Citrus County’s March Madness is a full-court press.

Over 100 Citrus politicians, business owners and community leaders pour into Tallahassee this week for the annual Citrus County Legislative Days.

During a jam-packed two days, Citrus Countians will meet with legislators, agency directors and potentially even First Lady Casey DeSantis to shore up support for local projects and issues of local concern.

The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Citrus sponsor the event.

“One hundred and twenty Citrus County residents will converge on Tallahassee to advocate for everything from the environment to mental health,” Chamber President and CEO Josh Wooten said.

“It’s amazing for two big reasons. One is that so many of us give a darn that they take time out of their busy schedules to spend their money to make the trip. Two is that this unified approach works. In addition to supporting our various agendas with lawmakers, we have had tremendous success over the years corralling dollars from individual agencies like FDOT and DEP.”

The roster of attendees is a who’s who of the Citrus County political landscape: Commissioners Rebecca Bays, Janet Barek (making her first trip), Holly Davis and Diana Finegan; County Administrator Steve Howard; Crystal River City Manager Audra Curts; Crystal River Councilwoman Cindi Frink; School Board members Joe Faherty (whose wife, Dawn, is an aide to freshman Rep. JJ Grow) and Ken Frink; Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson; Superintendent of Schools Scott Hebert; Inverness Councilwoman Crystal Lizanich; Sheriff Dave Vincent; and Tax Collector Janice Warren.

On Wednesday, the Citrus County contingent will fan out across the capital for individual meetings. Some are with just a few people in a legislator’s office. Others involve holding court with top officials including Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, Attorney General James Uthmeier and Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly.

Wednesday evening, it’s dinner at the Governor’s Club where top lawmakers are known to stop by.

Bays, the board Chair, said Legislative Days provides valuable interaction with lawmakers on issues close to home.

“It’s truly humbling, as a Commissioner, to see so many businesses and residents come together at the capital to ensure our county’s representation,” she said.

“In addition to our group events, I have scheduled several one-on-one meetings to discuss our county’s needs and explore partnerships in economic development, transportation and the environment. I’m all for collaboration when it comes to tackling the issues we face in the county. With several bills on the horizon that could potentially have negative impacts, it’s crucial to stay vigilant. Citrus County Days provides a great opportunity to do just that.”

On Thursday, a busload of Leadership Citrus participants will arrive for a morning of nonstop speakers at the Tallahassee Community College Center for Innovation. The lineup includes representatives from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Department of Education and Florida Association of Counties, as well as Grow, an Inverness Republican participating in his first Regular Session.

A luncheon follows. Senate President Ben Albritton was guest speaker last year; this year, Florida’s First Lady is tentatively scheduled as keynote speaker.

“Citrus County is well known for one of the best organized and impactful trips during Session,” said Wooten, the Chamber President. “Our delegation appreciates the support as well.”

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The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee advanced a measure that seeks to allow rural farmers and ranchers more access to health care coverage options.

St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie introduced a bill (SB 480) that is part of a massive piece of legislation geared toward improving infrastructure, health care access and other critical projects in rural communities in Florida.

“This bill helps to provide affordable health coverage options for Florida farmers and ranchers, who face challenges to find affordable health care options in today’s market,” DiCeglie said. “This coverage is part of the ‘Rural Renaissance‘ of Florida’s smaller and less densely populated regions where access to health care may be an issue.”

Kissimmee Democratic Sen. Kristen Arrington asked if the plans were meant to be supplemental or the only form of insurance.

DiCeglie noted that the bill follows something that has been implemented in Tennessee for over 75 years, where a nonprofit organization in the farming industry offers farmers memberships. The organization essentially has the mechanism in place where then they can offer a tier-type of health insurance to individuals.

“So, very simply, you have the low tier, mid-tier and upper tier, so this isn’t a supplemental,” DiCeglie explained. “This is insurance for farmers in the state of Florida who have a very difficult time getting insurance at all. … So, this is giving those individuals the option to partake in a health insurance option that are significantly affordable and way more accessible than what they’re seeing right now.”

DiCeglie said the plans would work similar to what’s already available, pointing back to the tier system.

“This bill really speaks to the framework, the structure of a specific nonprofit organization in the state of Florida,” DiCeglie said. “That would, if this bill were to pass, would have the ability to offer that type of health care, and I do want to also point out that currently in the state of Florida we have … religious nonprofit organizations that are also authorized to offer a very similar type of insurance.”

