduce you to my
partner Ashley who's going to speak for moms.
>> Good morning. My name is Ashley mom did and action and
we have 4 request. One is expand secure storage. Number 2
is holding a three-day waiting period for firearm purge
purchases number 3 is maintain the minimum age requirement of
21 for gun purchases and before it is fun to community violence
intervention programs. I want to just go back because I have
been to 2 seconds. I'm writing the upholding the three-day
waiting period. I just want to remind you that
did pass lifesaving legislation after the horrific mass
shooting in parkland and now we're really alarmed to see
efforts like the House bill 17 which again to repeal this
waiting period and reintroduce the dangerous strongest and
loophole which allows people to buy guns even in the background
check isn't yet come. Please you can bring it in for a
landing. Please. Yes, things I for quest. Thank you thank you.
>> Next up is Cindy hauler followed by Rita Hoffman
and Mark mirallas
hi good morning, good morning que for me the opportunity to
speak.
>> A short, but I have to say so I'm concerned about the life
here in Seminole County first actual Troy's I would like more
protection of our natural resources for on how the
environment for the role for about had similar if more trees
live for us in Clearwater benefit all of us. I ask
include a native plant ordinance which would be better
for our preferred to do to less come clean usage of rest to me
and for my for
let's instead of eyes of the plane or spree in our County
and more throughout the state I was a little plaque, their
protection and public education, including sign Asian
money for beer cans. And those in an early member enough
enough of a black bears I'm opposed to amendment 2 he could
make it easier is one of the year hunt. Instead went to the
fact that festival so nice. I was going to be sure because
if you just please, yes, ma'am and he was inside the system
with our black bears I recently read about a confessed fairly
need fields in Kern County. So you know these things to
happen. And they thank you for your time and consideration.
>> Thank you read a half men is up next followed by Mark
Morales followed by Mary Lynn.
>> I'm I'm here to talk about the removal of gold has the
backing for many when this happened the Federal Reserve
was able to create money out of thin air. They're causing the
value of the dollar to reduce gray, as you look around the
club will lag all take it on our station has gathered
momentum countries around the world are turning to other
currencies to pay for commodities like Saudi Arabia.
I find it right in alternative conduct current season, the
China Brazil try to switch direct from the dollar look at
threats for president to go back system with more and more
countries wanting to join 23 us states have taken steps to
recognize Golden summer as legal tender that this comes as
a response to concerns about the stability of the U.S.
dollar are increasing said inflation rates arguing that
governments of are stable forms of currency has served out
value is not subject to the same fluctuations as Fiat
currency. The shift is rated as the police coming in for
landing section 10 of the U.S. Constitution stating that no
state shall make anything but calm and some are tender and
payment. That's maybe this is something we like that to
increase fiscal responsibility, thank you thank you.
>> Next up is Mark Morales with statewide Florida guardian ad
litem office and mary-lyn after him is with the electrification
coalition please get ready.
>> Good morning. I'm going to first. Thank on behalf of the
garden item office the delegation for coming in for
the support that they've given us
given the limited amount I just want to put a couple of things
that are very specific Seminole County that we're doing here
that you may not be aware of I know that my colleagues are
usually in Tallahassee how they are story so to the things I
wanted to pin 0.1 of them is something we call the swap
project, it's a product that we have with our volunteers they
are medically trained volunteers, usually nurses,
doctors met tax that go out and visit our babies that usually
are born into a hospital
that are born addicted also any child that comes in and send
the hospital because of severe abuse and they visit on a
weekly basis normally are scheduled to be on a monthly
basis, but they visit weekly to ensure that child has all the
medical care that they need
additionally I wanted to also point out that we have a new
mentor initiative where some of our volunteers are going to be
taking on the children as mentors once they reach the age
of 17 and is a key to bringing in for landing that all thank
you.
>> All right mary-lyn the electrification Coalition and
Stephanie place ios with second harvest food banks.
Hi, thank you so much and just over there you are in Iraq,
he regime. My name is Mary Lynn, I'm Haitian coalition you
have been such a huge advocate of our total cost of ownership
of the entire the past we did pass of all we don't have asked
the governor to veto that but it passed both houses so.
>> We are a nonprofit be developed and met strategies
for the adoption of electric cars vehicles, trucks, it's
good for our economy, our public health and national
security and helps us stop are dependent on oil right now,
a 66% of our crude oil and petroleum is used by the
transportation sector Jackson went on today, so did my part
to pure free shuttle over here, that's what I did.
And we're working on policy to advance to deploy the adoption
of evs electric vehicles.
Jason by T co total cost of ownership love you how many
years you've been working on this now.
