October 18, 2026 - National Teen Driver Safety Week

The Mayfield Minute - October 18, 2026

Good Morning!

National Teen Driver Safety Week

In 2007, a series of tragic automobile accidents occurred in Pennsylvania, involving high school student drivers. This prompted Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA) and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) to introduce concurrent resolutions to annually recognize National Teen Driver Safety Week as the third full week in October.

Today, automobile crashes remain the most common cause of death for teens. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2024, Florida teen drivers were involved in 78,144 crashes resulting in 290 fatalities and 1,553 serious injuries.

Research conducted by the Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition shows:

Teens are twice as likely to engage in risky driving behavior when transporting one teen passenger, and three times as likely with multiple teenage passengers.
More than 17% of crashes involving a teen driver were attributed to distractions such as cell phone use, adjusting radio controls, eating or drinking, and reaching for objects in the vehicle.
In one-third of teenage driver crashes resulting in fatalities or serious injuries, the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.

While it is devastating for even one teen to lose their life or sustain serious injuries in a crash, we have seen statistical improvements in recent years. From 2020 to 2024, even as the number of teen drivers continues to increase, the number of serious injuries have decreased by 13%, and fatalities have decreased by 11%.

Local organizations in Brevard County, such as the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, continue to provide programs and events to help educate teens and parents on driver safety and the consequences of distracted driving. Some of these programs are listed in the District Highlights below.

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 at (321) 409-2025. My staff and I are here to serve you!

Floridian Making an Impact

Lawrence "Larry" Keefe

This week, I’m proud to highlight Lawrence “Larry” Keefe, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Director Keefe is a Florida native, having grown up in Okaloosa County. He graduated from Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach and attended the University of Florida on a football scholarship. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1983 and his Juris Doctor in 1986.

He began his legal career in Tampa in 1986, practicing business litigation, construction litigation, and product liability cases. In 1991, Director Keefe returned to Northwest Florida and litigated civil and criminal matters in both state and federal courts at his firm, Keefe, Anchors, and Gordon.

In 2018, Director Keefe was nominated by President Donald J. Trump as the 41st U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. He was sworn into the position in January 2019 and served until 2021.

In 2021, Governor DeSantis appointed Director Keefe as Florida’s public safety czar, where he coordinated major state law enforcement and immigration initiatives.

Last month, Governor DeSantis appointed Director Keefe as Executive Director of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, where he oversees statewide law enforcement operations and works to strengthen public safety and support law enforcement agencies across Florida.

Beyond his statewide leadership, Director Keefe has served on several boards, including the editorial board of the Florida Bar Journal and the board of trustees of the Fredric G. Levin College of Law (University of Florida). He has additionally served as the Chairperson for the Military Academy Selection Board for the First Congressional District of Florida.

Director Keefe has been married to his wife, Lynn, for more than 30 years, and they have four adult sons.

Thank you, Director Keefe, for your steadfast commitment to public safety in Florida. Your decades of public service and leadership have contributed to the safety and well-being of communities across the state.

Statewide Update

Constitutional Amendments on the Ballot During the 2026 General Election

Early voting for the 2026 General Election begins tomorrow. On the ballot, voters will have an opportunity to vote on three constitutional amendments, each proposed by the Florida Legislature. In order for any of these constitutional amendments to take effect, the ballot measure must receive support from at least 60% of voters.

Below are simplified descriptions of each amendment on this year’s ballot. To read the exact ballot language, an explanation of what a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote entails, and a balanced overview of the purported pros and cons of each amendment, I recommend that voters click here to read the James Madison Institute’s 2026 Florida Amendment Guide.

Amendment 1 – Budget Stabilization Fund

Amendment 1 asks voters whether the state should be allowed to save more money in its Budget Stabilization Fund, often referred to as the state’s “rainy day fund.” The amendment would increase the current limit on how much money can be kept in the fund and establish additional requirements for putting money into it each year.

Amendment 2 – Exemption of Tangible Personal Property on Agricultural Land from Taxation

Amendment 2 asks voters whether certain equipment and other tangible personal property used in agricultural operations and agritourism activities should be exempt from tangible personal property taxes.

Amendment 3 – Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homesteaded Property Assessments

Amendment 3 asks voters whether Florida should make significant changes to the state’s property tax system. The amendment would increase the homestead exemption to $150,000 in January 2027 and $250,000 in January 2028, while creating a process for potentially eliminating property taxes on homestead properties in the future.

