[0:08] >> All right. Good morning.

[0:11] The meeting has commenced.

[0:14] This is the 11/12/2025.

[0:15] Organizational and general

[0:16] public hearing meeting of the

[0:17] Duval County legislative

[0:18] delegation. I want to welcome

[0:22] you all today. Please rise to

[0:23] be for the indication to be

[0:24] conducted by Representative

[0:29] Black.

[0:32] >> Men and women of faith.

[0:33] Please bow your heads as I

[0:36] pray. Your heavenly father,

[0:39] creator of us all. We gather

[0:44] here, Lord citizens. Family.

[0:50] Friends. Countryman, all. And

[0:51] we ask Lord that you would

[0:54] imbue us this day and bless

[0:55] this meeting with your divine

[0:58] presence. We would humble

[1:02] ourselves to you, lord, that

[1:04] would submit ourselves one to

[1:06] another in love out of

[1:13] reverence for you who love us.

[1:13] Heavenly father, all that we

[1:16] say and meditate here today,

[1:18] honor and glorify you and

[1:19] bring us together. The turn.

[1:25] Ali. And Lord grant us your

[1:26] wisdom, which comes from

[1:28] beyond the ages and give us

[1:30] the courage. To carry that

[1:34] out. This we pray to the GOD

[1:36] of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

[1:39] and I pray in the name of

[1:42] Jesus. Amen. Amen.

[1:44] >> Please remain standing. Ron

[1:45] Trez Lloyd junior from the

[1:46] Children's Home Society will

[1:46] lead us in the Pledge of

[1:51] Allegiance. I pledge

[1:52] allegiance.

[1:52] >> The flag of the United

[1:55] States of America and to the

[1:57] Republic for which it stands.

[2:01] One nation under GOD,

[2:01] indivisible, with liberty and

[2:02] justice for all.

[2:07] >> Please be seated. Thank you

[2:08] both. MISS Italia. Please call

[2:12] the roll.

[2:17] >> Senator David. Senator

[2:22] Yarborough here.

[2:25] Representative Baker here.

[2:28] Representative. But

[2:37] >> Representative Daniels.

[2:38] Representative it

[2:41] Representative Duncan.

[2:44] Representative Michael here.

[2:52] Representative Nixon. We have

[2:59] a core. Thank you.

[3:00] >> Okay. Our first order of

[3:02] business is to adopt the

[3:03] agenda, which are a delegation

[3:04] coordinator, MISS Italia

[3:05] circulated to all of us. Can I

[3:05] get a motion to adopt the

[3:10] agenda? Is there a second?

[3:12] Thank you all in favor. Aye.

[3:15] Show the agenda adopted. I

[3:16] want to begin with some

[3:18] opening remarks and give you

[3:20] all a road map on how this

[3:23] meeting is going to go today.

[3:24] We have 64 speakers who have

[3:27] signed up to speak today and

[3:28] we have a hard stop to be out

[3:30] of these chambers at 02:00pm.

[3:32] So we're going to begin with 2

[3:33] and a half minutes for each

[3:37] speaker to present. But as we

[3:37] get closer to the end, it

[3:39] looks like there might not be

[3:41] sufficient time. Please be

[3:42] aware that we MAY further have

[3:44] to restrict your time to

[3:46] speak. I would ask each of you

[3:48] to be respectful of the time

[3:49] for those of the people coming

[3:52] after you. I will further

[3:53] clarify. Delegation operates

[3:55] under the rules of the Florida

[3:57] House. Florida House is rules

[3:59] are different with respect to

[4:01] public comments. Then City

[4:03] Council, the chair will have

[4:04] complete and total control

[4:05] over decorum issues length of

[4:08] speaking and the like. So

[4:09] again, we would ask that each

[4:10] of you be respectful of our

[4:12] rules and of the process. We

[4:14] also have time at the end for

[4:15] additional speakers for those

[4:17] people not listed on the

[4:18] agenda to speak. Assuming

[4:19] there is time left over for

[4:23] additional speakers. Please

[4:24] restrict your comments to the

[4:25] delegation. Has a home please

[4:27] do not address comments to any

[4:30] particular delegation member.

[4:31] All materials that you

[4:32] submitted when you signed up

[4:34] to speak. Just so, you know,

[4:35] are in a three-ring binder

[4:38] here in front of us. So we

[4:39] have copies of everything that

[4:40] you submitted. You do not need

[4:43] to provide additional copies

[4:43] if you have additional

[4:45] materials that you did not

[4:47] submit, you MAY provide them

[4:48] to our staff in front of us

[4:49] and they will distribute those

[4:52] copies to us as we speak or as

[4:54] you speak, the rules of the

[4:55] Florida House prohibit the use

[4:56] of props or exhibits and

[4:58] public comment. If you

[5:00] intended to utilize any such

[5:02] prop or exhibit other than

[5:02] what you submitted that we

[5:06] have in our book you will not

[5:07] be allowed to do so if you

[5:08] cannot comply with that, he

[5:10] will not be allowed to

[5:12] continue speaking members, you

[5:13] will be able to engage in

[5:16] questions of any speaker at

[5:17] your desire. You will have to

[5:18] be recognized by the chair

[5:19] just as we do in committee in

[5:21] the Florida House. Please be

[5:22] concise, recognizing how many

[5:25] speak as we do have in the

[5:27] time limitations. I will

[5:28] remind you that the contact

[5:29] information of every speaker

[5:30] is in your book in case you

[5:31] want to have further

[5:31] discussions with any of the

[5:33] speakers on you can do that

[5:35] offline. I ask everybody to

[5:37] remain. Remember to silence

[5:39] your electronics and members

[5:40] as a reminder when you press

[5:42] the microphone button to

[5:43] speak, the cameras will

[5:46] automatically focus on you. So

[5:47] when you're done speaking,

[5:47] please remember to push that

[5:48] microphone, Biden in the off

[5:51] position. Members. Are there

[5:54] any other opening remarks?

[5:55] Seeing none. Thank you. Okay.

[5:56] We will now move to the

[5:58] election of the chair. The

[6:01] chair of the delegation is a

[6:03] one-year term and my term ends

[6:04] today. So we will elect a

[6:06] successor. I will open the

[6:07] floor for nominations for

[6:09] chair of the coming year.

[6:10] Speaker Duggan, you're

[6:13] recognized.

[6:15] >> Thank you, MADAM Chair. For

[6:16] the last time, I would just

[6:16] use MADAM Chair. Thank you for

[6:17] your service to our delegation

[6:19] this year. It's been

[6:21] exemplary. I would like to

[6:22] nominate for chair of the

[6:22] delegation, Vice Chair

[6:24] Representative Michael.

[6:25] >> Thank you. Is there a

[6:30] second? Senator Yarborough?

[6:30] You're recognized.

[6:31] >> MADAM Chair, I'd like to

[6:32] second the nomination for

[6:32] Representative Michael be

[6:33] chair of the delegation for

[6:35] the coming year.

[6:35] >> All right. We have a motion

[6:36] and a second to nominate

[6:37] Representative Michael as

[6:40] chair of the DuVal delegation.

[6:42] Are there any other

[6:43] nominations? Okay, seeing

[6:44] none. Is there a motion to

[6:47] close the nominations? All

[6:48] right. Senate Speaker dug in

[6:50] as we close the nominations

[6:51] and they are so close. We'll

[6:54] now proceed to a voice vote on

[6:55] the nomination of

[6:56] Representative Michael to be

[6:57] chair of the DuVal delegation.

[6:58] All in favor say Aye. Aye

[7:02] oppose no. Alright, that

[7:04] motion passes.

[7:05] Congratulations.

[7:05] Representative Michael as the

[7:06] new chair of the DuVal

[7:21] delegation.

[7:45] Thank you.

[7:47] Members. I especially want to

[7:48] thank you. Representative

[7:50] Baker. For your service to

[7:53] this community. And for your

[7:56] service as our chair, the

[7:57] DuVal delegation, I would like

[7:59] to express our gratitude by

[8:08] giving you this award. And

[8:09] they're ward reads represented

[8:10] to Representative Jessica

[8:13] Baker with sincere

[8:14] appreciation.

[8:14] >> And recognition of

[8:16] outstanding leadership and

[8:17] public service as the chair of

[8:19] the DuVal delegation,

[8:22] legislative delegation for

[8:37] Duval County 2025.

[8:37] I'd like to

[8:39] recognize that Representative

[8:40] Angie Nixon, he's now joined

[8:43] us. Thank you. Representative

[8:48] Baker. Our next

[8:48] >> item of business is the

[8:51] election of vice chair.

[8:52] >> I open the floor for a

[8:53] nomination for vice chair of

[8:58] the DuVal delegation.

[8:59] Representative Black, you're

[9:01] recognized for motion.

[9:04] >> I nominate Senator Clay

[9:04] Yarborough.

[9:05] >> Representative, like

[9:06] represents Senator Yarborough.

[9:11] Thank you. Is there a second?

[9:12] Representative Baker? You're

[9:15] recognized.

[9:16] >> Thank you, MADAM Chair. I

[9:18] second the nomination for

[9:19] Senator Yarborough as vice

[9:20] chair of the Duval County

[9:22] delegation. Representative

[9:23] Baker seconds. The nomination.

[9:27] We have a motion and a second

[9:28] to nominate Senator Yarborough

[9:29] as vice chair of the DuVal

[9:30] delegation. Are there any

[9:35] other nominations? We haven't

[9:38] moved to close. We saw move.

[9:44] I'm sorry, Senator.

[9:45] Representative Duggan seconds.

[9:49] The nomination. We now close

[9:51] to. We now move to close the

[9:53] nomination and we are so

[9:54] closed. We proceed with a

[9:59] voice vote on the nomination

[10:00] of Pearl to be vice chair of

[10:01] the DuVal delegation all in

[10:03] favor say yea.

[10:07] >> Oppose no. The motion

[10:08] passes. Congratulations.

[10:19] Senator Yarborough. Now we

[10:19] will move to our public

[10:21] comment portion of our

[10:23] meeting. I would like to

[10:23] reiterate, we have many

[10:25] speakers today and is very

[10:28] important. We keep time frame.

[10:29] We have a hard stop at

[10:33] 02:00pm. Accordingly. We will

[10:34] limit the speaker to 2 and a

[10:39] half minutes. I do want to

[10:40] allocate time for this members

[10:42] to ask questions as needed. We

[10:44] will call 3 speakers at a

[10:46] time. So you'll always know

[10:48] who isn't needs to speak. If

[10:50] you hear your name called,

[10:53] please make your way to the

[10:54] out form a line behind the

[10:57] petition or podium. And

[10:57] recognize each speaker to

[11:04] begin. Our first 3 speakers.

[11:06] Justin Jack Maloney, chief

[11:07] deputy separate supervisor of

[11:09] elections. Followed by

[11:14] Jennifer Casey. Followed by

[11:15] Melanie Bolded School board

[11:18] member. You are recognized.

[11:21] Thank you. MADAM Chair.

[11:21] >> In just a Jekyll chief

[11:22] deputy supervisor elections

[11:24] for Duval County. Here on

[11:26] behalf of Supervisor Holland

[11:29] and the Florida Supervisor

[11:29] Elections Association. What

[11:30] you have in front of you are

[11:32] the 20's. 26 legislative

[11:33] priorities of the association

[11:34] and I'm here to answer any

[11:37] questions that you MAY have on

[11:39] that. I'm also here on sunrise

[11:41] or Holland to discuss

[11:41] legislation that he believes

[11:43] will be coming back to in

[11:46] 2026. With regards to the

[11:48] dissipation of an automated

[11:52] independent audit change. But

[11:54] this really is is basically a

[11:56] machine audit of our

[11:58] tabulation system to do 100%

[12:00] audit. We believe this will be

[12:01] coming back around. I was

[12:04] introduced last year kind of

[12:06] his stance on it. We're at

[12:09] right now is 31 counties in

[12:10] the state currently have this

[12:13] system. It is a very expensive

[12:15] system. He did as you can see

[12:16] what the quote. And they're

[12:17] the first year for Duval

[12:19] County be about $392,000 will

[12:20] be impacted and then close to

[12:22] 100,000 year after year for

[12:23] the software maintenance,

[12:27] everything Should that get

[12:28] past? We would like the state

[12:31] mandatory this. To provide

[12:33] some funding for that to the

[12:34] counties around that are not

[12:35] far because of financial

[12:39] constraints of thing. He does

[12:40] believe that the hand count

[12:41] currently in place is

[12:44] sufficient. This machine audit

[12:47] will not alleviate the groups

[12:51] that believe that don't trust

[12:52] the machines. It's tough to

[12:54] hand audit actually allows him

[12:56] to come in. We can show them

[12:59] that the machines tabulating

[12:59] correctly and helps build

[13:01] confidence in our elections.

[13:05] With that in question.

[13:07] >> Recognized. Representative

[13:12] nuts. Representative Baker,

[13:13] you're recognized. Thank you,

[13:13] MADAM Chair, can you elaborate

[13:14] a little bit more on the

[13:15] differences between the 2

[13:18] systems? Recognized?

[13:21] >> MADAM Representative. Yes.

[13:22] So there's 2 ways that you can

[13:23] do it. One is a random sample

[13:26] of a hand count. So we'll do a

[13:28] certain percentage of a race

[13:29] of the precincts and we go

[13:32] through hand counted, get team

[13:33] set up for us depending on how

[13:35] many ballots we have to go

[13:36] through could be anywhere from

[13:38] 2 teams of 3 to 4 teams of 3,

[13:45] the machine. Audit is 100%. So

[13:46] every ballot he's going to a

[13:46] separate machine to be

[13:52] tabulated or to be. Compared

[13:52] to the actual tabulation of

[13:54] the images. It's tough on

[13:55] that. And then the

[13:56] discrepancies, we can look at

[14:04] on the machine.

[14:04] >> Representative Nixon,

[14:07] you're recognized.

[14:08] >> Thank you, MADAM Chair. And

[14:09] congratulations on your

[14:10] election.

[14:13] >> Hi, I'm deputy a.

[14:14] >> I have a question. Does

[14:18] your office this past election

[14:19] Does your office believe that

[14:20] the election that Hill was

[14:25] safe and secure?

[14:25] >> You're recognized MADAM

[14:26] Chair to represent it. Yes,

[14:31] ma'am. Thank you. MADAM Chair.

[14:35] And finally, in regards to

[14:36] mail-in do get does your

[14:37] office believe that the way in

[14:38] which you did the process of

[14:39] mail-in ballots, that that was

[14:41] in fact safe and secure.

[14:43] >> You're recognized MADAM

[14:43] Chair, the the representative.

[14:45] Yes, ma'am. No further

[14:52] questions. Further questions.

[15:02] Members. Thank you. Thank you.

[15:03] Good morning. MADAM Chair and

[15:04] the honorable members of the

[15:05] Duval delegation. My name is

[15:06] Jennifer Casey and the

[15:08] director of education and

[15:10] outreach.

[15:11] >> Supervisor Holland has

[15:12] asked for your support of

[15:14] proposed legislation to allow

[15:14] a Florida high school students

[15:16] to serve as public assistance.

[15:17] This request comes before you

[15:18] because under current Florida

[15:21] law, students under 18 they

[15:22] serve as poll workers only if

[15:23] they are pre-registered to

[15:24] vote and meet all other

[15:26] qualifications. As you know,

[15:27] Election Day means working a

[15:30] full 14 our day. There is no

[15:31] provision in the law for

[15:33] students to volunteer in a

[15:33] more flexible supervise

[15:34] capacity. While earning

[15:35] community service hours by

[15:37] does that matter, that work is

[15:39] to conduct elections and to do

[15:40] that requires a strong and

[15:42] persistently growing political

[15:43] base. Concerned about the

[15:44] potential of poll worker

[15:44] shortage is not today, but in

[15:48] the years ahead, average age

[15:49] of a poll working nationwide

[15:50] is 61 years old in Duval

[15:53] County. It's 67 years old.

[15:54] Many of our most experienced

[15:54] workers are retiring and we

[15:56] need to build a pipeline

[15:58] future. Election workers now,

[16:00] what would this legislation

[16:01] do? Supervisors of elections

[16:02] in Florida are currently

[16:05] prohibited from accepting

[16:06] personal services related to

[16:06] Election administration from

[16:08] individuals including

[16:10] students. The proposed

[16:11] language in this bill will

[16:12] allow Florida high school

[16:13] students ages 16 plus, who are

[16:16] registered pre-registered. The

[16:16] volunteers assisting poll

[16:17] workers for community service

[16:19] hours, which many students

[16:19] need for college applications

[16:21] and bright futures.

[16:23] Scholarships. The intent is

[16:23] that they would serve limited

[16:25] hours with appropriate

[16:26] supervision and training in a

[16:26] structured way serving on the

[16:27] weekends during early voting

[16:28] to avoid interfering with

[16:31] school. We believe this will

[16:33] support our existing election

[16:33] boards with nonpartisan,

[16:35] energetic and tech savvy

[16:37] student assistance and most

[16:38] importantly will prepare

[16:39] students for hands-on civic

[16:40] education that will inspire

[16:42] them return his future. Polar

[16:44] bears. Earlier this year, we

[16:44] were welcomed into public and

[16:45] private high schools across

[16:49] Duval County for our County

[16:50] Wide Student Voter

[16:52] registration competition. We

[16:52] spoke to thousands of students

[16:53] and register them to vote and

[16:54] we spoke to them about the

[16:56] opportunity if service, a poll

[16:58] worker as we move from school

[16:59] to school, a powerful theme

[17:02] emerged. Students understood

[17:02] that one day their vote would

[17:04] matter, but they didn't

[17:05] realize that they could be

[17:06] trusted to participate in

[17:08] democracy right now to see

[17:09] that spark a realization hit

[17:10] them that the adults in their

[17:12] lives don't just tolerate

[17:14] them, but welcome their

[17:15] contributions. Now and not

[17:16] only that, the see a future

[17:16] where their service is

[17:19] essential. That reaction stuck

[17:21] with us. It reminded us that

[17:21] civic engagement doesn't just

[17:24] magically began at 18. It

[17:25] begins when we offer the

[17:27] opportunity for a spark, we

[17:27] show them that their voice and

[17:30] their service matter today

[17:32] with this bill, you have the

[17:34] opportunity to create sparks

[17:34] of light and the fire to gauge

[17:38] and our young people.

[17:39] Representative, you're

[17:42] recognized. Thank you. MADAM

[17:45] Chair. Hi, MISS Casey. Really

[17:46] quick question. We're with the

[17:47] students be recruited from how

[17:49] would they have a?

[17:51] >> How would they be chosen?

[17:52] Yeah, the primary method would

[17:53] be as we go into the schools

[17:55] for our annual anyway

[17:56] competition. We have 1700

[17:59] students register to vote

[18:00] during that competition last

[18:02] year. And so if only 3% of

[18:03] those expressed interest,

[18:06] that's more than 50 new work

[18:06] assistant, then over time, we

[18:07] know that that will mean a lot

[18:12] more poll workers. Thank you.

[18:12] MADAM Chair.

[18:15] >> Is there any type criteria?

[18:16] Because if you get a

[18:17] overwhelming response, just

[18:19] want to make sure folks know

[18:19] like the application process

[18:22] and that type of stuff you're

[18:23] recognized chair, they would

[18:24] be subject to the same. Could

[18:26] contact application that our

[18:28] regular poll workers, you

[18:29] know, they would be subject to

[18:31] the same training. And so all

[18:32] of those requirements would be

[18:34] the same is the amount of time

[18:34] of their service would be

[18:41] different. Further questions.

[18:47] Thank you so much. You are

[18:52] recognized. Good morning.

[18:55] Melody will do county school

[18:55] board.

[18:56] >> And good morning, MADAM

[18:57] Chair and the members of the

[18:58] delegation. It's an honor to

[19:00] be here representing our

[19:01] school board. And I want to

[19:03] thank you for your partnership

[19:04] and your continued support of

[19:07] our students and our schools.

[19:09] We truly appreciate. First,

[19:11] your support rj Bill or local

[19:12] authority to retain

[19:13] independent legal counsel.

[19:15] That step strengthens

[19:16] transparency, accountability

[19:18] and will enable greater

[19:18] efficiency and fiscal

[19:22] stewardship. And then the next

[19:25] item is a dedicated district

[19:26] model for the family

[19:27] Empowerment scholarship. And

[19:28] that's about simplicity and

[19:30] fairness. Skull clarity right

[19:33] now, the flow of funding and

[19:34] student data news through

[19:36] several systems. And then that

[19:38] creates unnecessary complexity

[19:41] and potential duplication. And

[19:42] a statewide district model

[19:45] would streamline that process.

[19:47] Enrollment and sure. Real-time

[19:48] enrollment tracking and help

[19:50] both public and private

[19:50] providers operate with

[19:53] accuracy and stability. We're

[19:56] also asking for funding too

[19:57] much. A student's safety

[19:58] fusion center. You guys saw

[20:02] that last year. So we're

[20:02] asking again and this connect

[20:04] our schools and our first

[20:05] responders. It would be the

[20:06] first time this is done. It

[20:10] would allow real time camera

[20:11] access and communication to

[20:13] our first responders. And it

[20:14] will allow Florida continue to

[20:16] lead the nation and proactive

[20:19] school safety technology.

[20:19] Duval already has the

[20:23] groundwork in place. Pilot

[20:23] that successfully. So we're

[20:25] hoping for your support and

[20:28] that again, our students are

[20:28] also already using ai tools

[20:32] are asking for help. The

[20:33] funding professional

[20:33] development for teachers so

[20:35] that they can keep up with

[20:36] their students and with

[20:37] everything else that's

[20:41] happening on the world stage.

[20:43] We want to guide our students

[20:44] responsibly so that we can

[20:47] future-proof our construction

[20:48] and then the item on facility

[20:50] planning addresses reporting

[20:53] system on paper. Some of our

[20:53] schools look, all even when

[20:55] principals complaint empty

[20:57] classrooms, the data doesn't

[20:59] always match reality. When you

[21:00] consider some of our students

[21:01] needs. Some of our classrooms

[21:02] are smaller because of css and

[21:04] some other things. Other

[21:07] programs. So right now and

[21:08] there's no current, there's

[21:11] currently no formal appeal

[21:13] process. So we'd like for

[21:14] modernization and flexibility.

[21:16] So capacity decisions reflect

[21:16] actual on-the-ground capacity

[21:18] in our schools. And finally,

[21:20] we're asking for increase

[21:22] spending for espn. The allow.

[21:29] Thank Thank you. No questions.

[21:30] Thank you very much. Up next,

[21:31] we have Bill Olson.

[21:36] >> Followed by Colonel Oliver.

[21:37] Shomari Gloucester, if you can

[21:49] make your way to the podium.

[22:00] MR. Oliver. Not

[22:00] >> Yes, my name is car now

[22:05] addresses on file. We'll tell

[22:06] you all the Florida

[22:06] legislature right now. I'm in

[22:08] favor of it. Redistricting

[22:11] process. But this is my reason

[22:15] why I'm in favor. Article one.

[22:15] Section 2 of the Constitution

[22:17] says was supposed to have one

[22:21] representative for 30,000.

[22:22] Underneath the 10th Amendment.

[22:23] United States Constitution.

[22:26] You have the state Powell to

[22:27] honor what the Constitution

[22:31] say. The problem with our

[22:32] country when it comes down to

[22:34] the power of the people, the

[22:36] people never heard. Because

[22:38] you maintain the power

[22:41] structure of the people at the

[22:43] top as a black American, this

[22:44] community that on the verge of

[22:49] self discovery. I want my or I

[22:51] want black American forces,

[22:54] Not just in time. But also in

[22:56] the state legislature and all

[22:59] local left. Because the power

[23:00] that you've given away from

[23:04] the peak. So the answer is a

[23:05] special corporation, interest

[23:08] groups and geo's. It's on did

[23:11] not believe the true. You took

[23:13] an oath of office each and

[23:17] everlast one up. That you will

[23:20] respect the it. And the pow of

[23:22] the people. But Republicans,

[23:26] it's like a talking point. The

[23:27] Democrats they have to get

[23:29] serious about this stuff. But

[23:31] for me as the Black America, I

[23:34] want my voice heard very and

[23:37] very precise. You know me. I'm

[23:40] not a gate keeper, some budget

[23:42] buster door wide open and

[23:44] shine a light everything you

[23:46] broke and that company of

[23:47] relationship with the people

[23:51] you, sir. If you go out you go

[23:55] for another. It redistricting

[23:55] process. You bet. Uphold

[23:56] principles of the

[23:59] Constitution. And if you do,

[24:00] it's a slap in the face to the

[24:03] people of this community. You

[24:05] can look at the clock, if you

[24:06] It's because I'm telling the

[24:13] true. You felt me. You felt

[24:14] the people because the people

[24:15] just don't know the true. But

[24:18] I do. Are you going to show

[24:19] your true colors when the

[24:21] legislative session? Happens

[24:22] again? You gon bowed out to

[24:25] that round. You don't have the

[24:26] guts to do the right thing

[24:31] that you my time. It's MISTER

[24:35] Bill. Also

[24:37] >> okay. We move on is not

[24:38] being here. Shomari

[24:43] Gloucester, up next. You're

[24:48] recognized.

[24:49] >> Good morning, MADAM Chair

[24:50] and congratulations. MADAM

[24:50] Chair, MISTER Vice chair and

[24:52] to the Dubai delegation. Thank

[24:54] you. Early relating Pledge of

[24:56] Allegiance by gentleman to my

[24:57] right, MISTER On Trez Lloyd

[24:59] Junior. He is an outstanding

[25:00] student at Great White High

[25:01] School. A community

[25:01] partnership school program

[25:04] here in Jacksonville, Florida.

[25:04] Regionally led by Kimberly

[25:06] Barrett, our executive

[25:07] director and the Community

[25:08] Partnership School is led by

[25:09] Christopher Stone, the senior

[25:13] director. To the delight gate.

[25:14] We say thank you. We

[25:15] appreciate your continued

[25:16] support for over the last 10

[25:16] years, making certain that the

[25:18] community partnership school,

[25:20] the model that has

[25:20] demonstrated success,

[25:22] improving student behavior,

[25:22] increasing academic

[25:24] achievement and graduation

[25:25] rates and strengthening parent

[25:26] involvement in schools

[25:26] throughout Duval County and

[25:30] the state. We say thank you.

[25:31] Collaborative approach, this

[25:32] model position. Schools is

[25:35] central hubs to address child

[25:35] well-being and interrupt

[25:37] barriers like counseling

[25:39] medical needs dental tutoring

[25:41] after school enrichment,

[25:45] mentoring and so much more by

[25:46] integrating the supports the

[25:48] community partnership school,

[25:49] create learning environments

[25:51] that expand opportunities and

[25:52] increased the likelihood of

[25:52] success students all

[25:53] throughout Florida. So that

[25:53] way, they're great

[25:56] contributors to our economy.

[25:59] For the 2025 2026 fiscal year.

[26:00] Your support his impact over

[26:01] 50 schools throughout our

[26:05] state. Team. Duval, we truly

[26:05] appreciate this delegation. We

[26:06] truly appreciate your

[26:08] continued support and

[26:09] connecting us to all of the

[26:09] resources that help us do the

[26:12] work that we do chs. We do

[26:13] good. And because of

[26:18] delegation. Thank you very

[26:19] much. Up next, we have Dawn

[26:24] Gilman. Catherine Ross. Katie

[26:25] Hathaway. Please make your way

[26:40] towards the podium.

[26:41] Dawn

[26:45] Gilman. Catherine Ross, Katie

[26:54] Hathaway. Okay. We'll move on.

[26:57] Please make your way. Come

[26:57] forward. Please. You are

[27:00] recognized.

[27:02] >> Hello, my name calf in

[27:07] Boston by addresses on file.

[27:09] Florida stands to lose as much

[27:11] be 0.5 million acres

[27:12] development and the next 50

[27:16] years. Including 2.2 million

[27:20] acres of agricultural land.

[27:22] Residents across the political

[27:24] spectrum. I've made it clear

[27:26] they want this out of control

[27:29] development. The stop. You

[27:31] listen. Top voices last year

[27:32] and pass the state parks as a

[27:37] patient at. I want you to do

[27:39] more to protect what matters

[27:40] to Floridians in the coming

[27:44] legislative session. And

[27:45] imposes start would be to

[27:48] repeal sections of sb 180.

[27:51] Well, new law is well

[27:52] intentioned. That's in

[27:53] positions up going to be a

[27:55] disaster in the making

[27:58] communities across the state.

[28:02] And must be fixed and 2026. I

[28:05] asked each project hp 105, and

[28:08] asked Till 8. He'll spend in

[28:10] by and for developers and

[28:12] special interests. But and

[28:17] Sir, put sb 240. Which would

[28:17] give local governments the

[28:19] ability to regulate single use

[28:23] plastics and their community.

[28:23] It is vital for the

[28:25] legislature to fully fund well

[28:27] enough of a program at

[28:31] 300 million dollars. As well

[28:33] as to provide 150 million

[28:37] dollars. Patients. Canal

[28:42] location, all both a leash.

