Mayfield Minute - November 25, 2018
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I hope you had a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving with your family and friends. I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with my family as we remembered our many blessings.
I would like to invite you to join my staff and I for our Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at my new District Office in Melbourne. We are collecting toys to donate to Nana's House in the spirit of the holiday season!
District Office Open House
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Melbourne City Hall
900 East Strawbridge Avenue, Melbourne, FL
I consider it a great honor to represent all of the citizens and visitors of District 17. Please share
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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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Florida Senate Organizational Session
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On Tuesday, November 20th Florida Legislators gathered for Organizational Session. Pursuant to the Florida Constitution, the Florida Legislature convenes 14 days following the general election for the purpose of organization, election of officers and adoption of rules.
In the House, Representative Jose Oliva was unanimously elected to serve as Speaker for the 2019-2020 Sessions, Representative MaryLynn Magar was nominated for Speaker Pro-Tempore, and 46 new House members were sworn in.
In Speaker Oliva's acceptance speech he laid out his goals for the House which included continuing open school choice for parents, reducing state and local regulations and protecting our natural resources.
In the Senate, Senator Bill Galvano was unanimously elected to serve as the President of the Senate for the 2019-2020 Session, Senator David Simmons was elected to serve as the President Pro-Tempore and nine freshman members were sworn into the Senate along with the eleven members that were re-elected.
In his acceptance speech President Galvano laid out his goals for the 2019 Legislative Session, "While I am serving as Senate President, the Florida Senate will have civility, transparency, candor, and opportunity. Including opportunity for the people of Florida to be heard. Together, we can strive to be an example other states and governments can follow as to how to focus on policy, not politics and on service, not severance."
“We have much to be proud of and many reasons to be optimistic. Private sector job growth in Florida continues to outpace the nation. Unemployment is at the lowest point in over a decade. And, after reducing debt by $10 billion since December 2010, for the first time in our state’s history, Florida has an AAA bond rating with all three rating agencies.”
“All of these indicators give us reason to be optimistic and inspired to build on our past decisions to keep taxes low, regulations reasonable, and to set aside ample reserves, while making smart investments in essential government services, including services for servicemen and women, veterans, and first responders, persons with unique abilities, children and our elderly. By being disciplined we will keep our state strong and in a position where families find prosperity and where private sector innovators come to start, expand and grow their businesses.”
“The people of this state have added their own agenda through amendments to our constitution. We have both opportunity and work to do in implementing them. I expect that we will work diligently with our partners in the House to fulfill the will of the people.”
I am looking forward to the 2019 Legislative Session and working with my colleagues to ensure that good public policy is passed that benefits all of our citizens.
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Brevard County Delegation Meeting
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The Brevard Delegation Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2018 from 5:00pm-9:00pm. The meeting will take place at the Palm Bay City Council Chambers located at 120 Malabar Road in Palm Bay, FL.
Representative Randy Fine, Chairman of the Delegation this year, said, "Our annual delegation meeting is the best opportunity our constituents have to speak directly to the entire six person delegation at once. I am excited to welcome both our Delegation and the entire county to Palm Bay to share the issues they believe should be our priority in 2019. I hope that by moving the meeting to the evening we will create greater access to our working constituents who have previously been unable to attend."
The Brevard Delegation consists of six members of the Florida Legislature including myself, Senator Tom Wright (District 18), Representative Randy Fine (District 53), Representative Rene Plasencia (District 50), Representative Tyler Sirois (District 51) and Representative Thad Altman (District 52).
For more information please contact Representative Randy Fine's Office (321) 409-2017.
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PSC Meeting: FPL Purchase of Vero Electric Utility
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The Public Service Commission (PSC) will be holding a Special Meeting on Tuesday, November 27th at 9:30 AM in their Tallahassee office to announce their recommendations on the acquisition of the City of Vero Beach Electric utility by Florida Power & Light (FPL).