Second 2, 3, 3, So again, we're taller says but thank you so
much again, you know rock star, thanks.
We all agree that Jason's a rock star.
>> Nice.
>> Next up is a Stephanie place ios with second harvest food
banks, good morning from second harvest food Bank of Central
Florida. Briefly, one of 8 central Floridians is
experiencing food insecurity and that's here in Seminole
County. High cost of groceries is impacting our neighbors.
What can we do about it, I'm asking you to support our food
costs mitigation program this program will allow us to
purchase more fruits and vegetables from Florida growers
to distribute to our neighbors facing food insecurity.
Additionally this will allow us to ease some of the pain that
central Floridians are feeling to to those high cost of
groceries to support our seniors on fixed incomes who
are struggling to make ends meet so we'll see you in
Tallahassee to discuss our food costs mitigation program.
Thank you for your support. Thank you so much.
>> We're almost out of time, but what I'd like to do is add
about 15 minutes to the crime because we had about 13 people
that filled out speaker request forms today.
>> Under a chair like to make a motion to extend the meeting by
15 minutes.
Second without objection.
>> That motion passes OK next so that everybody has a chance
to speak God next up so the door she rela
this Ciera
we're seeing here is the president.
They will move right along to Lewis McGill with a convention
of state action project.
Not present either okay great. Well, then we have people who
walked in.
Today so we'll go ahead and listen to those concerns.
First up is Vicki Landon with the central Florida community
arts.
Come on down the queue.
>> Good morning. Thank you for setting the meeting you have to
hear from all of us, I think you land in from central
Florida community arts which is home to the country's largest
community choir and Symphony Orchestra and an innovative
School of arts and help that responds to community health
means there are programs for adults with down syndrome and
seniors with dementia and we cannot ignore the economic
impact of the arts, a national study released this month
determined that arts and culture in central Florida.
Economic impact of 502 million dollars support over 9400 jobs
and generates a 110 million dollars in total tax revenue as
just Central Florida. And we do all this despite really
volatile funding the Department of state's division of arts and
culture is home to 4 grant programs all of which are
reviewed rigorously and thoroughly by independent
panels, these funds support jobs and vital community
programming they leverage matching funds from the private
sector, but they're also funded through non-recurring dollars
to eat your way to come to us for your help senator bodi were
huge advocate for us last year. And I'm hopeful that this year
is conversations and appropriations and Ted happens
that we can count on you.
>> Thank you very much is through cruel here. I have been
told that you would like to speak and the health of Marion
County Board of County commissioners.
>> Yes, I am here to morning good morning, Linda members but
it is my real ID legislative manager for the Marion County
Board of County Commission chairman Kate would like to get
himself into a fire commitment. I'm here today to bring it up
for patients requested Marion County submitting on behalf of
the districts, 5.24 medical examiner office as you may know
Seminole County along with Mary and Hernando Lake and citrus
makeup district, 5.24 medical examiner office. They need a
new building very very bad as the caretaker for the district
Marion County will be submitting the request. We want
you to be aware, there's not even married to a specific
request is on behalf of the district are asking for 2.86
million for planning and design Marion County will be floating
them on for that and the member Kaiser make of how to pay it
back. I believe it's in the claim will be submitting get in
the House and Perry in the Senate. Staff needs more
information on the building and we're happy to get information
I can leave my car, my contact information any questions I
want to have the answer now otherwise I have 8 seconds left
and I'll get back to you.
>> Thank you the the goals you want to share your 8 seconds.
All all senator Brodeur you're recognized that thanks very
much. I know, everybody said Marion County where they.
Members I've been working with commissioner zembower.
>> On this it's necessary. You know how we have with
judicial circuits in DCF circuit to knock a circus for
Medicaid. We also have a medical examiner circuit it's
weird withdrawn and Marion County so as it comes forward,
this is something we've been working with the member
counties with Florida happy to support senator got a great.
Thank you very much, thank you too.
>> Next up is tally to pulled CEO of the Holocaust Memorial
resource education center.
>> Welcome good morning, good morning as you mentioned
tallied in the world and the CEO of the Holocaust Memorial
resource education center and also the granddaughter of for
Holocaust survivors. I'm here to thank representative David
Smith for supporting the creation of a new Holocaust
Museum in Orlando, the Holocaust Museum for hope and
humanity will be the largest 44,000 square feet in all of
the state of Florida.
I was in mission using the lessons in history of the
Holocaust to do that just caring community free of
anti-semitism and all forms of hate and prejudice and bigotry
has never been more critical than this moment with the
recent alarming rise in anti-semitism I work is
essential, we believe that the only solution to the current
situation is through education. Thank you very much. Thank you.
