>> All right. Good morning.
The meeting has commenced.
This is the 11/12/2025.
Organizational and general
public hearing meeting of the
Duval County legislative
delegation. I want to welcome
you all today. Please rise to
be for the indication to be
conducted by Representative
Black.
>> Men and women of faith.
Please bow your heads as I
pray. Your heavenly father,
creator of us all. We gather
here, Lord citizens. Family.
Friends. Countryman, all. And
we ask Lord that you would
imbue us this day and bless
this meeting with your divine
presence. We would humble
ourselves to you, lord, that
would submit ourselves one to
another in love out of
reverence for you who love us.
Heavenly father, all that we
say and meditate here today,
honor and glorify you and
bring us together. The turn.
Ali. And Lord grant us your
wisdom, which comes from
beyond the ages and give us
the courage. To carry that
out. This we pray to the GOD
of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
and I pray in the name of
Jesus. Amen. Amen.
>> Please remain standing. Ron
Trez Lloyd junior from the
Children's Home Society will
lead us in the Pledge of
Allegiance. I pledge
allegiance.
>> The flag of the United
States of America and to the
Republic for which it stands.
One nation under GOD,
indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
>> Please be seated. Thank you
both. MISS Italia. Please call
the roll.
>> Senator David. Senator
Yarborough here.
Representative Baker here.
Representative. But
>> Representative Daniels.
Representative it
Representative Duncan.
Representative Michael here.
Representative Nixon. We have
a core. Thank you.
>> Okay. Our first order of
business is to adopt the
agenda, which are a delegation
coordinator, MISS Italia
circulated to all of us. Can I
get a motion to adopt the
agenda? Is there a second?
Thank you all in favor. Aye.
Show the agenda adopted. I
want to begin with some
opening remarks and give you
all a road map on how this
meeting is going to go today.
We have 64 speakers who have
signed up to speak today and
we have a hard stop to be out
of these chambers at 02:00pm.
So we're going to begin with 2
and a half minutes for each
speaker to present. But as we
get closer to the end, it
looks like there might not be
sufficient time. Please be
aware that we MAY further have
to restrict your time to
speak. I would ask each of you
to be respectful of the time
for those of the people coming
after you. I will further
clarify. Delegation operates
under the rules of the Florida
House. Florida House is rules
are different with respect to
public comments. Then City
Council, the chair will have
complete and total control
over decorum issues length of
speaking and the like. So
again, we would ask that each
of you be respectful of our
rules and of the process. We
also have time at the end for
additional speakers for those
people not listed on the
agenda to speak. Assuming
there is time left over for
additional speakers. Please
restrict your comments to the
delegation. Has a home please
do not address comments to any
particular delegation member.
All materials that you
submitted when you signed up
to speak. Just so, you know,
are in a three-ring binder
here in front of us. So we
have copies of everything that
you submitted. You do not need
to provide additional copies
if you have additional
materials that you did not
submit, you MAY provide them
to our staff in front of us
and they will distribute those
copies to us as we speak or as
you speak, the rules of the
Florida House prohibit the use
of props or exhibits and
public comment. If you
intended to utilize any such
prop or exhibit other than
what you submitted that we
have in our book you will not
be allowed to do so if you
cannot comply with that, he
will not be allowed to
continue speaking members, you
will be able to engage in
questions of any speaker at
your desire. You will have to
be recognized by the chair
just as we do in committee in
the Florida House. Please be
concise, recognizing how many
speak as we do have in the
time limitations. I will
remind you that the contact
information of every speaker
is in your book in case you
want to have further
discussions with any of the
speakers on you can do that
offline. I ask everybody to
remain. Remember to silence
your electronics and members
as a reminder when you press
the microphone button to
speak, the cameras will
automatically focus on you. So
when you're done speaking,
please remember to push that
microphone, Biden in the off
position. Members. Are there
any other opening remarks?
Seeing none. Thank you. Okay.
We will now move to the
election of the chair. The
chair of the delegation is a
one-year term and my term ends
today. So we will elect a
successor. I will open the
floor for nominations for
chair of the coming year.
Speaker Duggan, you're
recognized.
>> Thank you, MADAM Chair. For
the last time, I would just
use MADAM Chair. Thank you for
your service to our delegation
this year. It's been
exemplary. I would like to
nominate for chair of the
delegation, Vice Chair
Representative Michael.
>> Thank you. Is there a
second? Senator Yarborough?
You're recognized.
>> MADAM Chair, I'd like to
second the nomination for
Representative Michael be
chair of the delegation for
the coming year.
>> All right. We have a motion
and a second to nominate
Representative Michael as
chair of the DuVal delegation.
Are there any other
nominations? Okay, seeing
none. Is there a motion to
close the nominations? All
right. Senate Speaker dug in
as we close the nominations
and they are so close. We'll
now proceed to a voice vote on
the nomination of
Representative Michael to be
chair of the DuVal delegation.
All in favor say Aye. Aye
oppose no. Alright, that
motion passes.
Congratulations.
Representative Michael as the
new chair of the DuVal
delegation.
Thank you.
Members. I especially want to
thank you. Representative
Baker. For your service to
this community. And for your
service as our chair, the
DuVal delegation, I would like
to express our gratitude by
giving you this award. And
they're ward reads represented
to Representative Jessica
Baker with sincere
appreciation.
>> And recognition of
outstanding leadership and
public service as the chair of
the DuVal delegation,
legislative delegation for
Duval County 2025.
I'd like to
recognize that Representative
Angie Nixon, he's now joined
us. Thank you. Representative
Baker. Our next
>> item of business is the
election of vice chair.
>> I open the floor for a
nomination for vice chair of
the DuVal delegation.
Representative Black, you're
recognized for motion.
>> I nominate Senator Clay
Yarborough.
>> Representative, like
represents Senator Yarborough.
Thank you. Is there a second?
Representative Baker? You're
recognized.
>> Thank you, MADAM Chair. I
second the nomination for
Senator Yarborough as vice
chair of the Duval County
delegation. Representative
Baker seconds. The nomination.
We have a motion and a second
to nominate Senator Yarborough
as vice chair of the DuVal
delegation. Are there any
other nominations? We haven't
moved to close. We saw move.
I'm sorry, Senator.
Representative Duggan seconds.
The nomination. We now close
to. We now move to close the
nomination and we are so
closed. We proceed with a
voice vote on the nomination
of Pearl to be vice chair of
the DuVal delegation all in
favor say yea.
>> Oppose no. The motion
passes. Congratulations.
Senator Yarborough. Now we
will move to our public
comment portion of our
meeting. I would like to
reiterate, we have many
speakers today and is very
important. We keep time frame.
We have a hard stop at
02:00pm. Accordingly. We will
limit the speaker to 2 and a
half minutes. I do want to
allocate time for this members
to ask questions as needed. We
will call 3 speakers at a
time. So you'll always know
who isn't needs to speak. If
you hear your name called,
please make your way to the
out form a line behind the
petition or podium. And
recognize each speaker to
begin. Our first 3 speakers.
Justin Jack Maloney, chief
deputy separate supervisor of
elections. Followed by
Jennifer Casey. Followed by
Melanie Bolded School board
member. You are recognized.
Thank you. MADAM Chair.
>> In just a Jekyll chief
deputy supervisor elections
for Duval County. Here on
behalf of Supervisor Holland
and the Florida Supervisor
Elections Association. What
you have in front of you are
the 20's. 26 legislative
priorities of the association
and I'm here to answer any
questions that you MAY have on
that. I'm also here on sunrise
or Holland to discuss
legislation that he believes
will be coming back to in
2026. With regards to the
dissipation of an automated
independent audit change. But
this really is is basically a
machine audit of our
tabulation system to do 100%
audit. We believe this will be
coming back around. I was
introduced last year kind of
his stance on it. We're at
right now is 31 counties in
the state currently have this
system. It is a very expensive
system. He did as you can see
what the quote. And they're
the first year for Duval
County be about $392,000 will
be impacted and then close to
100,000 year after year for
the software maintenance,
everything Should that get
past? We would like the state
mandatory this. To provide
some funding for that to the
counties around that are not
far because of financial
constraints of thing. He does
believe that the hand count
currently in place is
sufficient. This machine audit
will not alleviate the groups
that believe that don't trust
the machines. It's tough to
hand audit actually allows him
to come in. We can show them
that the machines tabulating
correctly and helps build
confidence in our elections.
With that in question.
>> Recognized. Representative
nuts. Representative Baker,
you're recognized. Thank you,
MADAM Chair, can you elaborate
a little bit more on the
differences between the 2
systems? Recognized?
>> MADAM Representative. Yes.
So there's 2 ways that you can
do it. One is a random sample
of a hand count. So we'll do a
certain percentage of a race
of the precincts and we go
through hand counted, get team
set up for us depending on how
many ballots we have to go
through could be anywhere from
2 teams of 3 to 4 teams of 3,
the machine. Audit is 100%. So
every ballot he's going to a
separate machine to be
tabulated or to be. Compared
to the actual tabulation of
the images. It's tough on
that. And then the
discrepancies, we can look at
on the machine.
>> Representative Nixon,
you're recognized.
>> Thank you, MADAM Chair. And
congratulations on your
election.
>> Hi, I'm deputy a.
>> I have a question. Does
your office this past election
Does your office believe that
the election that Hill was
safe and secure?
>> You're recognized MADAM
Chair to represent it. Yes,
ma'am. Thank you. MADAM Chair.
And finally, in regards to
mail-in do get does your
office believe that the way in
which you did the process of
mail-in ballots, that that was
in fact safe and secure.
>> You're recognized MADAM
Chair, the the representative.
Yes, ma'am. No further
questions. Further questions.
Members. Thank you. Thank you.
Good morning. MADAM Chair and
the honorable members of the
Duval delegation. My name is
Jennifer Casey and the
director of education and
outreach.
>> Supervisor Holland has
asked for your support of
proposed legislation to allow
a Florida high school students
to serve as public assistance.
This request comes before you
because under current Florida
law, students under 18 they
serve as poll workers only if
they are pre-registered to
vote and meet all other
qualifications. As you know,
Election Day means working a
full 14 our day. There is no
provision in the law for
students to volunteer in a
more flexible supervise
capacity. While earning
community service hours by
does that matter, that work is
to conduct elections and to do
that requires a strong and
persistently growing political
base. Concerned about the
potential of poll worker
shortage is not today, but in
the years ahead, average age
of a poll working nationwide
is 61 years old in Duval
County. It's 67 years old.
Many of our most experienced
workers are retiring and we
need to build a pipeline
future. Election workers now,
what would this legislation
do? Supervisors of elections
in Florida are currently
prohibited from accepting
personal services related to
Election administration from
individuals including
students. The proposed
language in this bill will
allow Florida high school
students ages 16 plus, who are
registered pre-registered. The
volunteers assisting poll
workers for community service
hours, which many students
need for college applications
and bright futures.
Scholarships. The intent is
that they would serve limited
hours with appropriate
supervision and training in a
structured way serving on the
weekends during early voting
to avoid interfering with
school. We believe this will
support our existing election
boards with nonpartisan,
energetic and tech savvy
student assistance and most
importantly will prepare
students for hands-on civic
education that will inspire
them return his future. Polar
bears. Earlier this year, we
were welcomed into public and
private high schools across
Duval County for our County
Wide Student Voter
registration competition. We
spoke to thousands of students
and register them to vote and
we spoke to them about the
opportunity if service, a poll
worker as we move from school
to school, a powerful theme
emerged. Students understood
that one day their vote would
matter, but they didn't
realize that they could be
trusted to participate in
democracy right now to see
that spark a realization hit
them that the adults in their
lives don't just tolerate
them, but welcome their
contributions. Now and not
only that, the see a future
where their service is
essential. That reaction stuck
with us. It reminded us that
civic engagement doesn't just
magically began at 18. It
begins when we offer the
opportunity for a spark, we
show them that their voice and
their service matter today
with this bill, you have the
opportunity to create sparks
of light and the fire to gauge
and our young people.
Representative, you're
recognized. Thank you. MADAM
Chair. Hi, MISS Casey. Really
quick question. We're with the
students be recruited from how
would they have a?
>> How would they be chosen?
Yeah, the primary method would
be as we go into the schools
for our annual anyway
competition. We have 1700
students register to vote
during that competition last
year. And so if only 3% of
those expressed interest,
that's more than 50 new work
assistant, then over time, we
know that that will mean a lot
more poll workers. Thank you.
MADAM Chair.
>> Is there any type criteria?
Because if you get a
overwhelming response, just
want to make sure folks know
like the application process
and that type of stuff you're
recognized chair, they would
be subject to the same. Could
contact application that our
regular poll workers, you
know, they would be subject to
the same training. And so all
of those requirements would be
the same is the amount of time
of their service would be
different. Further questions.
Thank you so much. You are
recognized. Good morning.
Melody will do county school
board.
>> And good morning, MADAM
Chair and the members of the
delegation. It's an honor to
be here representing our
school board. And I want to
thank you for your partnership
and your continued support of
our students and our schools.
We truly appreciate. First,
your support rj Bill or local
authority to retain
independent legal counsel.
That step strengthens
transparency, accountability
and will enable greater
efficiency and fiscal
stewardship. And then the next
item is a dedicated district
model for the family
Empowerment scholarship. And
that's about simplicity and
fairness. Skull clarity right
now, the flow of funding and
student data news through
several systems. And then that
creates unnecessary complexity
and potential duplication. And
a statewide district model
would streamline that process.
Enrollment and sure. Real-time
enrollment tracking and help
both public and private
providers operate with
accuracy and stability. We're
also asking for funding too
much. A student's safety
fusion center. You guys saw
that last year. So we're
asking again and this connect
our schools and our first
responders. It would be the
first time this is done. It
would allow real time camera
access and communication to
our first responders. And it
will allow Florida continue to
lead the nation and proactive
school safety technology.
Duval already has the
groundwork in place. Pilot
that successfully. So we're
hoping for your support and
that again, our students are
also already using ai tools
are asking for help. The
funding professional
development for teachers so
that they can keep up with
their students and with
everything else that's
happening on the world stage.
We want to guide our students
responsibly so that we can
future-proof our construction
and then the item on facility
planning addresses reporting
system on paper. Some of our
schools look, all even when
principals complaint empty
classrooms, the data doesn't
always match reality. When you
consider some of our students
needs. Some of our classrooms
are smaller because of css and
some other things. Other
programs. So right now and
there's no current, there's
currently no formal appeal
process. So we'd like for
modernization and flexibility.
So capacity decisions reflect
actual on-the-ground capacity
in our schools. And finally,
we're asking for increase
spending for espn. The allow.
Thank Thank you. No questions.
Thank you very much. Up next,
we have Bill Olson.
>> Followed by Colonel Oliver.
Shomari Gloucester, if you can
make your way to the podium.
MR. Oliver. Not
>> Yes, my name is car now
addresses on file. We'll tell
you all the Florida
legislature right now. I'm in
favor of it. Redistricting
process. But this is my reason
why I'm in favor. Article one.
Section 2 of the Constitution
says was supposed to have one
representative for 30,000.
Underneath the 10th Amendment.
United States Constitution.
You have the state Powell to
honor what the Constitution
say. The problem with our
country when it comes down to
the power of the people, the
people never heard. Because
you maintain the power
structure of the people at the
top as a black American, this
community that on the verge of
self discovery. I want my or I
want black American forces,
Not just in time. But also in
the state legislature and all
local left. Because the power
that you've given away from
the peak. So the answer is a
special corporation, interest
groups and geo's. It's on did
not believe the true. You took
an oath of office each and
everlast one up. That you will
respect the it. And the pow of
the people. But Republicans,
it's like a talking point. The
Democrats they have to get
serious about this stuff. But
for me as the Black America, I
want my voice heard very and
very precise. You know me. I'm
not a gate keeper, some budget
buster door wide open and
shine a light everything you
broke and that company of
relationship with the people
you, sir. If you go out you go
for another. It redistricting
process. You bet. Uphold
principles of the
Constitution. And if you do,
it's a slap in the face to the
people of this community. You
can look at the clock, if you
It's because I'm telling the
true. You felt me. You felt
the people because the people
just don't know the true. But
I do. Are you going to show
your true colors when the
legislative session? Happens
again? You gon bowed out to
that round. You don't have the
guts to do the right thing
that you my time. It's MISTER
Bill. Also
>> okay. We move on is not
being here. Shomari
Gloucester, up next. You're
recognized.
>> Good morning, MADAM Chair
and congratulations. MADAM
Chair, MISTER Vice chair and
to the Dubai delegation. Thank
you. Early relating Pledge of
Allegiance by gentleman to my
right, MISTER On Trez Lloyd
Junior. He is an outstanding
student at Great White High
School. A community
partnership school program
here in Jacksonville, Florida.
Regionally led by Kimberly
Barrett, our executive
director and the Community
Partnership School is led by
Christopher Stone, the senior
director. To the delight gate.
We say thank you. We
appreciate your continued
support for over the last 10
years, making certain that the
community partnership school,
the model that has
demonstrated success,
improving student behavior,
increasing academic
achievement and graduation
rates and strengthening parent
involvement in schools
throughout Duval County and
the state. We say thank you.
Collaborative approach, this
model position. Schools is
central hubs to address child
well-being and interrupt
barriers like counseling
medical needs dental tutoring
after school enrichment,
mentoring and so much more by
integrating the supports the
community partnership school,
create learning environments
that expand opportunities and
increased the likelihood of
success students all
throughout Florida. So that
way, they're great
contributors to our economy.
