Oct 13, 2023 St. Johns County 2023 Legislative Delegations

[00:00:01]

COULD GRAB YOUR SEATS WE WILL GET STARTED IN A MINUTE.

[Call to Order]

WILL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE. >> IF YOU CAN HEAR ME PLEASE JOIN ME IN PRAYER. HEAVENLY FATHER WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE COME TODAY AND SHARE THE PRIORITIES OF THE SYRIA INTERSTATE AND WE ASK FOR YOUR WISDOM AND WE TH THANK YOU FOR E FREE SOCIETY AS WE ARE TODAY AND A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THOSE THAT ARE SUFFERING TODAY IN THE NATIF ISRAEL THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES AND LOVED ONES WERE BEING HELD HOSTAGE AND WE PRAY FOR THE STRENGTH OF THOSE PEOPLE AND THE WISDOM TO MOVE FORWARD IN A WAY THAT WE WILL REMEDY THAT IN THE FUTURE. WE THINK OF ALL THIS IN YOUR

NAME AMEN. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH THE BEAUTY AND

JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> THANK YOU, GUYS.

DANIELLE, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> CHAIR HUDSON.

>> HERE. >> ARE PRESENTED A RUNNER.

[4) Opening Remarks/Announcements]

>> REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON. >> REPRESENTATIVE PAIN, THE

QUORUM IS PRESENT. >> THANK YOU DANIELLE, AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON FOR

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR I HAVE WITH ME TODAY, I'M LOOKING AROUND MY DISTRICT SECRETARY SHORTY ROBBINS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO BE HERE WITH THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND THE ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF OUR REGION IT'S AN HONOR TO

REPRESENT YOU. >> ARE PRESENTED A RUNNER.

>> IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE, WHERE SHANNON SHEPPARD.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE DISCUSSION TODAY WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD SESSION THIS YEAR AND HAD A LOT OF PRIORITIES

[6) Speakers]

THANK YOU. >> WEEKLY I HAVE MY ENTIRE STAFF HERE IF YOU GUYS HAVE NOT FILLED OUT A FORM TO SPEAK WE HAVE THEM IN THE BACK TURN INTO MY STAFF AND WILL READ OFF THE LIST AS WE SUBMIT AN ORDER. FIRST OFF WE'RE GOING TO START WITH COMMISSIONER THERE ARE NO BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION AND WERE GIVING EVERYBODY THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.

REPRESENTATIVE RUNNER HAS CONTROL OF THE CLOCK.

YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE GOOD MORNING HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION.

ON BEHALF OF THE ST. JOHN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF, WELCOME BACK TO BEATABLE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS OF OUR RESIDENTS. WE ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING LOCAL AGENCIES AND CITIZENS WITH OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER THEIR INPUT AND PRIORITIES FOR THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. LAST MONTH OUR BOARD ADOPTED THE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTION WHICH ADDRESSES INFRASTRUCTURE, PROGRAM AND SERVICE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS.

THIS YEAR OUR FUNDING PRIORITIES INCLUDE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT WILL ENHANCE TRANSPORTATION CONNECTIVITY, EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAPACITY AND COASTAL PROTECTION.

IN ADDITION WE WILL REQUEST THAT YOU PRIORITIZE TO REGIONAL INITIATIVES, THE RESTORATION OF THE ECOSYSTEM AND ITS ST. JOHN'S AND FLAGLER AND CLAY COUNTY TO THE ATLANTIC.

WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO REDUCE REGULATION THAT IMPEDE THE FUNDING OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION. CONSERVE HISTORIC FARMING COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE, STRENGTHEN OUR COMMITMENT TO DISABLE FIRST RESPONDERS AND FINALLY TO IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY OPTIONS FOR YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

WITH YOUR ASSISTANCE WE HAVE ACHIEVED LONG-TERM BENEFITS NOT ONLY FOR THE RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY BUT FOR THE REGION AS A WHOLE. THIS PARTNERSHIP LED TO A RECORD $59 MILLION IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE ARE BACK FOR MORE, WERE VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND THE MUCH NEEDED RESOURCES TO OUR COMMUNITY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE 2024 SESSION THAT IS EQUALLY PRODUCTIVE.

THANK YOU AGAIN. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[00:05:05]

>> NEXT WE HAVE -- >> MORNING SENATOR AND SPEAKER REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON PAID ON BEHALF OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID FOR US LAST YEAR. WE CHANGE LEGISLATURE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO PROTECT HER CHILDREN ON THE GOLF OF THE LEGISLATURES. THANK YOU AS WE START TODAY FOR WE ARE ASKING FOR FUNDING FOR THE CENTRAL PUBLIC SERVICE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. MORE IMPORTANT WE'RE GOING TO HOUSE OR PIECE AT, THE PUBLIC SAFETY WITH ALL THE PHONE CALLS A COMMON AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY. IN A MITIGATION COMMISSION, WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE A BACKUP. AN EMERGENCY CAN MITIGATION BUILDING WE MEETING TOGETHER WITH ST. JOHNS COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE HANDLE ALL CALLS AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO INCLUDE THE ST. JOHN'S AUGUSTINE PART OF PARMA, THE CITY, POLICE DEPARTMENT, BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. ALL OF THOSE CALLS COME INTO OUR CURRENT 911 CENTER AND WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE A BACKUP CENTER OR PIECE APP AS I DISCUSSED EARLIER IN THE PIECE APP IN THE 1960 BUILDING THAT WAS BUILT WITH THE POTATO CHIP FACTORY, THE 911 WAS MOVED IN THEIR 1997 MOVE TO A BRAND-NEW CENTER WERE THE SHERIFF UNDER THREE YEARS AGO AND AGAIN, WE WANT TO MOVE THAT BACKUP CENTER WHERE IT'S CURRENTLY AT WITH AN EVACUATION ZONE A IT MEANS 6.5 FEET OF WATER ON THE SURGE LEVEL.

300 LIVE FROM THE RIVER TRACKS, 4000-FOOT FROM THE INLET AND THE RIVER, WERE ALSO 11000 FEET FROM THE OCEAN.

THE BACKUP CENTER HAS TO BE MOVE SO WE CAN KEEP CONSTANT COMMUNICATION AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY FOR THE CONSTITUENTS IN THE VISITORS. ALSO WE HANDLE 400,000 CALLS OF INGOING AND OUTGOING CALLS OF THE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE 911 CENTER OUT OF THE TO-DO 60000 CALLS LAST YEAR WERE DISPATCHED TO THE DEPUTY SHARES OF WHAT THEY CALL COMMUTER DISPATCH FOR SERVICE, OUT OF THE ADDITIONAL 2,265,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE, 115,911 CALLS INTO THE CENTER.

THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH ST. JOHNS COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE IT IS THE GREATEST PARTNERSHIP THAT I THINK IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS NOT THE UNITED STATES, WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP TOGETHER, FALLS BACK ON OUR BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHERE WE SHARE THE SAME RELATIONSHIP WITH A PROVIDE ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR PERSONNEL FOR THE SERVICES AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY IT ALSO STARTS IN TALLAHASSEE WITH THE THREE OF YOU. WERE ASKING FOR THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES TO HELP US BUILD THE NEW PIECE APP IT IS GOOD TO BE UP IN A JOINT FIRE STATION AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE COMBINED STATION IN CENTRAL ST. JOHNS COUNTY WITH THE PIECE APP BEING IN THE FACILITY.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT WE THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

WE KNOW IT'S DIFFICULT TALLAHASSEE AND THANK YOU FOR

YOUR SUPPORT, HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> NEXT I HAVE MAYOR NANCY YOU

ARE RECOGNIZED. >> GOOD MORNING, SO GOOD TO SEE YOUR SMILING FACES AGAIN. YOU REALLY PLAYED IT DOWN ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DID FOR US LAST SESSION AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

I'M HERE WITH THE CITY MANAGER DAVID BURNHAM AND ASSISTED CITY MANAGER ARETHA FRANKLIN AND I AM ASKING FOR MORE MONEY AND POLICY QUESTIONS. THE CITY HAD GREAT SUCCESS IMPLEMENTING OUR SEPTIC TO SEWER CONVERSION PROJECTS WITH THE HELP OF THE STATE FUNDING, THIS YEAR WE ARE ASKING FOR $7 MILLION WHICH WILL HELP US CONVERT 136 HOMES FROM SEPTIC TO SEWER AND 51 UNDEVELOPED PROPERTIES THIS INCLUDES COST SHARE MATCH. WERE ALSO ASKING FOR A JOINT PROJECT ISSUED HISTORY BETWEEN SPAIN AND FLORIDA EXHIBIT THAT WE WILL DO IN OUR BIC IT IS A ONE MILLION-DOLLAR REQUEST AS A PROJECT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS WELL AS SPAIN AND A BE AN UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY EXHIBIT TO RAISE

AWARENESS. >> SOFAR N0 - 3 ON THE TIME TODAY. I'M SO ENRAPTURED BY WHAT EVERYBODY IS SAYING THAT I FORGOT TO BE A GOOD TIMEKEEPER.

FORGIVE ME I'M GOING TO START YOUR TIME OVER.

>> I PROMISE NOT TO USE ALL OF IT.

HER OTHER REQUEST THAT WILL BE AN EXHIBIT FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND AVAILABLE TO EVERY 600,000 VISITORS THAT PASS TO THE CITY'S VISITOR CENTER AND IT INCLUDES A COST SHARE MATCH IN THE NEXT PROJECT THE RAVENS LAND ACQUISITION WHICH IS 2.1 MILLION OTHER REQUEST FOR 6.17 ACRES OF UNDEVELOPED MARSH FRONT LAND ON

[00:10:04]

AND TO INCREASE FINES THAT WILL AMEND.

IN ORDER TO PROVIDED ENHANCED FINE FOR THE UNPERMITTED DEMOLITION OF INDIVIDUALLY LISTED OR CONTRIBUTING TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER STRUCTURES OR INDIVIDUALLY LISTED LOCAL LANDMARKS ALSO SUPPORT A BILL OF SPONSORSHIP TO PROVIDE FOR MORE DEFINITION UPPER HABIT OF BUSINESSES THAT DO NOT BLEND IN WITH THE RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER NEIGHBORHOODS UNDER FLORIDA STATUTE 559.95 HOME BASED BUSINESSES.

THE CITY ASKED FOR MORE DETAIL ON PROHIBITED BUSINESSES USES UNDER THE STATUTE, FOR INSTANCE LANGUAGE THAT PRECLUDES CONCERTS, ENTERTAINMENT OR SPECIAL EVENTS AND ANY INDUSTRY WITH HEAVY MACHINERY, LADDER REPETITIVE CONSTRCTION OR MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY AND STORAGE OF CHEMICALS.

I THANK YOU VERY MUCH WE WILL SEE YOU IN TALLAHASSEE.

>> NEXT VICE MAYOR CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.

>> GOOD MORNING CHAIR, SENATOR HUDSON, SPEAKER RUNNER, REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON AND REPRESENTATIVE PAIN I AM THE VICE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING OUR CITY, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING HOME THE MOST MONEY IN THE HISTORY OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION. I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORTING SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH WITH FUNDING FOR MUCH NEEDED STORMWATER MITIGATION PROJECTS. OUR ASK FOR THIS SESSION IS CONTINUED HELP WITH STORMWATER MITIGATION, BEING A COASTAL COMMUNITY ARE FLOODING AND STORM WATER ISSUES CONTINUE TO MOUNT AS WE HAVE SEEN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, THE AMOUNT OF RAIN THAT HAS FALLEN HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR OUR CITY, WE ARE ASKING FOR CONTINUED HELP ON SEVERAL KEY PROJECTS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO HELP OUR FLOODING MITIGATION. WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT AND THE HELP THIS UPCOMING SESSION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO IN EACH OF YOU IN THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH, THANK YOU.

>> NEXT TO HAVE BETH SWEENEY FROM THE COLLEGE.

>> GOOD MORNING THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT IT IS A WONDERFUL TIME TO BE A FLAGLER COLLEGE WE RECENTLY WERE JUST TOP THREE REGIONAL UNIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH BY U.S. WORLD AND NEWS AND ALSO NUMBER FIVE FOR UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING WHICH IS OUR PASSIONATE WHY WE ARE THERE AND WHAT ARE THE RANKINGS WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT. IN ADDITION BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OVERHAUL OUR GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM, WE LAUNCHED OUR CORE WHICH INCLUDES A CLASSICAL INSTITUTE SO WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT FUNDING THAT HAS ALLOWED US TO MAKE THOSE VERTICAL CHANGES.

WE ALSO LAUNCHED AS A CLASSICAL INSTITUTE K-12 TRAINING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR K-12 CLASSICAL SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE. WE MADE INCREDIBLE PROGRESS IN THE LAST YEAR ON THE INITIATIVE AN WERE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT. AND OF COURSE WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN THE LARGEST RENOVATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE IN THE HISTORY OF THE BUILDING FOR THE HOTEL THE NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE HAVE COMPLETELY RENOVATED THE EAST WING AND HAVE STUDENTS BACK IN THERE.

I KNOW MANY OF YOU SOLID WHEN IT WAS COMPLETELY GUTTED DOWN TO THE STUDS THAT WE HAD TO DO TO ENSURE THE AND STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY, IT IS 135 YEARS OLD AND THROUGH YOUR SUPPORT WE KNOW WE WILL BE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT THE BUILDING LIVES ON THROUGH ANOTHER 135 YEARS. WERE REALLY JUST HERE TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT, SPEAKER RUNNER, YOUR SUPPORT HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE AND WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THE COLLEGE. FINALLY THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE

[00:15:02]

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. >> NEXT ITEM UP IS TIM FORSON, SUPERINTENDENT, ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SCHOOLS.

>> THANK YOU I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND SHARE WITH YOU IN AS YOU'VE HEARD SEVERAL TIMES FROM THE SPEAKERS, THANK YOU. I KNOW LAST YEAR WAS QUITE A BUSY YEAR IN THE AREA OF EDUCATION.

AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

WE'VE SEEN SOME REALLY POSITIVE THINGS GOING FORWARD.

WE ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. IF I CAN PAINT A QUICK PICTURE OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOLS AND GOING.

IN THE LAST THREE YEARS WE HAVE ADDED 5700 SEATS TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE NEXT THREE YEARS WE WANT 7500 MORE SEATS, TWO HIGH SCHOOLS AND A K-8 IN THE PREVIOUS YEARS AND WILL ADD FIVE, K THROUGH EIGHT AND THE NEXT THREE YEARS MAKING THAT 13200 NEW SEATS AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THAT IS QUITE A BIT LARGER THAN THE SYSTEM I BEGAN WORKING IN THE NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, LONG TIME AGO. IT'S GROWING RAPIDLY READ SOME OF OUR FOCUS IS ABOUT THAT, THE CONTINUED SUPPORT, HAVE TO TAKE A SECOND AS WELL FROM THE SHERIFF TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WERE LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES AND OTHERS AND FLAGLER COLLEGE I HOPE YOU SEE A COMMON THEME THERE IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP AT A GREAT AMOUNT OF ENERGY AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY ABOVE ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF OUR FAMILIES AND THE GOOD OF OUR CHILDREN VERY APPRECIATIVE THAT IN THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE. SOME OF THE THINGS IN REFERENCE TO THE OBVIOUS PIECES ARE SUPPORTING HIGH-GROWTH DISTRICTS WITH LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO INCREASE LOCAL CAPITAL OUTLAY MILLAGE NOT TO EXCEED 2 MILS OBVIOUSLY PUTTING A CAP THAT RESTORES IT TO WHERE IT ONCE WAS, TOUCHING ON TO CATEGORICAL'S THAT THE STATE CATEGORICAL ACROSS THE STATE, STATE TRANSPORTATION FUNDS ARE FUNDED AT 50%, THERE ACTUALLY STATEWIDE AT 42% INTO US A LITTLE OVER 50, SAFE SCHOOLS ALLOCATION AND WE HAVE GREAT PARTNERSHIPS AND SYSTEMS IN PLACE AND WE SPENT 2 MILLION OVER THE ALLOCATION FOR THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND LOOKING FOR SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS IS NOT ABOUT THE BUILDING.

YOU HEAR NATIONWIDE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE IN RECRUITING NEW EMPLOYEES, PARTNERSHIPS WAS FLAGLER COLLEGE YOU ENOUGH IN OTHERS AND ST. JOHNS RIVER ARE REALLY IMPORTANT JUST.

AND WHEREVER WE CAN PROVIDE BENEFIT TAKING AWAY FEES FOR CERTIFICATION. IF THERE CAN BE FUNDING DEDICATED TO THE NEW TEACHERS CLOSE TO THE HALF OF THE TEACHERS ARE SECOND CAREER TEACHERS THEY HAVEN'T COME TO THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION THERE IS A PATH THAT WE NEED TO TAKE WITH THEM SO THEY'RE VERY SUCCESSFUL.

WE HAVE ABOUT 3400 TEACHERS IN OUR SYSTEM RIGHT NOW.