The increased exemption applies only to non-school property taxes, so it has no impact on school funding. Additionally, Individuals who are not permanent Florida residents by December 31, 2026, will not be eligible for the new exemptions until they have reached 5 years of residency.

The amendment prevents local governments from shifting the tax burden onto non-homesteaded properties by reducing the allowable annual increase in non-homestead assessed value from 10% to 5%.

The amendment also protects core services by requiring local governments to only use remaining property tax revenue to fund specified services such as law enforcement, firefighters, infrastructure, and natural resources.

Florida Students Invited to Enter Farm to School Essay and Art Contests

In celebration of National Farm to School Month, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is inviting high school students to participate in the third annual Farm-to-School Essay Contest and middle school students to participate in the inaugural Farm-to-School Art Contest. Both contests are currently open and will accept submissions until Monday, November 16th.

This year’s theme for the high-school essay contest is “If I Were a Farmer”. Writers are asked to imagine running a Florida farm: what they would grow, how it would connect to their community, and how it would support local schools and students. Essays must be original, 500–800 words, and free of AI.

Prizes for the essay contest will include scholarships through Florida Investment 529 Plans: $3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second, and $1,000. Additionally, the first-place essay will be published, and all winners receive recognition plus a travel stipend to the 2027 Florida Farm to School Conference.

Middle school students may enter the new art contest by submitting an original 2D artwork celebrating Florida agriculture’s ties to schools and communities. Inspiration can come from Florida-grown foods, local farmers, school meals, gardens, or related programs.

The first-place artwork will appear on official 2027 Farm-to-School Month campaign materials and the winner will be recognized at the conference and receive a travel stipend.

For more information and to enter, click here.

In Remembrance

Brevard County Sheriff's Office Homicide Agent Kevin Morris

I was saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Kevin Morris, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Agent, last Saturday, October 10th, at the age of 55. Agent Morris heroically lost his life in the line of duty while responding to a deputy-involved shooting incident near Mims.

Agent Morris began his law enforcement career with the Palm Bay Police Department, serving from 2001 to 2012 as a patrol officer and K-9 handler. After temporarily retiring from law enforcement, he devoted himself to education and coaching, teaching and leading the football program at Sebastian River High School, where he inspired young athletes with the same steady leadership he brought to the police force.

In 2021, he returned to a career in law enforcement, joining the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy and advancing in rank to senior homicide agent in Criminal Investigative Services.

Throughout his career, Agent Morris earned numerous letters of commendation, service awards, and a Life Saving Award. Colleagues and Sheriff Wayne Ivey remembered him as one of the kindest people they had ever known.

Outside of law enforcement, Agent Morris pursued real estate, where he worked to help middle-class families. He cared about the future, the opportunities available to ordinary people, and the world the next generation would inherit. He was passionate about politics and the future of children, always willing to stand up for what he believed was right.

Agent Morris was also a pastor, a man of deep faith who lit up every room he entered. He lived his life with quiet integrity and an unwavering commitment to serving and protecting others.

Agent Morris’s service and sacrifice will not be forgotten. His legacy endures in the lives he touched, the justice he pursued, and for the example he set for his fellow officers and the students he taught. Most importantly, his adoration for Denice, his wife of 36 years, and his beloved children, grandchildren, and the community he loved remains everlasting.

Constituent of the Week

Georganna Gillette

Our Constituent of the Week is Georganna Gillette, a native Floridian and Executive Director of the Space Coast Transportation and Planning Organization (SCTPO).

Ms. Gillette is a true Floridian, born and raised in the City of Live Oak. In 1992, she began an 18-year career with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in Lake City. She completed the National Highway Institute Bridge Inspection Course and was hired as an Assistant Project Manager in Consultant Bridge Inspections at FDOT District 2, which serves an 18-county region in Northeast Florida.

In 2002, Ms. Gillette moved to Brevard County to accept a position as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Liaison for FDOT District 5, a 9-county region which includes the Space Coast. As MPO Liaison, she worked with municipalities to plan and coordinate transportation projects with transit agencies, local governments, and FDOT.

