July 2, 2023 - Mayfield Minute

Mayfield Minute - July 2, 2023 - Fourth of July

Good Morning!

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate the 4th of July, let us take a moment to reflect on the importance of our independence and the sacrifices that were made for our nation's freedom.

Independence Day marks the historic date in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. The written declaration stated that the American colonies were tired of being ruled by Great Britain. They wanted to become their own country and the declaration represents a severing of ties from the rule of Great Britain. The 4th of July also represents the core of our beliefs and the very makeup of our identity as citizens of the United States of America.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal. . . ."

Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

"If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."

President Ronald Reagan

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Statewide Update

Over 2,265 Bonuses Awarded to New Law Enforcement Recruits in 1st Year of Governor’s Recruitment Bonus Program

Florida has issued more than 2,265 bonuses in one year through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program, with new recruits and law enforcement officers moving to Florida from 48 states and two U.S. territories, including 230 from California, New York, and Pennsylvania. Each of the 2,265 law enforcement officers received a $5,000 bonus after taxes, bringing the total amount awarded to more than $15 million through the program in fiscal year 2022-2023.

“Through the Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program, we are ensuring that our law enforcement officers don’t have to think twice about the decision to support their families in a state that puts them first,” said Governor DeSantis. “Florida’s law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and I am proud that Florida’s reputation proceeds itself as 668 out-of-state law enforcement recruits have chosen to practice this noble profession in Florida.”

For more information about the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program, click here.

First Lady Casey DeSantis Highlights the Success of "Continue the Mission" on the One-Year Anniversary of Its Launch

First Lady DeSantis, the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA), celebrated the one-year anniversary of her "Continue the Mission" initiative. "Continue the Mission" actively recruits veterans, military spouses, and former law enforcement officers to be child and adult protective investigators and case managers, as well as mentors to children in need, new case managers, and child and adult protective investigators. Since the launch, approximately 100 qualified candidates have been hired.

“As a mama, I know how important it is that we choose the most qualified individuals to ensure the safety and protection of Florida’s children,” said First Lady DeSantis. “We are proud of the tremendous response we have received to the "Continue the Mission" initiative from veterans, their spouses, and retired law enforcement officers who have chosen to utilize their unique skill sets and accomplishments to serve in a new way. These exemplary men and women are truly an asset in the child welfare space, and I look forward to this initiative’s ongoing success as recruitment and onboarding efforts continue across our state.”

For more information about "Continue the Mission" including upcoming hiring fairs, click here.

Governor DeSantis Approved the Following Bills Agreed Upon by the FL Senate and FL House

Since we last reported in the June 25th edition of the Mayfield Minute, some of the bills Governor DeSantis signed include:

CS/CS/HB 1045 – Certified Peer Specialist Gateway Pilot Program

CS/CS/HB 1119 – Withholding or Withdrawal of Life-Prolonging Procedures

CS/HB 1203 – Registrations and Transfers of Health, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning System Manufacturer Warranties

CS/HB 1205 – Advertisement for Legal Services

CS/HB 1353 – Commercial Financing Product Brokers and Providers

CS/HB 125 – Utility System Rate Base Values

CS/CS/HB 387 – Medical Use of Marijuana

CS/CS/HB 1405 – Biosolids

HB 1459 – Registration Fees for Malt Beverage Brands and Labels

CS/CS/HB 1573 – Continuing Care Providers

CS/HB 1575 – Public Safety Emergency Communications System

CS/HB 27 – Judgment Liens

CS/HB 1301 – Parenting and Time-Sharing of Minor Children

CS/HB 1571 – Juvenile Court Proceedings

CS/HB 1577 – Crime Victim Compensation Claims

CS/SB 164 – Controlled Substance Testing

C CS/SB 210 – Substance Abuse Services

CS/CS/SB 1676 – Hemp

HB 7027 – Ratification of Rules of the Department of Environmental Protection

HB 1373 – County Constitutional Officers

CS/CS/HB 1471 – Health Care Provider Accountability

CS/CS/SB 250 – Natural Emergencies

CS/CS/SB 718 – Local Government

CS/HB 1417 – Residential Tenancies

CS/CS/HB 1191 – Use of Phosphogypsum

CS/HB 1275 – Persons with Disabilities Registry

CS/CS/SB 170 – Local Ordinances

CS/SB 1278 – Direct-Support Organizations

CS/CS/HB 1121 – Florida Retirement System

CS/SB 1416 – Dissolution of Marriage

Constituent of the Week

Rear Admiral James Underwood

Our Constituent of the Week is Rear Admiral James "Jim" Underwood.