AND HALF OF THEM ARE UNDER FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE WITH US.

AND WERE TRYING TO DO ALL THE RIGHT THINGS TO HELP THEM HAVE SUCCESS AS WE MOVE FORWARD. THANK YOU.

WE ARE APPRECIATIVE OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR US. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT ONE IS DOCTOR BROWN YOU ARE RECOGNIZED.

>> GOOD MORNING TO EACH OF YOU, MY NAME IS MELODY BROWN OF THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ST. JOHNS RIVER STATE COLLEGE.

IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY REPRESENTING THE COLLEGE ON BEHALF OF OUR PRESIDENT WHO SENT HIS REGRETS FOR HIS ABSENCE. AS YOU EACH FACE THE END OF YOUR SERVICE IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE DUE TO TERM LIMITS I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY THINKING YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE IN PUBLIC OFFICE AND THE SACRIFICE THAT THAT COMMITMENT HAS REQUIRED OF YOU AND BOTH ARE STATE AND LOCAL COMMUNITY.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUES THROUGHOUT THE FOR THE COLLEGE SYSTEM AND THE COMMITMENT OF POST SECONDARY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS ACROSS OUR STATE.

AS YOU KNOW THE FOR THE COLLEGE SYSTEM IS A PRIMARY ACCESS POINT TO HIGHER EDUCATION FOR FLORIDIANS INCLUDING BOTH RETURNING ADULT STUDENTS AND RECENT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND TO RESPOND QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY WITH THE DEMAND AND EMPLOYERS BY ALIGNING CERTIFICATE WITH REGIONAL WORKFORCE NEEDS, 65% OF ALL FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

[00:20:01]

FOR THAT YOU HAVE OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION AND YOUR ASSISTANCE FOR THE COLLEGE SYSTEM CAN REALLY BE SEEN THE NEARLY 3000 DUAL ENROLLMENT WHO EARN MORE THAN 34000 COLLEGE CREDITS AT ST. JOHNS RIVER STATE COLLEGE DURING THE LAST ACADEMIC YEAR IS EVIDENCE OF THIS IMPACT ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND ADDITIONAL WITH A PIPELINE FUNDING SJR STATE WAS LONG LAST EXPANDER REGISTERED NURSING PROGRAM TO OUR SAINT AUGUSTINE CAMPUS.

IN OUR FIRST COHORT OF OUR STUDENTS ARE STUDYING THERE TODAY. FINALLY, WE HAVE DEDICATED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW WORKFORCE PROGRAMS INCLUDING SHORT-TERM, NONCREDIT TRAINING, ADDITIONAL ASSOCIATE DEGREES IN TWO NEW BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED INTELLIGENCE STUDIES THAT WILL ACTUALLY BE GOING BEFORE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR APPROVAL NEXT W WEEK.

THIS PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT WILL ALL BE DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTED TO YOUR INCREASED INVESTMENT IN THE FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM AND SJR STATE. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THERE IS MUCH WORK TO DO, IF HE HAS ALREADY DONE SO, PRESIDENT PICKENS WILL BE SPEAKING WITH EACH ONE OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY ABOUT THE SPECIFIC 2024 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. WITH THE CONTINUED SUPPORT ST. JOHNS RIVER STATE COLLEGE IN THE PHOTO COLLEGE SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND OUR SERVICE TO STUDENTS AND COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE WITH LOW COST, HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION

OPPORTUNITIES. >> NEXT WE HAVE TRACIE SNOW THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF IN THE BLIND.

YOU ARE RECORD I. >> THANK YOU, GOOD MORNING.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IT CONTINUES TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILY.

I BROUGHT WITH ME TODAY YOU SHOULD HAVE IT UP THERE ARE RUBBER DUCK WITH A WHITE CANE FOR EACH OF YOU TO CELEBRATE OCTOBER'S BLINDNESS AND AWARENESS AND WHITE CANE DAY, THE QR CODE THAT IS ON THE DOCK WILL TAKE YOU TO THE DUCK BLIND PROJECT WHICH WILL HIGHLIGHT OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR SUCCESSES.

THIS IS ONE EXAMPLE HOW WE ARE TRYING TO DO MORE, BE MORE AND ACHIEVE MORE. THE COMMUNITY IS OVERJOYED AT THE CAPITAL PROJECTS WE HAVE UNDERWAY, YOU ALSO HAVE A SAVE THE DATE POSTCARD FOR SUMMER 2024.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU COME VISIT THE CAMPUS TO SEE FIRSTHAND OF WHAT YOUR SUPPORT AND HOW IT'S MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE STUDENTS. THIS IS THE BOARDING PROGRAM FOR THE DEATH MENTAL SCHOOL. LEGISLATIVE BUDGET REQUEST THAT WENT TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WAS APPROVED IN ITS ENTIRETY IN A ROW. THIS OCCURRED ON AUGUST 23, THIS REQUESTS IS UNDER MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT FOR OUR CURRENT FUNDING LEVELS, WHILE STRENGTHENING INITIATIVES FOR STAFF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION WHICH IS SO INCREDIBLY VITAL FORL TO E SURE THAT WE HAVE HIGHLY ENGAGED AND PROFESSIONAL WORKING STAFF MEMBERS FOR A VERY SPECIAL POPULATION OF THE STUDENTS.

IN REQUEST, OF OUR OPERATING COSTS AND MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT WE INCLUDED A NEW CAPITAL PROJECT, WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE TRUST THAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN AND SHOWN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD FOR THEIR APPROVAL. WE ALSO VERY MUCH VALUE THE POSITIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THEM.

OUR REQUEST FOR DOLLARS IN OUR LB ARE DEMOLISHING DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING A NUMA CLEAR HALL, THIS WILL LIKELY INCREASE TO THE INSTRUCTION COST WILL HAVE A STRONGER FIGURE CLOSER TO THE SESSION. MCALEER BUILT IN 1914 A MASS RENOVATED IN 1988 WILL SERVE AS A HUB FOR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT.

HAVING A WELCOMING SPACE ON CAMPUS FOR OUR STAFF, STUDENTS, SCHOOL LEADERS AND PARTNERSHIPS AROUND THE COMMUNITY TO COME LEARN AND GROW WILL BE INCREDIBLE.

WE ENVISION OFFICE SPACES, WORKING SPACES FOR KEY STAFF IN A INNOVATIVE LEARNING AREA FOR HIGH-QUALITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS STUDENT HANDS-ON PROJECT.

IN CONCLUSION I EXPRESSED MY GRATITUDE AND RECOGNITION AND ALL THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE AND OUR MISSION TO BE THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA SERVING OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE DEAF OF HEARING, BLIND, VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

[00:25:01]

OUR DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN, WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THIS SUMMER FOR THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY PLEASE DON'T EVER HESITATE TO REACH OUT AND SEEK US AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT UP I HAVE MATTHEW METZ, PUBLIC DEFENDER OF THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT.

>> YOUR RECKONINGS. >> I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE HERE AND HAVING AS I APPRECIATE IT. I THINK IT'S WICKED EACH OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY FOR SOME OF MY CONCERNS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OBVIOUSLY CIRCUIT CONSOLIDATION IS A VERY BIG ONE.

AND I KNOW WEEK EXPRESSES CONCERNS AND HOW THEY MAY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO SERVE ALL OF THE PEOPLE HERE AND THROUGHOUT OUR WHOLE CIRCUIT. BUT ANOTHER ONE THAT WILL SINCERELY INFECT US GOING FORWARD IS OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES BECAUSE OF THE COST THAT ARE HAPPENING.

THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IT TAKES FOR ONE ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER TO LIVE HERE AT THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT IS ASTRONOMICAL.

THEY HAVE OVER $200,000 IN STUDENT DEBT AND IT IS BECOMING HARDER AND HARDER JUST TO FIND A PLACE TO LIVE.

WE ARE GOING TO BE ASKING THAT YOU START OR STARTING SALARIES AT SOMEWHERE AROUND $75000, I KNOW THAT IS NOT AN EASY ASK.

THIS LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL TO BOTH THE PDUS AND THE STATE ATTORNEYS.

I WOULD ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE THAT GOING FORWARD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> NEXT UP BETH TATE WITH THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> GOOD MORNING I AM BETH TATE THE CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE FOR THE CHAMBER COMMERCE, FIRST WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK IN THE LAST SESSION. IT'S BEEN INCREDIBLE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU BEEN ABLE TO BRING HIM TO THE COUNTY AND A REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT THE CHAMBER REPRESENTS LARGE AND SMALL AND YOU SUCCESSFULLY ADDRESS MANY OF OUR LONG-TERM BUSINESSES IN THE DETERMINATION IN THE AREA WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU, MOVING ON TO THE UPCOMING SESSION ST. JOHNS COUNTY CHAMBER RECOMMENDS WHICH OF APPROVED WOULD GREATLY ASSIST THE COUNTY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE TO THRIVE AND PROSPER IN THE COMING YEARS. SUPPORT AMENDMENTS TO THE LANDMARK. TO FURTHER INCENTIVIZE BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS TO INCREASE THE PRODUCTION OF ATTAINABLE HOUSING TO HER TOURISM, HOSPITALITY AND WORKERS AND TEACHERS AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN HEALTHCARE AND MANUFACTURING EMPLOYEES.

AND THE LACK OF ATTAINABLE HOUSING FOR WORKFORCE POSES MANY CHALLENGES FOR ENTIRE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN A PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES. YOU WILL HEAR THE OFTEN VENTURE.

WITHOUT THE ABILITY OF ATTAINABLE HOUSING IN ST. JOHN COUNTY THERE OR STICK COMMUTE FROM THIS FAR AWAY JACKSONVILLE AND EVEN DAYTONA BEACH. THE HOUSING IS CHEAPER AND IT CLOGS OUR ROADS AND BATTERERS IN TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

WITHOUT ACCESS TO HOUSING THEY CAN AFFORD FUTURE AND EXISTING EMPLOYEES HAVE SEARCH FOR JOBS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES CLOSER TO WHERE THEY LIVE ROBBING OUR EMPLOYERS OF THE WORKFORCE NEEDED TO CONTINUE GROWING OUR ECONOMY THERE ARE NO SIMPLE SOLUTIONS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT GIVEN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT THE ABILITY TO DEVELOP ADDITIONAL SOLUTIONS TO THE HOUSING DILEMMA. WE WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE REFORM EFFORTS IN RECENT MONTHS AVAILABILITY AND THE RISING COST OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY BUSINESSES EVEN THOUGH WE'VE BEEN SPARED THE BRUNT OF THE RECENT STORMS ARE BUSINESSES LIKE HER HOMEOWNERS AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY ARE FINDING IT INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN AFFORDABLE PROPERTY INSURANCE COVERAGE. INCREASED COSTS HINDER OUR BUSINESS ABILITY TO HIRE ADDITIONAL WORKERS AND OTHER BUSINESSES. WE URGE YOU TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THE LEGISLATURE AND WITH THE GOVERNOR TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT REFORMS TO THE CURRENT PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE SYSTEM SO I BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO THRIVE AND PROSPER. LASTLY INFRASTRUCTURE APPROPRIATIONS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUCCESS AGAIN IN THE LAST SESSION TO BRING HOME A HOUSE HISTORIC LEVEL OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND MAKES A DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE ON OUR ABILITY TO HELP HER INFRASTRUCTURE KEEP UP WITH THE RAPID GROWTH THAT WE HAVE HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

ONE AREA OF GREAT INTEREST TO OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS A REAL

[00:30:02]

THE ABILITY TO MOVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO JACKSONVILLE AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY WHETHER COMMUTERS OR TOURIST IS GOING TO HELP THE ECONOMY AND WILL FREE UP TRAFFIC IMPACT HONOR BURDEN TRANSPORTATION NETWORK WE URGE YOU TO SERIOUSLY CONTINUE AND CONSIDER REQUEST FOR A COMMUTER RAIL LINE.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE COMING MONTHS IN THE 2024 SESSION.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT TO HAVE GREG LEONARD

WITH THE TASK FORCE. >> GOOD MORNING THIS IS MY SIXTH YEAR NICE TO SEE YOU ALL GOOD MORNING SENATOR HUDSON, SPEAKER RUNNER AND REPRESENTATIVE STEPHENSON.

YOU DO HAVE A DECK BUT YOU CAN REFER TO IT AS NEEDED.

THE CITIZENS TASK FORM BACK IN 2014 PROVIDED A VEHICLE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OF ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS THAT WERE NEEDED.

AT THAT TIME WE HAD NOT SEEN ANY ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ENTIRE PART OF THE COUNTY SINCE THE 1980S AND OF COURSE WITH THE POPULATION GROWTH, TRAFFIC WENT UP QUITE A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE. OUR GROUP THROUGH OUR BOARD MEMBERS REPRESENT ABOUT 85% OF THE POPULATION AND OUR JOB IS TO ACT AS A COMMUNICATION LIAISON WITH THEM.

WE CONTINUE TO MEET REGULARLY WITH THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS STAFF WITH F DOT IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY NEEDS AND COMMUNICATION NEEDS TO THE COMMUNITY.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR WE DID OUR SECOND MAJOR SURVEY WE SURVEYED 9000 RESIDENTS IN THAT PART OF THE COUNTY REGARDING ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT NEEDS, WE RECEIVED RESPONSE OF OVER 2000 WHICH IS PRETTY AMAZING FOR THE ASSETS OF THE SURVEY 80% THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE REQUESTED WHEN WE STARTED THIS BOARD ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO WE DID NOT REALIZE HOW LONG THE PATH WAS TO THE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT IT'S QUITE A LEARNING CURVE.

SINCE 2018 THAT'S WHAT WE FIRST STARTED APPEARING ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THE FUNDING YOUTH OF THE COUNTY SUPPORT AND INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS OF THE A1 A ROAD INTERSECTION.

IT ALLOWED US TO BEGIN THIS MONTH ADDRESSING THE A1 A ROAD INTERSECTION AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE A1 A BUTLER INTERSECTION SOUTHBOUND IS NOW FUNDED. THE FINAL THREE INTERSECTIONS ON THE PROJECT ARE WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON NOW, THE FUNDING PROVIDED IN CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION OR THE PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION ALLOWS US TO TAKE THE PROJECT ALL THE WAY SHOVEL-READY TO GET THE DESIGN WORK DONE. WERE NOT HERE TO MAKE ANOTHER FINANCIAL REQUEST BECAUSE WE QUITE FRANKLY HAVE OUR HANDS FULL WITH EXECUTED AGAINST ALL OF THE ENGINEERING AND DESIGN WORK. WERE PRIMARILY HERE WITH MANY PEOPLE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT YOU PROVIDED THE COMMUNITY APPRECIATES IT AND WE CONTINUE IN THE SUPPORT THAT WE RECEIVED FROM ALL OF YOU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> NEXT THAT PATTY GRENELL WITH ST. JOHNS COUNTY BEHAVIORAL

HEALTH AND CONSORTIUM. >> GOOD TO SEE WELL.

FIRST I'M JUST GOING TO SPEAK WITH MY HAT AND MY CHAIR AT THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM, THE ASKED ME TO COME TODAY AND SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT IN YOUR PASSION TOWARDS HELPING FOLKS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. AND FUNDING SERVICES EVERY YEAR FOR OUR CONTINUUM OF CARE. WE APPRECIATIVE VERY MUCH.

WE HAVE TWO COMMENTS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION THE FIRST ONE SOME OF ARE CONSORTIUM MEMBERS FOR MEMBER PROJECTS, ALL OF THOSE PROJECTS ARE A PART OF OUR PRIORITY OF THE BEHAVIOR HEALTH CONSORTIUM WE ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER THE REPORTS AND WE WILL HAVE ONE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE AND THEY ARE ALL HERE TODAY.

AND THE OTHER THING I WANT TO MENTION IS ABOUT HOUSING WE HAD A FEW PEOPLE ABOUT HOUSING IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONTINUES TO BE A PRIORITY FOR COMMUNITIES SPECIFICALLY FOR PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS OR AND OR MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.

THIS NEED FOR HOUSING HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY SEVERAL RECENT COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT INCLUDING THE CONSORTIUM NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND THE SEQUENTIAL% MAPPING THAT WE DID RECENTLY

[00:35:01]

AND DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS TO IMPLEMENT SEVERAL STRATEGIES TO EXPAND OUR WORKFORCE AND FILL VACANCIES AND INCREASE EMPLOYEE RETENTION SEVERAL CONTINUE TO REMAIN UNDER MARKET PRICE.

OUR AVERAGE STARTING SALARY ARE STILL SIGNIFICANT LOSS THAN THE MARKET AVERAGE SALARY STILL 22%. THIS INCLUDES PRIVATE PROVIDERS HOSPITAL SYSTEMS INSURANCE COMPANIES AND CUSTOMERS.