Ms. Gillette’s 18-year career at FDOT fully prepared her to become the Transportation Program Manager at SCTPO, Brevard County's regional transportation planning agency, in 2010. In this role, she was responsible for transportation improvement programs, prioritizing and funding projects, serving as liaison with FDOT, and overseeing the County’s bicycle and pedestrian programs.

In 2018, she was selected to serve as the SCTPO’s Executive Director where she leads regional transportation planning for the Space Coast’s 16 incorporated municipalities and Brevard County. The Space Coast’s unique economic and natural assets allow her to collaborate and coordinate in five transportation modes: highways, airports, rail, a seaport, and a spaceport.

Under her leadership, the SCTPO created the county-wide Vision Zero Action Plan which the County, all 16 municipalities, and Brevard Public Schools have adopted with a goal of eliminating preventable traffic deaths and serious injuries. Vision Zero is implemented through continuous roadway design improvements, intersection upgrades, pedestrian and bicycle projects, education, and enforcement.

Additionally, she has spearheaded major infrastructure priorities and construction projects including the widening of Ellis Road from two to four lanes and the groundbreaking of the Brevard Regional Traffic Management Center (BRTMC). After two decades of planning, this past February, the SCTPO broke ground on the BRTMC, which will serve as the central hub for real-time traffic operations, incident management, and interagency coordination.

Outside of her daily responsibilities, Ms. Gillette is actively involved with all of Brevard County's chambers and LEAD Brevard, often serving as a speaker on regional transportation initiatives and economic impact. She is a member of the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations and currently serves on the Brevard's Homeless Coalition Continuum of Care Advisory Council.

Ms. Gillette resides in Merritt Island with her husband, Randy. She has a daughter and two grandsons.

SD 19 is grateful to Georganna Gillette as she professionally and thoughtfully manages the regional multi-modal transportation system on the Space Coast. As approximately 57,000 new residents moved to Brevard County from 2020 to 2025, it is vital to have a leader such as Ms. Gillette, who has proven her dedication to preparing, planning, and executing a transportation system that works for residents and visitors alike.

District Highlights

NASA’s SpaceX 35th Commercial Resupply Mission

Early Tuesday morning, NASA and SpaceX successfully launched the 35th Commercial Resupply Mission (CRS-35) to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission transported more than 6,300 pounds of supplies to the station, including several new scientific experiments to be conducted aboard the ISS.

One of these experiments was designed by a team of five students from the Florida Institute of Technology. The experiment, titled “Hydrogel Radiation-Shielding Viability Under the Influence of Microgravity,” was developed through the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program.

The students hope that the results of their experiment could be used to develop radiation shielding for future spacesuits or improve biomedical dressings for radiation therapy patients on Earth.

The CRS-35 launch was also distinctive for the rare ‘jellyfish’ effect it created. While we see launches frequently here in Brevard County, this incredible launch was visible throughout much of the Eastern United States.

As I continue to work with my partners at the local, state, and federal level to ensure that Florida is selected as the home of the U.S. Space Academy. This incredible launch is a reminder of the critical role Florida’s Space Coast plays in advancing the nation’s dominance in space.

Early Voting Begins Tomorrow, October 19th

Early voting for the 2026 General Election in Brevard County begins Monday, October 19th and lasts through Saturday, October 31st.

Unlike Election Day, during the early voting period voters can cast their ballot at any of the locations designated for early voting by the Supervisor of Elections. Click here for a full list of early voting locations

During the early voting period, each of the locations listed above are open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on weekends from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For those who have previously secured a mail-in ballot, each of the early voting locations listed above have a secured ballot intake station (drop box) where you can securely drop your completed ballot.

If you are planning to vote on Tuesday, November 3rd, the official Election Day of 2026, you must vote at your assigned precinct. To locate your precinct, click here.

Grand Opening of Eastern Florida State College Aerospace Center for Excellence

Last Tuesday, I attended the grand opening ceremony of the new Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) at the Titusville campus.

This facility was established to address the growing workforce development needs for the aerospace industry on the Space Coast. ACE will provide greater access to aerospace education for students in North Brevard, while attracting students from Orlando and Volusia County, which will expand the talent pool for local employers.

“The Aerospace Center of Excellence reflects our commitment to providing state-of-the-art learning environments that connect education with industry needs,” said EFSC President Dr. Jim Ritchey. “As the aerospace and aviation industries continue to grow here on Florida’s Space Coast, ACE will provide hands-on education and training to ensure students are prepared to support the next generation of aerospace and aviation innovation.”