During his 33-year career in the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Rear Admiral James “Jim” Underwood excelled at increasingly complex assignments culminating in senior command and policy positions. He achieved success in organizational objectives through leadership, working with an array of professionals to build strong alliances among public and private sectors, within the U.S. and abroad.

Rear Admiral Underwood was recognized for improved international and interagency relationships, development of transportation security programs, generating comprehensive maritime safety and marine resource protection laws, expanding counter-drug and illegal alien interdiction operations, and promoting alliances with fishing and boating industries and associations.

Some of the highlights of his USCG career include service as the Chief Liaison to the U.S. House of Representatives from 1988 to 1992 where he organized and led Congressional delegations throughout the U.S., and assisted in the passage of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 following the Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster.

From 2000 to 2002, Rear Admiral Underwood was the Director of Intelligence and Security in the Office of the Secretary of Transportation where he served as the Secretary's primary advisor on intelligence issues and also administered the Department's national security strategic planning processes. He coordinated with the public and private sectors, international organizations, academia, and interest groups regarding issues of transportation security, infrastructure protection, national defense, and drug and migrant interdiction. After the tragedy of 9-11, his role expanded to provide support to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on Homeland Security issues.

From 2002 to 2004, Rear Admiral Underwood served as the Commander of the Seventeenth Coast Guard District where he directed Coast Guard operations including search and rescue, maritime safety, environmental protection, fisheries law enforcement, and military readiness in Alaska and the North Pacific. Units and personnel under this command were responsible for patrolling over 3.8 million square miles of ocean and 45,000 miles of coastline, including some of the most treacherous waters in the world.

Beginning in 2005, he entered the private sector working for URS Homeland Security, EG&G Technical Services, Inc., and AECOM-URS in top leadership positions until he retired in 2018.

Rear Admiral Underwood’s decorations include the Coast Guard Distinguished Service

Medal, three Legion of Merits, four Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and various service and campaign awards.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1972 from the United States Coast Guard Academy and his master’s degree in 1988 from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Rear Admiral Underwood is married to Katherine Ann of New Britain, CT. Their daughter, Kate, is a graduate of the American University in Washington, DC and Johns Hopkins University.

Senate District 19 is thankful for his service to our nation and his commitment to the

enduring legacy of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse and the Foundation.

District Highlights

Port Canaveral's Opens North Cargo Berth 3 to Expand Freight and Cargo Traffic

Port Canaveral’s newly renovated North Cargo Berth 3 (NCB3) has officially opened for business following a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week. The event celebrated the successful completion of the $48 million Port Canaveral Cargo Berth Rehabilitation and Modernization Project.

I was pleased to join FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue, Capt. John Murray, Port CEO, Senator Wright, Representative. Robbie Brackett, Canaveral Port Authority Commissioners Wayne Justice, Kevin Markey and Fritz VanVolkenburgh for the grand opening of NCB3. The event served as an important milestone in Port Canaveral's mission to expand and advance their freight and cargo capabilities.

As I mentioned at the event, the economic impact for Brevard County is tremendous and the cargo berth will also have a huge economic impact for Indian River, Osceola, and Volusia counties and the State.

Captain Murray, Port Canaveral CEO acknowledged that transforming the outdated, functionally obsolete pier into a modern multi-purpose berth required a lot of effort by many people. He said, “Bringing this berth online expands our capabilities to accommodate a growing diverse cargo business portfolio.”

Port Canaveral is the busiest cruise port in the world serving over 4 million passengers annually. Future projections anticipate 6.5 million cruise passengers by 2027. Cargo and freight traffic are expected to follow similar growth patterns over the coming years.

