Funding the Future of Central Florida

Dear friends and neighbors,

This week, we had the honor of presenting the City of Kissimmee and the Osceola School Board with more funds to develop community projects in our district. It's thanks to these funds — which we secured in the FY2022 budget — that the City of Kissimmee will receive $1 million to update the historic Berlinsky Community House. Once the improvements are complete, the building will function as a cultural programming destination downtown. Another recipient, the Osceola County School Board, will be able to use $461,001 to upgrade NeoCity Academy — the school district's first STEM magnet high school. Now, students will have a myriad of paid internship opportunities to learn about advanced manufacturing, biomedical engineering, and cybersecurity.

As you'll see below, Team Soto was honored to host Representative Tony Gonzales around Central Florida for our Bipartisan Policy Center American Congressional Exchange (BPCACE) trip. Our first stop was the Dundee Citrus Growers Association. After talking with the growers about the issues the industry is facing, we rode the SunRail, visited Lake Toho and restored parts of the Kissimmee River, met with Valencia College students, got a closer look at SkyWater's semiconductor manufacturing facility, spoke to veterans at the Lake Nona VA Medical Center, and took a tour of Orlando International Airport's Terminal C expansion — the largest expansion project ever undertaken at the airport. During the trip, Congressman Gonzales and I discussed the growth happening in Central Florida and ways in which we could work to make the district even better through bipartisan cooperation. We would like to thank the Bipartisan Policy Center for organizing this BPCACE trip and Congressman Gonzales for spending the day in Central Florida with Team Soto. I look forward to visiting Texas' 23rd Congressional District in the near future to learn about the issues affecting San Antonians.

During the week, I also had the chance to visit several Hispanic-owned small businesses in the district. We visited local owner Oscar Piñeda and other downtown Haines City small businesses. I was happy to tell them we just brought back $750,000 in federal funds for a new fire station and are working on bringing the SunRail to their backyard.

We took a pitstop while visiting small businesses and went to our local Davenport RaceTrac. This station opened in 2021 to more efficiently serve commercial truckers and improve the supply chain. We are grateful that they employ nearly 400 people in our district.

On top of this, I would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Wiltz for the amazing tour of the Central Florida Animal Reserve in Osceola County. We appreciate their rescue and preservation efforts to keep majestic large cats safe. I look forward to working with them on the Big Cat Public Safety Act and the America COMPETES Act to protect the public and promote conservation.

As we continue facing COVID-19, please remember that the best way to keep you and your family safe is to get vaccinated and get tested. Households are now able to order four free at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The helpline to assist those unable to navigate the website can be reached at 800-232-0233.

The Biden-Harris Administration has also committed to sending N95 masks to local health centers across the country.

If you haven't already, please get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect yourself, your family, and your community. COVID-19 vaccines are available to all Americans at no cost, regardless of their health insurance or immigration status. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines and to find an appointment near you, please visit vaccines.gov.

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Working for the District

Funding the Future of Central Florida

Team Soto had the honor of presenting the City of Kissimmee and the Osceola County School Board with more funds to develop community projects in our district. These investments will help Central Florida become a better place to live.

Thanks to the funds we secured in the FY2022 budget, the City of Kissimmee received $1 million to update the Berlinsky Community House. Once the improvements are complete, the building will function as a downtown cultural programming destination.

The Osceola County School District will be able to use $461,001 to upgrade NeoCity Academy — the school district's first STEM magnet high school. Now, students will have paid internship opportunities to learn about advanced manufacturing, engineering, biomedical engineering, and cybersecurity.

Showing Congressman Tony Gonzales Around FL-09

I was honored to host Representative Tony Gonzales around Central Florida for our Bipartisan Policy Center American Congressional Exchange (BPCACE) trip. Our first stop was the Dundee Citrus Growers Association. The growers told us they are facing a difficult year due to greening and industry supply issues. We will continue supporting them.

We also took the SunRail from Poinciana to the Kissimmee station to speak with representatives at Amtrak about exciting new developments in transportation.

After a meeting with the South Florida Water Management District to learn about wildlife and the ecosystem of the cypress forests and swamps, we took a helicopter ride over Lake Tohopekaliga and a restored section of the Kissimmee River.

We then went to Valencia College for a working lunch with representatives from Lockheed Martin and Custom Metal Designs — a small business in Central Florida that focuses on industrial automation. At Valencia, students can earn industry-recognized certifications and begin a career in manufacturing.