TO DECREASE THE GAP BETWEEN THE CURRENT SALARIS IN THE MARKET RATES WE NEED ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING TO COMPETE, PLEASE SUPPORT THE LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS THAT MAY COME THIS YEAR AT THE STATE CAPITAL I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NOW FOR MINE AS CEO OF EPIC I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR MISSION TO PROVIDE PERSON CENTERED CARE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY IMPACTED BY SUBSTANCE ABUSE. AND I COME TO ASK FOR SUPPORT FOR FUNDING REQUEST, FIRST OF ALL THE LAST SESSION DO YOU AGAIN ARE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT WHATEVER PROJECTS WAS FUNDED AND THAT WAS THE SIX ADDITIONAL TREATMENT BEDS FOR WOMEN IN A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY. WE ASK THAT THAT IS APPROPRIATE

IT AGAIN. >> THE SECOND FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HOMELESS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF RECOVERY ON SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

THIS TYPE OF HOUSING IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMITTEE CONSORTIUM.

FOR THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM CALLED SECOND WIND.

WE HAD ONE HOUSE THAT HAS EIGHT MEN AND ONE WITH FIVE WOMEN.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE WE HAVE A CONSTANT WAITING LIST.

STABLE SOBER AND STRUCTURED HOUSING IS CRITICAL TO TRANSITION BACK INTO THE RECOVERY IN THE RECOVERY GOALS.

OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ATTEND COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND OUTPATIENT TREATMENT AND THEY MUST WORK, THEY PAY RENT THEY DO CHORES AND ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, THEY ARE VERY INVOLVED AND LIGHT SKILLS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO TRANSITION BACK.

AND RECENTLY BY STAR CREDIT UNION PARTNER WITH US TO DO WORK ON FINANCIAL FOR OUR MEMBERS. WE ARE REQUESTING NONRECURRING FIXED CAPITAL FUNDS TO PURCHASE LAND FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION EXPENSES FOR A SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNIT.

FOR, COURTYARDS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS, EACH HOUSE WILL HAVE A RESIDENCE, ONE WILL BE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

IN CLOSING AGAIN I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND% CONSIDERATION OF OUR REQUEST IN SUPPORT OF THE CONSORTIUM REQUEST AND ALSO IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU WITH ALL MOST A DECADE OF YOUR SERVICE.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT TO HAVE SANDRA JACKSON.

>> GOOD MORNING I AM CYNDI JACKSON OF SMA HEALTHCARE.

FIRST AND FOREMOST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THE PUTNAM ST. JOHNS TEAM TO BE RECURRING THIS ENSURES THAT WE PROVIDE THE MUCH NEEDED SERVICE TO ONE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND ON BEHALF OF THE PARTICIPANTS, THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AND OUR STAFF.

WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL. THANK YOU FOR ALL THOSE YEARS OF HARD WORK. THIS YEAR SMA IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON FINALIZING THE PLANS FOR RENOVATION OF THE BUILDING ON THE CAMPUS IN PALATKA. THIS BUILDING WILL BE UTILIZED FOR A RESIDENTIAL REENTRY PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS BEING RLEASED FROM THE PUTNAM AND ST.E SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.

WE EXPECT THE RENOVATIONS TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, WORKING TO BE REQUESTING FUNDING FOR THE OPERATION OF THIS PROGRAM, THE PROGRAM WILL HOUSE UP TO 15 INDIVIDUALS FOR 30 - 60 DAY STAY TO FOCUS ON STRENGTHENING THEIR SOBRIETY BEGINNING THEIR CONTINUING MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT AND WORKING ON SKILLS THAT ALLOW THE INDIVIDUAL TO BE READY FOR REENTRY BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION. INDIVIDUALS WERE RECEIVED 14 HOURS OF CLINICAL SERVICES PER WEEK INCLUDING TRADITIONAL INDIVIDUAL GROUP AND FAMILY THERAPY AS WELL AS MORE

[00:40:01]

>> THINK YOU. >> NEXT I HAVE CHRIS STONE, CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY AFFORDED.

YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> GOOD MORNING MEMBERS.

AGAIN I AM CHRIS STONE AND THE SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP GOALS FOR CHILDREN HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA AND WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE RECENT APPROPRIATION FOR THE PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS DURING THE 23 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE FUNDING SUPPORTS 36 COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP INCLUDING WEBSTER AND SOUTH AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

WITH NEW FUNDING WE ANTICIPATE THE SERVE EIGHT MORE SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE AND THAT MEANS THOUSANDS OF OUR STUDENTS IT'LL BE IMPACTED BY THIS MODEL. AND IT PULLS TOGETHER AND THERE APPRECIATED OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE ST. JOHNS RIVER STATE COLLEGE AND FLAGLER HEALTH AND FLAGLER HEALTH, THE CORE PARTNERS COME TOGETHER TO MAKE A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT AND COMMITMENT STARTED WITH A 25 YEAR, WE ARE REQUESTING THE LEGISLATURE TO INCREASE THE FUNDING OF THE 24 SESSION TO CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT THIS MODEL AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND THE GROUP OF MODEL TO IMPACT MORE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE. ANOTHER ITEM ON THE 24 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA INCLUDES SUCCESSFUL CHILD ABUSE HEALTHY PREVENTION FOR THE. HEALTHY FAMILIES IS CELEBRITY TO FIVE YEARS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY STAY HEALTHY, SAFE AND NOT ENTERING FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. THE LAST SESSION THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDED THE STABILIZER CORTICAL WORKFORCE AND APPRECIATIVE OF THAT AND WERE ALSO ASKING THAT THE FUNDS BE MADE SECRET CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR TEAM AND MISSION OF KEEPING CHILDREN AND FAMILY SUGAR TOGETHER FOOD WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ENTHUSIASM AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND THE 24 SESSION.

I WANT TO MAKE A PERSONAL THANK YOU TO SPEAKER RUNNER FOR VISITING OUR STUDENTS AT THE ELEMENTARY LAST YEAR AND REPRESENTATIVE PAIN AND HOSTING AT THE CAPITAL GIVING THEM ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE.

>> NEXT. >> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS LAURA I LIVE IN PALM COAST AND SPEAKER VENDORS AND HUDSON'S DISTRICT.

I WOULD LIKE TO TH TAKE THIS TIE FOR HOSPITAL ONE AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THE DELEGATION WHO SUPPORTED THE BILL LAST SESSION IN THIS LEGISLATION EXPANDED EDUCATION CHOICE IN WAYS THAT HELP MY FAMILY. MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER ZOE IS A RENEWAL STUDENT ON THE FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY HOMESCOOLED HER TO ACCOMMODATE HER ANXIETY. HOWEVER, I WAS FORTUNATE TO FIND CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN ACADEMY WHICH COMPLETELY CHANGE OUR OPINION OF SCHOOL. PROVIDE SMALLER CLASSROOMS WITH AN INDIVIDUALIZED APPROACH AND WORKS CLOSELY WITH PARENTS.

WITH SCHOOL CHOICE AND OUTSIDE THERAPY, ZOE NO LONGER HAS TEARS EVERYTHING ALL MORNING. SHE IS SLEEPING BETTER AFTER CONFIDENCE AT SCHOOL HAS GREATLY IMPROVED WE WERE THRILLED WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO GET HER OLDEST DAUGHTER MAIA ON THE FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP FOR EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS THIS YEAR.

I WAS FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET THE SUPPORT WITH SHE NEEDED WITH IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, SOMETHING I THOUGHT WOULD BE EASY TO ACCOMPLISH AND CONSIDERING MY BACKGROUND AS A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER, SHE TOO WAS FRUSTRATED AND AS A RESULT SHE CHOSE TO HOMESCHOOL. NOW THE SCHOLARSHIP EXPANSION HAS ENABLED MAIA TO JOIN HER SISTER ZOE AND BOTH GIRLS ARE THRIVING. AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP WHICH HELP US PROVIDE THE BEST EDUCATION SETTING FOR HER DAUGHTERS. MY MEDICAL ISSUES HAVE LEFT ME DISABLED AND I HAD SOME MEDICAL EXPENSES THAT AT TIMES HAVE PROHIBITED ME AND MY HUSBAND FROM BEING ABLE TO AFFORD ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR OUR CHILDREN.

THE SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE REDUCED THAT THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP MORE CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR GIRLS TO RECEIV THE KIND OF EDUCATION THAT THEY NEED. HB ONE EXPANDS OPPORTUNITY TO MORE FAMILIES AND BECAUSE IT CREATES EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. WILL HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO SPEND THEIR SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS IN WAYS THAT THEY CAN CUSTOMIZE THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SUPPORTING FOR THE FAMILIES THE EDUCATIONAL CHOICE.

[00:45:01]

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT I HAVE SUSAN KING WITH

FEEDING NORTHEASTWARD A. >> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS COLEMAN SHEPPARD I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF FEEDING NORTHEASTWARD.

THANK YOU FOR COMING AND LISTENING TO THE NEEDS AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY. WE ARE NOT HERE WITH AND ASKED WE ARE HERE TO INFORM AND EDUCATE ON THE STATE OF HUNGER AND ST. JOHNS. OUR ROLE IS A SUPPORT ROLE WITH THE PARTNERS THAT WE WORK WITHIN THE COUNTY WITH THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND WORKING EVERY DAY TO PUT FOOD ON PEOPLE'S PLACE.

WE PROVIDED 3 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD IN 2022 TORAH PARTNERS TO DISTRIBUTE THAT IS A 5 MILLION-DOLLAR VALUE AND DONATED AND PURCHASE FOOD THAT WE ARE ABLE TO SOURCE INTO THE COUNTY TO FEED PEOPLE. THIS INCLUDED SUPPORT DURING THE HURRICANE WE DID TWO DIFFERENT HURRICANE DISTRIBUTIONS FOR 22000 POUNDS OF FOOD TO MAKE SURE THEY HAD FOOD, WATER AND OTHER ESSENTIAL GOODS. WE ALSO PROVIDED 137 POUNDS AND SNACK PACK DISTRIBUTIONS TO SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE NUTRITION AND FOOD TO STAY ENERGIZED AND FOCUSED DURING THE DAY AND 67 MOBILE PANTRIES TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY LIVE AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAD ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD. THE ONGOING NEEDS THAT WE SEE IN THE COUNTY EVEN THOUGH ST. JOHNS HAS ONE OF THE HEALTHIER FOOD INSECURITY RATES IN THE STATE THERE IS STILL 20 20000 RESIDENS ARE FOOD INSECURE. THIS MEANS THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THE NEXT MEAL IS GOING TO COME FROM.

38% OF FAMILIES LIVE IN HOUSEHOLDS THAT'S ASSET LIMITED INCOME CONSTRAINED WORKING FAMILIES THAT ARE MORE AT RISK TO SKIPPING MEALS DUE TO AN UNEXPECTED MEDICAL BILL, CAR MAINTENANCE AND ANY BILL THAT THEY DON'T SEE COMING COULD MEAN THAT THEY HAVE TO SKIP THE NEXT MEAL.

ONE OF THE REOCCURRING THEMES TODAY I'M SURE ZACH WOULD BE THE LAST TIME 70 BRINGS IT UP AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, 53% OF PEOPLE LIVING IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY SPEND MORE THAN 30% OF THEIR INCOME JUST TO STAY HOUSED.

WHAT ARE THE FIRST PLACES PEOPLE GO WHEN THEY'RE STRUGGLING TO AFFORD RENT IS CUT THEIR FOOD BUDGET.

THESE ISSUES POVERTY AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOOD INSECURITY ARE CONNECTED AND SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS THE GROUP CAUSES HELP TO ADDRESS THE FOOD INSECURITY HUNGER PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO GET FOOD. ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU FOR COMING AND LISTENING TO THE LP CONSIDER SOME OF THIS INFORMATION IN THE UPCOMING SESSION WHEN ADDRESSING THE POLICIES AND PLANNING

SOLUTIONS. >> THANK YOU NEXT THEY HAVE UNITED WAY OF ST. JOHNS. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED.

>> GOOD MORNING SPEAKER RUNNER, SENATOR HUDSON REPRESENTATIVE STEPHENSON THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE IN THIS OPPORTUNITY MY NAME IS MARK LEMAIRE AND THE PRESIDENT FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY, I DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC ASK TO PRESENT TO YOU TODAY, I DID SHARE ONE PAGE THAT SUMMARIZED UNITED WAY'S WORK FOR THE LAST FISCAL YEAR BUT I WANT TO NARROW IN ON A PROGRAM THAT WE'VE LED HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS CALLED FREE TAX PREP. I WANT TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE AS AN ORGANIZATION FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THE LAST SESSION FOR FUNDING $1.2 MILLION TO THE UNITED WAY OF FLORIDA TO HELP UP STATE SERVE FAMILIES WITH FREE TAX PREP.

WHATEVER THREE PRIORITIES AS AN ORGANIZATION IN THIS COMMUNITY IS TO IMPROVE THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND THIS PAST SPRING JUST TO MA MAKE THE FREE TAX PROGRAM A BIT MORE CONCRETE WE MOBILIZED 20 AMAZING VOLUNTEERS WHO SERVED OVER 1400 FAMILIES WITH FREE TAX PREPARATION NETTING $1.1 MILLION IN REFUNDS, TO MAKE THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIFIC, THE IRS TRAINED VOLUNTEERS AT FIVE SITES, THREE HERE IN ST. JOHNS, TWO IN PUTNAM COUNTY THEY ASSISTED WORKING FAMILIES TO FILE THEIR TAXES AND ACCESS THE TAX REFUNDS SOMETIMES THE SAME DAY TO HELP THEM PURCHASE GROCERIES, PAY BI BILLS AND EMERGENCY SAVINGS. HAVING OUR TAXES DONE CAN BE A VULNERABLE MOMENT. OUR VOLUNTEERS I WANT TO APPLAUD THEM BECAUSE THEY NOT ONLY DO THE TAX REFUND BUT THEY PROVIDE FINANCIAL COACHING AND LITERACY ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS CONNECTED THE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I WILL BUILD ON WHAT MY PARTNER IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA SAYS THIS SERVES ALICE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS UNLESS THAN $2000 AS

[00:50:03]

>> THANK YOU SAINT AUGUSTINE. I WOULD ASK YOU TO CONSIDER SUPPORTING THE LEGISLATION NATIONAL PARK OF SEASHORE.

IT WOULD SAVE MONEY IN THE STATE BUDGET.

I'M NOT ASKING FOR MONEY BUT WE HAVE 140,000 ACRES OF LAND INTO COUNTY THAT HENRY DEAN TO REQUIRE WITH JOHN HENRY IN THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT. AND IF YOU PUT ALTOGETHER AND YOU PUT TOGETHER THE EXISTING FEDERALLY OWNED LANDS OF TWO COUNTIES AND YOU PUT IT ALL TOGETHER TO PACKAGE IT AS A NATIONAL PARK WE CAN INCREASE TOURISM WE COULD INCREASE THE REVENUE FROM TAXING AUTHORITIES AND WE CAN INCREASE THE JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO HER PEOPLE, SAINT AUGUSTINE ARSON, SLAVERY, MALARIA AND OTHER PANDEMICS.

NOW PLAGUED BY OVERDEVELOPMENT THE OLDEST EUROPEAN FOUNDED CITY IN AMERICA JUST PAST 450 BIRTHDAY FACES THE FUTURE.

WHAT IS OUR LEGACY HOW DO WE PRESERVE AND PROTECT GOD'S COUNTRY PROMOTION LEVEL RISE, GLOBAL WARMING, EXCESSIVE TRAFFIC INNOVATIVE ELEMENT. SEVEN TIMES THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY HAVE REJECTED PROPOSED SALES TAX INCREASES.

AS RECENTLY AS LAST YEAR, WE THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN SEVEN TIMES.

MEANWHILE WE HAVE UNMET AND FOR STRUCTURE NEEDS CAUSED BY OVERDEVELOPMENT, THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION 2004 STUDY FOUND THAT ENVIRONMENTAL STORE EXPECTS TWICE AS MUCH AND TWICE AS LONG. OUR ECONOMY IS BASED ON TOURISM BUT WE OFFER LITTLE TO TOURISM. MEANWHILE ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THROUGHOUT FLORIDA, THE NATIONAL PARKS AND SEASHORES ARE TRULY AMERICA'S BEST IDEA AS A PBS SERIES ESTABLISHED. WITH YOUR HELP I KNOW WE CAN AND WILL HELP PRESERVE THE EXPANDER NATIONAL PARKS WHICH HELP CREATE MORE THAN 6.5 MILLION JOBS. IN 1939 THE SAINT AUGUSTINE NATIONAL SEASHORE WAS INTRODUCED DURING THE 76 CONGRESS SUPPORTED BY WALTER FRAZIER AND INTRODUCED BY JOSEPH HINRICHS AND SENATOR CHARLES ANDREW TO CONSERVE THE WONDERFULLY DEEP PLACE.

THAT WAS 84 YEARS AGO. LET'S DO THIS.

I WILL SEND YOU MY UPDATED STATEMENT THAT I PROVIDD IN THE PAST I SPOKE TO THIS GROUP EVERY SINGLE YEAR SINCE 2006.