>> Okay no, we have Lynn more with some in Seminole County
Dan some DEMS.
>> One of the most afternoon, good morning. My name when we
read it to 40 year resident of Seminole County you've heard
from dozens of people doing great local works and can you
for more than 2 hours. But it is also important to hear from
those hold your feet to the fire. So he ran
whether you've been serving for less than 2 years or decades,
you have abandoned your Seminole County constituents
and with that of ending that you had energized women young
voters Brown and black people in the lgbtq voters to join
this movement rubber stamp voting districts that
disenfranchise Brown and black people you spend our taxpayer
dollars flying on assuming migrants from Texas to Martha's
Vineyard. Our money soon will be forced to spend thousands
more in legal fees instead of spending time in the upcoming
special session talking about things that we're constituents
care about like homeowners insurance in the abandonment of
Florida by countless companies, 20 tripling or quadrupling of
our premiums. Spending next week sanctioning Iran, more
than half their constituents are female and unanimously
voted to torture women, your daughter sisters are no
neighbors and yours by rubber stamp the a 6 week abortion ban
even before women know they're pregnant and like other states
like Kansas, we're voters are going to flood the value for
landing. I want local families finally, your unanimous
improper see and silence on the Nazis, marching and waving
swastikas first you see and heart of Seminole the silence
was deafening and told us exactly who you are we will not
forget your silence your your Congress. Thank you.
Next up is Virginia poll with the city of Sanford public art
Commission.
Followed by treaty while with United arts of Central Florida.
Good morning and good morning. And I'm chair of the city of
Sanford public art Commission we have been beautifying the
city with utility box wraps murals stained glass.
And it's kosher and I'm here to request that you.
Our grant requests for 267,000 $552 that we can continue our
effort in the city
in Rich's everyone thank you thank you.
>> Next up pretty well with United arts of Central Florida
exactly good morning. Still as a resident of Seminole County.
I appreciate the opportunity to be able to ask for your support
as public grandson advocacy director with United arts of
Central Florida, your home team for arts and culture and the
hopes that you have heard about us because they don't have time
to deliver aid and all the wonderful things that we're
doing right now. If you have any questions please ask me.
But I'm here to ask you to help us support 100% of funding from
the state Division of arts and culture because in the past
we've received about 2 thirds us last year, which cuts about
45,000 actually was for the 9,000 out of our budget as well
as the majority of other organizations in this category
of eggs and culture a culture Museum, where the general
operating program, the majority of those asked which is about
70 in this 4 County area were cut about one 3rd so that
really hurts the ability to hire our it is to pay or it's
workers to be able to do all these programs that we're
trying to help the community with so I'm asking your support
to 10 I poachers and unable to sail these wonderful things but
I know you know that the ads are fantastic and how much it
in it increases our communities that are meant and all ages and
I thank you to support a 100%. Thank you thank you. Next up is
Susan Geller
discussing nursing homes is miss Geller here.
And then after that we'll be Erin Keefe
discussing prison reform.
>> We're fortunate in Seminole County to happen for most
nursing homes in the state.
My family's fortune to have another village on the green
nursing come during her final years.
From the nose to most there are restrictions regarding access
to care.
I'm talking about those with the conviction of sexual
offense who are denied access statistics to not back up
this discrimination, some of the prior conviction of sexual
offense against a minor, it's no different than the present
and their son come as a danger to children, especially
considering. There are no access to children. The state
of Florida to specify 6.
Footage restriction of 1000 feet from areas where children
gather as school and take care.
So the question we should all struggle with that.
Why is that do to statistically represents the lowest risk to
fend if you can please write about them.
Why are they being denied access and they're finally
hears to a nursing home because they care is 3 or
4 clocks to wake thank you thank you.
Next up is Aaron key.
And after MS. Keep will be Geneva citizens Association
Nancy Harman.
>> Hi good morning, good morning, good to see. Thank you
for sending it to be brave, I just wanted to say just getting
over a cold. I just wanted to address the aging population
and the prisons right now. So it's estimated that about a
year. 35% of the population will be elderly so the
Department of Corrections considers anybody over 50 to be
considered out early because of cars, I guess it's it cost 3
times as much money a year to house them after 50. So I
wanted to bring up something that you may have not thought
of my loved one who's currently doing a 45 year sentence for
DUI manslaughter. He went in at 30 years old is now 50 years
old daily talks to me about how he's slowing down and you know
there's a where he's sorry and president now there's weekly
stabbings I mean weekly and he fears for his safety that is
slowing down he's getting older there's no place for our
elderly they're mixed in with the general population and you
could please bring it in for something that you could please
consider when looking at the next those coming up, thank
you, thank you.
