| The Mayfield Minute - June 28, 2026 |
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| Happy 250th Birthday America! |
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Celebrating America's 250 Years of Independence
This Saturday, our nation will celebrate the Fourth of July and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. The Semiquincentennial presents a unique opportunity for our nation to honor the vision of our Founding Fathers and the enduring legacy of the Declaration of Independence. As we enjoy the festivities with family and friends, let us take a moment to reflect on the importance of Independence Day.
The Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from Great Britain and two days later the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted. The historic document marked the birth of the United States of America, establishing a new nation founded on the principles of liberty and self-government.
These iconic words from the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal," have resonated throughout centuries reminding us of the foundational principles of freedom and equality that define our nation.
From my family to yours, as we share our gratitude for our United States of America, I wish everyone a very safe and blessed Independence Day surrounded by friends and family!
In celebration of the Fourth of July and America's 250th birthday, Florida Senate offices will close on Tuesday, June 30th at 5:00 p.m. and reopen on Tuesday, July 2nd at 8:00 a.m. To leave a message with the office, please call (321) 409-2025 or send an email to mayfield.debbie.web@flsenate.gov.
I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for the Mayfield Minute. |
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| Floridians Making an Impact |
Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar Helps Lead America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration
As we approach the Fourth of July and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, we recognize Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, who represents Florida’s 27th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, and is the only Floridian appointed to the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission.
A Miami native and daughter of Cuban exiles, Congresswoman Salazar earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Miami and a master's degree in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in journalism with Univision and Telemundo, interviewing world leaders including Fidel Castro, President Bill Clinton, and President George W. Bush.
Elected to Congress in 2020, Congresswoman Salazar represents much of southern Miami-Dade County. She serves as Chair of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Small Business Committee.
As a member of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, Congresswoman Salazar helps oversee preparations for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration in 2026. The bipartisan commission includes members of Congress, private citizens, and representatives from the three branches of the federal government. Secretary of State and former Florida Senator Marco Rubio also serves as an ex officio member.
Congratulations to Congresswoman Salazar on this distinguished honor and her role in helping commemorate our nation's 250th anniversary. |
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Governor DeSantis Receives 2026-2027 Budget
Last Tuesday, Governor DeSantis officially received HB 5001E, the General Appropriations Act, which serves as Florida’s state budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The budget was approved by the Legislature on May 29th during Special Session E and currently totals approximately $114.5 billion.
The Governor also received the budget’s implementing bills, which contain the statutory changes and provisions necessary to carry out and administer the appropriations included in the budget.
Governor DeSantis has until June 30th to review the measure and exercise his line-item veto authority, which allows him to remove specific spending items without rejecting the entire budget.
New Florida Laws Take Effect on July 1st
Approximately 90 new Florida laws affecting transportation, education, the environment, public safety, Veterans, and healthcare will take effect on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
Some highlights include:
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
- HB 277 – Domestic Violence and Protective Injunctions: Increases penalties for repeat domestic violence offenses, establishes a 2-year electronic monitoring pilot program, and expands victim relocation assistance.
- HB 445 – Dangerous Crimes Expansion: Expands the definition of ‘Dangerous Crimes’ to include certain child exploitation offenses and requires that individuals who plead guilty, no contest, or are found guilty of a dangerous crime remain in custody without bond until sentencing.
- HB 559 – Animal Welfare: Creates a new third-degree felony for adults who commit any act of animal cruelty involving a minor or in a minor’s presence.
Education
Environment
Health, Family, and Social Services
Business, Insurance, and Regulation
- SB 800 – Engineering: Creates increasing monetary penalties for individuals who engage in the unlicensed practice of engineering.
Transportation
- SB 628 – Transportation Facility Designations: Renames several state roads, including SR-80 as “President Donald J. Trump Highway”. The bill also renames the Tallahassee International Airport to the “Bobby Bowden – Tallahassee International Airport.”
- HB 919 – Commercial Service Airports: Establishes state authority over the naming of major commercial service airports and designates Palm Beach International Airport as “President Donald J. Trump International Airport.”
The Florida Cancer Connect Collaborative Approves $20 Million in State Funding for Cancer Research Projects
The Florida Cancer Connect Collaborative recently approved $20 million in funding from the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund for 20 unique research projects. Recipients of this funding include seven universities, four hospitals, and one independent healthcare company.