For the 2025 2026 fiscal year.
Your support his impact over
50 schools throughout our
state. Team. Duval, we truly
appreciate this delegation. We
truly appreciate your
continued support and
connecting us to all of the
resources that help us do the
work that we do chs. We do
good. And because of
delegation. Thank you very
much. Up next, we have Dawn
Gilman. Catherine Ross. Katie
Hathaway. Please make your way
towards the podium.
Dawn
Gilman. Catherine Ross, Katie
Hathaway. Okay. We'll move on.
Please make your way. Come
forward. Please. You are
recognized.
>> Hello, my name calf in
Boston by addresses on file.
Florida stands to lose as much
be 0.5 million acres
development and the next 50
years. Including 2.2 million
acres of agricultural land.
Residents across the political
spectrum. I've made it clear
they want this out of control
development. The stop. You
listen. Top voices last year
and pass the state parks as a
patient at. I want you to do
more to protect what matters
to Floridians in the coming
legislative session. And
imposes start would be to
repeal sections of sb 180.
Well, new law is well
intentioned. That's in
positions up going to be a
disaster in the making
communities across the state.
And must be fixed and 2026. I
asked each project hp 105, and
asked Till 8. He'll spend in
by and for developers and
special interests. But and
Sir, put sb 240. Which would
give local governments the
ability to regulate single use
plastics and their community.
It is vital for the
legislature to fully fund well
enough of a program at
300 million dollars. As well
as to provide 150 million
dollars. Patients. Canal
location, all both a leash.
All state has some of the most
ibis unique those systems, the
wobbled. The losom for every
vote would be a tragedy. They
must be protected. You have
the power leave a lasting
legacy, current and future of
The saved by old Florida.
Thank you. MISS Ross. There is
a question, please.
>> Representative Duggan,
you're recognized. Thank you.
MADAM Chair, as Ross. This is
my delegation meeting. I
believe you spoken and
everyone you in your mother,
one of the first people I met
when I was out first elected
to the house. I just want to
commend you for your civic
engagement, starting as a as a
young student and now going
into an adult young adult. And
you're an excellent role model
example of what homeschooling
can produce. So thank you for
that.
>> Thank you, Ben. Thank you.
MISS Frost. Up next, Kate, the
Kate Katie Hathaway followed
by Gloria, I Sting and Lindsay
Raw. If you can make your way
towards the podium out the way
you are recognized morning.
Thank you all. I'm Katie
Hathaway, a proud Duval County
Public School parent and
advocate.
>> I'm here to ask you all to
stand up. First all, students,
our teachers in our community
and put our children in public
schools. First, Floridians
deserve transparency and
accountability for our tax
dollars. Our current school
choice model lacks both the
new schools of hope role has
completely veered away from
its original purpose. And it
now strips local communities
of control of their own
schools here in Duval County.
25 Letters of intent from just
one charter operator already
on the books. The co located
inside our public school
buildings. Rent free was your
oversight. That's an imminent
threat to our neighborhood
schools in an outrageous case
of overreach, families didn't
ask for this and are locally
elected school board members
have no authority to stop it.
That isn't hope. It's a
hostile takeover and it needs
to be repealed. We also need
to fix the voucher program.
Florida is projected to spend
5 billion next year on
vouchers. And that's billions
being pulled away from the
public schools that serve the
most of our children. And
nearly 70% of our new voucher
users were already in private
schools. That is not choice.
That's a taxpayer subsidy for
the wealthy. Every student
should have a Florida
education id number so we can
follow the money and ensure
oversight. And we can't talk
about strong schools without
talking about our awesome
teachers. Florida ranks dead
last in teacher pay. That's
unacceptable. Our teachers are
professionals and heroes and
they shouldn't have to work 2
or 3 jobs just to stay in the
classroom. Finally, we cannot
ignore the dangers idea of
eliminating property taxes
which fund nearly 60% of
Florida's school budgets doing
so would blow a hole in public
education funding and shift
the burden to families through
a sales tax that could reach
up to 12%. But which would be
one of the highest in the
nation. Public schools are the
heart of every community there
where we come together and
where we build our future. We
need policies that strengthen
them, not schemes that
stripped them for parts. It's
time to protect what's ours,
our students, our teachers and
our public schools. Thank you
all so much. Thank you. And
congrats, Michael. Come
forward to the podium. Please.
You're recognized. My name is
Lindsay Roth. I live in
Jacksonville and Senator Davis
and Representative Baker
District.
>> I'm here to tell you. That
my unique family and how
education choice is helping
thrive. We have 3 children.
The land that low can call all
3 are diverse and learn in
different ways. Thanks in part
to the flexibility of
Florida's education choice
ships. We moved to
Jacksonville 8 years ago. All
3 of my kids attended a small
Catholic school. When it was
time for middle school. My 2
oldest the can call. I knew we
needed to change. This coal
experience. Some very intense
bullying. I has dyslexia and
adhd. We needed new
environments where they could
feel safe. We, too, many. Of
the great learning
opportunities in Jacksonville
for Luke. And we found that
the discovery school. Project
based Montessori idea, School
Jax Beach, my youngest Dylan
joined him and my oldest is
now attending the of School of
Jacksonville in 11th grade.
Running my kids to all 3 of
these different environments
is a lot, but it is worth it.
Our family would not have been
able to afford to customize
education in this way, without
the financial sense tense. The
Florida scholarship program.
As local press high school and
your choices were limited for
our son who learns
differently. These experiences
with my kids inspired me to
get more hands on myself. Good
friend. And I started a micro
high school. The Academy of
Jacksonville currently serving
20 students. Full-time and
some part-time. Including my
son, Luke. Without the
scholarships overhead, half of
our students would not be able
to be a colossal. We are
divided into an upper and
lower classes with 2 full
time. Teachers. We focus on
project based learning check
ins and with mastery for math.
Our science. We filed the guy
Harvey curriculum. Hands-on
creative way. Learn science.
All of our kids are creating
their own small businesses.
From the ground up. And are
even learning how to become
boat captains. But going out
on the water. And that working
hours. My 3 kids are amazing
and I'm so proud. The question
you can find issue Senate's
vote. Thank All. 3 of my kids.
Are doing great. When cold
grows up, he wants to move to
Chicago and become. Get into
commercial real estate. My son
moved the one that this wlex
and hopes to own his own
business possibly get into
trade. And my daughter, you in
is inspired by her journey
with Lyme disease so much that
she has dreams of getting into
medicine to help others, the
way that they helped her. In
short. My family and our small
business is a living
breathing. Proof. That the new
world of public education.
It's here in Florida and it's
working. When you let parents
make the best choices for our
kids. There are no limits to
what these amazing kids can
do. I want to thank all of
you. Here in the delegation
today support education
choice. And Florida and urge
you to continue supporting the
families like mine. Please
help us give many of these
kids as possible. The unique
learning environments, but
they need thrive. Thank you
very much. Thank you. Up next,
we have.
>> Now fillman. If you can
make your way towards the
podium. And 11. Since you're
Rogers. You are recognized.
>> All right. Good morning on
Fellman PRESIDENT League Women
Voters, Jacksonville first
coast with numbers across Clay
Duval Nassau and Saint Johns
counties. Lee was founded over
100 years ago. We have a
non-partisan mission of
empowering voters in defending
democracy. I'm here today with
a simple ask we ask you to say
no to mid-decade
redistricting. Or Koreans have
made it abundantly clear that
they don't want political
districts strong with a
partisan intent. We asked you
to say no to bills that make
it harder to vote or register
to vote. Voting is a right. We
urge you to respect that right
by posing any efforts to make
voting harder, more onerous.
We are sure to fully fund
election administration. We
ask you to ensure that
secretary of state and local
supervisors of elections of
the necessary resources to
fair, secure and efficient
elections and each county from
rural communities to large
metropolitan areas and
everywhere in between.
Florida, families expect the
need our elected leaders to
focus on kitchen table issues
affecting our daily lives, not
divert millions in tax dollars
to a rushed and unnecessary
district redistricting process
that does not address their
daily economic reality.
Redistricting is not free. The
last statewide process cost
Floridians millions in
consultant fees. Staff time in
new technology. Floridians
overwhelmingly supported the
fair districts amendment and
2010 send a clear message to
elected officials in Florida
district map should be drawn.
Fairly maps must not be drawn
with the intent to favor or
disfavor any political party
or politician and districts
must follow existing political
and geographical boundaries
when possible. But just city
or county lines, redrawing
congressional districts in the
middle of a decade on partisan
grounds without new census
data defies the will of the
people and undermines the
Florida Constitution. Changing
electoral maps. Haphazardly
creates confusion, reduces
accountability and weakens the
connection between those
elected to serve and their
constituents from the
Panhandle to the key, stable
electoral maps means
communities and count on
consistent representation to
address their local concerns
to include clean water and
disaster recovery at the
federal level. Constant
redrawing of electoral map,
Swiss instability of
democracy, roads, better
confidence in elections. All
confusion and makes harder for
communities to elect their
preferred candidates or their
particular needs. League looks
forward to your leadership on
these issues. Thank you very
much. Thank you. This Rogers.
You're recognized. My name is
Cynthia Rogers and I am a
resident and registered voter
here in beautiful city of
Jacksonville, Florida. I am
speaking today is a service.
Both you and the community and
my hope is to convince you
that labels are for products
and not people. And that
things are seldom has a seen.
Some sure. You well know. The
number of people labeled sex
offenders in Florida has grown
dramatically. Because Florida
has created scores of new
sexual offenses.
>> Many of which are not
offenses other states or in
other countries. In 1994, when
the sex offender registry
originated. Only people who
raped and physically hurt.
Others were on the registry.
Now people are on the registry
who were in their home trying
to help their autistic son or
daughter who had
inappropriately touched
someone and they delayed going
to therapy. Now both the
parent and child are on the
registry for life in Florida.
People could inadvertently or
out of curiosity clicked on a
sex advertisement online and
didn't believe it. People who
met someone and had consensual
sex of padding only to find
that he or she was a minor.
People who are lonely and
responded to a sting operation
thinking they were
communicating with someone who
cared about them only to be
arrested by a swat team. Who
texted friends, sexy images,
which are particularly a
problem with middle and high
school age children. I'm sure
we can think back to times
that we did things that MAY be
considered inappropriate. Now.
People who unknowingly
committed a sexual offense.
Which is often a sign of
certain kinds of dementia.
Currently there is no, it's
just good living or nursing
home care facilities in the
state of Florida that will
accept a person on the
registry. Surprisingly, given
the broad range of sexual
offenses, recidivism of a sex
offense. Is one percent.
According to recent Florida
Department of Corrections,
Independent Data Analysis 2020
through 2023. And supported by
academic, evidence-based
research. Many people that
have been labeled as a sex
offender didn't actually
intend to break the law and
sex was not the driving
factor. The truth is registry.
Squander law enforcement
resources and create a
distinctive report. Sex. Thank
you for taking the time to
hear me today. Thank you very
much. Up we have Billy
Bradford.
>> Taylor Roberts, director of
government and community
Relations. Brandon Turner, if
you can make your way to the
podium, please. You can come
forward. Thank you. Please
identify yourself for the
record. Please identify
yourself. My name is Billy
Bradford wanted to push
something. My name is Billy
Bradford. And I'll be speaking
on long-term sentencing in the
state of Florida.
>> Florida prisons need relief
and they need it. Now there's
a bill drafting in the House
with Representative Chad
Johnson. And I'm happy to send
you over to that off. For your
review as it still needs a
sponsor. This long-term
sentencing act would provide
incarcerated individuals
serving long sentences and
opportunity to be paroled
after they've served a minimum
of 10 years a fence which did
not result in the death of an
individual 4.20, for defense
that did result death. This
bill excludes sexual predators
and individuals with death.
The bill as a conservative
approach to reducing our
prison population without
risking public safety. And
there is plenty to support the
bill, including these reports
up Florida Commission Vendors
Review annual report 2024
found that in 2023 100% of
parolees have successfully
completed their parole
supervision without revocation
within the first 3 years of
relief. The 25 year study. By
the elder by elder crime
patterns and current trends
found that people who commit
violent crimes, we actually be
less likely to commit another
serious than that. Recidivism
rates decline dramatically as
people. 8 of those convicted
of violent crimes. Only 4%
released between the ages of
45 54. Re a fan further one
percent released at 55 or
older were re incarcerated for
new crimes within 3 years. And
among people previously
convicted of murder, these
rates fell to one 0.5% 0.4%
respectively. This was in
study done by understanding
violent crime recidivism. In
Philadelphia, 174 people re
sentenced and released after
having been sentenced to life
without parole for homicides
committed as children after
they had been in the community
for an average of 21 month.
Only 2, 1.1% I've been be
convicted of any offense for
others. We arrests were
rearrested, but their cases
were dismissed. In 188 people
serving life without parole,
mostly for murder or rape were
released after serving 30 or
more years because the court
ruled that the jury
instructions in their cases,
I've been unconstitutional.
That was found by a case study
in reducing long-term prisons
and saving taxpayers dollars.
Thank you for your
consideration and your time.
Thank you very much. A stop as
Brandon Turner. I have turn.
Good morning. MADAM Chair and
members of the delegation.
Thank you for the opportunity
to speak today.
>> My name is Brandon Turner
and I represent the National
Association of Social Workers,
Northeast unit. I'm here today
to talk about a critical
opportunity for Florida. One
that affects our workforce,
our communities and our
ability to deliver essential
mental health resources across
the state. Last session, the
House showed unanimous support
for the social work in our
state. Licensure compact.
Well, unfortunately, it did
not advance in the Senate.
Florida's being left behind 30
states have already joined
this compact making Florida
the only southeastern state
bill excluded that's got
weakens our ability to attract
and retain qualified social
workers at a time when the
need for mental health has
never been greater. The
Florida Center for Behavioral
Health Workforce housed at usf
has projected that by 2035,
Florida will have a shortage
of 3 to 4,000 mice and social
workers. The workforce is
growing, but demand is growing
faster. The compact is
designed to expand access to
care, ensuring continuity of
services when clients our
travel and creating a strong
more connected workforce
without the compact Florida
risks falling behind already
seeing seasoned professionals
bypass our state, the length,
the endorsement procedures and
high fees. According to mental
Health, America's 2025 ranking
states. Florida ranks 34th
overall and mental health
well-being. But when it comes
to access to care, Florida
slipped from 30's 43rd the
44th placing it among the
states with the least access
to insurance and mental health
services. That's why we're
urging both chambers to pass
House Bill 13 and Senate Bill,
74, the social work in our
state licensure compact in the
2026 session. Doing so will
strengthen Florida's
workforce, attract top talent
and sure that every community
and all corners of the state
have access to the care that
they deserve. Thank you for
your time. Your leadership and
your commute. Your commitment
to the people of Florida and
Duval County. Thank you.
>> Taylor am in the back. Are
you Are you on the scheduled
to speak? I MISS Roberts. You
really followed by Brandon
Turner. I think you just spoke
Sarah Fee Bank. Rachel, great
plea please make your way to
the podium. You're recognized.
>> Thank you, Chair Michael.
Good morning to the DuVal
delegation. My name is Taylor
Mejia Roberts. I'm the
director of government and
community relations at Florida
State College at Jacksonville.
I'm here on behalf of our
PRESIDENT. Doctor. John
happened Donald and our board
chair Rod Odom. They are
actually just a few blocks
over at our downtown campus
right now having their monthly
board of trustees meeting. So
they do send their regards.
But this morning, I'm able to
share our priority projects on
their behalf. First, I'd like
to thank you all as a
delegation for your support.
Last session with your help
Fscj was able to stick your
2 million in the state budget
for a New Bern building at our
fire Academy of the South.
That project is under design
right now and we look forward
to inviting you to the ribbon
cutting once it's finished.
Looking forward to 2026. At
the cj is priorities are
focused solely on the
workforce needs our community.
So our number one priority
project is going to be our
Cecil training, insta, too.
That will be a new building
out at the Cecil Commerce area
will be focused on expanding
our career and technical
education. So think welding
hvac, electrical and
manufacturing. Our second
priority Project is the Clear
Connection Center that will be
located on our downtown
campus. That will be open to
our students. Our graduates,
as well as the community as a
whole and it will help them
find job placements,
internships prepare their
resumes and get ready for
interviews. It will also house
a career closet boutique. Our
students who come in buying
clothing that they might need
for a new job or for an
interview. Last on the list is
a a policy that the Council of
presidents of the 28 college
presidents throughout the
state of Florida are
supporting this and that would
be increased funding for the
College Program Fund at the cj
has not raise our tuition in
many, many years to keep our
programs and classes
affordable for our community
as well program areas that we
need to go into increased
program funding is really what
we're seeking at the state
level for help for that. I
will just say thank you for
your continued support. And I
look forward to seeing in
Tallahassee in 2026. I'm
sorry, Representative nuts and
he has a question. If you
could return.
>> This Rogers to the podium.
Taylor, quick question through
the chair. When is the burning
building going to be done?
>> announced.
>> Thank you, Chair Michael
Representative Nixon. So it is
in design right now. We're
still working on finalizing a
term sheet and getting that
signed with the city of
Jacksonville. They have 3 and
a half million that's going
into the project. But we
anticipate at 12 to 16 months.