Arrington asked what the payments for the services would look like, and if individuals would pay the doctor directly, or be reimbursed. DiCeglie said the bill does not make allowances for how payments would be made but noted he would be happy to have conversations around that.

Orlando Democratic Sen. Carlos Smith said he thought the bill was a noble effort to get those who do not have health care coverage much-needed insurance.

“I think it’s a noble goal to try to get coverage to people who don’t have it,” Smith said. “We want to make sure that it’s good coverage as well.”

Smith asked whether a person would be able to still get coverage if they had a preexisting condition like cancer, to which DiCeglie responded that they would be unable to.

“So, in the core of it … this particular plan would not be required to accept that individual if they, in fact, have cancer,” DiCeglie said. “That individual would have the ability to go into the affordable health care market, with those plans, but I want to point out that this is a plan that has been very successful in Tennessee. I think this is a plan that is certainly not a mandate. You know, if an individual has that preexisting condition, they do have other options besides this particular plan.”

DiCeglie added that if a person joins the plan and then is diagnosed with a condition, they would not be kicked off simply because they had discovered the condition.

“I think this gives those farmers options,” DiCeglie said. “It gives them options at a level that is a lot more affordable than what they’re experiencing right now and obviously it’s difficult for many of us … who live in densely populated parts of the state like you and I, Sen. Smith, to actually relate to some of these challenges that our farmers face. So, this bill will provide those options.”

Jacksonville Democratic Sen. Tracie Davis asked what the cost to the state would be. DiCeglie clarified that there would not be any cost to the state.

“This bill simply creates health insurance options for individuals who are part of a nonprofit organization in the farmer industry, and clearly the eligibility of those organizations is well defined here in the bill and it’s very narrow,” DiCeglie noted. “Again, we’re trying to increase access to health care for farmers who live in rural parts of our state … and must be members of this specific organization.”

DiCeglie pointed out that it would not be the nonprofit that offers the health care plans directly; they would be offered through a third-party administrator.

Port Orange Republican Sen. Tom Wright supported the bill and said it would be a good thing for farmers.

“I think this is a great bill, I think the farmers have been kind of forgotten about in the state of Florida,” Wright said. “They are the folks that built this state, and we’ve kind of let them do their own thing and try to survive. So, I don’t see any cost to the state, and I think it’s a great idea and I hope it turns out to be as good as I think it will.”

The committee passed the bill by a vote of 6 to 3. It will now move to the Senate Committee on Rules.

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Radio silence

Under President Donald Trump’s administration, an effort to spread democracy to Cuba over radio is being silenced. Days after the President signed an executive order to dismantle Voice of America programming worldwide, the federal government put Radio Martí employees on paid leave.

It’s part of the move to eliminate the United States Agency for Global Media. The White House called Voice of America, the most prominent mouthpiece of the agency, “The Voice of Radical America.” But the closing of Radio Martí, famous for its anti-communist messaging, frustrated Florida lawmakers across the political spectrum. Launched under Republican President Ronald Reagan, the station has pushed back on statewide media under Cuba’s communist leadership, first under military dictator Fidel Castro and continuing into the current communist regime of President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.

“Radio Martí has been key to countering the Castro/Díaz-Canel regime’s propaganda,” posted Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a Coral Gables Republican. “As government programs evolve, I will work with President Trump to make sure the Cuban people have the access to the uncensored news they deserve!”

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz voiced less optimism about Trump’s intentions to help Cubans. “Trump is illegally silencing Voice of America and Radio Martí, which have countered anti-American foreign propaganda and brought truth to Cubans for decades,” she posted. “Mr. President, whose side are you on?”

The destruction of the agency came as a surprise, especially after Trump named former Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, a loyalist with a broadcasting background, as a Special Adviser to the Agency, to put her in charge of Voice of America later this year, according to The Washington Post.

But after initially voicing enthusiasm for how U.S. media overseas could be used to spread Trump’s agenda, Lake sounded a new note this weekend. She was the one who sent an email notifying employees of the agency of the impacts of Trump’s order and specifically cited the effects on the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which runs Radio Martí, in her email.

“From top-to-bottom, this agency is a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer — a national security risk for this nation — and irretrievably broken,” she later boasted on social media. “While there are bright spots within the agency with personnel who are talented and dedicated public servants, this is the exception rather than the rule.”

The administration decided to shut down Radio Martí after Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, a Hialeah Republican, spent years fighting for more funding for the station in Congress. When Republicans reclaimed the House majority in 2022, Díaz-Balart, as chair of the Appropriations National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Subcommittee, wanted to raise the station’s funding to $30 million, twice what former President Joe Biden’s administration budgeted.