ACE features four specialized laboratories dedicated to electronics, metal fabrication, fluids, and composites, which allow students to receive hands-on experience using industry-standard equipment and technologies.

Thank you to EFSC, President Richey, and Jack Parker, for your continued commitment to growing the workforce development pipeline on the Space Coast.

Teen Driver Safety Programs

During National Teen Driver Safety Week, it is important to remind parents and teens of local resources available to educate young drivers about simple precautions they can take to save lives on our roadways.

Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (SCTPO): SCTPO is approaching teen driver safety in two ways: educating parents of teen drivers with "rules of the road" resources and finding innovative ways to directly engage young drivers.

Research demonstrates that teens who log at least 50 hours of supervised driving build stronger skills, and that teens who drive regularly with their parents have fewer crashes and tickets than those who do not. SCTPO will be sharing daily safety tips and resources on their social media channels throughout the week. Follow along on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn to learn how parents can make the driving experience safer for young drivers.

New this year, the SCTPO is exploring ways to get teens actively involved in spreading the message. The organization is partnering with Digital Media seniors at Viera High School to empower students to design digital traffic safety campaigns created by teens, for teens.

To kick off the project, SCTPO staff introduced the class to the Vision Zero mission and the impact of human-centered safety messaging. The seniors have already completed their client briefs and are now brainstorming creative concepts, ranging from social media graphics and short-form videos to digital PSAs.

For more information on the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization's programs, click here or call (321) 689-6800.

Brevard County Sheriff's Office: The Brevard County Sheriff's Office is offering the Teen Driver Challenge, a free, one-day, eight-hour course for teen drivers (with a license or permit) ages 15-19. The courses will be held at Eastern Florida State College (250 Community College Parkway) in Palm Bay from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the following dates:

Saturday, November 7th
Sunday, November 22nd
Sunday, December 13th
Saturday, December 19th

“The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting our young drivers while doing everything possible to significantly reduce the number of injuries and deaths associated with traffic accidents,” Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.

Students will be instructed by BCSO's Florida Sheriff's Association Certified Driving Instructors in a classroom segment and on the driving pad.

For more information, click here.

Upcoming Events

Brevard County Sheriff's Office Charity Haunted Jail Trail

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Charity Haunted Jail Trail will be held on Friday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 24th from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Brevard County Jail Complex (860 Camp Road) in Cocoa.

The Haunted Jail Trail is a walking wooded trail featuring “incarcerated lost souls” and a horror experience that will leave participants shivering in fear, according to Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

Admission is $20 and food trucks will be available. To purchase tickets online, click here.

Brevard Zoo Spooktacular Halloween Events

To celebrate Halloween this year, Brevard Zoo will hold three spooktacular events, Boo in the Zoo, Beware the Night, and the Haunted Harvest Brunch. Attendees are invited to wear their Halloween costumes to each event.

Beware the Night will take place on Thursday, October 22nd through Saturday, October 24th and Thursday, October 29th through Saturday, October 31st from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. each night. The family-friendly, after-hours event is included in the regular Zoo admission price and features pathways lined with glowing jack-o’-lanterns, foggy forests, and larger-than-life displays. Additionally, guests ages 10 and up can purchase tickets for $33 for River’s Revenge, an interactive ‘jump scare’ experience with haunted mazes and creatures from the Indian River Lagoon.

Boo at the Zoo will take place on Saturday, October 24th, Sunday, October 25th, and Saturday, October 31st from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. This event features trick-or-treating, live performances, the Boo Choo Train, and animal encounters. Boo at the Zoo is included in the regular Zoo admission price. Trick-or-Treaters are asked to bring a reusable bag for treats.

The Haunted Harvest Brunch will take place on Sunday, October 25th from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Adult tickets are $55, children ages 3 to 11 are $45, and children under age 2 are free; space is limited and reservations are required. The brunch includes a full buffet, reserved seating, animal encounters, and an opportunity for children to create edible treats for the Zoo’s animal residents. Brunch guests can also purchase discounted tickets ($20 for adults and $15 for children) for Zoo admission with their brunch reservation.

For Beware the Night River’s Revenge tickets, click here. For the Haunted Harvest Brunch, click here.