Thank you so much. Thank you.
You are aware of anything.
Thank you. You're recognized.
>> Today, want to put before
you the fact that Florida law
not allow the courts to
consider dementia or cognitive
diseases as there is no
wording in statute. This
thanks. The courts MAY
consider dementia. Florida
statute only states that
insanity MAY be considered by
the courts. A narrow cognitive
diseases, not synonymous with
insanity nero, cognitive
diseases are degenerative and
not curable. It was a time
when someone could fake
dementia, but that is no
longer true with brain imaging
and lab tests that show
biomarkers. I know that
Florida citizens do not want
people with a narrow cognitive
PCs such as Alzheimer's
frontal temporal dementia,
vascular, dementia,
Parkinson's, and so on to have
their medically documented
dementia to be ignored by the
courts. I emphasize the word
medically documented. I was
asked by a state legislator
last year to bring a bill to
him. It's just been done, but
we need more help than just
from one representative. I do
realize the limitations placed
on you with a number of bills
that you can file. This bill
is not asking for a get out of
jail. Free card. Only that
court's probation and
registries and take the
mention into consideration. It
would then be up to the judge
or prosecutor if the dementia
can be considered. I have met
with the ceo of North Florida
Eldersource who has said they
would back such a bill, one
that would allow courts to
consider to mention. The
sponsors can ever be found for
such a bill. I will be
reaching out to other groups
such as the Alzheimer's
Association for Support Port.
They are all huge proponents
for those people with dementia
and there will be no problem
obtaining their support. If
you live with someone has
cognitive disease. You'll know
that holding them to the same
standards as up person without
the disease is inhumane. Thank
you. Thank you so much. Hard
to MISS Gauge coming forward.
If Gloria Eyes, Dean Linda,
11. Is here. Please make your
way to the podium following
great. We will have really
low.
>> Common Martinez. Come back.
If you can make your way to
the middle it's great, you're
recognized.
>> Morning delegation. My name
is Rachel Grainge. I'm a
community advocate from
Jacksonville Beach and
candidate for Congress and
Florida's 5th district. Thank
you so much for your service
and for hearing from residents
today like so many Duval
families, my homeowners
insurance Bill has skyrocketed
in recent years. In FEBRUARY,
the Tampa Bay Times reporter
our published a series
investigations based on a
state commission report that
almost no one outside the
industry have seen that report
show that while many Florida
based insurance insurers
reported hundreds of millions
in losses, their affiliate
companies made billions in
profits. Those profits often
came from management and
reinsurance fees paid to
sister firms owned by the same
executives. Money flowing out
of the regulated insurer and
into private affiliate. When
this came to light at the
start of session, Speaker
Perez promised Floridians that
lawmakers would get answer it.
Few hearings were held but by
Sessions and many legislators
still haven't seen the report.
And when I called Perez at the
end of session to follow up, I
got no answer. And since 2022.
The period covered in the
report, more industry-backed
bills passed, framed Israeli
for insurers covering
recovering from their losses.
But if affiliates earning
billions, homeowners deserve
to know what. Know that before
another dollar relief goes
their way. I'm here in Duval
families are differing roof
repairs. Skipping medical
report, medical care. They're
selling their homes because
they can't afford coverage.
Well, today I'm asking this
delegation to finish what
speak bigger prize promised to
start and report back to
citizens on what was contained
in that report. Number one
require full public
standardize reporting of all.
Related party. An affiliate
transactions, including
reinsurance arrangements. So
we can see where our premium
dollars are actually going
number to give the office of
Reinsurance regulation, the
power to dig into those
affiliate payments and stop
companies from adding profits.
Number 3. Only allow rate
hikes when companies can prove
real claim losses, not paper
losses created by shifting
money between their own
affiliates and if there's
nothing to hide, that's great.
We like to see that too.
Number 4 strength and basic
commute. Consumer protections
require insurers to pay claims
on time. Give homeowners a
fair chance to appeal denials
and stop dropping customers
unless there's a real
documented reason and 5 expand
hardening and mitigated
mitigation grants to cover
middle income families, condos
and townhomes. Thank you.
Thank you. Up next, play You
MAY approach the podium.
>> Speak your name. My name is
Beverly. Low. Thank you.
You're recognized. As the
Florida citizen. I want to see
our legislators make decisions
based on research.
>> Not on emotions are MISS
About those on the sex
offender registry. There's
abundant evidence showing a
lowri offense rate for people
with a past sex. There are
multiple categories on the sex
and a registry where the sex
re offense rate is 3% or less.
Mostly one person. I do not
advocate for anyone who's
committed a sex offense.
They're about their sentence
and continues to commit sex
crimes. They belong in prison.
I advocate for tens of
thousands on the Florida sex
offender registry who are now
leading lives, law-abiding
citizen. It is time to use
validated risk assessments in
removing people from the
registry. You are not a threat
to society. The registry is
like continued incarceration.
Money and manpower both be
focused on high-risk
individuals not squandered on
those contributing to their
families and their community.
Florida is reactive rather
than proactive. Should educate
young people on what
constitutes a sex crime. Each
the consequences of committing
a sex crime. Which research
shows is the biggest current.
Beach about sex thing. Things
they learned to stay out of
chat rooms with anyone
claiming to be a minor. Sex
offenses against minors are
committed by someone. The
child knows educate the
parents and what they should
and crime from happening.
Prevention is the appropriate
avenue to take education,
knowledge of consequences and
increased victim services.
Don't perpetuate fear based
policies that are not
grounded. Our state needs to
remove sex offender registry.
Those individuals who are not
a risk of sexually
re-offending focus on the
high-risk individuals and
start a program pension
through education. Thank you.
This Martinez. Mayor, Pro
Church. You're recognized.
Good morning. My name is
Carmen Martinez and I'm the
secretary for the Republican
Liberty Caucus.
>> And I'm here to talk about
several subjects. So I'll be
brief an each. Property taxes.
People came to this country
initially throughout. Whole
history of art, 250 year
history because there was
freedom. It was freedom of
religion and there was
freedom. Freedom to own
property. It stated in the
Constitution that we have the
right to own property right
now. We don't have that right.
Rent our properties to the
howdy to Duval County.
Advocate of getting rid of
these horrible taxes. I favor
ride. Shame. Representative
Ryan Chamberlain's plan or no
taxes whatsoever. And I know
that that's not on the
amendment list. So anything
closer to that is a good
thing. Secondly, I want to.
Point out that I bought my
house and the taxes were $3800
a year. They're up to $10,000
and that is enough to make
some people lose their houses.
And that is not a good thing.
Secondly, want to talk about
election integrity. Here is
some legislation that's being
presented about only citizens
support that there's also
problems in Florida with chain
of custody. Their sticks
teams, counties in Florida
where there is no chain of
custody. We are not one of
them. Thank goodness Leslie, I
want to just mention that.
Mail-in ballots have to be
reined We cannot have the
situation where you just mail
in your ballot, you know, we
don't really know who you are.
It's a signature that maybe 20
years old.
>> To verify that person that
is not working and it needs to
be reined in 2 people who
truly unable to get to the
polls. Leslie, I want to talk
about blood transfusions right
now of blood is screened many
things syphilis, it screened
for hepatitis b, other things.
We need screen it for Spike
protein, which which is a
toxin. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much. This
compact. Nissen has a
question. MISS Martinez, if
you could return to the
podium.
>> Hi, MISS Martinez through
the chair my eyes. Jaime
Martinez, thanks for coming
out to speak. Were you here
earlier when chief deputy
supervisor of election stated
the Duval County elections
were safe and secure. We're
pleased today. Yes, no, I was.
He got here about 10 15.
>> did. Jerry Holland spoke
here today. No, the chief
through the chair, the deputy
chief spoke and I asked him
specifically around mail-in
ballots. Were they safe and
secure? And he stated, yes,
they were all you?
>> Yes, they are somewhat safe
and secure, but they're not
really.
>> Because what you're
comparing is the signature on
a card that was. Signed. How
many years ago? We don't know.
And you're comparing that to a
signature that just came in.
And those are often very
different. Thank you very
much. All of behind Ms Curran
Bike. We have Ron, in all.
Jane Francis. Judy Shechtman.
If you can make your way to
the al. You are recognized as
correct. Thank you. Yes, but
he was coaching her mock. I
live in Jacksonville each and
I am lead organizer of
reclaimed twice Florida. I'm
here today to urge you to
support. Hb 601, filed by
Representative Kelly Skidmore
and sb 2 for 2 filed by
Senator Kristen Arrington.
Both bills repeal the Florida
Pregnancy Care Network.
>> Now, today, that network
funnels almost 30 million
dollars of public funds into
anti-abortion centers. The
center's mislead patients.
They delay care and they
pressure people into
decisions. Now the state does
that it's looking to root out
waste, fraud and abuse. Well,
this program is literally all
3 the center's weast patients.
Time to push people personally
past the six-week abortion
ban. They commit fraud with
deceptive advertising and
dangerous misinformation. And
while everyday Floridians are
struggling to pay their bills,
the center's abuse taxpayer
dollars to exploit people in
their most vulnerable moments.
And on top of all of that,
there's no medical or safety
standards. And I know not all
of you MAY sit on the
committee that would hear it
either Bell, but you can urge
your colleagues, the and
perhaps maybe someone hears on
the health professions and
programs subcommittee and you
actually have the power to
give the bill a fair hearing.
At the end of all this, my ask
a simple plea support. Hb 6,
0, 0, 1, and sb 2 for 2. And
please. And this this taxpayer
funded Section. Thank you.
Thank you. MR. All enough. You
are recognized.
>> My name is doctor on a
one-off. Irving are click
here. Since the 18, 71 is a
licensed dentist. I will,
though I'm not in private
practice anymore. Right?
Gillum involved as volunteer
with. Muscles, Parker, but
primarily with river gardens
years, there are single. I
want to extend the heartfelt
thanks to those members of the
House of Representatives who
overwhelmingly supported hb 21
that both are appealing
station last year.
Unfortunately in the Senate, I
guess some help mixed up with
some larger bill dealing with
with girl issues said it never
came to the fore. Hopefully
this year that that won't
happen milk. Access oral
health care where Florida was
among the worst in the nation.
65 of Florida's 67 counties
have dental health,
professional shortage, areas.
Millions of Floridians don't
receive dental care. In fact,
Florida leads the nation for
people using emergency
departments. Preventable
dental pain, infection. This
is increased over 25% since
2021. Even more shocking
hospital buildings have
increased 77%, almost
1 billion dollars is spent
here. Emergency departments of
hospitals and the state of
Florida dealing with
preventable dental issues.
This is all wasted money
because the only thing that
happens to the hospital,
emergency department. They're
given antibiotics, pain
medications and the patients
still need to find that will
care for their problem. The
next day on the way in here
this morning, I was listening
to the mayor was on the up the
npr program in the morning as
she was talking about how
telemedicine has helped so
much in terms of freeing up
dollars from the emergency
departments hospitals here.
Unfortunately, intent to
street Elop medicine doesn't
park.
>> You need to see somebody to
get treatment, taken care of
appear a key part of the
solution to Florida's oral
health crisis authorizing
dental therapists.
>> The practice.
>> We have a question by
representative like.
Representative Black, you're
recognized.
>> Thank you, MADAM Chair, and
thank you, doctor for coming
out today. Just for clarity
sake, is it your position
today that you support the
creation, dental therapists?
As a standalone expansion of
the scope of practice or do
you mean for them to operate
under the supervision of a
licensed dentist? You're
recognized. So the question
represent like advocacy. It's
not to have an independent
individual. But practice. They
will be working under the
Protect us in the dentist's
office. We'll be taking the
same examinations as a 10 8
that they would be limited and
it's up to the dentist. If you
want to hire somebody or not,
but but direct supervision
would be and that a license
that says Thank you, doctor.
That answers. My question.
Thank you so much. As Francis.
Please state your name for the
record.
>> Yes, I'm Jim Prentice
representing Moms Demand
Action of Greater Jacksonville
and Jack speeches. After the
Parkland massacre, the Marjory
Stoneman Douglas Act was
passed on a bipartisan basis.
And the recent legislative
sessions and again proposed
for this upcoming session. The
Florida House has tried to
water down this life Saving
Act. Are using the fact that
an 18 year-old can join the
military as justification for
lowering the age to purchase
firearms. Back to 18, although
18 to 20 year-olds commit gun
homicide at 3 times the rate
as older people. Also in the
military, whether one is 18 or
21 or 4.45, there is not the
kind of unfettered access to
weapons that is being
proposed. Weapons are locked.
Ammunition is counted and most
importantly, extensive
training this given before
anyone even thinks about
firing the weapon. And this
training continues throughout
their career. If the military
is being used as a rationale
to change the law, there also
should be a willingness to
enact the military stringent
firearm safety measures. The
governor and others have said
the sky won't fall as we adopt
open carry one of your
colleagues have said we don't
want to be like California or
New York. All these 2 states
have many things that we MAY
not like. We should be mbs of
their gun death rate of
Florida's gun death rate is
13.6 for 100,000. California's
is 8.2 And New York's is 5.0
The 5th lowest gun death rate
in the country. Florida's gun
death rate has increased from
by 19% from 2014 to 2023,
while our gun lot gun safety
laws are being watered down or
loosen. All future
generations. When future
generations walk through our
cemeteries and see all the
young lives lost a preventable
gun violence, they're going to
say these people did not love
their children enough to do
something. We are calling on
you to do something. And at.
Stop assault on the Marjory
Stop Amanda Quest Act. Passed
legislation to allow families
petition for extreme risk
protection orders a proven
tool to help decrease gun
suicide. Over 60% of deaths in
Florida due to suicide.
Franklin, the requirements for
gun storage of firearms and
homes and in vehicles. And
finally consider if open carry
is really necessary. Visible
guns do not make anyone safer.
They raise tension and small
conflicts in 2 deadly
encounters. Thank you. All
second. Is Kenneth Green.
Joshua Mize. Sharon d#
#
, if
you can make your way. To the
podium. When you are
recognized. Thank you. Good
morning. My name is Judy
shackling. My address is on
record. I'm here today to
speak in support of
reproductive rights and
against the civil liabilities.
Bill.
>> As well as the parental
rights bill. The last
election. 57.2% of Florida
voters voted in favor of
abortion rights and despite a
misinformation campaign to
sign to defeat this amendment
again, it had 57.2% of your
constituents supporting it.
Currently sb 164, the Civil
liabilities bill would grant
an embryo the same rights as a
living person. This bill would
strip health care decisions
from pregnant patients who
face the loss of emergency
care or cancer treatments
simply because they're
pregnant lawyers, not doctors
would be in charge of these
decisions and not one of us
would want a lawyer making our
health care decisions. This
bill would increase. Let the
litigious climate that has
already driven countless
numbers of obgyn is from
Florida. It also could lead to
cessation of ivf. The
investigation of pregnant
people for miscarriages and
opened the door for abusive
partners to file lawsuits to
punish their victims. I hope
you vote against this bill. I
would also like to speak
Against sb 166, the so-called.
Parents, all rights bill, this
bill limits minors access to
treatment for St Eyes, mental
health, resources like suicide
prevention, hotlines, birth
control or even to take a
health survey without parental
permission as a retired school
counselor, I worked with
dozens of students who lived
at annual Memorial Children's
Home Society whose parents had
lost parental rights or they
were in limbo. They had no
parents to help them in these
decisions and they were also
at greater risk for self-harm
and depression because a
parent is unable unwilling or
unavailable to provide support
for their children. Young
people must not be placed at
risk for self-harm north face
deadly barriers to health care
because of the lack of
parental involvement. Thank
you. Thank Nights we have kind
of grain.
>> You're recognized. Good
morning. I'm is Kenneth Green
and I am asking for your
support on a piece of draft
that just lights and that
would provide expanded access
to nursing home care. Chair.
Hundreds of people Florida
alone on the streets. We're in
the woods. Some of the
families some hospitals
because they cannot access
nursing home care. Why?
Because they are on those
Florida sex offender registry.
Legislation I am asking you to
support or allow people who
are permanently incapacitated.
Petition to be removed from
the Florida sex offender
registry so they can access
nursing home care. This
proposal, here's the same as
George is best thing. Well.
Currently nursing homes are
forced to turn away.
Registrants because they pose
a threat. But because of art
I'm sorry, there's not because
I propose a threat because
Florida's Hill nursing
regulations. Our residents,
registry restrictions and the
stigma that follows
registrants and the
facilities. That care for
them. Residents who are
forbidden. Are bedridden.
Vance, are terminally ill or
denied nursing home care.
Families care for loved ones
at home without proper
resources. Hospitals keep
patients for months due to
know Florida nursing home
availability. This is not a
small problem. Florida
registry is basically you for
life. Ansar registrants are
rapidly becoming elderly.
Almost 7,000 are 65. For older
non hunter is sick are over
the age of 80. This proposal
to create Florida statute. 9,
4, 3.0, 0, 4, 3, 5, 5, allows
sex offender resources focus
on higher-risk individuals.
Not people who are presently
in the past that faded and
nursing home care. Thank you
very much. My swim followed by
up next, we will have Sharon
d#
#
. Carol Brady. And Tammy
Brooks. Evans, if you can make
your way to the al.
>> MR. Wyatt Smoke might.
Well, you're recognized.