>> Mitzi Harmon is next with the Geneva citizens
Association, the purpose of my presentation is to ask that he
would close a statutory loophole regarding conservation
easements statute 4 '06, 7, o 4.0 6.
Because it could potentially pose a threat to the protection
of the wildlife corridor that we're so trying to protect
the statue statutory loophole basically allows any property
to be removed from a conservation easement with
whatever choice somebody may propose to request that removal
in Seminole County it's been done not very often, but that's
not necessarily in our quarter what I'm more concerned about
is that precious wildlife corridor that we're spending a
lot of money to protect. So if you would please relook
at that section of the statute and ensure that that property
can be removed. Thank you.
>> Thank you event and she'll if you could please come
forward, I'm going have to shorten the time to 40 seconds
we've got about 5 minutes left.
On this second in the 6 1st extension of the clock so and
that next Matt approval, mcilory went in.
So
and after that would be Karen cow though.
>> Thank you, Mister chair, you're recognized good morning,
thank you for the opportunity to speak and to be heard here.
I recently reconnected with a former Foster son who's been
serving a 54 year sentence is 2010 for an offense that he
committed when he was 16 years old, which essentially did not
result in the loss of life.
I'm so pleased to tell you that he's no longer the misguided
youth who committed that crime but he's a very loving and
exceptionally smart soon-to-be 30 year-old man who has so very
much to offer society.
So I'm here to ask our lawmakers to support a second
chance. Slash parole type bill that would provide
rehabilitation and reentry for those serving life sentences
you could please wrap up really que interacting with the Jean
men in the prison over the last year's open my eyes to the
injustices. That's a current in our Correctional system and the
need for lawmakers to revisit how we define we're see justice
God is just and full of mercy is all about redeeming and not
just discarding any of us who please bring a landing page.
Thank you thank you.
Sharon held to
action Brenner
and then we'll have Connie Hudson
and then last but not least start Shea friend Qui.
>> We have an article here by clay Anderson, the godfather of
conservation here in Florida
because amendment she was intentionally written with
loopholes big enough to drive a Mack truck through
conservatives for conservation feels the best course of action
is to withdraw the hunting amendment to from the 2024
ballot and go back to the drawing board. This time having
serious thought to the unintended consequences for
this amendment. The Florida Constitution clearly states
that the fwc not the Legislature regulate hunting
amendment 2 overrides the regulatory and executive powers
granted by the Florida constitution to the fwc how do
we have any faith that the rights of property owners will
be protected at this poorly worded in sufficiently vetted
amendment were to pass several attorneys have been consulted
and they have confirmed that the private property rights
will be the trend. I live in the rural boundary on 5 acres,
you could please wrap governor thank you.
Next up plenty of sun.
And if I could have missed RJ Frank we please come up as well
so that we can keep
keep things going on this at a time while the road to peace.
>> I know all of you it's a nice to see you up here,
thank you for extending the time.
I just want to piggyback off the Kimberley that you all know
that a Florida State prisons don't have air conditioning,
we've been working really hard and the DNC has come up with
great solutions and we're just hoping that you will find it
when they come around and ask for money and hopefully you
will support our bill being filed HB one 81 solely for air
conditions in a Florida State presence. Thank you so much
have you to thank you miss Frank we last but not least.
>> Hi how are you finding this out a friend he I'm here on
behalf of my daughter, but I'm also here on behalf of their
families.
I do or die due to section 7, 6, 8, 0.2 1 being wheeled to
the front of the law. She was 28 years old she went to the
hospital for 80 years and they've neglected to take care
of her.
She died due to a fellow into got twisted and she needed
emergency surgery why is the medical system here and doctors
are not being held accountable. We need you to support we need
your support, there's so many things are veterans are killing
themselves because they're not getting help a young guy his
name was. Kevin Larson he shot himself at the point returns
and he said one.
>> Time is a charm mom. I love you was not my house to get
justice.
We need to go to court we need this we need to process and
this is why our Constitution says that are 5th and 14th
amendments we have our rights once you met you, but previous
legislators for 30 years, this has been as it exists is we due
to fight for loans.
I know you supported it,
dozens to support it. We need your support. And right now
there's hospital 77 and health of their own so sorry for your
loss, yeah, but I want I want to use your lives I want to say
to you
for the end of your life.
You see him God forbid we need how it's not fear isn't just we
should be treated with respect and dignity.
One weekend when these doctors need to be held accountable.
The system you can bring it to a close. Thank you thank you
again, we're very sorry for your loss, thank you
okay do we have any final remarks from the delegation
numbers
okay well seeing no further business
representative bankson moves that we adjourn.