TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —Today, Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the Florida State Guard’s efforts to help impacted Floridians following Hurricane Idalia. In preparation for Hurricane Idalia, the Florida State Guard was activated for the first time in more than 75 years after the Governor re-established the Guard in 2022. Florida State Guard soldiers helped with damage assessments, […]

~ 44 Florida small businesses approved for funding one week after storm’s landfall ~   TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $1.6 million to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Idalia has been approved through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. The program, administered by FloridaCommerce, provides short-term, zero-interest loans to […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis provided updates on Hurricane Idalia recovery efforts and announced the opening of six Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison and Suwannee counties to provide impacted Floridians with recovery resources and assistance with the FEMA application process. A complete list of DRC locations can be found […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Kimberly Richey to the Education Commission of the States.   Kimberly Richey Richey is a Senior Chancellor at the Florida Department of Education. Previously, she served as the Deputy Superintendent of the Virginia Department of Education and was the Acting Assistant Secretary/Principal Deputy Assistant […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Brad Drake to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners.   Brad Drake Drake, of DeFuniak Springs, is the Director of Rural and Community Affairs for the Florida Department of Transportation. He served as a Representative in the Florida House of Representatives from 2008 to […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Emery Gainey as Sheriff of Alachua County. This appointment is effective October 2, 2023.   Emery Gainey Gainey is the former Chief of Staff for the Florida Attorney General’s Office. Previously, he was appointed as the Sheriff of Marion County and served as Chief of […]

MEMORANDUM   TO:                Tom Berger, Director of Real Estate Management and Development Craig Cates, Mayor, Monroe County Teri Johnston, Mayor, City of Key West   FROM:          Governor Ron DeSantis   DATE:            Thursday, September 7, 2023   RE:     […]

COVID Mandates Will Never Return to Florida   JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis reaffirmed Florida’s stance on COVID-related mandates. Through common-sense legislation and executive action, Governor DeSantis protected Floridians’ liberties and jobs against unelected federal bureaucrats and local government authoritarians wishing to usher in a Biomedical Security State. Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida remains […]

~ 67 out of 67 school districts are open one week after Hurricane Idalia hit ~   TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that tomorrow, just one week since Hurricane Idalia passed through Florida, all 67 school districts will be open and ready to serve students.   Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. and the […]

Governor also calls on the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to approve the federal fisheries emergency declaration requested for Hurricane Ian nearly one year ago   TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis requested the U.S. Secretary of Commerce issue a federal fisheries disaster declaration to help the fishing industry in the Big Bend area rebuild. This […]