This investment will support a variety of studies focused on innovative treatment, prevention, and care techniques for 10 different types of cancer. Examples of projects approved for funding in this round include:
- A Florida State University study, “AI-Powered Drug Repurposing for Human Brain Cancers”
- A Madison County Hospital Health Systems study, “Nutritional Strategies for Cancer Prevention: A Rural Pilot Study Using Wellness Coaching, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Food as Medicine (FAM) for Cancer Prevention - Adults 19-64”
- A Mayo Clinic study, “Deployment of a Multimodal Agentic Virtual Assistant (MAIVA) for Surgical Oncology and Oncologic Reconstruction”
The Florida Cancer Connect Collaborative was created in 2023 to explore innovative strategies for cancer treatment and care. I am proud to serve as a voting member of the collaborative and look forward to supporting these groundbreaking research efforts as they continue to improve cancer outcomes for Floridians. |
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| America's 250th Anniversary |
As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America leading up to July 4, 2026, I will continue to share updates on the 250th anniversary and how it is being recognized across the State of Florida as well as information on our nation’s history, government, and more.
Be sure to visit my Facebook and X (Twitter) pages for more weekly historical recognitions on the people and events that shaped our nation over the past 250 years.
- Facebook: Senator Debbie Mayfield
- X (Twitter): @debbie_mayfield
World War I and II Native American Code Talkers Honored for America250
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we honor the extraordinary contributions of Native American Code Talkers during World Wars I and II.
In 1918, three enlistees from the Choctaw Nation serving in France were overheard speaking their native language by a U.S. Army officer. He realized that because this language was virtually unknown outside the Choctaw community, it could be used to transmit secure military communications. This insight led to the first use of native languages as military codes.
World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor rapidly accelerated the need for an even more secure military communications system. The program expanded to include more than a dozen Native American languages, with Navajo becoming the most widely used. The Navajo developed the most sophisticated code, consisting of more than 600 terms for use in the Pacific Theater.
Their work played a critical role in Allied success, including operations at D-Day and the Battle of Iwo Jima, ensuring that enemy forces could not decipher vital communications.
Florida Pavilion at the Great American State Fair Opens in Washington, DC
Last week, Governor DeSantis announced the opening of the Florida Pavilion at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration. The Florida Pavilion will be open through July 10th and is designed as an immersive journey through Florida’s history, natural beauty, agriculture, tourism, and innovation to highlight our state’s contributions to America's history.
Visitors to the Florida Pavilion exhibit will begin with Ponce de León’s landing in St. Augustine in 1513 and travel through six themed experiences:
- History & Heritage, showcasing Florida’s role in technological advancement;
- Manatee Conservation, celebrating the state’s iconic marine mammal;
- Natural Resources, highlighting landscapes from the Everglades to Florida’s coastlines;
- Fresh From Florida Agriculture, honoring farmers, ranchers, and producers;
- "Live More Floridays," promoting Florida’s tourism destinations.
- Space Exploration, affirming Florida’s leadership from Apollo to Artemis.
To read the announcement in full, click here. |
| Bill Action by Governor DeSantis |
As of Sunday, June 28th, Governor DeSantis has received a total of 237 bills for his consideration, of which 225 have been signed into law and five were vetoed. Upon receipt of a bill, the Governor has seven days to sign, veto, or take no action at which point the bill will automatically become law.
Bills Pending Governor's Action:
HB 145 – Claims Against the Government
SB 594 – Local Housing Assistance Plans
CS/HB 755 – Areas of Critical State Concern
HB 893 – Trust Fund Interest for Purposes Approved by Supreme Court
CS/CS/HB 1245 – Biosolids Management
CS/CS/CS/SB 1452 – Department of Financial Services
CS/CS/SB 1568 – Use of Digital Currency by the Department of Financial Services
HB 5001E – General Appropriations Act
HB 5003E – Implementing the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act
HB 5201E – Collective Bargaining
HB 5205E – Retirement
HB 5301E – Health Care
HB 5403E – Correctional Facilities Financing and Capital Improvements
HB 5601E – Higher Education
HB 5701E – Petroleum Cleanup Programs
HB 7031E – Taxation
SB 2506E – Fuel Taxes
SB 2508E – State Agency Law Enforcement Radio System
If you have an interest or concern regarding any bill, you can contact the Governor's office directly here.