>> My name is Joshua The local
ocean engineer here in Duval
County or marine manufacturer
about 45 million dollars worth
of floating docks and marinas
here locally and distribute
them from Maine to Texas all
throughout the Caribbean.
Today. I'm primarily here to
represent 2 organizations that
I sit on the boards for
currently the PRESIDENT Of
marine industry of Florida, as
well as sit on the board for
the marine industry in North
Florida. The marine industry,
obviously for my profession,
is near and dear to me. And
there's a few things that will
be coming forward to later
this There's always bills
regarding Marine safety Brean
theft. I want to let you guys
know that I'm here local in
Duval County. I'll make myself
available to come meet with
union Chambers prior to
legislative days. Our group
will be in Tallahassee for
legislative days. Most you're
probably more familiar with
our lobbyist. Busy Timmons. So
she'll be taking us through
those definitely some meetings
with some of you guys. If
there's you know, bills that
come up, you know, please
reach out. There's billions
and billions and billions of
of money spent whether being
boat sales storage repairs.
There's over 7,000 jobs in the
state are 7,000 companies in
the state of Florida that are
all based around a marine
industry. And I'm here just to
make sure that anything that
happens in Tallahassee. As for
the positive of our industry
and also. To protect our
voters. One of the things I'd
like to just and see if you
are interested in it because
if there's a positive feel
from the delegation turn next
to the school board. But there
is approved education for
outdoor recreation that's been
approved by the state of
Florida. And that's part of
the handout I provided to you
today. It would teach kids
basic boating safety, outdoor
recreation safety and
unfortunately in a community
that has been plagued with
some boating tragedies. You
know, I feel that it would be
great if we could. It's some
of the kids in our public
school system to understand
how to be safe when on and
around the water, especially
since we have so many inner
coastal rivers, creeks, lakes,
it's a real big push for me.
I've got 2 kids in school
system here. I'm very active
in scouting. So they will be
learning all of this at home.
And that scouts. But I can't
reach every kid and neither
can my organization. So I feel
if we can bring some of this
into the schools, it will just
hopefully get it's more
interested in our a recent
transplant from South Florida
came up about a year and a
half ago. All right. Thank you
for your time. Thank you very
much.
>> I like to recognize
Representative Kim Daniels. Is
now in attendance. Sharon
d#
#
. Pros the podium. You're
recognized.
>> Thank When you mention I'm
a current executive director
and the senator I think here.
But, you know, and I've spent
We provide inspection
services. People out of.
Nursing home. And isolation.
And we provide. The
transitions of the thinking
went. From plan there. We also
approved by. Mountains.
Tolerance. Of free medical
equipment. Alright, community.
We also support 5 counting. We
are also cross villain. That
means we serve any disability.
Regardless of when it might We
would ask your continued The
finance from company. And the
work that we We also provide
sense. Only this Sunday, but
first round in We empower
people Des Moines. Get off the
benefit. Given job. Work full
time. I personally. 2 jobs.
And just knowing. It doesn't
stop. And does not stop us.
Providing the services and
then me then what that stop
us. It's a lack of funding. So
I would ask that you continue.
Important. The centers for you
and putting up and pay. State
of Florida.
>> Thank you very much for
coming speaking this morning.
Please state your name for the
record.
>> Thank you. MADAM Chair,
members of the delegation. My
name is Carol Brady. I'm a
member of the leadership team
of the beaches, activist
movement. As part of our get
out the vote efforts. I have
an opportunity during
elections and knock on a lot
of doors. Most of those doors
along to people don't always
vote. They're low propensity
voters. The people who answer
are generally polite and most
agree that after hearing my
pitch, that voting is
important. They offer lots of
reasons and excuses as to why
they stay home. They're too
busy. They don't know enough
about the candidate. They're
not interested in politics.
During the last election. Amid
all the excuses I heard one
comment really struck me. A
gentleman told me he didn't
boat because the deck was
stacked. That's a terrible
assessment. And a comment to
here in our democracy, a
democracy that has a
foundation suffrage and fair
election. Democracy Hoosick
fef depends on people.
People's willingness to show
up and exercise their right to
vote. In the upcoming session.
You are s the stack. The deck
again. Absent updated
population information from
the fences, the sold
justification mid-decade
redistricting is to gain
partisan advantage. Florida's
current congressional map
thanks to the governor are
already distorted, offering
virtually no competitive
district and watering down the
representation of minority. I
urge you to oppose any effort
undertake mid decade.
Redistricting in the upcoming
session. It is unprecedented.
It violates the state
constitution. It goes against
the intent and the spirit of
the Fair District amendments
which were overwhelmingly
supported by Florida voters.
And according to a recent
poll, it is opposed by the
majority of voters in Florida.
My request is simple. Don't
the deck. Thank you. Thank
you. Following.
>> All I'm as Brooke Evans
will be Jessica Rised. Yes,
the stats, dr stats. Katie
Coleman, you're recognize. The
morning delegation. My name is
Tammy Books. Evans and I'm a
National Board. Certified
teacher have been certified
for over 20 years.
>> And I serve as the
PRESIDENT Of Duval Teachers,
United. I represent teachers,
classroom teachers, ese
teachers, site coaches,
speech-language pathologist by
colleges and many, many
others. I also represent care
professionals who support our
Ese students and our general
education population. I
represent. Are you apd, which
include our clerical truancy
officers and security. Ladies
and gentlemen, we and what we
value. We fund the things that
we value. We are asking that
you consider increasing the
fefp by $1000 per student
allow us to maintain classroom
teachers and to also try to
recruit teachers to fill
positions. It opened here in
Duval County. As of last week,
we had 363 teacher positions
that were open. 98 of those
positions are ese position.
Under 66 paraprofessionals who
support the classrooms. And 56
clerical position. When you
say 363 openings, that means
we have 363 subs and classes
teaching and working with our
student. Those students
deserve to have a certified
teacher. We need more money
into our county to be
competitive, to recruit the
best and the brightest to come
to our district and to get
them to stay in our district
and fill those classrooms.
Teachers who are not working
under 10 year contract have a
year year contract. Those
teachers deserve to have some
stability in their work. They
deserve to have multiple your
contract. And we're asking
that you consider that changed
with things the way they are
now, when you're dealing with
new teacher. They literally
are worried if they will have
a job. I mean, the next school
year. You want people to be
dedicated to the work they
need to feel secure in the
position. We're asking you to
consider having multiple year
contracts for our educate.
They're professionals deserve
to make a living wage.
Absolutely sure. Many of our
care professionals modify for
snap. They don't make enough
money, Taher, take care of
their family. What they were
multiple jobs. D 2 office
professional development
development for them on
Saturdays. But we can't get
them to come because we have
another job. So they can't
even come in get assistance in
doing the best they can. But
the students that need them
the most because they need to
have a second job. We need
more money to pay them better.
Please state your name for the
record. And you are
recognized. Thank you. MADAM
Chair, members of the
delegation. My name is Jessica
Reese and I am also National
Board certified teacher, a
certified back in 2005.
>> I'm also the vice PRESIDENT
Of Duval Teachers. United. You
just heard who we represent
its over 8,000 teachers,
paraprofessionals and clerical
staff here that work for Duval
County, Public Schools.
Michael, along with that of
all of my colleagues is to
ensure that our students are
well prepared for their
future. Whether advance to the
next grade level, pursue
higher education. Interview,
occasional traits or join the
workforce. We work together to
meet this goal. The
possibilities for students are
endless. No matter where we
work or what our roles are. We
care about the future of our
children. We can all agree
that that more work lies
ahead. Teacher and staff
shortages persist. You just
heard the numbers are Duval
County. And that those numbers
are pretty on par for around
the state. We want to look at
all of the other districts
around the state to see what
are their vacancy. Teacher and
staff shortages persist.
Florida's average teacher pay
ranks 50th in the nation. Many
educators are working multiple
jobs. Just to make ends meet
and enrollment in college
teacher preparation programs.
Continue to decline. People
are not wanting to go into
education based on what they
see going on. Additionally,
the statutes growing the
statutes governing public
education continue to grow as
do the burdens that the
teacher and the students face.
It's crucial that we carefully
examine solutions to these
issues, to maintain the
strength and prosperity of
public schools and the
students we serve as you
consider education policy
during the session, we would
like to offer several
recommendations to address the
challenges facing our
classrooms and on our
campuses. You've heard this
before about this is a piece
that is very important. We
need to assign every student
in Florida, a student id
number, they can be regardless
of where go to public school,
private school home school
charter school.
>> This way, we can ensure
that students are accurately
counted in the state funds.
Genuinely follow the student.
No matter where they go. It
will help prevent issues like
experience during the 24 25
school year where there were
nearly 22,000 students who
were double counted. Resulting
in public schools, missing out
on vital funding for their
students when they're
educating. And also retains
identify strategies to retain
our educators. Thank you for
your time. Thank you very
much. Dr Stats. You're
recognize. Thank you.
>> Goodmorning delegation. My
name is Doctor Nancy Staats.
My addresses on file on them
board certified medical doctor
with decades of clinical
experience. I thank you for
your time and attention. I've
provided you with 7 pages of
documents including references
and photos of vaccine
preventable diseases.
>> On SEPTEMBER 3rd of this
year, our surgeon general
announced a proposal to
eliminate all mandatory
vaccines. And I'm quoting now,
all of them every last one of
them is wrong and drips with
disdain and slavery, unquote.
To state the totally obvious
this is very radical thinking
and it's completely
unscientific. We if such a
purr fo such a proposal in the
entire medical community is
already rightly alarmed. In
fact, most of our community is
rightly alarmed. To give you a
little national context
earlier this year, rfk Junior
fired every single member of
the advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices. A sip
replacing them with
supporters. Many of us feared
the worst. But guess what?
They met in SEPTEMBER and
recommended only 2 minor
changes upholding every other
mandatory vaccine
recommendation. This proposal
by our surgeon General rules,
Florida. Way back, taking us
way beyond current national
standards. We would be a
testing ground for radical
anti-vax policies. But we do
need to do the test. We know
what's going to happen if it's
not mandated, the rates will
plummet. The insurers won't
cover it and it will be
unaffordable for most families
who want to get the vaccine.
Very soon. Our communities
will have disease outbreaks
and those with the weakest
immune systems that is
children under the age of one
will suffer most. I'm asking
this delegation, please follow
the ace of national
recommendation. Please listen
to the Florida Medical
Association and 78 other
highly respected medical
groups. Do not eliminate any
mandated vaccine. These have
been regulated, including
those by the doh. They've been
mandated because the disease
causes significant illness and
even death. I actually believe
Doctor Ladapo should be
removed from office. But
absent that, I would ask you
to please, please resist
removing vaccines. This
proposal must be stopped
before it's too late before we
are burying our babies who
have died from completely
preventable illnesses. Be
happy to entertain any
questions if you have them.
Thank you very much. I ask.
>> Everyone going forward to
please hold your applause so
that we can get through every
a gender be. Speaker is heard.
Thank you very much.
>> After Katie bombing policy
manager for Surfrider
Foundation. We will have
Jacqueline still Nancy Cobb is
Sarah Strong Meyer. If you can
make your way to the you're
recognize Ms 2. Mean, thank
you. Good morning. Good
morning. Thanks for the
opportunity to speak today.
I'm Katie Baumann, Duval
resident, also Florida policy
manager.
>> Or the Surfrider Foundation
Surfrider is a nonprofit
dedicated to protecting and
enjoying the ocean waves and
beaches or all people through
a grassroots network. If 12
volunteer lead chapters in the
state, including the first
Coast chapter here in Duval
County with many members
living here. I'd like to
highlight a few of our top
priorities going into the 2020
succession, coastal
resilience, water, quality and
marine debris in plastic
pollution, all of which
directly impacts livelihoods
and communities here in Duval.
On the resilience front. We
hope the Legislature will
prioritize legislation for
nature based solutions or
protecting our coast. These
solutions include wetlands
protections, living shorelines
and where appropriate mangrove
restoration and replanting.
All of these are dynamic
resilience. Options that
service offers from flooding
and sea level rise while also
providing significant
ecological benefits. We need
to strengthen our state laws
to encourage these methods and
to provide more regulatory
clarity and incentives and
funding for those pursuing
these methods for resilience.
We also urge the legislature
to repeal section 18. And 28
from last year's sb 180. The
sections of the law as applied
prohibit local government
planning. That is more
restrictive or burdensome.
This law has paralyzed local
government land use and
development planning actions
across the state and these
consequences have extended are
beyond post disaster recovery
measures. On the water quality
front, beachgoers, tourists
and local communities are
still vulnerable to getting
sick because there are
inconsistencies and how our
beach and coastal water is
tested and how the public is
notified. We ask that you
support legislation and
funding for water quality
monitoring in the upcoming
session. And finally,
regarding the growing and
expensive problem of plastic
pollution and marine debris
and our waterways, ocean and
beaches. We have long
advocated practical measures
to reduce waste management and
plastic pollution crises
across the state. It's bad for
our health, bad for our
tourism economies and bad for
our environment. Thank you
very much. And we look forward
to working with your offices.
>> Thank you all.
>> Please state your name for
the record. You're recognized.
Thank you.
>> That morning delegate and
my name is Jacqueline Steel.
And I service in North Florida
field manager for equal
ground, a black boating rights
organization committed to
protecting our democracy,
increasing civic I'm honored
to be here today in Duval
County, the place Rich in
history, culture and
resilience. Jacksonville has
long been a hub of progress
and possibility where the
voices of people from every
neighborhood, the Northside
Swim and Iran from the east
side to the beaches come
together to shape Florida
story. That is actually why
we're here ensure that every
voice continues out democracy
only works when voters choose
their elected officials. Not
one district lines are drawn
to favor political protect
incumbents. Let me be clear.
Not asking for racial
CHAIRMAN. What we're asking
for fairness. Maps that follow
the law reflect Florida's fair
District amendment and give
voters the power to choose
their leaders. Floridians
passed these amendments
because we demand fairness and
ability and transparency, not
partisan manipulation. Right
now, Florida's congressional
map stands at 20 Republicans.
8 Democrats, that imbalance
raises real questions about
whether the process truly
reflects the will of the
people. When district lines
are drawn fairly based on
equal populations, activists
and keeping communities
together. Every Floridian,
including those here in Duval
County, have a genuine voice
shaping our future. We also
strongly oppose any attempt to
redo the census before 2030.
What we need is the complete
and accurate count when that
time arrives, not anything or
and while redistricting is
essential to democracy, that
the only issue voters care
about families across Duval
County. Part here this
morning. Concerned about
rising property insurance cost
the need for affordable
housing, access to health
care, quality education,
livable wage jobs, protecting
our children's health and
safety. We also urge you to
make yourself available
session and delegation
meetings. True leadership
requires listening year round
when elected officials engaged
consistently it builds trust
and trust that the foundation
boxing. Finally, we ask you to
use the people's money wisely
and that have a repeat of last
session. Thank you so much.
Thank you. Up next, is Nancy
Kopp.
>> Followed by Sari, Sara
Straw. Mike or willingly.
You're recognized.
>> I am Cobb and I'm much
Jacksonville's lifelong
resident. I am. I graduated
from high school from public
high school back when Elvis
was still alive. And I
graduated from Unf back when
they graduate on the green.
That's all I'm going to tell
you about how old I am. I've
been here a long time and I am
the proud parent of an amazing
young man with Down syndrome.
And that's why I'm here. Don
is 45 years old and he is a
true success story. A lot of
what goes on in the community.
You have to go. Oh, why did
that happen? You can be proud
that Don is a successful young
man and it is greatly in part.
The agency for Persons with
disabilities as the apd.
There's a lot of letters here.
He is in a program called
Consumer-directed Care, which
is cdc. Plus, which is part of
the Med waiver. I budget
program and I said all that to
say that. Of movement to
perhaps do away with that
program to move manage here
program. And I'm here to ask
you not to do that. At least
not for people that are
successfully on that program.
It wouldn't be fair of. I
didn't tell you a little bit
about John success and tell
you a little bit about why. We
received job training,
coaching. Transportation. He
also gets therapy for bt's
have therapy for Klein, Mental
Health, Counseling in home
support. I could go on lots
and lots of services and
they're all through cdc. Plus.
Cause he got all that support,
Don live as a valued
contributing member of this
community. He lives in his own
home with this dog. Maggie,
that's what he did on. If you
don't want a group home, he
wanted to be on his own and he
lives successfully a hot the
fishes. He swims today. He's
not here because he's playing
pickleball. He goes to church.
He travels with his family and
friends. He loves music. He
plays the piano. He's learning
to play the cello and violin.
He's a diehard Elvis fan. And
he attends oldest festivals.
Every option, every
opportunity gets he chairs for
the Jags in the Seminoles.
He's worked and volunteered in
the community for many years.
He recently retired after 17
years of working and the same
here in Jacksonville. I could
go on and on. Thank you for
your time and thank you for
supporting this valuable
program. Thank you. Thank you,
Sara Meyer.
>> Not available. Okay.
Following MISTER Willie Lee
will be like a dry Elliott.
>> Janina Perez. Followed by
Judy. Happen. You know? MR.
Lee, you are recognized.
>> Good morning. My name is
Daryl Parents are asked that I
speak in this lot or her. Yes,
spot. My name is Daryl Cameron
Ferrets. Father. I came here.
At least those of you voted to
end Florida's law last year.
Particular Senator Yarborough
for your support place. Do
not.
>> Please do not direct
comments or any I'm sorry what
police do not direct any
comments or or isn't okay.
