Mayfield Minute - June 18, 2023 - Celebrating Father's Day

Good Morning!

Today, we celebrate the important men in our lives who take on one of life's most challenging and rewarding responsibilities...being a Father.

The role of a father is vital to sons and daughters young and old alike. Dads inspire us to pursue our greatest potential by providing the discipline, guidance, and love it takes to flourish throughout our lives.

I hope you are having a relaxing Father’s Day sharing memories and making new ones. Father’s Day is an opportunity to tell the father figures in our lives how much we truly love and appreciate them. When asking my own father what he would like for Father’s day, his response is always, “spending time together is enough.” I hope you have the opportunity to spend time with your father on this very special day.

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

Governor DeSantis Signed Florida's Budget

Last week, Governor DeSantis signed the Framework for Freedom Budget for Fiscal Year 2023–2024 which includes a record $2.7 billion tax relief package to help Florida families during a time of high inflation caused by reckless federal spending. The Governor highlighted record investments in Florida’s environment and natural resources which are a cornerstone of Florida’s thriving economy, including a record $1.6 billion investment in Everglades restoration and water quality projects.

Florida has maintained record levels of reserves while continuing to make historic investments in education, public safety, infrastructure, and the environment. To maintain Florida’s sound fiscal standing in spite of ill-conceived federal policies, Governor DeSantis vetoed $510.9 million.

To view the full release, click here and for budget items approved for Brevard and Indian River Counties, see below in district highlights.

Governor DeSantis Announced More Than $6.1 Million in Awards to Support Florida’s Military Communities

Last week, Governor DeSantis announced more than $6.1 million in awards to military communities through the Defense Infrastructure Grant Program, the Defense Reinvestment Grant Program, and the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program. Through the collaborative efforts of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and Enterprise Florida Inc. (EFI), these programs provide grants to military communities to support infrastructure projects, economic diversification efforts, and military community relations.

“I am proud to continue making investments that strengthen Florida’s military communities and support our military families,” said Governor DeSantis. “With these grant awards, we are upholding our commitments to military and veteran families and supporting the critical missions of our state’s military installations.”

Project awards in District 19 include:

Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast ($500,000) – to evaluate and produce a study on the growing demand for natural gas infrastructure at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport.
Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast ($84,000) – to create a Wastewater Treatment Phase 2 Capture Plan, coordinate advocacy efforts, and execute an economic development council communications plan.

For more information on military community programs, visit www.FloridaJobs.org/Military-Community-Programs.

For more information on Florida military and defense programs, visit www.eflorida.com/floridadefense.

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

Since we last reported in the June 11th edition of the Mayfield Minute, some of the bills Governor DeSantis has signed include:

CS/CS/HB 213 – Limitation of Actions Involving Real Estate Appraisers and Appraisal Management Companies

CS/CS/HB 327 – Fire Sprinkler System Projects

CS/HB 329 – Electronic Monitoring of Persons Charged with or Convicted of Offenses Involving Schools or Students

CS/CS/HB 331 – Liens and Bonds

CS/CS/HB 919 – Homeowners’ Associations

CS/CS/SB 226 – Support for Dependent Adult Children

CS/SB 242 – Fiscal Accountability

CS/SB 286 – Legal Instruments

CS/CS/SB 312 - Insurance

CS/CS/CS/SB 418 - Insurance

SB 596 – The Board of Governors of the State University System

CS/CS/SB 600 – Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors

CS/SB 676 – Level 2 Background Screenings

SB 736 – Controlled Substances

SB 892 – State Minimum Wage

CS/CS/HB 89 - Building Construction

CS/HB 95 – Rights of Law Enforcement Officers and Correctional Officers

CS/HB 111 – Flooding and Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Studies

HB 119 – Visiting County and Municipal Detention Facilities

CS/CS/HB 637 – Motor Vehicle Dealers, Manufactures, Importers, and Distributors

CS/HB 1105 – Rapid DNA Grant Program

CS/CS/HB 1367 – Unlawful Dumping

CS/HB 1375 – Battery by Strangulation

CS/CS/HB 1419 – Real Property Fraud

SB 2500 – Appropriations

SB 2502 – Implementing the 2023-2024 General Appropriations Act

SB 2504 – Collective Bargaining

SB 2506 – Capitol Complex

SB 2510 – Health

SB 7018 – Inmate Welfare Trust Fund

HB 5101 – Education

HB 5303 – Biomedical Research

CS/SB 204 – Task Force on the Monitoring of Children in Out-of-Home Care

CS/CS/SB 272 – Children and Young Adults in Out-of-Home Care

CS/CS/SB 538 – Provisional Child Care Licensing

CS/SB 558 – Certified Nursing Assistants

SB 768 – Referral of Patients by Health Care Providers

CS/SB 914 – Suicide Prevention

SB 942 – Authorization of Restrictions Concerning Dogs

CS/CS/CS/SB 1064 – Children Removed from Caregivers

CS/SB 1190 – Step into Success Workforce Education and Internship Pilot Program

CS/CS/SB 1310 – Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements

Constituent of the Week

Mr. Keith Winsten

Our Constituent of the Week is Mr. Keith Winsten, the Chief Executive Officer of the East Coast Zoological Society of Florida, better known as the Brevard Zoo.