Our next stop was NeoCity. We discussed their plan to combine manufacturing, economic development, and job creation while connecting the community and promoting the region. During our tour of SkyWater, we also got a closer look at their semiconductor manufacturing facility.

Veterans are a major part of our Central Florida community, so I am honored that we had the opportunity to tour the Lake Nona VA Medical Center and speak to veterans receiving care. They proudly serve 400,000 veterans in Central Florida and provide exceptional services.

We wrapped up our eventful day with a tour of Orlando International Airport's Terminal C expansion — the largest expansion project ever undertaken at the airport. When it opens this summer, it will feature state-of-the-art technology to accommodate an additional 10-12 million annual passengers.

Thanks to the Bipartisan Policy Center for organizing this BPCACE trip and Representative Tony Gonzales for spending the day in Central Florida with Team Soto. I look forward to visiting Texas' 23rd Congressional District in the near future to learn about the issues affecting San Antonians.

Visiting Hispanic Small Businesses

We had the chance to visit local business owner Oscar Piñeda and other downtown Haines City small businesses. We just brought $750,000 in federal funds for a new fire station here. Now, we are working on bringing the SunRail too.

Visiting RaceTrac in Davenport

It was a pleasure visiting our local Davenport RaceTrac this week. This station opened in 2021 to more efficiently serve commercial truckers and improve supply chain. We are grateful that they employ nearly 400 people in our district.

Big Fun with Big Cats

We had an amazing tour of Central Florida Animal Reserve in Osceola County. We appreciate their rescue and preservation efforts to keep these majestic large cats safe. I look forward to working with them on the Big Cat Public Safety Act and the America COMPETES Act to protect the public and promote conservation.

Hosting a Small Business/High Tech Town Hall

Future Forum Vice Chair Haley Stevens and I brought Florida tech leaders together to talk about how the America COMPETES Act will increase microchip production, promote universal high-speed internet, train future leaders, and connect communities through high-speed rail.

NEW: Homeowner Assistance Fund

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has announced the opening of the federally funded Homeowner Assistance Fund to provide assistance to homeowners for mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, and displacements, as well as loss of utilities, home energy services, and insurance.

Eligible homeowners must:

Have experienced financial hardship after, or that continued after, January 21, 2020
Meet income qualifications
Be a homeowner and be requesting assistance for your primary residence

Established under Section 3206 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, HAF provides $676,102,379 in financial assistance to the state of Florida through the United States Department of the Treasury. DEO has been designated to manage and operate HAF on behalf of the state of Florida. Financial assistance will be provided based on the needs of homeowners in Florida.

Click here to register

COVID-19 Testing in the District

It is incredibly important that anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 gets tested. Tests in Osceola, Polk, and Orange county are free of charge.

In Polk County, testing is provided at the following location:

Auburndale Testing Center - 245 E Lake Ave, Auburndale, FL 33823
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Appointments are REQUIRED. To schedule an appointment please call (863) 519-7911

In Osceola County, testing is provided by appointment only at these locations.

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in the District

All Floridians five years of age and older are eligible to pre-register for a vaccine appointment NOW. After registration, individuals will be notified when appointments become available in their area.

Please visit this website to monitor updates provided by the state and do your part to end this pandemic and return to prosperity!

Pre-register here

If you live in Orange County, please continue to use their website.

In Polk County, The Florida Department of Health is providing COVID-19 vaccines to those wanting one from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:

Mondays - Lakeland Health Department, 3241 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland
Wednesdays - Auburndale Testing location, 245 E. Lake Ave. in Auburndale
Fridays - Haines City Health Department, 1700 Baker Ave. E. in Haines City

COVID-19 Vaccines by County

As COVID-19 infections rise in Central Florida, we are working with local officials to provide up-to-date information on vaccinations. For more information on your county's distribution plans, please visit the websites linked below.

Orange County

Osceola County

Polk County

Florida has many sites that are providing COVID-19 vaccines. Appointments may be required and vaccine availability will vary from day to day and week to week.