[28:43] All state has some of the most

[28:44] ibis unique those systems, the

[28:47] wobbled. The losom for every

[28:49] vote would be a tragedy. They

[28:52] must be protected. You have

[28:55] the power leave a lasting

[28:58] legacy, current and future of

[29:01] The saved by old Florida.

[29:04] Thank you. MISS Ross. There is

[29:06] a question, please.

[29:07] >> Representative Duggan,

[29:11] you're recognized. Thank you.

[29:11] MADAM Chair, as Ross. This is

[29:12] my delegation meeting. I

[29:14] believe you spoken and

[29:14] everyone you in your mother,

[29:15] one of the first people I met

[29:17] when I was out first elected

[29:18] to the house. I just want to

[29:19] commend you for your civic

[29:23] engagement, starting as a as a

[29:24] young student and now going

[29:25] into an adult young adult. And

[29:29] you're an excellent role model

[29:30] example of what homeschooling

[29:30] can produce. So thank you for

[29:31] that.

[29:36] >> Thank you, Ben. Thank you.

[29:41] MISS Frost. Up next, Kate, the

[29:42] Kate Katie Hathaway followed

[29:46] by Gloria, I Sting and Lindsay

[29:46] Raw. If you can make your way

[29:50] towards the podium out the way

[29:51] you are recognized morning.

[29:52] Thank you all. I'm Katie

[29:53] Hathaway, a proud Duval County

[29:55] Public School parent and

[29:56] advocate.

[29:57] >> I'm here to ask you all to

[30:00] stand up. First all, students,

[30:00] our teachers in our community

[30:03] and put our children in public

[30:05] schools. First, Floridians

[30:05] deserve transparency and

[30:07] accountability for our tax

[30:07] dollars. Our current school

[30:10] choice model lacks both the

[30:11] new schools of hope role has

[30:12] completely veered away from

[30:14] its original purpose. And it

[30:15] now strips local communities

[30:17] of control of their own

[30:20] schools here in Duval County.

[30:22] 25 Letters of intent from just

[30:22] one charter operator already

[30:25] on the books. The co located

[30:27] inside our public school

[30:29] buildings. Rent free was your

[30:30] oversight. That's an imminent

[30:31] threat to our neighborhood

[30:34] schools in an outrageous case

[30:35] of overreach, families didn't

[30:37] ask for this and are locally

[30:38] elected school board members

[30:41] have no authority to stop it.

[30:41] That isn't hope. It's a

[30:42] hostile takeover and it needs

[30:44] to be repealed. We also need

[30:48] to fix the voucher program.

[30:49] Florida is projected to spend

[30:49] 5 billion next year on

[30:51] vouchers. And that's billions

[30:52] being pulled away from the

[30:53] public schools that serve the

[30:57] most of our children. And

[30:57] nearly 70% of our new voucher

[30:59] users were already in private

[31:02] schools. That is not choice.

[31:04] That's a taxpayer subsidy for

[31:06] the wealthy. Every student

[31:07] should have a Florida

[31:08] education id number so we can

[31:09] follow the money and ensure

[31:11] oversight. And we can't talk

[31:12] about strong schools without

[31:14] talking about our awesome

[31:15] teachers. Florida ranks dead

[31:17] last in teacher pay. That's

[31:19] unacceptable. Our teachers are

[31:20] professionals and heroes and

[31:21] they shouldn't have to work 2

[31:23] or 3 jobs just to stay in the

[31:25] classroom. Finally, we cannot

[31:26] ignore the dangers idea of

[31:29] eliminating property taxes

[31:29] which fund nearly 60% of

[31:32] Florida's school budgets doing

[31:34] so would blow a hole in public

[31:35] education funding and shift

[31:36] the burden to families through

[31:37] a sales tax that could reach

[31:39] up to 12%. But which would be

[31:40] one of the highest in the

[31:42] nation. Public schools are the

[31:43] heart of every community there

[31:44] where we come together and

[31:46] where we build our future. We

[31:47] need policies that strengthen

[31:48] them, not schemes that

[31:51] stripped them for parts. It's

[31:52] time to protect what's ours,

[31:53] our students, our teachers and

[31:54] our public schools. Thank you

[31:56] all so much. Thank you. And

[32:03] congrats, Michael. Come

[32:10] forward to the podium. Please.

[32:14] You're recognized. My name is

[32:18] Lindsay Roth. I live in

[32:19] Jacksonville and Senator Davis

[32:21] and Representative Baker

[32:21] District.

[32:25] >> I'm here to tell you. That

[32:26] my unique family and how

[32:26] education choice is helping

[32:30] thrive. We have 3 children.

[32:34] The land that low can call all

[32:34] 3 are diverse and learn in

[32:35] different ways. Thanks in part

[32:37] to the flexibility of

[32:40] Florida's education choice

[32:42] ships. We moved to

[32:43] Jacksonville 8 years ago. All

[32:44] 3 of my kids attended a small

[32:47] Catholic school. When it was

[32:49] time for middle school. My 2

[32:50] oldest the can call. I knew we

[32:54] needed to change. This coal

[32:55] experience. Some very intense

[32:59] bullying. I has dyslexia and

[33:01] adhd. We needed new

[33:02] environments where they could

[33:06] feel safe. We, too, many. Of

[33:07] the great learning

[33:08] opportunities in Jacksonville

[33:09] for Luke. And we found that

[33:12] the discovery school. Project

[33:15] based Montessori idea, School

[33:19] Jax Beach, my youngest Dylan

[33:20] joined him and my oldest is

[33:21] now attending the of School of

[33:24] Jacksonville in 11th grade.

[33:25] Running my kids to all 3 of

[33:25] these different environments

[33:30] is a lot, but it is worth it.

[33:31] Our family would not have been

[33:33] able to afford to customize

[33:34] education in this way, without

[33:35] the financial sense tense. The

[33:40] Florida scholarship program.

[33:41] As local press high school and

[33:41] your choices were limited for

[33:42] our son who learns

[33:45] differently. These experiences

[33:46] with my kids inspired me to

[33:49] get more hands on myself. Good

[33:50] friend. And I started a micro

[33:54] high school. The Academy of

[33:55] Jacksonville currently serving

[33:58] 20 students. Full-time and

[34:00] some part-time. Including my

[34:04] son, Luke. Without the

[34:06] scholarships overhead, half of

[34:07] our students would not be able

[34:11] to be a colossal. We are

[34:12] divided into an upper and

[34:12] lower classes with 2 full

[34:14] time. Teachers. We focus on

[34:17] project based learning check

[34:21] ins and with mastery for math.

[34:22] Our science. We filed the guy

[34:23] Harvey curriculum. Hands-on

[34:27] creative way. Learn science.

[34:28] All of our kids are creating

[34:31] their own small businesses.

[34:35] From the ground up. And are

[34:36] even learning how to become

[34:37] boat captains. But going out

[34:39] on the water. And that working

[34:43] hours. My 3 kids are amazing

[34:50] and I'm so proud. The question

[34:51] you can find issue Senate's

[34:58] vote. Thank All. 3 of my kids.

[34:58] Are doing great. When cold

[34:59] grows up, he wants to move to

[35:01] Chicago and become. Get into

[35:03] commercial real estate. My son

[35:06] moved the one that this wlex

[35:08] and hopes to own his own

[35:08] business possibly get into

[35:13] trade. And my daughter, you in

[35:14] is inspired by her journey

[35:16] with Lyme disease so much that

[35:17] she has dreams of getting into

[35:18] medicine to help others, the

[35:19] way that they helped her. In

[35:23] short. My family and our small

[35:23] business is a living

[35:26] breathing. Proof. That the new

[35:28] world of public education.

[35:29] It's here in Florida and it's

[35:33] working. When you let parents

[35:33] make the best choices for our

[35:37] kids. There are no limits to

[35:38] what these amazing kids can

[35:40] do. I want to thank all of

[35:44] you. Here in the delegation

[35:45] today support education

[35:49] choice. And Florida and urge

[35:49] you to continue supporting the

[35:51] families like mine. Please

[35:53] help us give many of these

[35:57] kids as possible. The unique

[35:57] learning environments, but

[35:59] they need thrive. Thank you

[36:02] very much. Thank you. Up next,

[36:02] we have.

[36:05] >> Now fillman. If you can

[36:06] make your way towards the

[36:09] podium. And 11. Since you're

[36:26] Rogers. You are recognized.

[36:27] >> All right. Good morning on

[36:28] Fellman PRESIDENT League Women

[36:29] Voters, Jacksonville first

[36:30] coast with numbers across Clay

[36:32] Duval Nassau and Saint Johns

[36:34] counties. Lee was founded over

[36:36] 100 years ago. We have a

[36:36] non-partisan mission of

[36:38] empowering voters in defending

[36:40] democracy. I'm here today with

[36:41] a simple ask we ask you to say

[36:43] no to mid-decade

[36:45] redistricting. Or Koreans have

[36:46] made it abundantly clear that

[36:47] they don't want political

[36:49] districts strong with a

[36:50] partisan intent. We asked you

[36:51] to say no to bills that make

[36:53] it harder to vote or register

[36:55] to vote. Voting is a right. We

[36:56] urge you to respect that right

[36:57] by posing any efforts to make

[37:00] voting harder, more onerous.

[37:02] We are sure to fully fund

[37:03] election administration. We

[37:04] ask you to ensure that

[37:04] secretary of state and local

[37:07] supervisors of elections of

[37:07] the necessary resources to

[37:10] fair, secure and efficient

[37:12] elections and each county from

[37:13] rural communities to large

[37:14] metropolitan areas and

[37:17] everywhere in between.

[37:18] Florida, families expect the

[37:19] need our elected leaders to

[37:20] focus on kitchen table issues

[37:22] affecting our daily lives, not

[37:24] divert millions in tax dollars

[37:25] to a rushed and unnecessary

[37:27] district redistricting process

[37:28] that does not address their

[37:32] daily economic reality.

[37:33] Redistricting is not free. The

[37:35] last statewide process cost

[37:35] Floridians millions in

[37:36] consultant fees. Staff time in

[37:39] new technology. Floridians

[37:40] overwhelmingly supported the

[37:41] fair districts amendment and

[37:43] 2010 send a clear message to

[37:45] elected officials in Florida

[37:46] district map should be drawn.

[37:47] Fairly maps must not be drawn

[37:50] with the intent to favor or

[37:51] disfavor any political party

[37:53] or politician and districts

[37:54] must follow existing political

[37:55] and geographical boundaries

[37:56] when possible. But just city

[38:00] or county lines, redrawing

[38:01] congressional districts in the

[38:03] middle of a decade on partisan

[38:04] grounds without new census

[38:04] data defies the will of the

[38:05] people and undermines the

[38:09] Florida Constitution. Changing

[38:10] electoral maps. Haphazardly

[38:10] creates confusion, reduces

[38:12] accountability and weakens the

[38:13] connection between those

[38:15] elected to serve and their

[38:17] constituents from the

[38:19] Panhandle to the key, stable

[38:20] electoral maps means

[38:21] communities and count on

[38:22] consistent representation to

[38:24] address their local concerns

[38:24] to include clean water and

[38:25] disaster recovery at the

[38:29] federal level. Constant

[38:30] redrawing of electoral map,

[38:31] Swiss instability of

[38:31] democracy, roads, better

[38:34] confidence in elections. All

[38:36] confusion and makes harder for

[38:37] communities to elect their

[38:38] preferred candidates or their

[38:40] particular needs. League looks

[38:41] forward to your leadership on

[38:42] these issues. Thank you very

[38:51] much. Thank you. This Rogers.

[38:58] You're recognized. My name is

[39:00] Cynthia Rogers and I am a

[39:02] resident and registered voter

[39:02] here in beautiful city of

[39:06] Jacksonville, Florida. I am

[39:06] speaking today is a service.

[39:08] Both you and the community and

[39:10] my hope is to convince you

[39:11] that labels are for products

[39:16] and not people. And that

[39:16] things are seldom has a seen.

[39:20] Some sure. You well know. The

[39:21] number of people labeled sex

[39:21] offenders in Florida has grown

[39:25] dramatically. Because Florida

[39:26] has created scores of new

[39:29] sexual offenses.

[39:30] >> Many of which are not

[39:31] offenses other states or in

[39:35] other countries. In 1994, when

[39:36] the sex offender registry

[39:38] originated. Only people who

[39:39] raped and physically hurt.

[39:42] Others were on the registry.

[39:43] Now people are on the registry

[39:44] who were in their home trying

[39:45] to help their autistic son or

[39:46] daughter who had

[39:48] inappropriately touched

[39:50] someone and they delayed going

[39:52] to therapy. Now both the

[39:52] parent and child are on the

[39:57] registry for life in Florida.

[39:58] People could inadvertently or

[40:00] out of curiosity clicked on a

[40:00] sex advertisement online and

[40:04] didn't believe it. People who

[40:04] met someone and had consensual

[40:07] sex of padding only to find

[40:10] that he or she was a minor.

[40:12] People who are lonely and

[40:13] responded to a sting operation

[40:14] thinking they were

[40:14] communicating with someone who

[40:17] cared about them only to be

[40:21] arrested by a swat team. Who

[40:25] texted friends, sexy images,

[40:25] which are particularly a

[40:26] problem with middle and high

[40:27] school age children. I'm sure

[40:30] we can think back to times

[40:31] that we did things that MAY be

[40:34] considered inappropriate. Now.

[40:35] People who unknowingly

[40:37] committed a sexual offense.

[40:38] Which is often a sign of

[40:41] certain kinds of dementia.

[40:43] Currently there is no, it's

[40:44] just good living or nursing

[40:44] home care facilities in the

[40:45] state of Florida that will

[40:46] accept a person on the

[40:51] registry. Surprisingly, given

[40:53] the broad range of sexual

[40:53] offenses, recidivism of a sex

[40:57] offense. Is one percent.

[40:58] According to recent Florida

[40:59] Department of Corrections,

[41:02] Independent Data Analysis 2020

[41:05] through 2023. And supported by

[41:07] academic, evidence-based

[41:09] research. Many people that

[41:10] have been labeled as a sex

[41:11] offender didn't actually

[41:13] intend to break the law and

[41:15] sex was not the driving

[41:18] factor. The truth is registry.

[41:20] Squander law enforcement

[41:21] resources and create a

[41:25] distinctive report. Sex. Thank

[41:26] you for taking the time to

[41:29] hear me today. Thank you very

[41:30] much. Up we have Billy

[41:34] Bradford.

[41:35] >> Taylor Roberts, director of

[41:35] government and community

[41:38] Relations. Brandon Turner, if

[41:39] you can make your way to the

[41:52] podium, please. You can come

[41:55] forward. Thank you. Please

[41:56] identify yourself for the

[42:00] record. Please identify

[42:01] yourself. My name is Billy

[42:01] Bradford wanted to push

[42:05] something. My name is Billy

[42:06] Bradford. And I'll be speaking

[42:07] on long-term sentencing in the

[42:10] state of Florida.

[42:10] >> Florida prisons need relief

[42:13] and they need it. Now there's

[42:15] a bill drafting in the House

[42:16] with Representative Chad

[42:17] Johnson. And I'm happy to send

[42:19] you over to that off. For your

[42:21] review as it still needs a

[42:23] sponsor. This long-term

[42:24] sentencing act would provide

[42:25] incarcerated individuals

[42:28] serving long sentences and

[42:29] opportunity to be paroled

[42:29] after they've served a minimum

[42:31] of 10 years a fence which did

[42:34] not result in the death of an

[42:35] individual 4.20, for defense

[42:38] that did result death. This

[42:39] bill excludes sexual predators

[42:42] and individuals with death.

[42:43] The bill as a conservative

[42:44] approach to reducing our

[42:45] prison population without

[42:48] risking public safety. And

[42:49] there is plenty to support the

[42:53] bill, including these reports

[42:54] up Florida Commission Vendors

[42:57] Review annual report 2024

[43:01] found that in 2023 100% of

[43:02] parolees have successfully

[43:02] completed their parole

[43:04] supervision without revocation

[43:06] within the first 3 years of

[43:09] relief. The 25 year study. By

[43:12] the elder by elder crime

[43:13] patterns and current trends

[43:16] found that people who commit

[43:17] violent crimes, we actually be

[43:18] less likely to commit another

[43:22] serious than that. Recidivism

[43:25] rates decline dramatically as

[43:25] people. 8 of those convicted

[43:26] of violent crimes. Only 4%

[43:27] released between the ages of

[43:31] 45 54. Re a fan further one

[43:32] percent released at 55 or

[43:35] older were re incarcerated for

[43:36] new crimes within 3 years. And

[43:37] among people previously

[43:38] convicted of murder, these

[43:44] rates fell to one 0.5% 0.4%

[43:46] respectively. This was in

[43:46] study done by understanding

[43:50] violent crime recidivism. In

[43:52] Philadelphia, 174 people re

[43:54] sentenced and released after

[43:55] having been sentenced to life

[43:56] without parole for homicides

[43:58] committed as children after

[44:00] they had been in the community

[44:02] for an average of 21 month.

[44:05] Only 2, 1.1% I've been be

[44:07] convicted of any offense for

[44:09] others. We arrests were

[44:10] rearrested, but their cases

[44:15] were dismissed. In 188 people

[44:16] serving life without parole,

[44:19] mostly for murder or rape were

[44:20] released after serving 30 or

[44:22] more years because the court

[44:23] ruled that the jury

[44:24] instructions in their cases,

[44:28] I've been unconstitutional.

[44:29] That was found by a case study

[44:32] in reducing long-term prisons

[44:34] and saving taxpayers dollars.

[44:34] Thank you for your

[44:37] consideration and your time.

[44:38] Thank you very much. A stop as

[44:49] Brandon Turner. I have turn.

[44:50] Good morning. MADAM Chair and

[44:51] members of the delegation.

[44:52] Thank you for the opportunity

[44:53] to speak today.

[44:54] >> My name is Brandon Turner

[44:55] and I represent the National

[44:59] Association of Social Workers,

[44:59] Northeast unit. I'm here today

[45:00] to talk about a critical

[45:02] opportunity for Florida. One

[45:04] that affects our workforce,

[45:05] our communities and our

[45:06] ability to deliver essential

[45:06] mental health resources across

[45:10] the state. Last session, the

[45:11] House showed unanimous support

[45:12] for the social work in our

[45:14] state. Licensure compact.

[45:15] Well, unfortunately, it did

[45:17] not advance in the Senate.

[45:19] Florida's being left behind 30

[45:21] states have already joined

[45:22] this compact making Florida

[45:25] the only southeastern state

[45:27] bill excluded that's got

[45:28] weakens our ability to attract

[45:31] and retain qualified social

[45:32] workers at a time when the

[45:33] need for mental health has

[45:36] never been greater. The

[45:36] Florida Center for Behavioral

[45:39] Health Workforce housed at usf

[45:42] has projected that by 2035,

[45:43] Florida will have a shortage

[45:44] of 3 to 4,000 mice and social

[45:48] workers. The workforce is

[45:49] growing, but demand is growing

[45:53] faster. The compact is

[45:54] designed to expand access to

[45:57] care, ensuring continuity of

[45:59] services when clients our

[46:00] travel and creating a strong

[46:03] more connected workforce

[46:04] without the compact Florida

[46:06] risks falling behind already

[46:07] seeing seasoned professionals

[46:09] bypass our state, the length,

[46:10] the endorsement procedures and

[46:13] high fees. According to mental

[46:14] Health, America's 2025 ranking

[46:18] states. Florida ranks 34th

[46:19] overall and mental health

[46:20] well-being. But when it comes

[46:21] to access to care, Florida

[46:25] slipped from 30's 43rd the

[46:27] 44th placing it among the

[46:28] states with the least access

[46:28] to insurance and mental health

[46:32] services. That's why we're

[46:33] urging both chambers to pass

[46:37] House Bill 13 and Senate Bill,

[46:38] 74, the social work in our

[46:39] state licensure compact in the

[46:41] 2026 session. Doing so will

[46:43] strengthen Florida's

[46:46] workforce, attract top talent

[46:47] and sure that every community

[46:48] and all corners of the state

[46:49] have access to the care that

[46:52] they deserve. Thank you for

[46:53] your time. Your leadership and

[46:53] your commute. Your commitment

[46:54] to the people of Florida and

[46:58] Duval County. Thank you.

[47:01] >> Taylor am in the back. Are

[47:03] you Are you on the scheduled

[47:11] to speak? I MISS Roberts. You

[47:11] really followed by Brandon

[47:14] Turner. I think you just spoke

[47:19] Sarah Fee Bank. Rachel, great

[47:19] plea please make your way to

[47:24] the podium. You're recognized.

[47:25] >> Thank you, Chair Michael.

[47:26] Good morning to the DuVal

[47:28] delegation. My name is Taylor

[47:29] Mejia Roberts. I'm the

[47:30] director of government and

[47:31] community relations at Florida

[47:32] State College at Jacksonville.

[47:33] I'm here on behalf of our

[47:34] PRESIDENT. Doctor. John

[47:35] happened Donald and our board

[47:38] chair Rod Odom. They are

[47:39] actually just a few blocks

[47:39] over at our downtown campus

[47:40] right now having their monthly

[47:43] board of trustees meeting. So

[47:44] they do send their regards.

[47:45] But this morning, I'm able to

[47:48] share our priority projects on

[47:49] their behalf. First, I'd like

[47:50] to thank you all as a

[47:53] delegation for your support.

[47:54] Last session with your help

[47:56] Fscj was able to stick your

[47:57] 2 million in the state budget

[47:58] for a New Bern building at our

[48:02] fire Academy of the South.

[48:03] That project is under design

[48:04] right now and we look forward

[48:04] to inviting you to the ribbon

[48:06] cutting once it's finished.

[48:09] Looking forward to 2026. At

[48:12] the cj is priorities are

[48:13] focused solely on the

[48:14] workforce needs our community.

[48:16] So our number one priority

[48:16] project is going to be our

[48:19] Cecil training, insta, too.

[48:20] That will be a new building

[48:23] out at the Cecil Commerce area

[48:24] will be focused on expanding

[48:27] our career and technical

[48:27] education. So think welding

[48:28] hvac, electrical and

[48:31] manufacturing. Our second

[48:33] priority Project is the Clear

[48:35] Connection Center that will be

[48:37] located on our downtown

[48:38] campus. That will be open to

[48:38] our students. Our graduates,

[48:41] as well as the community as a

[48:43] whole and it will help them

[48:45] find job placements,

[48:46] internships prepare their

[48:49] resumes and get ready for

[48:50] interviews. It will also house

[48:53] a career closet boutique. Our

[48:54] students who come in buying

[48:55] clothing that they might need

[48:56] for a new job or for an

[49:00] interview. Last on the list is

[49:05] a a policy that the Council of

[49:06] presidents of the 28 college

[49:07] presidents throughout the

[49:08] state of Florida are

[49:09] supporting this and that would

[49:11] be increased funding for the

[49:16] College Program Fund at the cj

[49:17] has not raise our tuition in

[49:20] many, many years to keep our

[49:21] programs and classes

[49:22] affordable for our community

[49:23] as well program areas that we

[49:27] need to go into increased

[49:27] program funding is really what

[49:28] we're seeking at the state

[49:32] level for help for that. I

[49:33] will just say thank you for

[49:33] your continued support. And I

[49:34] look forward to seeing in

[49:43] Tallahassee in 2026. I'm

[49:44] sorry, Representative nuts and

[49:45] he has a question. If you

[49:46] could return.

[49:51] >> This Rogers to the podium.

[49:51] Taylor, quick question through

[49:52] the chair. When is the burning

[49:53] building going to be done?

[49:56] >> announced.

[49:58] >> Thank you, Chair Michael

[49:59] Representative Nixon. So it is

[50:01] in design right now. We're

[50:03] still working on finalizing a

[50:04] term sheet and getting that

[50:05] signed with the city of

[50:05] Jacksonville. They have 3 and

[50:06] a half million that's going

[50:08] into the project. But we

[50:12] anticipate at 12 to 16 months.

[50:19] Thank you so much. Thank you.

[50:20] You are aware of anything.

[50:25] Thank you. You're recognized.

[50:26] >> Today, want to put before

[50:27] you the fact that Florida law

[50:31] not allow the courts to

[50:32] consider dementia or cognitive

[50:33] diseases as there is no

[50:35] wording in statute. This

[50:35] thanks. The courts MAY

[50:38] consider dementia. Florida

[50:39] statute only states that

[50:40] insanity MAY be considered by

[50:45] the courts. A narrow cognitive

[50:47] diseases, not synonymous with

[50:49] insanity nero, cognitive

[50:49] diseases are degenerative and

[50:53] not curable. It was a time

[50:54] when someone could fake

[50:56] dementia, but that is no

[50:58] longer true with brain imaging

[50:58] and lab tests that show

[51:02] biomarkers. I know that

[51:03] Florida citizens do not want

[51:05] people with a narrow cognitive

[51:06] PCs such as Alzheimer's

[51:09] frontal temporal dementia,

[51:09] vascular, dementia,

[51:13] Parkinson's, and so on to have

[51:13] their medically documented

[51:15] dementia to be ignored by the

[51:19] courts. I emphasize the word

[51:20] medically documented. I was

[51:20] asked by a state legislator

[51:21] last year to bring a bill to

[51:25] him. It's just been done, but

[51:25] we need more help than just

[51:29] from one representative. I do

[51:30] realize the limitations placed

[51:31] on you with a number of bills

[51:34] that you can file. This bill

[51:35] is not asking for a get out of

[51:38] jail. Free card. Only that

[51:39] court's probation and

[51:40] registries and take the

[51:43] mention into consideration. It

[51:45] would then be up to the judge

[51:46] or prosecutor if the dementia

[51:49] can be considered. I have met

[51:51] with the ceo of North Florida

[51:52] Eldersource who has said they

[51:54] would back such a bill, one

[51:55] that would allow courts to

[51:57] consider to mention. The

[51:58] sponsors can ever be found for

[52:01] such a bill. I will be

[52:02] reaching out to other groups

[52:02] such as the Alzheimer's

[52:06] Association for Support Port.

[52:07] They are all huge proponents

[52:09] for those people with dementia

[52:10] and there will be no problem

[52:11] obtaining their support. If

[52:16] you live with someone has

[52:17] cognitive disease. You'll know

[52:18] that holding them to the same

[52:20] standards as up person without

[52:22] the disease is inhumane. Thank

[52:24] you. Thank you so much. Hard

[52:28] to MISS Gauge coming forward.

[52:29] If Gloria Eyes, Dean Linda,

[52:33] 11. Is here. Please make your

[52:35] way to the podium following

[52:36] great. We will have really

[52:37] low.

[52:41] >> Common Martinez. Come back.

[52:44] If you can make your way to

[52:45] the middle it's great, you're

[52:49] recognized.

[52:50] >> Morning delegation. My name

[52:51] is Rachel Grainge. I'm a

[52:52] community advocate from

[52:52] Jacksonville Beach and

[52:54] candidate for Congress and

[52:57] Florida's 5th district. Thank

[52:58] you so much for your service

[53:00] and for hearing from residents

[53:04] today like so many Duval

[53:05] families, my homeowners

[53:06] insurance Bill has skyrocketed

[53:09] in recent years. In FEBRUARY,

[53:10] the Tampa Bay Times reporter

[53:12] our published a series

[53:13] investigations based on a

[53:15] state commission report that

[53:16] almost no one outside the

[53:19] industry have seen that report

[53:21] show that while many Florida

[53:23] based insurance insurers

[53:24] reported hundreds of millions

[53:26] in losses, their affiliate

[53:28] companies made billions in

[53:30] profits. Those profits often

[53:31] came from management and

[53:32] reinsurance fees paid to

[53:35] sister firms owned by the same

[53:36] executives. Money flowing out

[53:37] of the regulated insurer and

[53:40] into private affiliate. When

[53:41] this came to light at the

[53:43] start of session, Speaker

[53:44] Perez promised Floridians that

[53:45] lawmakers would get answer it.

[53:47] Few hearings were held but by

[53:48] Sessions and many legislators

[53:51] still haven't seen the report.

[53:52] And when I called Perez at the

[53:53] end of session to follow up, I

[54:01] got no answer. And since 2022.

[54:01] The period covered in the

[54:03] report, more industry-backed

[54:04] bills passed, framed Israeli

[54:04] for insurers covering

[54:05] recovering from their losses.

[54:09] But if affiliates earning

[54:10] billions, homeowners deserve

[54:13] to know what. Know that before

[54:14] another dollar relief goes

[54:16] their way. I'm here in Duval

[54:17] families are differing roof

[54:18] repairs. Skipping medical

[54:20] report, medical care. They're

[54:21] selling their homes because

[54:23] they can't afford coverage.

[54:24] Well, today I'm asking this

[54:26] delegation to finish what

[54:28] speak bigger prize promised to

[54:28] start and report back to

[54:29] citizens on what was contained

[54:32] in that report. Number one

[54:33] require full public

[54:36] standardize reporting of all.