He began his tenure at the Brevard Zoo in 2004 and has over 35 years of experience in non-profit administration, communications, wildlife conservation, and environmental education.

He has been involved in nature centers in New York and Massachusetts and zoos in Rhode Island and Chicago. Mr. Winsten’s work in conservation education and exhibit development has earned him numerous national awards. He has also assisted in the development of professional training programs in the United States, Brazil, and China. Mr. Winsten has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Yale University and a Master’s of Science in Public Health from the University of Illinois.

He currently serves on the Citizen Oversight Committee for the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program and is a member of the Space Coast Tourist Development Council where he chairs the Marketing Committee. He is professionally active in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums where he has chaired a number of committees, served as a Board Member, and mentors upcoming leaders.

Mr. Winsten has also served on the board of the Brevard Nature Alliance and the regional advisory board of One Blood. He has been recognized locally with the 2011 and 2020 Brevard Walk of Fame from Eckerd Youth Alternatives, 2017 Solomon Portrait of Excellence Award from the Space Coast Office of Tourism, and the 2019 Rodney S. Ketcham Leadership Icon Award from LEAD Brevard.

The USA Today's annual "10 Best Readers Choice Awards" for 2023 ranked the Brevard Zoo as #1 in Florida and #3 in North America. Readers and editors described the Brevard Zoo as, “Home to more than 900 animals, the AZA-accredited Brevard Zoo takes the zoo-going experience to adventurous new levels.”

To learn more about all the exciting new activities at the zoo news including the mission to open a state of the art aquarium, click here.

Mr. Winsten is the proud father of three adult children. District 19 appreciates Mr. Winsten’s compassion and persistence in ensuring the Brevard Zoo remains a defining and exciting attraction in Brevard County for local residents and visitors across the nation.

District Highlights

Nearly $77 Million in Funding Secured for Local Initiatives in the Governor's 2023-2024 Budget

Criminal and Civil Justice

Crosswinds Youth Services Campus Security to Protect Children, Youth, Families and Staff $232,350
Harriett T. Moore Justice Center Addition and Expansion $5,500,000
City of Palm Bay Sacrifice Park Public Safety Memorial Improvements $150,000
City of Palm Bay Improvements to Public Safety Facility, a Regional Training Grounds and Gun Range $1,250,000

Education

Eau Gallie High School: Arrow III PA28r-180 for Aerospace/Aircraft Training $200,000
Indian River State College Nursing Simulation Laboratory $2,200,000
Florida Tech – AeroSpace Cybersecurity Engineering Development $5,000,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters Bigs Inspiring Scholastic Success (BISS) Project $1,000,000
Indian River Community Complex $3,420,000

Environment

Kilroy Monitoring Systems in the Indian River Lagoon $1,000,000
Brevard County – South Brevard Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant $1,500,000
Brevard County North Brevard Water Treatment Plant Expansion and Potable Water Wells $1,500,000
Cocoa Beach Bicentennial Park Project $1,250,000
Coca Beach Gravity Sewer Rehabilitation $1,000,000
Indian River Lagoon Restoration – Aquaculture – Cocoa Beach Jr/Sr $850,000
Brevard County – Indian River Lagoon, Septic Upgrades to Advanced Treatment Units Phase 3 (50 sites) $450,000
Brevard County South Beaches 2nd Deep Injection Well $2,000,000
Indian Harbour Beach Gleason Park Lake Bank Stabilization $175,000
Melbourne Espanola Baffle Box Water Quality Project $287,500
Indian Harbour Beach 2nd Generation Baffle Box at Cheyenne Court $250,000
Palm Bay Septic-to-Sewer Conversions $2,100,000
Sykes Creek Phase 2 Environmental Dredging and Interstitial Water Treatment $4,324,002
Brevard County Eau Gallie NE Construction Environmental Dredging and Interstitial Water Treatment $5,010,244
Brevard County Grand Canal Phase 5 Environmental Dredging and Interstitial Water Treatment $9,000,000

General Government

Canaveral Fire Rescue Aerial Tower Truck Replacement $1,020,000

Health and Human Services

Veteran Housing and Homeless Prevention Program $150,000
Services for Sexually Exploited Youth $587,706
Who We Play For: Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention $975,000
Department of Children and Families Extended-Release Injectable Naltrexone (Vivitrol) Program $2,000,000
Circles of Care – Women’s Substance Use Disorder Residential Treatment Expansion $1,600,000
STEPS Women’s Residential, Maternal Wrap Around Program (MWRAP) $500,000
Lifetime Counseling Center: Behavioral Health Prevention and Intervention $625,000

Appropriations

Eastern Florida State College Advance Technologies Center (ATC) $3,600,000
Indian River State College Nursing Program Expansion $12,000,000

Transportation and Tourism

Merritt Island Veteran’s Center Amphitheater $1,000,000
Brevard County – Blue Crab Cove Working Waterfront Facility $890,000
City of Palm Bay 4-Lane Widening of St. Johns Heritage Parkway Malabar Road North to Emerson Road $1,500,000
Manufacturing Talent Asset Pipeline (TAP) $350,000

If you have any questions about the appropriations that passed or questions about any items vetoed, please reach out to my office at 321-409-2025 anytime.

