b'SENATOR BOOKLegislative update:Fighting for Florida familiesThis past January, I packed upPrograms for vulnerable adults including the the Nancy J. Cotterman Center my 5-year-old twins and head- and Goodman Family Services; edto Tallahasseeforthe2022 legislative session to be a voice forCommunity enrichment through coding, music, and arts programming for lo-Broward County and fight for Flori- cal schools, funding for the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, das families. For those of you I have notVPK programming, and more. had the pleasure to meet, I am Lauren Book, your State Senator and the Senates DemocraticControversial BillsLeader.At a young age I realized my passion for education and political advocacy.While members of our community are struggling with the growing affordability After graduating from the University of Miami with a bachelors and subsequentcrisis, skyrocketing cost of health care, cost of living, and other real-life issues that masters degree in Community Psychology and Social Change, I founded Laurensaffect our quality of life, legislative leadership held much of our time hostage in Tal-Kids, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing child- lahassee to fight culture wars and pass controversial bills that have garnered national hood sexual abuse and helping survivors heal. This mission was personal to me,media attention. having suffered years of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse as a child committedAccesstoabortionwasbannedafter15weeks.Mycommon-sense by a caregiver I loved and trusted. I transformed this pain into power and now workamendments to include exceptions for victims of rape, incest, and human traffick-to be a voice for those who do not have one. ing were voted down along party lines. From the widely-discussed education bill Since I was a teenager, I have successfully advocated for changes in law todubbed Dont Say Gay, to one which creates a pathway for individualsregard-keep children safe from repeat violent offenders and to make sure survivors haveless of whether they are Florida residents or notto easily ban books in our local access to services to heal. In 2016, I decided to bring every ounce of my energyschools, and a third which limits discussions about race in school, many controver-and passion to the Florida Senate so that I could continue fighting for Floridassial education bills were passed by the Republican-majority. All of these bills have children and familiesand traveled to Tallahassee for my first legislative session justbeen or are expected to be signed by the Governor, who championed them. two weeks after giving birth to my twins. Since that time, Ive fought for laws andI strongly opposed this dangerous agenda which has very real conse-funding to help children and families, promote equality, support small businesses,quences for families in Broward and beyond. Instead, we, the ones you chose to be expand access to healthcare, and protect the environment. Last year, I was honoredyour voice, should remain focused on addressing critical issues facing our communi-to have been elected by my fellow Democratic Senators to lead our Caucus and totyincluding the growing unaffordability crisis in Florida, the skyrocketing cost of be a strong voice for millions of Floridians.health care, rent, property insurance, and more. I have and continue to remain true to addressing these issues.Victories for Broward Families Special SessionsAs a working mom, fighting for Browards working families is one of my top pri-orities. This year, I passed meaningful legislation to benefit families in our localThough the Regular Session concluded in March, legislators traveled back to Talla-community and across the state, including two long-standing priorities Ive heldhassee for a Special Session in April. After vetoing a bipartisan congressional map, since first being elected to the Senate in 2016 while pregnant with my twins: aGovernor DeSantis called legislators back to Tallahassee for one Special Session to sales tax exemption on diapers that will save families hundreds of dollars a year, andpass new maps before election season. The Governor refused to sign off on maps expanding Medicaid to cover prescribed breast milk for medically at-risk babies.that preserve existing minority access in a redrawn North Florida Congressional In addition, I passed legislation to combat digital sex crimesensuring the law hasdistrict. caught up with technology, our use of cell phones, and the Internet. Additionally, I led the Senate Democratic Caucus in a bipartisan call for a second Special Session to address the property insurance market crisis. Florida Budget Victories for Broward is reaching a tipping point with skyrocketing policy costs, insurers backing out of the market, and Citizens Property Insurancethe state-backed insurance company I also fought to secure more than $24 million in taxpayers dollars to be reinvestedwhich has limits on rate increasestaking on as many as 800,000 new policies; our in Broward County. These dollars have been included in the 2022 Florida Budgetneighborhoods are in danger of losing their viability. Failure to act will have devast-and presented to the Governor to support:ing short- and long-term consequences. I am committed to solving this problem so that Floridians property and pocketbooks are protected. This issue cannot wait. I Water quality and flood management projects in Plantation, Davie, Southwestwill continue to fight for a Special Session to address it. Ranches, and Pembroke Pines;I am happy to be back home with my husband, twins, and our dogs. I welcome the Healthcare initiatives at Broward Health and Memorial Hospital, the Davidopportunity to meet with you, to be of service in any way, and to speak about your Posnack Jewish Community Center, the Sunrise Senior, Veterans, and Chil- ideas for future legislation. Please feel free to contact me at 954.424.6674 or at drens Educational and Wellness Center; book.lauren.web@flsenate.gov. Projects to benefit individuals with exceptionalities and their families at BestBY FLORIDA STATE SENATOR LAUREN BOOKBuddies, the ARC of Broward, NOVA Southeastern University;SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER28 #397MAY 2022 DRWMAG.COM'