Last month I traveled to Tallahassee to testify before the PSC to urge Commissioners to move forward with the sale of Vero Electric to FPL after three protests were filed in opposition of the agreement.
As a reminder, the City of Vero Beach’s electric rates have historically been some of the highest in our state. Over 60% of the utility’s customers reside outside the City of Vero Beach’s corporate limits and therefore have no vote on how the utility operates or the rates it charges. After years of negotiations and compromise, FPL and the City of Vero Beach reached an agreement that will benefit all parties involved. The PSC voted in favor of this acquisition in June of 2018.
FLP's acquisition will improve service quality and reduce rates, immediately putting money back in the pockets of approximately 35,000 customers in the Indian River County area.
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Florida Beverage Association Community Grant Program
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Last week the Florida Beverage Association (FBA) announced that they are accepting applications for their Community Grant Program. This grant program provides support to organizations and programs that promote environmental sustainability, nutrition, health and wellness initiatives.
“As Floridians, we know the importance of protecting both our environment and the well-being of our neighbors. The FBA and its members are committed to supporting these efforts through the FBA Community Grant Program,” said Liz DeWitt, FBA Executive Director.
To be considered for a grant, all nominees must meet the requirements listed in the Grant Program Criteria found on the
FBA website
. Grants awarded through the FBA program are generally capped at $25,000, however, special programs and unique circumstances may justify a larger grant. Additionally, some grant applications may be eligible for a matching grant from the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America. All grant applications should be submitted online by Monday, December 31, 2018.
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Upcoming Holiday Celebrations
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Brevard County
- Palm Bay Holiday Light Parade: Saturday, December 1st at 6:30 PM. The parade will start at Eastern Florida State College Campus on San Filippo Drive and then travel west down Malabar Road and end in front of City Hall at Minton Road.
- Merritt Island Holiday Parade: Saturday, December 1st at 10:00 AM. The parade will travel from Grove Boulevard at Merritt Island High School and run South on Courtenay Parkway (SR-3) to Edgewood Junior-Senior High School on Merritt Avenue.
- Indialantic Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony: Thursday, December 6th at 7:00 PM in Nance Park.
- The Eau Gallie Arts District Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony: Friday, December 7th at 6:00 PM. There will be seasonal music, holiday shopping along Highland Avenue and Saint Nick will be visiting guests in Eau Gallie Square.
- City of Cocoa/Rockledge Holiday Parade: Saturday, December 8th at 3:00 PM. The parade will travel north on Florida Avenue from Rockledge High School to Lee Wenner Park.
- Melbourne 26th Annual Light Parade: Saturday, December 8th at 6:00 PM. The parade starts at the intersection of Nasa Blvd and Airport Blvd then heads south on Airport Blvd to Hibiscus Blvd, turns right on to Hibiscus Blvd and heads west on Gateway Drive.
- Merritt Island Christmas Boat Parade: Saturday, December 15th at 6:30 PM. The best place to see the parade is on the Ulmay wooden bridge or on the sides of Sykes Creek.
- Christmas at The Avenue Viera: Saturday, December 15th at 7:00 PM. The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will be presenting a free holiday concert outside of the AMC Theaters.
- Melbourne Beach 53rd Annual Children's Christmas Parade: Saturday, December 15th at 9:00 AM on Ocean Avenue.
Indian River County
- The Vero Beach 34th Annual Centennial Christmas Parade: Saturday, December 1st at 6:00 PM. The parade will travel north along Ocean Drive from Flamevine to Live Oak.
- The City of Sebastian Holiday Parade on December 1st at 6:00 PM. The parade will begin at Main Street, travel south on Indian River Drive to Riverview Park, and deliver Santa to his beautifully decorated house, where the City Christmas Tree will be lit and children can visit Santa.
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Melbourne Office
900 E. Strawbridge Ave.
Melbourne, FL 32901
(321) 409-2025
Tallahassee Office
324 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 32962
(772) 226-1970
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