[54:38] Related party. An affiliate

[54:39] transactions, including

[54:40] reinsurance arrangements. So

[54:41] we can see where our premium

[54:43] dollars are actually going

[54:45] number to give the office of

[54:46] Reinsurance regulation, the

[54:48] power to dig into those

[54:49] affiliate payments and stop

[54:50] companies from adding profits.

[54:55] Number 3. Only allow rate

[54:56] hikes when companies can prove

[54:57] real claim losses, not paper

[54:58] losses created by shifting

[54:59] money between their own

[55:00] affiliates and if there's

[55:01] nothing to hide, that's great.

[55:04] We like to see that too.

[55:05] Number 4 strength and basic

[55:07] commute. Consumer protections

[55:09] require insurers to pay claims

[55:11] on time. Give homeowners a

[55:12] fair chance to appeal denials

[55:13] and stop dropping customers

[55:15] unless there's a real

[55:17] documented reason and 5 expand

[55:19] hardening and mitigated

[55:20] mitigation grants to cover

[55:22] middle income families, condos

[55:22] and townhomes. Thank you.

[55:28] Thank you. Up next, play You

[55:35] MAY approach the podium.

[55:36] >> Speak your name. My name is

[55:38] Beverly. Low. Thank you.

[55:42] You're recognized. As the

[55:43] Florida citizen. I want to see

[55:44] our legislators make decisions

[55:46] based on research.

[55:47] >> Not on emotions are MISS

[55:47] About those on the sex

[55:50] offender registry. There's

[55:51] abundant evidence showing a

[55:52] lowri offense rate for people

[55:54] with a past sex. There are

[55:57] multiple categories on the sex

[55:57] and a registry where the sex

[56:00] re offense rate is 3% or less.

[56:04] Mostly one person. I do not

[56:04] advocate for anyone who's

[56:05] committed a sex offense.

[56:07] They're about their sentence

[56:09] and continues to commit sex

[56:12] crimes. They belong in prison.

[56:13] I advocate for tens of

[56:16] thousands on the Florida sex

[56:16] offender registry who are now

[56:17] leading lives, law-abiding

[56:21] citizen. It is time to use

[56:22] validated risk assessments in

[56:24] removing people from the

[56:24] registry. You are not a threat

[56:27] to society. The registry is

[56:31] like continued incarceration.

[56:32] Money and manpower both be

[56:34] focused on high-risk

[56:36] individuals not squandered on

[56:36] those contributing to their

[56:40] families and their community.

[56:40] Florida is reactive rather

[56:44] than proactive. Should educate

[56:45] young people on what

[56:47] constitutes a sex crime. Each

[56:49] the consequences of committing

[56:50] a sex crime. Which research

[56:52] shows is the biggest current.

[56:55] Beach about sex thing. Things

[56:56] they learned to stay out of

[56:57] chat rooms with anyone

[57:01] claiming to be a minor. Sex

[57:02] offenses against minors are

[57:04] committed by someone. The

[57:05] child knows educate the

[57:06] parents and what they should

[57:08] and crime from happening.

[57:09] Prevention is the appropriate

[57:12] avenue to take education,

[57:14] knowledge of consequences and

[57:17] increased victim services.

[57:18] Don't perpetuate fear based

[57:18] policies that are not

[57:22] grounded. Our state needs to

[57:25] remove sex offender registry.

[57:26] Those individuals who are not

[57:28] a risk of sexually

[57:30] re-offending focus on the

[57:31] high-risk individuals and

[57:31] start a program pension

[57:35] through education. Thank you.

[57:37] This Martinez. Mayor, Pro

[57:42] Church. You're recognized.

[57:47] Good morning. My name is

[57:48] Carmen Martinez and I'm the

[57:49] secretary for the Republican

[57:50] Liberty Caucus.

[57:53] >> And I'm here to talk about

[57:53] several subjects. So I'll be

[57:56] brief an each. Property taxes.

[57:59] People came to this country

[58:01] initially throughout. Whole

[58:05] history of art, 250 year

[58:07] history because there was

[58:08] freedom. It was freedom of

[58:09] religion and there was

[58:15] freedom. Freedom to own

[58:15] property. It stated in the

[58:17] Constitution that we have the

[58:19] right to own property right

[58:23] now. We don't have that right.

[58:25] Rent our properties to the

[58:31] howdy to Duval County.

[58:34] Advocate of getting rid of

[58:38] these horrible taxes. I favor

[58:39] ride. Shame. Representative

[58:41] Ryan Chamberlain's plan or no

[58:46] taxes whatsoever. And I know

[58:48] that that's not on the

[58:50] amendment list. So anything

[58:51] closer to that is a good

[58:56] thing. Secondly, I want to.

[58:58] Point out that I bought my

[59:02] house and the taxes were $3800

[59:06] a year. They're up to $10,000

[59:07] and that is enough to make

[59:09] some people lose their houses.

[59:14] And that is not a good thing.

[59:16] Secondly, want to talk about

[59:18] election integrity. Here is

[59:19] some legislation that's being

[59:21] presented about only citizens

[59:24] support that there's also

[59:25] problems in Florida with chain

[59:26] of custody. Their sticks

[59:28] teams, counties in Florida

[59:30] where there is no chain of

[59:30] custody. We are not one of

[59:34] them. Thank goodness Leslie, I

[59:38] want to just mention that.

[59:39] Mail-in ballots have to be

[59:41] reined We cannot have the

[59:42] situation where you just mail

[59:45] in your ballot, you know, we

[59:47] don't really know who you are.

[59:49] It's a signature that maybe 20

[59:49] years old.

[59:52] >> To verify that person that

[59:55] is not working and it needs to

[59:56] be reined in 2 people who

[59:57] truly unable to get to the

[1:00:00] polls. Leslie, I want to talk

[1:00:03] about blood transfusions right

[1:00:09] now of blood is screened many

[1:00:10] things syphilis, it screened

[1:00:14] for hepatitis b, other things.

[1:00:16] We need screen it for Spike

[1:00:18] protein, which which is a

[1:00:19] toxin. Thank you very much.

[1:00:20] Thank you very much. This

[1:00:24] compact. Nissen has a

[1:00:28] question. MISS Martinez, if

[1:00:28] you could return to the

[1:00:34] podium.

[1:00:35] >> Hi, MISS Martinez through

[1:00:37] the chair my eyes. Jaime

[1:00:38] Martinez, thanks for coming

[1:00:41] out to speak. Were you here

[1:00:44] earlier when chief deputy

[1:00:46] supervisor of election stated

[1:00:47] the Duval County elections

[1:00:51] were safe and secure. We're

[1:00:52] pleased today. Yes, no, I was.

[1:00:55] He got here about 10 15.

[1:00:56] >> did. Jerry Holland spoke

[1:00:57] here today. No, the chief

[1:01:02] through the chair, the deputy

[1:01:05] chief spoke and I asked him

[1:01:07] specifically around mail-in

[1:01:08] ballots. Were they safe and

[1:01:09] secure? And he stated, yes,

[1:01:11] they were all you?

[1:01:12] >> Yes, they are somewhat safe

[1:01:15] and secure, but they're not

[1:01:15] really.

[1:01:16] >> Because what you're

[1:01:17] comparing is the signature on

[1:01:21] a card that was. Signed. How

[1:01:23] many years ago? We don't know.

[1:01:25] And you're comparing that to a

[1:01:27] signature that just came in.

[1:01:28] And those are often very

[1:01:33] different. Thank you very

[1:01:37] much. All of behind Ms Curran

[1:01:41] Bike. We have Ron, in all.

[1:01:44] Jane Francis. Judy Shechtman.

[1:01:45] If you can make your way to

[1:01:50] the al. You are recognized as

[1:01:53] correct. Thank you. Yes, but

[1:01:54] he was coaching her mock. I

[1:01:57] live in Jacksonville each and

[1:01:58] I am lead organizer of

[1:02:01] reclaimed twice Florida. I'm

[1:02:01] here today to urge you to

[1:02:06] support. Hb 601, filed by

[1:02:08] Representative Kelly Skidmore

[1:02:11] and sb 2 for 2 filed by

[1:02:14] Senator Kristen Arrington.

[1:02:15] Both bills repeal the Florida

[1:02:18] Pregnancy Care Network.

[1:02:21] >> Now, today, that network

[1:02:22] funnels almost 30 million

[1:02:24] dollars of public funds into

[1:02:27] anti-abortion centers. The

[1:02:29] center's mislead patients.

[1:02:29] They delay care and they

[1:02:30] pressure people into

[1:02:33] decisions. Now the state does

[1:02:38] that it's looking to root out

[1:02:39] waste, fraud and abuse. Well,

[1:02:41] this program is literally all

[1:02:45] 3 the center's weast patients.

[1:02:47] Time to push people personally

[1:02:47] past the six-week abortion

[1:02:52] ban. They commit fraud with

[1:02:55] deceptive advertising and

[1:02:56] dangerous misinformation. And

[1:02:57] while everyday Floridians are

[1:03:00] struggling to pay their bills,

[1:03:03] the center's abuse taxpayer

[1:03:04] dollars to exploit people in

[1:03:06] their most vulnerable moments.

[1:03:08] And on top of all of that,

[1:03:10] there's no medical or safety

[1:03:12] standards. And I know not all

[1:03:13] of you MAY sit on the

[1:03:15] committee that would hear it

[1:03:16] either Bell, but you can urge

[1:03:20] your colleagues, the and

[1:03:22] perhaps maybe someone hears on

[1:03:24] the health professions and

[1:03:25] programs subcommittee and you

[1:03:26] actually have the power to

[1:03:30] give the bill a fair hearing.

[1:03:32] At the end of all this, my ask

[1:03:35] a simple plea support. Hb 6,

[1:03:39] 0, 0, 1, and sb 2 for 2. And

[1:03:40] please. And this this taxpayer

[1:03:42] funded Section. Thank you.

[1:03:49] Thank you. MR. All enough. You

[1:03:52] are recognized.

[1:03:53] >> My name is doctor on a

[1:04:01] one-off. Irving are click

[1:04:02] here. Since the 18, 71 is a

[1:04:06] licensed dentist. I will,

[1:04:06] though I'm not in private

[1:04:09] practice anymore. Right?

[1:04:10] Gillum involved as volunteer

[1:04:14] with. Muscles, Parker, but

[1:04:15] primarily with river gardens

[1:04:21] years, there are single. I

[1:04:22] want to extend the heartfelt

[1:04:24] thanks to those members of the

[1:04:28] House of Representatives who

[1:04:30] overwhelmingly supported hb 21

[1:04:31] that both are appealing

[1:04:35] station last year.

[1:04:36] Unfortunately in the Senate, I

[1:04:39] guess some help mixed up with

[1:04:41] some larger bill dealing with

[1:04:42] with girl issues said it never

[1:04:44] came to the fore. Hopefully

[1:04:47] this year that that won't

[1:04:53] happen milk. Access oral

[1:04:54] health care where Florida was

[1:04:58] among the worst in the nation.

[1:05:00] 65 of Florida's 67 counties

[1:05:01] have dental health,

[1:05:03] professional shortage, areas.

[1:05:04] Millions of Floridians don't

[1:05:07] receive dental care. In fact,

[1:05:09] Florida leads the nation for

[1:05:10] people using emergency

[1:05:12] departments. Preventable

[1:05:16] dental pain, infection. This

[1:05:18] is increased over 25% since

[1:05:22] 2021. Even more shocking

[1:05:22] hospital buildings have

[1:05:25] increased 77%, almost

[1:05:28] 1 billion dollars is spent

[1:05:30] here. Emergency departments of

[1:05:31] hospitals and the state of

[1:05:32] Florida dealing with

[1:05:35] preventable dental issues.

[1:05:36] This is all wasted money

[1:05:38] because the only thing that

[1:05:42] happens to the hospital,

[1:05:43] emergency department. They're

[1:05:44] given antibiotics, pain

[1:05:45] medications and the patients

[1:05:47] still need to find that will

[1:05:49] care for their problem. The

[1:05:50] next day on the way in here

[1:05:52] this morning, I was listening

[1:05:55] to the mayor was on the up the

[1:05:56] npr program in the morning as

[1:05:59] she was talking about how

[1:06:00] telemedicine has helped so

[1:06:03] much in terms of freeing up

[1:06:04] dollars from the emergency

[1:06:06] departments hospitals here.

[1:06:08] Unfortunately, intent to

[1:06:11] street Elop medicine doesn't

[1:06:11] park.

[1:06:12] >> You need to see somebody to

[1:06:16] get treatment, taken care of

[1:06:17] appear a key part of the

[1:06:19] solution to Florida's oral

[1:06:21] health crisis authorizing

[1:06:21] dental therapists.

[1:06:28] >> The practice.

[1:06:29] >> We have a question by

[1:06:32] representative like.

[1:06:32] Representative Black, you're

[1:06:36] recognized.

[1:06:36] >> Thank you, MADAM Chair, and

[1:06:38] thank you, doctor for coming

[1:06:41] out today. Just for clarity

[1:06:41] sake, is it your position

[1:06:44] today that you support the

[1:06:47] creation, dental therapists?

[1:06:48] As a standalone expansion of

[1:06:51] the scope of practice or do

[1:06:53] you mean for them to operate

[1:06:55] under the supervision of a

[1:06:57] licensed dentist? You're

[1:07:01] recognized. So the question

[1:07:08] represent like advocacy. It's

[1:07:09] not to have an independent

[1:07:16] individual. But practice. They

[1:07:19] will be working under the

[1:07:20] Protect us in the dentist's

[1:07:26] office. We'll be taking the

[1:07:29] same examinations as a 10 8

[1:07:32] that they would be limited and

[1:07:35] it's up to the dentist. If you

[1:07:36] want to hire somebody or not,

[1:07:39] but but direct supervision

[1:07:42] would be and that a license

[1:07:43] that says Thank you, doctor.

[1:07:45] That answers. My question.

[1:07:53] Thank you so much. As Francis.

[1:07:55] Please state your name for the

[1:07:56] record.

[1:07:56] >> Yes, I'm Jim Prentice

[1:07:58] representing Moms Demand

[1:07:59] Action of Greater Jacksonville

[1:08:03] and Jack speeches. After the

[1:08:04] Parkland massacre, the Marjory

[1:08:04] Stoneman Douglas Act was

[1:08:07] passed on a bipartisan basis.

[1:08:08] And the recent legislative

[1:08:10] sessions and again proposed

[1:08:13] for this upcoming session. The

[1:08:14] Florida House has tried to

[1:08:15] water down this life Saving

[1:08:18] Act. Are using the fact that

[1:08:20] an 18 year-old can join the

[1:08:22] military as justification for

[1:08:23] lowering the age to purchase

[1:08:26] firearms. Back to 18, although

[1:08:27] 18 to 20 year-olds commit gun

[1:08:28] homicide at 3 times the rate

[1:08:33] as older people. Also in the

[1:08:34] military, whether one is 18 or

[1:08:38] 21 or 4.45, there is not the

[1:08:39] kind of unfettered access to

[1:08:42] weapons that is being

[1:08:42] proposed. Weapons are locked.

[1:08:45] Ammunition is counted and most

[1:08:47] importantly, extensive

[1:08:48] training this given before

[1:08:49] anyone even thinks about

[1:08:51] firing the weapon. And this

[1:08:51] training continues throughout

[1:08:56] their career. If the military

[1:08:57] is being used as a rationale

[1:08:59] to change the law, there also

[1:09:01] should be a willingness to

[1:09:02] enact the military stringent

[1:09:05] firearm safety measures. The

[1:09:07] governor and others have said

[1:09:10] the sky won't fall as we adopt

[1:09:12] open carry one of your

[1:09:13] colleagues have said we don't

[1:09:13] want to be like California or

[1:09:17] New York. All these 2 states

[1:09:19] have many things that we MAY

[1:09:21] not like. We should be mbs of

[1:09:23] their gun death rate of

[1:09:24] Florida's gun death rate is

[1:09:27] 13.6 for 100,000. California's

[1:09:32] is 8.2 And New York's is 5.0

[1:09:33] The 5th lowest gun death rate

[1:09:35] in the country. Florida's gun

[1:09:37] death rate has increased from

[1:09:44] by 19% from 2014 to 2023,

[1:09:44] while our gun lot gun safety

[1:09:45] laws are being watered down or

[1:09:52] loosen. All future

[1:09:52] generations. When future

[1:09:53] generations walk through our

[1:09:54] cemeteries and see all the

[1:09:56] young lives lost a preventable

[1:09:58] gun violence, they're going to

[1:09:59] say these people did not love

[1:10:00] their children enough to do

[1:10:03] something. We are calling on

[1:10:06] you to do something. And at.

[1:10:07] Stop assault on the Marjory

[1:10:12] Stop Amanda Quest Act. Passed

[1:10:13] legislation to allow families

[1:10:15] petition for extreme risk

[1:10:16] protection orders a proven

[1:10:18] tool to help decrease gun

[1:10:23] suicide. Over 60% of deaths in

[1:10:26] Florida due to suicide.

[1:10:28] Franklin, the requirements for

[1:10:30] gun storage of firearms and

[1:10:33] homes and in vehicles. And

[1:10:34] finally consider if open carry

[1:10:37] is really necessary. Visible

[1:10:39] guns do not make anyone safer.

[1:10:41] They raise tension and small

[1:10:43] conflicts in 2 deadly

[1:10:45] encounters. Thank you. All

[1:10:50] second. Is Kenneth Green.

[1:10:54] Joshua Mize. Sharon d#

[1:10:54] #

[1:10:54] , if

[1:10:56] you can make your way. To the

[1:10:59] podium. When you are

[1:11:03] recognized. Thank you. Good

[1:11:04] morning. My name is Judy

[1:11:07] shackling. My address is on

[1:11:09] record. I'm here today to

[1:11:11] speak in support of

[1:11:12] reproductive rights and

[1:11:14] against the civil liabilities.

[1:11:14] Bill.

[1:11:16] >> As well as the parental

[1:11:19] rights bill. The last

[1:11:22] election. 57.2% of Florida

[1:11:23] voters voted in favor of

[1:11:27] abortion rights and despite a

[1:11:27] misinformation campaign to

[1:11:30] sign to defeat this amendment

[1:11:32] again, it had 57.2% of your

[1:11:35] constituents supporting it.

[1:11:39] Currently sb 164, the Civil

[1:11:40] liabilities bill would grant

[1:11:42] an embryo the same rights as a

[1:11:45] living person. This bill would

[1:11:45] strip health care decisions

[1:11:48] from pregnant patients who

[1:11:49] face the loss of emergency

[1:11:50] care or cancer treatments

[1:11:53] simply because they're

[1:11:54] pregnant lawyers, not doctors

[1:11:56] would be in charge of these

[1:11:58] decisions and not one of us

[1:11:59] would want a lawyer making our

[1:12:02] health care decisions. This

[1:12:04] bill would increase. Let the

[1:12:06] litigious climate that has

[1:12:07] already driven countless

[1:12:09] numbers of obgyn is from

[1:12:11] Florida. It also could lead to

[1:12:14] cessation of ivf. The

[1:12:15] investigation of pregnant

[1:12:17] people for miscarriages and

[1:12:18] opened the door for abusive

[1:12:20] partners to file lawsuits to

[1:12:23] punish their victims. I hope

[1:12:25] you vote against this bill. I

[1:12:28] would also like to speak

[1:12:31] Against sb 166, the so-called.

[1:12:35] Parents, all rights bill, this

[1:12:35] bill limits minors access to

[1:12:40] treatment for St Eyes, mental

[1:12:42] health, resources like suicide

[1:12:43] prevention, hotlines, birth

[1:12:46] control or even to take a

[1:12:48] health survey without parental

[1:12:50] permission as a retired school

[1:12:51] counselor, I worked with

[1:12:54] dozens of students who lived

[1:12:56] at annual Memorial Children's

[1:12:57] Home Society whose parents had

[1:12:58] lost parental rights or they

[1:13:01] were in limbo. They had no

[1:13:03] parents to help them in these

[1:13:04] decisions and they were also

[1:13:06] at greater risk for self-harm

[1:13:08] and depression because a

[1:13:10] parent is unable unwilling or

[1:13:11] unavailable to provide support

[1:13:13] for their children. Young

[1:13:14] people must not be placed at

[1:13:17] risk for self-harm north face

[1:13:19] deadly barriers to health care

[1:13:20] because of the lack of

[1:13:21] parental involvement. Thank

[1:13:24] you. Thank Nights we have kind

[1:13:33] of grain.

[1:13:33] >> You're recognized. Good

[1:13:35] morning. I'm is Kenneth Green

[1:13:36] and I am asking for your

[1:13:38] support on a piece of draft

[1:13:41] that just lights and that

[1:13:42] would provide expanded access

[1:13:47] to nursing home care. Chair.

[1:13:47] Hundreds of people Florida

[1:13:51] alone on the streets. We're in

[1:13:51] the woods. Some of the

[1:13:53] families some hospitals

[1:13:55] because they cannot access

[1:14:00] nursing home care. Why?

[1:14:01] Because they are on those

[1:14:05] Florida sex offender registry.

[1:14:07] Legislation I am asking you to

[1:14:07] support or allow people who

[1:14:12] are permanently incapacitated.

[1:14:12] Petition to be removed from

[1:14:14] the Florida sex offender

[1:14:16] registry so they can access

[1:14:20] nursing home care. This

[1:14:22] proposal, here's the same as

[1:14:26] George is best thing. Well.

[1:14:27] Currently nursing homes are

[1:14:28] forced to turn away.

[1:14:29] Registrants because they pose

[1:14:35] a threat. But because of art

[1:14:44] I'm sorry, there's not because

[1:14:45] I propose a threat because

[1:14:46] Florida's Hill nursing

[1:14:51] regulations. Our residents,

[1:14:52] registry restrictions and the

[1:14:53] stigma that follows

[1:14:53] registrants and the

[1:14:54] facilities. That care for

[1:14:57] them. Residents who are

[1:15:04] forbidden. Are bedridden.

[1:15:06] Vance, are terminally ill or

[1:15:09] denied nursing home care.

[1:15:10] Families care for loved ones

[1:15:11] at home without proper

[1:15:14] resources. Hospitals keep

[1:15:17] patients for months due to

[1:15:18] know Florida nursing home

[1:15:23] availability. This is not a

[1:15:24] small problem. Florida

[1:15:25] registry is basically you for

[1:15:28] life. Ansar registrants are

[1:15:31] rapidly becoming elderly.

[1:15:35] Almost 7,000 are 65. For older

[1:15:36] non hunter is sick are over

[1:15:41] the age of 80. This proposal

[1:15:43] to create Florida statute. 9,

[1:15:49] 4, 3.0, 0, 4, 3, 5, 5, allows

[1:15:50] sex offender resources focus

[1:15:53] on higher-risk individuals.

[1:15:54] Not people who are presently

[1:15:56] in the past that faded and

[1:15:58] nursing home care. Thank you

[1:16:05] very much. My swim followed by

[1:16:06] up next, we will have Sharon

[1:16:06] d#

[1:16:06] #

[1:16:07] #

[1:16:12] . Carol Brady. And Tammy

[1:16:12] Brooks. Evans, if you can make

[1:16:15] your way to the al.

[1:16:16] >> MR. Wyatt Smoke might.

[1:16:20] Well, you're recognized.

[1:16:23] >> My name is Joshua The local

[1:16:25] ocean engineer here in Duval

[1:16:27] County or marine manufacturer

[1:16:28] about 45 million dollars worth

[1:16:29] of floating docks and marinas

[1:16:30] here locally and distribute

[1:16:32] them from Maine to Texas all

[1:16:35] throughout the Caribbean.

[1:16:37] Today. I'm primarily here to

[1:16:38] represent 2 organizations that

[1:16:39] I sit on the boards for

[1:16:40] currently the PRESIDENT Of

[1:16:42] marine industry of Florida, as

[1:16:43] well as sit on the board for

[1:16:44] the marine industry in North

[1:16:46] Florida. The marine industry,

[1:16:47] obviously for my profession,

[1:16:50] is near and dear to me. And

[1:16:51] there's a few things that will

[1:16:53] be coming forward to later

[1:16:53] this There's always bills

[1:16:56] regarding Marine safety Brean

[1:16:57] theft. I want to let you guys

[1:16:59] know that I'm here local in

[1:17:01] Duval County. I'll make myself

[1:17:02] available to come meet with

[1:17:04] union Chambers prior to

[1:17:06] legislative days. Our group

[1:17:07] will be in Tallahassee for

[1:17:08] legislative days. Most you're

[1:17:09] probably more familiar with

[1:17:12] our lobbyist. Busy Timmons. So

[1:17:13] she'll be taking us through

[1:17:14] those definitely some meetings

[1:17:17] with some of you guys. If

[1:17:18] there's you know, bills that

[1:17:19] come up, you know, please

[1:17:22] reach out. There's billions

[1:17:25] and billions and billions of

[1:17:26] of money spent whether being

[1:17:30] boat sales storage repairs.

[1:17:32] There's over 7,000 jobs in the

[1:17:33] state are 7,000 companies in

[1:17:34] the state of Florida that are

[1:17:36] all based around a marine

[1:17:37] industry. And I'm here just to

[1:17:38] make sure that anything that

[1:17:40] happens in Tallahassee. As for

[1:17:42] the positive of our industry

[1:17:45] and also. To protect our

[1:17:46] voters. One of the things I'd

[1:17:48] like to just and see if you

[1:17:49] are interested in it because

[1:17:52] if there's a positive feel

[1:17:53] from the delegation turn next

[1:17:55] to the school board. But there

[1:17:58] is approved education for

[1:17:59] outdoor recreation that's been

[1:18:00] approved by the state of

[1:18:01] Florida. And that's part of

[1:18:02] the handout I provided to you

[1:18:03] today. It would teach kids

[1:18:06] basic boating safety, outdoor

[1:18:10] recreation safety and

[1:18:10] unfortunately in a community

[1:18:11] that has been plagued with

[1:18:13] some boating tragedies. You

[1:18:13] know, I feel that it would be

[1:18:16] great if we could. It's some

[1:18:18] of the kids in our public

[1:18:18] school system to understand

[1:18:19] how to be safe when on and

[1:18:22] around the water, especially

[1:18:24] since we have so many inner

[1:18:27] coastal rivers, creeks, lakes,

[1:18:29] it's a real big push for me.

[1:18:30] I've got 2 kids in school

[1:18:33] system here. I'm very active

[1:18:34] in scouting. So they will be

[1:18:34] learning all of this at home.

[1:18:38] And that scouts. But I can't

[1:18:38] reach every kid and neither

[1:18:39] can my organization. So I feel

[1:18:40] if we can bring some of this

[1:18:43] into the schools, it will just

[1:18:45] hopefully get it's more

[1:18:46] interested in our a recent

[1:18:48] transplant from South Florida

[1:18:50] came up about a year and a

[1:18:51] half ago. All right. Thank you

[1:18:54] for your time. Thank you very

[1:18:54] much.

[1:18:55] >> I like to recognize

[1:18:57] Representative Kim Daniels. Is

[1:19:00] now in attendance. Sharon

[1:19:00] d#

[1:19:00] #

[1:19:09] . Pros the podium. You're

[1:19:21] recognized.

[1:19:26] >> Thank When you mention I'm

[1:19:29] a current executive director

[1:19:35] and the senator I think here.

[1:19:37] But, you know, and I've spent

[1:19:38] We provide inspection

[1:19:42] services. People out of.

[1:19:46] Nursing home. And isolation.

[1:19:48] And we provide. The

[1:19:49] transitions of the thinking

[1:19:53] went. From plan there. We also

[1:19:56] approved by. Mountains.

[1:19:58] Tolerance. Of free medical

[1:20:02] equipment. Alright, community.

[1:20:05] We also support 5 counting. We

[1:20:08] are also cross villain. That

[1:20:10] means we serve any disability.

[1:20:13] Regardless of when it might We

[1:20:18] would ask your continued The

[1:20:20] finance from company. And the

[1:20:24] work that we We also provide

[1:20:28] sense. Only this Sunday, but

[1:20:32] first round in We empower

[1:20:34] people Des Moines. Get off the

[1:20:38] benefit. Given job. Work full

[1:20:44] time. I personally. 2 jobs.

[1:20:46] And just knowing. It doesn't

[1:20:50] stop. And does not stop us.

[1:20:52] Providing the services and

[1:20:55] then me then what that stop

[1:21:00] us. It's a lack of funding. So

[1:21:02] I would ask that you continue.

[1:21:04] Important. The centers for you

[1:21:05] and putting up and pay. State

[1:21:09] of Florida.

[1:21:11] >> Thank you very much for

[1:21:26] coming speaking this morning.

[1:21:42] Please state your name for the

[1:21:45] record.

