Today, Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside Major General John D. Haas and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Purdue, provided updates on the state's preparedness for Hurricane Helene at the State Emergency Operations Center. As of 8:00 am ET, Hurricane Helene has intensified to a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. The hurricane is expected to strengthen further and reach the Florida Big Bend coast tonight.
Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis attended the Central Florida Leadership Prayer Breakfast in Plant City, Florida, where they discussed their administration's focus on faith, family, and life. The event was organized by All Pro Pastors, a nonprofit founded in 2007 to support and foster fellowship among pastors.
Governor Ron DeSantis has issued Executive Order 24-209, amending the previous Executive Order 24-208 to increase the number of counties under a state of emergency in Florida. This decision comes as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine approaches, prompting concerns about its potential development into a major hurricane.
At 9:30 AM today, Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), held a press conference at the State Emergency Operations Center to provide updates on Tropical Storm Helene. Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-209 on September 24, updating EO 24-208 and declaring a state of emergency for 61 counties. This order allows state officials to make critical resources available to communities ahead of any potential storm impacts.
OCALA, Fla.—Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health, Department of Children and Families, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and community partners, has introduced the Florida Swimming Lesson Voucher Program.
BRADENTON, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the award of $18 million in funding to invest in Florida’s supply chain and boost aggregate storage for critical infrastructure and asphalt and concrete production. These awards are the first of $100 million to be invested over five years. The initial five recipients of these grants will create an additional 1.2 million tons of aggregate materials storage and enable more rail access to existing aggregate storage facilities. This material will support major projects under the Moving Florida Forward Initiative.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Dennis “Rick” Dingle and Dell Hoard Sr. and the reappointment of Tina Clary and Tammy “Chereese” Stewart to the Clay County Development Authority.
PINELLAS PARK, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis held another roundtable discussion with condo owners and association leaders to discuss solutions for condominium building safety and address concerns about the cost and implementation of new legislation. Last week, Governor DeSantis conducted a similar roundtable in Miami Lakes.
ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, during National College Savings Month, Governor Ron DeSantis announced record refunds to parents through the Florida Prepaid program and encouraged all Florida families to take advantage of an affordable prepaid college plan.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Samantha Ferrin, Robert “Bob” Majka, Monica Russell, and Chris Young to the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Dr. Roberto Diaz, Rylan Douthett, Geoffrey Fraser, Dr. Amit Rastogi, and Thomas Sabatino to the Health Care Innovation Council.
The Heritage Foundation announced today that Florida ranks #1 in Education Freedom for the third consecutive year. This achievement is attributed to Florida’s initiatives to expand school choice, support parental rights in education, and ensure families can make optimal educational choices for their children. The Education Freedom Report Card, which began in 2022, has consistently placed Florida at the top.
PALM HARBOR, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis spoke at the Palm Harbor 9/11 Memorial Ceremony to honor the memories of those lost in the attacks on September 11th, 2001.
LAKE CITY, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced over $122 million in awards to small county governments and rural municipalities across Florida through the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Small County Outreach Program (SCOP) and the Small County Resurfacing Assistance Program (SCRAP) for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. Of this total, one-third will be allocated to rural communities impacted by hurricanes Idalia and Debby.
Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a directive for flags to be flown at half-staff across the State of Florida on September 11, 2024, in observance of Patriot Day. This marks the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.
GREENVILLE, Fla.—Yesterday, First Lady Casey DeSantis was joined by Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall and Hope Navigators to highlight services offered by Hope Florida – A Pathway to Potential, a juvenile justice program. The program provides preventative resources for at-risk youth and their families, as well as assistance for youth preparing to re-enter their home communities after leaving the juvenile justice system.
MIAMI LAKES, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis convened a roundtable discussion today with condominium owners and association leaders to address concerns regarding the cost and implementation of new safety legislation.