I THINK IT'S TIME AND WERE NOT TELLING OUR FULL HISTORY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY, CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY LET'S DO THIS RIGHT LET'S HAVE A HUGE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE VISITOR CENTER AND A HUGE CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM WITH FEDERAL FUNDING I'M NOT ASKING FOR A PENNY FROM STATE FUNDS BUT WE CAN SAY TO THE FEDS TAKE THE 140,000 ACRES TO HENRY DEAN AND PRESERVE AND PROTECT FOREVER,

THANK YOU LADIES AND>> NEXT ITE SIERRA CLUB OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA.

>> GOOD MORNING REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATOR HUTSON. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF SIERRA CLUB OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA. MY NAME IS WILLIAM SNELL. BURNING FOSSIL FUELS HAVE IS TO INCREASE GLOBAL TEMPERATURE TO BE HARDER THAN HUMANS MANY SPACES THAT OF EVER EXPERIENCED. ACCORDING TO IPCC THE CURRENT RATE OF ADMISSIONS IN 5 YEARS THE PLANT WILL HAVE EXCEED THE LEVEL OF ATMOSPHERE OF CARBON DIOXIDE OF WARMING OF 102 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WHICH WILL HAVE OTHER TO BE POINTS. THEY WILL ACCELERATE WARMING, SEE RICE ENCOUNTERED WHETHER IN FACT AT

[00:55:07]

WE ASK YOU AS OUR LEGISLATURES TO CHANGE COURSE AND BRING REAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE OF

FLORIDA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. NEXT ITEM DR.

LESLEE KEYS. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> GOOD MORNING. FIRST I'M HERE TO TALK TO ABOUT STATE SPECIAL CATEGORY GRANTS. AND TO THANK YOU FOR FULL FUNDING IN THIS LAST CYCLE. WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED THAT. PART OF ME BEING HERE AND HARKENS BACK TO WHEN SENATOR JIM CAME CAME TO THE DELEGATE MEETING TO PRESENT INFORMATION. THAT TIME WORK FOR THE STATE IN RESPONSE WILL FOR 8 COUNTIES. IT'S A LITTLE MORE CHALLENGING AND IT'S EASIER THIS MORNING TO BE HERE WITH YOU. I WANT TO TELL YOU 2 WEEKS AGO WE HAD THE NEXT ROUND OF SPECIAL CATEGORY GRANTS 5 OF THE TOP 10 RANKED IN THIS REGION WITH ALL 3 OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY GRANTS RANKING VERY WELL. BY THE WAY YOUR STAFF ALSO HAS CHEAT SHEETS TO GIVE YOU LATER. THE SAINT AUGUSTINE LIGHT STATION 1876 KEEPER'S HOUSE, EXTERIOR RESTORATION REVERSE DAMAGE FROM HURRICANE SAMANTHA AND IRMA. 20 $45,720 AND NEXT YEAR AS 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIGHTHOUSE. THE N-GRAM HOUSE REHABILITATION BY FLAGLER MORGAN RESPIRATORY IN CHURCH. HAVE A MILLION-DOLLAR GRANT WITH HALF $1 MILLION MATCH.

INGRID WAS FLAGLER'S CHIEF LIEUTENANT. HE WAS HELPED TO RUN THE RAILROADS IN THE FIRST PERSON TO EXPLORE THE EVERGREENS. WERE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. FLORIDA PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY NETWORK AS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO MONITOR 100 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS TURF TO SEE HOW THEY ARE BEING AFFECTED BY SEA LEVEL RISE. THAT'S $160,000 PROJECT WITH EQUAL AMOUNT. I WILL GIVE YOU COUPLE THAT ARE OUTSIDE YOUR DISTRICT SO YOU CAN SEE. HISTORICALLY MILLION ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE PROJECTS ALSO HAVE A MILLION WITH MATCH. DUVALL COUNTY THE FOREMAN'S HOUSE AT THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY DOES A REBEL MUSEUM THERE. HUNDRED AND 7 AT 676 EQUAL MATCH.

PUTNAM COUNTY THE BRONSON MALL :HOUSE REHABILITATION. 3 TO 57,900. THE MATCH IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE EQUAL BECAUSE IT IS A READY COMMUNITY SO IT'S A CERTAINLY IMPORTANT FOR PUTNAM COUNTY TO GET THESE FUNDS TOO. ALL THE WAY DOWN TO VOLUSIA. THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE FAMILIAR WITH STETSON. THE HOLY TOLERANT RECONSTRUCTION HAPPENING AT OUR PROJECT AND

[01:00:05]

>> THANK YOU APPEARED NEXT ITEM LISA MCLIN, SAINT JOHNNY'S COUNTY PACIFIC ROUNDTABLE.

>> >> LISA COULDN'T BE HERE THIS MORNING SO SHE ASKED ME TO READ

HER STATEMENT. >> YOUR RECOGNIZE. >> ABOUT THE TATE OF THE VICE CHAIR OF THE SAINT JOHNNY COUNTY PACIFIC ROUNDTABLE. I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH H YOU OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. ES. WOULD LIKE TO THANK FOR YOUR SERVICEE AND THE WONDERFUL WORK-THE 2023 SESSION. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024 WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE FOLLOWINGG AS PARTNERS. WE WOULD URGE YOU TO THE STATE PENSION LOCAL GOVERNMENT OLE, AND UNFUNDED MANDATES. WE'VE REPEATEDLY URGED DELEGATION TO LIMIT THESE INFRINGEMENTS LOCAL OVERNANCE LIMITING THE ABILITY OF A DEDICATED AND HARD-WORKING COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY STAFF AND PUBLIC ADVOCATES. ISSUES RELATED TO SHORT-TERM AND VACATION RENTALS ARE EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS BEST HANDLED BY THE LOCAL CONSTITUENTS. WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS ON REFORMING THE PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL FUNDING PROGRAM FOR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND MAKE A GROWTH COUNTIES LIKE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY THIS REVISION IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO CURTAIL THE PUBLIC SCHOOL OVERCROWDING. CURRENTLY THE COUNTY HAS OVER 220 CLASSROOMS ARE TEMPORARY. WE URGE YOU TO CONTINUE REFORMS AND INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS THE PROPERTY AND AUTO INSURANCE RATES AND AVAILABILITY. RESILIENCY AND SEA LEVEL RISE CONTINUE TO BE IMPORTANT FOR US SO WE WOULD CONTINUE TO URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THIS FINDING AS YOU HAVE IN THE PAST FOR A BROAD RANGE OF MITIGATION AND RESILIENCY PROJECTS. SUPPORTING INCREASE FUNDING FOR SEWER CONVERSIONS AND UPDATING OTHER SYSTEMS WHICH ARE SOURCES OF NUTRIENT WATER POLLUTION ARE ALSO IMPORTANT IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. WE WOULD URGE YOU TO SUPPORT FUNDING FOR MORE PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE MOVING PEOPLE RTHER THAN AUTOMOBILES. AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUTER RAIL AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT. THEY GREATLY SUPPORTING THE FUNDING FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE A1 8 BOTTLE MULTIUSE TRAIL ALONG THE SCENIC HIGHWAY FOR THE CITY OF 8 SAINT AUGUSTINE TO THE MILANO TOWN CENTER IN PONTEVEDRA. WE BEGAN URGE YOU TO PROVIDE MONEY FOR FLORIDA FOREVER IN THE WILDLIFE CORRIDOR COMMUNITIES ENROLL IN FAMILY LAND TRUST TO PROTECT OUR FRAGILE NATURAL RESOURCES AND PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURAL AREAS. THESE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN CRITICALLY UNDERFUNDED FOR DECADES DESPITE FLORIDA'S LONG HISTORY AND TRADITION OF LAND

CONSERVATION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT I HAVE RHONDA DICAMILLO. YOUR

RECOGNIZE. >> NO WORRIES. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH THE ST. JOHN'S DELEGATION TODAY. AS WE JUST DISCUSSED MY NAME IS RHONDA DICAMILLO AND I'M REPRESENTED THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF JACKSONVILLE FIRST COAST. THE LEAGUE REMAINS A NONPARTISAN POLITICAL ORGANIZATION WITH 29 CHAPTERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA. OUR LOCAL CHAPTER REPRESENTS MEMBERS FROM CLAY, DUVALL, NASSAU AND ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. I AM A ST. JOHNS COUNTY MEMBER. EACH YEAR OUR LEAGUE DEVELOPS A PROGRAM TO GUIDE OUR ACTIVITIES DURING THE UPCOMING YEAR. OUR 23/24 PROGRAM INCLUDES TOPICS SUCH AS VOTER EDUCATION, PUBLIC EDUCATION, SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, FINANCING AND DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE. FINALLY THE LEAGUE IS COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN ALL WE DO. TODAY I WISH TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW OF OUR ACTION ISSUES AND ASKED THAT YOU CONSIDER THEM AS YOU DRAFT AND VOTE ON LEGISLATION DURING THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION. FIRST, PLEASE CONSIDER PASSING LEGISLATION REQUIRING THAT THE STATE OF FLORIDA ONCE AGAIN PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION INFORMATION CENTER. COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS ERIC. REMOVAL FROM ERIC MAKES OUR ELECTIONS LESS SECURE, NOT MORE SECURE. AS THE GOVERNOR STATED WHEN FLORIDA FIRST JOINT ERIC IN 2019 JOINING ERIC IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR OUR STATE. AS IT WILL ENSURE OUR VOTER ROLLS ARE UP-TO-DATE AND WILL INCREASE VOTER PARTICIPATION IN OUR ELECTIONS. SECOND, PLEASE CONSIDER ADDING ALL SCHOOLS RECEIVING PUBLIC MONIES TO ADHERED TO THE RIGOROUS STANDARDS IMPOSED ON OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. IN OPPOSE ANY LEGISLATION THAT WOULD LOWER

[01:05:03]

FACING US LOCALLY AND STATEWIDE. THANK YOU. >> THINK HE APPEARED UP NEXT I HAVE NELL TOENSMANN. SAINT AUGUSTINE DEMOCRATIC CLUB. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED.

>> GOOD MORNING. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO OUR FEDERAL FLORIDIANS FOR EACH OF YOU TO REACH OUT TO FIND OUT WHAT REALLY MATTERS TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND RESPOND IN TIME. IN ALL RELIGIONS IS A GOLDEN RULE WHICH ASK YOU TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED. WHEN WRITING LEGISLATION HAVE ANY OF YOU CONSIDERED THAT RULE ALONG WITH THE REAL IMPLICATIONS OF YOUR ACTIONS? IF YOU DID THEN PERHAPS THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER OFFICIALS WOULD NOT BE FACING SO MANY LAWSUITS AS THE LEGISLATURE UNFORTUNATELY CANNOT BE SUED. AS LEGISLATORS PERHAPS YOU MIGHT WANT TO FOCUS DURING THIS LAST SESSION OF YOUR TENURE ON ISSUES THAT GREATLY IMPACT FLORIDIANS SUCH AS AFFORDABLE AND LABOR HOUSING. ALMOST NONEXISTENT IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. YOU VARDY HEARD SOME OF THAT TODAY.

HAVING REMOVED SO MUCH MANY OF THE YEARS FROM THIS SADOWSKI FUND HAS HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT WITHIN OUR COUNTY. ESPECIALLY WITH HER OUT-OF-CONTROL GROWTH AND EXPANDING LOW PAYING SERVICE JOBS. WHY NOT TRY TO RESTORE WITHOUT IMPOSING UNNECESSARY RESTRICTIONS. HAVE A HEART. IT SEEMS THE RECENT SPECIAL SESSIONS ADDRESSING INSURANCE PREMIUMS HAVE HAD NO IMPACT ON THE OUT-OF-CONTROL ST AND INSURANCE COMPANIES RECEIVED TO DEPART OUR FAIR STATE. BY HOMEOWNER INSURANCE ONLY INCREASED BY 50 PERCENT BUT MANY OTHERS WERE MUCH, MUCH HIGHER. PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHICH I INTENDED IT SAINT AUGUSTINE COULD BENEFIT BY INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE BUILDINGS THAT HAVE TO BE BUILT OVER THE TEACHERS WHO LOVE THE CHILDREN AND MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES. MANY OF THEM ARE DEPARTING TEACHING AND FLORIDA.

BECAUSE HER PACE RANKED SO LOW IN COMPARISON TO OTHER STATES. ADDITIONALLY, THEY NEED TO JUMP THROUGH SO MANY HOOPS TO DECIPHER THE IMPACT OF THE LEGISLATION THAT WANTS TO CONTROL WHAT IS TAUGHT IN THE SCHOOLS. IS THIS REALLY WHAT YOU INTENDED? OR MAYBE IT IS.

DO YOU REALLY THANK YOU KNOW MORE THAN TRAINED TEACHERS? SENDING VOUCHERS TO MANY FOR-PROFIT PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY SCRUTINY IS NOT BEING JUDICIOUS WITH OUR TAXES. EVEN MILLIONAIRES CAN BENEFIT FROM YOUR LARGEST. PERHAPS MATCHING SHOULD BE TAKEN TO RETHINK THESE ACTIONS AND MINIMALLY DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS AS STRENUOUSLY AND DEMANDED ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WERE YOU TRYING TO DENY AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY? IT IS AS MUCH A PART OF OUR HISTORY AS JAMESTOWN AND ESPECIALLY HERE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE. WHY ARE YOU TREATING STUDENTS AND ADULTS WHO ARE DIFFERENT? AS PEOPLE TO BE PUNISHED AND HATED. NOT EVERYONE IS CREATED CLEARLY A MAN OR MALE OR FEMALE. THERE ONLY IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE IN THE OPPOSITE SUCKS. PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES THAT EXIST WITHIN SEXUALITY AND HUMANS RATHER THAN TRYING TO CRUSH IT. RECONSIDER THE LEGISLATION, DENYING THE MEDICATIONS. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO STUDY THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THAT CLIMATE CHANGE HAS BROUGHT IN FLORIDA. YES IT IS REAL. THERE ARE SO MANY POSITIVE THINGS YOU COULD DO TO SAVE OUR BEAUTIFUL STATE.

PLEASE, MAKE THAT EFFORT. ONE LAST THOUGHT. REMEMBER THE GOLDEN RULE. FOR ONCE, LEGISLATE OUT OF LOVE AND NOT HATE AND OUT OF COMPASSION RATHER THAN POWER. BY THE WAY, COMPASSION SAINT AUGUSTINE WILL BE MEETING TODAY AT NOON IF YOU'RE FREE IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOU WOULD COME TO SAINT CYPRIAN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT 1:30 ON MARTIN LUTHER KING AVENUE AND JOIN US FOR LUNCH AND THEN YOU COULD HEAR WHAT COMPASSIONATE THINGS ARE HAPPENING WITHIN THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU. >> DETERMINE A COUPLE OF THINGS. 1 IS YOU'LL NOTICE I

[01:10:05]

AT LEAST AT THE STATE LEVEL IF NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WE HAVE NOT DESCENDED INTO BECOMING SHOUTING CLUBS. WE ACTUALLY GOVERN AND SO DESPITE THE DILIGENT EFFORTS OF PEOPLE

ON BOTH SIDES THAT WE DO SO. >> THANK YOU, NEXT I HAVE BETH RUCKER WITH AFFORDABLE DENTAL

HYGIENISTS ASSOCIATION. >> A GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. HER NAME IS BETH RUCKER AND I'M A FLORIDA LICENSED DENTAL HYGIENISTS AND THE NUMBER OF THE DENTAL HYGIENIST ASSOCIATION. ON BEHALF OF THE FT HAI ASKING TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE. LICENSE MOBILITY AND LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR DENTAL HYGIENIST. A RECENT REPORT FOUND FLORIDA HAD THE HIGHEST RATE OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS IN THE COUNTRY FOR NON- TRAUMATIC DENTAL CONDITIONS FOR CHILDREN AGE 14 AND YOUNGER.