[1:21:46] >> Thank you. MADAM Chair,

[1:21:47] members of the delegation. My

[1:21:50] name is Carol Brady. I'm a

[1:21:51] member of the leadership team

[1:21:52] of the beaches, activist

[1:21:56] movement. As part of our get

[1:21:57] out the vote efforts. I have

[1:21:59] an opportunity during

[1:22:00] elections and knock on a lot

[1:22:02] of doors. Most of those doors

[1:22:05] along to people don't always

[1:22:08] vote. They're low propensity

[1:22:12] voters. The people who answer

[1:22:16] are generally polite and most

[1:22:18] agree that after hearing my

[1:22:19] pitch, that voting is

[1:22:22] important. They offer lots of

[1:22:24] reasons and excuses as to why

[1:22:28] they stay home. They're too

[1:22:29] busy. They don't know enough

[1:22:31] about the candidate. They're

[1:22:34] not interested in politics.

[1:22:37] During the last election. Amid

[1:22:39] all the excuses I heard one

[1:22:41] comment really struck me. A

[1:22:45] gentleman told me he didn't

[1:22:46] boat because the deck was

[1:22:51] stacked. That's a terrible

[1:22:51] assessment. And a comment to

[1:22:54] here in our democracy, a

[1:22:56] democracy that has a

[1:22:59] foundation suffrage and fair

[1:23:01] election. Democracy Hoosick

[1:23:03] fef depends on people.

[1:23:06] People's willingness to show

[1:23:06] up and exercise their right to

[1:23:10] vote. In the upcoming session.

[1:23:13] You are s the stack. The deck

[1:23:18] again. Absent updated

[1:23:20] population information from

[1:23:23] the fences, the sold

[1:23:25] justification mid-decade

[1:23:25] redistricting is to gain

[1:23:29] partisan advantage. Florida's

[1:23:31] current congressional map

[1:23:34] thanks to the governor are

[1:23:36] already distorted, offering

[1:23:38] virtually no competitive

[1:23:40] district and watering down the

[1:23:44] representation of minority. I

[1:23:48] urge you to oppose any effort

[1:23:49] undertake mid decade.

[1:23:51] Redistricting in the upcoming

[1:23:54] session. It is unprecedented.

[1:23:56] It violates the state

[1:23:58] constitution. It goes against

[1:23:59] the intent and the spirit of

[1:24:03] the Fair District amendments

[1:24:03] which were overwhelmingly

[1:24:05] supported by Florida voters.

[1:24:08] And according to a recent

[1:24:10] poll, it is opposed by the

[1:24:11] majority of voters in Florida.

[1:24:15] My request is simple. Don't

[1:24:17] the deck. Thank you. Thank

[1:24:22] you. Following.

[1:24:23] >> All I'm as Brooke Evans

[1:24:26] will be Jessica Rised. Yes,

[1:24:29] the stats, dr stats. Katie

[1:24:32] Coleman, you're recognize. The

[1:24:33] morning delegation. My name is

[1:24:36] Tammy Books. Evans and I'm a

[1:24:37] National Board. Certified

[1:24:37] teacher have been certified

[1:24:39] for over 20 years.

[1:24:40] >> And I serve as the

[1:24:41] PRESIDENT Of Duval Teachers,

[1:24:45] United. I represent teachers,

[1:24:45] classroom teachers, ese

[1:24:47] teachers, site coaches,

[1:24:48] speech-language pathologist by

[1:24:50] colleges and many, many

[1:24:53] others. I also represent care

[1:24:55] professionals who support our

[1:24:56] Ese students and our general

[1:24:58] education population. I

[1:24:59] represent. Are you apd, which

[1:25:01] include our clerical truancy

[1:25:05] officers and security. Ladies

[1:25:06] and gentlemen, we and what we

[1:25:08] value. We fund the things that

[1:25:12] we value. We are asking that

[1:25:13] you consider increasing the

[1:25:15] fefp by $1000 per student

[1:25:18] allow us to maintain classroom

[1:25:20] teachers and to also try to

[1:25:22] recruit teachers to fill

[1:25:22] positions. It opened here in

[1:25:26] Duval County. As of last week,

[1:25:27] we had 363 teacher positions

[1:25:30] that were open. 98 of those

[1:25:33] positions are ese position.

[1:25:34] Under 66 paraprofessionals who

[1:25:36] support the classrooms. And 56

[1:25:38] clerical position. When you

[1:25:41] say 363 openings, that means

[1:25:45] we have 363 subs and classes

[1:25:45] teaching and working with our

[1:25:47] student. Those students

[1:25:48] deserve to have a certified

[1:25:50] teacher. We need more money

[1:25:53] into our county to be

[1:25:54] competitive, to recruit the

[1:25:55] best and the brightest to come

[1:25:56] to our district and to get

[1:25:57] them to stay in our district

[1:26:01] and fill those classrooms.

[1:26:02] Teachers who are not working

[1:26:03] under 10 year contract have a

[1:26:06] year year contract. Those

[1:26:07] teachers deserve to have some

[1:26:09] stability in their work. They

[1:26:11] deserve to have multiple your

[1:26:11] contract. And we're asking

[1:26:14] that you consider that changed

[1:26:15] with things the way they are

[1:26:16] now, when you're dealing with

[1:26:18] new teacher. They literally

[1:26:19] are worried if they will have

[1:26:20] a job. I mean, the next school

[1:26:22] year. You want people to be

[1:26:23] dedicated to the work they

[1:26:25] need to feel secure in the

[1:26:26] position. We're asking you to

[1:26:27] consider having multiple year

[1:26:31] contracts for our educate.

[1:26:32] They're professionals deserve

[1:26:36] to make a living wage.

[1:26:38] Absolutely sure. Many of our

[1:26:39] care professionals modify for

[1:26:41] snap. They don't make enough

[1:26:43] money, Taher, take care of

[1:26:44] their family. What they were

[1:26:48] multiple jobs. D 2 office

[1:26:48] professional development

[1:26:50] development for them on

[1:26:51] Saturdays. But we can't get

[1:26:52] them to come because we have

[1:26:54] another job. So they can't

[1:26:55] even come in get assistance in

[1:26:57] doing the best they can. But

[1:26:58] the students that need them

[1:26:59] the most because they need to

[1:27:02] have a second job. We need

[1:27:12] more money to pay them better.

[1:27:12] Please state your name for the

[1:27:14] record. And you are

[1:27:18] recognized. Thank you. MADAM

[1:27:18] Chair, members of the

[1:27:20] delegation. My name is Jessica

[1:27:22] Reese and I am also National

[1:27:23] Board certified teacher, a

[1:27:25] certified back in 2005.

[1:27:26] >> I'm also the vice PRESIDENT

[1:27:30] Of Duval Teachers. United. You

[1:27:33] just heard who we represent

[1:27:34] its over 8,000 teachers,

[1:27:35] paraprofessionals and clerical

[1:27:36] staff here that work for Duval

[1:27:39] County, Public Schools.

[1:27:40] Michael, along with that of

[1:27:41] all of my colleagues is to

[1:27:42] ensure that our students are

[1:27:43] well prepared for their

[1:27:46] future. Whether advance to the

[1:27:46] next grade level, pursue

[1:27:51] higher education. Interview,

[1:27:52] occasional traits or join the

[1:27:53] workforce. We work together to

[1:27:53] meet this goal. The

[1:27:54] possibilities for students are

[1:27:57] endless. No matter where we

[1:27:58] work or what our roles are. We

[1:27:59] care about the future of our

[1:28:01] children. We can all agree

[1:28:03] that that more work lies

[1:28:06] ahead. Teacher and staff

[1:28:06] shortages persist. You just

[1:28:07] heard the numbers are Duval

[1:28:11] County. And that those numbers

[1:28:12] are pretty on par for around

[1:28:15] the state. We want to look at

[1:28:16] all of the other districts

[1:28:17] around the state to see what

[1:28:20] are their vacancy. Teacher and

[1:28:22] staff shortages persist.

[1:28:23] Florida's average teacher pay

[1:28:25] ranks 50th in the nation. Many

[1:28:26] educators are working multiple

[1:28:30] jobs. Just to make ends meet

[1:28:31] and enrollment in college

[1:28:32] teacher preparation programs.

[1:28:36] Continue to decline. People

[1:28:37] are not wanting to go into

[1:28:38] education based on what they

[1:28:40] see going on. Additionally,

[1:28:43] the statutes growing the

[1:28:45] statutes governing public

[1:28:46] education continue to grow as

[1:28:47] do the burdens that the

[1:28:49] teacher and the students face.

[1:28:51] It's crucial that we carefully

[1:28:52] examine solutions to these

[1:28:52] issues, to maintain the

[1:28:54] strength and prosperity of

[1:28:55] public schools and the

[1:28:58] students we serve as you

[1:28:59] consider education policy

[1:29:00] during the session, we would

[1:29:01] like to offer several

[1:29:02] recommendations to address the

[1:29:03] challenges facing our

[1:29:04] classrooms and on our

[1:29:06] campuses. You've heard this

[1:29:08] before about this is a piece

[1:29:09] that is very important. We

[1:29:10] need to assign every student

[1:29:12] in Florida, a student id

[1:29:16] number, they can be regardless

[1:29:16] of where go to public school,

[1:29:17] private school home school

[1:29:20] charter school.

[1:29:20] >> This way, we can ensure

[1:29:21] that students are accurately

[1:29:23] counted in the state funds.

[1:29:25] Genuinely follow the student.

[1:29:29] No matter where they go. It

[1:29:31] will help prevent issues like

[1:29:33] experience during the 24 25

[1:29:34] school year where there were

[1:29:35] nearly 22,000 students who

[1:29:40] were double counted. Resulting

[1:29:41] in public schools, missing out

[1:29:41] on vital funding for their

[1:29:42] students when they're

[1:29:46] educating. And also retains

[1:29:47] identify strategies to retain

[1:29:49] our educators. Thank you for

[1:29:50] your time. Thank you very

[1:29:58] much. Dr Stats. You're

[1:30:02] recognize. Thank you.

[1:30:03] >> Goodmorning delegation. My

[1:30:03] name is Doctor Nancy Staats.

[1:30:06] My addresses on file on them

[1:30:07] board certified medical doctor

[1:30:07] with decades of clinical

[1:30:10] experience. I thank you for

[1:30:11] your time and attention. I've

[1:30:15] provided you with 7 pages of

[1:30:16] documents including references

[1:30:17] and photos of vaccine

[1:30:20] preventable diseases.

[1:30:22] >> On SEPTEMBER 3rd of this

[1:30:24] year, our surgeon general

[1:30:25] announced a proposal to

[1:30:25] eliminate all mandatory

[1:30:28] vaccines. And I'm quoting now,

[1:30:30] all of them every last one of

[1:30:32] them is wrong and drips with

[1:30:36] disdain and slavery, unquote.

[1:30:39] To state the totally obvious

[1:30:40] this is very radical thinking

[1:30:41] and it's completely

[1:30:46] unscientific. We if such a

[1:30:49] purr fo such a proposal in the

[1:30:50] entire medical community is

[1:30:52] already rightly alarmed. In

[1:30:52] fact, most of our community is

[1:30:55] rightly alarmed. To give you a

[1:30:57] little national context

[1:30:59] earlier this year, rfk Junior

[1:31:01] fired every single member of

[1:31:02] the advisory Committee on

[1:31:04] Immunization Practices. A sip

[1:31:06] replacing them with

[1:31:07] supporters. Many of us feared

[1:31:11] the worst. But guess what?

[1:31:11] They met in SEPTEMBER and

[1:31:14] recommended only 2 minor

[1:31:15] changes upholding every other

[1:31:15] mandatory vaccine

[1:31:19] recommendation. This proposal

[1:31:19] by our surgeon General rules,

[1:31:22] Florida. Way back, taking us

[1:31:23] way beyond current national

[1:31:25] standards. We would be a

[1:31:27] testing ground for radical

[1:31:28] anti-vax policies. But we do

[1:31:29] need to do the test. We know

[1:31:32] what's going to happen if it's

[1:31:33] not mandated, the rates will

[1:31:35] plummet. The insurers won't

[1:31:37] cover it and it will be

[1:31:37] unaffordable for most families

[1:31:40] who want to get the vaccine.

[1:31:42] Very soon. Our communities

[1:31:43] will have disease outbreaks

[1:31:44] and those with the weakest

[1:31:45] immune systems that is

[1:31:46] children under the age of one

[1:31:52] will suffer most. I'm asking

[1:31:53] this delegation, please follow

[1:31:54] the ace of national

[1:31:55] recommendation. Please listen

[1:31:56] to the Florida Medical

[1:31:57] Association and 78 other

[1:31:59] highly respected medical

[1:32:02] groups. Do not eliminate any

[1:32:03] mandated vaccine. These have

[1:32:06] been regulated, including

[1:32:08] those by the doh. They've been

[1:32:10] mandated because the disease

[1:32:11] causes significant illness and

[1:32:14] even death. I actually believe

[1:32:15] Doctor Ladapo should be

[1:32:18] removed from office. But

[1:32:19] absent that, I would ask you

[1:32:22] to please, please resist

[1:32:24] removing vaccines. This

[1:32:26] proposal must be stopped

[1:32:26] before it's too late before we

[1:32:28] are burying our babies who

[1:32:31] have died from completely

[1:32:32] preventable illnesses. Be

[1:32:32] happy to entertain any

[1:32:35] questions if you have them.

[1:32:38] Thank you very much. I ask.

[1:32:39] >> Everyone going forward to

[1:32:42] please hold your applause so

[1:32:43] that we can get through every

[1:32:44] a gender be. Speaker is heard.

[1:32:47] Thank you very much.

[1:32:53] >> After Katie bombing policy

[1:32:53] manager for Surfrider

[1:32:55] Foundation. We will have

[1:32:57] Jacqueline still Nancy Cobb is

[1:33:00] Sarah Strong Meyer. If you can

[1:33:02] make your way to the you're

[1:33:06] recognize Ms 2. Mean, thank

[1:33:08] you. Good morning. Good

[1:33:08] morning. Thanks for the

[1:33:10] opportunity to speak today.

[1:33:12] I'm Katie Baumann, Duval

[1:33:13] resident, also Florida policy

[1:33:14] manager.

[1:33:17] >> Or the Surfrider Foundation

[1:33:18] Surfrider is a nonprofit

[1:33:21] dedicated to protecting and

[1:33:22] enjoying the ocean waves and

[1:33:22] beaches or all people through

[1:33:25] a grassroots network. If 12

[1:33:26] volunteer lead chapters in the

[1:33:29] state, including the first

[1:33:29] Coast chapter here in Duval

[1:33:30] County with many members

[1:33:33] living here. I'd like to

[1:33:34] highlight a few of our top

[1:33:36] priorities going into the 2020

[1:33:39] succession, coastal

[1:33:40] resilience, water, quality and

[1:33:42] marine debris in plastic

[1:33:44] pollution, all of which

[1:33:44] directly impacts livelihoods

[1:33:46] and communities here in Duval.

[1:33:49] On the resilience front. We

[1:33:51] hope the Legislature will

[1:33:52] prioritize legislation for

[1:33:53] nature based solutions or

[1:33:56] protecting our coast. These

[1:33:58] solutions include wetlands

[1:34:00] protections, living shorelines

[1:34:01] and where appropriate mangrove

[1:34:04] restoration and replanting.

[1:34:06] All of these are dynamic

[1:34:07] resilience. Options that

[1:34:08] service offers from flooding

[1:34:11] and sea level rise while also

[1:34:11] providing significant

[1:34:15] ecological benefits. We need

[1:34:15] to strengthen our state laws

[1:34:18] to encourage these methods and

[1:34:19] to provide more regulatory

[1:34:22] clarity and incentives and

[1:34:23] funding for those pursuing

[1:34:25] these methods for resilience.

[1:34:28] We also urge the legislature

[1:34:30] to repeal section 18. And 28

[1:34:33] from last year's sb 180. The

[1:34:36] sections of the law as applied

[1:34:37] prohibit local government

[1:34:38] planning. That is more

[1:34:41] restrictive or burdensome.

[1:34:43] This law has paralyzed local

[1:34:44] government land use and

[1:34:45] development planning actions

[1:34:47] across the state and these

[1:34:49] consequences have extended are

[1:34:50] beyond post disaster recovery

[1:34:54] measures. On the water quality

[1:34:56] front, beachgoers, tourists

[1:34:57] and local communities are

[1:35:01] still vulnerable to getting

[1:35:01] sick because there are

[1:35:03] inconsistencies and how our

[1:35:04] beach and coastal water is

[1:35:06] tested and how the public is

[1:35:07] notified. We ask that you

[1:35:09] support legislation and

[1:35:10] funding for water quality

[1:35:10] monitoring in the upcoming

[1:35:14] session. And finally,

[1:35:15] regarding the growing and

[1:35:16] expensive problem of plastic

[1:35:18] pollution and marine debris

[1:35:20] and our waterways, ocean and

[1:35:22] beaches. We have long

[1:35:25] advocated practical measures

[1:35:27] to reduce waste management and

[1:35:27] plastic pollution crises

[1:35:30] across the state. It's bad for

[1:35:31] our health, bad for our

[1:35:32] tourism economies and bad for

[1:35:35] our environment. Thank you

[1:35:35] very much. And we look forward

[1:35:36] to working with your offices.

[1:35:41] >> Thank you all.

[1:35:42] >> Please state your name for

[1:35:47] the record. You're recognized.

[1:35:49] Thank you.

[1:35:51] >> That morning delegate and

[1:35:53] my name is Jacqueline Steel.

[1:35:54] And I service in North Florida

[1:35:56] field manager for equal

[1:35:59] ground, a black boating rights

[1:36:01] organization committed to

[1:36:02] protecting our democracy,

[1:36:04] increasing civic I'm honored

[1:36:05] to be here today in Duval

[1:36:07] County, the place Rich in

[1:36:08] history, culture and

[1:36:09] resilience. Jacksonville has

[1:36:13] long been a hub of progress

[1:36:14] and possibility where the

[1:36:16] voices of people from every

[1:36:17] neighborhood, the Northside

[1:36:18] Swim and Iran from the east

[1:36:20] side to the beaches come

[1:36:22] together to shape Florida

[1:36:25] story. That is actually why

[1:36:26] we're here ensure that every

[1:36:29] voice continues out democracy

[1:36:30] only works when voters choose

[1:36:33] their elected officials. Not

[1:36:33] one district lines are drawn

[1:36:36] to favor political protect

[1:36:39] incumbents. Let me be clear.

[1:36:39] Not asking for racial

[1:36:42] CHAIRMAN. What we're asking

[1:36:47] for fairness. Maps that follow

[1:36:49] the law reflect Florida's fair

[1:36:50] District amendment and give

[1:36:52] voters the power to choose

[1:36:54] their leaders. Floridians

[1:36:55] passed these amendments

[1:36:56] because we demand fairness and

[1:36:58] ability and transparency, not

[1:37:01] partisan manipulation. Right

[1:37:03] now, Florida's congressional

[1:37:05] map stands at 20 Republicans.

[1:37:07] 8 Democrats, that imbalance

[1:37:08] raises real questions about

[1:37:09] whether the process truly

[1:37:09] reflects the will of the

[1:37:13] people. When district lines

[1:37:14] are drawn fairly based on

[1:37:16] equal populations, activists

[1:37:18] and keeping communities

[1:37:19] together. Every Floridian,

[1:37:20] including those here in Duval

[1:37:21] County, have a genuine voice

[1:37:25] shaping our future. We also

[1:37:26] strongly oppose any attempt to

[1:37:29] redo the census before 2030.

[1:37:31] What we need is the complete

[1:37:31] and accurate count when that

[1:37:35] time arrives, not anything or

[1:37:36] and while redistricting is

[1:37:37] essential to democracy, that

[1:37:40] the only issue voters care

[1:37:41] about families across Duval

[1:37:42] County. Part here this

[1:37:45] morning. Concerned about

[1:37:47] rising property insurance cost

[1:37:49] the need for affordable

[1:37:50] housing, access to health

[1:37:52] care, quality education,

[1:37:54] livable wage jobs, protecting

[1:37:55] our children's health and

[1:37:59] safety. We also urge you to

[1:37:59] make yourself available

[1:38:00] session and delegation

[1:38:02] meetings. True leadership

[1:38:05] requires listening year round

[1:38:07] when elected officials engaged

[1:38:08] consistently it builds trust

[1:38:08] and trust that the foundation

[1:38:11] boxing. Finally, we ask you to

[1:38:13] use the people's money wisely

[1:38:14] and that have a repeat of last

[1:38:17] session. Thank you so much.

[1:38:22] Thank you. Up next, is Nancy

[1:38:25] Kopp.

[1:38:26] >> Followed by Sari, Sara

[1:38:31] Straw. Mike or willingly.

[1:38:33] You're recognized.

[1:38:37] >> I am Cobb and I'm much

[1:38:38] Jacksonville's lifelong

[1:38:44] resident. I am. I graduated

[1:38:45] from high school from public

[1:38:46] high school back when Elvis

[1:38:48] was still alive. And I

[1:38:49] graduated from Unf back when

[1:38:51] they graduate on the green.

[1:38:51] That's all I'm going to tell

[1:38:53] you about how old I am. I've

[1:38:54] been here a long time and I am

[1:38:56] the proud parent of an amazing

[1:38:58] young man with Down syndrome.

[1:39:02] And that's why I'm here. Don

[1:39:03] is 45 years old and he is a

[1:39:06] true success story. A lot of

[1:39:07] what goes on in the community.

[1:39:08] You have to go. Oh, why did

[1:39:11] that happen? You can be proud

[1:39:11] that Don is a successful young

[1:39:16] man and it is greatly in part.

[1:39:18] The agency for Persons with

[1:39:19] disabilities as the apd.

[1:39:23] There's a lot of letters here.

[1:39:24] He is in a program called

[1:39:25] Consumer-directed Care, which

[1:39:28] is cdc. Plus, which is part of

[1:39:30] the Med waiver. I budget

[1:39:31] program and I said all that to

[1:39:36] say that. Of movement to

[1:39:38] perhaps do away with that

[1:39:40] program to move manage here

[1:39:41] program. And I'm here to ask

[1:39:45] you not to do that. At least

[1:39:46] not for people that are

[1:39:49] successfully on that program.

[1:39:50] It wouldn't be fair of. I

[1:39:51] didn't tell you a little bit

[1:39:52] about John success and tell

[1:39:56] you a little bit about why. We

[1:39:57] received job training,

[1:40:01] coaching. Transportation. He

[1:40:05] also gets therapy for bt's

[1:40:08] have therapy for Klein, Mental

[1:40:10] Health, Counseling in home

[1:40:12] support. I could go on lots

[1:40:13] and lots of services and

[1:40:15] they're all through cdc. Plus.

[1:40:19] Cause he got all that support,

[1:40:20] Don live as a valued

[1:40:21] contributing member of this

[1:40:23] community. He lives in his own

[1:40:24] home with this dog. Maggie,

[1:40:26] that's what he did on. If you

[1:40:27] don't want a group home, he

[1:40:29] wanted to be on his own and he

[1:40:30] lives successfully a hot the

[1:40:32] fishes. He swims today. He's

[1:40:32] not here because he's playing

[1:40:35] pickleball. He goes to church.

[1:40:37] He travels with his family and

[1:40:39] friends. He loves music. He

[1:40:40] plays the piano. He's learning

[1:40:42] to play the cello and violin.

[1:40:45] He's a diehard Elvis fan. And

[1:40:47] he attends oldest festivals.

[1:40:49] Every option, every

[1:40:50] opportunity gets he chairs for

[1:40:54] the Jags in the Seminoles.

[1:40:55] He's worked and volunteered in

[1:40:56] the community for many years.

[1:40:58] He recently retired after 17

[1:41:00] years of working and the same

[1:41:03] here in Jacksonville. I could

[1:41:06] go on and on. Thank you for

[1:41:07] your time and thank you for

[1:41:08] supporting this valuable

[1:41:10] program. Thank you. Thank you,

[1:41:13] Sara Meyer.

[1:41:15] >> Not available. Okay.

[1:41:16] Following MISTER Willie Lee

[1:41:19] will be like a dry Elliott.

[1:41:22] >> Janina Perez. Followed by

[1:41:26] Judy. Happen. You know? MR.

[1:41:30] Lee, you are recognized.

[1:41:31] >> Good morning. My name is

[1:41:32] Daryl Parents are asked that I

[1:41:35] speak in this lot or her. Yes,

[1:41:40] spot. My name is Daryl Cameron

[1:41:48] Ferrets. Father. I came here.

[1:41:49] At least those of you voted to

[1:41:53] end Florida's law last year.

[1:41:54] Particular Senator Yarborough

[1:41:56] for your support place. Do

[1:41:57] not.

[1:41:58] >> Please do not direct

[1:42:01] comments or any I'm sorry what

[1:42:04] police do not direct any

[1:42:07] comments or or isn't okay.

[1:42:07] Thank thank you for those who

[1:42:14] did it was not.

[1:42:16] >> The fact that 93% of

[1:42:16] Florida lawmakers agreed to

[1:42:18] and Florida's free kill law

[1:42:19] demonstrates that our

[1:42:22] government can work together.

[1:42:23] When Governor DeSantis vetoed

[1:42:24] the bill this summer, I

[1:42:26] started and free kill. Now the

[1:42:29] purpose of which MR. Educate

[1:42:30] the millions of people in the

[1:42:32] state of Florida but have no

[1:42:35] idea entering a Florida

[1:42:36] medical facility, they have no

[1:42:41] rights. And the whole those

[1:42:46] politicians. Do not. Vote to

[1:42:49] end this law. Accountable. The

[1:42:52] campaign is working. The

[1:42:54] billboard we are running on.

[1:42:55] I-95. Welcome to the Freak

[1:42:58] Hill state of Florida. Has

[1:42:58] been featured. Orlando

[1:43:03] Sentinel. Florida politics.

[1:43:07] Various podcast. 9 different

[1:43:08] tv station markets in the

[1:43:10] state of Florida and on the

[1:43:11] first Coast news here. Right

[1:43:15] here in Jacksonville. It's

[1:43:16] been trending on National

[1:43:18] International Social Media's.

[1:43:21] Just one podcast on Reddit

[1:43:26] received to 56 7,000 views.

[1:43:26] Donations I've come in from as

[1:43:28] far away as Texas. North

[1:43:33] Carolina. And advocates have

[1:43:35] signed up support our cause.

[1:43:37] And this next, let's with

[1:43:38] legislative session. Thousands

[1:43:39] them all over the state of

[1:43:41] Florida. We are building an

[1:43:44] army. The way to end this

[1:43:49] campaign. Quickly and easily.

[1:43:49] MR. Override Governor

[1:43:55] Desantis's veto. Florida loses

[1:44:01] credibility. As this goes on.

[1:44:03] Thank you. Very liberty and

[1:44:06] justice for all. That's what

[1:44:08] we said when we spoke here.

[1:44:11] Thank you very much, sir.

[1:44:19] >> next, we have a key it. I'm

[1:44:19] actually believe least. I

[1:44:22] think maybe we got out of. I'm

[1:44:28] sorry, you're recognized. I'll

[1:44:30] start by giving a little bit

[1:44:32] of why I think this program is

[1:44:35] important. If some background

[1:44:36] on myself, I am a native of

[1:44:37] Jacksonville graduate high

[1:44:42] school. Grew up as a serial

[1:44:44] athlete. And I assume I only

[1:44:45] way to get to college West

[1:44:47] Atlantic scholarship. That

[1:44:51] ended up being true. Dusty

[1:44:52] Rhodes over Unf gave him the

[1:44:53] opportunity to play baseball

[1:44:56] for him. And the wind comes

[1:44:58] into this story. When I got to

[1:45:03] unf. Grades were good. And I

[1:45:03] had the opportunity to major

[1:45:07] in electrical engineering.

[1:45:07] Will electrical engineering is

[1:45:10] not built for athlete. Core

[1:45:11] classes are right in the

[1:45:14] middle of practice. And dusty

[1:45:16] Rhodes coach Rose made a

[1:45:18] decision allow me to major

[1:45:20] graduate electrical

[1:45:21] engineering, even though he's

[1:45:22] starting center fielder and

[1:45:24] leadoff batter would be

[1:45:25] serially late to practice

[1:45:26] every Tuesday and Thursday.

[1:45:29] That one decision. Totally

[1:45:35] change the rest of my life. I

[1:45:36] have had the opportunity to

[1:45:37] have a great career and

[1:45:38] technology traveling the

[1:45:39] world. Most recently worked

[1:45:40] with a group of researchers

[1:45:43] out of by. Doing immersive

[1:45:49] technology. I a body aches.

[1:45:50] Last semester, a friend of

[1:45:53] mine from famu asked I will

[1:45:55] come Lida cohort of 10

[1:45:58] students at training. The

[1:46:02] technology moving so fast.

[1:46:03] That curricula curriculum

[1:46:04] approved by the time it gets

[1:46:06] approved. You know, outdated.

[1:46:10] I agree. And no good deed

[1:46:13] goes. And and so PRESIDENT

[1:46:17] Trump released I challenge. I

[1:46:17] was asked to lead a group of

[1:46:21] high school students later.

