FAC Weekly Update 2025-03-10-New Bills and Mass Eviction

Dear Members and Advocates,

The Florida legislative session began on March 5th and is expected to run for about 60 days (depending on special sessions and other legislative needs that may arise).

Now that session is underway, it is time to take action! This year FAC is tracking a number of Bills, which we posted at the link on the bottom of this message. The table will be updated weekly.

Lawmakers are making key decisions that could impact our population, so we must ensure our voices are heard.

On our site we posted a three-part tutorial on how to find and contact your lawmakers, how to communicate with them, and how to follow up to ensure your message was received.

These tutorials cover the three steps you can take to ensure the strength of our membership is used effectively to accomplish our goals. See the links at the bottom of this message and a summary follows:

Step 1. Identifying Your Lawmakers – FAC urges all members to reach out to their state and federal representatives to express concerns about proposed legislation. If you haven’t done so yet, read our post to find your legislators’ contact information and make your voice heard. A short, polite, and personalized message can go a long way in influencing decisions.

Step 2. Communicate Effectively – When reaching out, remember to keep your message clear and concise. State your position, provide personal insight if applicable, and remain respectful. Lawmakers and their staff are more likely to engage with well-structured and professional communication.

Step 3. Follow Up for Impact – If you’ve already contacted your lawmaker, don’t stop there. Follow up to ensure your message isn’t lost in the shuffle. If you haven’t received a response, send a polite reminder or attend a local meeting to reinforce your concerns. Persistence and engagement can make a real difference.

Also this past week, FAC has been monitoring a mass eviction of registrants from a trailer park in Putnam County. Preliminary responses to Public Information Requests sent from FAC to the Sheriff’s Office and Code enforcement reveal that the triggering events for the eviction were not code violations, but the Sheriff reading social media posts about a cluster of registrants at the location. Well, if the County had not passed strict residency restrictions severely limiting the availability of compliant housing for persons forced to register, they would not be concentrated into these limited pockets of availability. The County ordinance caused this problem and it should now be the County’s responsibility to fix it. The only solution is to abolish residency restrictions!

FAC is assisting the Landlord in finding homes for 19+ individuals that have been evicted without warning.  If you have rental units available,  please contact FAC.

We have a commitment to stay on top of our weekly updates and keep our members engaged. So stay informed, stay involved, and let’s keep advocating for fair and just policies!

Sincerely,

The Florida Action Committee (FAC)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hillsborough – Meet and Greet in Tampa Sunday April 6th from 1:00-3:00pm.  RSVP to Kristen at fac.hillsborough@gmail.com or leave call/text 904-438-8322.

Orange- Meet and Greet in Apopka Saturday April 19th from noon-3:00pm.  RSVP to Anita at membership@floridaactioncommittee.org or leave call/text 904-438-8322.

Hernando–  Meet and Greet Saturday April 26th from 2:00-4:30pm,  RSVP to Joel at HernandoFACcoord@gmail.com or leave call/text message at 352-606-0187.

Pinellas – Meet and Greet in St Pete Saturday May 3rd from 1:00-4:00pm.  RSVP to Barbara at fac.region6a@gmail.com or leave call/text message at 217-218-2749.

Broward – Meet and Greet in Fort Lauderdale Saturday May 3rd from 11:00am-2:00pm.  RSVP to Michelle at fac.region4D@gmail.com or leave message at 954-951-1075.

Alachua -Meet and Greet in Gainesville Saturday May 17th from 1:00-4:00pm.  RSVP to Sarah at media@floridaactioncommittee.org or leave message at 904-438-8322.

Legislative Team – Meets Second Wednesday each month by Zoom.  Learn to monitor bill and communicate with Legislators.  Help the team with Calls to Action.  To join the leadership team, contact media@floridaactioncommittee.org or leave message at 352-448-8989.

Monday Night Support Group – Every Monday at 8pm-930pm ET.   Need to get something off your chest?  Join our trusted group by phone at 305-224-1968 (Meeting ID 914 1527 3144) or join Zoom Meeting online at https://zoom.us/j/91415273144  (Meeting ID: 914 1527 3144).  Facilitator is AL at 954-529-4524.

LOVE WINS LGBTQIA+ Support Group  – Lifting Our Voices Equality (LOVE) – Welcoming Individuals Needing Solace (WINS) – Second Sunday every month. Next call is Sunday April 13th at 7:00-8:30pmET.   Join by phone at 305-224-1968 (Meeting ID 992 0071 3029) or join Zoom Meeting online at https://zoom.us/j/5984068279?omn=99200713029  (Meeting ID: 992 0071 3029).  Facilitator is JJ at 727-999-4716.

Veterans Support Group – Meets by phone on the Fourth Tuesday of every month from 7:00-8:30pm ET.  Next call is Tuesday March 25th.  Join by phone at 760-548-9898.  Facilitator is Mike at 831-353-4500.

Family Support Group – Meets by ZOOM on the Second Saturday each month.  Specifically for family members that have loved ones forced to register. To join the group, contact membership@floridaactioncommittee.org or leave message at 833-273-7325 Option 1.  Facilitator is Anita at 904-438-8322.

SHINE-VOICES Support and Action Group- For women forced to register.  Sisters Healing Injustices, Networking for Empowerment (SHINE) support group and Victory Over Injustices, Courageous Educating Sisters (VOICES) speaking group.  To join or request Speakers, contact Danell at fac.region4b@gmail.com or leave message at 833-273-7325 Option 1.