THE FLORIDA MEDICAID COVERED 86 PERCENT OF THOSE VISITS AND THE MOST COMMON REASON FOR THE VISIT WITH ABSCESS CAUSED BY CAVITY LEFT UNFILLED. THERE'S NOT JUST ONE SOLUTION INCREASING ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE. INSTEAD WE HOPE LEGISLATORS WILL CONSIDER SEVERAL OPTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING OTHER STATES THAT HAVE AUTHORIZED MID-LEVEL DENTURE PROVIDERS CALLED DENTURE THERAPIST TO JOIN THE DENTAL TEAM. THESE PROVIDERS ARE REQUIRED TO GRADUATE FROM A CRITICAL DENTAL PROGRAM, TAKE THE SAME STATE LICENSING THE DENTIST TAKE FOR THE PROCEDURES THAT THEY PERFORM. THEN BECOME LICENSED. THE DENTAL THERAPISTS ARE TRAINED TOOK TO POOR FORM THE UNCOMPLICATED SERVICES NORMALLY PROVIDED BY THE DENTIST TO EXTEND THE REACH OF THE DENTAL PRACTICE OF THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM. TO BE CLEAR THE LICENSE DENNIS DECIDES WHAT THE DENTAL THERAPISTS ARE ALLOWED TO PROVIDE TO THE PATIENT. DENTAL THERAPISTS ARE SUPERVISED MUCH WORK UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF DENTIST CONTRACTED AGREEMENT. INCREASING THE DENTAL WORKFORCE AND OUR STATE BY ALLOWING DENTAL HYGIENISTS AND PRACTICING SAFETY NEVER STATES. THE HYGIENIST MUST GRADUATE FROM AN ACCREDITED PROGRAM, PASS A STATE LICENSING EXAM AND A NATIONAL BOARD EXAMINE HOW PRACTICE SAFELY FOR SEVERAL YEARS. UNFORTUNATELY THESE PROFESSIONALS WOULD HAVE TO TAKE ANOTHER LICENSE EXAM OR ON THE MANIKIN TO BE LICENSED IN FLORIDA. THE LICENSING EXAMS ARE DESIGNED FOR THE ENTRY-LEVEL HYGIENIST TO HAVE JUST GRADUATED. NOT EXPERIENCE HYGIENISTS THAT ARE ALREADY LICENSED IN OTHER STATES. IT CAN BE COSTLY TO BECOME A DENTAL HYGIENIST IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA RANGING FROM 25 TO 80,000 FOR A 2-YEAR PROGRAM.

MANY OF THESE PROGRAMS DO NOT AFFORD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WHILE THE STUDENT IS IN THE PROGRAM. HAVING A LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM SIMILAR TO THE DENTIST LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM PASSED BY THE STATE WILL ALSO HELP THOSE WHO MAY NOT GO TO DENTAL HYGIENE'S SCHOOL DUE TO THE COST DURING TO WORK DURING THEIR EDUCATION. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND

YOUR SERVICE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF THINGS I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER TO ADDRESS. I DID WANT TO MENTION LAST SESSION FOR FIRST TIME WE DID HAVE A LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM FOR DENTIST THAT WANT TO PRACTICE IN UNDERSERVED AREAS. IT WAS A BIG BREAKTHROUGH THAT'S BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR LONG TIME. IT'S A FIRST TIME FOR FUNDING. I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THOSE ISSUES BEFORE US.

>> NEXT UP ACADIA JACOB WITH FLORIDA VOICES FOR HEALTH. >I GUESS THAT PERSON IS NOT HERE. UP NEXT IS TYLER MORRIS WITH CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING JACKSONVILLE.

>> A MARGARITA HIGHFIELD I'M DIRECTED OF PROGRAMS AND UPSET BEGIN FOR TYLER MORRIS.

INDEPENDENT LIVING WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE INCLUDING YOUR CONSTITUENTS

[01:15:01]

THE PAST YEAR JACKSONVILLE HAS PROVIDED 7000 SERVICES TO OVER 859 CONSUMERS WITH 4 PERCENT OF THOSE BEING REPRESENTED FROM ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. ONE OF THE PROGRAMS I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT WITH YOU IS A PROGRAM THAT'S USED MOST BY ST. JOHN'S COUNTY RESIDENTS IS OUR BROOKS TEMPORARY LOAN CLOSET. THE BROOKS TEMPERATE LOAN CLOSET SAVE CONSUMERS 1/4 OF MILLION DOLLARS BY PROVIDING DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, FREE OF CHARGE ON DONATION OR LOAN SERVICES. THOSE DURABLE MEDICAL DEVICES INCLUDE THINGS SUCH AS WALKERS, 301 COMMODES, ANYTHING THAT THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THEIR INSURANCE. THE PROGRAMS ALLOWED PARTICIPANTS TO HAVE A FAST ROAD TO RECOVERY. TO ADJUST THE CHARGE FROM INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS TO COMMUNITY BASE LIVING THROUGH FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE BARRIERS THAT MAY BE STANDING IN THE WAY OF OBTAINING EQUIPMENT. SUBJECTS WILL PROVIDE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING SERVICES, INFORMATION REFERRAL AND YOUTH TRANSITION SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. TODAY WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN

SOUL JACKSONVILLE ON JANUARY 30 TALLAHASSEE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT I HAVE LIZ

SCHMIDT WITH MEDICAL FREEDOM. >> A GOOD MORNING OF SATURDAY HUTSON AND RENNER. I AM LIZ SCHMIDT WE MOVED TO FLORIDA AFTER COVID. LIVING UNDER THE REGIME IS AN ONGOING DRAMATIC EXPERIENCE. WE ARE CONFRONTED DAILY WITH RADIO SPOTS AND THE BOARD SAYING THINGS LIKE DID YOU ACCIDENTALLY KILL SOMEONE TODAY? MANY SMALL BUSINESSES WENT BANKRUPT, THE LIQUOR STORES, POT SHOPS AND CORPORATE STORES STAYED OPEN BECAUSE THEY WERE DEEMED ESSENTIAL. I KNOW SOME OF THIS WENT ON IN FLORIDA TOO BUT IT WAS DRASTICALLY LESS. I APPRECIATE HOW GOVERNOR DESANTIS STOOD UP AGAINST THE FORMER CARTEL TO KEEP FLORIDA OPEN AND FREE.

I'M THANKFUL HE RECRUITED DOCTOR LEPPERT OUT TO BRING SOME COMMON SENSE TO FLORIDA MEDICAL ISSUES. I APPRECIATE THE FREEDOM WE HAVE ENDURED TO THESE COURAGEOUS MEN AND A FLORIDA LEGISLATURE. Y'ALL DID THE RIGHT THING AND SPITE OF STRONG PRESSURE FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THAT BEING SAID LIKE TO POINT OUT TO MEDICAL FREEDOM PROBLEMS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN SOLVED. NUMBER ONE, OUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE A DECLINED MEDICAL TREATMENTS OF HOSPITALS AND AS OUTPATIENTS. EXPENSIVE DRUGS WHICH HAVE PROVEN SAFE OVER DECADES OF USE SAVE THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS COVID PATIENTS WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND A DOCTOR WITH WISDOM AND INTEGRITY. DESPITE THE SUCCESSFUL USE AGAINST COVID THESE DRUGS WERE VIRTUALLY BANNED BECAUSE OF VACCINES AND NEW DRUGS COULD NOT HAVE EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION IF THEY WERE ALREADY EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS AVAILABLE. I HAVE A FRIEND WHOSE HUSBAND DIED IN A FLORIDA HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENTS GIVEN TO HIM AGAINST HIS WILL. EVEN THOUGH PARAMEDIC SAID HIS LUNGS OXYGEN, HEART RATE AND BLOOD PRESSURE ARE NORMAL AT THE HOSPITAL GAVE IT REMDESIVIR 3 HOURS AFTER HE ARRIVED. HE WAS PUT ON THE VENTILATOR 3 DAYS LATER. HE WAS REPEATEDLY DENIED THE OFF LABEL DRUGS HE REQUESTED. I FRIEND WAS ALLOWEDTO SEE HIM FOR MOST OF THE TIME HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL. AND WAS NOT INFORMED OF HIS PROGNOSIS, CONDITION OR TREATMENT. THE HOSPITAL ABOUT $478,000 DUE TO THE CARES ACT AND IS PROTECTED FROM LIABILITY BY THE PREP ACT. WHILE IT'S UNFORTUNATE WIFE IS NOW A WIDOW. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR STORIES. THIS IS AN AVOIDABLE HUMAN TRAGEDY. AS A FLORIDA STATUTE THAT SPELLS OUT PATIENT RIGHTS BUT IT WAS REALLY FOLLOWED FOR COVID PATIENTS AND THESE RIGHTS ARE STILL BEING VIOLATED. WITH THE MASSIVE ONGOING EFFORT TO CONTROL HEALTHCARE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL BY THE BOOK BUT AGENCIES AND AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL THROUGH THE WHOSE OUTRAGES PANDEMIC TREATMENT WE MUST FIND A WAY TO ENSURE OUR RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED. SOME FLORIDA COUNTIES HAVE PASSED THE HEALTH FREEDOM BILL OF RIGHTS AND ORDINANCE TO ENABLE THE ENFORCEMENT OF PATIENT RIGHTS BY THE LOCAL SHERIFF. ANOTHER WAY TO SECURE THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE MEDICAL TREATMENT BY OMITTING CERTAIN FLORIDA STATUTES. SOME OF WHICH WERE MODIFIED WITH THE PASSAGE OF SP 252. THESE LAWS SHOULD BE MORE POWERFUL AND THEY SHOULD INCLUDE ILLNESSES OTHER THAN COVID-19. CAN I GO ON FOR JUST 30 SECONDS MORE. THE SECOND PROBLEM I WAS HORRIFIED TO LEARN THE FLORIDA IS ONE OF A HANDFUL STATES THAT HAVE A LAW GIVING THE STATE THE RIGHT TO ORDER PEOPLE TO BE EXAMINED,

[01:20:10]

>> THINK HE APPEARED NEXT I HAVE MARY LINN WITH THE ELECTRIFICATION COALITION.

>> COMMANDING MORNING, I'M MARY LINN I'M THE ELECTRIFICATION COALITION OF YOUR NONPROFIT NONPARTISAN. WE ARE WORKING TO TO ADOPTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO OVERCOME THE ECONOMIC, PUBLIC HEALTH AND NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES. THAT STEM FROM THE AMERICAS DEPEND PENSION OF OIL. 66 PERCENT THE PETROLEUM WERE BRINGING INTO THIS COUNTRY IS ALL BEING USED FOR TRANSPORTATION. I DROVE MY ELECTRIC CAR THIS MORNING SO I'M NOT CONTRIBUTED TO THAT STATISTIC TODAY. PUT YOU DID PUT CHARGING STATION OUT THERE.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT. WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP BILL. I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE FAMILIAR. IT DID PASS LAST YEAR. GOVERNOR DESANTIS VETOED IT. HOPING TO BRING IT BACK THIS YEAR AND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT. SO YOU KNOW IF YOU GO FOR TCO, TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP BILL WILL REDUCE DRAMATICALLY. HER STUDIES THAT SAY AS MUCH IS $18,000 PER VEHICLE. YOU WILL SAVE ON THE STATE LEVEL. WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH TMS THIS YEAR TO CONSIDER NOT JUST INITIAL PURCHASE COST BUT THE TOTAL COST OF THE VEHICLE. OTHER CITIES SUCH AS OCALA HAVE GONE TO ELECTRIC TRUCKS FOR THE GARBAGE TRUCKS. THE EPA JUST OPENED THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR THE NEW CLEAN SCHOOL BUS REBATE PROGRAM. IT OPEN FOR III ROUND THIS WEEK. THAT WILL BE GOING ON UNTIL JANUARY. EVERYONE IN THE AUDIENCE OF YOUR WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PLEASE APPLY FOR ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS.

LASTLY, WITH ORLANDO UTILITY AND WITH TYCHO AND JA WERE HOSTING RIDE AND DRIVE OFFENSE.

I'M SUPER EXCITED LIBRETTO APPEAR ON MY RADIO. THERE WAS AN AD FOR A ELECTRIC AVENUE OVER AT THE MALL. I WAS LIKE YES I LOVE THIS IN JACKSONVILLE. WE NEED MORE THESE. SO THANK YOU AND WE WILL SEE YOU ALL IN TALLAHASSEE. THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> THANK YOU NEXT I HAVE TURNED TO, SAVE OUR SCHOOLS. YOU ARE

RECOGNIZED. >> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR COMING TO ST. JOHN'S COUNTY TO HEAR ABOUT CONCERNS THEY GIVE HER TREMENDOUS SUPPORT OF OUR COUNTY IN THE PAST. FIRST K BEFORE YOU LAST YEAR REPRESENTING SAVE OUR SCHOOLS WHEN WE WERE A SMALL GROUP OF 250 PEOPLE. WE HAVE GROWN TO A GROUP OF 4200 PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS HERE IN ST.

JOHN'S. I HAVE NO BACKGROUND OF PUBLIC POLICY ABOUT MAKING LAWS OR EDUCATION BUT I DO CONSIDER MYSELF UNOBSERVANT AND ENGAGED PARENT. SINCE LAST YEAR I BECOME AWARE OF VACANCIES ARE SCHOOLS WHICH LEAD TO CONVERSATIONS I REALIZE MANY OF OUR MOST EXPERIENCED AND MOST CAPABLE TEACHERS WERE LEAVING OUR DISTRICT. I'M HOPING I CAN HELP SERVE AS LIKE A CANARY IN A COAL MINE TO ALERT EVERYONE OF A DIRE PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO RAISE STARTING TEACHER PAY IN FLORIDA AND THE RECENT ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY THAT ALLOWED OUR DISTRICT TO DIRECT MORE MONEY TO OUR VETERAN TEACHERS THIS YEAR. UNFORTUNATELY ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS NOT SECURED VILLAGE TO DIRECT INCREASING TEACHER PAY AND MANY OF THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES HEALTH. COST-OF-LIVING TEST SKYROCKETED HERE AND WE HAVE LOST SOME WONDERFUL EDUCATORS JUST THIS YEAR TO DEFAULT, FLAGLER AND ALSO COUNTY. HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT SAINT JOHN'S SCHOOL HELP US RETAIN AND RECRUIT TEACHERS DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH. THE PROCESS OF PLANNING, BUILDING, STAFFING AND OPERATING ON AVERAGE OF ONE NEW SCHOOL YEAR IS TAKING A TOLL ON OUR DISTRICT FINANCES. THIS GROWTH CREATES A NEED FOR CONSTANT EXTRA WORK AND DEPLETES OUR RESOURCES. THIS IS UNDOUBTABLY A COUNTY OF COUNTY FAMILIES. I WOULD SAY MOST OF US CAME TO ORDER STAYING HERE FOR ST. JOHN'S FOR A NUMBER ONE SCHOOLS. WE NEED TO FREE UP MONEY OR RECEIVE MORE MONEY TO PAY OUR TEACHERS SO THEY DON'T LEAVE AND GO TO THE NEARBY COUNTIES. SEVERAL TEACHERS REPORT NETTING 15 TO 20 CAME MORE INTO FALL. FLAGLER, WE MUST FIND THE MONEY TO FIGHT THE BRAIN DRAIN. æ I'M REALLY HOPING MANY IF NOT ALL

[01:25:20]

YOU. >> THINK HE APPEARED NEXT I HAVE MOLLY RINNERT. GOOD

MORNING, YOU WERE A NICE. >> HI GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MOLLY RINNERT I'M A PROGRAM MANAGER RIGHT ON THE ROAD FROM HERE. A BOARD MEMBER OF THE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION FOR INK!, INVESTING IN KIDS. BORN AND RAISED IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. I'VE 3 CHILDREN AND THAT ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. TIM REPRESENTING INK! OUR EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND THE ONLY DIRECT SUPPORT ORGANIZATION THE SAINT JOAN COUNTY DISTRICT. INK! IS A MEMBER OF THE STATE WIDE CONSORTIUM OF FLORIDA EDUCATION FOUNDATION. AS A MEMBER OF CONSORTIUM INK! HAD STATE FUNDS AND CLASSROOM INNOVATION TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT EDUCATION FOUNDATION MATCHING PROGRAM. SO FOR SO I THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALWAYS PUTTING EDUCATION FIRST IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. OF THE 6 MILLION ALLOCATED FOR THE SCHOOL YEARS FOR THE MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM OUR EDUCATION FOUNDATION WAS ABLE TO RECEIVE 99,000 WHICH WE DOUBLED TO FUND OPPORTUNITIES TO INNOVATE OUR TEACHERS, FACULTY STAFF AND STUDENTS. YOU GUYS ARE WHERE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY IS GROWING. BECAUSE OF THAT WE HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO INNOVATE AND SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS, FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS. THIS YEAR WE ASK YOU MAKE THE PROVEN STATEWIDE PROGRAM A PRIORITY AND EDUCATION BUDGET FOR 2024/25. WE CREST TO INCREASE FUNDING TO THE EDUCATION FOUND IT STATIONED MATCHING PROGRAM TO 7 MILLION TO CONTINUE TO INNOVATE LEARNING A POWER THE POTENTIAL OF OUR TUDENTS. THAT INK! BOARD WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE SO I'M REPRESENTING THEM. FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO MYSELF OR ANYBODY ON THAT BOARD AND WE WOULD LIKE TO FIRST AND SHOW YOU THINGS WE'VE IMPLEMENTED ACROSS THE COUNTY AND THAT COULD BE FIRST-HAND OR

VIRTUALLY. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. NEXT, AL HOLLON

THE CHAIR OF MUNICIPAL OF POINTED PETER BEACH. >> MY NAME'S CHRIS LINE WITH REPRESENTS ME IS MOST MISSED DISTRICT OF PONTEVEDRA BEACH. WE HAVE SPOTTED A LOCAL BILL FROM YOUR CONSIDERATION AND HOPEFULLY PASSAGE OF THE SESSION. THE MSD IS AN INDEPENDENT SPECIAL DISTRICT AND PONDER THE FUTURE BEACH. IT HAS A 7-MEMBER BOARD ELECTED BY THE LECTORS OF PONTEVEDRA BEACH AND THEY PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF PONTEVEDRA BEACH. IN THEIR LEGISLATIVELY CREATIVE HARTER THERE IS A PROVISION THAT REQUIRES THE DISTRICT EVERY 10 YEARS TO REVIEW THEIR CHARTER AND COME UP WITH PROPOSED RECOMMENDATIONS. THEY BEGAN THIS PROCESS BACK IN EITHER APRIL OR MAY OF LAST YEAR. THE TENURE REVIEW. THEY MET IN SEVERAL PUBLIC MEETINGS ABOUT IT AND CAME UP WITH 3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES TO THEIR CHARTER. UNFORTUNATELY THEY DIDN'T COMPLETE THE PROCESS LAST YEAR AND TIME TO MAKE YOUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION AGENDA FOR LAST YEAR. THEY PRESENTED THE BILL THIS YEAR FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. I BELIEVE THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND TALKING POINTS ARE IN YOUR BINDERS. AND WITHOUT AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. IF I CAN ASK THEM BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD HERE AND HE CAN.

