Upgrading our communities through meaningful legislation

Dear friends and neighbors,

This was an exciting week for Florida, as the U.S. Department of Education approved our plan for how the state will utilize American Rescue Plan funds for our schools. We'll be able to keep our schools open, provide the proper support for our students and teachers, and address disparities in our education system so that children from all over have the same opportunity for quality education. On top of this, the remaining $2.3 billion will be distributed to the state to be used by local governments for their communities.

With the passing of our Build Back Better Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Florida will also receive $245 million over five years to upgrade our bridges and put our communities back to work. I look forward to seeing infrastructure funding go towards fixing our roads, upgrading our airports, and expanding internet access.

On Wednesday, the White House announced that starting tomorrow, January 15, individuals who purchase FDA-approved, over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests will be able to have their cost covered by their insurance. This will be essential in our fight against the Omicron variant as we work to keep our communities safe and healthy.

Additionally, starting Wednesday, January 19, households will be able to order four free at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. A call line will also be launched to help those unable to access the website.

If you haven't already, please get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect yourself, your family, and your community. COVID-19 vaccines are available to all Americans at no cost, regardless of their health insurance or immigration status. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines and to find an appointment near you, please visit vaccines.gov.

In the District

Fighting for the Child Tax Credit

Over two million Florida families received the monthly Child Tax Credit last month to reduce financial stress, food insecurity, and poverty. Today, many of them realized that this check is no longer coming. Senate Republicans must join Democrats to continue this critical lifeline.

Watch more here

Supporting the Dr. Phillips Center

I was honored to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center today. This great addition to the Dr. Phillips Center is part of what makes Central Florida a world class destination for arts and culture.

Meeting with our Justice Advisory Board

As Congress continues pushing for meaningful legislation surrounding voting rights and police reform, I met with the FL-9 Justice Advisory Board to discuss updates to our efforts and identify more ways to advocate for our most vulnerable communities.

Connecting our Community with Resources

Through the incredible new initiatives of the Biden-Harris Administration, students in Florida will now be better equipped against COVID-19 with over ten million more tests being provided to our schools.

Learn more here

UCF Business Incubation Program Ribbon-Cutting

Team Soto was present at UCF Business Incubation Program and Starter Studio's ribbon cutting event for their new downtown location. This hub will provide business development and operational support to early-stage, innovative businesses throughout Central Florida.

In Washington, D.C.

Passing Historic Voting Rights Legislation

Protecting the right to vote in Florida and across the country should not be partisan in the least. I was proud to vote in favor of the Freedom to Vote Act, a comprehensive package of reforms that will protect the right to vote, end the dominance of big money in our politics, and prevent partisan gerrymandering.

Working to Provide GI Benefits to our Guard and Reserve Members

I was honored to preside over the House of Representatives as my colleagues debated the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act. I proudly support this effort to give our Florida Guard and Reserve members the same access to their GI Bill benefits as their active-duty counterparts.

Paying Respects to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

I had the opportunity to pay my respects to fellow GW Law alumni Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on January 12th as he lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda. May we honor his legacy by working together to improve the lives of working families.

COVID-19 Testing in the District

With the rise in COVID-19 cases due to the highly contagious Delta variant, it is incredibly important that anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 gets tested. Tests in Osceola, Polk, and Orange county are free of charge.

In Polk County, testing is provided at the following location:

Auburndale Testing Center - 321 Ramsgate Road, Auburndale, FL 33823
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Appointments are REQUIRED. To schedule an appointment please call (863) 519-7911

In Orange County, testing is provided seven days a week at the following locations:

Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32808 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

In Osceola County, testing is provided by appointment only at these locations.

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in the District

All Floridians five years of age and older are eligible to pre-register for a vaccine appointment NOW. After registration, individuals will be notified when appointments become available in their area.

Please visit this website to monitor updates provided by the state and do your part to end this pandemic and return to prosperity!

Pre-register here

If you live in Orange County, please continue to use their website.

In Polk County, The Florida Department of Health is providing COVID-19 vaccines to those wanting one from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:

Mondays - Lakeland Health Department, 3241 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland
Wednesdays - Auburndale Testing location, 245 E. Lake Ave. in Auburndale
Fridays - Haines City Health Department, 1700 Baker Ave. E. in Haines City

COVID-19 Vaccines by County

As COVID-19 infections rise in Central Florida, we are working with local officials to provide up-to-date information on vaccinations. For more information on your county's distribution plans, please visit the websites linked below.