Thank thank you for those who
did it was not.
>> The fact that 93% of
Florida lawmakers agreed to
and Florida's free kill law
demonstrates that our
government can work together.
When Governor DeSantis vetoed
the bill this summer, I
started and free kill. Now the
purpose of which MR. Educate
the millions of people in the
state of Florida but have no
idea entering a Florida
medical facility, they have no
rights. And the whole those
politicians. Do not. Vote to
end this law. Accountable. The
campaign is working. The
billboard we are running on.
I-95. Welcome to the Freak
Hill state of Florida. Has
been featured. Orlando
Sentinel. Florida politics.
Various podcast. 9 different
tv station markets in the
state of Florida and on the
first Coast news here. Right
here in Jacksonville. It's
been trending on National
International Social Media's.
Just one podcast on Reddit
received to 56 7,000 views.
Donations I've come in from as
far away as Texas. North
Carolina. And advocates have
signed up support our cause.
And this next, let's with
legislative session. Thousands
them all over the state of
Florida. We are building an
army. The way to end this
campaign. Quickly and easily.
MR. Override Governor
Desantis's veto. Florida loses
credibility. As this goes on.
Thank you. Very liberty and
justice for all. That's what
we said when we spoke here.
Thank you very much, sir.
>> next, we have a key it. I'm
actually believe least. I
think maybe we got out of. I'm
sorry, you're recognized. I'll
start by giving a little bit
of why I think this program is
important. If some background
on myself, I am a native of
Jacksonville graduate high
school. Grew up as a serial
athlete. And I assume I only
way to get to college West
Atlantic scholarship. That
ended up being true. Dusty
Rhodes over Unf gave him the
opportunity to play baseball
for him. And the wind comes
into this story. When I got to
unf. Grades were good. And I
had the opportunity to major
in electrical engineering.
Will electrical engineering is
not built for athlete. Core
classes are right in the
middle of practice. And dusty
Rhodes coach Rose made a
decision allow me to major
graduate electrical
engineering, even though he's
starting center fielder and
leadoff batter would be
serially late to practice
every Tuesday and Thursday.
That one decision. Totally
change the rest of my life. I
have had the opportunity to
have a great career and
technology traveling the
world. Most recently worked
with a group of researchers
out of by. Doing immersive
technology. I a body aches.
Last semester, a friend of
mine from famu asked I will
come Lida cohort of 10
students at training. The
technology moving so fast.
That curricula curriculum
approved by the time it gets
approved. You know, outdated.
I agree. And no good deed
goes. And and so PRESIDENT
Trump released I challenge. I
was asked to lead a group of
high school students later.
Has to lead a group of
students out of Jackson and
then just a guy in lead, a
group of students out of. Re
ball. And so. I was talking to
John. He said, hey, you gotta
can lead a group of students
at a Pensacola. And I'm just
like you know, it just says
that is way too much. And he
said, hey, you just come. I
can get you get in front of
the right people explain what
you're doing. Maybe they can
help expand what you get. As
you know, this is important.
Is going to change the world.
Amazon just, you know, the
layoffs and all the hype
around it. I'm going to do
this for students. The only
question is, is it going to 8
going to be 8800 or better.
1000. Thank you for your time.
Thank you very much. They
stopped this became trail.
Please state your name for the
record. Good morning. Chair
members of the delegation. My
name is lucky
>> And on the program,
director of the National
Center for Security Education.
Now build on what my colleague
resented about the efforts
that we are doing currently to
advanced ai missions in
Florida. And throughout this.
I want to request your support
annex ending education and
workforce readiness programs
across Florida's public
schools and colleges before
you today in your binders are
materials outlining what MR.
Lee mentioned in both our ai
an industry internship program
and I Presidential Challenge
Initiative, these 2 programs
are designed to bring hands on
real world ai learning
experience to students across
the state ranging from high
school to college. We have
successfully completed our
first internship this past
semester with Florida, a m's
University Cyber Policy
Institute. Also students from
fsu, the University of North
Florida, Clemson about The
state, Texas, a m Texarkana
and we worked with a company
here in Jacksonville, cause
csi companies to produce a
solution built completely with
ai. This organization is
nationally and internationally
recognized during the
internship. Students gain
practical experience applying
ai to workforce challenges and
saw firsthand how these
technologies drive innovation
across industries.
>> What we discovered was
eye-opening and kind of
disturbing even among juniors
and seniors at the collegiate
level, many of them lack
familiarity not only with
building these ai tools, but
also being able to use them
effectively. These tools are
now essential in every field.
And according to the Florida
Chamber Foundation, Florida
Workforce 2030, report. 77% of
businesses anticipate the
artificial intelligence and
other emerging technologies
will disrupt and completely
change their operations. That
means the our students at the
high school and collegiate
level need to begin to get
prepared. Now, not later in
order to remain competitive.
We're actively working with
Fremont High School and Andrew
Jackson High School here in
Jacksonville to integrate ai
and education into their
classrooms through the I
challenge initiated by Donald
Trump. We recognize, though,
that this education must
continue beyond this
challenge, although it's not
something that has been stated
statewide. We do believe that
students should have access to
it. We're asking for your
support of legislation and
funding and the upcoming
session to support those
things operationally and
technologically.
>> Representative Daniels has
a question. Thank you very
>> can you?
>> Give the name of you have
an appropriation and you give
the name that's on. Actual
appropriation is the
organization's name on. There
was something preparation
you're recognized.
>> The ai in industry
experiencia learning program.
And the name on the is the
National Center for Security
at Education. Thank you very
much. The stop is Perez
followed by JUNE And Brooke
Please make your way to force
the al you're recognized.
Hello, good afternoon. My name
is mean up. It I'm the Florida
director at Moms Rising a
national online on the ground.
>> Organization with a network
of thousands of families
across the state, including
here in Jacksonville. I'm also
a mom here in Jacksonville,
Florida. And in the last 3
years, I've talked to moms
here in Jacksonville and
across the state. And it's
clear that Florida is a state
where families are not just
are going to thrive, but to
survive. And one of things
that we've been hearing about
is the inability to access
high quality, affordable
childcare. In our
conversations with our network
across the state, we
consistently hear it as the
top issues impacting families
in our state. In fact, recent
data shows that 13% of
children born age 5 in
Florida, lived in families
where some wanted to quit
changed or refuse a job
because of Child care and the
cost of childcare Rose 5.5% in
Florida between 2024 2025. So
we're talking recent recent
numbers. Florida families are
being hit even harder because
families and child care
providers are dealing with
some of the highest inflation
in the country. The highest
housing costs that are
squeezing our families to
limit. But instead of
increasing investment in early
learning, they decreased by
nearly 6% this year. And as
more families became eligible,
worsening, waiting, waiting
list and voluntary Pre-k
funding stayed flat
threatening program quality
and access. Sure I don't tell
anyone here when funding
states flight essentially a
cut to the program as costs
are increasing with inflation.
But families are asking. Is
that we make investments to
stabilize childcare program to
make it possible for them to
pay their early educators and
families providing wages. And
to have reasonable benefits
for the vitally important work
that they do as parents. We
want those caring for children
to be able to care for their
own families. And moms and
families in Florida are urging
you to increase school
readiness funding to eliminate
waiting list and support
working families to raise Vpk
base student allocation to
attract or retain high-quality
early childhood educators and
to make high quality
affordable childcare statewide
priority for families and
providers. We urge you to take
action the session to ensure
families and children of all
can thrive. Not just survive.
Thank you very much. If chit.
I'm sorry, redness and has a
question you're recognized.
Thank you. MADAM Chair, Hyams
Perez.
>> Do you know roughly about
the average cost of early
childhood education for a
family per year? You're
recognized?
>> Absolutely. It depends on
the age of the child, if and
how many children you have,
right? And so the average cost
for infant care exceeds
college tuition rates in
Florida. And so when you
compound that with families
who have children in variety
of ages, it becomes thousands
of dollars. We get reports
families that it exceeds their
mortgage costs, their rent
costs and all their household
costs. And that is regardless
of family size. Of course, it
gets harder if and if there
are multiple children, the
household using child care and
that includes after care. We
go straight into public school
years as well. Thank you very
much. If JUNE in Brook
>> can make their way to the
podium. Please identify
yourself for the records.
Please. My name is JUNE
Babineau. My records on my
addresses on file. And I want
to welcome the delegation.
Thank you for your service and
asked that today. You also
consider. Doing whatever you
can to help all Floridians to
have health insurance.
Realizing that the Affordable
Care Act is federally
regulated under the current
administration without. Health
insurance from the aca with
tax credit, many families
would not be able to afford
health insurance and fall
into. Poverty due to health
costs alone. I have real
concerns for children in
particular. And the they are
the innocent victims who have
no voice. And I don't stand
alone. The number of children
under the Affordable Care Act
marketplace is 9% of the total
market place. Total enrollment
in Florida has been increasing
since then. As of 2024, the
percentage of Florida children
living below that federal
poverty level in Florida was
17%. Consider that there are
another 38% of children living
in households that our asset
limited income constrained
employed, which is the
acronym, alice. The alice
Threshold. Families spend more
than 30% of their income
housing on housing,
highlighting the affordable
care, the housing crisis. If
they if currently the
Affordable Care Act insurance
with tax credits goes away, we
have a health crisis. Add
health costs without insurance
and you have more. Florida
families living in poverty. In
2024. 55 1% of families. We're
under the Alice threshold. And
and including the poverty
level. If or when the aca with
the tax credit goes away. Just
a few of the state level
actions that our Senate and
our representatives. Could
consider one would be Medicaid
expansion, expand Medicaid to
cover nearly 800,000 uninsured
Floridians. You MAY committed
or Asian. You MAY finish your
sentence.
>> Consider state subsidies.
Programs and offer states
Pacific marketplace. For
health insurance. And I just
wanted to say the effects on
children, if we don't take
care of this extremely
detrimental. And they are our
greatest natural resource to
we must do something. Thank
you. Thank you very much.
Sprint. Babineau followed by
Denise Rose, followed by Mike
Ludwick. If you can make your
way towards the middle aisle.
Good morning recognized. Know
my address and information is
on record.
>> I came talk to you about
simple. A simple issue. And
year that's about public
safety and economy. And
something that most people do
not know exist. It's
underrated of part of the of
virtually every government and
that's called civil
engineering. And the way civil
engineering works. Between the
stop like to stop by. If
someone travels at the speed
limit or slightly below, you
always a green light. That's
economy that safety. None of
the road rage issues hop but
the ignorance of civil
engineering and how and age
the speed flow. 2 economy and
to safety is pretty much. And
I'm suggesting that the
government take that issue are
live freighter, educate the
public to to save them money
to save them. Safety and to
provide much more efficiency
on the road surface. It would
be very simple to reach out to
the different media. And have
them regular advisement to
safety Anaconda MAY and
following the traffic light.
Speed limits. It's a limit.
It's not a goal. It's not
something to overcome. Not
something to surpass. Because
everyone we travel safely. And
economically that speed limit.
Problems, reduce Just imagine.
But if you are on the road,
you didn't see people cutting
in zooming and then guess
what, all the time you reach
the next stop light. There's a
whole crowd waiting. We could
we could have illuminated
easily but educate the public.
And use the media to help.
Thank you for your time. Thank
you very much.
>> Up is Denise Rose. You MAY
approach the podium, please.
You're recognized.
>> Good evening. Members of
the delegation.
>> My name is Denise wrote and
I Llevan man from Duval County
sentenced to life without a
role. And they have been
imprisoned since the 90.
>> I stand before you with a
simple plea. Bring back hope
to Florida's justice system.
I'm asking you support the
Florida care long-term
sentence at a law that would
give deserve in men and women
a chance, not a guarantee, but
a chance to be seen or who
they become. Not just for what
they once did, according to
the Florida Department of
Corrections, 2019 report, the
recidivism rate for murder and
manslaughter is only 12.3% The
lowest of all the fan says.
And among people aged 50 and
older recidivism rate is the
lowest ranging from 19.4 and
decrease. And as they reach 60
years and older. These numbers
prove what so many families
chaplains and correctional
staff already know people can
and do change. These aren't
the same people. They were
decades ago. I'm maturity,
remorse and rehabilitation
have changed. Now. But today
many of them are serving life
without parole. What we call
death by incarceration. It's
like being trapped in a glass
casket. You can see the world
moving on without you. The
world can see you, but your
frozen in time. Them that and
a place meant to correct not
to bury. Every day men and
women behind those walls are
degrees mentoring. Younger
PRESIDENT Of and find him
pain. They faced their past
and embrace accountability.
But no matter how much they
change our system fails them.
You want Napa be worthy of
another The long-term sentence
is about mercy, not leniency.
It says that a person has
truly changed 2 years of
introspection, education and
rehabilitation. We should at
least look again, because
justice without hope is not
justice at Thank much. Thank
you very much. Please hold
your pal's. Following MISTER.
>> My cloud would we have rob
law?
>> With space, Florida
PRESIDENT, he's the ceo. Kelli
Cooper, Adrian Burk. If all
can make your way towards the
al. Please state your name for
the records. You are
recognized.
>> Good afternoon. My name is
Mike Ludwick. A proud member
of the Northside Coalition of
Jacksonville. We show up and
speak out against all forms
social racial economic
injustice with a focused on
the northwest tax bill. Our
PRESIDENT Kelly Fraser not be
here today and asked me to
share these words with you. We
urge you to reject any
redistricting plans that
undermine their
representation. Do not further
dilute the voices of black
voters and erase decades of
hard-won progress, democracy
demands transparency and
equity, not political
manipulation. Second, we asked
you to reversed expansion of
the schools of Hope program.
This program diverts critical
funding from our public
schools and hands it to
private operators with little
accountability. Our children
deserve fully resourced.
Classrooms and not a 2 tiered
system that leaves vulnerable
students behind. We asked you
to reform the punitive
restrictions on third-party
voter registration groups like
the North Side. These rules
don't protect voters. They
suppress them. Let's remove
unnecessary barriers from that
civic engagement is a right. A
risk. We need clarity, income
passion and how we treat
returning citizens, formerly
incarcerated the current
system for restoring voting
rights is confusing, costly
and unjust. Let's build a
process that honors redemption
and encourages participation.
And finally, we must expand
Medicaid. Florida has left
hundreds of thousands of
people uninsured while federal
dollars that on the table, not
just a policy failure, the
moral one we can and must you
better. We ask you to lead
with courage, reject policies
that Biden and diminish and
invest in the people that make
Jacksonville strong
communities are watching and
history will remember were
used. And thank you, MR. Le
Pick. Up next. It's Rob Lowe.
You're recognized. Thank you,
MADAM Chair, and thank you for
the delegation for the time
today. I am Rob Law space,
Florida.
>> And it's a great
opportunity for me today just
to share a little bit space
activities here in the state
and what we're looking forward
to and the coming legislative
session. As we look across the
last year, we've seen anywhere
between 2 and 20% growth and
aerospace activities depending
on the sector specifically
related to those different
activities. And nowhere is
that more evidence than here
in northeast Florida and Duval
County. Couple quick examples.
Just to give you some further
insight. And we recently
closed out a project with be a
Marine systems. First ship
lift activity, a 250 million
dollar investment by here in
Duval County. It's a great
project and it's something
that was long time coming. And
we were very fortunate for us
to be partners in that project
and close that out this last
year as well as work with
Cecil. They support on their
utility quarter development
and that kind of investment is
key. When we look at some of
the up aerospace companies
that are interested in places
like Cecil things that are on
the cutting edge like a auto
yes, of course. Longstanding
partners like Boeing Aviation.
And, you know, when you look
across Duval County, which
you'll see also, it's just the
vibrancy of the space
technology community as well,
anchored largely by red wire
technologies here in
Jacksonville and up and coming
new startups like Starcatcher.
We just recently demonstrated
a world world record setting
transmission over one kilowatt
of solar energy and the test
to demonstrate their new
technologies. So it's an
exciting time to be part of
the aerospace industry and
support the aerospace industry
growth across the state.
Course, here, Duval County. We
have several initiatives that
will be going forward through
legislative session. That will
help us further accelerate be
more efficient, effective in
supporting industry as we go
forward. And with that, I look
forward to working with all of
throughout the legislative
session and welcome any
questions. Thank you, MR. We
have Kelli Cooper up nays
following by Adrian Burk.
>> And Charlie if you can make
your way towards the ow.
You're recognized. Please
state your name for the
record. My name is Kelly. Good
afternoon person my name like
or I'm grateful to live in a
and order state yet we must
fund the best of correction.
Our justice. Secretary Dixon
has not only hostile start.
It's but also public safety.
Today he's managing 10,000
more inmates and 2021. At the
same. We have a staffing.
We're 70% of officers with
less than 3 years. I can't.
Probation thing. Excuse me.
Can you hold? Can move closer
to the Mike? Please are all
public closer towards
>> So we can hear Is that
better? Yes, thank you.
>> So half on probation or in
training, 19 year-old are
supervising 150 inmates. Those
with 5 years experience over c
1500 to 2000 lives, jobs once
requiring 12 to 15 years.
Experience the result assaults
on officers up. 49% inmate on
inmate up 50%. For now it
feels turnover Dickstein
panhandle prisons are near
Alabama, which pay $35 an
hour. While Florida's pay. 22.