>> YES SIR YOUR RECOGNIZE. >> WERE JUST ASKING LEGISLATORS TO TWEAK THE CHARTER AND REMOVE THIS. IF $150,000 ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. OTHERWISE YOU GOTTA HAVE A VOTER REFERENDUM. WERE ASKING WE GET SOME FLEXIBILITY BECAUSE THAT NUMBER WAS PUT IN 21 YEARS AGO. AND IT'S OUTDATED. WE HAVE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE. WE HAVE MOTHERS PUSHING. THE BABY STROLLERS DOWN A TRAVEL PORTION OF THE STREET. THAT MOTHER OF THOSE TODDLERS WOULD BE BETTER

[01:30:02]

SOME OF THE MORE. WE JUST WANT THE FLEXIBILITY TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES IN COOPERATION WITH THE COUNTY. THAT'S REALLY ALL WERE ASKING. AND WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION. WE ALSO WANT TO POINT IN THERE ABOUT TERM LIMITS. 12 YEARS, THAT'S IT.

WE USE THE SAME LANGUAGE YOU ALL USE FOR SCHOOL BOARDS. >> THANK YOU SIR. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING WE HAVE CERTAI PROTOCOLS WITHIN THE DELEGATION ITSELF. ALSO THIS NEEDS TO BE MADE PUBLIC VIA SOME TYPE OF DISTRIBUTION WITH THE PAPERS. HAS THAT HAPPENED?

>> YES MR. CHAIR. WE DID CALL TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE SAINT AUGUST AUGUSTINE RECORD.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REQUIRED BY THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE BEFORE BILL COULD BE INTRODUCED UP THERE. THAT WAS FILED LAST FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6. IT'S BEEN OUT THERE FOR AT LEAST A WEEK. AGAIN, THESE CHANGES HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED GOING BACK NOW A YEAR AND 1/2.

THEY MADE MONTHLY. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ON THE AGENDA. THEY'VE BEEN IN PUBLIC

MEETINGS. THIS IS BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE. >> IS A REBEL AND DRAFTING FROM

ONE OF OUR MEMBERS APPEAR TODAY? >> IT'S NOT BEEN A DRAFTING YET. THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS IN YOUR BINDERS AND HOPEFULLY WITH YOUR APPROVAL I WILL GET WITH REPRESENTATIVE STEPHENSON REPRESENTS THE AREA AND HAVE IT SUBMITTED TO BILL

DRAFTING. >> LASTLY, SO YOU'RE AWARE, I BELIEVE WE HAVE DONE ALL THE PROTOCOLS WE NEED TO DO BUT, IF NOT WE'LL COME BACK TO ME AGAIN SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS FOR A TIME THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF US IF WE'VE DROPPED THE BALL SOMEHOW WILL NOT.

>> FAIR ENOUGH. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT I HAVE CHARLIE HUNT TO DISCUSSED OVERDEVELOPMENT. IS CHARLIE HERE? YOU ARE RECOGNIZED.

>> YES, GOOD MORNING. SITTING AND LISTENING TO ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE SPEAKING ABOUT THE FUNDING WE GET FOR THIS OR THIS IS UNDERFUNDED. WE NEED TO HELP THESE PEOPLE. AND I'VE BEEN TO MANY MEETINGS AND HERE ONE PHRASE THAT'S OVERUSED IS AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING.

IN SOME SENSE IT'S ONLY FOR THE ONES WHO HAVE GOOD KEY JOBS AND THE OTHER SINCE IT'S FOR PEOPLE THAT CAN AFFORD TO BE IN THOSE GOOD KEY JOBS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A MIX OF BOTH OF THEM.

THAT'S FINE. BUT, WHEN YOU TAKE AND GROUP PEOPLE WITH JOBS WHO WERE MOSTLY UNION BASED TO THE ONES WHO ARE STRUGGLING WHO ARE TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEAT HERE IN THIS COUNTY. IT JUST SHOWS YOU WHERE IT IS. MONEY LEADS THE WAY. MONEY LEADS THE WAY. ADDING TO THE EXCESSIVE OVERDEVELOPMENT OF THIS COUNTY. YES, I DO LIVED IN THIS COUNTY BUT, I DON'T GIVE OUT WHERE EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS THERE IS AMPLE HOUSES GOING AROUND EVERYWHERE. ALSO WHAT BROUGHT MY ATTENTION WAS SEEN THE APPROPRIATIONS THAT THE COUNTY WAS SO GRATEFULLY, GRACEFULLY AWARDED. THERE WAS ONE FOR $15 MILLION FOR THE EXTENSION OF 2209. WHAT IS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN? WHY DID THE STATE NEED TO GIVE THAT FOR EXTENSION OF $15 MILLION OF AN UNDEVELOPED AREA FOR THE OVERDEVELOPMENT THAT'S GOING ON AROUND IT? AND FOR THE COUNTY WHO YES, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING. OKAY? BUT, THAT JUST SHOWS RIGHT THERE. GREED IS GOOD.

GREED IS GOOD. 2209, YES, WE ALL WROTE NO WITHOUT RUNS TO. AND WHEN IT STARTED BACK IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF IT BACK IN 1996 OR 97 AROUND THAT TIME FRAME COMING THROUGH. ME, I KNOW ABOUT IT. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN JACKSONVILLE. PARTICULARLY IN THE ONE LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD WILL ACRES. IT'S GOOD TO GROW UP AND MOVE OUT. BUT THEN TO GET OUT AND SEE WHAT'S ALL AROUND YOU FOR PEOPLE SAY THEY CAN AFFORD THAT AND THEY CAN AFFORD THIS. YOU AGREE TO BED BUT HER JOB SO YOU CAN AFFORD IT. $15 MILLION CONSTRUCTION FEE OR

[01:35:05]

WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM AND WHERE THE MONEY GOES. >> THINK HE APPEARED NEXT WE

HAVE JACKIE DUNN. DATA FOR CHANGE INK. >> GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME YOU TODAY. MY NAME IS JACKIE DUNN ON THE FOUNDER OF DATA CHANGE FOR THE 85,000 MEN AND WOMEN THAT WERE WAREHOUSING IN THE 57 PERSONS OF OUR STATE. FLOAT HAS 3RD LARGEST PRISON PRISON POPULATION. SADLY WE ALSO HAVE 25 PERCENT OF THE ENTIRE NATIONS LIFE WITHOUT PUBLIC PAROLE PUBLISHING. SITTING IN OVER 14,000. STAND IN FRONT OF YOU AS A CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN TO SAY I'M DISAPPOINTED IN OUR STATE'S EAGERNESS TO IMPRISON THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT WE ARE MERELY MAD AT AND NOT AFRAID OF. THE CURRENT BUDGET FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS $3.3 BILLION ANNUALLY. IT GOES UP EVERY YEAR. THIS YEAR THE ADDED AN ADDITIONAL HUNDRED 40 MILLION OVER TIME AND $30 MILLION FOR NATIONAL GUARD BECAUSE I HAVE SUCH VACANCY ISSUES. TRADITIONAL INCARCERATION IS SUPER EXPENSIVE. A YOUNG HEALTHY INDIVIDUAL COST ALL OF US TAXPAYERS $28,000 A YEAR. THE FIGURE TRIPLES AT THE AGE OF 50 WHICH IS CONSIDERED ELDERLY IN THE PRISON SYSTEM BECAUSE OF MEDICAL CARE SO HORRIBLE. WE HAVE OVER 30 PERCENT OF THE 85,000 MEN AND WOMEN ARE OVER THE AGE OF 50 AND IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE THANKS TO OUR LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE POPULATION.

HOPE, PURPOSE AND OPPORTUNITY ARE CRITICAL COMPONENTS TO GETTING US OUT OF THIS DISASTER BURIEN. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY REHAB THE INCARCERATED. THEY SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN TIME OFF THEIR SENTENCE THROUGHOUT THEIR ENTIRE SENTENCE. THE KEYBOARD IS EARNED. WE NEED TO STOP AWARDING THEM FOR JUST BEHAVING. INCENTIVE FOR PURPOSEFUL INTENTIONAL GROWTH IS A MUST. CURRENTLY THEY HIT THEIR MAXIMUM GAIN TIME A 15 PERCENT APPROXIMATE HALFWAY THROUGH THEIR SENTENCE. JUST FOR BEHAVING. AS AN EXAMPLE KATE 31479 WHO SERVING ALMOST 19 YEARS ALL IMPRISON FOR DUI MANSLAUGHTER IS THE FIRST TIME OFFENDER AT THE AGE OF 20 WILL HIS MAXIMUM GAIN TIME AND YOUR 8 AND HAVE 2695 DAYS OF HOPELESS INCARCERATION REMAINING IN HIS SENTENCE. HE IS ALSO MY SON LUCAS DONE.

CURRENTLY THE MAJORITY RETURNING CITIZENS LEAVE PERSON WORSE THAN WHEN THEY ARRIVE.

YOU CAN PROBABLY ASK LAW ENFORCEMENT THEY CAN BACK ME UP ON THIS. I MENTIONED WAREHOUSING EARLIER BECAUSE OF THAT EXACTLY WITH THE FTC IS CURRENTLY DOING. A 3 PERCENT ARE NOT ACTIVELY IN ANY KIND OF PROGRAMMING AT ANY GIVEN TIME WITHIN OUR PRISON SYSTEM. 44 PERCENT THAT LEAVE PRISON STILL DO NOT HAVE A GED. HOW ARE THEY GOING TO MAKE IT OUT IN THE WORLD WHEN THEY GET OUT? 45,000 GET OUT IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS. DON'T WE ALL HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THEM COMING OUT SAFELY AND PRODUCTIVELY? EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM SHOULD HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH OUR PRISON SYSTEMS AND WHAT WE PAY FOR WHAT WE GET IN RETURN. I'VE LIVED AND DIED BY ROI IN MY BUSINESS. WE AREN'T GETTING ANYTHING FOR WHAT WERE PAYING. IT'S TIME TO GET SMART AND SAFE AND GET AWAY FROM THE TOUGH ON CRIME WAY THAT WE BEEN DOING THINGS FOR WAY TOO LONG NOW. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE ANN SALAMONE. DID I SAY THAT CORRECTLY?

>> GOOD MORNING. OKAY, I AM ANN SALAMONE A SCIENTIST WHO IS BEEN BLESSED TO CREATE MEDICAL PRODUCTS THAT ARE SOLD WORLDWIDE. I'M ALSO A MOTHER OF AN INCARCERATED SON. BEFORE 2020 OUR FAMILY,3 GENERATIONS OF US WERE LEFT IMPRISON AND THROW AWAY THE KEY. 3 YEARS AGO MY SON WAS INCARCERATED WE BECAME NON-NAC/VE. FLORIDA OVE RELIES ON INCARCERATION FOR PUNISHMENT. 41 PERCENT OF FLORIDIANS HAVE 9 MILLION OF US HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED OR HAVE A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN AN INCARCERATED. THEY'RE ALL ETHNICITIES, OLD AND YOUNG, POOR AND WEALTHY. SINCE THE 1980S OUR PRISON POPULATION HAS BLOSSOMED BY AT 400 PERCENT WHILE OUR POPULATION IS ONLY INCREASED BY 228 PERCENT. WHAT HAS THIS ACCOMPLISHED? EXTREME POVERTY. HOMELESSNESS, GENERATIONAL TRAUMA APPEARED SEVERAL FAMILIES. 2 THIRDS OF OUR CHILDREN ARE MEDICAID. 3RD OF OUR VETERANS HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED. PARADOXICALLY WE

[01:40:07]

VOTE NO FOR BILLS THAT PUT MORE OF US IN PRISON OR FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME. THIS WILL TAKE EXTRAORDINARY STRENGTH WHICH THE 3 OF YOU TO HELP. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> AT NEXT I HAVE RENEE SINALY.

YOU'RE WITH ST. JOHNS COUNTY ELECTION INTEGRITY COMMITTEE. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAST EFFORTS. ON ELECTION INTEGRITY. ELECTION INTEGRITY IS A CORNERSTONE OF ANY THRIVING DEMOCRACY. VOTING IS A RIGHT AND A RESPONSIBILITY THAT BELONG SOLELY TO AMERICAN CITIZENS. IT GUARANTEES THAT THE VOICE OF EVERY CITIZEN IS HEARD AND THAT THE VOTES ARE COUNTED ACCURATELY. AS FLORIDA HAS BEEN TOUTED AS THE GOLD STANDARD ON THE ACCURACY AND VOTE THERE IS REPORTS OF VOTER REGULATION. COUPLE NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART, ONE, NONCITIZEN VOTERS. EMPLOYEES A SAVE WHICH CHECKS EMIGRATIONS STATUS ELECTRONICALLY FOR THOSE IN THE COUNTRY LEGALLY. WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY? FEDERALLY TO HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED THAT PRIMARILY TARGETS NONCITIZEN VOTERS. HR 3162 BY CHIP AWAY TEXAS AS A PROTECTING AMERICAN VOTERS ACT INTRODUCED BY CHIP ROI WOULD REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AT NO COST TO PROVIDE INQUIRING STATE OF ELECTION OFFICIALS WITH INFORMATION VERIFYING CITIZENSHIP STATUS OF INDIVIDUALS REGISTERING TO VOTE. HR 1409 REDUCE BY JOVE DUNCAN OF SOUTH CAROLINA COSPONSORED BY HER OWN REPRESENTATIVE JOHN RUTHERFORD IS THE PROTECTOR DEMOCRACY BY PREVENTING FOREIGN CITIZENS FROM VOTING ACT. THE BILL WOULD PROHIBIT FEDERAL FUNDS FROM GOING TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT ALLOW NONCITIZENS TO VOTE. FLORIDA CAN BE DONE TO FURTHER THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS? CAN WE CONTINUE TO TIGHTEN UP OUR REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTING? COULD BE REQUIRE THE CLERK OF COURTS TO PASS ALONG TO THE SECRETARY OF ELECTIONS IF A PERSON CHECKED THE NON-CITIZEN ON THEIR JOURNEY SUMMONS. CAN WE USE TO VERIFY? TRUE, BUT BY MAIL. BALLOTS CAST BY MAIL, NO CHAIN OF CUSTODY. GROUP BOXES LIKE IN A SUBDIVISION OR APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN THE STANDALONE BLUE BOX ARE OPEN BY WHAT IS CALLED AN ARROW KEY.

APPARENTLY THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE ARROW KEYS MISSING IN THE US. EVERY LETTER CARRIER CARRIES THE BARCODE SCANNER IF . IF A PERSON MOVED, OR DIED THE CARRIER COULD PUT IN SCANNER THAT INFORMATION GOES BACK TO THE POST OFFICE. IT'S NOT PASSED ALONG TO THE SLPS.

PERHAPS WE COULD REQUIRE DELIVERY CONFIRMATION ON THE BALANCE. THINK ABOUT HOW AMAZON TRACKS VERIFIES DELIVERY. TECHNOLOGY IS THERE AND THE COST WOULD NOT BE

EXTENSIVE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT IS SUSAN SINGER. ALSO ON

[01:45:13]

ELECTION INTEGRITY. YOU ARE RECOGNIZE. >> HI, I AM A FROM THE RTC COCHAIR OF THE RESOLUTION COMMITTEE. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME. WITHOUT FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, WE HAVE NO LIBERTIES. THE LARGEST MANUFACTURER OF VOTING MACHINES, ES AND S CLAIM THEY HAVE FIREWALLS IN PLACE. ES AND AS TOLD NBC NEWS THERE SYSTEMS ARE PROTECTED BY FIREWALLS AND NOT ON THE PUBLIC INTERNET. BUT, BOTH SCOTLAND AND ANDREW APPEL, PRINCETON SCIENCE PROFESSOR AND EXPERT ON ELECTIONS SAID THE FIREWALLS CAN AND HAVE BEEN BREACHED AS WE ALL KNOW. I HAVE SEEN MUCH PEVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THAT. MY QUESTION FOR THE SAKE OF FAIR AND HONEST ELECTIONS. THE PEOPLE ASK THAT YOU REMOVE THE MANDATE FOR OUR COUNTY TO USE AND FUND ELECTRONIC TABULATORS AND ANY ELECTION MACHINES. AND ALLOW HAND COUNTS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO ELECTRONIC TABULATORS. CHANGE THE LANGUAGE IN THE ELECTION LAW FROM MUST TO MAY USE THESE MACHINES AND TABULATORS. I HAVE THE RESOLUTION THAT WAS APPROVED BY OUR RAC ON ELECTION INTEGRITY I'D LIKE ALL OF YOU TO HELP. DO I GIVE IT TO YOU GUYS? THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME.

