Representative Lauren Melo – The Melo Minute
The Melo Minute
April 23rd, 2021 — Sine Die and Sayonara!
Thank You!
I want to open this edition of The Melo Minute with a thank you to everyone who has made this session such a boon for our community and our State.
To our readers, The Melo Minute is made for you. You are what allows for not only the success of this letter, but for the success of my first year as a Representative. I thank you for being active citizens diligently working to keep yourselves informed. I thank you for expressing your opinions on Legislative matters to me so that I can best represent you. I thank you for working with me to keep our District great!
To the businesses, government offices, legislative peers, and organizations that have guided my team throughout this process, I thank you. As we worked to present Legislation that was best for business and the functioning of our State, you all contributed valuable resources and knowledge to cultivate the best Legislative outcomes for the residents of District 80 and beyond.
It was an honor to serve as your freshman Representative. My team and I will continue to listen to you, work with you, and legislate for you as we move forward.
Now, to highlight all the bills that we worked together to have passed now that the 2021 Legislative Session has officially ended! Besides the upcoming Special Session on the week of May 17th, but that’s besides the point!
Seeking Signature
We were able to accomplish an incredible amount this year despite all of the struggles and fallout from the pandemic. Here are all of the fantastic bills that have been passed by the House and Senate that are seeking the Governor’s signature!
HB 1505 & HB 1507- Workforce Bills
· These bills streamline workforce programs and services and open more pathways for our students so they can have successful futures. To see Rep. Yarborough and I describe how the bills work click here!
HB 1231 – Domestic Violence
· This bill ensures that our domestic violence centers have better funding mechanisms and it re-establishes a standardized batterers’ intervention program.
HB 1637 – Immokalee Water and Sewage District, Collier County
· This bill provides clarity on how Immokalee’s District Board of Commissioners is constituted which will help Immokalee get more federal funding for water projects.
HB 491 – The Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
· This bill adjusts the composition of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board to accurately represent the public.
Appropriations Bills
HB 3761 – Collier County Golden Gate Senior Center Expansion
· $250,000 from the Department of Elder Affairs to fully fund the expansion of the Collier County Golden Gate Senior Center.
HB 3777 – Hendry County Port LaBelle Utility System Gravity Sewer Repairs
· $200,000 in non-recurring funds to repair LaBelle’s sewers and utilities.
HB 3779 – Hendry County Port LaBelle Utility System Water Treatment Plant Expansion
· $600,000 to assist in the expansion of LaBelle’s Water Treatment Plant.
HB 3781 – C-21 Bridge Canal Crossing – City of Clewiston
· $3.6M for the creation of a bridge in Clewiston that will be bolster the local economy.
HB 3775 – Hendry County Connecting Airglades Airport & Clewiston Utilities
· $1M to construct a force main between the Airglades Airport and the City of Clewiston’s existing wastewater treatment plant.
SB 2500 – Appropriations
· Within the Senate’s appropriations budget $25M is being allocated to the National Guard for the creation of a 2/54th Security Forces Assistance Brigade Readiness Center in Immokalee. This readiness center will be of great benefit to our district and Southwest Florida.
What We’re Reading
House Backs Social-Media Crackdown
News Service of Florida
The Florida House, and Chris Sprowls, Are Having a Very Good Week
Peter Schorsch
Introducing a New Segment of The Melo Minute: The Song of the Week!
This week’s song, and our first song of the week, is Europe’s “The Final Countdown” — because it’s the end of Session, get it?
Fun fact: This song was once listed #1 on VH1’s “40 Most Awesomely Bad Metal Songs”.
If you’ve got a suggestion for the next Song of the Week, let us know!
Check Out My Social Media!
Above is a photo of me with Michael Wickersheim and the team at DCF who helped me pass HB 1231 through the Florida House and the Senate!
Follow me on my social media to keep up to date with all of the latest happenings during session!
Q&A’s
I have a great team here in HD80. We are always ready to help out!
If you have a question you would like for my team and I to address within The Melo Minute feel free to send an email to:
HDIST080@myfloridahouse.gov
Representative Lauren Melo
Florida House District 80