[1:46:22] Has to lead a group of

[1:46:23] students out of Jackson and

[1:46:24] then just a guy in lead, a

[1:46:25] group of students out of. Re

[1:46:31] ball. And so. I was talking to

[1:46:32] John. He said, hey, you gotta

[1:46:33] can lead a group of students

[1:46:36] at a Pensacola. And I'm just

[1:46:37] like you know, it just says

[1:46:38] that is way too much. And he

[1:46:43] said, hey, you just come. I

[1:46:43] can get you get in front of

[1:46:44] the right people explain what

[1:46:45] you're doing. Maybe they can

[1:46:47] help expand what you get. As

[1:46:52] you know, this is important.

[1:46:52] Is going to change the world.

[1:46:53] Amazon just, you know, the

[1:46:54] layoffs and all the hype

[1:46:57] around it. I'm going to do

[1:46:58] this for students. The only

[1:47:00] question is, is it going to 8

[1:47:01] going to be 8800 or better.

[1:47:04] 1000. Thank you for your time.

[1:47:07] Thank you very much. They

[1:47:11] stopped this became trail.

[1:47:12] Please state your name for the

[1:47:16] record. Good morning. Chair

[1:47:17] members of the delegation. My

[1:47:20] name is lucky

[1:47:21] >> And on the program,

[1:47:21] director of the National

[1:47:24] Center for Security Education.

[1:47:26] Now build on what my colleague

[1:47:28] resented about the efforts

[1:47:30] that we are doing currently to

[1:47:32] advanced ai missions in

[1:47:33] Florida. And throughout this.

[1:47:35] I want to request your support

[1:47:37] annex ending education and

[1:47:40] workforce readiness programs

[1:47:40] across Florida's public

[1:47:43] schools and colleges before

[1:47:45] you today in your binders are

[1:47:47] materials outlining what MR.

[1:47:48] Lee mentioned in both our ai

[1:47:51] an industry internship program

[1:47:53] and I Presidential Challenge

[1:47:54] Initiative, these 2 programs

[1:47:58] are designed to bring hands on

[1:47:59] real world ai learning

[1:48:00] experience to students across

[1:48:01] the state ranging from high

[1:48:04] school to college. We have

[1:48:05] successfully completed our

[1:48:07] first internship this past

[1:48:09] semester with Florida, a m's

[1:48:11] University Cyber Policy

[1:48:13] Institute. Also students from

[1:48:15] fsu, the University of North

[1:48:16] Florida, Clemson about The

[1:48:20] state, Texas, a m Texarkana

[1:48:21] and we worked with a company

[1:48:24] here in Jacksonville, cause

[1:48:25] csi companies to produce a

[1:48:26] solution built completely with

[1:48:28] ai. This organization is

[1:48:30] nationally and internationally

[1:48:32] recognized during the

[1:48:33] internship. Students gain

[1:48:34] practical experience applying

[1:48:37] ai to workforce challenges and

[1:48:38] saw firsthand how these

[1:48:39] technologies drive innovation

[1:48:41] across industries.

[1:48:41] >> What we discovered was

[1:48:45] eye-opening and kind of

[1:48:46] disturbing even among juniors

[1:48:48] and seniors at the collegiate

[1:48:50] level, many of them lack

[1:48:52] familiarity not only with

[1:48:53] building these ai tools, but

[1:48:55] also being able to use them

[1:48:56] effectively. These tools are

[1:48:59] now essential in every field.

[1:49:00] And according to the Florida

[1:49:01] Chamber Foundation, Florida

[1:49:07] Workforce 2030, report. 77% of

[1:49:08] businesses anticipate the

[1:49:09] artificial intelligence and

[1:49:11] other emerging technologies

[1:49:12] will disrupt and completely

[1:49:13] change their operations. That

[1:49:16] means the our students at the

[1:49:18] high school and collegiate

[1:49:20] level need to begin to get

[1:49:21] prepared. Now, not later in

[1:49:24] order to remain competitive.

[1:49:25] We're actively working with

[1:49:26] Fremont High School and Andrew

[1:49:27] Jackson High School here in

[1:49:30] Jacksonville to integrate ai

[1:49:31] and education into their

[1:49:32] classrooms through the I

[1:49:33] challenge initiated by Donald

[1:49:37] Trump. We recognize, though,

[1:49:39] that this education must

[1:49:42] continue beyond this

[1:49:42] challenge, although it's not

[1:49:43] something that has been stated

[1:49:45] statewide. We do believe that

[1:49:47] students should have access to

[1:49:49] it. We're asking for your

[1:49:50] support of legislation and

[1:49:52] funding and the upcoming

[1:49:53] session to support those

[1:49:53] things operationally and

[1:49:57] technologically.

[1:49:58] >> Representative Daniels has

[1:50:04] a question. Thank you very

[1:50:04] >> can you?

[1:50:05] >> Give the name of you have

[1:50:09] an appropriation and you give

[1:50:11] the name that's on. Actual

[1:50:11] appropriation is the

[1:50:12] organization's name on. There

[1:50:13] was something preparation

[1:50:16] you're recognized.

[1:50:16] >> The ai in industry

[1:50:19] experiencia learning program.

[1:50:21] And the name on the is the

[1:50:21] National Center for Security

[1:50:27] at Education. Thank you very

[1:50:34] much. The stop is Perez

[1:50:38] followed by JUNE And Brooke

[1:50:40] Please make your way to force

[1:50:44] the al you're recognized.

[1:50:46] Hello, good afternoon. My name

[1:50:47] is mean up. It I'm the Florida

[1:50:48] director at Moms Rising a

[1:50:52] national online on the ground.

[1:50:53] >> Organization with a network

[1:50:53] of thousands of families

[1:50:54] across the state, including

[1:50:55] here in Jacksonville. I'm also

[1:50:55] a mom here in Jacksonville,

[1:50:59] Florida. And in the last 3

[1:51:00] years, I've talked to moms

[1:51:01] here in Jacksonville and

[1:51:03] across the state. And it's

[1:51:04] clear that Florida is a state

[1:51:05] where families are not just

[1:51:05] are going to thrive, but to

[1:51:09] survive. And one of things

[1:51:10] that we've been hearing about

[1:51:11] is the inability to access

[1:51:11] high quality, affordable

[1:51:13] childcare. In our

[1:51:14] conversations with our network

[1:51:16] across the state, we

[1:51:17] consistently hear it as the

[1:51:18] top issues impacting families

[1:51:23] in our state. In fact, recent

[1:51:25] data shows that 13% of

[1:51:26] children born age 5 in

[1:51:27] Florida, lived in families

[1:51:29] where some wanted to quit

[1:51:29] changed or refuse a job

[1:51:32] because of Child care and the

[1:51:36] cost of childcare Rose 5.5% in

[1:51:38] Florida between 2024 2025. So

[1:51:38] we're talking recent recent

[1:51:41] numbers. Florida families are

[1:51:44] being hit even harder because

[1:51:46] families and child care

[1:51:46] providers are dealing with

[1:51:47] some of the highest inflation

[1:51:50] in the country. The highest

[1:51:50] housing costs that are

[1:51:51] squeezing our families to

[1:51:53] limit. But instead of

[1:51:55] increasing investment in early

[1:51:57] learning, they decreased by

[1:51:59] nearly 6% this year. And as

[1:52:00] more families became eligible,

[1:52:03] worsening, waiting, waiting

[1:52:04] list and voluntary Pre-k

[1:52:06] funding stayed flat

[1:52:06] threatening program quality

[1:52:10] and access. Sure I don't tell

[1:52:11] anyone here when funding

[1:52:13] states flight essentially a

[1:52:15] cut to the program as costs

[1:52:17] are increasing with inflation.

[1:52:22] But families are asking. Is

[1:52:24] that we make investments to

[1:52:24] stabilize childcare program to

[1:52:25] make it possible for them to

[1:52:26] pay their early educators and

[1:52:30] families providing wages. And

[1:52:31] to have reasonable benefits

[1:52:32] for the vitally important work

[1:52:33] that they do as parents. We

[1:52:34] want those caring for children

[1:52:34] to be able to care for their

[1:52:37] own families. And moms and

[1:52:38] families in Florida are urging

[1:52:39] you to increase school

[1:52:40] readiness funding to eliminate

[1:52:42] waiting list and support

[1:52:43] working families to raise Vpk

[1:52:44] base student allocation to

[1:52:46] attract or retain high-quality

[1:52:48] early childhood educators and

[1:52:49] to make high quality

[1:52:50] affordable childcare statewide

[1:52:52] priority for families and

[1:52:54] providers. We urge you to take

[1:52:55] action the session to ensure

[1:52:55] families and children of all

[1:52:59] can thrive. Not just survive.

[1:53:03] Thank you very much. If chit.

[1:53:05] I'm sorry, redness and has a

[1:53:05] question you're recognized.

[1:53:09] Thank you. MADAM Chair, Hyams

[1:53:09] Perez.

[1:53:11] >> Do you know roughly about

[1:53:14] the average cost of early

[1:53:15] childhood education for a

[1:53:19] family per year? You're

[1:53:19] recognized?

[1:53:20] >> Absolutely. It depends on

[1:53:21] the age of the child, if and

[1:53:21] how many children you have,

[1:53:25] right? And so the average cost

[1:53:26] for infant care exceeds

[1:53:27] college tuition rates in

[1:53:30] Florida. And so when you

[1:53:31] compound that with families

[1:53:33] who have children in variety

[1:53:36] of ages, it becomes thousands

[1:53:36] of dollars. We get reports

[1:53:38] families that it exceeds their

[1:53:39] mortgage costs, their rent

[1:53:39] costs and all their household

[1:53:44] costs. And that is regardless

[1:53:46] of family size. Of course, it

[1:53:47] gets harder if and if there

[1:53:48] are multiple children, the

[1:53:48] household using child care and

[1:53:52] that includes after care. We

[1:53:52] go straight into public school

[1:53:55] years as well. Thank you very

[1:54:03] much. If JUNE in Brook

[1:54:03] >> can make their way to the

[1:54:04] podium. Please identify

[1:54:05] yourself for the records.

[1:54:08] Please. My name is JUNE

[1:54:09] Babineau. My records on my

[1:54:12] addresses on file. And I want

[1:54:13] to welcome the delegation.

[1:54:14] Thank you for your service and

[1:54:16] asked that today. You also

[1:54:19] consider. Doing whatever you

[1:54:22] can to help all Floridians to

[1:54:25] have health insurance.

[1:54:26] Realizing that the Affordable

[1:54:28] Care Act is federally

[1:54:29] regulated under the current

[1:54:34] administration without. Health

[1:54:36] insurance from the aca with

[1:54:37] tax credit, many families

[1:54:40] would not be able to afford

[1:54:41] health insurance and fall

[1:54:44] into. Poverty due to health

[1:54:47] costs alone. I have real

[1:54:48] concerns for children in

[1:54:51] particular. And the they are

[1:54:52] the innocent victims who have

[1:54:56] no voice. And I don't stand

[1:54:57] alone. The number of children

[1:55:01] under the Affordable Care Act

[1:55:01] marketplace is 9% of the total

[1:55:05] market place. Total enrollment

[1:55:05] in Florida has been increasing

[1:55:11] since then. As of 2024, the

[1:55:11] percentage of Florida children

[1:55:13] living below that federal

[1:55:16] poverty level in Florida was

[1:55:20] 17%. Consider that there are

[1:55:24] another 38% of children living

[1:55:26] in households that our asset

[1:55:28] limited income constrained

[1:55:29] employed, which is the

[1:55:33] acronym, alice. The alice

[1:55:37] Threshold. Families spend more

[1:55:38] than 30% of their income

[1:55:40] housing on housing,

[1:55:42] highlighting the affordable

[1:55:47] care, the housing crisis. If

[1:55:48] they if currently the

[1:55:49] Affordable Care Act insurance

[1:55:52] with tax credits goes away, we

[1:55:55] have a health crisis. Add

[1:55:57] health costs without insurance

[1:55:58] and you have more. Florida

[1:56:03] families living in poverty. In

[1:56:07] 2024. 55 1% of families. We're

[1:56:11] under the Alice threshold. And

[1:56:11] and including the poverty

[1:56:17] level. If or when the aca with

[1:56:19] the tax credit goes away. Just

[1:56:22] a few of the state level

[1:56:23] actions that our Senate and

[1:56:26] our representatives. Could

[1:56:29] consider one would be Medicaid

[1:56:33] expansion, expand Medicaid to

[1:56:34] cover nearly 800,000 uninsured

[1:56:40] Floridians. You MAY committed

[1:56:40] or Asian. You MAY finish your

[1:56:43] sentence.

[1:56:47] >> Consider state subsidies.

[1:56:48] Programs and offer states

[1:56:50] Pacific marketplace. For

[1:56:52] health insurance. And I just

[1:56:56] wanted to say the effects on

[1:56:56] children, if we don't take

[1:56:58] care of this extremely

[1:57:04] detrimental. And they are our

[1:57:04] greatest natural resource to

[1:57:06] we must do something. Thank

[1:57:10] you. Thank you very much.

[1:57:11] Sprint. Babineau followed by

[1:57:16] Denise Rose, followed by Mike

[1:57:16] Ludwick. If you can make your

[1:57:23] way towards the middle aisle.

[1:57:24] Good morning recognized. Know

[1:57:25] my address and information is

[1:57:27] on record.

[1:57:27] >> I came talk to you about

[1:57:32] simple. A simple issue. And

[1:57:33] year that's about public

[1:57:36] safety and economy. And

[1:57:37] something that most people do

[1:57:38] not know exist. It's

[1:57:41] underrated of part of the of

[1:57:43] virtually every government and

[1:57:44] that's called civil

[1:57:46] engineering. And the way civil

[1:57:50] engineering works. Between the

[1:57:53] stop like to stop by. If

[1:57:54] someone travels at the speed

[1:57:56] limit or slightly below, you

[1:57:59] always a green light. That's

[1:58:02] economy that safety. None of

[1:58:06] the road rage issues hop but

[1:58:06] the ignorance of civil

[1:58:08] engineering and how and age

[1:58:13] the speed flow. 2 economy and

[1:58:17] to safety is pretty much. And

[1:58:20] I'm suggesting that the

[1:58:24] government take that issue are

[1:58:26] live freighter, educate the

[1:58:29] public to to save them money

[1:58:32] to save them. Safety and to

[1:58:33] provide much more efficiency

[1:58:36] on the road surface. It would

[1:58:37] be very simple to reach out to

[1:58:40] the different media. And have

[1:58:45] them regular advisement to

[1:58:48] safety Anaconda MAY and

[1:58:50] following the traffic light.

[1:58:51] Speed limits. It's a limit.

[1:58:54] It's not a goal. It's not

[1:58:56] something to overcome. Not

[1:58:59] something to surpass. Because

[1:59:02] everyone we travel safely. And

[1:59:06] economically that speed limit.

[1:59:12] Problems, reduce Just imagine.

[1:59:14] But if you are on the road,

[1:59:14] you didn't see people cutting

[1:59:17] in zooming and then guess

[1:59:17] what, all the time you reach

[1:59:19] the next stop light. There's a

[1:59:24] whole crowd waiting. We could

[1:59:26] we could have illuminated

[1:59:28] easily but educate the public.

[1:59:35] And use the media to help.

[1:59:37] Thank you for your time. Thank

[1:59:42] you very much.

[1:59:43] >> Up is Denise Rose. You MAY

[1:59:49] approach the podium, please.

[1:59:54] You're recognized.

[1:59:56] >> Good evening. Members of

[1:59:57] the delegation.

[2:00:00] >> My name is Denise wrote and

[2:00:01] I Llevan man from Duval County

[2:00:02] sentenced to life without a

[2:00:06] role. And they have been

[2:00:09] imprisoned since the 90.

[2:00:11] >> I stand before you with a

[2:00:12] simple plea. Bring back hope

[2:00:14] to Florida's justice system.

[2:00:18] I'm asking you support the

[2:00:20] Florida care long-term

[2:00:21] sentence at a law that would

[2:00:23] give deserve in men and women

[2:00:26] a chance, not a guarantee, but

[2:00:30] a chance to be seen or who

[2:00:31] they become. Not just for what

[2:00:35] they once did, according to

[2:00:36] the Florida Department of

[2:00:39] Corrections, 2019 report, the

[2:00:41] recidivism rate for murder and

[2:00:44] manslaughter is only 12.3% The

[2:00:47] lowest of all the fan says.

[2:00:49] And among people aged 50 and

[2:00:52] older recidivism rate is the

[2:00:55] lowest ranging from 19.4 and

[2:00:57] decrease. And as they reach 60

[2:01:02] years and older. These numbers

[2:01:04] prove what so many families

[2:01:05] chaplains and correctional

[2:01:08] staff already know people can

[2:01:12] and do change. These aren't

[2:01:13] the same people. They were

[2:01:19] decades ago. I'm maturity,

[2:01:19] remorse and rehabilitation

[2:01:22] have changed. Now. But today

[2:01:24] many of them are serving life

[2:01:26] without parole. What we call

[2:01:29] death by incarceration. It's

[2:01:31] like being trapped in a glass

[2:01:32] casket. You can see the world

[2:01:35] moving on without you. The

[2:01:36] world can see you, but your

[2:01:40] frozen in time. Them that and

[2:01:41] a place meant to correct not

[2:01:44] to bury. Every day men and

[2:01:47] women behind those walls are

[2:01:49] degrees mentoring. Younger

[2:01:49] PRESIDENT Of and find him

[2:01:53] pain. They faced their past

[2:01:56] and embrace accountability.

[2:01:57] But no matter how much they

[2:02:00] change our system fails them.

[2:02:01] You want Napa be worthy of

[2:02:06] another The long-term sentence

[2:02:09] is about mercy, not leniency.

[2:02:12] It says that a person has

[2:02:15] truly changed 2 years of

[2:02:18] introspection, education and

[2:02:19] rehabilitation. We should at

[2:02:22] least look again, because

[2:02:23] justice without hope is not

[2:02:26] justice at Thank much. Thank

[2:02:28] you very much. Please hold

[2:02:34] your pal's. Following MISTER.

[2:02:37] >> My cloud would we have rob

[2:02:37] law?

[2:02:37] >> With space, Florida

[2:02:41] PRESIDENT, he's the ceo. Kelli

[2:02:43] Cooper, Adrian Burk. If all

[2:02:44] can make your way towards the

[2:02:47] al. Please state your name for

[2:02:47] the records. You are

[2:02:51] recognized.

[2:02:54] >> Good afternoon. My name is

[2:02:54] Mike Ludwick. A proud member

[2:02:55] of the Northside Coalition of

[2:02:58] Jacksonville. We show up and

[2:03:01] speak out against all forms

[2:03:01] social racial economic

[2:03:02] injustice with a focused on

[2:03:06] the northwest tax bill. Our

[2:03:07] PRESIDENT Kelly Fraser not be

[2:03:09] here today and asked me to

[2:03:14] share these words with you. We

[2:03:16] urge you to reject any

[2:03:16] redistricting plans that

[2:03:17] undermine their

[2:03:21] representation. Do not further

[2:03:22] dilute the voices of black

[2:03:25] voters and erase decades of

[2:03:27] hard-won progress, democracy

[2:03:29] demands transparency and

[2:03:30] equity, not political

[2:03:33] manipulation. Second, we asked

[2:03:34] you to reversed expansion of

[2:03:38] the schools of Hope program.

[2:03:40] This program diverts critical

[2:03:41] funding from our public

[2:03:42] schools and hands it to

[2:03:43] private operators with little

[2:03:46] accountability. Our children

[2:03:48] deserve fully resourced.

[2:03:50] Classrooms and not a 2 tiered

[2:03:51] system that leaves vulnerable

[2:03:57] students behind. We asked you

[2:03:58] to reform the punitive

[2:03:59] restrictions on third-party

[2:04:00] voter registration groups like

[2:04:02] the North Side. These rules

[2:04:04] don't protect voters. They

[2:04:07] suppress them. Let's remove

[2:04:10] unnecessary barriers from that

[2:04:13] civic engagement is a right. A

[2:04:18] risk. We need clarity, income

[2:04:20] passion and how we treat

[2:04:22] returning citizens, formerly

[2:04:23] incarcerated the current

[2:04:24] system for restoring voting

[2:04:27] rights is confusing, costly

[2:04:29] and unjust. Let's build a

[2:04:31] process that honors redemption

[2:04:34] and encourages participation.

[2:04:37] And finally, we must expand

[2:04:39] Medicaid. Florida has left

[2:04:41] hundreds of thousands of

[2:04:42] people uninsured while federal

[2:04:45] dollars that on the table, not

[2:04:48] just a policy failure, the

[2:04:49] moral one we can and must you

[2:04:53] better. We ask you to lead

[2:04:55] with courage, reject policies

[2:04:58] that Biden and diminish and

[2:05:00] invest in the people that make

[2:05:00] Jacksonville strong

[2:05:02] communities are watching and

[2:05:03] history will remember were

[2:05:06] used. And thank you, MR. Le

[2:05:15] Pick. Up next. It's Rob Lowe.

[2:05:19] You're recognized. Thank you,

[2:05:20] MADAM Chair, and thank you for

[2:05:22] the delegation for the time

[2:05:24] today. I am Rob Law space,

[2:05:25] Florida.

[2:05:26] >> And it's a great

[2:05:27] opportunity for me today just

[2:05:29] to share a little bit space

[2:05:29] activities here in the state

[2:05:30] and what we're looking forward

[2:05:31] to and the coming legislative

[2:05:36] session. As we look across the

[2:05:38] last year, we've seen anywhere

[2:05:39] between 2 and 20% growth and

[2:05:40] aerospace activities depending

[2:05:42] on the sector specifically

[2:05:45] related to those different

[2:05:46] activities. And nowhere is

[2:05:47] that more evidence than here

[2:05:49] in northeast Florida and Duval

[2:05:51] County. Couple quick examples.

[2:05:52] Just to give you some further

[2:05:54] insight. And we recently

[2:05:58] closed out a project with be a

[2:05:58] Marine systems. First ship

[2:05:59] lift activity, a 250 million

[2:06:02] dollar investment by here in

[2:06:04] Duval County. It's a great

[2:06:05] project and it's something

[2:06:06] that was long time coming. And

[2:06:07] we were very fortunate for us

[2:06:09] to be partners in that project

[2:06:11] and close that out this last

[2:06:12] year as well as work with

[2:06:15] Cecil. They support on their

[2:06:17] utility quarter development

[2:06:18] and that kind of investment is

[2:06:22] key. When we look at some of

[2:06:23] the up aerospace companies

[2:06:26] that are interested in places

[2:06:26] like Cecil things that are on

[2:06:30] the cutting edge like a auto

[2:06:31] yes, of course. Longstanding

[2:06:34] partners like Boeing Aviation.

[2:06:35] And, you know, when you look

[2:06:35] across Duval County, which

[2:06:39] you'll see also, it's just the

[2:06:39] vibrancy of the space

[2:06:42] technology community as well,

[2:06:43] anchored largely by red wire

[2:06:44] technologies here in

[2:06:45] Jacksonville and up and coming

[2:06:48] new startups like Starcatcher.

[2:06:50] We just recently demonstrated

[2:06:53] a world world record setting

[2:06:54] transmission over one kilowatt

[2:06:58] of solar energy and the test

[2:06:59] to demonstrate their new

[2:07:01] technologies. So it's an

[2:07:03] exciting time to be part of

[2:07:04] the aerospace industry and

[2:07:05] support the aerospace industry

[2:07:05] growth across the state.

[2:07:08] Course, here, Duval County. We

[2:07:09] have several initiatives that

[2:07:10] will be going forward through

[2:07:11] legislative session. That will

[2:07:15] help us further accelerate be

[2:07:16] more efficient, effective in

[2:07:16] supporting industry as we go

[2:07:18] forward. And with that, I look

[2:07:19] forward to working with all of

[2:07:20] throughout the legislative

[2:07:20] session and welcome any

[2:07:34] questions. Thank you, MR. We

[2:07:35] have Kelli Cooper up nays

[2:07:38] following by Adrian Burk.

[2:07:39] >> And Charlie if you can make

[2:07:42] your way towards the ow.

[2:07:43] You're recognized. Please

[2:07:44] state your name for the

[2:07:48] record. My name is Kelly. Good

[2:07:51] afternoon person my name like

[2:07:56] or I'm grateful to live in a

[2:07:59] and order state yet we must

[2:08:01] fund the best of correction.

[2:08:07] Our justice. Secretary Dixon

[2:08:08] has not only hostile start.

[2:08:11] It's but also public safety.

[2:08:13] Today he's managing 10,000

[2:08:14] more inmates and 2021. At the

[2:08:20] same. We have a staffing.

[2:08:21] We're 70% of officers with

[2:08:24] less than 3 years. I can't.

[2:08:25] Probation thing. Excuse me.

[2:08:29] Can you hold? Can move closer

[2:08:30] to the Mike? Please are all

[2:08:31] public closer towards

[2:08:34] >> So we can hear Is that

[2:08:37] better? Yes, thank you.

[2:08:40] >> So half on probation or in

[2:08:41] training, 19 year-old are

[2:08:45] supervising 150 inmates. Those

[2:08:47] with 5 years experience over c

[2:08:50] 1500 to 2000 lives, jobs once

[2:08:51] requiring 12 to 15 years.

[2:08:55] Experience the result assaults

[2:08:58] on officers up. 49% inmate on

[2:09:02] inmate up 50%. For now it

[2:09:03] feels turnover Dickstein

[2:09:05] panhandle prisons are near

[2:09:08] Alabama, which pay $35 an

[2:09:11] hour. While Florida's pay. 22.

[2:09:12] Additionally, those

[2:09:12] incarcerated have too much

[2:09:14] time on their hands. And I

[2:09:16] don't mind is the devil's

[2:09:18] playground and a proven

[2:09:18] trigger for assaults on

[2:09:22] officers. Another inmate. One

[2:09:23] superintendent in other did

[2:09:27] that but praying. Good playing

[2:09:27] good food and good medical

[2:09:29] make a good PRESIDENT. We're

[2:09:32] failing on most accounts. For

[2:09:34] long-term ERs like my son

[2:09:37] starting a 40 year sentence.

[2:09:39] Options are scarce. He's

[2:09:41] locked out of most programs

[2:09:42] and jobs. But for 21 hours a

[2:09:47] day of nothing, education,

[2:09:48] recreation work, all got it by

[2:09:51] chronic under staffing. We say

[2:09:52] we're tough on crime, but

[2:09:52] we've become a state or a

[2:09:54] nursing home for the elderly

[2:09:56] and a warehouse for the

[2:09:57] mentally ill. That's not

[2:09:58] corrections. That abdication

[2:10:02] case in point 573 people

[2:10:04] locked up 20 plus years for an

[2:10:06] armed robbery costing

[2:10:06] taxpayers over 20 million

[2:10:09] dollars a year. Are they still

[2:10:09] dangerous? But they've been

[2:10:13] punished enough. Meanwhile, in

[2:10:14] 24 the Florida Commission on

[2:10:17] Offender review released with

[2:10:20] 0% are bit of Let's trust the

[2:10:23] experts. They've life

[2:10:26] sentences for those. We truly

[2:10:28] fear rehabilitate. The rest

[2:10:29] with real programs will work

[2:10:30] in real It's us. Thank you

[2:10:45] very much. Up is Adrian Burk.

[2:10:46] Charlie Croix followed by

[2:10:48] Denise Gott and Ryan Chandler.

[2:10:49] >> Please identify yourself

[2:10:52] for the record. Please.

[2:10:52] >> Hi there. Good afternoon.

[2:10:56] My name is Charlie Cry. My

[2:10:56] pronouns are they them? And I

[2:10:57] live here and the beautifully

[2:11:00] diverse to fall. I'm here

[2:11:02] today with equality. Florida

[2:11:03] are statewide lgbtq civil

[2:11:04] rights organization to urge

[2:11:05] you to represent all your

[2:11:07] constituents. The session.

[2:11:09] Stop attacks on dei and the

[2:11:11] States war on Freedom and

[2:11:12] prioritize the health of our

[2:11:15] communities. Trans people,

[2:11:17] immigrants, people of color

[2:11:18] and other marginalized

[2:11:19] communities are not your

[2:11:23] enemies. We're your neighbors.

[2:11:23] Diversity, equity, and

[2:11:26] inclusion are bad words.

[2:11:28] They've been twisted and

[2:11:29] weaponized by extremists to

[2:11:30] rob hardworking Americans of

[2:11:34] equal access opportunities.

[2:11:34] Yesterday was a Veterans Day

[2:11:35] and tomorrow starts

[2:11:36] transgender awareness week.

[2:11:38] I'd like to bring your

[2:11:38] attention to all the brave

[2:11:39] trance military service

[2:11:40] members currently banned from

[2:11:42] serving as legal challenges. I

[2:11:46] thank them for their service.

[2:11:46] There is no freedom in

[2:11:47] government dictating what we

[2:11:50] can read and who we can be.