>> YES MA'AM, THANK YOU. NEXT I HAVE TRIED-21. YOUR RECOGNIZ. >> MORNING REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON, SENATOR HUTSON AND SPEAKER RENNER. MY NAME IS SUSAN SINGER. I HAVE A PONTEVEDRA RESIDENT. PROUD MOM OF A FIRST GRADER IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. A VOLUNTEER WITH MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE. I DON'T GRASP OOTS GROUP TEND GUN VIOLENCE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. HERE TODAY TO ASK FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS POSSESSIONS MAKER COMMUNITY AND OUR STATE SAFER. THE FIRSTIS TO KEEP THE AGENT NT REQUIREMENT TO T TO PURCHASE FIREARMS AT AGE 21. . THIS MEASUREMENT WAS INSTITUTED IN 201818 FOLLOWED BY THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE FOLLOWING THE TRAGIC SHOOTING AT G AT MARGARINE STONE IN HIGH WERE LD MURDERED SEVERAL PEOPLE. IT'S NOT BASED ON THE SINGULAR TRAGEDY IS BASED ON DATA. 18 TO 20-YEAR-OLDS COMMIT GUN GUN HOMICIDE AT TRIPLE THE RATE OF ADULTS 21 YEARS AND OLDER. DER.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAINTAIN THAT CURRENT AGE REQUIREMENT FOR ALL FIREARM PURCHASES TO HELP KEEP OUR CHILDREN AND OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. SECOND, MATTHEW TO OPPOSE THE RECENTLY FILED HB 17 BILL. ONLY THE DOUGLAS SHOOTING, FLORIDA LAW WAS APPROVED TO REQUIRED BACKGROUND CHECKS BE COMPLETED BEFORE GUN SALES COULD GO THROUGH. THIS BILL WOULD ROLL BACK THAT COMMON SENSE MEASURE. IT WOULD REQUIRE SALES PROCEED WITHIN 3 DAYS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE THE CHECK OR IF THEY NEED MORE TIME. WE ENCOURAGE YOU AND SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT DOING THIS CRITICAL ASPECT OF HER JOBS AND PROTECT THE CURRENT BACKGROUND BY OPPOSING HB 17. THIRD, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO RESTORE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION FUNDING. AS YOU KNOW IN THE LAST SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDED BY MILLION AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE PROGRAM GRANTS. IT WAS VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR. WHO ALSO REFUSED 50 MILLION IN FEDERAL GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION FUNDING. GUN VIOLENCE COST FLORIDA AN ESTIMATED 40 BILLION AND HERE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. CREDIBLE JUSTIN COST, LOST INCOME IN HEALTHCARE COST. ALONG WITHTHE 28,000 LIVES THAT ARE LOST EACH YEAR. RESTORING STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM WHICH PROVEN EFFECTIVE AS A CRITICAL PART OF PREVENTING GUN VIOLENCE. SAVING LIVES IN A GOOD FISCAL INVESTMENT. LASTLY, THERE IS A PERSON AGREEMENT THAT SAY FIREARM STORAGE SAVES LIVES.

WHILE DIVAN VOLUNTEERS SHARE A MESSAGE ABOUT SECURE FIREARM STORAGE ACROSS THE STATE.

OTHERS HAVE HER SLEEP WORKED WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD IN DEFAULT IN OTHER COUNTIES TO

[01:50:06]

AND OUR STATE SAFE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. NEXT I HAVE

TRIED 23 CEO OF ELDER SOURCE. YOUR RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU CHAIR HUDSON AND MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION. . I'MM M 11 C OF ELDER SOURCE. FOR THE STATETE ORDER AND AGING ND 7 COUNTIES INCLUDING ST. JOHNS COUNTY. TODAY SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF AREA AGENCIES ON AGING. OUR LEGISLATION DELEGATION FOR THE FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. AS AN AGENCY ON AGING WERE THE LOCAL OF ELDER AFFAIRS. WE DEFY THE NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVERS COMPETITIVELY BECOME A CONTRACT WITH LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO DELIVER VALUABLE SERVICES TO OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVERS TO HELP THEM REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES. PROVIDE THE OVERSIGHT AND STEWARDSHIP OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL DOLLARS TO ENSURE THEY ARE WELL PROPERLY SPENT. THOSE MOST IN NEED RECEIVE THE SERVICES AND THEY ARE GOOD QUALITY SERVICE.

AS THE POPULATION AGES WE ARE EXPERIENCING A GROWING DEMAND FOR THE SERVICES. WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR INCREASED FUNDING TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, HOME CARE FOR THE ELDERLY AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE INITIATIVE PROGRAMS THAT ARE FAR MORE COST-EFFECTIVE THAN THAT OF INSTITUTIONAL CARE. WE ARE ALSO ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ELDER AFFAIRS, SENIOR HOME REHABILITATION PROGRAM.

SERVICES WILL BE PRIORITIZED TO ELIMINATE HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES, CORRECT CODE VIOLATIONS, MAKE THE HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT MAKE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED TO ENSURE PERSONAL SAFETY. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO INCREASE INDEPENDENCE AND AGING IN PLACE. IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY AND FUNCTIONALITY, AND ENHANCE COMFORT AND WELL-BEING OF SENIORS. OTHER PRIORITIES FOR WHICH WERE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT INCLUDE CONTINUING FUNDING FOR E CERTS WHICH IS THE STATE CLIENT CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. FLORIDA ALZHEIMER'S CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE AND CONFORMING BILL LANGUAGE ALLOWIN AGENCIES ON AGING TO CARRY FORWARD 10 PERCENT OF UNEXPENDED GENERAL REVENUE FUNDS SIMILAR TO OTHER STATE AGENCIES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND SEEING YOU IN TALLAHASSEE. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT I HAVE MALINDA EVERSON. DIRECTOR OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IN ST.

JOHN'S COUNTY. >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE TODAY. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP IN FLORIDA AND SPECIFICALLY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. THERE ARE 50 HABITAT HUMANITY AFFILIATES IN FLORIDA AND WE BILLED APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF ALL HABITAT HOMES ACROSS THE NATION EACH YEAR. TO DATE HABITAT AFFILIATES OF FLORIDA HAVE BUILT, REBUILT AND REHABBED REPAIRED OVER 26,000 HOMES. OUR HOMEOWNERS PAY MORE THAN A $12 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES ANNUALLY. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IS ESPECIALLY GOOD INVESTMENT FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA BECAUSE WE LEVERAGE EVERY DOLLAR WE RECEIVE THROUGH THE ADDITION OF PRIVATE DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEER SUPPORT. AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS OUR HANDLING OF THE MORTGAGE SETTLEMENT FUNDS IN 2015.

HABITAT FLORIDA TURNED $20 MILLION OF FUNDING INTO $80 MILLION MARKET RATE HOUSING.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IS A HOMEOWNERSHIP AND CRITICAL REPAIR PROGRAM. FAMILIES WHO BY HABITAT HOME PAY A TRULY AFFORDABLE MORTGAGE WHICH IS MUCH LESS THE MARKET RATE RENT.

BECAUSE HABITAT HOMES ARE NOT GIVEN AWAY, THE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS GENERATED FROM EACH HOME ARE USED TO BUILD EVEN MORE HOMES. THIS MEANS EVEN MORE LEVERAGE FOR EACH STATE DOLLAR AVAILABLE. THERE CONTINUES TO BE A HUGE BACKLOG OF AFFORDABLE UNITS OF FLORIDA.

WE HAVEN'T CAUGHT UP SINCE THE 2008 MORTGAGE CRISIS. HOUSING AFFORDABILITY BECAME EVEN MORE CHALLENGING DURING THE PANDEMIC. IN ADDITION CONSTRUCTION COST HAVE RISEN DUE TO SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND INCREASED LABOR COST. ACROSS THE STATE THE COST OF BUILDING HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOME HAS INCREASED BY 22 PERCENT. RECENT DISASTERS AND RENT HIKES IN OUR STATE ARE ONLY MAKING THINGS WORSE. WE MUST BE PINTENTIONAL ABOUT SOLVING THIS PROBLEM. MARKET FORCES WILL NOT NATURALLY CREATE AFFORDABLE HOMES IN OUR STATE. I WOULD

[01:55:11]

WORKING TO SOLVE THEIR OWN HOUSING CRISIS. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE SCHUYLER SIEFKER. SAINT AUGUSTINE YOUTH SERVICES. THERE YOU ARE..

>> GOOD MORNING. I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS SUPPORT FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM FOR YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE LAST YEAR. WE ARE ALSO SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TIME AND DEDICATION TO OUR COMMUNITY AND THE MENTAL HEALTH, THE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH IN OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR THE SACRIFICES THAT YOU HAVE PERSONALLY HAD TO MAKE DURING YOUR TIME. THIS YEAR WE HAVE TO ASK. 1 THE SUPPORT OF A CENTRALIZED OFFICE BUILDING TO HOUSE OUR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. THE COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM, OUR COACHES PROGRAM AND HER MOBILE CRISIS TEAM. THIS WOULD SAVE OVER $100,000 A YEAR IN RENT AND ALLOW HER MOBILE CRISIS TEAM TO GET ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTY QUICKER WHICH LIKE OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS IS IMPERATIVE.

WHEN ANSWERING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. THE SECOND ONE IS TO ASSIST THE SAME PROGRAMS IN REOCCURRING FUNDING. LAST YEAR WE WERE ASKED TO EXPAND ALL 3 OF OUR PROGRAMS TO MAKE THE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT OUR COMMUNITY FACES. THIS YEAR WE DID NOT RECEIVE THE SAME LEVEL OF FUNDING AND WENT INTO HER FISCAL BUDGET YEAR TO $600,000 DEFICIT. IT'S HARD TO MAINTAIN STAFF AND QUALITY PROGRAMS WHEN YOU CAN'T COUNT ON FUNDING FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

IN THE REOCCURRING DOLLARS. MOBILE CRISIS TEAM ALONE HAS SAVED ST. JOHN'S COUNTING $10 MILLION AND THE TEAM JUST LAST YEAR SAVE $2.7 MILLION. THESE PROGRAMS ARE COST-EFFECTIVE IN SAVINGS BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THEY SAVE AND IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S LIVES.

THAT'S WHAT I HAVE. >> THANK YOU. I HAVE NEXT UP IS ANNA MACHIZ. IS THAT

CORRECT? WITH APD WAIVER. YOU WILL RECOGNIZE.>> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. . MY NAME IS ANNA. I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF MY 9 EUR. AS AN INFANT SEAT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CEREBRAL POSSE AND LATER SEVERE UTISM. MY HUSBAND AND I WOULD NEVER WALK AND HE'D HAVE A LOW QUALITY OF LIFE. THANKS TO ACCESS TO CMS MEDICAID WE ARE ABLE TO ACCESS EARLY INTERVENTION AND THAT CHANGED OUR LIVES AND CHANGED HIS LIFE. PHYSICAL THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, AQUATIC ASSISTANT THERAPY AND EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY ACTUALLY THANKS TO YOUR FAMILY, SENATOR HUDSON. WE SPENT OVER 60 HOURS A WEEK AT VARIOUS THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES AND IT TOOK EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES AND STILL DOES. NEVER MET A CHILD WAS WILLING TO WORK HARDER. TODAY HE WALKS, HE RUNS, HE PLAYS AND HE COMMUNICATES VERBALLY TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY. NONE OF THAT IS WITHOUT CHALLENGE AND AT AGE 3 WE APPLY FOR THE APD WAIVER. TODAY WE ARE STILL WAITING. THE DIAGNOSES AND CHALLENGES HAVE NOT STOPPED PILING ON BUT, THE SPORTS AVAILABLE TO HIM HAVE ALL THAT DISAPPEARED. OZZIE TAUGHT HIMSELF TO READ AS AN INFANT. INHERENTLY UNDERSTANDS MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION.

HE CAN NAME SHAVES I NEVER HEARD OF. HE CAN RECITE THE ALPHABET MORE THAN A DOZEN LINKAGES. YET HE STRUGGLES IN SCHOOL. A BIG PART OF THAT IS NOT BECAUSE HE IS UNWILLING OR UNABLE BUT BECAUSE THE CURRICULUM USES HIS DISABILITY AGAINST HIM. IT DOESN'T SUPPORT AUTISM. DOESN'T SUPPORT OTHER LEARNING DISABILITIES. MATH PROBLEMS

[02:00:04]

I'M ASKING YOU TO EXPAND CMS AS A FULL PAY INSURANCE OPTION UNDER FLORIDA KID CARE AVAILABLE TO ALL CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES OPPOSED TO THOSE THAT MADE THE FINANCIAL CRITERIA. INTEGRATE ACADEMICS AND EDUCATION WITH THERAPY. ADDRESS RISING COST OF WIPING OUT PROVIDERS. ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF ESE STUDENTS FLORIDA CURRICULUM AND PAVE A PATH FOR THERAPY INTEGRATED REGULAR THAT LEADS TO HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. INVEST IN PROGRAMS INCREASE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD. SUPPORT FULLY FUNDING THE APD PRE-IMPROVEMENT LIST. CONSIDERING ALL RISING COST FACTORS IN ADEQUATELY SERVING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO THE SOCIAL SERVICE ESTIMATE CONFERENCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I APPRECIATE IT. THANK OU. I HAVE A COUPLE MORE SPEAKER CARDS. IF YOU HAVEN'T TOLD WENT OUT AND WANT TO SPEAK AND WHEN WE GET TO THE END PLEASE BRING IT TO MYSELF. OF ALEX

PIZARRO. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU. SORRY FOR MY HANDWRITING ON THE PAPER.

GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS ALEX PIZARROO THE FIELD STUFF AT THE NORTH FLORIDA LABOR COUNSEL. OBVIOUSLY ORGANIZED LABOR HAD A PRETTY ROUGH GO OF IT LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP HELP MEMBERS PAY DUES OR MENTOR HINDER THE LABOR MOVEMENT AND MAKEUP ARTIST FOR WORKERS TO STAND TOGETHER. IN SPITE OF THESE CHALLENGES MANY AFFECTED UNIONS ORGANIZE NEW REQUIREMENTS AND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO MEMBERS PAY DUES.

HAVING STOOD UP TO THIS ATTACK ON TO THIS HEARING AS OPPORTUNITY TO LETTER REPRESENTATIVES KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUES WE FIND IMPORTANT. PRIMARILY WE WANTED TO EXPRESS OUR CONCERN REGARDING HB 49. THIS BILL READS LIKE AN ATTEMPT TO WALK BACK LONG-STANDING CHAMBER LABOR LAWS ON CHILDREN'S 16 TO WORK OVERNIGHT SHIFTS AND LONG HOURS. THIS BILL PROVIDES COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES FOR PASSING ANY LAWS THAT ARE CONSTAND MORE STRINGENT. IN ADDITION TO WORKING WITH VONAGE LANGUAGE OF THE SPECIFIC WILL BE ASKED FOR SUPPORT FOR THE FOLLOWING. HB 13 WOULD RAISE THE MINIMUM BASE SALARY FOR TEACHERS IN THE STATE ASKING PEOPLE TO EDUCATE OUR FUTURE TO LIVE ON PROPERTY WHICH IS ONLY SURE THE BEST EDUCATION EITHER TRADE OUTSIDE OF FLORIDA. SB 64 BOTH GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TENANTS AND LORDS. FAVORITE RELIABLE HOUSING IS A WORKERS RIGHTS ISSUE. CLARIFIES PENALTIES FOR THE UNLAWFUL TERMINATION OF THE PRIVACY TERMINATES THE PREGNANCY. IN ADDITION TO THOSE THINGS THE CLC WANTED ME TO ADDRESS AND ASK THIS COULD BE A LOT OF MONEY PASSED THE SESSION FOR HIGHWAYS AND BUILDING STUFF IN GENERAL. WE HOPE THAT MONEY IS USED USED TO HIRE LOCAL CONTRACTORS UTILIZES STATE OF FLORIDA REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. WHAT BETTER WAY FOR THE COUNTY TO GET A BETTER RETURN ON INVESTMENT ENSURING OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE HAS THE BEST TRAINING AND ENSURING THIS RENOVATION ONLY CREATES GOOD PAYING JOBS WITH BENEFITS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES BUT ALSO TO ENSURE THESE RENOVATIONS ARE DONE RIGHT, ON TIME AND UNDER BUDGET. DON'T BARGAIN HUNT FURTHER WORK, THE BEST IS AVAILABLE HERE ALREADY. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU. X, ROBERT ¦ WITH THE HONDA VERO BEACH PREXY RECOGNIZER. . GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS ROBERTT PRINCE KOSKI 4430 COASTAL HIGHWAY. YSTEM FOR YOU AS PRESIDENT OF SOUTH H CONTRIBUTION BEACH ASSOCIATION. WE HAVE MEMBERS HERE TODAY AND IF I MAY ASK THEM TO STAND IN THE AUDIENCE. MANYY ARE IN BLUE SHIRTS TODAY. FOREMOST THANK FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BEACHES OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND FOR THE FUNDING TO ALLOW US TO PROTECT

[02:05:01]

BUDGET TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT. [APPLAUSE] NEXT

I HAVE LISA YORK. IS LISA HERE? YOUR RECOGNIZED. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS LISA O'ROURKE I'M IN MY 16TH YEAR TEACHING PRE-K ESE HERE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. ALSO SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE JACKSONVILLE HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, AS AN ESE TEACHER YOU CAN IMAGINE I WAS THRILLED TO HEAR THAT ESE FUNDING IS ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM THIS YEAR. I ALSO HAVE A MATTER OF PUBLIC CONCERN LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU AS WELL. THE CLASS SIZE FOR PRE-K ESE STUDENTS IN OUR COUNTY IS 14.