Additionally, those
incarcerated have too much
time on their hands. And I
don't mind is the devil's
playground and a proven
trigger for assaults on
officers. Another inmate. One
superintendent in other did
that but praying. Good playing
good food and good medical
make a good PRESIDENT. We're
failing on most accounts. For
long-term ERs like my son
starting a 40 year sentence.
Options are scarce. He's
locked out of most programs
and jobs. But for 21 hours a
day of nothing, education,
recreation work, all got it by
chronic under staffing. We say
we're tough on crime, but
we've become a state or a
nursing home for the elderly
and a warehouse for the
mentally ill. That's not
corrections. That abdication
case in point 573 people
locked up 20 plus years for an
armed robbery costing
taxpayers over 20 million
dollars a year. Are they still
dangerous? But they've been
punished enough. Meanwhile, in
24 the Florida Commission on
Offender review released with
0% are bit of Let's trust the
experts. They've life
sentences for those. We truly
fear rehabilitate. The rest
with real programs will work
in real It's us. Thank you
very much. Up is Adrian Burk.
Charlie Croix followed by
Denise Gott and Ryan Chandler.
>> Please identify yourself
for the record. Please.
>> Hi there. Good afternoon.
My name is Charlie Cry. My
pronouns are they them? And I
live here and the beautifully
diverse to fall. I'm here
today with equality. Florida
are statewide lgbtq civil
rights organization to urge
you to represent all your
constituents. The session.
Stop attacks on dei and the
States war on Freedom and
prioritize the health of our
communities. Trans people,
immigrants, people of color
and other marginalized
communities are not your
enemies. We're your neighbors.
Diversity, equity, and
inclusion are bad words.
They've been twisted and
weaponized by extremists to
rob hardworking Americans of
equal access opportunities.
Yesterday was a Veterans Day
and tomorrow starts
transgender awareness week.
I'd like to bring your
attention to all the brave
trance military service
members currently banned from
serving as legal challenges. I
thank them for their service.
There is no freedom in
government dictating what we
can read and who we can be.
Real freedom. Let's educators
teach actual history allows
parents to make the best
decisions for their children
and allows doctors educated
experts provide care. Last
year over 6 million Floridians
voted to restore reproductive
rights. That's 2 million more
votes than DeSantis received
to become governor in 2018. By
the way, and sent a resounding
message in opposition of
government interference with
health care decisions, respect
the will of the people. Even
lives, reducing health care
costs and building healthier
communities. Our values shared
across party lines. Federal
cuts have put lives at risk by
creating critical gaps and hiv
testing treatment, prevention
and support the state must
take action to fill these
gaps. Putting funding now
would undo decades of progress
and endanger thousands of
Floridians. We all deserve a
healthier, safer and more
equitable. Florida, where
every family is treated with
dignity and respect. This
session. Remember these
critical issues and rep
NOVEMBER will remember who
stood with us? Thank you. They
Denise Gott, if you could
identify yourself for the
records, please.
>> Good afternoon. I'm Denise
Scott. First off, let me say I
want to thank Representative
Angie Nixon for her tireless
leadership commitment, not the
right to addressing her. I'm
making a statement. I like
thank her for her leadership
and what she does for this
city. She's always on the
front line and we appreciate
her as see that my
representatives showed up
late. She that she's a no show
for the people. Was this
Republican legislator always
call order. Please, please
make sure that you're stop my
time. Please. Please make sure
that your responses. Are
respectful. My response is I
respectful this much both. And
this is this Republican
legislation always diluting
black representation with
Germany. Why aren't you
defending what's right and
represent the people its like
some of you are You only
defend what benefit you.
Credit racing black history.
Stop allowing this governor
that teach that black folks
benefited from slavery, teach
the truth. Slavery happen and
it was bad. Slavery is white
history and how my ancestors
divide. It's black history.
Pope Leo says it best. It's to
be called woke in a world that
sleeps through suffering is no
in Seoul. And I'm glad to be
woke. You have inconveniences
entire state with you agree to
the new allegiance to a
tyrant. And I'm not talking
about the PRESIDENT. I'm
talking about this. Governor,
as I told the city Council and
the school board. If you think
Charlie Kirk's race, if you
don't see Charlie coach racism
is because you don't see you
on haven't statues in on
colleges and universities. 4
races community drop out. It's
no different than they allowed
a community Confederate
monuments to be elected. We
the people are sick and tired
of your continued racism and
white superiority. You all
took oath to uphold the
Constitution to represent the
people. When we start doing
that, you have always you have
already. We cannot public
school system when you thought
it was wise to do this voucher
program for the wealthy. So
now you think it's wise to a
for-profit? I just thank you
very for trade. Put let's say
you got choose and pick and
children. They very much
you're out of order. You're up
next. Please identify
yourself. Good afternoon.
Thank you for the opportunity
speak with you today. My name
is Ryan Chandler. I'm the
chair of the Association of
qualified organizations.
>> We provide waiver support,
coordination services to
individuals with developmental
disabilities. I wanted to
thank you for your support of
the apd. I budget waiver and
waiver support coordination
last session. I'm here today
because the future of the I
budget waiver, which has
supported this vulnerable
population in Florida for more
than 30 years is at risk.
There are proposals to move
the waiver program to a
managed care system on paper.
Managed care MAY sound
efficient and they work for
some individuals with less
complex needs. But our
population has diverse needs.
Be fit into managed care box.
The devastating effects of
managed care for this
population with regard to
dental and applied behavior.
Analysis services is currently
being experienced and should
not be the only option for
this population. Staley
services that they rely on to
safely function in the
community and at home as
waiver support coordinators.
We don't just connect people
with the services. We know our
consumers personally for years
and sometimes decades, we
guide families through the
Medicaid re determination
process. Ssi, ssdi, snap and
other vital third-party
benefits. We connect them to
community resources. We're a
consistent point of contact
and a complicated system. We
have incentive to delay,
delay, deny or reduced
services referred to as chief
saving savings rebate and the
managed care model, which is
currently 7 and a half
percent. We are paid the same
regardless of the services the
individual receive. So we have
no bias in advocating for the
bessent for the best interests
of the clients we serve.
Another important
consideration is the cdc plus
program the self-directed
option within the waiver.
Currently there is no true
equivalent under managed care.
The proposed alternative
offers fewer services and far
less flexibility. Stripping
families of the control they
rely on to Taylor supports,
especially in more rural
areas. Where there MAY be a
shortage of providers. Florida
has an effective waiver
program, requires adequate
funding, support and
responsible management not
dismantling. We request that
you protect the I budget
waiver and the cdc plus
program so that it is boys and
available option. For this
very vulnerable to diverse and
complex population. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Up next,
we have joy Burgess, Samantha
Series, a sunburn him. I would
like to remind everyone.
>> We will maintain order and
decorum. If not, I will strike
they gavel in. You will be
escorted out.
>> As Burgess knows Smith.
This Burgess is not here. You
Aires. Please identify
yourself for the record.
Samantha Series, I'm a
concerned Duval resident and I
request to repeal sections 18
28 a Senate bill. 180.
>> We need to preserve
Florida's ecosystems wildlife
and public lands. We already
have a Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation
Commission whose primary
interests are in land
development, real estate and
private profit. I implore you
to protect Florida. We need to
take responsibility for our
environment. Sb 180, freezes
community planning across
Florida for 3 years. It bans
any local. And a new local
regulations that could be seen
as more restrictive or
burdensome. Then what existed
before AUGUST first 2024. We
cannot protect Florida with
these sections of sb 180 in
place. These restrictions make
it harder to reduce flooding,
protect water, quality or
manage over development. The
overdevelopment of Florida is
putting us all at risk.
Recently, Lake Okeechobee,
which is our largest fresh
water lake, was found to be
the most polluted in the
country. Florida cannot be a
concrete slab. And here in
Jacksonville, 90% of our
drinking water comes from the
Florida aquifer. Again, please
repeal sections. 18 28 of
Senate Bill. 180. Thank you.
Thank you very much. MAY
approach the podium. Please
state your name for the
record.
>> ms Mason Burnham. I'm a mom
community advocate and a 4th
generation Jackson billion. I
love the city. I love the
state, but I'm shocked and
saddened by what's happened to
our state under Governor
DeSantis, Florida has always
prided itself on our live and
let live attitude. We weren't
perfect by any means. But we
were definitely making
progress. Sadly now our state
government seems to be focused
on cruel culture wars,
ignoring advice from experts
refusing to really listen to
or meet with constituents and
pushing for legislation that
benefits donors and
corporations at the expense of
everyday Floridians and to the
detriment of Florida's future.
There are numerous examples
that we've heard about just
today, attacks on the
environment, attacks on local
sovereignty, attacks on voting
rights and dei on health care,
public education. But
specifically today, I want to
call out sb 164, sponsored by
Senator Grall and hb 289,
sponsored by Representative
Greco, the abusers bill of
rights, women's reproductive
health care is already at
risk. Thanks to the draconian
six-week abortion ban in
Florida. We've already we
already suffer from a shortage
shortage of obgyn and in the
state. This awful bill
threatens mothers, emergency
care cancer treatments and in
vitro fertilization, at least
one in 4 pregnancies end in
miscarriage. And now our
elected leaders want to punish
women dealing with the
pregnancy loss with
investigations and lawsuits.
It's unconscionable. We've all
seen how these awful laws have
used in other states,
especially by domestic
abusers. So please don't
mention the carve outs because
we all know that government
officials and lawyers should
not be involved in our
reproductive health care.
Florida risks losing female
college students who don't
want to risk their health by
going to college here. Our
state's toxic policies
regarding women's reproductive
health care will harm our
ability to attract and retain
young professionals who do not
wish to risk investigations
and lawsuits, lawsuits. Should
they have a miscarriage?
Lastly, I hope this
delegation. Well, listen to
the majority of Florida
voters. The call for common
sense gun laws. The humane
treatment of hardworking
migrants who are critical to
our state's economy and an end
to the persecution of the
lgbtq community. Our governor.
And even on this delegation
talk about their Christian
faith. But what would Jesus
do? He would stand up for
women for children, the poor
and marginalized. So please
stand up everyone in Duval
County during the upcoming
legislative session. Thank you
very much. Up next, we have.
>> That's my column.
Christian. Who if I've
mispronounced that I apologize
followed by Wells Todd. If you
can make your way to the
podium, please state your name
for the record. My name is
Beth McAllen.
>> I'd like to thank you all
can recognize hearing us out.
My son lives in Duval County.
He started on the agency for
Persons with Disabilities
program. When he was 7. He is
now 34 years old. We've spent
all this time helping him to
become more and more
independent, which we have
accomplished tremendous gains
with him. He also has been
able to live now on his own,
which is an instrumental thing
that was told he would never
be able to do when he was
diagnosed at age 3. Without
this program and forced into a
managed care system as he was
when he was younger. Would
dismantle his entire life.
That we have built. I'm
getting older. I'm not going
to be here forever. He's
probably going to outlive me.
So we have made preparations
and prepared for his life
with.
>> stop the time we could or
like other Can you move it
closer to you? Please. That
Yes, we calling it a start.
Time to thinking. Thank you.
So if he was to be forced into
a box that does not fit him.
>> Is managed care. Did not
when he was younger. What
would happen to him then we
will be looking
institutionalization again is
managed care will not meet his
needs. You will lose other
benefits by being forced into
a managed care system. Also
because once we join image
here, you know, our qualifies
for these other resources that
he has available to him. There
are a lot of decisions to make
whenever you're deciding what
kind of system the offered are
individuals because they are
so complex. And that leads
into dental. When the waiver
was providing dental services.
My son was able to get his
dental cleanings twice a year.
Now we're getting them once a
year. We have to travel to
Stuart, Florida, maybe
Daytona, maybe Gainesville
people who local dentist will
not cannot provide sedation in
their office and they won not
provided under the Medicaid
system. Even with the magic
without sedation. There's no
Dennis. They're taking the
current. The current policies
that are being offered
people's teeth are no Larry
being cared for. Managed care
has off not offered a better
system for our individuals. We
have gone backwards with the
system. We've seen that with
the pca for children. They
lost their quite a while ago.
Behavioral. And tall. What
else is next? I'm vigils.
Don't fit into a box. We can't
put them into that box and I
would appreciate you whenever
you considered bills and
they're being out there.
Whether you're on the
committee or not, you still
have to vote for them. So I
would ask you to really
consider the lives of our
individuals. Thank you very,
very much. High.
Representative Daniels has a
question.
>> If you can return back to
the podium is Gallup McCallum.
You have comment.
Representative Daniels has a
comment. Thank thank you very
much. MADAM Chair. I'm making
a comment because I came late
get ready leave early.
>> I usually don't address
situations when people
uninformed. But I have 82
year-old on it. Mother, their
heat went out. They live in
Sherwood. And so before I came
here, I went to put some
temporary. He together for
them. And now the electricity
just cut that out. So if you
will, excuse me. And and they
and they are black and they
are part of black community.
Seniors and they come first.
So I just would like to just
say that I'm I would like to
excuse myself. I just got a
call from my mother and I
think sometimes we need to.
Find out what's really going
on before we attacked people
that are going through stuff.
Because I need your prayers. I
was I was. It's a blessing to
me to even make it here is
very hard. But I believe now.
Because I understand that even
when you make a tempo, don't
care. Goblins, everyone to
Thank you. Thank you very
much.
>> You're recognized, please
state your name for the
record. Thank you, MADAM Chair
and delegation. My name is
Christian Gonzalez. Think also
North Florida regional
director for Florida rising.
>> Florida Rising is an
independent political
organization that builds power
around and working class
communities across state of
Florida. We see to organize,
mobilize an act to be
communities to shape their
future during the 2025
legislative session will be
called on our elected
representatives to act in the
best interest of their
constituents. Now corporations
by supporting policies that
put people over profit and
that advance racial and
economic. That's this. Our
legislative agenda is shaped
by over the 1000 dues-paying
members here in the state of
Florida and across 6, 7
different counties this year,
our priorities that our
members are demanding for
their legislation. Art follows
one to expand democracy and
protect fundamental right.
Voting rights. Comprehensive
bill reverse attacks democracy
and restrict about access.
That is the Herrity Herrity
more Voting Rights Act.
Second, we're working. We
encourage our our legislators
to work of climate justice and
hold investor owned utilities
accountable by supporting put
bills that guaranteed energy
utility services. Theory to
live our lives and that they
are public owns like j now
leverage by the millionaires
that are price gouging after
natural disasters specifically
will be done. And our goal for
you support a public
transparency of the public
Service commission bills have
coming into upcoming session.
3rd, one our legislation,
legislators to allow all
immigrant families live
without fear. They pass the
legislation make for a more
welcoming state for all
people, especially our
immigrant communities but
economic Prosperity and
Immigration Act. And finally,
to ensure that our local
public schools in committee
radically funded by abandoning
the attempts avoid property
taxes. Again, encourage
delegation here to remain
steadfast in your tech gritty.
You wouldn't want to be kings
are threatening to move every
person thinks for himself.
Thank you time we look forward
to young here from few more of
our Florida rising members
later in today's agenda. Thank
you. Up as well as Todd.
>> Followed by. Yes, me now
White. Be pain. If you can
make your way towards the al.
You are recognized, could you
identify yourself for the
record? Please?
>> My name is well as
Tottenham. A member of take
them down here in
Jacksonville, Florida, to
speak and to oppose House
Bill. 125, House Bill, 113,
and Senate Bill 174, these 3
bills opposed to on a Charlie
Kirk. Perks job was to
reinforce racist stereotypes
on campus colleges, college
campuses and high schools. His
job was to mock empathy and
lift up. The notion that
cruelty matters the most. His
job was to convince white
youth that living under
economic system that exploits
them is better fighting for
one that provides the needs of
the people. By now. We all
know the defensive miserable
things. Kirk said on his
podcast and that colleges, he
did nothing to improve the
condition of humanity honoring
Kirk. Will be the continuation
of the belief in the false
ideology of white supremacy w
e b Dubois coined the phrase
the Psychological wager,
whiteness. The Boyce was
referring to the Non monetary
benefits. Like the sense of
social status and superiority
that white individuals receive
by being part of the dominant
racial group. It is this
belief that for fuels attacks
on the African-American
community from Albany, New
York to Jacksonville, Florida.
These bills need to be voted
down. Up next is yasmina.
>> Followed by Debbie Pain.
And then held the night camps.
Stuart, isn't com. You are
recognized. Please identify
yourself. Hi. Good afternoon.
Yasmeen a White.
>> Early childhood education
is the Chu Foundation of any k
to 12 education. When we fail
to invest in our youngest
learners, we set the stage for
an equity long before they
even enter into the classroom.
Ask you today to find it in
your hearts and in your
legislative priorities to
introduce and support strong,
compassionate policy that
uplifts one of our most
vulnerable populations.
Florida's children. Families
across the state are
struggling to afford child
care. The 3rd, the 3 hours
school readiness, the pouch
are simply isn't enough.
Parents need real help.
Equally many communities still
lack access. The high-quality
early learning centers,
especially in neighborhoods
where opportunity is already
limited by zip code. At the
same time, our k 12 system
continues to be gutted.