[2:11:51] Real freedom. Let's educators

[2:11:53] teach actual history allows

[2:11:53] parents to make the best

[2:11:56] decisions for their children

[2:11:57] and allows doctors educated

[2:12:00] experts provide care. Last

[2:12:01] year over 6 million Floridians

[2:12:04] voted to restore reproductive

[2:12:05] rights. That's 2 million more

[2:12:06] votes than DeSantis received

[2:12:08] to become governor in 2018. By

[2:12:09] the way, and sent a resounding

[2:12:11] message in opposition of

[2:12:12] government interference with

[2:12:14] health care decisions, respect

[2:12:18] the will of the people. Even

[2:12:19] lives, reducing health care

[2:12:20] costs and building healthier

[2:12:21] communities. Our values shared

[2:12:24] across party lines. Federal

[2:12:26] cuts have put lives at risk by

[2:12:28] creating critical gaps and hiv

[2:12:30] testing treatment, prevention

[2:12:32] and support the state must

[2:12:32] take action to fill these

[2:12:36] gaps. Putting funding now

[2:12:37] would undo decades of progress

[2:12:38] and endanger thousands of

[2:12:45] Floridians. We all deserve a

[2:12:45] healthier, safer and more

[2:12:46] equitable. Florida, where

[2:12:47] every family is treated with

[2:12:49] dignity and respect. This

[2:12:52] session. Remember these

[2:12:53] critical issues and rep

[2:12:53] NOVEMBER will remember who

[2:13:01] stood with us? Thank you. They

[2:13:02] Denise Gott, if you could

[2:13:03] identify yourself for the

[2:13:05] records, please.

[2:13:06] >> Good afternoon. I'm Denise

[2:13:10] Scott. First off, let me say I

[2:13:12] want to thank Representative

[2:13:14] Angie Nixon for her tireless

[2:13:16] leadership commitment, not the

[2:13:17] right to addressing her. I'm

[2:13:21] making a statement. I like

[2:13:22] thank her for her leadership

[2:13:24] and what she does for this

[2:13:26] city. She's always on the

[2:13:28] front line and we appreciate

[2:13:29] her as see that my

[2:13:30] representatives showed up

[2:13:30] late. She that she's a no show

[2:13:34] for the people. Was this

[2:13:35] Republican legislator always

[2:13:37] call order. Please, please

[2:13:37] make sure that you're stop my

[2:13:41] time. Please. Please make sure

[2:13:42] that your responses. Are

[2:13:48] respectful. My response is I

[2:13:53] respectful this much both. And

[2:13:54] this is this Republican

[2:13:55] legislation always diluting

[2:13:57] black representation with

[2:13:59] Germany. Why aren't you

[2:13:59] defending what's right and

[2:14:01] represent the people its like

[2:14:03] some of you are You only

[2:14:07] defend what benefit you.

[2:14:09] Credit racing black history.

[2:14:10] Stop allowing this governor

[2:14:10] that teach that black folks

[2:14:13] benefited from slavery, teach

[2:14:14] the truth. Slavery happen and

[2:14:17] it was bad. Slavery is white

[2:14:19] history and how my ancestors

[2:14:21] divide. It's black history.

[2:14:25] Pope Leo says it best. It's to

[2:14:27] be called woke in a world that

[2:14:28] sleeps through suffering is no

[2:14:30] in Seoul. And I'm glad to be

[2:14:33] woke. You have inconveniences

[2:14:36] entire state with you agree to

[2:14:37] the new allegiance to a

[2:14:37] tyrant. And I'm not talking

[2:14:38] about the PRESIDENT. I'm

[2:14:40] talking about this. Governor,

[2:14:41] as I told the city Council and

[2:14:44] the school board. If you think

[2:14:45] Charlie Kirk's race, if you

[2:14:48] don't see Charlie coach racism

[2:14:50] is because you don't see you

[2:14:51] on haven't statues in on

[2:14:53] colleges and universities. 4

[2:14:57] races community drop out. It's

[2:14:59] no different than they allowed

[2:15:00] a community Confederate

[2:15:04] monuments to be elected. We

[2:15:05] the people are sick and tired

[2:15:07] of your continued racism and

[2:15:08] white superiority. You all

[2:15:10] took oath to uphold the

[2:15:11] Constitution to represent the

[2:15:14] people. When we start doing

[2:15:15] that, you have always you have

[2:15:17] already. We cannot public

[2:15:18] school system when you thought

[2:15:20] it was wise to do this voucher

[2:15:22] program for the wealthy. So

[2:15:26] now you think it's wise to a

[2:15:28] for-profit? I just thank you

[2:15:29] very for trade. Put let's say

[2:15:30] you got choose and pick and

[2:15:31] children. They very much

[2:15:38] you're out of order. You're up

[2:15:39] next. Please identify

[2:15:44] yourself. Good afternoon.

[2:15:46] Thank you for the opportunity

[2:15:47] speak with you today. My name

[2:15:48] is Ryan Chandler. I'm the

[2:15:50] chair of the Association of

[2:15:51] qualified organizations.

[2:15:52] >> We provide waiver support,

[2:15:53] coordination services to

[2:15:54] individuals with developmental

[2:15:57] disabilities. I wanted to

[2:15:58] thank you for your support of

[2:16:00] the apd. I budget waiver and

[2:16:00] waiver support coordination

[2:16:04] last session. I'm here today

[2:16:04] because the future of the I

[2:16:06] budget waiver, which has

[2:16:07] supported this vulnerable

[2:16:07] population in Florida for more

[2:16:11] than 30 years is at risk.

[2:16:12] There are proposals to move

[2:16:12] the waiver program to a

[2:16:15] managed care system on paper.

[2:16:15] Managed care MAY sound

[2:16:17] efficient and they work for

[2:16:19] some individuals with less

[2:16:19] complex needs. But our

[2:16:22] population has diverse needs.

[2:16:25] Be fit into managed care box.

[2:16:27] The devastating effects of

[2:16:28] managed care for this

[2:16:29] population with regard to

[2:16:32] dental and applied behavior.

[2:16:33] Analysis services is currently

[2:16:34] being experienced and should

[2:16:34] not be the only option for

[2:16:36] this population. Staley

[2:16:39] services that they rely on to

[2:16:39] safely function in the

[2:16:43] community and at home as

[2:16:43] waiver support coordinators.

[2:16:44] We don't just connect people

[2:16:46] with the services. We know our

[2:16:47] consumers personally for years

[2:16:50] and sometimes decades, we

[2:16:50] guide families through the

[2:16:52] Medicaid re determination

[2:16:55] process. Ssi, ssdi, snap and

[2:16:55] other vital third-party

[2:16:59] benefits. We connect them to

[2:17:01] community resources. We're a

[2:17:01] consistent point of contact

[2:17:06] and a complicated system. We

[2:17:07] have incentive to delay,

[2:17:09] delay, deny or reduced

[2:17:11] services referred to as chief

[2:17:12] saving savings rebate and the

[2:17:12] managed care model, which is

[2:17:13] currently 7 and a half

[2:17:17] percent. We are paid the same

[2:17:19] regardless of the services the

[2:17:19] individual receive. So we have

[2:17:20] no bias in advocating for the

[2:17:21] bessent for the best interests

[2:17:24] of the clients we serve.

[2:17:26] Another important

[2:17:27] consideration is the cdc plus

[2:17:28] program the self-directed

[2:17:30] option within the waiver.

[2:17:31] Currently there is no true

[2:17:33] equivalent under managed care.

[2:17:34] The proposed alternative

[2:17:36] offers fewer services and far

[2:17:38] less flexibility. Stripping

[2:17:39] families of the control they

[2:17:40] rely on to Taylor supports,

[2:17:41] especially in more rural

[2:17:43] areas. Where there MAY be a

[2:17:47] shortage of providers. Florida

[2:17:48] has an effective waiver

[2:17:49] program, requires adequate

[2:17:51] funding, support and

[2:17:52] responsible management not

[2:17:53] dismantling. We request that

[2:17:55] you protect the I budget

[2:17:57] waiver and the cdc plus

[2:17:57] program so that it is boys and

[2:18:01] available option. For this

[2:18:02] very vulnerable to diverse and

[2:18:04] complex population. Thank you.

[2:18:07] Thank you very much. Up next,

[2:18:12] we have joy Burgess, Samantha

[2:18:12] Series, a sunburn him. I would

[2:18:15] like to remind everyone.

[2:18:16] >> We will maintain order and

[2:18:20] decorum. If not, I will strike

[2:18:20] they gavel in. You will be

[2:18:30] escorted out.

[2:18:36] >> As Burgess knows Smith.

[2:18:40] This Burgess is not here. You

[2:18:41] Aires. Please identify

[2:18:43] yourself for the record.

[2:18:45] Samantha Series, I'm a

[2:18:47] concerned Duval resident and I

[2:18:48] request to repeal sections 18

[2:18:50] 28 a Senate bill. 180.

[2:18:50] >> We need to preserve

[2:18:54] Florida's ecosystems wildlife

[2:18:55] and public lands. We already

[2:18:56] have a Florida Fish and

[2:18:57] Wildlife Conservation

[2:18:59] Commission whose primary

[2:19:00] interests are in land

[2:19:01] development, real estate and

[2:19:02] private profit. I implore you

[2:19:05] to protect Florida. We need to

[2:19:05] take responsibility for our

[2:19:09] environment. Sb 180, freezes

[2:19:10] community planning across

[2:19:11] Florida for 3 years. It bans

[2:19:16] any local. And a new local

[2:19:16] regulations that could be seen

[2:19:18] as more restrictive or

[2:19:20] burdensome. Then what existed

[2:19:23] before AUGUST first 2024. We

[2:19:26] cannot protect Florida with

[2:19:27] these sections of sb 180 in

[2:19:30] place. These restrictions make

[2:19:31] it harder to reduce flooding,

[2:19:33] protect water, quality or

[2:19:35] manage over development. The

[2:19:36] overdevelopment of Florida is

[2:19:38] putting us all at risk.

[2:19:39] Recently, Lake Okeechobee,

[2:19:43] which is our largest fresh

[2:19:43] water lake, was found to be

[2:19:44] the most polluted in the

[2:19:48] country. Florida cannot be a

[2:19:52] concrete slab. And here in

[2:19:53] Jacksonville, 90% of our

[2:19:54] drinking water comes from the

[2:19:58] Florida aquifer. Again, please

[2:19:59] repeal sections. 18 28 of

[2:20:01] Senate Bill. 180. Thank you.

[2:20:05] Thank you very much. MAY

[2:20:06] approach the podium. Please

[2:20:06] state your name for the

[2:20:10] record.

[2:20:15] >> ms Mason Burnham. I'm a mom

[2:20:15] community advocate and a 4th

[2:20:17] generation Jackson billion. I

[2:20:20] love the city. I love the

[2:20:22] state, but I'm shocked and

[2:20:23] saddened by what's happened to

[2:20:26] our state under Governor

[2:20:27] DeSantis, Florida has always

[2:20:27] prided itself on our live and

[2:20:30] let live attitude. We weren't

[2:20:31] perfect by any means. But we

[2:20:33] were definitely making

[2:20:35] progress. Sadly now our state

[2:20:36] government seems to be focused

[2:20:40] on cruel culture wars,

[2:20:41] ignoring advice from experts

[2:20:41] refusing to really listen to

[2:20:44] or meet with constituents and

[2:20:47] pushing for legislation that

[2:20:48] benefits donors and

[2:20:49] corporations at the expense of

[2:20:50] everyday Floridians and to the

[2:20:54] detriment of Florida's future.

[2:20:54] There are numerous examples

[2:20:57] that we've heard about just

[2:20:57] today, attacks on the

[2:20:58] environment, attacks on local

[2:20:59] sovereignty, attacks on voting

[2:21:01] rights and dei on health care,

[2:21:03] public education. But

[2:21:05] specifically today, I want to

[2:21:08] call out sb 164, sponsored by

[2:21:09] Senator Grall and hb 289,

[2:21:11] sponsored by Representative

[2:21:13] Greco, the abusers bill of

[2:21:15] rights, women's reproductive

[2:21:17] health care is already at

[2:21:18] risk. Thanks to the draconian

[2:21:20] six-week abortion ban in

[2:21:21] Florida. We've already we

[2:21:22] already suffer from a shortage

[2:21:23] shortage of obgyn and in the

[2:21:27] state. This awful bill

[2:21:29] threatens mothers, emergency

[2:21:32] care cancer treatments and in

[2:21:34] vitro fertilization, at least

[2:21:35] one in 4 pregnancies end in

[2:21:37] miscarriage. And now our

[2:21:38] elected leaders want to punish

[2:21:41] women dealing with the

[2:21:42] pregnancy loss with

[2:21:44] investigations and lawsuits.

[2:21:46] It's unconscionable. We've all

[2:21:48] seen how these awful laws have

[2:21:49] used in other states,

[2:21:52] especially by domestic

[2:21:53] abusers. So please don't

[2:21:54] mention the carve outs because

[2:21:57] we all know that government

[2:21:58] officials and lawyers should

[2:21:59] not be involved in our

[2:22:02] reproductive health care.

[2:22:03] Florida risks losing female

[2:22:03] college students who don't

[2:22:04] want to risk their health by

[2:22:07] going to college here. Our

[2:22:07] state's toxic policies

[2:22:09] regarding women's reproductive

[2:22:10] health care will harm our

[2:22:12] ability to attract and retain

[2:22:13] young professionals who do not

[2:22:16] wish to risk investigations

[2:22:17] and lawsuits, lawsuits. Should

[2:22:18] they have a miscarriage?

[2:22:20] Lastly, I hope this

[2:22:21] delegation. Well, listen to

[2:22:22] the majority of Florida

[2:22:23] voters. The call for common

[2:22:26] sense gun laws. The humane

[2:22:26] treatment of hardworking

[2:22:27] migrants who are critical to

[2:22:30] our state's economy and an end

[2:22:31] to the persecution of the

[2:22:35] lgbtq community. Our governor.

[2:22:37] And even on this delegation

[2:22:38] talk about their Christian

[2:22:40] faith. But what would Jesus

[2:22:42] do? He would stand up for

[2:22:44] women for children, the poor

[2:22:46] and marginalized. So please

[2:22:47] stand up everyone in Duval

[2:22:48] County during the upcoming

[2:22:50] legislative session. Thank you

[2:22:52] very much. Up next, we have.

[2:22:53] >> That's my column.

[2:22:57] Christian. Who if I've

[2:22:59] mispronounced that I apologize

[2:23:03] followed by Wells Todd. If you

[2:23:03] can make your way to the

[2:23:04] podium, please state your name

[2:23:06] for the record. My name is

[2:23:12] Beth McAllen.

[2:23:14] >> I'd like to thank you all

[2:23:15] can recognize hearing us out.

[2:23:16] My son lives in Duval County.

[2:23:17] He started on the agency for

[2:23:20] Persons with Disabilities

[2:23:21] program. When he was 7. He is

[2:23:23] now 34 years old. We've spent

[2:23:26] all this time helping him to

[2:23:27] become more and more

[2:23:29] independent, which we have

[2:23:29] accomplished tremendous gains

[2:23:33] with him. He also has been

[2:23:37] able to live now on his own,

[2:23:38] which is an instrumental thing

[2:23:38] that was told he would never

[2:23:39] be able to do when he was

[2:23:43] diagnosed at age 3. Without

[2:23:45] this program and forced into a

[2:23:46] managed care system as he was

[2:23:48] when he was younger. Would

[2:23:51] dismantle his entire life.

[2:23:52] That we have built. I'm

[2:23:53] getting older. I'm not going

[2:23:53] to be here forever. He's

[2:23:56] probably going to outlive me.

[2:23:57] So we have made preparations

[2:23:57] and prepared for his life

[2:24:03] with.

[2:24:06] >> stop the time we could or

[2:24:09] like other Can you move it

[2:24:14] closer to you? Please. That

[2:24:15] Yes, we calling it a start.

[2:24:18] Time to thinking. Thank you.

[2:24:19] So if he was to be forced into

[2:24:21] a box that does not fit him.

[2:24:22] >> Is managed care. Did not

[2:24:25] when he was younger. What

[2:24:25] would happen to him then we

[2:24:27] will be looking

[2:24:28] institutionalization again is

[2:24:31] managed care will not meet his

[2:24:32] needs. You will lose other

[2:24:33] benefits by being forced into

[2:24:34] a managed care system. Also

[2:24:36] because once we join image

[2:24:38] here, you know, our qualifies

[2:24:39] for these other resources that

[2:24:42] he has available to him. There

[2:24:43] are a lot of decisions to make

[2:24:45] whenever you're deciding what

[2:24:48] kind of system the offered are

[2:24:49] individuals because they are

[2:24:51] so complex. And that leads

[2:24:55] into dental. When the waiver

[2:24:56] was providing dental services.

[2:24:57] My son was able to get his

[2:25:00] dental cleanings twice a year.

[2:25:01] Now we're getting them once a

[2:25:02] year. We have to travel to

[2:25:03] Stuart, Florida, maybe

[2:25:07] Daytona, maybe Gainesville

[2:25:09] people who local dentist will

[2:25:11] not cannot provide sedation in

[2:25:12] their office and they won not

[2:25:12] provided under the Medicaid

[2:25:17] system. Even with the magic

[2:25:18] without sedation. There's no

[2:25:19] Dennis. They're taking the

[2:25:20] current. The current policies

[2:25:23] that are being offered

[2:25:24] people's teeth are no Larry

[2:25:27] being cared for. Managed care

[2:25:30] has off not offered a better

[2:25:30] system for our individuals. We

[2:25:31] have gone backwards with the

[2:25:35] system. We've seen that with

[2:25:36] the pca for children. They

[2:25:37] lost their quite a while ago.

[2:25:40] Behavioral. And tall. What

[2:25:44] else is next? I'm vigils.

[2:25:45] Don't fit into a box. We can't

[2:25:48] put them into that box and I

[2:25:50] would appreciate you whenever

[2:25:51] you considered bills and

[2:25:51] they're being out there.

[2:25:52] Whether you're on the

[2:25:55] committee or not, you still

[2:25:55] have to vote for them. So I

[2:25:57] would ask you to really

[2:25:58] consider the lives of our

[2:25:59] individuals. Thank you very,

[2:26:04] very much. High.

[2:26:07] Representative Daniels has a

[2:26:08] question.

[2:26:08] >> If you can return back to

[2:26:12] the podium is Gallup McCallum.

[2:26:16] You have comment.

[2:26:17] Representative Daniels has a

[2:26:17] comment. Thank thank you very

[2:26:20] much. MADAM Chair. I'm making

[2:26:21] a comment because I came late

[2:26:25] get ready leave early.

[2:26:26] >> I usually don't address

[2:26:27] situations when people

[2:26:33] uninformed. But I have 82

[2:26:36] year-old on it. Mother, their

[2:26:36] heat went out. They live in

[2:26:40] Sherwood. And so before I came

[2:26:41] here, I went to put some

[2:26:42] temporary. He together for

[2:26:43] them. And now the electricity

[2:26:47] just cut that out. So if you

[2:26:48] will, excuse me. And and they

[2:26:49] and they are black and they

[2:26:51] are part of black community.

[2:26:54] Seniors and they come first.

[2:26:56] So I just would like to just

[2:26:57] say that I'm I would like to

[2:26:58] excuse myself. I just got a

[2:27:00] call from my mother and I

[2:27:04] think sometimes we need to.

[2:27:05] Find out what's really going

[2:27:06] on before we attacked people

[2:27:08] that are going through stuff.

[2:27:10] Because I need your prayers. I

[2:27:14] was I was. It's a blessing to

[2:27:15] me to even make it here is

[2:27:18] very hard. But I believe now.

[2:27:19] Because I understand that even

[2:27:21] when you make a tempo, don't

[2:27:22] care. Goblins, everyone to

[2:27:25] Thank you. Thank you very

[2:27:38] much.

[2:27:39] >> You're recognized, please

[2:27:39] state your name for the

[2:27:43] record. Thank you, MADAM Chair

[2:27:45] and delegation. My name is

[2:27:46] Christian Gonzalez. Think also

[2:27:46] North Florida regional

[2:27:49] director for Florida rising.

[2:27:50] >> Florida Rising is an

[2:27:51] independent political

[2:27:52] organization that builds power

[2:27:53] around and working class

[2:27:56] communities across state of

[2:27:58] Florida. We see to organize,

[2:27:58] mobilize an act to be

[2:28:01] communities to shape their

[2:28:04] future during the 2025

[2:28:05] legislative session will be

[2:28:05] called on our elected

[2:28:06] representatives to act in the

[2:28:07] best interest of their

[2:28:08] constituents. Now corporations

[2:28:10] by supporting policies that

[2:28:11] put people over profit and

[2:28:11] that advance racial and

[2:28:14] economic. That's this. Our

[2:28:15] legislative agenda is shaped

[2:28:18] by over the 1000 dues-paying

[2:28:20] members here in the state of

[2:28:22] Florida and across 6, 7

[2:28:24] different counties this year,

[2:28:24] our priorities that our

[2:28:25] members are demanding for

[2:28:27] their legislation. Art follows

[2:28:28] one to expand democracy and

[2:28:30] protect fundamental right.

[2:28:32] Voting rights. Comprehensive

[2:28:34] bill reverse attacks democracy

[2:28:36] and restrict about access.

[2:28:37] That is the Herrity Herrity

[2:28:39] more Voting Rights Act.

[2:28:40] Second, we're working. We

[2:28:42] encourage our our legislators

[2:28:43] to work of climate justice and

[2:28:46] hold investor owned utilities

[2:28:47] accountable by supporting put

[2:28:50] bills that guaranteed energy

[2:28:50] utility services. Theory to

[2:28:52] live our lives and that they

[2:28:55] are public owns like j now

[2:28:56] leverage by the millionaires

[2:28:58] that are price gouging after

[2:29:03] natural disasters specifically

[2:29:05] will be done. And our goal for

[2:29:06] you support a public

[2:29:07] transparency of the public

[2:29:07] Service commission bills have

[2:29:11] coming into upcoming session.

[2:29:12] 3rd, one our legislation,

[2:29:15] legislators to allow all

[2:29:16] immigrant families live

[2:29:16] without fear. They pass the

[2:29:19] legislation make for a more

[2:29:20] welcoming state for all

[2:29:21] people, especially our

[2:29:22] immigrant communities but

[2:29:23] economic Prosperity and

[2:29:25] Immigration Act. And finally,

[2:29:26] to ensure that our local

[2:29:27] public schools in committee

[2:29:29] radically funded by abandoning

[2:29:31] the attempts avoid property

[2:29:33] taxes. Again, encourage

[2:29:34] delegation here to remain

[2:29:36] steadfast in your tech gritty.

[2:29:37] You wouldn't want to be kings

[2:29:37] are threatening to move every

[2:29:40] person thinks for himself.

[2:29:41] Thank you time we look forward

[2:29:41] to young here from few more of

[2:29:43] our Florida rising members

[2:29:44] later in today's agenda. Thank

[2:29:51] you. Up as well as Todd.

[2:29:51] >> Followed by. Yes, me now

[2:29:56] White. Be pain. If you can

[2:30:00] make your way towards the al.

[2:30:00] You are recognized, could you

[2:30:03] identify yourself for the

[2:30:03] record? Please?

[2:30:04] >> My name is well as

[2:30:04] Tottenham. A member of take

[2:30:08] them down here in

[2:30:09] Jacksonville, Florida, to

[2:30:09] speak and to oppose House

[2:30:12] Bill. 125, House Bill, 113,

[2:30:15] and Senate Bill 174, these 3

[2:30:16] bills opposed to on a Charlie

[2:30:20] Kirk. Perks job was to

[2:30:21] reinforce racist stereotypes

[2:30:23] on campus colleges, college

[2:30:27] campuses and high schools. His

[2:30:28] job was to mock empathy and

[2:30:28] lift up. The notion that

[2:30:31] cruelty matters the most. His

[2:30:33] job was to convince white

[2:30:37] youth that living under

[2:30:37] economic system that exploits

[2:30:39] them is better fighting for

[2:30:40] one that provides the needs of

[2:30:43] the people. By now. We all

[2:30:46] know the defensive miserable

[2:30:47] things. Kirk said on his

[2:30:50] podcast and that colleges, he

[2:30:51] did nothing to improve the

[2:30:52] condition of humanity honoring

[2:30:57] Kirk. Will be the continuation

[2:30:59] of the belief in the false

[2:31:01] ideology of white supremacy w

[2:31:04] e b Dubois coined the phrase

[2:31:06] the Psychological wager,

[2:31:08] whiteness. The Boyce was

[2:31:08] referring to the Non monetary

[2:31:12] benefits. Like the sense of

[2:31:14] social status and superiority

[2:31:17] that white individuals receive

[2:31:18] by being part of the dominant

[2:31:24] racial group. It is this

[2:31:27] belief that for fuels attacks

[2:31:29] on the African-American

[2:31:30] community from Albany, New

[2:31:33] York to Jacksonville, Florida.

[2:31:34] These bills need to be voted

[2:31:44] down. Up next is yasmina.

[2:31:46] >> Followed by Debbie Pain.

[2:31:50] And then held the night camps.

[2:31:53] Stuart, isn't com. You are

[2:31:55] recognized. Please identify

[2:31:55] yourself. Hi. Good afternoon.

[2:31:59] Yasmeen a White.

[2:32:00] >> Early childhood education

[2:32:00] is the Chu Foundation of any k

[2:32:04] to 12 education. When we fail

[2:32:05] to invest in our youngest

[2:32:06] learners, we set the stage for

[2:32:07] an equity long before they

[2:32:11] even enter into the classroom.

[2:32:12] Ask you today to find it in

[2:32:14] your hearts and in your

[2:32:14] legislative priorities to

[2:32:18] introduce and support strong,

[2:32:19] compassionate policy that

[2:32:20] uplifts one of our most

[2:32:20] vulnerable populations.

[2:32:24] Florida's children. Families

[2:32:24] across the state are

[2:32:25] struggling to afford child

[2:32:29] care. The 3rd, the 3 hours

[2:32:29] school readiness, the pouch

[2:32:31] are simply isn't enough.

[2:32:34] Parents need real help.

[2:32:36] Equally many communities still

[2:32:38] lack access. The high-quality

[2:32:40] early learning centers,

[2:32:41] especially in neighborhoods

[2:32:42] where opportunity is already

[2:32:45] limited by zip code. At the

[2:32:48] same time, our k 12 system

[2:32:48] continues to be gutted.

[2:32:50] Shipping away, meaningful

[2:32:52] public choice for families

[2:32:55] like mine. It's unfair and

[2:32:56] frankly, preposterous to

[2:32:56] continue pushing legislation

[2:33:00] like schools of hope that

[2:33:01] dismantles neighborhood

[2:33:01] schools instead of

[2:33:05] strengthening them. I want to

[2:33:05] make sure you all understand I

[2:33:07] am a proponent of school

[2:33:09] choice but not when it

[2:33:10] undermines and under finds

[2:33:13] another institution. Right

[2:33:14] now, Florida's approach to

[2:33:16] education has become as the

[2:33:20] old saying goes penny wise

[2:33:21] pound foolish. We have since

[2:33:24] today by underfunding public

[2:33:27] education only to pay dearly

[2:33:28] tomorrow and loss of potential

[2:33:29] and workforce shortages

[2:33:30] shortages and the well-being

[2:33:34] of our children. Please

[2:33:35] prioritize paying teachers a

[2:33:37] living wage funding. All

[2:33:38] schools equitably and

[2:33:39] preserving the integrity and

[2:33:42] school choice of families who

[2:33:42] choose public education in

[2:33:45] this state. Thank you,

[2:33:46] Representative Nixon for

[2:33:48] always being a child care

[2:33:49] champion. I look forward to

[2:33:53] commending the same for others

[2:33:53] as early childhood education

[2:33:56] is a bipartisan issue. As a

[2:34:00] mother of 2 young children,

[2:34:00] please find our child's

[2:34:01] education from cradle to

[2:34:06] graduation. Equally. Debbie

[2:34:12] pain. Is not here. Alana Camp

[2:34:19] Stewart. Not here.

[2:34:22] >> Suzanne Con. Followed by

[2:34:26] Nancy Marie Settle. And next

[2:34:29] to you are recognized to

[2:34:29] speak.

[2:34:30] >> My name is Susan Kohn. Good

[2:34:31] afternoon. Members of the

[2:34:32] devolved allegation as a new

[2:34:35] resident of Jacksonville,

[2:34:37] member of Invisible Jax

[2:34:38] Riverside and a concerned

[2:34:40] public health professional.

[2:34:41] I'm here to encourage you to

[2:34:42] advance several bills that

[2:34:42] will improve access to and

[2:34:46] quality of health care.

[2:34:47] Specifically care received by

[2:34:47] Florida residents enrolled in

[2:34:49] managed care plan. Including

[2:34:50] health maintenance

[2:34:54] organization. Despite the

[2:34:56] crisis of affordability, so

[2:35:00] many Floridians face and the

[2:35:01] premium increases in surprise

[2:35:02] bills. There are many things

[2:35:05] that we can do. We have all

[2:35:06] seen the headlines documenting

[2:35:11] how managed care plans. Rules

[2:35:12] for prior authorization result

[2:35:12] in the denial medically

[2:35:16] necessary care. Even the

[2:35:17] health care professionals

[2:35:18] among us cannot follow all the

[2:35:18] coverage. Details in our

[2:35:23] benefit document. House Bill.

