September 24, 2023 - Mayfield Minute

Mayfield Minute - September 24, 2023 - Mayfield Minute

Good Morning!

Sample Ballot Funding Approved after Brevard County Budget Passed in 5-0 Vote

Last week, the Brevard County Commission held their final hearing on the 2023-2024 budget for their fiscal year that begins October 1st. The Commission unanimously agreed to pass the $2.04 billion dollar budget which included the Supervisor of Elections (SOE) Tim Bobanic's request for approximately $319,000 to continue the County's history of mailing residents sample ballots in advance of elections, and to cover the cost of postage for those who choose to cast vote-by-mail ballots. The Commission previously voted 3-2 on the initial passage of the budget on September 5th after removing Mr. Bobanic's request for the $319,000.

The removal of Mr. Bobanic's budget request generated many emails and phone calls to my office, and you were very clear that the sample ballots are important to you.

I want to thank Brevard County Commissioner Jason Steele who took the time to review the issue further, and the entire county commission for reconsideration which resulted in a unanimous 5-0 vote at the September 19th final hearing on their budget. Residents can be assured that they will receive the sample mail ballot and have their postage for mail in ballots covered.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to tour the new Election Support Center with Mr. Bobanic. I observed the secure measures in place to affirm the County is conducting fair, efficient, and accurate elections with the highest level of transparency and integrity. I am confident Mr. Bobanic and his team are committed to ensuring Brevard County remains a leader in our State for election accountability.

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 Dedicates $50 Million to Boost Florida’s Semiconductor Industry

Governor DeSantis announced $50 million for a cutting-edge workforce development initiative dedicated to supporting Florida’s semiconductor industry. The initiative dedicates funds through FloridaCommerce and the Florida Department of Education to projects and workforce education opportunities that support semiconductor manufacturing and related research and development within the military, defense, and space industries.

Florida is #5 in the US for semiconductor manufacturing jobs and #3 in the nation for semiconductor establishments. The investment will help Florida continue to expand its dominance in the semiconductor industry.

“Florida is quickly becoming the global hub for semiconductor manufacturing in the space and defense industries,” said Governor DeSantis. “By dedicating $50 million to expand our manufacturing capabilities, we are strengthening Florida’s supply chain and ensuring Florida maintains a strong economy that supports Florida families.”

For more information on the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program, click here.

Florida’s Wildlife Corridor to Expand by more than 42,000 Acres

Last week, Governor DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved a $141 million investment to expand Florida’s Wildlife Corridor by more than 42,000 acres through the Florida Forever and Rural and Family Lands Protection programs. More than 17,000 acres border Big Cypress National Preserve and will advance Everglades restoration efforts.

The Florida Wildlife Corridor is a designated network of connected lands that creates crucial linkages for wildlife habitat. The acquisitions also include 1,500 acres for military base buffering and 13,000 acres of family cattle operations.

“Today’s investments bolster our efforts to restore the Everglades and preserve important natural resources for future generations of Floridians,” said Governor DeSantis. “While we work to protect important resources, we are also ensuring that Florida’s working farms continue to thrive and support the state’s food security.”

To learn more about acquisition approvals, click here.

Florida’s Prescription Drug Reform Act is Implemented

Governor DeSantis announced approved rules to implement several provisions of the Prescription Drug Reform Act which increases accountability among pharmaceutical middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Senate Bill1550 institutes the most comprehensive reforms to Florida’s prescription drug market in state history.

“We are committed to making Florida’s prescription drug market the most transparent and accountable in the nation,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “For too long, PBMs and Big Pharma have made extraordinary windfalls by operating behind closed doors — deciding which prescriptions are covered, where they can be purchased, and how much they cost. These rules will continue our efforts to lower prescription costs and make corporations responsible to the patients they serve.”

Any PBM that attempts to continue operating in Florida on or after January 1, 2024, that has not been approved as an insurance administrator will be subject to fines totaling $10,000 per violation per day.

Additional information on the bill can be found here.

Over 30 New Laws will Take Effect October 1st

Over 37 new Florida laws passed during the 2023 Legislative session by the Legislature and signed by Governor DeSantis will take effect on Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Some of the new laws enacted will:

Impact golf cart operators, particularly those 18 and under
Protect seniors from predatory exploitation
Require electronic monitoring of persons charged with certain crimes against students and schools
Address H omeowners Association operations
Extend Medicaid coverage of continuous glucose monitors
Criminalize offe nses involving Fentanyl
Increase violations for unlaw ful dumping in waterways

For the specific language of these new laws, click on the links above. For a full list laws, contact my office at 321-409-2025 to provide your email or mailing address.

Constituent of the Week

Kristin Panzenhagen

Our Constituent of the Week is Brigadier General Kristin Panzenhagen.

The Department of the Air Force recently selected Brigadier General Kristin Panzenhagen as the new commander of Space Launch Delta (SLD) 45. SLD 45 oversees launch operations in the Eastern Range and supports missile and rocket launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center.