Cutting & compromising

As the Senate finalized a budget that was ultimately passed and delivered to Trump, both Florida Senators made clear they wanted it trimmed even further.

Sens. Ashley Moody and Rick Scott, both Florida Republicans, voted for an amendment proposed by Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican. The amendment would have significantly reduced foreign aid and codified Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recommendations.

“Tonight, I stood with Donald Trump to keep the government open and put his foreign aid cuts into law,” posted Moody, a Plant City Republican.

“I will continue to work for additional cuts to wasteful spending, just as I did by supporting the Sen. Paul amendment, to ensure waste, fraud and abuse of your hard-earned tax dollars is done for good.”

In total, 27 Republicans supported the measure, the only Republican-filed amendment to the budget that the Senate considered, which had already passed the U.S. House. But 26 Republicans, including Majority Leader John Thune, joined with Democrats in nixing the proposed change.

Meanwhile, several Democratic amendments, including items blocking DOGE funding and rehiring recently laid-off veterans, failed in a series of party-line votes, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski the only Republican supporting any of the proposals.

Both Moody and Scott went on to support the budget overall. That passed in a 54-46 vote. Only one Democrat, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, supported the budget package, while Paul cast the only Republican vote against it.

Scott, a Naples Republican, also wanted to see more budget cuts but did not want a government shutdown.

“Republicans are standing with President Trump and the American people,” he posted ahead of the vote. “We’re ready to vote and keep the government open. It’s past time Democrats get on board.”

Few Democrats ultimately supported the budget on the final vote, but nine members of the minority caucus voted for cloture, a procedural vote that allowed the package to move forward.

Fighting for the 404

As Florida continues fighting for control of its permitting process, Moody and Scott filed legislation to codify the state’s program.

The Republican Senators introduced the Maintaining Cooperative Permitting Act to restore Florida’s 404 program. Approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the last months of Trump’s first term, the program transferred permitting authority from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Department of Environmental Protection, but that transfer was later challenged in court by the Center for Biological Diversity. A federal judge last year ruled that the EPA hadn’t considered impacts on endangered species when it authorized the policy.

Scott, a former Governor, said state government officials have proved themselves as responsible stewards of the environment.

“Florida is home to unique waterways and natural resources that should not be subject to a one-size-fits-all federal regulatory framework,” he said. “The Maintaining Cooperative Permitting Act safeguards the Clean Water Act permitting authorities that I championed as Governor and helped secure as Senator in President Trump’s first term. It ensures that the State of Florida has the authority to make informed and timely decisions for our residents while also preserving our state’s precious natural resources for future generations to protect and enjoy.”

As Florida’s Attorney General, Moody defended the state program when it was challenged and agreed.

“As a fifth-generation Floridian, protecting our state’s natural beauty is deeply important to me. Florida has made significant efforts to conserve its incredible natural resources,” she said. “However, under the Biden administration, our ability to protect our environment has been hindered by federal bureaucracy and excessive red tape, and Section 404 permit applications for projects that benefit the environment and the public became subject to a federal backlog. States should have the right to make decisions about their own natural resources, not be dictated to by Washington bureaucrats.”

Organ grinders

Allegations of forced organ transplants have long plagued the Chinese market, with studies finding evidence of the removal of hearts, lungs and other body parts from individuals before they are declared brain-dead. Now, Rep. Neal Dunn wants to shut down any organ imports from the Eastern superpower.

The Panama City Republican filed the Block Organ Transplant Purchases from China Act, legislation that would prohibit any federal reimbursements for transplants and related procedures if the origin of organs cannot be verified. Under the bill, only procedures using the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network could be covered.

“The Chinese Communist Party has a long track record of human rights violations stemming from illegal organ harvesting in their own country,” said Dunn, a physician.

“Communist Party authorities regularly target Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in China for this barbaric practice. The United States must do everything in its power to ensure that we are not participating in illegal Chinese organ harvesting. The BLOCK Act is an important step toward ensuring that health care providers are not complicit in this atrocity and hold anyone who knowingly participates in this practice accountable.”

Rep. Gus Bilirakis, a Palm Harbor Republican, was also an introducing co-sponsor on the legislation.

