August 20, 2023 - Mayfield Minute_Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday

Mayfield Minute - August 20, 2023 - Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday

Good Morning!

As a reminder hurricane season is still upon us. Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association forecasters increased the likelihood of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season to 60%, doubling their outlook issued in May, which predicted a 30% chance of above-normal activity.

According to the Climate Center at Florida State University, the peak of hurricane season in Florida occurs between mid-August and late October as the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters are warm enough to support the development of tropical waves.

Individuals and families in Florida can purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from sales tax during the State's second 2023 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday which begins Saturday, August 26th and runs through Friday, September 8th.

For more information about eligible items to protect your family, home, property, or business, click here.

I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for the Mayfield Minute.

If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My staff and I are here to serve you!

Statewide Update

Florida’s AAA Credit Rating Ranks Higher than the Nation

After downgrading the nation’s credit rating from AAA to AA+, Fitch Rating affirmed Florida’s AAA credit rating, the highest rating available. Florida has maintained the highest rating category by the three major credit rating agencies for five consecutive years.

Some of the criteria to reach a perfect AAA score include:

Sound fiscal responsibility
Early debt repayment
Financial flexibility during economic downturns
Broad expenditure and revenue controls
Robust financial reserves

“Today’s announcement reinforces that Florida’s track record of conservative policy, early debt repayment, and strong reserves is the blueprint for states and the federal government to follow,” said Governor DeSantis. “As excessive spending and irresponsible governance ballooned our nation’s debt to the detriment of its credit rating, Florida remains the standard-bearer for smart fiscal policy.”

To read the full report, click here.

Florida’s Private Sector Job Growth Rate is Five Times Faster than the Nation’s

The State’s economic stability and workforce confidence led to the strongest month for job growth since September 2022. The private sector job growth rate increased by 0.5 percent (+42,800 jobs) in July 2023, five times faster than the national rate of 0.1 percent over the same period.

Florida’s July unemployment rate was 2.7 percent marking 33 consecutive months below the national unemployment rate of 3.5 percent, and 14 consecutive months as the lowest among the nation’s 10 largest states.

“For the last four years, Florida has led the nation with more than 2.5 million new business formations and over 1 million Floridians joining the workforce,” said Governor DeSantis.

He went on to say that the State's success is the direct result of freedom first policies that support business owners and job seekers along with record investments in workforce education and infrastructure.

In July, the education and health services sectors had the greatest gains adding 14.300 jobs from the previous month, followed by professional and business services adding 10,600 jobs, and trade, transportation, and utilities, adding 5,100 jobs.

Constituent of the Week

Ms. Jody Cassell

Our Constituent of the Week is Jody Cassell, Director of Conservation, for the Brevard Zoo.

Ms. Cassell has been with the Brevard Zoo for almost 19 years beginning as a Federal work-study student as she completed her degree in Psychology at the Florida Institute of Technology in 2007. She credits one of her favorite professors for encouraging her to study animal behavior which changed her life and professional path. After the completion of her work-study and receiving her degree she was hired full-time by the Brevard Zoo as the Assistant Director of Conservation, she then served as the Oyster Restoration Project Manager, and has held the position of Director of Conservation for the past eight years.

Ms. Cassell manages a conservation team of 16 members dedicated to improving critical habitats for species as tiny as the grasshopper sparrow bird and as large as the Florida manatee. She oversees local rescues and rehabilitation efforts, manatee releases, grants for conservation research projects, public awareness campaigns such as “Adopt-A-Mangrove” and she is a leader in Indian River Lagoon restoration efforts.

“I have the pleasure of working for a mission driven, conservation oriented, not-for-profit organization that allows me to build partnerships, and expand a well-established IRL restoration project," said Cassell.

Ms. Cassell added that the IRL is considered to be the most biologically diverse estuary in the continental United States and a Florida treasure.

“Sadly, it has been declared 'a lagoon in crisis' but with the support of our community, strong researchers and hard work it can be repaired, and I'm grateful to be an active part of these efforts,” Cassell said.

Her research and advocacy efforts have supported preservation of oyster beds, Florida scrub jay translocation, butterfly monitoring, and Eastern diamondback terrapin habitat restoration.

Additionally, the Brevard Zoo is building a manatee rehabilitation center to help the mammals receive care more quickly. Ms. Cassell, is leading the effort on the rehab center, which will be the first of its kind in the United States. The manatee center will evolve into a critical care facility which will be built at the zoo's future aquarium sight near Port Canaveral.

Ms. Cassell said, “I'm in the right spot at the right time. It truly is my life's dream to be able to make all of this work happen.”

Ms. Cassell was born in California, raised in Maryland, and moved to Florida about 20 years ago. She resides in Rockledge, has three children, and is working toward a personal goal of completing a hike of the nearly 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail.

District 19 is grateful for Ms. Cassell’s service to our community and her commitment to conservation, restoration, and preservation of our ecosystems and the environment.

District Highlights

Delta’s Propel Flight Academy Recently Opens for New Students in Vero Beach

With its new Propel Flight pilot training academy in Vero Beach, Delta Air Lines is seeking to decrease barriers to entry into the airline industry for aspiring pilots. Delta is attempting to reach a broader group of people and felt Vero Beach was the perfect place.

According to Delta representatives, “Regardless of whether Delta ever flies out of Vero Beach, the airline's goal is to eventually have one-third of all of its pilots learn their skills on the Treasure Coast.”

Students can apply to begin training with Delta's Propel Flight Academy which is offering up to $20,000.00 in financial support for eligible students. The pilot program includes simulation, laboratory, and airfield training.

For more information, click here.

