February 11, 2024 - Mayfield Minute

Mayfield Minute - February 11, 2024_Session Week 6

Good Morning!

Last week, on the Senate floor we recognized Development Disabilities Awareness Day with the unanimous passage of new legislation to support Floridians with developmental disabilities, their families, caregivers, advocates, and the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council.

SB 1758, sponsored by Senator Jason Brodeur, increases funding for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and expands support for individuals with disabilities and their families, a key goal of the Senate’s 2024 Live Healthy initiative led by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo.

I had an opportunity to meet JJ Holmes, recipient of the 15th Annual Idelio Valdes Leadership and Advocacy Award, the state’s top honor recognizing an individual with a developmental disability. JJ and his mother, Alison Holmes, joined us on the Senate floor during the passage of the legislation which will effectively streamline application processes and expedite services for the disabled and their selfless caregivers.

Additionally, we passed our balanced budget for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year which provides critical funding to preserve Florida’s natural resources, expands affordable housing, and enhances educational opportunities for students and families, in addition to a number of other measures.

We will now proceed with our conference process to reconcile the senate budget and house budget.

For more information on SB 1758 and the budget proposal, please see the Senate update below.

Lastly, I want to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you will have the opportunity to enjoy one of the many community events mentioned below in Upcoming Events.

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 $50 Million Investment in Manatee Protection is Proving Successful

Last week Governor DeSantis highlighted the State's lowest manatee death rate since 2017 as a result of $50 million in funding for the manatee protection program, and over $1.8 billion water quality improvements since 2019.

“Florida’s manatee population continues to strengthen because of our record investments in manatee protection programs and water quality improvements,” said Governor DeSantis. “I am grateful for FWC for their proactive rescue and rehabilitation efforts.”

The $50 million funded for the manatee protection program includes expanding and enhancing manatee rescue and rehabilitation efforts and providing habitat restoration in high manatee concentration areas. Additionally, $325 million has been invested to restore Florida’s iconic springs which manatees gravitate to in the winter months to stay warm.

Of the $1.8 billion Governor DeSantis approved for water quality improvement projects, over $163 million was dedicated to projects in the Indian River Lagoon with another $100 million pending in his Fiscal 2024-2025 budget.

Florida’s Prepaid College Program Enrollment Period is Open

Now is the time to start saving for your child’s future by enrolling in the Florida Prepaid College Plan. The open enrollment period began February 1, 2024 and extends through April 30, 2024. Prepaid Plan prices have been reduced up to 25% starting at $34 a month for newborns.

“Attending a college or university today is both a major milestone and a major expense in the lives of young Americans and their parents. Student debt is crippling to so many graduates just starting out in life, which is why planning for your child’s academic success through Florida Prepaid could be the major difference in ensuring they can contribute to our nation and our economy,” said Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis.

The Florida Prepaid program allows families to lock in future college costs for less eliminating worries of the cyclical stock market and annual tuition increases. Since all Florida Prepaid College Plans are guaranteed by the State of Florida, families can never lose their investment.

To learn more and devise a specific plan for your family, click here.

Measures to Combat Homelessness Proposed

Last week, Governor DeSantis announced his work with the Florida Legislature to keep Florida’s streets clean and safe as bills to combat homelessness progress through the 2024 legislative session.

“We cannot allow any city in Florida to become like San Francisco, where homelessness, drugs, and crime have decimated the quality of life, hurt the economy, and eroded freedom,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “In Florida we will continue to enact policies that promote accountability and community safety, unlike in California where they are promoting dangerous policies that harm their communities and economy.”

The proposal includes:

Prohibiting camping on city streets, sidewalks and parks
Creating state enforcement tools to ensure local governments comply
Increasing funding for homeless shelters, while requiring occupants to not use drugs and utilize workforce services
Increasing funding for substance abuse and mental health treatment

These proposals provide meaningful help to homeless individuals and protect Florida residents and visitors to our State. To read the full proposal, click here.