Bills Signed this Week:
CS/SB 0004F – Property Tax Administration
CS/CS/HB 1329 – Local Government Finances
Bills Vetoed this Week:
CS/CS/HB 325 – Education and Workforce Development for Inmates
CS/SB 382 – Micromobility Device
CS/HB 461 – Volunteering at Polling Locations
CS/SB 688 – Naturopathic Medicine
CS/HB 4075 – Town of Davie, Broward County |
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K-9 Corporal Lance Behringer, Brevard County Sheriff's Office, and Professional Artist
Our Constituent of the Week is Lance Behringer, K-9 Corporal with Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) and a professional artist.
Corporal Behringer was born and raised in Melbourne. He is a graduate of Melbourne High School and the Eastern Florida State College Police Law Enforcement Academy.
In 2010, he began his law enforcement career as a Reserve Deputy with the BCSO. After a few months, he was hired full-time and served six years as a Deputy and Field Training Officer.
In 2016, he was selected for the BCSO’s K-9 Unit where he began working with his first certified K-9 partner, Behr, followed by Gator, both Czechoslovakian Shepherds. His current partner is Zeke, a one-year-old Belgium Malinois Shepherd, who is cross-trained in apprehension, tracking, and narcotics. Corporal Behringer is also a certified FDLE K-9 trainer.
As a K‑9 Deputy, he works alongside Zeke in patrol operations, searches, suspect apprehension, and community safety missions. Corporal Behringer is highly trained and well known for his professionalism and calm, steady presence in the field. He and Zeke are also familiar to the community for their participation in public demonstrations at schools and special events throughout Brevard County.
Beyond his law‑enforcement career, Corporal Behringer is also a professional mural artist. His artwork appears on multiple BCSO facilities and training spaces, at the City of Melbourne, Melbourne Beach, and Indian Harbour Beach police departments, Central Middle School, Ocean Park, and over 60 additional locations in Brevard and surrounding counties.
His murals are often large‑scale patriotic and law‑enforcement‑themed, honoring deputies, military service members, and fallen officers. Other themes include marine life and his favorite, the American Bald Eagle.
Corporal Behringer’s talent for art and entrepreneurship began as a child and developed further while attending classic car shows. He sold drawings to owners and attendees at the events and eventually created a calendar of classic cars for purchase. While a student at Melbourne High School, an art teacher encouraged him to pursue painting, which he expanded into scalable murals and his own company, DrawnbyLance.
Earlier this year, Corporal Behringer was selected to create the America250 Mural at the Melbourne Square Mall which will be unveiled in the Macy’s wing on Thursday, July 2nd at 12:30 p.m. Measuring 28 feet x 13 feet, the mural serves as a tribute to the people, events, and ideals that have shaped our country.
Corporal Behringer resides in Brevard County and enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and creating artwork.
SD 19 is genuinely grateful for Corporal Behringer’s public service and artistic contributions which reflect his commitment to the safety of our residents and the beautification of our community. |
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Brevard County Set to Break Sea Turtle Nest Record
The Sea Turtle Preservation Society (STPS) recently announced that Brevard County is on pace to surpass last year's sea turtle nest record, just six weeks into the season.
In 2025, researchers logged a record number, 20,000 Green Sea Turtle nests and 10,000 Loggerhead Turtle nests, along Brevard County's shorelines. Space Coast beaches are estimated to make up 25 percent of the world's loggerhead sea turtle population on Earth.
“We are definitely ahead of last year, and really the last 5-to-10-year average,” said Joel Cohen, Director of Communications, STPS. “We have at a minimum 350 nests per mile, and on the South Beaches, 1,000 nests per mile.”
Over the past five years, Brevard County has added approximately 56,000 new residents. Mr. Cohen says the key to ensuring that the nests are able to thrive is educating newcomers and visitors.
To protect both nesting females and emerging hatchlings, Brevard County has a lighting ordinance during the peak of nesting season from May 1st to October 31st. It requires that all artificial lights visible from the beach be turned off, shielded, or covered nightly between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
If you see a trapped, struggling, sick, or injured sea turtle or a hatchling crawling in the wrong direction, please call the STPS Emergency Hotline at (321) 206-0646.
Brevard Veterans Memorial Center Elite Color Guard Seeking New Members
The Brevard Veterans Memorial Center is recruiting new members for their Elite Color Guard. The Elite Color Guard serves to honor the nation and the community, and to represent Brevard County Veterans with pride.
