Thank you for taking the time to stay informed about state and local matters. Each week I try to provide up to date information that is important to my constituents. This edition of the Mayfield Minute contains legislative updates from Committee Week 4 in Tallahassee, Governor Scott’s call to cut taxes and highlights other happenings in District 54.

The 2016 Legislative Session will convene on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 and I would like to hear from you.

If you have a quick moment, click the link below to take a pre-session survey. This survey will provide me with the information on issues that are most important to you.

Click Here to Start the Survey

Please feel free to share this survey with your friends and family. I value your input each week and encourage your participation and continued engagement. 

Should you have questions or need additional information please do not hesitate to contact my office by replying directly to this newsletter or using the contact information for my office and other elected officials who serve the Treasure Coast which is located on the left-hand side of this page.

It is an honor to serve you in the Florida House of Representatives.

With warm regards,

During Special Session, I believe both the Senate and the House worked hard to pass a constitutionally compliant map. While a Joint Conference Report for a new Senate map was produced, unfortunately, Special Session C concluded with the Senate unable to agree to the map by a vote of 16-23. This matter will now return to the Courts for further review. I will keep you informed of new developments as they occur.

This week I filed House Bill 583, Provision of Pharmaceutical Services. This legislation will require health plans to give consumers the option of purchasing their prescription drugs for chronic illnesses in person rather than exclusively through a mail-order pharmacy. HB 583 defines a chronic illness as HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, Epilepsy and Hypertension. For more information on this bill, click here.

On Monday November 2nd, I attended the "Smash the Home Tax" press conference to support the opposition of House Bill 203. HB 203 eliminates the ability for the homeowner or condominium association to be reimbursed for the estoppel certificate if the buyer does not close on the purchase.  Estoppel certificates provide financial information pertaining to fees and  liens owed to the association relating to the property  Currently this fee can be collected prior to closing, upon closing  or reimbursed to the association if the closing does not take place.  If you would like additional information on estoppels and legislation click here.

I am excited to announce my cosponsorship of House Memorial 417, The Term Limits Convention. HM 417 is a memorial to the United States Congress to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution with the sole agenda of proposing an amendment to set a limit on the number of terms that a person may be elected as a member of Congress.

An Article V Convention of the States is an opportunity for the states to organize and reassert themselves as the dominant partner in our system of federalism. I believe that HM 417 is a small but important step toward putting an Article V Convention of the States process into play. For more information on this memorial, click here.

On November 5th Governor Scott announced his proposal for a $1 billion dollar tax cut package to grow the manufacturing industry and Florida’s small business sector. This package would, if approved:

• Permanently eliminates income tax on manufacturing and retail businesses and will reduce the cost for businesses in Florida by about $770 million annually.

• Permanently eliminates the tax on manufacturing machinery and equipment. This proposed elimination is estimated to reduce the tax liability of Florida’s manufacturing businesses by $76.9 million annually.

• Cuts tax on commercial leases. Governor Scott is proposing to reduce the tax on commercial leases by 1 percent in 2017. This would save Florida businesses $339 million over the next two fiscal years.

• Extends the sales tax exemption on college text books. The prices of college textbooks have increase significantly over the years, often exceeding $100 per book. Governor Scott proposes to extent the sales tax exemption on the purchase of college textbooks for an additional year.

• Two tax holidays for hurricane preparedness and back-to-school. The governor's proposed budget includes funding for a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday and a 9-day hurricane preparedness sales tax holiday. Combined these two tax holidays would save families an estimated $72.8 million.

I believe this tax cut package will create an ideal atmosphere for manufactures and small businesses to be successful in our state and provide tax relief to our hard working Floridians. To review Governor Scotts press release click here.

Nesting season in Florida begins in March and runs through October. This season green sea turtles set a record number of nests on the Treasure Coast. Indian River County had 1,735 nests compared to the 286 recorded in the previous nesting season. Statewide records also increased with 27,975 nests on the 26 index beaches compared to the 2013 record of 25,553.

This substantial increase in nests is most likely due to conservation efforts that began in the 1970s and protections provided by the Endangered Species Act. Florida Fish and Wildlife continues to protect the five species of sea turtles that inhabit the waters and beaches of Florida. For information on Florida’s sea turtles and the conservation efforts in place click here.

During the November 3rd Vero Beach City Council meeting, members of the council proclaimed that November 14th–22nd will be National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. This week was specifically selected prior to Thanksgiving in the spirit of thankfulness and giving by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign against Hunger and Homelessness.

The Hope for Families Center, previously known as the Homeless Family Center, will be participating and hosting several events throughout the community. For more information about these events, click here.