Orange County

Osceola County

Polk County

Florida has many sites that are providing COVID-19 vaccines. Appointments may be required and vaccine availability will vary from day to day and week to week.

Click here for a full list of vaccine sites in Florida

Click here for a vaccine finder

Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccinations and Community Vaccination Sites

Many local pharmacies and community sites are offering the COVID-19 vaccine. As we receive more information, we will update our list to ensure that everyone has access to these vaccination opportunities. At the moment, vaccinations are available at:

Publix

ALL Publix locations will be offering the COVID-19 vaccine
To register, please click here

CVS

To register, please click here

Walmart

Supercenter 1086, located at 4400 13th Street, Saint Cloud, FL 34769
Supercenter 817, located at 4444 W Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Supercenter 725, located at 36205 US Highway 27, Haines City, FL 33844
Supercenter 859, located at 2000 State Road 60 E, Lake Wales, FL 33898
Supercenter 3347, located at 7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33884
Supercenter 5420, located at 3250 Vineland Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Neighborhood Market 5846, located at 3183 West Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Neighborhood Market 5265, located at 2125 Nolte Road, Saint Cloud, FL 34772
Neighborhood Market 4159, located at 2850 E Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34743
To register, please click here

Sam’s Club

Sam's 4782, located at 4763 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34746
To determine eligibility and register, please click here

Winn-Dixie

To register, please click here

Central Florida Health Care

Call 866-234-8534 to be connected to a convenient site

FDOH Orange County - Night Lite Pediatrics Urgent Care

Located at 1267 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Individuals can schedule an appointment here or by calling 407-569-0220

Centro Cristiano Dios De Pactos Church

Located at 1130 Simmons Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744
Vaccinations provided by appointment only
Individuals can pre-register here

Orlando VA Healthcare System at Lake Nona*

Located at 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, FL 32827
Appointments and walk-ins are available

Orlando VA Healthcare System at Lake Baldwin*

Located at 5201 Raymond Street, Orlando, FL 32803

*To schedule an appointment, call (407)631-0499

Open Enrollment Period

Drive-Thru Vaccinations in Orlando

Rental Assistance for Central Floridians

The programs below have been established to help residents in Polk, Orange, and Osceola Counties with rental and housing costs.

Orange County Emergency Rental Assistance Program

For additional information and to apply, please click here.
Temporarily available to City of Orlando residents.

Osceola County Emergency Rental Assistance/Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention

To access assistance, please click here.

Osceola County COVID-19 Elderly & Disabled Housing/ Utility Assistance Program

Up to six months of assistance available
Must be 62 years of age or older or permanently disabled
Paper applications only. Packets will be available at Osceola County Human Services (1392 E. Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34744) on:
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (8:30 a.m. – noon)
Tuesdays and Thursdays (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Payments will be made directly to the mortgage company/landlord and utility company
If you have any questions regarding the program, please call 407-742-8403

What’s needed?
Driver’s license or state of Florida identification card
Current lease or mortgage statement in applicants/co-applicants name
Utility bill in applicants/co-applicants name
W-9 form from landlord, property manager, or mortgage company
SSDI eligibility documentation

Polk County Eviction Prevention Program

For additional information and to apply, please click here.

The Florida Department of Children and Families has launched the OUR Florida rental assistance program to provide rental and utility assistance to families in need. To verify eligibility and apply, please click here or call (833)493-0594 from 7 a.m. — 6 p.m. EST.

If you need help with utilities, please click here to access information from the United Way.

Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

The U.S. Department of Treasury has collected websites associated with grantees’ Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) programs to help tenants and landlords find rental assistance programs in their local areas. Click here for more information.

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices. For more information, visit this website.

Resources for Veterans

Take a moment today to check in with a veteran. You can direct them to mental health resources listed here.

“We’ve Opened Safely” Program

Osceola County is working to promote safety and consumer confidence as businesses start to re-open in our district. The county is also allocating funding towards an emergency grant program for locally owned and independently operated small businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic. Click here for more information.

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Cost Reimbursement

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. For further information, please click here.

Fraud Alert: FEMA has received reports of scammers reaching out to people offering to register them for funeral assistance. FEMA has not sent any such notifications and will not contact people prior to them registering for assistance.

I am proud to be your representative and look forward to our continued efforts to improve our district! Please do not hesitate to call my office with any questions or concerns.

In Community,