Ryan Butler Newly Appointed as Indian River County's Clerk of Court and Comptroller

Last week, Governor DeSantis appointed Ryan Butler as Indian River County’s Clerk of Court and Comptroller. Mr. Butler’s appointment begins July 1st following the retirement of current Indian River County Clerk Jeffery Smith.

Mr. Butler has served as the Chief Deputy Clerk since 2020 after serving almost 25 years as a state prosecutor. Mr. Butler, a native of Indian River County, has indicated he plans to officially run for the seat following the appointment.

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Duke University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida. Mr. Butler is a member of the Taxpayer Association of Indian River County, Indian River County United Way, the Hundred Club of Indian River, the National Speleological Society (scientific study of caves) and a former member of the Florida Prosecuting Attorney’s Association.

Green Gables at Historic Riverview Village Announces New Ownership

Green Gables President Marion Pellicano-Ambrose recently announced they closed on the Green Gable property.

"Several years of hard work by dedicated volunteers and generous donors has finally brought us to this amazing accomplishment," said President Pellicano-Ambrose. "Green Gables will now be owned and operated as a living history museum, education and community center by the non profit organization, Green Gables at Historic Riverview Village, Inc."

Green Gables was built in 1896 as a winter home by industrialist William T. Wells and his wife, Nora, who was the niece of the founder of Stanford University. In 2016, Green Gables was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2018, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation included Green Gables on their list of "Florida's 11 to Save" which identified the most threatened historic properties in the state.

Tours of Green Gables are available Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. Reservations are not necessary. For more information, click here.

Eastern Florida State College Releases Updates on Tuition and a New VP

Last week, EFSC announced tuition will remain the same for the past 12 years. President Dr. Jim Richey stated the total tuition and general fees will remain $104 per credit hour for lower division courses for Florida residents.

The per credit hour charge for upper division courses for Florida residents will remain $128.51, which is similar to other institutions in the 28-member Florida College System of which Eastern Florida is a member.

In addition, EFSC also honored retiring Vice President Mark Cherry for his 25 years of exceptional service, and welcomed his successor, Ms. Laura Maxwell.

Mr. Cherry is retiring as Vice President of Operations and Chief Financial Officer after serving at the college since 1998.

Ms. Maxwell is a graduate of the State University of New York Empire State College where she earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business administration. She started her academic career at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point as Assistant Dean for Resources, and went on to serve as Senior Associate Athletic Director, and Chief Financial Officer for Army Athletics from 1987 to 2007. Ms. Maxwell is the former Vice President for Business and Finance at Georgia Gwinnett College and Chief Financial Officer at Riverside Military Academy.

For more information and recent updates from EFSC, click here.

Upcoming Events

Vero Beach Concert Celebrates "Spirit of America"

The Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra presents their free patriotic concert, "Spirit of America" at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 24th at the Emerson Center (1590 27th Avenue) in Vero Beach.

The “Spirit of America” concert will feature renditions of the “Star Spangled Banner,” “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood, and “America the Beautiful” among many other musical tributes to active duty and Veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

Concert attendees are invited to wear red, white, and blue in celebration of our nation's military. Free tickets to the performance can be reserved online at www.spacecoastsymphony.org. While the concert is free to attend, donations are graciously accepted.

KSC to Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Space Shuttle Atlantis

The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit celebrates their 10th year at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. A special event will be held to recognize this milestone anniversary on Thursday, June 29th. The event is included with admission.

Live in-person panels will be hosted by John Zarrella, a former news correspondent who has covered the space industry for decades. Each panel will take place on June 29th at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Visitors will hear mission memories firsthand from veteran NASA astronauts including those that flew on Atlantis.

The astronauts will answer randomly selected questions pre-submitted via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the #Atlantis10 hashtag. Visitors will have an opportunity to meet the astronauts, take photos, and receive autographs.

For more information, click here.

Sounds of the Lagoon

The Eau Gallie Arts District will launch the world premiere of the audiovisual project Sounds of the Lagoon, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Exploration Arts Fund at the Community Foundation for Brevard.

Sounds of the Lagoon is an entertainment and educational event combining music and visual arts to highlight the invaluable role of the Indian River Lagoon.

On Friday, June 30th at 6:30 p.m., at Eau Gallie Square Park (1453 Highland Avenue), a string ensemble from the Brevard Symphony Orchestra will perform the world premiere of "On the Ethereal Nature of Bioluminescence" inspired by the sounds and natural phenomena of the Indian River Lagoon.

In addition to the symphony performance, a mini film will be shown to capture the greatness of the IRL and the process of translating nature into music. A brief panel discussion will also take place prior to the musical performance and film.

For more information, click here.