Reminder: Rep. Toby Overdorf - November Newsletter

Dear Friends,


November has officially come to a close, and it’s incredible how quickly the month passed. It was a full, fast-moving, and meaningful few weeks—reminding me just how much we have to be grateful for.


One of the major highlights was being back in Tallahassee. Returning always brings focus and momentum, and this visit was no different. I was honored to host the committee meeting on property taxes as the chair, leading an important discussion and continuing the work toward meaningful relief for Florida families.


I also had the chance to attend so many incredible events throughout the community this month. Connecting with residents, local leaders, and organizations doing meaningful work always reinforces why this service matters and how strong our community truly is.


And of course, celebrating Thanksgiving with our new grandbaby was a blessing of its own. Experiencing the holiday with a new little one added so much warmth and joy—it made the season feel even more special and reminded us how quickly time moves and how important it is to cherish these moments.


Overall, November was filled with purpose, gratitude, community, and family. I’m looking forward to carrying that same energy into the rest of the year.



 
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One of the most rewarding and significant responsibilities I’ve taken on this year is serving as the Chair of the Property Tax Committee. It’s an incredible opportunity, and I’m not taking it lightly. I’ve been working closely with my fellow representatives to develop meaningful solutions that can ease the burden on Floridians.


Listening to constituents and bringing their concerns forward remains at the heart of our mission. Their experiences and feedback are what guide our efforts, and I’m committed to making sure their voices are represented every step of the way.
Time in Tallahassee is always full, with each day packed with meetings and conversations with groups, individuals, and people driven by a cause or purpose who want to be heard.
Meeting with Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals 
Drug Free America Foundation
So far, I have proposed four bills this session. I was also featured on two news channels—one highlighting House Bill 127 on cursive handwriting, and another covering HJR 211 on property tax. Please click the link to view the full segments.
HB 127 – Required Instruction in Cursive Writing
This bill ensures that cursive writing is included as part of school instructional requirements. It is currently in the Education & Employment Committee.


HJR 211 – Accrued Save-Our-Homes Property Tax Benefit for Non-School Property Tax
This joint resolution focuses on adjustments to the Save-Our-Homes property tax benefit. It is now in the Ways & Means Committee.


HB 121 – Nursing Education Programs
This bill relates to strengthening and updating nursing education programs. It has been added to the Health & Human Services Committee agenda.


HB 123 – Special Districts
This bill addresses matters related to special districts and is currently in the Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee.


Fox Jacksonville vs. Cursive handwriting 
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/florida-lawmaker-pushing-students-learn-show-proficiency-reading-writing-cursive/5525R3AO7VABFNJ6OV32VESK5M/


Fox Orlando on Property Taxes
https://www.fox35orlando.com/video/1742288
I had the opportunity to speak at The Compass Update held at Willoughby Golf Club. It was a great chance to share district updates, discuss ongoing legislative priorities, and connect with community members in a meaningful way. I appreciated the thoughtful questions and the strong engagement from everyone who attended. Events like these help strengthen our collaboration and ensure we continue moving our community forward.
It was an incredible honor to speak at the Port St. Lucie Veterans Day event. Deep gratitude goes to all of our veterans who have made countless sacrifices for this beautiful country we call home. Thank you to the City of Port St. Lucie for creating such a meaningful and heartfelt tribute to those who have served.
Strengthening local partnerships was a priority this month, and one of the key opportunities to do that came during the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners Workshop on November 25th. The workshop offered a meaningful space to connect with county leaders, share updates on the work of the Select Committee on Property Taxes, and discuss the proposed committee bills for the 2026 Session.


It was an engaging and productive conversation focused on the challenges facing our residents and the solutions we are working tirelessly to advance. I truly appreciated the invitation and the thoughtful dialogue that took place.
One of Maggie’s and my favorite events to attend this year was Operation 300. It’s a truly wonderful cause and benefit, and we were delighted to be a part of such a beautiful event.
Honored to have the opportunity to moderate an incredible panel at the AIF Water Forum. This event brings together leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss Florida’s future on water and its quality, conservation, and long-term resilience. Grateful to be part of such an important and forward-looking conversation.
Another highlight of the month was putting together a beautiful Christmas tree for the Jensen Beach Children’s Museum. Each year, they host an incredible fundraiser, and I’m truly honored to take part in it. This year, my wife Maggie joined our district aide, Heather, to bring the vision to life. The result was a gorgeous tree we were proud to showcase, and one lucky person even went home with it to enjoy for the season.
Constituent Services
Our office was recently contacted by a parent who was experiencing significant delays in receiving their reimbursements through the Step Up For Students program. After trying repeatedly to resolve the issue on their own, they reached out to us for help.


Once we were informed of the situation, our team immediately stepped in. We gathered the necessary documentation, coordinated with the appropriate program representatives, and identified where the reimbursement process had stalled. By advocating on the parent’s behalf and maintaining steady communication, we were able to move the case forward and ensure the reimbursements were released.


The parent received the support they needed, and the issue was resolved in a timely and efficient manner.


This is a strong reminder of how vital constituent services are. When families encounter delays or confusion in state programs, our office is here to help cut through the red tape and make sure residents receive the assistance they’re entitled to.

 
As always, thank you for your continued support and faith in my leadership! I look forward to sharing with you again soon.


Sincerely,

Rep. Toby Overdorf
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