May 14, 2023 - Mayfield Minute - Happy Mother's Day

Mayfield Minute - May 14, 2023_Happy Mother's Day!

Good Morning!

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. As a mother and grandmother, I know that the most challenging yet rewarding responsibility is the one of a mother. I hope you will take a moment to say thank you to the mother in your life who will always love you unconditionally, no matter how old you are, in a special way only a mother can.

In last week's edition of the Mayfield Minute, I stated that I will be highlighting the beneficial impacts our residents can expect from the passage of policies and budget appropriations during the 2023 Legislative Session. This week I have detailed below the Tax Relief package agreed upon by the Florida Senate and Florida House.

I also want to thank Emma Ramsey, Griffin Brunger, and Samantha Mason who served as Florida Senate Pages representing District 19 this past session in Tallahassee. The week-long experience introduces teens to the Florida Legislative process and their support and service is greatly appreciated. Please contact my district office at 321-409-2025 if your teen has an interest in serving as a Senate Page during the January thru March 2024 session at the State Capitol.

I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so that they, 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 Signs Several Bills into Law

Landmark Education Legislation includes $3.3 Billion in Teachers Raises, Bonuses Over a Five Year Period

Last week, Governor DeSantis signed a landmark package of legislation to support and empower Florida’s teachers and to protect the integrity of the classroom.

Governor DeSantis also announced that he will approve more than $1 billion for teacher pay in this year’s budget, a $252 million increase over the current record. Overall, Florida has invested more than $3.3 billion for teacher salary increases and bonuses over the last five years.

“We have delivered another record boost to teacher pay and we have coupled salary increases with positive reforms. For far too long, unions and rogue school boards have pushed around our teachers, misused government funds for political purposes, taken money from teachers’ pockets to steer it for purposes other than representation of teachers, and sheltered their true political goals from the educators they purport to represent,” said Governor DeSantis. “I want to thank our legislative leaders. No longer will politically motivated school boards and special interests wield their power over Florida’s teachers.”

For more information, click here.

Governor DeSantis Signs Strongest Anti-Illegal Immigration Legislation in the Country to Combat Biden’s Border Crisis

Senate Bill 1718 combats the dangerous effects of illegal immigration caused by the federal government’s reckless border policies. This legislation makes using E-Verify mandatory for any employer with 25 or more employees, imposes enforceable penalties for those employing illegal aliens, and enhances penalties for human smuggling.

SB 1718 prohibits local governments from issuing ID cards to illegal aliens, invalidates ID cards issued to illegal aliens in other states, and requires hospitals to collect and submit data on the costs of providing health care to illegal aliens.

“The Biden Border Crisis has wreaked havoc across the United States and has put Americans in danger,” said Governor DeSantis. “In Florida, we will not stand idly by while the federal government abandons its lawful duties to protect our country. The legislation I signed today gives Florida the most ambitious anti-illegal immigration laws in the country, fighting back against reckless federal government policies and ensuring the Florida taxpayers are not footing the bill for illegal immigration.”

For more information on the immigration legislation, click here.

Boldest Legislation for Medical Freedom Nationwide Signed by Governor DeSantis

Governor DeSantis signed four pieces of legislation that protect Floridians from medical mandates that empower doctors and prohibit dangerous gain of function research. With signage of the legislation, Governor DeSantis made COVID-19 protections permanent and positioned Florida as the national leader for medical freedom.

"Our early actions during the pandemic protected Floridians and their freedoms,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We protected the rights of Floridians to make decisions for themselves and their children and rejected COVID theatre, narratives, and hysteria in favor of truth and data. These expanded protections will help ensure that medical authoritarianism does not take root in Florida.”

For a summary of the legislation, click here.

To learn more about the individual bills signed, please click the following links:

Senate Bill 252: Most Comprehensive Medical Freedom Bill in the Nation

House Bill 1387: Banning Gain of Function Research

Senate Bill 1580: Physicians Freedom of Speech

Senate Bill 238: Public Records/Protection from Discrimination Based on Health Care Choices

By Week's End, Governor DeSantis Signed an additional 26 Bills into Law

To learn more about the individual bills signed, please click the following links:

CS/HB 109 – State Park Campsite Reservations

HB 267 – Telehealth Practice Standards

CS/CS/HB 437 – Property Owners’ Right to Install, Display, and Store Items

CS/CS/HB 639 – Issuance of Special Beverage Licenses

HB 891 – Year-Round School Pilot Program

CS/CS/HB 949 – Operation of a Golf Cart

HB 1091 – Licensing Fee Relief

CS/CS/HB 1259 – Education

CS/CS/CS/HB 1305 – Department of Transportation

CS/HB 1441 – A Florida Museum of Black History

CS/HB 1597 – Florida Virtual School

HB 7061 – Sheriffs Providing Child Protective Investigative Services

CS/SB 234 – Statutorily Required Reports

CS/SB 666 – Form of Candidate Oath

CS/CS/SB 724 – Seagrass Restoration Technology

CS/CS/SB 774 – Ethics Requirements for Public Officials

CS/CS/SB 902 – Safety Standards for Amusement Rides

SB 948 – Records Electronically Filed with the Department of State

CS/SB 1332 – Missing Persons

CS/CS/CS/SB 1418 – Emergency Communications

CS/SB 1458 – Roller Skating Rink Safety

CS/SB 7014 – Juvenile Justice

CS/SB 214 – Sales of Firearms and Ammunition

SB 7054 – Central Bank Digital Currency

CS/HB 733 – Middle School and High School Start Times

2023 Legislative Session: Tax Relief

Tax Relief Highlights

Passage of HB 7063 Provides Historic Tax Relief to Floridians

This year, the Legislature has taken decisive action to deliver temporary and permanent, tax relief of $2.7 billion for Floridians.