Shipping away, meaningful
public choice for families
like mine. It's unfair and
frankly, preposterous to
continue pushing legislation
like schools of hope that
dismantles neighborhood
schools instead of
strengthening them. I want to
make sure you all understand I
am a proponent of school
choice but not when it
undermines and under finds
another institution. Right
now, Florida's approach to
education has become as the
old saying goes penny wise
pound foolish. We have since
today by underfunding public
education only to pay dearly
tomorrow and loss of potential
and workforce shortages
shortages and the well-being
of our children. Please
prioritize paying teachers a
living wage funding. All
schools equitably and
preserving the integrity and
school choice of families who
choose public education in
this state. Thank you,
Representative Nixon for
always being a child care
champion. I look forward to
commending the same for others
as early childhood education
is a bipartisan issue. As a
mother of 2 young children,
please find our child's
education from cradle to
graduation. Equally. Debbie
pain. Is not here. Alana Camp
Stewart. Not here.
>> Suzanne Con. Followed by
Nancy Marie Settle. And next
to you are recognized to
speak.
>> My name is Susan Kohn. Good
afternoon. Members of the
devolved allegation as a new
resident of Jacksonville,
member of Invisible Jax
Riverside and a concerned
public health professional.
I'm here to encourage you to
advance several bills that
will improve access to and
quality of health care.
Specifically care received by
Florida residents enrolled in
managed care plan. Including
health maintenance
organization. Despite the
crisis of affordability, so
many Floridians face and the
premium increases in surprise
bills. There are many things
that we can do. We have all
seen the headlines documenting
how managed care plans. Rules
for prior authorization result
in the denial medically
necessary care. Even the
health care professionals
among us cannot follow all the
coverage. Details in our
benefit document. House Bill.
137. Will ensure that young
female residents in Florida
ages 25 to 40 receive
medically necessary
supplemental screening for
b#
#
cancer following the
latest American College of
Radiology guideline. Senate
Bill. 114 addresses the crisis
and continuity of care that
occurs when sick patients
including pregnant women,
become the collateral damage
in managed care and provide or
negotiation. By requiring
health plans and providers to
provide up to 6 months of
ongoing treatment. Patients
will be able to continue care,
but finding a new doctor. For
pregnant women. They will not
lose access to their be in the
middle of a pregnancy. These
are common sense regulations
that will enable Floridians to
receive the care they need and
for which they and the state
are paying health insurance
plans to provide. I urge you
to support them. The state,
your name for the record. My
name is Nancy Maurice at all.
>> I am a U.S. Long citizens
Jacksonville, Florida, and I'm
and the leadership came up and
a visible Jax.
>> Riverside, I'm here today
to ask you to support Senate
Bill one 12, which is limiting
every district in 2, 2, years
after our next census we're
about to enter. But the most
dangerous season they call in
Florida the legislative
season. And I'm scared last
year. You the gop super
minority majority attract
attacked free speech, voting
rights, reproductive freedom
grants. I want to introduce
myself as a proud. Anti
fascists as my father was in
World War 2. But then I looked
at like this. Oh, my gosh, I'm
we have
>> Administration of the
federal level that same route
this that people who are anti
fascist or terrace members,
you need to get on your party
and tell him to stop attacking
citizens that are not bash us.
I don't understand. A little
person with a little voice.
You guys are elected and it's
scary to me that you're not
standing up for that. I 63% of
Floridians voted in 20 and not
to redistrict are
gerrymandered and that's in
the Constitution. I speeding
by some of you guys saying
teachers to take oaths. Will
you took an oath to protect
U.S. Federal constitution and
the state constitution. 22
state Constitution. Passed by
63% of Floridian says no
redistricting. And mid set men
decade. So why aren't you
standing up saying no, put a
stop to this? I know, you
know, my dad. I said he was
anti fact is he was also a
Republican. We disagreed on a
lot of things, but I think he
would stand up to the abuse of
power and the corruption. That
is how did that happen our
government? Now I have to ask
you, why aren't you doing
that? It was a speaker that
made a really good argument.
Jacqueline Steal a gap about
redistricting. I agree with
everything she says.
>> I'm trying to convince you
to look in your heart and do
the right thing for the United
States of America. I know
you're a patriotic people. Why
are you letting this happen?
>> Thank you very much. Up
next, Onyx. Do word Robert
Beecham. DR. Christine called
Followed by Lindsey. Rot. If
you can make your way to the
podium. You can come forward.
Please state your name for the
record. Please. Can you hear
me? Yes, ma'am. But ok,
Barbara you're recognized.
Thank you. Thank you for
allowing parents such as
myself to speak. My husband
and I are 30 year Jacksonville
area. Residents. We have 3
sons with developmental
disabilities, specifically
autism spectrum disorder.
>> And one who has a genetic
disorder.
>> To err on the medway for a
fee for service. The I budget
program and one is on the
waitlist. They too are. 25 one
is 35. Our sons are not
medically complex, but they
need community companions,
behavioral therapy. Community
volunteerism supported
employment. And community
socialization and language
therapy. They are not to be
magically catered to on the
home front, but rather
experience their requirements
of public interaction. There
are no we'll work. Employer
incentives to hire them except
some tax write offs through
location rehabilitation. The
services described the Med
waiver fee for service. That
support coordinator assists my
husband the signing the
correct hours for the needed
services. The support
coordinators instrumental in
keeping us up to date. I'm all
changes. And legislated
decisions. There is nothing
like this in any health care
program. We can pass the
savings of a middle
organization directly to the
providers utilizing our budget
only and therefore allowing
them to earn a competitive
wage. I going from cdc to
manage care. This could be
increase of as much as 25%,
which could reduce the number
of out hours allocated to my
As parents. We have been
waiting to see the efficiency
reports on the pilot managed
care program. But as of today,
I don't believe fcc has
produced an e. Why would
legislators allocate more
money towards this before
examining the return? We all
deserve to have choices.
Managed care or apd Fee for
service. Thank you very much.
Thank you. To Christine
Comfort. You can make your way
to the podium. Please. You are
recognized. Thank you. And
good afternoon. My name is
Lindsay and I am one of the
many faces of Alzheimer's
disease.
>> This is my second year at
this meeting and as a
caregiver to both of my
parents, the last decade. I
want to thank you for the
opportunity to speak today.
Many in this room have been
touched by the harsh realities
of Alzheimer's and dementia.
Over half a million Floridians
are living with Alzheimer's
disease over 17,000 alone in
Duval County. That's over 12%
of our 65 and up population.
Ut all is commitment. Florida
has been a leader and dementia
care and support with our
aging population. We must
maintain this momentum. I'm
proud to advocate along
Alzheimer's Association. And
with your support, we remain
optimistic as we propose our
2026 priorities. Raising
awareness on what to look for
and when to seek medical
advice. It's essential. We are
advocating for 1.5 million
dollars to find a
comprehensive statewide. The
public health awareness
campaign. It's time to break
the stigma surrounding
Alzheimer's disease. We now
have fda approved blood test
to aid in diagnosis and
treatments that can slow
progression. Yet Florida
remains one of the few states
that have not invested in a
public awareness campaign. Now
is the time to act. We ask for
continued support of the
Alzheimer's, bring bus the
mobile outreach program
travels throughout the state
providing information on brain
health, warning signs and
resources for caregivers. We
have consistently been able to
reach all 67 counties in
Florida. Thanks for that
funding. And lastly, we must
do more for our Florida
caregivers. We have over
870,000 caregivers in the
state of Florida over 66% of
them are managing their own
chronic conditions. Dementia,
care, navigation and respite
services are critical programs
that help caregivers get
desperately needed support on
this dark journey. These
services also help allow
individuals living with
Alzheimer's to remain in their
own communities. We are asking
the Florida legislature to
codify the Florida Alzheimer's
Center of Excellence the face
program. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much. Members
that concludes our speakers
listed on the agenda and to
tell you, do we have any?
>> That are requesting to
speak. We have Chris. Kiernan.
You can make your way towards
the podium. Sara Malm. I
apologize for mispronouncing
your name. Roseberry. Rosemary
McCoy. You can make your way
towards the We have a little
bit. We have more time zone.
You're recognized for it. I'm
Chris Herndon.
>> I think that y'all need to
be the beacon of light for the
people, all the people
redistricting, our future for
proper education. And it harms
us more than it helps us
educators that are not needed
for of the elementary school
teacher of the year here in
Duval County are simply
amazing. Some of the educators
here in dcps have multiple
masters degrees and
doctorates. We need to pay
them what they deserve. There
is no reason that we are one
of the lowest in the nation
when it comes to teacher
salaries. Our valuable
teachers are fleeing Florida
to find higher wages. Parents
shouldn't be forced to live
day to day paycheck to
paycheck in fight or flight,
not knowing where their next
meal will come from. On top of
that, the amount of families
that are paying after care for
Vpk is wild. We are drowning.
Some families are paying up to
$400 a week. More or more
after Kara wrap-around care
for Vpk which should be free.
That is approximately $1400
extra a month per child. I am
dealing with this personally.
Our public school programs are
compromised and need direct
intervention. We are pulling
and trusting you. We will
verify your work. We will
continue to show up. Constant,
divisive redistricting causes
chaos, confusion and
ultimately furthers voter
suppression. There is very
little difference between
redistricting, redlining which
has been deemed
unconstitutional. Is just
delivered in a different
manner. Don't get me started
on Florida health care for all
middle-aged people such as
myself cannot afford insurance
ourselves that we have it for
our children. Land grant
programs myself for health
care due to lack of affordable
access to health care,
creating solutions to problems
that don't exist is not what
Jacksonville needs nor what
Florida needs attempting to
put Confederate monuments
backup rather than ensuring
affordable housing expansion
of the pk allowing women to
have body autonomy encouraging
in vaccinations, creating
access to health care,
protecting our election
systems. Need continue to go
your wasting taxpayer times
with unnecessary per clause.
>> Her to write bills,
sidewalk bills keeping
historical monument up bills
rather than actually helping
us. We need to be objective
when creating laws in in
guidelines, the ultimate
justice is intentionality to
leadership does not lead by
fear mongering leading through
servant leadership is what you
should be doing. As I say, to
all elected officials, you're
in a position of power. And
with that comes specific
obligation. Thank you. Thank
you.
>> Please state your name for
the record and you're
recognized. My name is mood. I
was proudly born and raised
Duval County. Florida writes
Institutional manager.
>> And I want to talk a little
bit today about the city we
call. Jacksonville is a
beautiful city. One that holds
immense cultural legacy. Much
about thanks to this work will
black community that calls or
city home? And with all the
beautiful that our city has to
offer it, also no struggle and
strife. Jackson was named the
eviction capital of the state
and partners. All of the
preemption of local laws that
regulate relationships between
landlord and tenant to the
state level. This isn't just a
cyst. It sets his stick. When
we say that Jacksonville's,
they fiction capital of the
state. That means 14,000
residents and Duval County
residents and families were
made homeless in the last year
because of eviction filings
we're also a city that is home
to countless immigrant
communities. I myself meant
birth rates that is and 42
parents were now naturalized
citizens. And the fact that
many who target our loved
one's conveniently forget is
that many of our families like
I just stated are of mixed
status with families holding
anything from citizenship to
refugees that with family
members holding anything from
citizenship to refugee status.
That means 20 loved ones
instead of passing policies
that communities regardless of
immigration status here
showing that your priority,
its harm and violence instead
of serving the people you
claim to represent. Jackson
was a city that knows the
desire of corporate greed to
take control of our utilities
and maximize profit or
expense. But thankfully, those
attempts to sell jta has
spilled. But while that is
true, inner city, the majority
of Floridians are customers of
Florida power and light, which
is currently in front of the
Public Service Commission to
requests the largest rate hike
in history. Even while
families across the state are
struggling with cost of living
and a government shutdown
impacting wages and benefits.
Come to you today to ask some
basic things instead of
focusing on culture wars,
focus on the economic issues
that are going to help the
cost of living for all
residents in Florida. That
includes focusing on.
Requiring the public service
commission to be reformed and
told investor owned utilities
accountable. So they're not
putting our prophet that
they're not putting power and
profit over people passing the
House Bill. 315, in Senate
Bill 328, which is the
economic Prosperity and
Immigration Act which would
impact the lives of all
Floridians regardless
immigration status and finally
support voting rights by
enacting the Harry t and
Harriet v Moore Voting Rights
Act, Dixon voting rights for
all Floridians. Thank you for
thank you. The state, your
name for the record. Rosemary
McCoy following Rosemary will
have Carrie Bates. Kathleen
Marie.
>> Katie Bonnen. If you can
make your way to the podium,
please. You're recognized.
>> Good afternoon. My name is
Rosemary McCoy. And I am a
mother. Community leader MAY
be trying to sit isn't. A
disabled veteran. The found
o'Hara take my freedom
fighters and stand before you
and I represent. Equal
grounds, but hasn't. All
right. I want freedom fighters
and black voters matter and
community and the population
today. I'm asking you to turn
the page. Documents. When I
say darkness, speaking of the
history of Florida. Voter
suppression. Now. We can go
back. You can be certain your
own. Easy. The 18 55 inflate
people. Not. All civil right?
And I forgot to say. I am the
sentiment. I think late. Only
white mail. It all property.
Vote. And some of these levels
trying to take us. 18, 40
1920, well, white and white
woman. What exclude it? 1920,
co p mascara. On Election Day.
People work merit just because
he was trying to vote Jim Crow
laws. 1970, 1990, filled a
need the Spann and Trent 2000.
Well, they put they purged of
old. They did these people
work that it was a lot. 2018.
We go amendment for the 55% of
the people vote it. 19 to
voting vie for the turn of
Citizens. 2019 sb 76 my Voting
Amendment 4 2021 sb 90 5 into
law restrict voting by mail
that we moving backwards
instead of forward present
today, gerrymandering, then
now we have. Why is why is the
Florida voting right at meta?
The pale, the press and laws
like sb 90 expand voting by
mail the same day registration
required. Prevent, prepare it.
Counties with history of
suppression issue, a language
access of English-speaking bow
them asking you today to
support the Florida right.
Thank you. Thank you.
Approached the podium. Please
identify yourself for the
records and you are
recognized. Good afternoon. My
name is Carrie Bates and the
ceo of the Art Jacksonville
and also I serve as the board
chair for.
>> The arca Florida that
represents over 55
organizations across the state
that support individuals with
intellectual developmental
differences. Thank you for
your time and attention to the
very end. They well, if you
can stop the time for one
moment, excuse me, can you
move to make up a little bit?
>> Let's see if. If we can get
it working. Go ahead. You're
recognized.
>> I want to highlight to
local projects support they
are Jacksonville, specifically
individuals with intellectual
developmental differences in
the Northeast, Florida area.
First, our workforce.
Innovation program which
prepares individuals with
intellectual developmental
differences for in-demand
careers in our area. This
program has been growing over
the last years and we feel
like we really found great
community partners and
organizations that are seeking
employees. And we've been able
to prepare individuals to both
meet workforce shortages and
help the individuals with idd
achieve their lifelong goals
of just contributing to their
community. Secondly, our it
the family support navigation
pilot. This is a program
that's unique to this part of
Florida. Jackson the only
organization in Florida
currently offering a program
like this. If you have
families that come to see that
are really struggling with
enrollment onto the apd wait
list or getting Social
Security or any other benefits
that someone with a
significant disability might
have. This program helps
connect families all those
resources and really navigate
really an extremely
complicated process. But it
goes beyond that and helped
individuals really plan for
life after their caregiver
passes, which is critical for
the whole system term
statewide. I want to express
our support for both
continuing to move people off
the apd Pre and want Roman are
wait lists and also advancing
it to managed care program
with safeguards to ensure that
rates are reduced and services
remain available for
individuals. Providers across
Florida are facing
unprecedented challenges in
the I d d space right now. Our
Jacksonville just received a
29% increase on our health
insurance, which will. Equate
to about $200,000 of expenses
that we we're not anticipating
without rate changes. These
are essentially unfunded.
Increases that we have to
manage more than two-thirds of
providers across Florida. As
stated in a survey recently
that they are running deficits
and that's only increasing
families gaining eligibility
really does little if there's
not providers to provide
services. Thank you for
supporting the it community in
Florida and for strengthening
services. The families rely
on. Thank you very much. Kind
checked in. I care. Thank you.
MISS Murray. You are
recognized. Thank you.
Congratulations, Chair Michael
and good afternoon. Duval
delegation, Kathleen Murray,
State education director for
Citizens Defending Freedom
there to speak in support of
the following legislation.
First sb 164. Which
strengthens Florida's wrongful
death act by recognizing the
last of an unborn child has a
compensatory tragedy. Families
facing such heartbreak deserve
the same access to justice as
any other grieving parents.
This bill closes an outdated
gap in our law, reflecting
both fairness and compassion
because every life lost to due
to negligence deserves
accountability. Second cdf
strongly support harmful to
minors legislation which
closes the Mueller test the
bill and sure is that obscene
materials cannot be
distributed in our schools.
It's a common sense measure
that protects children
supports parents and upholds
community standards throughout
Florida. In addition, cdf also
supports the following
legislation sb 4.26 to keep
government spaces neutral. It
blocks political or
ideological flags while
preserving national state and
historic symbols. Also while
protecting public spaces for
everyone sb 430, which
reinforces public trust in our
education system and ensures
that those guiding our
children are committed to the
highest standards of
professional, independent and
non-partisan service. Cdf
supports sb 408, because it
holds vaccine manufacturers
accountable for misleading
advertising gets harmed
individuals a pathway to
justice and strengthens
consumer protections in
Florida. Additionally cdf
strongly supports sb 166. This
bill has the opt in for
student surveys and expands
parental rights in the area of
medical freedom for their
child. This also allows
parental consent for use of
biofeedback devices which
closely tied to a I finally
citizens defending Freedom
strongly supports legislation
to display the 10 Commandments
and declaration of
Independence. And every
Florida classroom recognizing
the educational and historical
value of these documents. Cdf,
thanks you for your service
and thanks you in advance for
support of this legislation.