Space Coast Intelligent Solutions Celebrates 15th Anniversary

Last week, local defense contractor Space Coast Intelligent Solutions (SCIS) celebrated their 15th anniversary since incorporation in Melbourne in 2008. SCIS provides hardware integration and software engineering services to the Department of Defense (DOD) and other agencies.

CEO James Ralph and Executive Vice President Brian Jaskiewicz formed the company after identifying a distinct need for a qualified small business to team with large contractors and to eventually be able to contract directly with the DOD.

SCIS leadership is quick to note that while 15 years is a huge milestone for the company, their success is "100% attributed to the talent of the team." SCIS employs 28 team members and is expected to continue to grow steadily.

“We’re happy with the rate we’ve grown. It’s allowed us to manage it responsibly,” Ralph said.

In addition to supporting the DOD mission on a national level, SCIS also gives back to the community through active support of the Brevard Zoo, Space Coast Women in Defense, and the Association of the U.S. Army.

For more information, click here.

Celebrity Cruises Equinox Cruise Ship to Move its Home Port from Port Everglades to Port Canaveral

Last week, Celebrity Cruises owned by the Royal Caribbean Group announced its Celebrity Equinox cruise ship will sail out of Port Canaveral with 20 new itineraries beginning November 21, 2024. Most cruises will be seven nights in length with destinations including the Bahamas, Belize, Grand Cayman, Mexico, San Juan, and St. Maarten. Celebrity Equinox also has two Spring Break season sailings scheduled for March 1st and March 15th, 2025 including exclusive visits to Royal Caribbean’s exclusive "Perfect Day at Coco Cay" island.

"We are thrilled to welcome Celebrity Cruises as our new partner and honored to be part of their Caribbean expansion plans,” said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. "With Celebrity Equinox homeported here, there are great opportunities for even more cruise travelers to experience the cruise line’s high-quality experience, while experiencing the comfort and ease of travel provided by our Port."

The Celebrity Equinox is smaller, described as more intimate, in comparison to the other ships homeported at Port Canaveral. The company reports that the Celebrity Equinox has 13 guest decks, 1,426 staterooms, a double-occupancy capacity of 2,852 passenger, a full capacity of 3,148 and a crew of 1,290, with 10 dining venues.

In comparison, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas has a double-occupancy capacity of 5,734 passengers and a full capacity of 7,084.

Celebrity was voted "Best Premium Cruise Line" for 15 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.

For more information and booking, click here.

Upcoming Events

Second Annual Viera Rock Fest

The second annual Viera Rock Fest will take place, rain or shine, on Saturday, August 26th beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the USSSA Stadium (5800 Stadium Parkway) in Melbourne.

This years performers include:

Positive Chaos, Daniel Jude, Jack Salter of Tru Phonic, Hot Pink, and Switch.

General admission tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased online here. Food and beverages will be available for purchase and parking is free of charge.

Last Call for the 2023 Space Coast Symposium

The Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2023 Space Coast Symposium on Friday, August 25th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Space Coast Convention Center (301 Tucker Lane) in Cocoa.

The annual event brings together local and international innovators that have established successful businesses right here in Brevard County. The symposium is an opportunity to learn directly from industry leaders regarding the future of sustainability, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality.

All participants will receive, The One Hour Book: How to Write your Book in Record Time Using Chat GPT, authored by presenter Terrace McMahon, Founder of AI Business Impact.

The cost for Chamber members is $40.00 and $45.00 for non-members and future members. If interested, please click here to register as remaining space is limited.

Record Sea Turtle Nesting and New Education Center Unveiling in Brevard County

Brevard County led the state, country, and most of the world with 50,000 sea turtle nests in 2022. According to the Sea Turtle Preservation Society (STPS), 2023 is shaping up to be a record year, with Green Sea Turtle nesting surpassing loggerheads.

The STPS Education Center will be holding an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated education center at the Turtle House (111 S. Miramar Avenue) in Indialantic on Wednesday, August 30th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Attendees will experience a new immersive sea turtle life-cycle journey including interactive displays, family-friendly captivating videos, games for children, life-size sea turtle models, and a loggerhead sea turtle nest model showcasing the egg-hatching and hatchling emergence process. STPS members, volunteers, and board members will be available to visit and answer questions.

For more information, click here.

74th Space Coast Honor Flight (SCHF) to Take Off September 9th

Volunteers Needed

SCHF's next flight to Washington, D.C. takes place on Saturday, September 9th. The Veterans will arrive at 1:45 a.m. and the 'Send Off Ceremony' begins at 2:15 a.m. If your schedule permits, please come out and support great Americans as they depart on their Honor Flight from Wickham Park Senior Center (2785 Leisure Way) in Melbourne. The Veterans will return to Wickham Park Senior Center on Sunday, September 10th at 12:45 a.m. for a 'Welcome Home' reception.

SCHF's mission is to take World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam Veterans to visit their War Memorials in our nation's Capital. This is a unique opportunity to show gratitude to the Heroes who made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we have every day.

SCHF has openings for Guardians, volunteers, new donors, and remaining seats for Veterans still interested in the Honor Flights taking place throughout the remainder of 2023. The organization is also requesting referrals if you know of a Veteran who may be interested in receiving an invitation to participate in an upcoming Honor Flight.

The criteria for Veteran participation includes:

1. Any Critically Ill Veteran

2. World War II Veterans (Service through 1948)

3. Korean War Veterans (Service 1949 to 1954)

4. Vietnam Veterans (Service 1955 to 1975)

5. Recent Conflicts (Service 1976 to present)

For more information, please visit the Space Coast Honor Flight website or email guardian@spacecoasthonorflight.org,