Mayfield Minute - May 24, 2020
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I hope you are enjoying a relaxing Memorial Day weekend, and taking time to reflect on the sacrifices of those who gave their all so that we may be free. I am forever grateful to live in America, where the idea of freedom is deeply cherished.
I consider it a great honor to represent District 17. Please share
this link
with your friends and family so that they too can sign up for the
Mayfield Minute
.
If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. My staff and I are here to serve you!
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Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
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Hurricane Season begins June 1st and the first named Atlantic storm of 2020, Tropical Storm Arthur, has already come and gone. To help Floridians prepare for these dangerous storms in advance, the Florida Legislature approved a seven-day Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. From May 29th - June 4th you can stock up on the following essentials:
- Batteries $30 or less (excluding automobile and boat batteries)
- Portable radios $50 or less
- Tarps $50 or less
- Ground anchoring systems $50 or less
- Gas or diesel fuel tanks $25 or less
- Portable generators $750 or less
- Portable lights and flashlights $20 or less
- Storage coolers $30 or less
- Reusable Ice $10 or less
- Bottled water, canned food, first aid kits, baby food and feminine hygiene products.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management also encourages you to have a disaster supply kit to last you and your family for a minimum of seven days. Supplies for a basic disaster supply kit should include:
- Water - one gallon of water per person per day for drinking, cooking and sanitation
- Food - at least a seven-day supply of non-perishable food
- Manual can opener for food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio
- NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
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FDOT Completes Improvements to I-4 Ahead of Schedule
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Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently announced the opening of five new Interstate 4 (I-4)/State Road (S.R.) 408 flyover ramps. This project has been completed more than three months ahead of schedule and enhances safety and mobility, while reducing travel times in the heart of Florida.
“
In early April, Governor DeSantis challenged the Department to find ways to accelerate I-4 construction while there was less traffic on the road, and I am pleased to announce that we have opened these critical components of the I-4 corridor to drivers, three months ahead of schedule
,” said FDOT Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, P.E. “
This is the biggest milestone of the project to date, which will undoubtedly transform the heart of our state’s transportation system. I am grateful for the Governor’s common-sense approach to moving Florida forward during this unprecedented time.
”
The westbound S.R. 408 to westbound I-4 flyover is the final interchange and is scheduled to open later this summer. To view all of the new interchange movements, motorists are encouraged to view the
S.R. 408 Interactive Maps
.
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Eastern Florida State College Offering Aid to Students
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Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) has received $4.4 million in emergency grant funding that will be provided to students impacted by COVID-19 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES). This funding will assist students with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 including, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare.
Applicants must meet the general student financial aid eligibility requirements, have been registered in at least one Spring 2020 class or enrolled for Summer 2020, and have submitted a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students can still submit the FAFSA at
fafsa.gov
through June 30, 2020.
Under federal criteria, the following students are not eligible: Dual-enrolled, international and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students; Students in the online Bachelor of Nursing program, transient students and non-degree students; or students with ineligible Satisfactory Academic Progress status.
To apply, EFSC students should log in to the
myEFSC Student Services Portal
and use the CARES Act Student Emergency Funding link to determine eligibility and to apply online.
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High Speed Rail Construction Update
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Virgin Trains, formerly known as Brightline or All Aboard Florida, is beginning construction on many of the 28 bridges located along the 129-mile north-south corridor between Brevard and Palm Beach Counties.
This construction work includes the mobilization of cranes, materials, equipment and crews, as well as pile driving to install temporary work trestles for crane access at the following locations:
- Melbourne – Crane Creek: Day-time pile driving operations, beginning the week of May 18 to install a temporary work trestle (platform) for cranes on the east side of the existing bridge (south bank). Demolition work to begin in June 2020.
- Palm Bay – Turkey Creek: Day-time bridge work operations, including crane mobilization and pile driving, beginning in June 2020.
- Grant-Valkaria – Goat Creek: Day-time bridge work operations, beginning the week of May 25 for crane mobilization on the west side of the existing bridge (south bank). Demolition work, including pile driving, is expected to begin in June 2020.
- Sebastian – Sebastian River: Day-time pile driving operations, beginning the week of May 18 to install a temporary work trestle (platform) for cranes on the west side of the existing bridge (south bank). Demolition work is expected to begin in late May 2020.
Bridge work is expected to continue until mid-2022. Specific construction information for each bridge project can be found online at
Gobrightline.com/railroad-construction
.
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Grants for Brevard Residents Impacted by COVID-19
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The Brevard County Board of Commissioners recently allocated up to $4.4 million in federal CARES Act grant funds to assist residents that have been financially impacted by COVID-19. The funds will be available to income-eligible residents that are in need of mortgage assistance, rental assistance, utility and security deposit assistance.
Those eligible must be a resident of Brevard County; at or below 140% of area median income; and able to demonstrate assistance is required as a result of direct impacts from coronavirus. To qualify, applicants must submit documents supporting income, need and other assistance, including income verification documents such as paychecks, unemployment compensation history, veteran’s check, child support payment history, Aid to Families with Dependent Children/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, bank statements, rental agreements, mortgage statements, documentation for a utility deposit, and most recent tax return.
Application will be available at Brevard County Libraries or online at
Brevardfl.gov
.
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Indian River State College COVID19 Relief for Students
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Following the passage of the Federal CARES Act, Indian River State College (IRSC) has received $4,776,547 to assist students impacted by the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. These funds are currently designated for students that attended IRSC in the spring 2020 semester, and will be disbursed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Students must meet the following criteria to qualify for the funds:
- Students must have attended IRSC during the spring 2020 semester.
- Students must be pursuing an IRSC college degree or certificate program.
- Students must have submitted a 2019–2020 FAFSA. This means that they must have a valid social security number; be a U.S. citizen or have other qualifying citizenship; have earned a high school diploma or GED; and have registered for selective service (before the age of 26; for male students).
For more information please visit
www.IRSC.edu
or email
CARESact@irsc.edu.
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Melbourne Office
900 E. Strawbridge Ave.
Melbourne, FL 32901
(321) 409-2025
Tallahassee Office
322 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5017
Vero Beach Office
Administration Building B
1801 27th Street
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 226-1970
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