Thank you very much. Up, Nate
says and I don't believe her
bonnet. I'm sorry if I'm
mispronouncing inning, not
Come for Please state your
name for the record. Good
afternoon. My name is Katie
Bennett. I'm here with the
Alliance for Safety and
Justice. Okay. Following Ms
Bone. Is. MARCH Dame. What he
said, Bryan. And Pam Wilson,
if you can make your way
towards the thank you. You're
recognized to speak. Thank
you. And good afternoon. Duval
delegation and
congratulations, Chair
Michael, as I stated before.
My name is Katie do that. I'm
the Florida State director for
the Alliance for Safety and
Justice are j. We are the
advocacy arm for crime
Survivors for Safety and
Justice or css chain
representing 14,000 victims of
crime here in Florida.
>> And 250,000 nationwide.
Thank you to the chair for
leadership and sponsorship of
Curtis's law that passed in
2023 and the support of this
delegation as well. Very
important law for our survivor
network. This legislation
insured families who have lost
a child to violence, receive
timely information and updates
from law enforcement deeply
meaningful step for survivors
and their loved ones across
Florida. We're also grateful
for the leadership and support
of this delegation for Senator
Burgess is locked in 2023, a
record ceiling Bill sb 376.
This creates a path for
Floridians to rebuild their
lives and contribute safely to
their communities. We plan to
build on that success this
year with legislation
expanding petition based
records going and look forward
to hopefully having you all
support. I also want to
recognize post Veterans Day
right, Pat Maney and Senator
Gaetz this bill that are
survivors will be supporting
this year. Sb 50 or hp one.
99, what you all remember made
it all the way to the House
floor last year. This expands
the use of a veterans
treatment courts that which
we've certainly seen success
and builds upon that success
here. Finally will be working
to expand trauma. Recovery
centers are tr sees. This is
that these are hospital
community-based programs that
pride provide wrap-around
services like mental health
care case management and
victim support helping people
recover after violence while
reducing repeat harm. Our
appropriations requests this
year is for tossing memorial.
But we hope for that to be an
example and to have one in
every community, which is what
our survivors especially when
here in Duval County. I also
want to acknowledge and thank
Michel Combes and Maureen from
the Christian Coalition that
are here today in support of
chance. If it's chase work and
will be with us throughout
this next session at the
Capitol. We'll follow up with
each of your stops as our
bills are And of course,
hopefully make their way
through respective committees.
Of course, if you ever need a
victims perspective we're here
for you. Thank you so much for
your time into rest of your
afternoon. Thank you. You can
make your way to the podium.
Please state your name for the
record.
>> good afternoon. Nation
members, my name Don
Education. Justice organizer
with Florida to power. You'll
see today that my shirt says.
But for students reject cuts,
education. And it's that
simple. That mask. I want to
put our current education
funding crisis into
perspective this time. Last
year, our school board faced a
100 million dollar budget
shortfall. The close schools
cut buses, cut staff and still
MAY not be enough. We are
currently facing federal
budget well, where Duval alone
has 25 million dollars worth
of education funding cuts on
the line for special education
title, one low-income schools
and educational after-school
programs like Head Start.
State officials consistently
remind us that education is
the responsibility of the
state, not the federal
government, but this past
session. But our state had the
opportunity to exercise that
right and pass a universal
free school meals. Bill. Our
Legislature killed in its
first committee because it was
not a priority. 2 months
later, hundreds of Florida
schools lost their federal
free school meals grant,
including 37 in Duval County.
Florida. Families are
currently 448.6 million
dollars.
>> And school meal debt. Do
you guys know what it's like
to be in a landslide and pick
out chicken sandwich. Your
apple and her talk with milk.
Just got to check out and have
the lunch lady replace that
with the single cold cheese
sandwich because your $5. But
you don't even know if your
parents could even provide
that night. Because I do. And
if you've never experienced, I
couldn't sure that your
constituents out. For any
other initiative, our state
can miraculously find hundreds
of millions of dollars. Good
for education. All we get is
more money to go into the
hands of private and charter
school foundation's. If your
job up there in Tallahassee
this year is not to do the
bare minimum feeding hungry
poor children. You are
directly telling us when it
comes education. Camera, but
more about profit for wealthy,
private and charter school
owners and literally feeding
our future and our schools.
I'm sorry this that hits very
close to home. I really,
really and trying to urge you
guys. And that's not that's
legislative session. Cut the
culture war. We don't care
about Charlie Kirk statues. We
want food for children,
literally that fit. Thank
Thank you very much.
>> Please do
>> This Brian. Thank My name
is Manchester. Bryant. Last
Monday, our life was
shattered.
>> When our 26 year-old
daughter Kara, was tragically
killed by gun violence. She
was simply sitting on her
couch, enjoying a normal day.
When a stray bullet. Came
through her window and took
her life. Carroll was bright,
ambitious and on the cost us
really like realizing her
dreams. She had recently
earned her paralegal degree.
And was already interviewing
for jobs. Excited to start a
career where she could
advocate for people. But above
all, she was fiercely out. She
was preparing to get married
to her girlfriend, Hannah. Can
I have already picked out her
ring and was just waiting
until she had enough money to
buy it. Instead. Hannah found
my daughter. On the ground.
Her love. Gone in a second.
I'm asking this delegation to
act. To do something real and
meaningful.
>> To end gun violence, it is.
It is long past time. Well,
families like mine are
grieving. We cannot afford to
see public money and energy.
We stayed on naming schools
and roads after men who
believe that some gun deaths
where necessary. To maintain
gun rights. You have the power
to enact the necessary gun
reform yet you are choosing
not to. Support comprehensive
legislation that actually
saved by This requires a focus
on gun reform and measures
that directly addressed
lethality and availability of
weapons in our community. We
need to implement universal
background checks and ban
assault weapons and high
capacity magazines designed
only for mass shootings. House
Bill 155. With all of the
problems that it faces. Is a
start. It's a very small
start. And there's so much
more that can be done. But
with its funding for mental
health and violence prevention
programs. It can make change.
We need real comprehensive gun
reform that values life over
ideology. My life. We'll never
are be the same. My heart is
gone. All because of senseless
gun violence. I want to say
before you leave the podium.
>> I'm sorry. For the last of
your child. I too, have gone
through that. And I understand
the pain. And thank you for
having us trip to come here
today. GOD bless you.
>> Wilson. Followed by Didi
Walker. Casey Creed. We have a
hard time reading the writing.
So I apologize if that's not
correct. You are recognized,
ma'am. Would you state your
name for the record? Yes, good
afternoon. My name is Pam
Wilson. And I'm here.
>> To give some comments
focused on property tax. We
consistently hear from our
communities that one of the
biggest concerns and housing
costs recently, state
officials have been floating
the idea of reducing or ending
property taxes to help with
housing costs. This is
uninformed non solution to a
much bigger problem. A blanket
change in property taxes would
not be an equitable form of
housing relief. This will
heavily impact low income
homeowners. While renters MAY
see a lower rent if their
landlord pays less property
tax, that cannot be guaranteed
and probably wouldn't happen.
Property tax pays for local
services that all people in
community enjoy firefighters,
public hospitals, museums,
parks, and most notably
schools. Florida property
taxes already lower and 27
other states. The 24 of those
states have income tax to help
pay for those local needs.
Only one county in Florida has
actually audited their
homestead properties. And 2024
Sarasota County checked their
home said records or rental
properties out of state
individuals claiming a Florida
homestead and homeowners stead
and multiple counties. The
audit found 76 million dollars
taxable value. Pursuing the
individual abusing the
homestead exemption would be a
more profitable and fair way
to increase increase revenue.
It would also make sure that
homeowners are paying their
fair share. Our legislators
should look into the wealthy
accountable, not punish
middle-class homeowners and
local communities. Thank you
for your time. Thank you very
much. Please state your name
for the record. My name is
Wicker. Some file. You're
recognized. Here's a member
with Florida. Rising focused
on the climate and the Public
Service Commission. We're
fighting for a clean, safe and
healthy planet and the people
on it. We fight for energy
democracy, where private
utilities can increase rates
without supporting data
oversight. Florida's Public
Service Commission supervises
the private utility companies
who offer essential services
such as electric, natural gas,
telephone, water and
wastewater. We can all agree.
Chilly services are necessary
for health hygiene safety.
Unfortunately, investor owned
monopolies can exploit
residents reliance on these
utilities and Prof scout or
cut corners. The public
service commission is supposed
to protect the consumers and
keep those providers in check.
Utility rate increases are
often proved supporting dead
or oversight, allowing the
that's to our utilities
monopolies to amass profits
for that. Any increase
benefits to the consumers?
Many households have long Hill
concerns that utility
companies received approval
for an unnecessary rate
increases. These rate
increases then place a burden
on our household bills.
Utility companies have
historically requested rate
hikes after a disaster such as
the hurricane. Approval of
these rate hikes allowed the
investment collect larger
profits and then charging more
to people who are recovering
from the disaster. Public
Service commission proceedings
are opaque and often invisible
to the people they impact. It
was a bill last session and
that will be one this year
that would increase
transparency. Thank you for
your consideration. Thank you
very much. Casey Not sure if
I'm pronouncing your last
name. Your followed by Mike
Todd.
>> Kasey Creed, ok, followed
by Mike Todd Coleman,
Shepherd. And Gayle you can
make your way to the all
you're recognize Ms Good
afternoon. Legislators. My
name is casting the dummy. You
can get organizer with Florida
power.
>> More importantly, I'm a
member of this community
deeply cares about her
students. They're the future
of this community and every
decision you make should
reflect that. School should be
a place where young people
feel safe, supported and
inspired. Excuse me, let me
stop you for a minute. Kidney
pull the mic a little closer.
>> Thank you. Go ahead.
They're the future of this
community in every decision
you make should reflect that
school should be a place where
young people feel safe,
supported and inspired to
grow. That is only possible
when students have what they
need to focus on learning. One
of not one of the most
fundamental needs is food
because education will cut
free and reduced lunch. And
for me, I was fortunate enough
to have free and reduced
lunch. They're my time in
public school. But I still
have family members still
going through the school
system. I would hate to see my
family struggle due to these
cuts. So today I'm asking you
to remember what truly
matters. Our students. Let's
focus on things that matter
and that like. Feeding our
children and making sure they
don't go hungry and not
implementing turning Point usa
chapters in our schools so
people can harass our
children. Let's put them first
in every policy. Every budget
and every decision. If we say
children are our future. This
time we start acting like it
by protecting them and not
politicizing them. Let's show
them that their leaders, their
community and their state
believe that they are worth
fighting for our students not
Thank Thank you very much.
Please state your name for the
record.
>> Good afternoon. My name is
Mike Todd. You're recognized.
I am here on behalf of our
dues paying membership,
Florida, rising. Under Trump's
second term. One of his
priorities has been harmful.
Federal immigration practices
that criminalize and separate
immigrant families to
accomplish this. We've seen a
ton of pressure to have cities
and municipalities signed 2.87
g Agreement outlining the
collaboration between local
law enforcement and federal
immigration and Customs
Enforcement. We're now seeing
local law enforcement
contributing to the
criminalization of immigrants
merely for existing. With many
mass deportation gangs
resorting to profiling entire
communities in the process.
This prosecution, persecution
of immigrants is an attempt to
portray immigrants as a public
enemy when our federal or
sorry our foreign policy was
to go over to their countries,
intervene and ruin their
democracies. And then they
come here and you're upset.
Pretty sad. There will be a
bill to address many of these
issues, the economic
Prosperity and Immigration
Act. It will make Florida more
prosperous and welcoming state
for all people, especially
immigrant communities and it
would get rid of the
requirement for hospitals to
collect patient immigration
status data and provide
protection. From
discrimination based on
immigration status in the
Florida Civil Rights Act in
1992. It would also reinstate
in-state tuition for
undocumented folks and expand
that coverage to graduate
students. Our elected
officials should be outraged
that Senate law enforcement.
That state law enforcement and
federal immigration agents are
wearing masks and not
identifying themselves. This
bill would push back on that
as well. 35 All right. All say
on. No. Charlie Kirk. Fund,
your kids lunches. No
redistricting. And I do want
to say that. It is an
embarrassment to be the
wealthiest country in the
world and not be able to just
the dark kids lunches. That's
embarrassment. Thank you to
everybody who spoke. Thank you
very much. State. Your name,
please.
>> Good afternoon. My name is
Coleman Shepard. I am here on
behalf of feeding Northeast
Florida. I want to start by
talking about the Farmers
Feeding Florida program. It is
a program that allows us to
rescue food that would
otherwise be plowed under or
thrown away or wasted from
Florida farmers and distribute
that across our our network of
nonprofits.
>> food pantries. So the the
Feeding Florida Association of
Foodbanks were 9 food banks
will cover every county in
Florida. We were able to save
4.6 million pounds across the
states and distributed into 61
of 67 Florida counties. And
the 12 County region that we
serve here in northeast
Florida. We were able to
distribute hundreds of
thousands of pounds and
support thousands of
households with health here,
fresh Florida grown products.
Like many nonprofits and
organizations right now we're
facing a very acute need and a
lot of people are missing
their their benefits and their
pay checks and to have the
support of a program that
allows us to use produce and
Florida produce products to to
support those federal workers.
Those people missing benefits.
It means a lot that being said
there are shelves empty on
food pantries right now. And
and it is vital that we get
support to get food out into
the community as people face
the sharp need. The recovery
from this moment is going to
be a long road and it will not
end just because the media
stops reporting on it. So we
appreciate any support for the
Farmers Feeding Florida
program because it does
provide us with that fresh
healthy, nutritious food to
support these families as
they're going through a very
rough time. So thank you for
coming and listening to us
today. And thank you for
allowing me speak.
>> Thank you very much for our
final. I'm sorry. Remnants.
You're recognized for
question. Thank you, MADAM
Chair. Hi. Can you tell about
roughly year and Duval County?
How many families are going
without food right now? Do you
have those numbers? You're
recognize.
>> Without food, specifically,
I'm not sure we're as it
relates to threw the chair as
it relates to this map. Do you
know recognize there's roughly
150,000.
>> Folks on snap in Duval
County. You have a follow-up.
>> Thank you very much. Final
3 speakers are Suzanne
Pickett. Nelson, France. Gail
Chisholm, I have your request
for me at believe you say on
your that you do not wish to
speak. If you all can make
your way to the podium. We
have no more speakers members.
That speakers list it on the
agenda. Members. Are there any
announcements? Representative
Hinson you're recognized.
Thank you. MADAM Speaker don't
necessarily have an
announcement, but I guess the
county is this is my last
delegation meeting.
>> And I just want to say that
he's been an honor and a
privilege to serve you all as
a state representative here in
Duval County. I want to thank
The general public for coming.
And voicing your concerns and
your issues. And I want to
remind you all that your voice
is your power and then it. At
the end of the day, despite
what is coming out of
Tallahassee, we work for you
all. And so it is very
important for you all to make
sure that you hold us
accountable. Demand the
meetings, demand the town
halls. And, you know, it is
also important to know,
organize people. We'll push
back against organize money
any day and you need to make
sure that again that you're
holding us accountable because
we did take an oath to help
improve the quality of life
for you all. And if we are not
acting accordingly, then you
need to let us know, right? So
I would urge you all to
continue to work together
collectively demand that all.
Floridians have the
opportunity to live healthy,
prosperous and safe and no
longer just survive but
thrive. Again, I just I'm just
I've been so honored to
represent you all. And I look
forward to continuing to be on
the front lines with you all.
Thank you. Thank you.
Representative missing. I do
have one other car that was
just handed to me. Gloria, I'd
>> If you're here, if you can
make your way towards the
podium. That is our final
speaker. You're recognized.
>> And I apologize for missing
bunch. Earlier in a way in.
Missed apprehend the time of
the meeting I want to speak
about redistricting. First and
co-location. If. I suppose
everyone here remembers that
the redistricting, after the
census, the legislature, but
they had gone as far as
permissible. And the governor.
Bush even more he tearing me
and her. Our legislative maps
do represent voters. To
consider making them even
representative. Would be a
answer to the people of
Florida. The people. I'm also
up worker is see the people
come out and vote. They
deserve a chance to have their
votes counted fairly in their
district. There's no. Be sent
to redistrict even further at
this point. Let's wait for the
senses. See what it tells us.
And then hopefully doing their
job in the next decade. As for
colocation, the legislature
will have a chance to walk
that back. It is a recipe for
chaos. Our schools. It is an
invitation or for-profit
corporations. To use the space
and the facilities that the
public is paid for, but their
profit making operations. And
to further undermine our
public schools and our
children's education. So I
hope that the legislature will
realize that a mistake has
been made and corrected in
this session. Thank you. Thank
you very much. Italian
speakers. Is that ok? Very
good. Members. That concludes
the speaker's listed on agenda
in the additional speakers
members. Are there any
announcements?
>> But thank you But I also
like to thank the staff and
the jso for being here today.
Members that concludes our
agenda, seeing no further
business Representative Baker
moves that we rise. Without
objection. We are