[2:35:24] 137. Will ensure that young

[2:35:25] female residents in Florida

[2:35:28] ages 25 to 40 receive

[2:35:29] medically necessary

[2:35:31] supplemental screening for

[2:35:31] b#

[2:35:31] #

[2:35:32] cancer following the

[2:35:33] latest American College of

[2:35:37] Radiology guideline. Senate

[2:35:38] Bill. 114 addresses the crisis

[2:35:41] and continuity of care that

[2:35:41] occurs when sick patients

[2:35:46] including pregnant women,

[2:35:46] become the collateral damage

[2:35:47] in managed care and provide or

[2:35:49] negotiation. By requiring

[2:35:52] health plans and providers to

[2:35:54] provide up to 6 months of

[2:35:55] ongoing treatment. Patients

[2:35:57] will be able to continue care,

[2:36:00] but finding a new doctor. For

[2:36:01] pregnant women. They will not

[2:36:03] lose access to their be in the

[2:36:07] middle of a pregnancy. These

[2:36:08] are common sense regulations

[2:36:09] that will enable Floridians to

[2:36:12] receive the care they need and

[2:36:13] for which they and the state

[2:36:14] are paying health insurance

[2:36:15] plans to provide. I urge you

[2:36:27] to support them. The state,

[2:36:29] your name for the record. My

[2:36:31] name is Nancy Maurice at all.

[2:36:37] >> I am a U.S. Long citizens

[2:36:38] Jacksonville, Florida, and I'm

[2:36:38] and the leadership came up and

[2:36:42] a visible Jax.

[2:36:43] >> Riverside, I'm here today

[2:36:45] to ask you to support Senate

[2:36:50] Bill one 12, which is limiting

[2:36:50] every district in 2, 2, years

[2:36:55] after our next census we're

[2:36:57] about to enter. But the most

[2:36:58] dangerous season they call in

[2:36:58] Florida the legislative

[2:37:02] season. And I'm scared last

[2:37:05] year. You the gop super

[2:37:06] minority majority attract

[2:37:07] attacked free speech, voting

[2:37:10] rights, reproductive freedom

[2:37:13] grants. I want to introduce

[2:37:18] myself as a proud. Anti

[2:37:20] fascists as my father was in

[2:37:21] World War 2. But then I looked

[2:37:24] at like this. Oh, my gosh, I'm

[2:37:25] we have

[2:37:26] >> Administration of the

[2:37:27] federal level that same route

[2:37:28] this that people who are anti

[2:37:30] fascist or terrace members,

[2:37:34] you need to get on your party

[2:37:36] and tell him to stop attacking

[2:37:41] citizens that are not bash us.

[2:37:41] I don't understand. A little

[2:37:42] person with a little voice.

[2:37:45] You guys are elected and it's

[2:37:45] scary to me that you're not

[2:37:49] standing up for that. I 63% of

[2:37:53] Floridians voted in 20 and not

[2:37:54] to redistrict are

[2:37:55] gerrymandered and that's in

[2:37:57] the Constitution. I speeding

[2:37:59] by some of you guys saying

[2:38:01] teachers to take oaths. Will

[2:38:03] you took an oath to protect

[2:38:05] U.S. Federal constitution and

[2:38:08] the state constitution. 22

[2:38:12] state Constitution. Passed by

[2:38:14] 63% of Floridian says no

[2:38:19] redistricting. And mid set men

[2:38:21] decade. So why aren't you

[2:38:21] standing up saying no, put a

[2:38:25] stop to this? I know, you

[2:38:29] know, my dad. I said he was

[2:38:30] anti fact is he was also a

[2:38:30] Republican. We disagreed on a

[2:38:32] lot of things, but I think he

[2:38:36] would stand up to the abuse of

[2:38:37] power and the corruption. That

[2:38:39] is how did that happen our

[2:38:40] government? Now I have to ask

[2:38:40] you, why aren't you doing

[2:38:45] that? It was a speaker that

[2:38:47] made a really good argument.

[2:38:48] Jacqueline Steal a gap about

[2:38:49] redistricting. I agree with

[2:38:52] everything she says.

[2:38:52] >> I'm trying to convince you

[2:38:54] to look in your heart and do

[2:38:55] the right thing for the United

[2:38:56] States of America. I know

[2:38:58] you're a patriotic people. Why

[2:39:00] are you letting this happen?

[2:39:06] >> Thank you very much. Up

[2:39:08] next, Onyx. Do word Robert

[2:39:13] Beecham. DR. Christine called

[2:39:18] Followed by Lindsey. Rot. If

[2:39:19] you can make your way to the

[2:39:28] podium. You can come forward.

[2:39:29] Please state your name for the

[2:39:34] record. Please. Can you hear

[2:39:35] me? Yes, ma'am. But ok,

[2:39:40] Barbara you're recognized.

[2:39:42] Thank you. Thank you for

[2:39:43] allowing parents such as

[2:39:44] myself to speak. My husband

[2:39:49] and I are 30 year Jacksonville

[2:39:51] area. Residents. We have 3

[2:39:54] sons with developmental

[2:39:54] disabilities, specifically

[2:39:58] autism spectrum disorder.

[2:39:58] >> And one who has a genetic

[2:40:00] disorder.

[2:40:04] >> To err on the medway for a

[2:40:05] fee for service. The I budget

[2:40:05] program and one is on the

[2:40:09] waitlist. They too are. 25 one

[2:40:16] is 35. Our sons are not

[2:40:17] medically complex, but they

[2:40:18] need community companions,

[2:40:24] behavioral therapy. Community

[2:40:24] volunteerism supported

[2:40:29] employment. And community

[2:40:30] socialization and language

[2:40:33] therapy. They are not to be

[2:40:36] magically catered to on the

[2:40:39] home front, but rather

[2:40:40] experience their requirements

[2:40:42] of public interaction. There

[2:40:48] are no we'll work. Employer

[2:40:49] incentives to hire them except

[2:40:52] some tax write offs through

[2:40:59] location rehabilitation. The

[2:40:59] services described the Med

[2:41:04] waiver fee for service. That

[2:41:06] support coordinator assists my

[2:41:07] husband the signing the

[2:41:08] correct hours for the needed

[2:41:12] services. The support

[2:41:13] coordinators instrumental in

[2:41:14] keeping us up to date. I'm all

[2:41:19] changes. And legislated

[2:41:21] decisions. There is nothing

[2:41:23] like this in any health care

[2:41:26] program. We can pass the

[2:41:28] savings of a middle

[2:41:30] organization directly to the

[2:41:34] providers utilizing our budget

[2:41:35] only and therefore allowing

[2:41:36] them to earn a competitive

[2:41:41] wage. I going from cdc to

[2:41:45] manage care. This could be

[2:41:49] increase of as much as 25%,

[2:41:50] which could reduce the number

[2:41:53] of out hours allocated to my

[2:41:57] As parents. We have been

[2:41:59] waiting to see the efficiency

[2:42:02] reports on the pilot managed

[2:42:05] care program. But as of today,

[2:42:05] I don't believe fcc has

[2:42:11] produced an e. Why would

[2:42:11] legislators allocate more

[2:42:12] money towards this before

[2:42:14] examining the return? We all

[2:42:18] deserve to have choices.

[2:42:20] Managed care or apd Fee for

[2:42:21] service. Thank you very much.

[2:42:27] Thank you. To Christine

[2:42:33] Comfort. You can make your way

[2:42:42] to the podium. Please. You are

[2:42:45] recognized. Thank you. And

[2:42:48] good afternoon. My name is

[2:42:49] Lindsay and I am one of the

[2:42:51] many faces of Alzheimer's

[2:42:51] disease.

[2:42:54] >> This is my second year at

[2:42:55] this meeting and as a

[2:42:56] caregiver to both of my

[2:42:59] parents, the last decade. I

[2:42:59] want to thank you for the

[2:43:02] opportunity to speak today.

[2:43:04] Many in this room have been

[2:43:05] touched by the harsh realities

[2:43:07] of Alzheimer's and dementia.

[2:43:09] Over half a million Floridians

[2:43:11] are living with Alzheimer's

[2:43:14] disease over 17,000 alone in

[2:43:15] Duval County. That's over 12%

[2:43:18] of our 65 and up population.

[2:43:21] Ut all is commitment. Florida

[2:43:22] has been a leader and dementia

[2:43:25] care and support with our

[2:43:25] aging population. We must

[2:43:29] maintain this momentum. I'm

[2:43:30] proud to advocate along

[2:43:33] Alzheimer's Association. And

[2:43:34] with your support, we remain

[2:43:37] optimistic as we propose our

[2:43:41] 2026 priorities. Raising

[2:43:43] awareness on what to look for

[2:43:44] and when to seek medical

[2:43:48] advice. It's essential. We are

[2:43:50] advocating for 1.5 million

[2:43:53] dollars to find a

[2:43:53] comprehensive statewide. The

[2:43:55] public health awareness

[2:43:57] campaign. It's time to break

[2:43:57] the stigma surrounding

[2:44:01] Alzheimer's disease. We now

[2:44:02] have fda approved blood test

[2:44:04] to aid in diagnosis and

[2:44:05] treatments that can slow

[2:44:08] progression. Yet Florida

[2:44:09] remains one of the few states

[2:44:10] that have not invested in a

[2:44:12] public awareness campaign. Now

[2:44:16] is the time to act. We ask for

[2:44:17] continued support of the

[2:44:19] Alzheimer's, bring bus the

[2:44:20] mobile outreach program

[2:44:23] travels throughout the state

[2:44:25] providing information on brain

[2:44:26] health, warning signs and

[2:44:29] resources for caregivers. We

[2:44:31] have consistently been able to

[2:44:33] reach all 67 counties in

[2:44:34] Florida. Thanks for that

[2:44:38] funding. And lastly, we must

[2:44:40] do more for our Florida

[2:44:42] caregivers. We have over

[2:44:43] 870,000 caregivers in the

[2:44:47] state of Florida over 66% of

[2:44:50] them are managing their own

[2:44:52] chronic conditions. Dementia,

[2:44:52] care, navigation and respite

[2:44:55] services are critical programs

[2:44:56] that help caregivers get

[2:44:58] desperately needed support on

[2:45:00] this dark journey. These

[2:45:04] services also help allow

[2:45:05] individuals living with

[2:45:06] Alzheimer's to remain in their

[2:45:09] own communities. We are asking

[2:45:11] the Florida legislature to

[2:45:12] codify the Florida Alzheimer's

[2:45:13] Center of Excellence the face

[2:45:17] program. Thank you very much.

[2:45:21] Thank you very much. Members

[2:45:23] that concludes our speakers

[2:45:24] listed on the agenda and to

[2:45:25] tell you, do we have any?

[2:45:26] >> That are requesting to

[2:45:39] speak. We have Chris. Kiernan.

[2:45:39] You can make your way towards

[2:45:47] the podium. Sara Malm. I

[2:45:48] apologize for mispronouncing

[2:45:53] your name. Roseberry. Rosemary

[2:45:56] McCoy. You can make your way

[2:46:01] towards the We have a little

[2:46:02] bit. We have more time zone.

[2:46:05] You're recognized for it. I'm

[2:46:09] Chris Herndon.

[2:46:10] >> I think that y'all need to

[2:46:13] be the beacon of light for the

[2:46:13] people, all the people

[2:46:17] redistricting, our future for

[2:46:19] proper education. And it harms

[2:46:21] us more than it helps us

[2:46:22] educators that are not needed

[2:46:24] for of the elementary school

[2:46:25] teacher of the year here in

[2:46:26] Duval County are simply

[2:46:28] amazing. Some of the educators

[2:46:29] here in dcps have multiple

[2:46:31] masters degrees and

[2:46:31] doctorates. We need to pay

[2:46:34] them what they deserve. There

[2:46:34] is no reason that we are one

[2:46:35] of the lowest in the nation

[2:46:37] when it comes to teacher

[2:46:39] salaries. Our valuable

[2:46:40] teachers are fleeing Florida

[2:46:43] to find higher wages. Parents

[2:46:44] shouldn't be forced to live

[2:46:45] day to day paycheck to

[2:46:46] paycheck in fight or flight,

[2:46:47] not knowing where their next

[2:46:50] meal will come from. On top of

[2:46:51] that, the amount of families

[2:46:52] that are paying after care for

[2:46:56] Vpk is wild. We are drowning.

[2:46:58] Some families are paying up to

[2:47:00] $400 a week. More or more

[2:47:01] after Kara wrap-around care

[2:47:05] for Vpk which should be free.

[2:47:05] That is approximately $1400

[2:47:07] extra a month per child. I am

[2:47:11] dealing with this personally.

[2:47:12] Our public school programs are

[2:47:16] compromised and need direct

[2:47:17] intervention. We are pulling

[2:47:18] and trusting you. We will

[2:47:18] verify your work. We will

[2:47:22] continue to show up. Constant,

[2:47:24] divisive redistricting causes

[2:47:25] chaos, confusion and

[2:47:26] ultimately furthers voter

[2:47:29] suppression. There is very

[2:47:30] little difference between

[2:47:31] redistricting, redlining which

[2:47:32] has been deemed

[2:47:33] unconstitutional. Is just

[2:47:35] delivered in a different

[2:47:38] manner. Don't get me started

[2:47:39] on Florida health care for all

[2:47:41] middle-aged people such as

[2:47:42] myself cannot afford insurance

[2:47:46] ourselves that we have it for

[2:47:47] our children. Land grant

[2:47:48] programs myself for health

[2:47:49] care due to lack of affordable

[2:47:52] access to health care,

[2:47:53] creating solutions to problems

[2:47:54] that don't exist is not what

[2:47:55] Jacksonville needs nor what

[2:47:57] Florida needs attempting to

[2:47:59] put Confederate monuments

[2:48:01] backup rather than ensuring

[2:48:02] affordable housing expansion

[2:48:03] of the pk allowing women to

[2:48:06] have body autonomy encouraging

[2:48:08] in vaccinations, creating

[2:48:09] access to health care,

[2:48:11] protecting our election

[2:48:12] systems. Need continue to go

[2:48:13] your wasting taxpayer times

[2:48:16] with unnecessary per clause.

[2:48:17] >> Her to write bills,

[2:48:18] sidewalk bills keeping

[2:48:19] historical monument up bills

[2:48:20] rather than actually helping

[2:48:23] us. We need to be objective

[2:48:24] when creating laws in in

[2:48:26] guidelines, the ultimate

[2:48:28] justice is intentionality to

[2:48:29] leadership does not lead by

[2:48:30] fear mongering leading through

[2:48:31] servant leadership is what you

[2:48:34] should be doing. As I say, to

[2:48:35] all elected officials, you're

[2:48:37] in a position of power. And

[2:48:37] with that comes specific

[2:48:38] obligation. Thank you. Thank

[2:48:42] you.

[2:48:43] >> Please state your name for

[2:48:44] the record and you're

[2:48:48] recognized. My name is mood. I

[2:48:50] was proudly born and raised

[2:48:52] Duval County. Florida writes

[2:48:53] Institutional manager.

[2:48:54] >> And I want to talk a little

[2:48:57] bit today about the city we

[2:48:58] call. Jacksonville is a

[2:49:00] beautiful city. One that holds

[2:49:01] immense cultural legacy. Much

[2:49:02] about thanks to this work will

[2:49:02] black community that calls or

[2:49:06] city home? And with all the

[2:49:07] beautiful that our city has to

[2:49:09] offer it, also no struggle and

[2:49:11] strife. Jackson was named the

[2:49:13] eviction capital of the state

[2:49:14] and partners. All of the

[2:49:17] preemption of local laws that

[2:49:17] regulate relationships between

[2:49:20] landlord and tenant to the

[2:49:20] state level. This isn't just a

[2:49:21] cyst. It sets his stick. When

[2:49:24] we say that Jacksonville's,

[2:49:25] they fiction capital of the

[2:49:27] state. That means 14,000

[2:49:31] residents and Duval County

[2:49:31] residents and families were

[2:49:32] made homeless in the last year

[2:49:35] because of eviction filings

[2:49:36] we're also a city that is home

[2:49:36] to countless immigrant

[2:49:38] communities. I myself meant

[2:49:41] birth rates that is and 42

[2:49:41] parents were now naturalized

[2:49:45] citizens. And the fact that

[2:49:47] many who target our loved

[2:49:48] one's conveniently forget is

[2:49:49] that many of our families like

[2:49:50] I just stated are of mixed

[2:49:53] status with families holding

[2:49:54] anything from citizenship to

[2:49:55] refugees that with family

[2:49:56] members holding anything from

[2:50:00] citizenship to refugee status.

[2:50:01] That means 20 loved ones

[2:50:01] instead of passing policies

[2:50:05] that communities regardless of

[2:50:05] immigration status here

[2:50:08] showing that your priority,

[2:50:09] its harm and violence instead

[2:50:10] of serving the people you

[2:50:12] claim to represent. Jackson

[2:50:13] was a city that knows the

[2:50:15] desire of corporate greed to

[2:50:16] take control of our utilities

[2:50:18] and maximize profit or

[2:50:19] expense. But thankfully, those

[2:50:21] attempts to sell jta has

[2:50:23] spilled. But while that is

[2:50:24] true, inner city, the majority

[2:50:25] of Floridians are customers of

[2:50:28] Florida power and light, which

[2:50:29] is currently in front of the

[2:50:30] Public Service Commission to

[2:50:31] requests the largest rate hike

[2:50:33] in history. Even while

[2:50:34] families across the state are

[2:50:36] struggling with cost of living

[2:50:36] and a government shutdown

[2:50:40] impacting wages and benefits.

[2:50:41] Come to you today to ask some

[2:50:41] basic things instead of

[2:50:44] focusing on culture wars,

[2:50:45] focus on the economic issues

[2:50:46] that are going to help the

[2:50:46] cost of living for all

[2:50:48] residents in Florida. That

[2:50:52] includes focusing on.

[2:50:52] Requiring the public service

[2:50:56] commission to be reformed and

[2:50:57] told investor owned utilities

[2:50:57] accountable. So they're not

[2:50:59] putting our prophet that

[2:51:01] they're not putting power and

[2:51:07] profit over people passing the

[2:51:07] House Bill. 315, in Senate

[2:51:08] Bill 328, which is the

[2:51:10] economic Prosperity and

[2:51:11] Immigration Act which would

[2:51:12] impact the lives of all

[2:51:14] Floridians regardless

[2:51:16] immigration status and finally

[2:51:17] support voting rights by

[2:51:18] enacting the Harry t and

[2:51:20] Harriet v Moore Voting Rights

[2:51:21] Act, Dixon voting rights for

[2:51:22] all Floridians. Thank you for

[2:51:29] thank you. The state, your

[2:51:32] name for the record. Rosemary

[2:51:33] McCoy following Rosemary will

[2:51:34] have Carrie Bates. Kathleen

[2:51:36] Marie.

[2:51:38] >> Katie Bonnen. If you can

[2:51:40] make your way to the podium,

[2:51:46] please. You're recognized.

[2:51:46] >> Good afternoon. My name is

[2:51:51] Rosemary McCoy. And I am a

[2:51:52] mother. Community leader MAY

[2:51:52] be trying to sit isn't. A

[2:51:55] disabled veteran. The found

[2:51:56] o'Hara take my freedom

[2:51:58] fighters and stand before you

[2:52:01] and I represent. Equal

[2:52:03] grounds, but hasn't. All

[2:52:04] right. I want freedom fighters

[2:52:08] and black voters matter and

[2:52:10] community and the population

[2:52:13] today. I'm asking you to turn

[2:52:17] the page. Documents. When I

[2:52:18] say darkness, speaking of the

[2:52:21] history of Florida. Voter

[2:52:24] suppression. Now. We can go

[2:52:26] back. You can be certain your

[2:52:32] own. Easy. The 18 55 inflate

[2:52:35] people. Not. All civil right?

[2:52:39] And I forgot to say. I am the

[2:52:43] sentiment. I think late. Only

[2:52:46] white mail. It all property.

[2:52:49] Vote. And some of these levels

[2:52:57] trying to take us. 18, 40

[2:52:58] 1920, well, white and white

[2:53:05] woman. What exclude it? 1920,

[2:53:10] co p mascara. On Election Day.

[2:53:11] People work merit just because

[2:53:16] he was trying to vote Jim Crow

[2:53:18] laws. 1970, 1990, filled a

[2:53:24] need the Spann and Trent 2000.

[2:53:25] Well, they put they purged of

[2:53:27] old. They did these people

[2:53:31] work that it was a lot. 2018.

[2:53:33] We go amendment for the 55% of

[2:53:37] the people vote it. 19 to

[2:53:40] voting vie for the turn of

[2:53:45] Citizens. 2019 sb 76 my Voting

[2:53:49] Amendment 4 2021 sb 90 5 into

[2:53:50] law restrict voting by mail

[2:53:51] that we moving backwards

[2:53:54] instead of forward present

[2:53:55] today, gerrymandering, then

[2:53:59] now we have. Why is why is the

[2:54:04] Florida voting right at meta?

[2:54:06] The pale, the press and laws

[2:54:09] like sb 90 expand voting by

[2:54:10] mail the same day registration

[2:54:13] required. Prevent, prepare it.

[2:54:14] Counties with history of

[2:54:17] suppression issue, a language

[2:54:20] access of English-speaking bow

[2:54:22] them asking you today to

[2:54:22] support the Florida right.

[2:54:24] Thank you. Thank you.

[2:54:28] Approached the podium. Please

[2:54:29] identify yourself for the

[2:54:31] records and you are

[2:54:32] recognized. Good afternoon. My

[2:54:34] name is Carrie Bates and the

[2:54:35] ceo of the Art Jacksonville

[2:54:36] and also I serve as the board

[2:54:37] chair for.

[2:54:39] >> The arca Florida that

[2:54:41] represents over 55

[2:54:41] organizations across the state

[2:54:42] that support individuals with

[2:54:44] intellectual developmental

[2:54:45] differences. Thank you for

[2:54:48] your time and attention to the

[2:54:49] very end. They well, if you

[2:54:50] can stop the time for one

[2:54:50] moment, excuse me, can you

[2:54:51] move to make up a little bit?

[2:54:55] >> Let's see if. If we can get

[2:54:55] it working. Go ahead. You're

[2:54:59] recognized.

[2:55:00] >> I want to highlight to

[2:55:02] local projects support they

[2:55:04] are Jacksonville, specifically

[2:55:06] individuals with intellectual

[2:55:06] developmental differences in

[2:55:07] the Northeast, Florida area.

[2:55:10] First, our workforce.

[2:55:11] Innovation program which

[2:55:12] prepares individuals with

[2:55:12] intellectual developmental

[2:55:13] differences for in-demand

[2:55:15] careers in our area. This

[2:55:16] program has been growing over

[2:55:18] the last years and we feel

[2:55:20] like we really found great

[2:55:21] community partners and

[2:55:22] organizations that are seeking

[2:55:22] employees. And we've been able

[2:55:26] to prepare individuals to both

[2:55:27] meet workforce shortages and

[2:55:29] help the individuals with idd

[2:55:30] achieve their lifelong goals

[2:55:30] of just contributing to their

[2:55:34] community. Secondly, our it

[2:55:35] the family support navigation

[2:55:36] pilot. This is a program

[2:55:39] that's unique to this part of

[2:55:40] Florida. Jackson the only

[2:55:41] organization in Florida

[2:55:42] currently offering a program

[2:55:43] like this. If you have

[2:55:44] families that come to see that

[2:55:44] are really struggling with

[2:55:48] enrollment onto the apd wait

[2:55:49] list or getting Social

[2:55:50] Security or any other benefits

[2:55:50] that someone with a

[2:55:52] significant disability might

[2:55:53] have. This program helps

[2:55:54] connect families all those

[2:55:56] resources and really navigate

[2:55:57] really an extremely

[2:55:58] complicated process. But it

[2:56:01] goes beyond that and helped

[2:56:02] individuals really plan for

[2:56:03] life after their caregiver

[2:56:04] passes, which is critical for

[2:56:08] the whole system term

[2:56:08] statewide. I want to express

[2:56:09] our support for both

[2:56:11] continuing to move people off

[2:56:12] the apd Pre and want Roman are

[2:56:13] wait lists and also advancing

[2:56:16] it to managed care program

[2:56:18] with safeguards to ensure that

[2:56:19] rates are reduced and services

[2:56:19] remain available for

[2:56:23] individuals. Providers across

[2:56:24] Florida are facing

[2:56:24] unprecedented challenges in

[2:56:28] the I d d space right now. Our

[2:56:29] Jacksonville just received a

[2:56:29] 29% increase on our health

[2:56:33] insurance, which will. Equate

[2:56:34] to about $200,000 of expenses

[2:56:37] that we we're not anticipating

[2:56:38] without rate changes. These

[2:56:39] are essentially unfunded.

[2:56:42] Increases that we have to

[2:56:42] manage more than two-thirds of

[2:56:46] providers across Florida. As

[2:56:48] stated in a survey recently

[2:56:48] that they are running deficits

[2:56:50] and that's only increasing

[2:56:52] families gaining eligibility

[2:56:53] really does little if there's

[2:56:54] not providers to provide

[2:56:55] services. Thank you for

[2:56:56] supporting the it community in

[2:56:58] Florida and for strengthening

[2:56:58] services. The families rely

[2:57:06] on. Thank you very much. Kind

[2:57:10] checked in. I care. Thank you.

[2:57:12] MISS Murray. You are

[2:57:14] recognized. Thank you.

[2:57:14] Congratulations, Chair Michael

[2:57:16] and good afternoon. Duval

[2:57:18] delegation, Kathleen Murray,

[2:57:19] State education director for

[2:57:21] Citizens Defending Freedom

[2:57:22] there to speak in support of

[2:57:25] the following legislation.

[2:57:26] First sb 164. Which

[2:57:28] strengthens Florida's wrongful

[2:57:30] death act by recognizing the

[2:57:33] last of an unborn child has a

[2:57:35] compensatory tragedy. Families

[2:57:35] facing such heartbreak deserve

[2:57:37] the same access to justice as

[2:57:39] any other grieving parents.

[2:57:41] This bill closes an outdated

[2:57:41] gap in our law, reflecting

[2:57:46] both fairness and compassion

[2:57:47] because every life lost to due

[2:57:47] to negligence deserves

[2:57:51] accountability. Second cdf

[2:57:53] strongly support harmful to

[2:57:54] minors legislation which

[2:57:55] closes the Mueller test the

[2:57:59] bill and sure is that obscene

[2:57:59] materials cannot be

[2:58:02] distributed in our schools.

[2:58:02] It's a common sense measure

[2:58:05] that protects children

[2:58:06] supports parents and upholds

[2:58:08] community standards throughout

[2:58:10] Florida. In addition, cdf also

[2:58:12] supports the following

[2:58:13] legislation sb 4.26 to keep

[2:58:17] government spaces neutral. It

[2:58:18] blocks political or

[2:58:18] ideological flags while

[2:58:21] preserving national state and

[2:58:22] historic symbols. Also while

[2:58:25] protecting public spaces for

[2:58:26] everyone sb 430, which

[2:58:29] reinforces public trust in our

[2:58:30] education system and ensures

[2:58:31] that those guiding our

[2:58:33] children are committed to the

[2:58:34] highest standards of

[2:58:35] professional, independent and

[2:58:37] non-partisan service. Cdf

[2:58:39] supports sb 408, because it

[2:58:41] holds vaccine manufacturers

[2:58:44] accountable for misleading

[2:58:45] advertising gets harmed

[2:58:47] individuals a pathway to

[2:58:47] justice and strengthens

[2:58:49] consumer protections in

[2:58:51] Florida. Additionally cdf

[2:58:54] strongly supports sb 166. This

[2:58:56] bill has the opt in for

[2:58:57] student surveys and expands

[2:58:58] parental rights in the area of

[2:59:00] medical freedom for their

[2:59:02] child. This also allows

[2:59:04] parental consent for use of

[2:59:05] biofeedback devices which

[2:59:07] closely tied to a I finally

[2:59:11] citizens defending Freedom

[2:59:12] strongly supports legislation

[2:59:13] to display the 10 Commandments

[2:59:14] and declaration of

[2:59:17] Independence. And every

[2:59:19] Florida classroom recognizing

[2:59:19] the educational and historical

[2:59:23] value of these documents. Cdf,

[2:59:25] thanks you for your service

[2:59:26] and thanks you in advance for

[2:59:30] support of this legislation.

[2:59:33] Thank you very much. Up, Nate

[2:59:34] says and I don't believe her

[2:59:34] bonnet. I'm sorry if I'm

[2:59:39] mispronouncing inning, not

[2:59:43] Come for Please state your

[2:59:47] name for the record. Good

[2:59:47] afternoon. My name is Katie

[2:59:48] Bennett. I'm here with the

[2:59:51] Alliance for Safety and

[2:59:52] Justice. Okay. Following Ms

[2:59:58] Bone. Is. MARCH Dame. What he

[3:00:02] said, Bryan. And Pam Wilson,

[3:00:03] if you can make your way

[3:00:04] towards the thank you. You're

[3:00:07] recognized to speak. Thank

[3:00:10] you. And good afternoon. Duval

[3:00:10] delegation and

[3:00:11] congratulations, Chair

[3:00:14] Michael, as I stated before.