THAT'S 14 SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS WITH ONE TEACHER. AND ONE PARAPROFESSIONAL. THIS IS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO BEAT THE NEEDS OF THESE CHILDREN APPROPRIATELY. THE WORKLOAD IS CRUSHING US. NEW TEACHERS ARE NOT COMING BACK. THIS WEEK OUR TEAM WENT OUT TO DINNER TOGETHER FOR SOME MUCH NEEDED DOWNTIME TOGETHER. WE LAUGHED TOGETHER, WE CRIED TOGETHER.

WE CRIED NOT JUST FOR OURSELVES BUT FOR THESE KIDS THAT NEED US SO BADLY AND THEY'RE JUST OUT OF OUR REACH. WE REALLY WANT TO DO RIGHT BY THESE KIDS. THERE'S NO STATE STATUTE REGULATING ESE CLASS SIZES. IT WAS MY CLASS-SIZE COMMITMENT WHICH IS 18. IN ADDITION TO

[02:10:03]

JOHN'S COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ESE PROGRAM. NOT ONLY DID HE PUBLISH THIS BOOK HE DEDICATED THIS BOOK TO ME. IN BIG GIGANTIC FONT. YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT THIS FELT LIKE. I'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR 16 YEARS AND I WANT TO KEEP DOING IT. THESE KIDS NEED ME. I DON'T WANT

THEM TO LOSE ME TOO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. >> NEXT, ALAN WHITMER. THAT IS

MY LAST FORM. YOU ARE MECHANIZE ALAN. >>>> ALAN WHITMER. YOU ARE HEREERE ASK FOR OUR PROPOSED D LEGISLATION THIS COMING SESSION IN 2024. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT WAS DONE THIS THIS YEAR SED AS FAR AS THE FUNDING FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS. IT WAS A HUGE EXPANSIONON NOW A PERSON COULD GO GET A VOUCHER TO GO TO ANY PRIVATE HOOL, RELIGIOUS OR WHATEVER. I DO NOT LIKE TAXPAYER MONEY BEING USED FOR THAT NARROW FOCUS. I BELIEVE THE TRADITION PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I THINK IT'S MOST COST-EFFECTIVE. I THINK IT'S THE BEST VALUE FOR THE TAXPAYER DOLLAR THAT WE HAVE. I WOULD JUST HOPE THAT YOU WOULD RETHINK THIS. I THINK IT'S OPENING UP A MINEFIELD. THANK GOODNESS THERE ARE SOME PRESTIGIOUS HARVARD SCHOOLS THAT REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS. I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THOSE. THEY SEE THE PITFALLS AND THE SITUATION LIKE THIS. THIS IS NOT GOOD. IT IS NOT GOOD. IT IS NOT ENOUGH OVERSIGHT. I DON'T THINK AT TOP NOTCH THAT'S MY OPINION.

HOPE YOU WOULD REVERSE THIS AND FOCUS ON OUR TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THEY ARE THE BEST.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. 12 ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF THE DELEGATION? YES, IF YOU COULD COME UP. YOU CAN SAY YOUR NAME AND FILL OUT A CARD FOR US. AFTER YOU DONE SPEAKING JUST FILL OUT A COURT SO WE CAN PUT IN THE RECORD.

YOUR NAME? >> AND TAYLOR. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE. AS YOU'VE HEARD TODAY YOU KNOW ST. JOHN'S COUNTY IS BROWN EXPLODING AS FAR AS OUR GROWTH. STIFLING A CHALLENGE. MY 2 BOYS, 2 TEENAGERS IN OUR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SCHOOLS.

ALWAYS ASKING ME, MOM, WHY DO YOU CARE SO MUCH? I JUST HAVE THEM LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE MIRROR. I'M ALWAYS ASKING THEM. I DO CARPOOL OF IMAMS LET THEM BE ON THEIR PHONE THE WHOLE WAY HOME. NOT ME. THE PHONES ARE DOWN I'M ALWAYS ASKING WAT HAPPENED TODAY AT SCHOOL. BUT I DID WANT TO ASK IS THAT AS YOU'VE HEARD NOT ONE ARE OUR SCHOOLS EXTREMELY CROWDED BUT WHEN BRAND-NEW SCHOOLS ARE BUILT THEY ARE ALREADY OVERCAPACITY. WE HAVE BRAND-NEW SCHOOLS AND OUR CHILDREN ARE BEING IN PORTABLES RIGHT AWAY. WHAT WE'VE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THE PEOPLE, THAT'S THE REASON THAT'S PUT US IN THE SITUATION WE ARE IN. I UNDERSTAND THAT LOSS BEEN IN PLACE FOR MANY YEARS. MY ASK IS YOU PLEASE RECONSIDER SOMEHOW AMEND IT. ESPECIALLY FOR ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTIES IN THE COUNTRY. BECAUSE IT'S NOT WORKING FOR US. CERTAINLY NOT WORKING FOR OUR KIDS. AND OUR KIDS ARE TOO IMPORTANT. ALSO I WANTED TO SHARE, I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT OUR TEACHERS AND WE ARE LOSING THEM WE CERTAINLY WANT TO KEEP GREAT ONES LIKE LISA THAT JUST SPOKE. I'M A VERY DEAR FRIEND THAT'S BEEN TEACHING OVER 23 YEARS. SHE IS ACTUALLY TRAINING BRAND-NEW TEACHERS. AND ONLY MAKING A FEW THOUSAND MORE THAN THEY ARE. SHE'S BEEN OFFERED NUMEROUS TIMES TO GO TO ANOTHER COUNTY AND MAKE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE. SHE IS DOING IT FOR THE KIDS. SHE ADORES HER CHILDREN. IT SHOULD BE A GOOD PROFESSION AND NOT JUST A CALLING. I APPRECIATE THAT YOU RAISE THE MINIMUM STARTING SALARIES FOR

[02:15:05]

>> MY NAME IS DEBBIEIE AND I'M A SAINT AUGUSTINE RESIDENT. I AM HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE OVERCROWDING OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SCHOOLS. AGAIN, THE THING WE'VE HEARD IS THE PICO IS IN OUR WAY. I'M A RETIRED FRAUD INVESTIGATOR FOR 35 YEARS. I CAME TO ST. JOHN'S COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE SCHOOLS. GUESS WHAT? I'M NO LONGER RETIRED. I JUST BECAME A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER BECAUSE OF THE CRISIS THAT WERE HAVING. I REALLY WOULD LIKE YOU GUYS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. WE ARE ADVERTISING EVERYWHERE, ST. JOHN'S COUNTY IS ABOUT SCHOOL

[8) Final Remarks from Delegation Members]

>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, AND BRING IT BACK UP HERE AND DO FINAL REMARKS WITH

REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON FIRST. >> THANK YOU CHAIRMAN HUTSON. I DO HAVE 2 SMALL RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT TO SUGGEST PROMOTIONS. I HAVE A COPY OF OUR DELEGATION RULES.

TODAY WE HAVE PRESENTED OVER LOCAL BILL. DELEGATION RULES SAY WE WILL TAKE THE LOCAL BILL MUST BE APPROVED BY MAJORITY A QUORUM MUST BE PRESENT TO VOTE ON LOCAL BILLS AND ONE SHALL BE A SENATOR. THAT'S ONE THING I THINK WE NEED TO DO. IT SOUNDS LIKE WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION TO ENTERTAIN THIS BILL. BEFORE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO RECOMMEND THAT WE AMEND DELEGATION RULES. WE HAVE A REQUIREMENT IN THE ROLES THAT SAY AS FAR AS I CAN TELL WITH DISCUSSIONS OF THE CLERK THERE'S NO EVIDENCE WE'VE EVER COMPLIED WITH THIS RULE. THEY DON'T HAVE A MECHANISM TO FACILITATE US AT THIS TIME AND IT'S UNCOMON FOR DELEGATIONS TO HAVE THIS ROLE. IT'S ONE WE INHERITED AND IT WAS IN PLACE BEFORE WE WERE HERE. IT SAYS WE WILL FILE A LOCAL BILLS WITH THE CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT AND I THINK WE SHOULD AMEND OUR DELEGATION RULES BECAUSE IT'S NOT ONE THAT PEOPLE CAN COMPLY WITH. THEY ARE ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE NOTICE WHICH WE BILL HER TODAY DID DEAL. I THINK WE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND AMEND OUR RULES TO ADMIT THAT OBSOLETE LANGUAGE. AND THEN ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BILL. SHOULD I

PROPOSE THAT IN THE TERMS OF A MOTION? >> SECOND.

>> THE START THE MOTION OF THE BILL WHICH REPRESENTATIVE HAS SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR OF DEDICATION THAT WE'VE FILED LOCAL BILL SAY I. AND THEN THE SECOND THING WOULD BE A MOTION TO AMEND OUR DELEGATION RULES AND IF I HEARD YOU CORRECTLY REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON THE CLERK'S OFFICE SAYS WE CAN FILE THE BILL WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE WHICH WE'VE NEVER DONE IN THE CLERK HAS NO MECHANISM TO DO SO. WE WILL FILE THE BILLS AS IT RELATES TO WHAT THE STATUTE SAYS WHICH IS THE PUBLIC NOTICE THAT WE'VE DONE. THE MOTION WOULD BE TO AMEND OUR RULES TO NOT HAVE TO FILE WITH THE CLERK. ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT? THAT IS A MOTION.

>> SO MOVED. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY I? NOW FINAL COMMENTS.

>> I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR COMING. I APPRECIATE HEARING FROM EVERY SINGLE ONE. IT TELLS ME WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND AND ALSO THINGS THAT MAYBE WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE BETTER ABOUT. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. I'LL BE IN TOUCH WITH SOME OF YOU AFTERWARDS AND TRYING TO FOLLOW SOME FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION GETS MORE INFORMATION FROM YOU. IT HAS

BEEN, SORRY, MAYBE YOU SHOULD GO TO SOMEBODY ELSE. >> BEFORE I GO TO REPRESENTATIVE RENNER AND HE REMIND ME THAT WE DID A MOTION AND THEN PASSED A BILL THAT DID

[02:20:07]

>> APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S COMMENTS I THINK THE ONE TAKE AWAY IS THE HIGH-GROWTH THAT ST. JOHN'S COUNTY HAS VISIBLE ISSUE. WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY AT TIMES TO GET SOME HIGH-GROWTH MONEY IN THERE. YOU HAVE THE BATTLE WITH EVERYBODY ELSE. THAT'S NOT A HIGH-GROWTH COUNTY FOR SCARCE NUMBER OF EDUCATION DOLLARS THAT THEY LIKE TO ALL GO OUT EQUALLY. THIS IS A REAL ISSUE. ONE OF MY TAKEAWAYS BUT A BIG TAKE AWAY IS WE NEED TO FIND SOME MECHANISM FOR COUNTIES THAT ARE GOING AS FAST AS ST. JOHN'S COUNTY TO KEEP UP WITH THAT GROWTH SO MONEY YOU WOULD WANT TO DEVOTE TO TEACHER SALARIES AND RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION ARE NOT CONSUMED WITH BUILDING COST THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE ROOF. THAT'S SOMETHING WE WILL TAKE A STRONG LOOK AT AND TRY TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS THERE. THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENTS EVERYBODY MADE ON

THAT AND OTHER COMMENTS. >> REPRESENTATIVE, ARE YOU READY?

>> I WILL TAKE A SECOND TRY. IT'S BEEN SUCH AN HONOR TO REPRESENT THIS COMMUNITY. I'VE BEEN SERVING ST. JOHN'S COUNTY FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS. I AM NEVER EXPECTED TO RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE. I'VE A TERRIBLE PEER OF SPEAKING IN PUBLIC. WHEN I WAS ELECTED THE FIRST TERM IN 2004 I WAS IN A REALLY HARD MEETING SOMEONE SAID WE MADE A DECISION THAT WAS A REALLY HARD DECISION AND SOMEBODY SAID, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE A ONE TERM COMMISSIONER.

I SAID I NEVER IMAGINED BEING ANYTHING ELSE. TO HAVE 20 YEARS OF SERVICE QUITE HONOR.

I THINK TERM LIMITS ARE GOOD THING. I HAVE ENJOYED THE SERVICE THAT I'VE HAD 9 AND HALF YEARS COMING IN WITH SPEAKER RENNER APPEARED AND GOING RIGHT ON THE FLOOR AND VOTING ON THINGS AND VIGOROUS DEBATE THE VERY FIRST DAY WE GO IN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ACTION IT WAS VERY EXCITING AND I KNOW SPEAKER RENNER'S ATTORNEY STARTED WAY BEFORE MINE. I APPRECIATED LATE AT NIGHT BECAUSE I HAVE MY FIRST RACE WAS PRETTY TIGHT AND LATE AT NIGHT IT WAS HEADED OVER AND SENATOR HUTSON WAS GIVING ME CLUES. THIS IS WHAT I SEE ON YOUR AGENDA. GETTING ME READY. NOTHING REALLY TOUGH. MARCUS DEBATE WE'VE EVER HAD ON THE FLOOR. IT'S BEEN A REAL HONOR REALLY APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND TODAY WAS A REALLY GOOD RECAP OF ALL OF THE ENGAGEMENT IN ALL OF THE PIECES THAT GO TO MAKE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE. E DEAR GOD I WISH EVERY COUNTY IN FLORIDA WILL HAVE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WE HAVE. CERTAINLY ADJUST OUR GROWTH ISSUES. IT WILL BE NORMALIZED. SOME OF THE THINGS WE DO IN TALLAHASSEE ARE NOT ALWAYS POPULAR HERE. AFTER RECOGNIZE NOT EVERYBODY HAS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WE HAVE HERE. IF HE CAN HELP THEM HAVE A BETTER ONE, MAYBE IT WILL HELP MODERATE THE GROWTH AND SO MANY PEOPLE ON THE ROAD COMMUTING LONG DISTANCE OF THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. IN THE MEANTIME WE WILL CONTINUE FOR THIS LAST SESSION TO WORK REALLY HARD FOR THE COMMUNITY. I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW WONDERFUL IT HAS BEEN TO BE ON THE LAST 9 YEARS OF MY JOURNEY WITH THESE 2 GENTLEMEN AND KNELT REPRESENTATIVE PAIN. YOU HAD A REALLY STRONG DELEGATION AND I HOPE THE COMMUNITY WILL REMAIN FOCUSED ON WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A STRONG AND EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE. IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE ESPECIALLY FOR A COMMUNITY LIKE OURS. WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE NOT AS MANY REPRESENTATIONS, IT'S EVERY 10 YEARS WILL WE GET OUR NEW REPRESENTATIVES, OR EXPANDED REPRESENTATIVES AND REDISTRICTING. WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO HAVE A DELEGATION THAT AS SPEAKER RENNER SAYS, OUT PUNCHES THEIR WEIGHT CLASS OR SOMETHING. HE HAS A NICE THING

[02:25:04]

WE WORK ON THEM. THE FACT TABLE WORKING ON FOREVER AND FINALLY GOT INTO THE PERMANENT BUDGET AFTER 8 OR 9 YEARS. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU ALL AND I'M SORRY I GET A LITTLE CHOKED UP. IT HAS BEEN A REAL HONOR TO HAVE THE PUBLIC TRUST TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY AND TO

SERVE IT WITH THESE 2 GENTLEMEN. THANK YOU. >> THINKING REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON. [APPLAUSE]. AS YOU ALLUDED WE ARE TURNED OUT. WE FOUND 9 OR 10 GREAT YEARS

[9) Election of Chair and Vice-Chair]

TALLAHASSEE. COUPLE LITTLE BIT MORE HOUSEKEEPING. >> CAROLINE: RELIEF. I MAKE A MOTION TO MAKE REPRESENTATIVE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.