Rep. Ashley Gantt has seven bills on deck ahead of the 2025 Session, with focuses on improving mental health services for first responders, boosting veteran-owned businesses and improving health care services throughout the state.

Her goal, she said, is to help everyday Floridians.

“I do not have the time, and my community does not have the luxury for me to be focused on culture war politics when people need our help and have entrusted us by voting for us to introduce, advocate for, pass, and implement policy that allows them to live healthy, prosperous and safe lives,” she said in a statement.

“Each of my bills will make the quality of life for Floridians much better by addressing the needs in my community and the state overall. My goal being in office is to help people, and I do not take lightly that I’m in a position and have the power to do so.”

Atop her list is HB 1167, which would require the Division of State Fire Marshal to create and roll out a program that offers free mental wellness services and resources, including peer support programs and suicide-prevention campaigns, to first responders.

Boynton Beach Democratic Sen. Lori Berman is carrying the bill’s Senate twin.

Another measure (HB 821) would waive all state-level filing and formation fees for veteran—and military spouse-owned businesses. It would also exempt those businesses from paying taxes on their corporate income for five years.

Miami Gardens Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones is carrying a companion measure.

Gantt’s other bills include:

— HB 349 would require health care facilities in Florida to maintain minimum nurse-to-patient staffing requirements and prohibit them from imposing mandatory overtime. Miami Republican Sen. Ileana Garcia is carrying a similar bill.

— HB 819 would allow for the temporary full-time guardian of a minor removed from their home due to child abuse to receive funds from the Relative Care Program before the child’s pending dependency case is adjudicated. Doral Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez is carrying its companion.

— HB 1243 would designate the city of Opa-locka as the permanent location of the Florida Museum of Black History, with at least two exhibits within the first year of opening. The bill runs counter to legislation St. Augustine Republican Sen. Tom Leek and Jacksonville Republican Rep. Kiyan Michael filed in early February selecting St. Johns County as the museum’s site. St. Johns was the top choice of a task force that met numerous times last year to decide on the issue. Jones is carrying a twin to Gantt’s bill.

— HB 1305 would require the state to recognize as heirs of deceased Floridians people who are not citizens of Florida or the United States, provided they have been legally deemed to be heirs by the state or country they reside in. Berman has filed an identical analog.

— HB 347 would authorize the Department of Transportation to create specialty license plates for Mimi Dade College. Rodriguez is the Senate sponsor.

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Capital City Consulting’s Miami office js welcoming aboard Karla Fortuny, a government affairs professional with a strong background in public policy, advocacy, and strategic communications.

Before joining Capital City Consulting’s Miami office, Fortuny served as the Director of Local Government and Community Affairs at Florida International University, where she worked closely with local governments, community leaders, and key stakeholders to advance the university’s mission and priorities.

Fortuny’s career spans both the public and private sectors, with experience in government affairs, public relations, and sports communication. She previously served as Chief of Staff for Miami’s City Commission, where she oversaw a large team, supported policy development, managed constituent services, and served as the office’s spokesperson. Additionally, she has worked with organizations such as the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee, Inter Miami CF, the Miami Open, and the Florida Panthers Hockey Club, gaining valuable experience in event operations, communications, and community outreach.

“Karla is a natural in our business having served as a Chief of Staff in the City of Miami and most recently as a member of the government affairs team at FIU,” says CCC Miami Office Managing Partner Brian May, “Karla also worked with CCC over the past few years on a number of special projects, such as the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix and the 2020 Super Bowl, getting to know our Miami team and the all-in way we approach client initiatives.”

Fortuny holds a master’s degree in public relations from the University of Miami, a bachelor’s in communications from Florida International University, and an associate’s in mass communication and journalism from Miami Dade College.

Fluent in English and Spanish with basic proficiency in Italian, Karla is deeply passionate about her community and sports. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and her German Shepherd, Captain, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and relaxing at the beach with a good book.

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Increased public awareness of a debilitating disease will be among the priorities for the Alzheimer’s Association as lawmakers head into the Legislative Session this week.

The Florida Chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association are preparing to target legislators as the House and Senate convene Tuesday. The main focus will be expanding outreach about the warning signs of the disease.

“Florida has long been a leader in Alzheimer’s care and support and we hope to continue that trend in 2025,” said Angela McAuley, Regional Vice President for the Alzheimer’s Association Florida Chapters.

“With the number of Floridians impacted by Alzheimer’s set to rise, we must be prepared. The Alzheimer’s Association, alongside advocates from across the state, is eager to work with the Florida Legislature and Governor DeSantis to ensure that every Floridian impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias receives the support they need.”

One point of major interest for Alzheimer’s advocates is legislation (SB 398, HB 1065) calling for the appropriation of $1.5 million for Alzheimer’s awareness programs, requiring the Department of Elderly Affairs to hire contractors for an awareness program. If approved, those programs would begin in July.

The Alzheimer’s group also will be advocating for continued funding for a “Brain Bus.” That effort would continue public transportation for those who suffer Alzheimer’s in more rural areas of the state. Those residents find it difficult to get any transportation in some 30 out of Florida’s 67 counties simply because there isn’t mass transit in those areas. The Brain Bus helped about 13,000 Floridians last year in all 67 counties.

Home services for Alzheimer’s patients are another point of interest for the advocates. Some 18,000 family caregivers in the state are currently waiting to be added to the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative. The Alzheimer’s Association says Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recommendation of a $6 million increase in that initiative, plus another $8 million increase for the Community Care for the Elderly program, could provide vital increases in critical care services.

The group is also pushing for continued Alzheimer’s research.

“Continued research is essential for finding new treatments, prevention strategies, and better management practices for Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association will advocate for the Governor’s Recommendation of $5 million in funding for the Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Program, which supports Florida-based research aimed at advancing the understanding and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease,” an Alzheimer’s Association news release said.

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