Applicants are not required to be a Veteran, but they must be at least 18 years old. Uniforms and training are provided. The Elite Color Guard service entails participating in local events, ceremonies, and parades throughout the community.
For more information, call (321) 313-2444 or visit www.BrevardVets.com.
John Robinson Retires After 21 Years as General Manager of the Indian River Colony Club
John Robinson served as the General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of the Indian River Colony Club (IRCC) in Viera from 2005 to 2026. Mr. Robinson is also a 22‑year Veteran of the United States Navy, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer during his military career.
As General Manager, he oversaw operations for the 55+ military‑oriented golf community of nearly 800 homes managing administration, maintenance, hospitality, and community services. He was widely recognized for upholding IRCC’s motto, “The Place Patriots Call Home,” and for maintaining the community’s reputation for excellence and meticulous care.
During Mr. Robinson's tenure, IRCC celebrated 40 years since the community's founding and was named one of the Top 20 Golf Communities in North America by the Golf Course Home Network.
Congratulations to Mr. Robinson for his well-earned retirement. Richard Martino succeds Mr. Robinson as the new General Manager. |
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BCSO and Brevard Veterans Memorial Center Independence Day Parade & America250 Celebration
The Brevard County Sheriff's Office and Brevard Veterans Memorial Center (BVMC) Independence Day Parade will be held on Saturday, July 4th at 10:00 a.m. beginning at Merritt Island High School (100 Mustang Way). The parade route will pass by Edgewood Jr/Sr. High School (180 East Merritt Avenue) and end at the BVMC (400 South Sykes Parkway).
The event celebrates "250 years of America and the Veterans who created and protected America as we know it and love it." Additional activities at the BVMC Plaza include food trucks, music, a national rifle salute presentation, and much more.
For more information, click here.
July 4th Symphony Under the Stars
The Brevard Symphony Orchestra will hold a free Symphony Under the Stars concert on Saturday, July 4th from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Cocoa Riverfront Park (401 Riveredge Blvd.). Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m.
Mindy from Lite Rock 99.3's Mindy & Company radio show will serve as emcee. Food trucks and local restaurants will be open before and after the concert.
Additionally, a VIP BBQ will take place at 6:30 p.m. inside the Cocoa Civic Center. Tickets are $65 for symphony members and $80 for non-members. Parking and reserved stage-front seating are included with VIP tickets.
For more information, call (321) 345-5052.
City of Melbourne MelBOOM Fireworks Celebration
The City of Melbourne's 4th of July MelBOOM Celebration will be held on Saturday, July 4th from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Front Street Park (2210 Front Street). Fireworks will begin at 9:00 p.m.
The celebration includes food trucks, live entertainment featuring the Phoenix Band, the National Anthem performed by the winner of the Star-Spangled Singer Showcase, kids' activities, and more.
Attendees are encouraged to park at the Melbourne Auditorium (625 Hibiscus Blvd.) and take the free shuttle to Front Street. Buses will run from 5:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. before the fireworks show and will resume after the show until 11:00 p.m. Attendees should be prepared for road, boat ramp, and parking closures in and around the downtown area.
For more information, click here.
City of Rockledge 39th Annual Independence Day Picnic
The City of Rockledge will hold their 39th Annual Independence Picnic on Saturday, July 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at McClarty Park (790 Barton Blvd.) in Rockledge.
The free event features activities, games, waterslides, music, and more. Hamburger and hot dog lunches with chips and a drink will be available for $1.
For more information, click here.
City of Palm Bay Independence Day Celebration
The City of Palm Bay’s Annual Independence Day Celebration will be held on Saturday, July 4th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Palm Bay campus of Eastern Florida State College (250 Community College Parkway). Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.
Activities include live performances by the Amazing Veranica and her dancing poodles and Hoopz 321 aerial artists, food trucks, local vendors, a kids’ zone with inflatables, games, air brush tattoos, a foam pit, and more.
Admission and parking are free. For more information, click here. |
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Contact Information
Melbourne Office
900 East Strawbridge Avenue,
Suite 408,
Melbourne, FL 32901
321-409-2025
Tallahassee Office
400 South Monroe Street,
302 Senate Building,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
850-487-5019
Staff
Yvette Campbell
Christian Chesnut
William Gooden
Kelli Lane |
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