Last Saturday, I attended Equal Ground’s Lee County Legislative Debrief, which was sponsored in part by the LWV’s of Lee County, Charlotte County, and Sanibel. I was quite dismayed at many of the numbers shared, and I wanted you to hear some of them. During the 2026 Legislative Session, Bills and Proposed Committee Bills Introduced – 1,926. Votes Taken – 2,776. Bills Passed Chambers – 237. Less than half the usual amount of activity. No budget was passed—the one thing the Legislature is required to do by law. They had a special session from April 28 to May 1 and officially passed a new congressional map. The redistricting plan created 4 additional Republican-leaning seats and reduced Democratic representation from 8 seats to 4. The Legislature is now in a special session from May 12 to May 29, to finalize the state budget for FY 2026-27. When the regular session ended, the House and the Senate were $2 billion apart. Just another example of the year-long tension between the House and the Senate. I’ve been advised by our Education Ambassadors that the Florida Department of Education has proposed rules that would dramatically change the lives of undocumented students by preventing them from accessing Adult Education programs or enrolling in state college system institutions. Your comments of protest on rules # 6A-6.014 and 6A-10.0240 listed on this chart, are needed by June 23. Background information and talking points from the Florida Policy Institute can be found here. You may contact the Office of the Commissioner by email at commissioner@fldoe.org or call at 850-245-0505.
VOTER SERVICES "LUNCH AND LEARN" Thursday, May 21 @ 12:30-2:00 Altavilla Pizza & Trattoria
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Please come join Voter Services as we participate in the 2026 Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, May 30th at the Golden Gate Community Center. It is a fun-filled day that gives us the opportunity to interact with members of our community ,on the importance of voting in the upcoming elections. We assist with checking voter registration and vote-by-mail requests, as well as have great giveaways! Any questions, please contact Tina Palmese.
Visit the LWVCC Calendar for event details