Fourth of July Safety Tips

Melbourne's Fire Department Fourth of July Safety Tips

Fireworks are the hallmark of Fourth of July Independence Day celebrations. However, professional and amateur fireworks, and even sparklers can create an element of danger and should be handled with the utmost precaution.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an average of 180 people go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the days surrounding the July 4th holiday.

Sparklers burn at 2,000 degrees, a temperature hot enough to melt some metals. The Melbourne Fire Department recommends following these sparkler safety tips:

Always have an adult supervise children using sparklers.
Only use sparklers outside.
Never light or hold more than one sparkler at a time.
Always keep sparklers at arm's length away from the body. Stand at least 6 feet away from other people.
Don't run with, throw or hand a lit sparkler to someone else.
Avoid loose-fitting apparel (sparklers can ignite fabric).
Wear closed-toe shoes.
Douse spent sparklers in a bucket of water.

For more safety information, visit the CPSC website.

FWC Launches Operation Dry Water to Promote Boating Safety for Fourth of July weekend

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced that Operation Dry Water weekend will take place from July 1st to July 3rd in an effort to promote boating safety during the holiday weekend.

Operation Dry Water is a year-round "boating under the influence" awareness campaign that promotes a national weekend of BUI detection and enforcement in order to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related boating incidents and fatalities.

"The campaign, which started in 2009, aims to protect lives, promote safe boating practices, ensure legal compliance and foster a culture of responsible behavior on the water," FWC officials said.

FWC officials also say that the Fourth of July holiday is one of the busiest boating holidays across the country, and with more than a million registered recreational vessels, Florida is recognized as the “Boating Capital of the World.”

Last year, law enforcement removed 93 impaired operators from Florida waterways during Operation Dry Water, FWC officials stated.

FWC is reminding people that operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to series injuries and consequences. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, the same as in a vehicle.

Sales Tax Holidays

New Sales Tax Holidays July 1 thru June 30, 2024

A one year extension of the ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday and the new Gas Ranges and Cooktops Sales Tax Holiday provides Floridians savings on appliances and stoves began July 1st 2023 and ends June 30th 2024.

Florida’s Framework for Freedom Budget highlights the $1.3 billion in funding for more than 15 sales tax holidays and exemptions including:

A one-year extension of the existing ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday applies to appliances such as washing machines and dryers, and water heaters selling for $1,500 or less, and refrigerators or combination refrigerators/freezers selling for $4,500 or less that meet or exceed the ENERGY STAR standards.

A new one-year Gas Ranges and Cooktops Sales Tax Holiday applies to the purchase of new stoves that are fueled by combustible gas such as syngas, natural gas, propane, butane, liquefied petroleum gas, or other flammable gas.

As a reminder, sales tax holidays accompany the ongoing 14-week Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday which lasts through September 4th. The two-year Home Hardening Sales Tax Exemption began on July 1, 2022 and ends June 30, 2024.

Upcoming Events

St. Johns River Water Management District Celebrates Projects Benefitting the IRL

The St. Johns River Water Management District is holding a special event to highlight their projects and partnerships benefitting the Indian River Lagoon. The event is open to the public and takes place on Monday, July 10th at 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at 2205 Front Street in Melbourne. Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton will be speaking about the projects and partnerships established for the betterment of the Indian River Lagoon.

Mathers Bridge to Close Temporarily to Boat Traffic

Mathers Bridge will be temporarily closed to boat traffic beginning Wednesday, July 12th at 8:00 a.m. through Thursday, July 13th at 8:00 p.m. The closure is due to preventative maintenance necessary for the 96-year old bridge. The project may also minimize vehicle traffic down to one lane at times. Flagmen will be in place to direct traffic.

Vero Beach International Music Festival Begins July 12th

The 14th annual Vero Beach International Music Festival will take place Wednesday, July 12th thru Saturday, July 15th at the First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach's McAfee Hall (520 Royal Palm Boulevard). Performances include world-class musicians and singers in Folk, Jazz, Celtic, Bluegrass, and Classical genres, including Grammy Award Winners and local performers.

Main stage show tickets are $25. For more information and ticket availability, click here.