This week, we received the great news that Florida will receive a historic $1.2 billion to deliver dependable, high-speed internet across the state — including Central Florida’s rural areas. I voted for the new Infrastructure Law which made this possible.

We were proud to inform the Orlando Commission of the $1 million budget request approval for Poitras Park—Lake Nona. We also discussed securing over $200 million for Orlando International Airport, over $50 million for affordable housing, $6.7 million for veterans re-housing, and $16 million to expand Brightline/SunRail to Tampa and keep the City of Orlando moving forward.

Team Soto attended the Osceola County School Board meeting to welcome new Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff and inform the board that our budget request for the Innovative Youth Entrepreneurship Education Program (the “Business Academy”) has been approved. This $953,000 investment will build workforce skills, promote youth entrepreneurship, and expose underserved students to career pathways available to Osceola students. We also secured $2 million to build sidewalks for Deerwood Elementary in Poinciana.

We hosted a roundtable with local healthcare professionals, elected officials, and advocates. We must work together to address the Medicaid de-enrollment crisis in our state and ensure health care is accessible to all Floridians. 

We are proud of Lake Nona High School for getting funding for their own Farm Bot. This will allow the next generation of farmers, engineers, plant scientists, and coders to gain first-hand experience in agriculture to help feed America.

Team Soto recognized 10 Central Florida community leaders for Caribbean Heritage Month. We are proud of our Caribbean brothers and sisters and embrace our rich culture in the community.

We commemorated Pride Month by honoring local leaders in the LGBTQ community. Central Florida is lucky for their hard work and dedication to our community.

I also had the honor of joining Padre Jose Rodriguez and Congressman Maxwell Frost to recognize outstanding Central Floridians for Immigrant Heritage Month. Their contributions have made our diverse community and nation better places to live.

We had an important meeting with our Justice Advisory Board to learn more from Judge Latimore and Public Defender Kustin about veteran’s court, adult drug court, and other problem-solving courts that give folks second chances to become productive, law-abiding citizens.

Team Soto attended the grand opening of our new Osceola fire station on Boggy Creek Road. We were honored to work with Commissioner Ricky Booth and the Osceola Fire Department to deliver a $5.4 million federal SAFER grant to hire firefighters for the new station.

It was an honor to attend the retirement ceremony for Osceola School District Superintendent Debra Pace. We are grateful for her years of dedication to our children and teachers. Our community will forever be better due to her service. Team Soto flew a flag over the Capitol to recognize her work in Central Florida.

Adelene Bay was an amazing resident of Kissimmee for 35 years and is remembered for her volunteering. I had the honor of presenting her family with a flag flown over the Capitol in her memory.

We are grateful that the Walmart in Kissimmee is one of two HIV specialty pharmacies in our region. It is crucial for us to work together to improve access to education, services, and resources for people living with HIV in our community.

Team Soto is hard at work in our district connecting with the community. We are here to serve FL-09 and are grateful for the opportunity to do so.

Poinciana, Team Soto is here to help! We are holding weekly office hours at the Poinciana Branch Library on Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by to see how we can help you resolve issues with federal agencies or obtain federal benefits.

American manufacturing is back and stronger than ever. Thanks to the Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, we're witnessing job creation and increased investment across the country and right here in Central Florida.

We secured an extension of the special health care enrollment period from March 31, 2023, through July 31, 2024 for those affected by the end of pandemic-related Medicaid continuous coverage.

Toxic-exposed veterans in Central Florida deserve to access all their rightfully earned benefits without issue.

Veterans are encouraged to file claims by August 10 to have their benefits, if granted, backdated to August 10, 2022 — the day that President Biden signed the bill into law.

For more information, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-698-2411.

There has been an increase in PACT Act-related email, phone, and social media scams targeting veterans by offering to submit claims on their behalf. Click here to learn more.

Veterans can now receive no-cost emergency mental health care at VA or non-VA healthcare facilities. Veterans can use this benefit whether or not they are enrolled in the VA system. This new policy will save lives.

Last year, House Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act. This year, millions of seniors will no longer have to ration their insulin because they can’t afford it. Just this week, insulin producer Eli Lilly said they are reducing their price by 70% with a $35 cap.

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