Many critical tax holidays were expanded including the back-to-school, disaster preparedness, and the “freedom summer” tax holidays, which ensure families can purchase school supplies, prepare for natural disasters, and enjoy activities and entertainment available in Florida.

The Legislature also delivered permanent tax relief measures including sales-tax exemptions for a variety of necessary baby products and hygiene items.

This tax package also includes comprehensive property tax relief with a specific emphasis

on disabled Veterans, their surviving spouses, the surviving spouses of law enforcement officers, and a number of provisions to support small businesses and farmers. Business and rent taxes have been cut and a permanent sales-tax exemption on agricultural fencing is included.

The $2.7 billion in tax relief provided in this year’s legislation will help to address urgent needs of Floridians to help counter the skyrocketing inflation we are seeing across the country.

Click here for greater detail on the 2023 record tax relief package and the tax-free items.

Constituents of the Week

Our Constituents of the Week are Rear Admiral George Robert "Bob" Merrilees and Beverly "Bev" Merrilees

Rear Admiral Robert "Bob" Merrilees has served as President Emeritus of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation (CCFL) in a variety of capacities for the past 20 years. His wife, Beverly, serves on the CCFL Board of Directors and recently announced her intent to retire, but still maintain some duties.

Bev and Bob have nobly led the Foundation for over two decades. Their colleagues have described them as, "Bob and Bev, the best team ever, no task too large or too small for this dynamic duo,"..."they are the backbone of the foundation," and as "two exemplary Americans, they are our citizens at their finest."

They met as students at American University in Washington. DC and married in 1962. RADM Merrilees had a unique career path, beginning as a budget analyst with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and then serving in a "dual career" with NASA and the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves.

Bob and Bev transferred to Kennedy Space Center in 1967 where Bev also built her career working in personnel for NASA's Kennedy Space Center. They both retired from NASA in 1998.

Given their U.S. Coast Guard and NASA experiences, both Bob and Bev had a real interest in the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation. Under their leadership, they helped to preserve the Lighthouse Keepers program established in 1960 to encourage ongoing donations and support for the state's historic lighthouse. The current goals and mission have expanded to include the creation of the lighthouse community with three buildings, a museum, an education platform, and a replica of how lighthouse families lived in the time period.

While Bob and Bev have stepped back from some of their CCLF duties, Bev still actively coordinates volunteers and nearly 50 docents (guides), organizes tours for cruise passengers and school field trips, stocks the gift shop, and hosts community events. She is also very active in the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral.

Rear Admiral Bob and Bev Merrilees reside in Merritt Island and on July 7, 2023, they will celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary.

For District 19, the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse might be one of the best kept secret attractions. The Merrilees' are to be commended for pouring their hearts into ensuring the lighthouse remains a landmark for past, present, and future generations.

District Highlights

The Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship Is Set to Call Port Canaveral Home

Princess Cruises announced that the Caribbean Princess will make Port Canaveral their homeport beginning November 27, 2024. The Caribbean Princess will offer Caribbean cruises out of Port Canaveral ranging from four to 14 days.

“The combination of a vibrant Central Florida community, exceptional flight options into Orlando International Airport and great pre-cruise and post-cruise experience options makes Port Canaveral an easy choice,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. “Princess is unique in its ability to deliver incredible cruise ship amenities typical of the largest ships in the world, while delivering personalized service found on the industry’s smallest ships.”

“Our collaboration with Princess Cruises marks an exciting milestone for us,” stated Capt. John Murray, Port CEO. “The fleet of ships homeported at Port Canaveral continues to grow with next year’s arrival of Caribbean Princess. We’re looking forward to providing a high-quality experience for our new cruise partners and their cruise guests.”

Caribbean Princess sailings include destinations to the Turks and Caicos, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, San Juan, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatan, Nassau, and Grand Bahama. Reservations for the Caribbean Princess cruises from Port Canaveral will be available beginning May 24th.

To view the full announcement, click here.

Upcoming Events

Armed Forces Day Celebration

The Armed Forces Day Celebration will take place on Saturday, May 20th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center (400 South Sykes Creek Parkway) in Merritt Island. The family-friendly event honors service members from all six branches of the United States military: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force.

Special activities include live music by country music artist and U.S. Military Veteran Rockie Lynne, a Kids Zone, food trucks, and merchandise vendors. Admission is free for the Military Community and general admission is $5.00.

In a speech announcing the creation of Armed Forces Day, President Truman praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas. He formally stated, "Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense."

Under President Trump the United States Space Force was established as the sixth and newest branch of the U.S. Armed Forces on December 20, 2019.

For more information about the Armed Forces Day Celebration in Brevard County, click here.

Bikers Supporting Vero Beach Veterans Info Fair and Charity Event

The Vero Beach Veterans, Inc., Veterans Council of Indian River County, and Boozefighters Motorcycle Club will be holding the “Bikers Supporting Vero Beach Veterans Info Fair and Charity Fundraiser” on Saturday, May 27th from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The family friendly event takes place at the Vero Beach Veterans, Inc. property located at 2500 15th Avenue in Vero Beach.

Activities include food vendors, music, kid events, and a Cornhole tournament ($20.00 per team). The recommended donation is $20.00 and all proceeds go to the Dogs for Life and Next Generation Veterans organizations.

For more information, contact Jersey Bill at 214-763-8133.