As commander of SLD 45, Brig. Gen. Panzenhagen serves as the Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Assured Access to Space; Director of the Eastern Range; and Director of Launch and Range Operations, Space Systems Command (SSC/S3). She is responsible for organizing, training and equipping 22,000 government and contractor personnel in Florida, New Mexico, and California.

Additionally, she leads the $13.5B National Security Space Launch Program, Rocket System Launch Program, and Launch and Test Range System Program. As SLD 45 Commander, she is responsible for base infrastructure for more than 15,000 military, civilians, contractors, and dependents at Patrick SFB, Cape Canaveral SFS, and Ascension Island.

As the U.S. Space Force Director of the Eastern Range--a 15-million-square-mile area with approximately 90 launches in 2023 on Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Atlas V, Delta IV Heavy, U.S. Navy’s Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile, and Astra Rocket 3—Brig. Gen. Panzenhagen is the final approval authority for all launches, landings, and Department of Defense testing to include Kennedy Space Center satellites and human spaceflight.

Brig. Gen. Panzenhagen entered the Air Force as a Distinguished Graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Purdue University in 2000. She began her career as an aircraft maintenance officer, then transitioned to the developmental engineering career field, where she performed aircraft propulsion and structures research and executed space launch and on-orbit satellite operations.

She has managed multi-domain command and control, missile warning and defense, and satellite ground enterprise programs. She commanded at the squadron level, leading the National Air and Space Intelligence Center’s Foreign Materiel Exploitation Squadron and has worked national-level space policy at the National Reconnaissance Office.

Brig. Gen. Panzenhagen has been deployed to Saudi Arabia and Iraq in support of Operations Southern Watch, IRAQI Freedom, and New Freedom.

I think residents of District 19 will agree Brigadier General Kristin Panzenhagen is making it happen, and we are grateful for her patriotism, leadership, and service.

District Highlights

Edgewood Jr. / Sr. High has Earned National Blue Ribbon School Status for Third Time

Edgewood Jr. / Sr. High School (180 E. Merritt Avenue) in Merritt Island was recently recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School (NBRS) for 2023 by the U.S. Department of Education.

The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. This is the third time (2023, 2017, and 2008) Edgewood has been earned NBRS status, a designation that lasts for five years.

“It is such an honor to work with an amazing school community. Our students, faculty, staff, parents, families, and community members collectively work to seek excellence in who we are and all that we do,” said Principal Jacqueline Ingratta. “I am inspired by our phenomenal students, our awesome staff, and the tremendous support of our parents and families.”

The U.S. Department of Education recognizes all NBR schools as Exemplary High-Performing Schools or Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools. Edgewood was nominated as an Exemplary High-Performing School.

To view the announcement in full, please click here.

Space Florida Board of Directors Selects Colonel Robert Long, United States Space Force, Ret. as New President and Chief Executive Officer

Colonel Robert Long, United States Space Force, Ret. has been selected as the new President and Chief Executive Officer. With an extensive background in the military and space industry, Colonel Long will further drive Space Florida's mission to advance the aerospace industry and solidify Florida as the global hub for aerospace.

“I am honored to welcome Colonel Long as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Space Florida,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Chair of the Space Florida Board of Directors. “Throughout the selection process, Colonel Long laid out a compelling long-term vision that will ensure Florida’s dominance in the space industry. Together with the Board of Directors, Space Florida will continue to expand Florida’s footprint and focus on business investment, research and development, national defense, manufacturing, workforce, and more.

“I want to thank Lieutenant Governor Nuñez and the entire board for the trust they have placed in me to lead Space Florida into the future,” said Colonel Long.

He went on to say, that he looks forward to working alongside the exceptional Space Florida team and partners to solidify Florida as the global leader for aerospace commerce and that he is committed to driving the future of the industry here where it all began more than 70 years ago.”

For more information on Colonel Long’s distinguished career, click here.

Upcoming Events

Brightline is Now Traveling through Indian River and Brevard Counties for Roundtrips Between Miami and Orlando

After several months of test runs through Indian River and Brevard counties, Brightline launched its high-speed passenger train service between Miami and Orlando last Friday. Currently the railway is operating a limited schedule but will gradually increase from 11 trains per day to 32 trains per day passing through the Treasure Coast and Space Coast.

A one-way trip between Miami and Orlando is about 3 hours and 30 minutes. A one-way trip between West Palm Beach and Orlando is about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Each Brightline four-coach train can carry 240 people.

For a limited time, special pricing is available at rates of $79 for adults and $39 for children. Groups of four or more people will automatically save an additional 25%.

Brightline also has stops in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Aventura at different fare prices.

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.gobrightline.com.

Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber to Host "State of the Cities" Event

The Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce will host an inaugural "State of the Cities" event with City Managers throughout the Space Coast discussing growth management, community services, and the challenges and priorities of the 16 municipalities within Brevard County.

The "State of the Cities" event provides residents, small and mid-size business owners, and public and not-for-profit groups to directly hear from city leaders, local government officials, and the business community.

The event will take place on Tuesday, October 3rd at the Cocoa Beach Country Club (5000 Tom Warriner Boulevard) in Cocoa Beach from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The event fee is $25.00 for members and $35.00 for guests.

For more information, contact Cheryl Clark by email.