The Florida Senate passed a comprehensive package of legislative proposals Wednesday, that seeks to create a modern-day renaissance in rural communities across Florida.

Tallahassee Republican Sen. Corey Simon spearheaded the legislation (SB 110) that would create opportunities for rural communities to expand education, increase health care services, and modernize commerce.

The legislation was also a priority of Senate President Ben Albritton, who said in a press statement at the bill’s Senate passing, that the bill focuses on supporting businesses and improving the lives of Floridians living in rural areas.

“Our rural communities are full of opportunity, and that doesn’t just mean development. Our Rural Renaissance package provides opportunities for rural communities to grow as they see fit, based on decisions made by local families and businesses who call rural Florida home,” the Wauchula Republican said in a statement.

Albritton noted that the legislation is geared towards enhancing and supporting 31 of Florida’s 67 counties and added that it’s now time for rural Florida to enjoy economic growth.

“We are focusing on infrastructure improvements that support existing businesses as they grow, and transition based on the needs of our economy,” Albritton said. “This includes our legacy farm and citrus operations, who will be well-served by improvements to farm-to-market roads essential to keeping fresh food within reach of Florida families. These are critical enhancements and investments to support 31 of our 67 counties and hundreds of rural communities across Florida. We have seen tremendous economic growth in urban areas of Florida, its Rural Florida’s turn.”

Representing 12 rural counties across Florida’s panhandle and big bend, Simon also said Sunshine State rural communities will not be left behind.

“Modern Florida is the envy of the nation, and we won’t leave our rural communities behind. Our small communities are strong, proud, and resilient. When disaster strikes, as it has so often in recent years, they band together, neighbor helping neighbor,” Simon said.

“Quality of life in rural areas can be impacted by access to job opportunities, education and health care. We are combining enhancements to the traditional infrastructure for schools and hospitals with innovations that drastically expand opportunities for education, commerce, and health care in rural Florida. We know commerce and capital are attracted to strong transportation infrastructure and robust public services, which will provide the chance for rural communities to prosper and grow in a manner that maintains a highly sought after and time-honored way of life.”

The bill would direct $200.8 million to the Rural Infrastructure Fund, increase funding for the Rural Revolving Loan program, improve coordination of federal broadband programs, create the Florida Arterial Road Modernization program, expand the Small County Road Assistance program, expand the regional education consortia, create the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators program, and expand rural health care access.

The bill passed the Senate in a 39-0 vote.

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Nigel Farage, a staunch Donald Trump supporter and an architect of the Brexit movement that saw the United Kingdom leave the European Union in 2020, is returning next month to the Sunshine State.

He’s set to headline the Republican Party of Florida’s Disruptors Dinner in Tallahassee, a soiree celebrating efforts to upend the status quo and the GOP’s smashing electoral and legislative successes.

“I’m so incredibly excited to be joining the Republican Party of Florida for the Disruptors Dinner,” Farage said in a statement. “President Trump’s decisive win and return to the White House inspires us all to continue the fight for freedom globally. I’m looking forward to being back in the Free State of Florida to celebrate with all of you.”

Farage, a British Member of Parliament and leader of Reform U.K. — formerly called the Brexit Party — is renowned for his populist, anti-establishment rhetoric and the prominent role he played in successfully advocating for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union.

From 1999 to 2020 as part of the European Parliament, he was a frequent critic of the European Union, which the United Kingdom left shortly before he departed from the European Parliament.

A past political commentator and talk show host, Farage is a dependable defender of sovereignty, restrictive immigration policies and national conservatism.

He’s the highest-profile British supporter of Trump, whom he’s described as the “most resilient and brave person” he’d ever met. When Trump was found guilty last May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to commit election fraud, Farage doubled down on his support, saying he backed Trump “more than ever.”

“It’s outstanding to have Nigel Farage, the original bad boy of Brexit, coming to Florida,” Republican Party of Florida Executive Director Bill Helmich told Florida Politics. “We look forward to him sharing what he’s trying to do with the Reform party in England and his vision, which is similar to President Trump’s, for moving the world forward.”

Helmich said several other notable guests who qualify as disruptors will be announced soon.

“Like President Trump, we’re disrupting,” Helmich said. “We’re shaking up the system, breaking up the longstanding bureaucracies.”

The RPOF Disruptors Dinner is March 20 at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center at Florida State University.

A VIP reception starts at 6 p.m. General admission is at 6:30 p.m. The Program starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost is $450 per seat. There are also several sponsorship options with various perks. The lowest is a $2,500 “Roosevelt Sponsor” tier, which offers sponsor recognition on marketing materials and VIP access for two. The highest is the $25,000 “Trump Sponsor” tier, which bestows for 10 people those other amenities, plus additional signage provisions and individual photos with Farage.

For more information, email [email protected].

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Florida’s government is one step closer to guiding the process when it comes to the future Donald Trump Presidential Library.

The Senate passed Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur’s measure (SB 118) that would preempt local governments and cede control to Tallahassee.

“As the home of the 45th and 47th President of the United States, there is a high likelihood that President Trump will select Florida to be the site of his presidential library,” Brodeur said. “In anticipation of Florida’s first presidential library, we should roll out the welcome mat and offer our President maximum flexibility to construct this historic landmark in Florida.”

The eventual library is expected to be in South Florida, near where the Trump family makes its base. The Associated Press says Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University are among the sites being explored for construction.

Senate President Ben Albritton hailed the passage of the legislation.

“Florida is proud to be the home state of President Donald Trump, and we would be honored to welcome our state’s first presidential library in celebration of President Trump’s historic tenure. The Florida Senate stands with President Trump and is committed to protecting his legacy as the first Floridian in the White House.”

NBC’s Matt Dixon reports that Eric Trump and Steve Witkoff have scouted out potential sites, and Trump has met with Gov. Ron DeSantis to discuss the project.

Pensacola Republican Rep. Alex Andrade’s bill (HB 69) has cleared all House committees. It is likely the House takes up the Senate version as soon as the next floor session.

The bill reserves to the state “all regulatory authority over the establishment, maintenance, activities, and operations of presidential libraries.” It blocks “counties, municipalities, or other political subdivisions from enacting or enforcing any ordinance, resolution, rule, or other measure regarding presidential libraries unless authorized by federal law.”

Central to the legislative premise is the idea that such libraries are “unique national institutions designated to house, preserve, and make accessible the records of former presidents.”

The bill uses the definition of a presidential library adopted federally in 1986 by an act of Congress when Ronald Reagan was the chief executive, encompassing “research facilities and museum facilities,” and enshrining them as part of the National Archives system.

The federal legislation actually applied to Presidents after Reagan, such as George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as it took effect for Presidents inaugurated for their first terms after 1985, which was when Reagan’s second and final term as President began.

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