[3:00:15] My name is Katie do that. I'm

[3:00:16] the Florida State director for

[3:00:16] the Alliance for Safety and

[3:00:21] Justice are j. We are the

[3:00:23] advocacy arm for crime

[3:00:24] Survivors for Safety and

[3:00:25] Justice or css chain

[3:00:26] representing 14,000 victims of

[3:00:28] crime here in Florida.

[3:00:32] >> And 250,000 nationwide.

[3:00:33] Thank you to the chair for

[3:00:35] leadership and sponsorship of

[3:00:36] Curtis's law that passed in

[3:00:37] 2023 and the support of this

[3:00:41] delegation as well. Very

[3:00:43] important law for our survivor

[3:00:45] network. This legislation

[3:00:46] insured families who have lost

[3:00:48] a child to violence, receive

[3:00:50] timely information and updates

[3:00:51] from law enforcement deeply

[3:00:52] meaningful step for survivors

[3:00:53] and their loved ones across

[3:00:56] Florida. We're also grateful

[3:00:57] for the leadership and support

[3:00:58] of this delegation for Senator

[3:01:01] Burgess is locked in 2023, a

[3:01:04] record ceiling Bill sb 376.

[3:01:05] This creates a path for

[3:01:07] Floridians to rebuild their

[3:01:10] lives and contribute safely to

[3:01:11] their communities. We plan to

[3:01:13] build on that success this

[3:01:15] year with legislation

[3:01:16] expanding petition based

[3:01:16] records going and look forward

[3:01:17] to hopefully having you all

[3:01:22] support. I also want to

[3:01:23] recognize post Veterans Day

[3:01:24] right, Pat Maney and Senator

[3:01:24] Gaetz this bill that are

[3:01:28] survivors will be supporting

[3:01:31] this year. Sb 50 or hp one.

[3:01:32] 99, what you all remember made

[3:01:33] it all the way to the House

[3:01:37] floor last year. This expands

[3:01:39] the use of a veterans

[3:01:40] treatment courts that which

[3:01:40] we've certainly seen success

[3:01:41] and builds upon that success

[3:01:46] here. Finally will be working

[3:01:48] to expand trauma. Recovery

[3:01:49] centers are tr sees. This is

[3:01:51] that these are hospital

[3:01:53] community-based programs that

[3:01:54] pride provide wrap-around

[3:01:56] services like mental health

[3:01:58] care case management and

[3:01:59] victim support helping people

[3:02:00] recover after violence while

[3:02:03] reducing repeat harm. Our

[3:02:04] appropriations requests this

[3:02:07] year is for tossing memorial.

[3:02:08] But we hope for that to be an

[3:02:09] example and to have one in

[3:02:10] every community, which is what

[3:02:11] our survivors especially when

[3:02:15] here in Duval County. I also

[3:02:16] want to acknowledge and thank

[3:02:18] Michel Combes and Maureen from

[3:02:19] the Christian Coalition that

[3:02:21] are here today in support of

[3:02:21] chance. If it's chase work and

[3:02:23] will be with us throughout

[3:02:24] this next session at the

[3:02:29] Capitol. We'll follow up with

[3:02:31] each of your stops as our

[3:02:31] bills are And of course,

[3:02:32] hopefully make their way

[3:02:35] through respective committees.

[3:02:37] Of course, if you ever need a

[3:02:39] victims perspective we're here

[3:02:40] for you. Thank you so much for

[3:02:41] your time into rest of your

[3:02:46] afternoon. Thank you. You can

[3:02:50] make your way to the podium.

[3:02:51] Please state your name for the

[3:02:57] record.

[3:02:58] >> good afternoon. Nation

[3:03:01] members, my name Don

[3:03:03] Education. Justice organizer

[3:03:03] with Florida to power. You'll

[3:03:06] see today that my shirt says.

[3:03:06] But for students reject cuts,

[3:03:07] education. And it's that

[3:03:10] simple. That mask. I want to

[3:03:11] put our current education

[3:03:12] funding crisis into

[3:03:14] perspective this time. Last

[3:03:15] year, our school board faced a

[3:03:17] 100 million dollar budget

[3:03:18] shortfall. The close schools

[3:03:19] cut buses, cut staff and still

[3:03:21] MAY not be enough. We are

[3:03:23] currently facing federal

[3:03:26] budget well, where Duval alone

[3:03:27] has 25 million dollars worth

[3:03:28] of education funding cuts on

[3:03:31] the line for special education

[3:03:32] title, one low-income schools

[3:03:33] and educational after-school

[3:03:35] programs like Head Start.

[3:03:36] State officials consistently

[3:03:37] remind us that education is

[3:03:38] the responsibility of the

[3:03:39] state, not the federal

[3:03:41] government, but this past

[3:03:42] session. But our state had the

[3:03:44] opportunity to exercise that

[3:03:45] right and pass a universal

[3:03:48] free school meals. Bill. Our

[3:03:49] Legislature killed in its

[3:03:50] first committee because it was

[3:03:52] not a priority. 2 months

[3:03:54] later, hundreds of Florida

[3:03:56] schools lost their federal

[3:03:57] free school meals grant,

[3:04:01] including 37 in Duval County.

[3:04:01] Florida. Families are

[3:04:03] currently 448.6 million

[3:04:03] dollars.

[3:04:06] >> And school meal debt. Do

[3:04:07] you guys know what it's like

[3:04:10] to be in a landslide and pick

[3:04:12] out chicken sandwich. Your

[3:04:16] apple and her talk with milk.

[3:04:16] Just got to check out and have

[3:04:17] the lunch lady replace that

[3:04:19] with the single cold cheese

[3:04:23] sandwich because your $5. But

[3:04:24] you don't even know if your

[3:04:24] parents could even provide

[3:04:29] that night. Because I do. And

[3:04:31] if you've never experienced, I

[3:04:31] couldn't sure that your

[3:04:35] constituents out. For any

[3:04:36] other initiative, our state

[3:04:37] can miraculously find hundreds

[3:04:40] of millions of dollars. Good

[3:04:41] for education. All we get is

[3:04:42] more money to go into the

[3:04:43] hands of private and charter

[3:04:46] school foundation's. If your

[3:04:48] job up there in Tallahassee

[3:04:49] this year is not to do the

[3:04:53] bare minimum feeding hungry

[3:04:53] poor children. You are

[3:04:55] directly telling us when it

[3:04:59] comes education. Camera, but

[3:05:00] more about profit for wealthy,

[3:05:01] private and charter school

[3:05:03] owners and literally feeding

[3:05:05] our future and our schools.

[3:05:08] I'm sorry this that hits very

[3:05:10] close to home. I really,

[3:05:12] really and trying to urge you

[3:05:14] guys. And that's not that's

[3:05:15] legislative session. Cut the

[3:05:16] culture war. We don't care

[3:05:18] about Charlie Kirk statues. We

[3:05:20] want food for children,

[3:05:23] literally that fit. Thank

[3:05:25] Thank you very much.

[3:05:31] >> Please do

[3:05:34] >> This Brian. Thank My name

[3:05:38] is Manchester. Bryant. Last

[3:05:41] Monday, our life was

[3:05:41] shattered.

[3:05:43] >> When our 26 year-old

[3:05:44] daughter Kara, was tragically

[3:05:46] killed by gun violence. She

[3:05:48] was simply sitting on her

[3:05:50] couch, enjoying a normal day.

[3:05:52] When a stray bullet. Came

[3:05:53] through her window and took

[3:06:00] her life. Carroll was bright,

[3:06:00] ambitious and on the cost us

[3:06:01] really like realizing her

[3:06:04] dreams. She had recently

[3:06:07] earned her paralegal degree.

[3:06:07] And was already interviewing

[3:06:11] for jobs. Excited to start a

[3:06:12] career where she could

[3:06:15] advocate for people. But above

[3:06:19] all, she was fiercely out. She

[3:06:19] was preparing to get married

[3:06:22] to her girlfriend, Hannah. Can

[3:06:24] I have already picked out her

[3:06:24] ring and was just waiting

[3:06:25] until she had enough money to

[3:06:30] buy it. Instead. Hannah found

[3:06:35] my daughter. On the ground.

[3:06:42] Her love. Gone in a second.

[3:06:42] I'm asking this delegation to

[3:06:48] act. To do something real and

[3:06:48] meaningful.

[3:06:51] >> To end gun violence, it is.

[3:06:58] It is long past time. Well,

[3:07:01] families like mine are

[3:07:02] grieving. We cannot afford to

[3:07:05] see public money and energy.

[3:07:08] We stayed on naming schools

[3:07:09] and roads after men who

[3:07:10] believe that some gun deaths

[3:07:13] where necessary. To maintain

[3:07:18] gun rights. You have the power

[3:07:21] to enact the necessary gun

[3:07:22] reform yet you are choosing

[3:07:26] not to. Support comprehensive

[3:07:27] legislation that actually

[3:07:29] saved by This requires a focus

[3:07:32] on gun reform and measures

[3:07:33] that directly addressed

[3:07:36] lethality and availability of

[3:07:40] weapons in our community. We

[3:07:41] need to implement universal

[3:07:43] background checks and ban

[3:07:45] assault weapons and high

[3:07:46] capacity magazines designed

[3:07:53] only for mass shootings. House

[3:07:54] Bill 155. With all of the

[3:07:56] problems that it faces. Is a

[3:08:00] start. It's a very small

[3:08:01] start. And there's so much

[3:08:04] more that can be done. But

[3:08:05] with its funding for mental

[3:08:06] health and violence prevention

[3:08:12] programs. It can make change.

[3:08:13] We need real comprehensive gun

[3:08:14] reform that values life over

[3:08:18] ideology. My life. We'll never

[3:08:20] are be the same. My heart is

[3:08:24] gone. All because of senseless

[3:08:29] gun violence. I want to say

[3:08:31] before you leave the podium.

[3:08:35] >> I'm sorry. For the last of

[3:08:36] your child. I too, have gone

[3:08:37] through that. And I understand

[3:08:41] the pain. And thank you for

[3:08:42] having us trip to come here

[3:08:47] today. GOD bless you.

[3:08:50] >> Wilson. Followed by Didi

[3:08:56] Walker. Casey Creed. We have a

[3:09:00] hard time reading the writing.

[3:09:00] So I apologize if that's not

[3:09:01] correct. You are recognized,

[3:09:02] ma'am. Would you state your

[3:09:04] name for the record? Yes, good

[3:09:04] afternoon. My name is Pam

[3:09:07] Wilson. And I'm here.

[3:09:08] >> To give some comments

[3:09:12] focused on property tax. We

[3:09:13] consistently hear from our

[3:09:14] communities that one of the

[3:09:16] biggest concerns and housing

[3:09:18] costs recently, state

[3:09:19] officials have been floating

[3:09:22] the idea of reducing or ending

[3:09:24] property taxes to help with

[3:09:26] housing costs. This is

[3:09:27] uninformed non solution to a

[3:09:32] much bigger problem. A blanket

[3:09:34] change in property taxes would

[3:09:36] not be an equitable form of

[3:09:37] housing relief. This will

[3:09:39] heavily impact low income

[3:09:41] homeowners. While renters MAY

[3:09:43] see a lower rent if their

[3:09:45] landlord pays less property

[3:09:46] tax, that cannot be guaranteed

[3:09:51] and probably wouldn't happen.

[3:09:52] Property tax pays for local

[3:09:55] services that all people in

[3:09:57] community enjoy firefighters,

[3:09:58] public hospitals, museums,

[3:09:59] parks, and most notably

[3:10:03] schools. Florida property

[3:10:05] taxes already lower and 27

[3:10:07] other states. The 24 of those

[3:10:10] states have income tax to help

[3:10:14] pay for those local needs.

[3:10:15] Only one county in Florida has

[3:10:16] actually audited their

[3:10:21] homestead properties. And 2024

[3:10:22] Sarasota County checked their

[3:10:25] home said records or rental

[3:10:26] properties out of state

[3:10:29] individuals claiming a Florida

[3:10:30] homestead and homeowners stead

[3:10:34] and multiple counties. The

[3:10:35] audit found 76 million dollars

[3:10:40] taxable value. Pursuing the

[3:10:41] individual abusing the

[3:10:42] homestead exemption would be a

[3:10:44] more profitable and fair way

[3:10:47] to increase increase revenue.

[3:10:48] It would also make sure that

[3:10:49] homeowners are paying their

[3:10:53] fair share. Our legislators

[3:10:56] should look into the wealthy

[3:10:56] accountable, not punish

[3:10:57] middle-class homeowners and

[3:10:58] local communities. Thank you

[3:10:59] for your time. Thank you very

[3:11:09] much. Please state your name

[3:11:13] for the record. My name is

[3:11:14] Wicker. Some file. You're

[3:11:19] recognized. Here's a member

[3:11:20] with Florida. Rising focused

[3:11:21] on the climate and the Public

[3:11:24] Service Commission. We're

[3:11:25] fighting for a clean, safe and

[3:11:27] healthy planet and the people

[3:11:31] on it. We fight for energy

[3:11:31] democracy, where private

[3:11:32] utilities can increase rates

[3:11:33] without supporting data

[3:11:36] oversight. Florida's Public

[3:11:37] Service Commission supervises

[3:11:38] the private utility companies

[3:11:39] who offer essential services

[3:11:41] such as electric, natural gas,

[3:11:42] telephone, water and

[3:11:46] wastewater. We can all agree.

[3:11:46] Chilly services are necessary

[3:11:50] for health hygiene safety.

[3:11:51] Unfortunately, investor owned

[3:11:52] monopolies can exploit

[3:11:53] residents reliance on these

[3:11:54] utilities and Prof scout or

[3:11:57] cut corners. The public

[3:11:58] service commission is supposed

[3:11:59] to protect the consumers and

[3:12:03] keep those providers in check.

[3:12:03] Utility rate increases are

[3:12:04] often proved supporting dead

[3:12:06] or oversight, allowing the

[3:12:08] that's to our utilities

[3:12:09] monopolies to amass profits

[3:12:10] for that. Any increase

[3:12:15] benefits to the consumers?

[3:12:16] Many households have long Hill

[3:12:16] concerns that utility

[3:12:17] companies received approval

[3:12:19] for an unnecessary rate

[3:12:19] increases. These rate

[3:12:21] increases then place a burden

[3:12:25] on our household bills.

[3:12:27] Utility companies have

[3:12:28] historically requested rate

[3:12:28] hikes after a disaster such as

[3:12:30] the hurricane. Approval of

[3:12:31] these rate hikes allowed the

[3:12:34] investment collect larger

[3:12:35] profits and then charging more

[3:12:36] to people who are recovering

[3:12:39] from the disaster. Public

[3:12:40] Service commission proceedings

[3:12:41] are opaque and often invisible

[3:12:44] to the people they impact. It

[3:12:45] was a bill last session and

[3:12:46] that will be one this year

[3:12:48] that would increase

[3:12:48] transparency. Thank you for

[3:12:49] your consideration. Thank you

[3:12:56] very much. Casey Not sure if

[3:12:56] I'm pronouncing your last

[3:12:57] name. Your followed by Mike

[3:13:03] Todd.

[3:13:03] >> Kasey Creed, ok, followed

[3:13:04] by Mike Todd Coleman,

[3:13:10] Shepherd. And Gayle you can

[3:13:10] make your way to the all

[3:13:14] you're recognize Ms Good

[3:13:14] afternoon. Legislators. My

[3:13:16] name is casting the dummy. You

[3:13:17] can get organizer with Florida

[3:13:18] power.

[3:13:19] >> More importantly, I'm a

[3:13:20] member of this community

[3:13:21] deeply cares about her

[3:13:23] students. They're the future

[3:13:23] of this community and every

[3:13:24] decision you make should

[3:13:27] reflect that. School should be

[3:13:29] a place where young people

[3:13:31] feel safe, supported and

[3:13:31] inspired. Excuse me, let me

[3:13:32] stop you for a minute. Kidney

[3:13:34] pull the mic a little closer.

[3:13:39] >> Thank you. Go ahead.

[3:13:40] They're the future of this

[3:13:40] community in every decision

[3:13:42] you make should reflect that

[3:13:43] school should be a place where

[3:13:44] young people feel safe,

[3:13:46] supported and inspired to

[3:13:48] grow. That is only possible

[3:13:48] when students have what they

[3:13:51] need to focus on learning. One

[3:13:52] of not one of the most

[3:13:56] fundamental needs is food

[3:13:57] because education will cut

[3:13:58] free and reduced lunch. And

[3:13:58] for me, I was fortunate enough

[3:13:59] to have free and reduced

[3:14:01] lunch. They're my time in

[3:14:03] public school. But I still

[3:14:04] have family members still

[3:14:05] going through the school

[3:14:05] system. I would hate to see my

[3:14:07] family struggle due to these

[3:14:09] cuts. So today I'm asking you

[3:14:09] to remember what truly

[3:14:14] matters. Our students. Let's

[3:14:15] focus on things that matter

[3:14:19] and that like. Feeding our

[3:14:19] children and making sure they

[3:14:22] don't go hungry and not

[3:14:23] implementing turning Point usa

[3:14:24] chapters in our schools so

[3:14:26] people can harass our

[3:14:27] children. Let's put them first

[3:14:30] in every policy. Every budget

[3:14:31] and every decision. If we say

[3:14:33] children are our future. This

[3:14:35] time we start acting like it

[3:14:37] by protecting them and not

[3:14:39] politicizing them. Let's show

[3:14:40] them that their leaders, their

[3:14:41] community and their state

[3:14:43] believe that they are worth

[3:14:44] fighting for our students not

[3:14:52] Thank Thank you very much.

[3:14:53] Please state your name for the

[3:14:56] record.

[3:14:57] >> Good afternoon. My name is

[3:15:01] Mike Todd. You're recognized.

[3:15:03] I am here on behalf of our

[3:15:03] dues paying membership,

[3:15:07] Florida, rising. Under Trump's

[3:15:08] second term. One of his

[3:15:10] priorities has been harmful.

[3:15:11] Federal immigration practices

[3:15:13] that criminalize and separate

[3:15:14] immigrant families to

[3:15:14] accomplish this. We've seen a

[3:15:17] ton of pressure to have cities

[3:15:18] and municipalities signed 2.87

[3:15:21] g Agreement outlining the

[3:15:24] collaboration between local

[3:15:24] law enforcement and federal

[3:15:25] immigration and Customs

[3:15:26] Enforcement. We're now seeing

[3:15:29] local law enforcement

[3:15:30] contributing to the

[3:15:31] criminalization of immigrants

[3:15:36] merely for existing. With many

[3:15:38] mass deportation gangs

[3:15:39] resorting to profiling entire

[3:15:41] communities in the process.

[3:15:44] This prosecution, persecution

[3:15:45] of immigrants is an attempt to

[3:15:46] portray immigrants as a public

[3:15:50] enemy when our federal or

[3:15:53] sorry our foreign policy was

[3:15:56] to go over to their countries,

[3:15:57] intervene and ruin their

[3:15:57] democracies. And then they

[3:15:58] come here and you're upset.

[3:16:02] Pretty sad. There will be a

[3:16:06] bill to address many of these

[3:16:06] issues, the economic

[3:16:07] Prosperity and Immigration

[3:16:10] Act. It will make Florida more

[3:16:11] prosperous and welcoming state

[3:16:14] for all people, especially

[3:16:15] immigrant communities and it

[3:16:16] would get rid of the

[3:16:17] requirement for hospitals to

[3:16:19] collect patient immigration

[3:16:20] status data and provide

[3:16:23] protection. From

[3:16:25] discrimination based on

[3:16:26] immigration status in the

[3:16:28] Florida Civil Rights Act in

[3:16:31] 1992. It would also reinstate

[3:16:31] in-state tuition for

[3:16:34] undocumented folks and expand

[3:16:34] that coverage to graduate

[3:16:38] students. Our elected

[3:16:39] officials should be outraged

[3:16:41] that Senate law enforcement.

[3:16:45] That state law enforcement and

[3:16:46] federal immigration agents are

[3:16:48] wearing masks and not

[3:16:49] identifying themselves. This

[3:16:50] bill would push back on that

[3:16:55] as well. 35 All right. All say

[3:17:00] on. No. Charlie Kirk. Fund,

[3:17:03] your kids lunches. No

[3:17:06] redistricting. And I do want

[3:17:09] to say that. It is an

[3:17:12] embarrassment to be the

[3:17:13] wealthiest country in the

[3:17:14] world and not be able to just

[3:17:18] the dark kids lunches. That's

[3:17:21] embarrassment. Thank you to

[3:17:24] everybody who spoke. Thank you

[3:17:36] very much. State. Your name,

[3:17:36] please.

[3:17:38] >> Good afternoon. My name is

[3:17:38] Coleman Shepard. I am here on

[3:17:39] behalf of feeding Northeast

[3:17:43] Florida. I want to start by

[3:17:43] talking about the Farmers

[3:17:48] Feeding Florida program. It is

[3:17:50] a program that allows us to

[3:17:51] rescue food that would

[3:17:53] otherwise be plowed under or

[3:17:55] thrown away or wasted from

[3:17:55] Florida farmers and distribute

[3:17:59] that across our our network of

[3:18:00] nonprofits.

[3:18:05] >> food pantries. So the the

[3:18:06] Feeding Florida Association of

[3:18:07] Foodbanks were 9 food banks

[3:18:08] will cover every county in

[3:18:12] Florida. We were able to save

[3:18:13] 4.6 million pounds across the

[3:18:14] states and distributed into 61

[3:18:18] of 67 Florida counties. And

[3:18:18] the 12 County region that we

[3:18:21] serve here in northeast

[3:18:22] Florida. We were able to

[3:18:23] distribute hundreds of

[3:18:24] thousands of pounds and

[3:18:25] support thousands of

[3:18:27] households with health here,

[3:18:31] fresh Florida grown products.

[3:18:32] Like many nonprofits and

[3:18:33] organizations right now we're

[3:18:36] facing a very acute need and a

[3:18:37] lot of people are missing

[3:18:39] their their benefits and their

[3:18:40] pay checks and to have the

[3:18:41] support of a program that

[3:18:42] allows us to use produce and

[3:18:46] Florida produce products to to

[3:18:47] support those federal workers.

[3:18:50] Those people missing benefits.

[3:18:51] It means a lot that being said

[3:18:52] there are shelves empty on

[3:18:54] food pantries right now. And

[3:18:58] and it is vital that we get

[3:19:01] support to get food out into

[3:19:02] the community as people face

[3:19:08] the sharp need. The recovery

[3:19:09] from this moment is going to

[3:19:11] be a long road and it will not

[3:19:14] end just because the media

[3:19:17] stops reporting on it. So we

[3:19:18] appreciate any support for the

[3:19:20] Farmers Feeding Florida

[3:19:22] program because it does

[3:19:23] provide us with that fresh

[3:19:25] healthy, nutritious food to

[3:19:26] support these families as

[3:19:27] they're going through a very

[3:19:28] rough time. So thank you for

[3:19:29] coming and listening to us

[3:19:31] today. And thank you for

[3:19:34] allowing me speak.

[3:19:36] >> Thank you very much for our

[3:19:39] final. I'm sorry. Remnants.

[3:19:40] You're recognized for

[3:19:44] question. Thank you, MADAM

[3:19:45] Chair. Hi. Can you tell about

[3:19:47] roughly year and Duval County?

[3:19:50] How many families are going

[3:19:50] without food right now? Do you

[3:19:53] have those numbers? You're

[3:19:54] recognize.

[3:19:55] >> Without food, specifically,

[3:19:57] I'm not sure we're as it

[3:19:58] relates to threw the chair as

[3:20:01] it relates to this map. Do you

[3:20:03] know recognize there's roughly

[3:20:04] 150,000.

[3:20:04] >> Folks on snap in Duval

[3:20:11] County. You have a follow-up.

[3:20:12] >> Thank you very much. Final

[3:20:12] 3 speakers are Suzanne

[3:20:18] Pickett. Nelson, France. Gail

[3:20:18] Chisholm, I have your request

[3:20:22] for me at believe you say on

[3:20:23] your that you do not wish to

[3:20:23] speak. If you all can make

[3:20:27] your way to the podium. We

[3:20:31] have no more speakers members.

[3:20:32] That speakers list it on the

[3:20:37] agenda. Members. Are there any

[3:20:40] announcements? Representative

[3:20:44] Hinson you're recognized.

[3:20:46] Thank you. MADAM Speaker don't

[3:20:48] necessarily have an

[3:20:48] announcement, but I guess the

[3:20:50] county is this is my last

[3:20:52] delegation meeting.

[3:20:54] >> And I just want to say that

[3:20:54] he's been an honor and a

[3:20:57] privilege to serve you all as

[3:20:59] a state representative here in

[3:21:02] Duval County. I want to thank

[3:21:06] The general public for coming.

[3:21:09] And voicing your concerns and

[3:21:09] your issues. And I want to

[3:21:11] remind you all that your voice

[3:21:15] is your power and then it. At

[3:21:16] the end of the day, despite

[3:21:17] what is coming out of

[3:21:18] Tallahassee, we work for you

[3:21:21] all. And so it is very

[3:21:23] important for you all to make

[3:21:26] sure that you hold us

[3:21:27] accountable. Demand the

[3:21:30] meetings, demand the town

[3:21:31] halls. And, you know, it is

[3:21:36] also important to know,

[3:21:37] organize people. We'll push

[3:21:39] back against organize money

[3:21:42] any day and you need to make

[3:21:44] sure that again that you're

[3:21:45] holding us accountable because

[3:21:47] we did take an oath to help

[3:21:49] improve the quality of life

[3:21:52] for you all. And if we are not

[3:21:52] acting accordingly, then you

[3:21:56] need to let us know, right? So

[3:21:58] I would urge you all to

[3:22:03] continue to work together

[3:22:05] collectively demand that all.

[3:22:06] Floridians have the

[3:22:08] opportunity to live healthy,

[3:22:11] prosperous and safe and no

[3:22:14] longer just survive but

[3:22:16] thrive. Again, I just I'm just

[3:22:16] I've been so honored to

[3:22:19] represent you all. And I look

[3:22:20] forward to continuing to be on

[3:22:20] the front lines with you all.

[3:22:24] Thank you. Thank you.

[3:22:27] Representative missing. I do

[3:22:29] have one other car that was

[3:22:32] just handed to me. Gloria, I'd

[3:22:32] >> If you're here, if you can

[3:22:33] make your way towards the

[3:22:36] podium. That is our final

[3:22:41] speaker. You're recognized.

[3:22:42] >> And I apologize for missing

[3:22:46] bunch. Earlier in a way in.

[3:22:47] Missed apprehend the time of

[3:22:52] the meeting I want to speak

[3:22:54] about redistricting. First and

[3:22:59] co-location. If. I suppose

[3:23:03] everyone here remembers that

[3:23:05] the redistricting, after the

[3:23:09] census, the legislature, but

[3:23:10] they had gone as far as

[3:23:15] permissible. And the governor.

[3:23:17] Bush even more he tearing me

[3:23:22] and her. Our legislative maps

[3:23:27] do represent voters. To

[3:23:29] consider making them even

[3:23:33] representative. Would be a

[3:23:35] answer to the people of

[3:23:38] Florida. The people. I'm also

[3:23:39] up worker is see the people

[3:23:42] come out and vote. They

[3:23:46] deserve a chance to have their

[3:23:47] votes counted fairly in their

[3:23:53] district. There's no. Be sent

[3:23:54] to redistrict even further at

[3:23:58] this point. Let's wait for the

[3:24:00] senses. See what it tells us.

[3:24:03] And then hopefully doing their

[3:24:10] job in the next decade. As for

[3:24:11] colocation, the legislature

[3:24:11] will have a chance to walk

[3:24:15] that back. It is a recipe for

[3:24:18] chaos. Our schools. It is an

[3:24:21] invitation or for-profit

[3:24:25] corporations. To use the space

[3:24:26] and the facilities that the

[3:24:30] public is paid for, but their

[3:24:34] profit making operations. And

[3:24:36] to further undermine our

[3:24:39] public schools and our

[3:24:41] children's education. So I

[3:24:42] hope that the legislature will

[3:24:45] realize that a mistake has

[3:24:45] been made and corrected in

[3:24:48] this session. Thank you. Thank

[3:24:52] you very much. Italian

[3:24:53] speakers. Is that ok? Very

[3:24:57] good. Members. That concludes

[3:24:58] the speaker's listed on agenda

[3:25:00] in the additional speakers

[3:25:00] members. Are there any

[3:25:07] announcements?

[3:25:08] >> But thank you But I also

[3:25:10] like to thank the staff and

[3:25:12] the jso for being here today.

[3:25:15] Members that concludes our

[3:25:16] agenda, seeing no further

[3:25:17] business Representative Baker

[3:25:18] moves that we rise. Without

[3:25:33] objection. We are

Duval Delegation Organizational Meeting

Agenda

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