$4 Million Awarded to Indian River State College Through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund

A grant in the amount of $4 million was awarded to Indian River State College through the Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) to create advanced technology workforce development programs and build an innovative Center of Ballistics and Emerging Technology. The Center will produce safety and security equipment such as ballistic assault barriers to protect law enforcement and the military.

The grant will help to produce over 300 new advanced manufacturing-trained graduates over the next 10 years. Students will be able to take specific training in advanced manufacturing processes to gain transferable, marketable skills after graduation.

“While other parts of the nation turn their backs on the real threats our law enforcement officers face daily, in Florida, we are working alongside our state college leaders to teach students how to make products like ballistic vehicular glass that keeps our officers safe,” said Governor DeSantis. “Students will also benefit from these workforce education programs with skills they can use as they begin their careers.”

Since 2019, more than $195 million has been awarded through the Job Growth Grant Fund, making strategic investments in programs that build stronger communities and support workforce training across the state.

For more information on the Job Growth Grant Fund, click here.

Senate Update

Update on the Senate Budget

Last week, we passed our balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 with unanimous support.

The budget includes over $1.5 billion for Everglades restoration, conservation acquisitions, and programs to address flooding and sea level rise, and record funding for public education and school choice opportunities. Our budget also provides funding for a 2.5% increase in the base student allocation, investing over $400 million in voluntary prekindergarten programs, and nearly $300 million for school safety enhancements.

We are also continuing the commitment to expand Career and Technical Education Opportunities for all Floridians with funding for school districts, colleges, and universities to create or expand these vital programs.

Our budget remains true to Conservative ideals, paying off $455 million in state debt, accounting for significant tax relief, and setting aside record state reserves.

Week 5 Legislation Passed Off the Senate Floor

Affordable Housing:

We passed Senate Bill 328, sponsored by Senator Alexis Calatayud, with unanimous support.

SB 328 builds on legislation passed last session in SB 102 which expanded affordable housing opportunities in Florida. SB 102, the 2023 Live Local Act, provided historic funding and removed burdensome regulations to increase the stock of affordable workforce housing and provided critical funding for home-ownership and rental assistance programs.

SB 328 includes safeguards that ensure the affordable housing opportunities created meet the needs of Floridians versus opportunists who would use these reduced units to make a profit from vacation rentals.

Further, SB 328 provides an additional $100 million in funding for the Hometown Heroes Program.

Our goals are to ensure every Floridian seeking to live local in the community they serve has the opportunity to do so by increasing access to safe, attainable housing throughout the state.

SB 328 was referred to the Florida House for consideration.

Critical Support for Floridians with Disabilities:

We passed Senate Bill 1758, sponsored by Senator Jason Brodeur, with unanimous support. This legislation provides critical support for Floridians with disabilities and their caregivers.

SB 1758 expands eligibility for home and community-based services offered through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. This ensures that caregivers are provided with the necessary resources and support to continue providing quality care and the legislation helps families to stay together, even as the caregiver ages.

SB 1758 prioritizes home-based care options, modernizes the application process, and streamlines the timeline for Floridians looking to receive disability and critical services in a more efficient manner. SB 1758 is a key component of the Senate’s Live Healthy legislation aimed at growing the healthcare workforce, increasing access to care, and incentivizing innovation.

SB 1758 was referred to the Florida House for consideration.

My Safe Florida Home Enhancement:

We passed Senate Bill 7028, sponsored by Senator Jim Boyd, with unanimous support. SB 7028 enhances the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program, expands eligibility, and prioritizes Floridians on fixed- or low- income.

The MSFH program provides Floridians with grants to retrofit their homes with mitigation measures, reducing their vulnerability to hurricane damage, and potentially lowering the cost of insurance premiums. As of November 2023, the My Safe Florida Home Program has disbursed over $35 million to Floridians and has obligated another $181 million.

The program has proven to be successful as nearly half of Floridians who have completed the process have reported a decrease in the cost of their insurance premiums with an average discount of almost $1000 annually.