Click here for a full list of vaccine sites in Florida

Click here for a vaccine finder

Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccinations and Community Vaccination Sites

Many local pharmacies and community sites are offering the COVID-19 vaccine. As we receive more information, we will update our list to ensure that everyone has access to these vaccination opportunities. At the moment, vaccinations are available at:

Publix

ALL Publix locations will be offering the COVID-19 vaccine
To register, please click here

CVS

To register, please click here

Walmart

Supercenter 1086, located at 4400 13th Street, Saint Cloud, FL 34769
Supercenter 817, located at 4444 W Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Supercenter 725, located at 36205 US Highway 27, Haines City, FL 33844
Supercenter 859, located at 2000 State Road 60 E, Lake Wales, FL 33898
Supercenter 3347, located at 7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33884
Supercenter 5420, located at 3250 Vineland Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Neighborhood Market 5846, located at 3183 West Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Neighborhood Market 5265, located at 2125 Nolte Road, Saint Cloud, FL 34772
Neighborhood Market 4159, located at 2850 E Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34743
To register, please click here

Sam’s Club

Sam's 4782, located at 4763 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34746
To determine eligibility and register, please click here

Winn-Dixie

To register, please click here

Central Florida Health Care

Call 866-234-8534 to be connected to a convenient site

FDOH Orange County - Night Lite Pediatrics Urgent Care

Located at 1267 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Individuals can schedule an appointment here or by calling 407-569-0220

Centro Cristiano Dios De Pactos Church

Located at 1130 Simmons Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744
Vaccinations provided by appointment only
Individuals can pre-register here

Orlando VA Healthcare System at Lake Nona*

Located at 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, FL 32827
Appointments and walk-ins are available

Orlando VA Healthcare System at Lake Baldwin*

Located at 5201 Raymond Street, Orlando, FL 32803

*To schedule an appointment, call (407)631-0499

Resources for Veterans

We encourage you to take a moment today to check in with a veteran this week. You can direct them to mental health resources listed here.

Summer 2022 Internships

Rental Assistance for Central Floridians

The programs below have been established to help residents in Polk, Orange, and Osceola Counties with rental and housing costs.

**NEW** Orlando COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance

For additional information and to apply, please click here.
Eligible households can receive up to 18 months of unpaid rent.

Orange County Emergency Rental Assistance Program

For additional information and to apply, please click here.

Osceola County Emergency Rental Assistance/Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention

To access assistance, please click here.

Osceola County COVID-19 Elderly & Disabled Housing/ Utility Assistance Program

Up to six months of assistance available
Must be 62 years of age or older or permanently disabled
Paper applications only. Packets will be available at Osceola County Human Services (1392 E. Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34744) on:
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (8:30 a.m. – noon)
Tuesdays and Thursdays (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Payments will be made directly to the mortgage company/landlord and utility company
If you have any questions regarding the program, please call 407-742-8403

What’s needed?
Driver’s license or state of Florida identification card
Current lease or mortgage statement in applicants/co-applicants name
Utility bill in applicants/co-applicants name
W-9 form from landlord, property manager, or mortgage company
SSDI eligibility documentation

Polk County Eviction Prevention Program

For additional information and to apply, please click here.

The Florida Department of Children and Families has launched the OUR Florida rental assistance program to provide rental and utility assistance to families in need. To verify eligibility and apply, please click here or call (833)493-0594 from 7 a.m. — 6 p.m. EST.

If you need help with utilities, please click here to access information from the United Way.

Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

The U.S. Department of Treasury has collected websites associated with grantees’ Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) programs to help tenants and landlords find rental assistance programs in their local areas. Click here for more information.

Special Open Enrollment Period

IRS Taxpayer Experience Days

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices. For more information, visit this website.

Any household with an individual who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is eligible to receive discounted internet service through the ACP. Social Security doesn’t count ACP assistance as income or a resource for SSI purposes. Receipt of this assistance will not affect your SSI payment. Click here for more information from the Social Security Administration.

“We’ve Opened Safely” Program

Osceola County is working to promote safety and consumer confidence as businesses start to re-open in our district. The county is also allocating funding towards an emergency grant program for locally owned and independently operated small businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic. Click here for more information.

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Cost Reimbursement

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. For further information, please click here.

Fraud Alert: FEMA has received reports of scammers reaching out to people offering to register them for funeral assistance. FEMA has not sent any such notifications and will not contact people prior to them registering for assistance.

I am proud to be your representative and look forward to our continued efforts to improve our district! Please do not hesitate to call my office with any questions or concerns.

In Community,