“There is overwhelming evidence that China has systemically targeted ethnic and religious minorities for forcibly acquired organ donation and that the country regularly violates internationally accepted rules regarding organ donorship,” Bilirakis said. “We cannot remain silent in the face of these gross human rights violations and perpetuate the practice by offering a marketplace for the ill-gotten organs.”

Honoring veterans

Rep. Mike Haridopolos recounted the service of three veterans living on the Space Coast on the House floor. In separate speeches, the Indian Harbor Beach Republican honored Army Sgt. 1st Class Melvin Morris, Master Sgt. Arcadio Santiago-Rodriguez and Lt. Cmdr. John Paul Surprenant.

“These men represent the very best of American courage and dedication to duty,” Haridopolos said. “It was a privilege to recognize their heroic contributions, ensuring their legacy lives on.”

Morris, a Cocoa resident, received a Medal of Honor for his service in 2014, and Haridopolos said he continues advocating for veterans.

Santiago-Rodriguez, a 101-year-old Korean War veteran, earned the Silver Star for leadership of the Borinqueneers, and Haridopolos has pursued a Congressional Gold Medal for the Army veteran.

Surprenant, a Navy veteran turning 100 soon, was a crewman on the first atomic missile submarine and now lives in Melbourne. Haridopolos praised the retired officer’s commitment to country and family.

To watch Haridopolos as he honors Sgt. 1st Class Morris, please click the image below:

Star benefits restoration

Bilirakis also reintroduced the Major Richard Star Act, a bipartisan bill that would restore benefits for some 50,000 medically retired veterans who have not been allowed to collect both full retirement and disability compensation.

“The brave men and women who return from serving our country should be able to receive the benefits promised to them. Military retirement pay and service-connected disability compensation are two completely different benefits. One does not diminish the merits of the other,” said Bilirakis, a Palm Harbor Republican.

“I am committed to rectifying this injustice for all veterans, and passage of the Major Richard Star Act will get us one step closer to our goal of ensuring that veterans receive the benefits they have earned and deserve.”

The bill is named for Richard Star, a veterans advocate who died in 2021.

Bilirakis filed the bill with Rep. Raul Ruiz, a California Democrat. Meanwhile, Scott will carry the Senate companion bill with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat.

Limited interest

​​While the elimination of student debt has proved politically controversial, two Florida lawmakers are working across the aisle to limit the crush of interest on students.

Reps. Anna Paulina Luna, a St. Petersburg Republican, and Jared Moskowitz, a Parkland Democrat, introduced the Affordable Loans for Students Act with Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican. The bill would cap the interest rate on federal student loans at 2%.

“Hardworking Americans shouldn’t be saddled with more student loan debt than what they took out just because of interest rates — but that’s what many Floridians who took out loans face, sometimes decades after they went to school,” Moskowitz said.

“This mounting financial burden is a major barrier to Florida families buying a home, saving for retirement, and setting their own kids up for success. There’s a clear, bipartisan consensus that it needs to be addressed, and my common sense legislation with Reps. Lawler and Luna moves that process forward by capping student loan interest rates at 2% across the board. The bottom line is our government shouldn’t be handicapping American families through unreasonable interest rates on their student loans, and this bill implements a measured approach to keep loans accessible and ensure that educational opportunities truly set young Floridians up for success.”

The bill would apply retroactively to existing loans and allow the consolidation of multiple loans. The bill provides for refinancing to ease the rate adjustment process but will enable individuals to opt against that.

“High interest rates add years, sometimes even decades, to the time it takes for student loans to be paid off. This is unacceptable — the federal government should not be putting strain on its students and young graduates for profit,” Luna said. “This legislation caps and ends excessive interest rates, expanding access to college degrees and making American workers even more competitive in the modern workforce.”

Navigator cuts

While Trump has not pushed for the full repeal of the Affordable Care Act, as he did in his first term, Rep. Kathy Castor said the Republican administration has tried to undermine the insurance marketplace.

The Tampa Democrat questioned administration cuts to health care navigators, federal employees tasked with helping individuals obtain insurance. She co-led a letter to Stephanie Carlton, acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, demanding explanations for the cuts.

“We are deeply concerned with the shortsighted decision to practically eliminate funding for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Navigator program,” the letter reads. “ACA Navigators serve an indispensable role in assisting millions of Americans with access to health care and helping families lower their cost of living. We vehemently oppose this $90 million cut as families will struggle to determine which of the thousands of plans and options work best for them and could ultimately put health care out of reach for many.”

Twenty-two representatives, all Democrats, signed the letter, including Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Darren Soto, and Wasserman Schultz.