SB 7028 allows for reconsideration of previously declined applicants and expands the number of eligible Floridians. The legislation also specifies that low-income seniors applying for mitigations or grants receive priority status and empowers them to remain in their homes.

Finally, SB 7028 expands the list of eligible improvements to include exterior doors, garage doors, windows, and skylights.

SB 7028 was referred to the Florida House for consideration.

Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Senate Bill 7040 passed unanimously and I'm appreciative to the committee members and staff for including the amendment and substitute amendment I introduced.

SB 7040 ratifies the Department of Environmental Protection's rules relating to stormwater, a major contributor of nutrient pollution to waterbodies throughout the state. Approximately 35% of waterbodies are reportedly impaired impacting 87% of Florida's 67 counties.

Our stormwater systems serve as the primary mechanism for controlling the discharge of pollutants in our waterways and were believed to reduce pollutants by up to 80%. However, studies have shown that the presumptive design criteria and management practices under the current rules for stormwater systems removed only a limited amount of pollutants.

The revised rule with the amendment and substitute amendment include:

Requires modeling and calculations based on local conditions and runoff volumes rather than presumptive design criteria
Outlines new performance standards for all ERP stormwater systems
Creates new requirements for the maintenance and operation of these systems
Provides for more oversight by requiring periodic inspections and reporting
Grandfathers projects that are already approved under an unexpired permits and exempts them from the new requirement under the revised rules

The next stop for SB 7040 is the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Committees on Senate Judiciary and Criminal Justice

Senate Bill 888, sponsored by Senator Keith Perry, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice with strong support.

SB 888 enhances private property rights for Floridians and ensures that home or property owners have a clear avenue to deal with unauthorized individuals (squatters) on their property.

SB 888 provides the owner of a residential property the ability to request their County Sheriff to immediately remove an unauthorized person from that owner’s property usurping the current judicial process which can take months to resolve and extensive damage to the property.

Amended in the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, the legislation also enhances accountability and transparency in lease agreements providing security and rights to Floridians who provide housing opportunities to renters and their tenants.

The next stop for SB 888 is the Senate Rules Committee.

Constituent of the Week

Ms. Sandra Block

Our Constituent of the Week is Ms. Sandra Block, Volunteer with the Florida East Coast Chapter of Canine Companions.

The Florida East Coast Chapter of Canine Companions encompasses Brevard and Indian River counties. Their mission is to support the nonprofit Canine Companions through puppy raising, fun events, and community awareness. Recently the organization became a provider of therapy dogs to comfort staff and patients, those in recovery or rehabilitation, and the families of patients treated at Health First hospitals and its affiliated medical centers.

Ms. Block personifies the Canine Companions’ mission and has become a treasured local resource and volunteer for the organization. She is one of the most highly skilled dog and puppy trainers in the region with a commitment and compassion to help those with disabilities find more independence. Ms. Block embarked on her journey as a puppy and dog trainer after having her own dog, Star, as a LIFE-saving medical alert dog.

The canines Ms. Block trains are expertly bred Labradors and Golden Retrievers and they are individually tested and selected for persons with a disability at no cost to the recipient. As a puppy raiser, Ms. Block serves as a matchmaker to provide a forever companion to the vulnerable.

She is always seen with a canine companion, future service dog, or her new certified therapy dog, Vista and eager to talk with anyone interested in learning about Canine Companions.

The expertly trained puppies have a demeanor for socialization, the ability to learn home living skills, and an aptitude to master initial and advanced commands. Her trainees are taught to assist wounded veterans, provide support for those living with PTSD, wheelchair bound individuals, autistic and trauma patients, among others in need. Some of the services the canines provide include retrieving items, the ability to close and open doors, turn lights on and off, and the instinct to quickly recognize and provide deep pressure therapy and comfort for those experiencing terror, tremors, nightmares, and anxiety.

