Greetings from Tallahassee!

I wanted to send a quick update because this week in Special Session, the Senate passed an additional $700 million in funding to support ongoing relief and recovery for communities impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.

The bill includes an additional $650 million for the Governor’s Emergency Response and Preparedness Fund, as well as $50 million in funding for a Local Government Bridge Loan Program within the Department of Economic Opportunity.  Working with my staff in Tallahassee, I authored the Bridge Loan Program to help communities in Southwest Florida, including Ft. Myers Beach, continue their operations.  The program is modeled after the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.  Loans are provided interest-free.  Our communities brought this concern to my attention last month, and we are taking quick action to help make you whole!

On Wednesday, I traveled with Governor Ron DeSantis and Speaker Paul Renner to announce a historic tax relief effort we are undertaking this session.  While under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, Florida’s economy is booming, the pain of inflation due to the disastrous economic policies on the national level is very real for many Florida families.  Florida cannot independently fix all of the problems created by the federal government, but we can and we will do our part to support Florida families by passing historic broad-based tax cuts that help Floridians keep more of their hard-earned money.  You can watch my remarks on the video above, and join the crowd in choosing your favorite tax cut!  My favorite is cutting the sales tax on dog food, and I know my yellow lab Tucker agrees.  In all seriousness, this package includes a number of important tax cuts on household items that will really benefit growing families and seniors during this time of record inflation.

Additionally this week, two of my priority bills passed their first committees of reference.

Legislation to expand access to Florida’s iconic Wildlife Corridor, by Senator Jason Brodeur, passed the Senate Committee on Transportation. SB 106 expands access to Florida’s Wildlife Corridor, connecting the corridor to Florida’s Greenways and Trails System and the SUN Trail Network, as well as recreational pathways to heritage small towns across Florida.  Our wildlife corridor provides a unique opportunity to experience the wonder and beauty of Florida’s heartland.  With record investments by the Legislature and Governor DeSantis over the last two years, we have the chance not only to preserve this natural resource for future generations, but to expand access so more Floridians can walk, run and bike from trail town to trail town, taking in all our great state has to offer.

Live Local, Senate Bill 102, by Senator Alexis Calatayud, passed the Senate Committee on Community Affairs. The legislation contains our comprehensive, statewide workforce housing strategy, which is designed to increase the availability of attainable housing options for Florida workers who seek to live in the communities they serve.

All work is important to Florida’s economic development, and every Florida worker is essential to sustaining Florida’s communities.  We respect the dignity of work and what a paycheck means for a family.  Live Local expands our Hometown Heroes program, so that all of our constituents who work for a Florida company have the opportunity to purchase a home of their own.  At the same time, with a growing workforce, demand for additional rental units has increased.  Mortgage rates are higher than recent years and many new residents, younger working Floridians, and seniors do not want the added costs and responsibilities that come with home ownership.  These factors are driving the current demand for rental housing, which is outpacing supply, keeping rents high, and pushing rental prices beyond affordable prices, as we know all too well here in Southwest Florida.  Our legislation seeks to improve housing options for all income levels and stages of life as we continue to fund state affordable housing programs at historically high funding levels, provide new avenues for solutions in zoning, encourage more mixed-use developments in latent commercial areas, and enhance public access to information about expedited permitting and public property that may be suitable for workforce housing.

I wish you all an enjoyable Super Bowl Weekend. I look forward to watching the game. I’m rooting for Donna Kelce, the first mom in history to have two sons compete against each other in the Super Bowl. I’m praying for her, too. Go Donna!

Respectfully,

Kathleen

Kathleen C. Passidomo

Senate President
State Senator, District 28

Not paid for at taxpayer expense.

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