Legislative Update – Kathleen C. Passidomo

Tuesday marked the Opening Day of the 2021 Legislative Session. The Florida Senate heard from Senate President Wilton Simpson on his priorities for our state. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules, I had the honor of making a motion to convene for a joint session with the Florida House or Representatives to hear the Governor’s State of the State Address.
Our top priority this year is to support Floridians through the COVID-19 pandemic and on to recovery. It is crucial that we pass measures for businesses and health care workers to operate safely and without the threat of frivolous lawsuits. We must also update laws to reflect what we have learned this year and ensure our government is able to swiftly and effectively respond to the next crisis, and that includes codifying some of the measures Governor DeSantis implemented as Executive Orders into law. In addition, we must evaluate some of the systems that did not meet our expectations, including Florida’s Reemployment Assistance Program, and determine how to ensure this will function properly and meet the needs of our state through the next economic downturn.
While COVID-19 is at top of mind, we can’t neglect our responsibility to provide the basic services that government should for its citizens. Our children’s education is of utmost importance, and we must ensure that our schools have the resources to support their learning needs and that families have choices when it comes to pursuing the education path that is right for their children.
The safety of our communities is also a prime responsibility of government, and the men and women in law enforcement who sacrifice so much to keep us safe have my full support.
Finally, our environment demands our attention. Florida is rich in beauty and natural resources, and we must do everything we can to protect it. Florida’s landscape is what attracts many residents and businesses to our state, and the protection of our environment is important to our economy.
Over the 60-day session, I will strive to serve you well and ensure our state is in better shape than ever. In the words of President Simpson, “Inaction is unacceptable.”