She is currently awaiting the arrival of an eight-week old puppy which will be her 10th dog. Every new puppy is a mixed blessing as she knows once the canine is trained to its potential she will have to part ways. However, that same puppy will serve as a life changing companion for a child, a Veteran, a Senior, or individual in need.

To date, Ms. Block has successfully trained two hearing service dogs, one wheelchair assistance, two skill companion dogs, and her newly certified therapy dog who can regularly be found comforting individuals and families throughout Health First facilities.

Ms. Block is originally from Indiana and she lived in Pennsylvania before following her parents to Indian River County in 1988. She is a single mom, the former Finance and HR Manager for the United Way, and has served with the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast for years. Her colleagues at Health First speak incredibly highly of her as being “special, particularly skilled” and masterful in puppy training.

There are many ways to learn more about Canine Companions, to sponsor a puppy, help an individual gain personal independence with a canine companion, or to donate by clicking here.

Ms. Block's selfless and compassionate service is a great benefit to those in need throughout Brevard and Indian River counties.

District Highlights

SpaceX Dragon Capsule Carrying Crew of Four from the ISS Splashes Down off Daytona Beach

A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying four astronauts splashed down off the coast of Daytona Beach early Friday, February 9th concluding a 21-day mission to the International Space Station for the private company, Axiom Space. The Ax-3’s Crew Dragon capsule and astronauts were successfully retrieved by a SpaceX recovery team standing by.

Axiom Space reports that the three-week mission is their longest private flight for Axiom Space with SpaceX since the missions began in 2022. This was SpaceX’s first private all-European mission.

The four astronauts performed 56 scientific experiments in physics and space medicine to better understand human physiology on Earth and in orbit. The mission was commanded by Michael Lopez-Alegria, the only person to have ever flown Space X’s Dragon to orbit twice.

SpaceX's first ever launch from Kennedy Space Center occurred on February 19, 2017 and last year, the company completed a record number of 72 launches, proving its commitment to making an historic impact in the space industry from Brevard County.

For more information on this record-setting achievement, click here.

National Transportation Safety Board Investigating January Brightline Accidents Found Drivers "Went Around" Gates

According to investigators at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the two fatal incidents (January 10, and January 12, 2024) at the railroad crossing at W.H. Jackson Street, just south of downtown Melbourne and West of U.S. 1, were due to drivers going around the gates lowered for an oncoming Brightline train.

According to local media, "The initial reports do not indicate any fault by the Brightline train engineers or safety equipment at the crossings." The investigation remains ongoing and may result in NTSB recommendations for further safety measures addressing railway grade crossings.

Since the incidents, the railroad crossing at W.H. Jackson Street, just south of downtown Melbourne and West of U.S. 1, is the first location in the county where red-light cameras have been installed.

“The cameras are designed to take a video of motorists who drive their vehicles through the rail crossing when the red lights are flashing or the crossing arms are down. The motorists will be mailed a notice that includes a still photo from the video, and the information will be forwarded to the Melbourne Police Department (MPD),” according to a Brightline spokesperson.

Enforcement of incidents caught on the cameras may be executed by the Florida Ease Coast Railroad police or by MPD if infractions occur in sight of a police.

Approximately 32 Brightline trains pass through Brevard County to and from Miami and the Orlando International Airport every day. Additionally, Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) operates freight trains through Brevard County daily.

Other measures Brightline is taking to prevent accidents in Brevard include flexible barriers between traffic lanes, a public safety campaign, quad gates which deploy on all lanes of traffic in either direction for trains traveling at greater than 79 miles per hour, and new fencing. All measures are designed to prevent drivers from attempting to navigate through the the path of an oncoming train, and to urge pedestrians to stay far away the tracks as a train is approaching.

Brevard County Announces Teacher of the Year

Deborah Price of Riviera Elementary School is Brevard Schools Teacher of the Year

Ms. Price, a educator for over 25 years, is a sixth grade English and Language Arts teacher at Riviera Elementary School in Palm Bay.

