May Update

FROM THE STATEHOUSE May UPDATE

By State Rep. Christine Hunschofsky

In May we celebrate Mother’s Day and all the wonderful mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, and mother figures who have made a difference in our lives. They are the ones who we go to for support, help, advice, and consoling. Our world is a better place thanks to the love, care and support our mothers give. Unfortunately, Mother’s Day can also be a difficult day and a sad reminder for those who have lost their mothers or for mothers who have lost children. So, while you celebrate this day, please keep those who may be having a difficult time on Mother’s Day in your thoughts.

The 2022 Legislative Session is over, as is the special session convened by the Governor. While we completed policy work in Tallahassee, the budget and legislation that passed can still be vetoed by the Governor. Although there were several controversial issues, bills addressing homeowner’s insurance and affordable housing never got across the finish line. Five bills that I sponsored/prime-cosponsored did pass. HB 559: Occupational Licensure of Military Spouses, HB 899: Mental Health of Students, HB 963: Funding for Sheriffs, HB 1421: School Safety, and HB 343: Mental Health Professional Licensure. You can find information on these and other bills from the past session by visiting myfloridahouse.gov

Additionally, I was able to secure over $5 million in the budget for District 96 and Broward County projects (pending the Governor’s veto). These include $600,000 for Eagles’ Haven and $200,000 for Liberty Park Improvements; in Margate $275,000 for Northwest Focal Point Senior Center and $500,000 for Stormwater Infrastructure & Canal Embankment Restoration; in Coconut Creek $600,000 for Cyber Resilience, Security Leadership and Disaster Recovery, $150,000 for Wastewater Conveyance System Improvements, and $200,000 for Wynmoor Potable Water Service Line Retrofit Project. Also in the budget are $149,537 for David Posnack Jewish Community Center - Senior Kosher Meal Program, $500,000 for COPD Readmissions, Pulmonary Center of Excellence, Holy Cross Health: $500,000 for SOS Children’s Villages - Infrastructure Improvements: $1,000,000 for Broward Medical Alert Team, $250,000 for the Code/Art Computer Coding Program, and $250,000 for the Covenant House Workforce Readiness Program. The budget also includes $26,914,328 for Loxahatchee Road, $25,000 for City of Parkland Community Cultural Events, and $90,000 for the Coral Springs Museum of Art. You can find all the budget documentation at myfloridahouse.gov/budget/2022.

There are still many issues we should have dealt with this past session but didn’t. Please know that I read all your emails and your responses to our pre-session surveys, and I bring your concerns up in meetings and with amendments to bills. I will continue to bring attention to those issues that affect all of us and will work as hard as possible to bring.

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of those living with mental health issues and to help reduce the stigma of mental illness. Many of us have faced challenges of isolation, loss, grief, and additional anxiety. It is critical that we all take time to assess how we are doing and also to check in on our family, friends and neighbors. Help and resources are available by calling 211 in Broward County. You can also visit www.211-Broward. org or www.eagleshaven.org for additional assistance.

Memorial Day is a special holiday where we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We are the home of the free because of the brave. All the cities in the District will be acknowledging and honoring those lost in the line of duty on Memorial Day and I encourage you to attend these special ceremonies.

I want to thank all of you who have reached out to me with your concerns, comments, questions, and feedback. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone (954) 956-5600 or email HDIST096@ myfloridahouse.gov. To learn more about our work in Tallahassee and District 96, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter, by emailing Brianna.Schofield@myfloridahouse.gov with “subscribe” in the subject line. Also follow me on Facebook at @RepChristineHunschofsky and Twitter at @RepHunschofsky for regular updates. I look forward to hearing from you! Christine Hunschofsky

State Rep. Christine Hunschofsky