“Since 2013, the ACA Navigator program has been a critical investment in Americans who most need help accessing health care coverage,” the letter continues. “We oppose efforts to cripple the Navigator program and urge you to reverse course on the proposed cuts.”

Make hives thrive again

Counterfeit honey has inspired bipartisan bitterness, including from Rep. Greg Steube.

The Sarasota Republican filed the Honey Integrity Act with Rep. Jimmy Panetta, a California Democrat. The legislation seeks to thicken the standards for pure honey and crack down on selling fraudulent sweets.

“I’m introducing the Honey Integrity Act in the House to crack down on the mislabeling and sale of fake products to American consumers,” Steube said. “This bill establishes clear standards for honey and accountability for bad actors without adding more government red tape. Families have the right to know the honey they are buying is real.”

The bill would require the Food and Drug Administration to formalize language on honey labels to ensure integrity, enhance federal oversight by the Health and Human Services Department, require the destruction of fake honey when discovered by federal agents, and establish accountability without adding federal bureaucracy.

“We must protect American honey producers and make sure consumers get the quality produce they pay for at the grocery store,” Steube said.

Stockpiling crypto

A push to back cryptocurrency with federal strength could become law. Rep. Byron Donalds filed legislation to codify Trump’s plan for a crypto reserve.

The Naples Republican, a wealth adviser before his election to Congress, introduced the Reserve and Stockpile Act.

“President Trump has pledged to make America the crypto capital of the world, and his executive order establishing the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile does just that,” Donalds said.

The legislation would establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, capitalized with bitcoin forfeited in criminal or civil forfeiture and now owned by the Treasury Department, and a separate U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile with all similarly seized other assets.

For the reserve, the bill would authorize budget-neutral strategies for acquiring bitcoin, while the stockpile would only have forfeited assets.

“In the Sunshine State, we’ve seen firsthand the growth and prosperity of innovation generated by this next-generation financial technology,” Donalds said. “This is why I’m proud to introduce the ‘Reserve and Stockpile Act’ to cement this important policy win for America into law. For years, the Democrats waged war on crypto. Now is the time for Congressional Republicans to decisively end this war.”

Roadway to equity

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy ended prior policies under Biden that he believed “injected racial justice” into road planning. Now, Rep. Frederica Wilson wants Congress to restore the principle of equity to infrastructure.

The Miami-Dade Democrat introduced the Transportation Equity Act, which would reestablish an advisory committee and strategic recommendations with diverse perspectives on transportation planning.

“While the administration is busy eliminating programs aimed at increasing equal opportunity for all, I am focused on empowering communities to have a greater say in how transportation policies and investments are implemented. All Americans deserve a seat at the table in shaping their transportation futures,” Wilson said.

“Whether it’s folks who don’t live near any public transit, those who can’t afford the fares, or people with disabilities who need extra support to get around, our government should all be in the business of providing better transportation resources to every single person. That is why I’m introducing the ‘Transportation Equity Act’ to reinstate the Transportation Equity Advisory Committee. This bill will empower stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to collaborate on solutions that promote accessibility, reduce disparities, and create fair opportunities for all Americans.”

On this day

March 18, 2014 — “U.S. closes Syrian embassy and orders diplomatic staff back to Damascus” via The Guardian — The United States announced the closure of Syria’s embassy in Washington. Daniel Rubinstein, the Special Envoy for Syria, said the embassy had already suspended consular services. “This week marks the third anniversary of the Syrian revolution. For three years, Bashar al-Assad has refused to heed the call of the Syrian people to step aside,” he said in a statement to reporters. Rubinstein said the decision to close the embassy, as well as honorary consulates in Troy, Michigan, and Houston, was “in consideration of the atrocities the Assad regime has committed against the Syrian people.”

March 18, 1959 — “Hawaii admitted to become 50th state of the union” via the National Constitution Center — President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Hawaii Admissions Act a week after Congress passed it. Hawaii officially became the 50th state on Aug. 21 that year. Following the signing of the Act, Hawaii residents voted in June to accept the terms of statehood. The Constitution grants general state-creation powers to Congress in Article IV, Section 3, under the Admissions Clause. Since 1789, states have joined the union in various ways. The usual process has been for Congress to grant territorial status as a precursor, with a territory creating a local constitution for its citizens that conforms to the federal Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

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Peter Schorsch publishes Delegation, compiled by Jacob Ogles, edited and assembled by Phil Ammann and Ryan Nicol.

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