She was named Brevard's representative for the 2017 Florida Reading Association Elementary Reading Teacher of the Year. In addition, she is a two-time winner of the Florida Department of Education's High Impact Teacher distinction and was awarded the Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grant in 2019.

Her principal, Mary Myers, describes her as a teacher with grit, determination, and resiliency.

According to Brevard Public Schools, ‘Teacher of the Year’ is an annual honor granted to a teacher in every Florida school district and allows the recipient to represent their county at the state level. Ms. Price will next be considered for the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education award. Recipients of this prestigious recognition are able to act as a representative and spokesperson for educators throughout the state.

Congratulations to Ms. Price for her decades of service to our students and we wish her the great success as she pursues additional recognitions at the State level.

Upcoming Events

Valentine Events in Brevard County

There are many ways to celebrate this Valentine’s Day with your loved one beyond just February 14th. See below for local events:

‘Sincerely Yours’ at the Henegar Center

A musical revue of notable love longs will be performed at the Henegar Center (625 E. New Haven Avenue) in Melbourne at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, February 14th thru 17th and 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 18th. General admission tickets are $35 and VIP tickets for couples that include champagne, roses and dessert are $100.

For more information, call 321-723-8698 or click here.

‘Love on the Rocks’ at Surfside Playhouse

The Fearless Improv Brigade performs a night of comedy at Surfside Playhouse (301 Ramp Road) in Cocoa Beach on Saturday, February 17th at 8:00 p.m. The audience will get to participate by suggesting scenes, characters, and scenarios. General admission tickets are $15.

For more information, call 321-783-3127 or click here.

Sweetheart Tea at the Pritchard House

An afternoon tea and tour will be held at the historic Pritchard House (424 South Washington Avenue) in Titusville on Saturday, February 17th at 2:00 p.m. Admission is $35, and reservations are required.

For more information, call 321-607-0203 or email thepritchardhouse@yahoo.com.

Post-Valentine’s Concert in Titusville

Sean C. Stork and Ali Molnar will perform a concert of love songs at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church (1255 Knox McCrae Drive) in Titusville, on Saturday, February 17th at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $15, which includes the concert, dessert and beverages.

For more information, call 321-269-3260.

Singing Valentines with the Harbor City Harmonizers

The Harbor City Harmonizers are offering a different way to surprise your significant other for Valentine’s. You can purchase a singing Valentine performed by the tuxedoed barbershop quartet to serenade your partner with two love songs on February 12th thru February 14th. The cost is $45 or $60 if you want a performance delivered within 30 minutes.

Call 321-259-7953, email sv@hcharmonizers.org, or click here to schedule.

Eastern Florida State College Annual Backyard BBQ and Family Fest

The 8th annual EFSC Backyard BBQ and Family Fest will take place on Saturday, February 17th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the EFSC Melbourne Campus (3865 N. Wickham Road). Proceeds from the event will benefit EFSC student scholarships and other college initiatives.

Attendees can sample and vote on delicious BBQ cooked and served by numerous local teams vying for the $1,500 “Grand Champion” prize and coveted “People’s Choice Award.”

The admission price of $15 includes the Red, White & Wheels Car Show presented by the EFSC Collegiate Veterans Society, food trucks, a Kid Zone, and live music by HOT PINK!

For more information, call 321-433-7055 or click here.

Town of Melbourne Beach Nature Day

The Town of Melbourne Beach Nature Day on Saturday, February 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Community Center at Ryckman Park (509 Ocean Avenue) in Melbourne Beach.

Some of the activities include a Rain Barrel workshop, native plant giveaway, and environmental presentations with speakers from the Marine Resources Council, Brevard County Natural Resources Management Department, Brevard Zoo, Recycle Brevard, Sea Turtle Preservation Society, and the Florida Wildlife Hospital. Presentation topics include: mangroves, IRL projects update, aquarium project, recycling do's and don'ts, sea turtles, whales, manta rays, and boats, wildlife assistance.

Children's activities and food trucks will also be available. For more information and the schedule of events, visit facebook.com/MelBchEAB.