| The Mayfield Minute - January 18, 2026 |
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Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a community activist and Baptist minister who played a key role in the American civil rights movement from the mid-1950's until his assassination on April 4, 1968.
Dr. King was the driving force behind landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his nonviolent pursuit of civil rights.
January 15th, Dr. King's birthday, was designated as a federal holiday in 1983 during President Ronald Reagan’s first term in office. The holiday was first officially observed in 1986. By 2000, all 50 states recognized Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a state holiday, observed on the third Monday in January.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day honors his enduring legacy, commitment to civil rights, and nonviolent advocacy in promoting change. His life and work continue to inspire individuals of all ages, to engage in public and civic service.
To watch the recording of Dr. King’s iconic, "I Have a Dream" speech, click here.
Last week, the Florida Legislature convened for the first week of the 128th Legislative Session. If you will be visiting the State Capitol during the legislative session and need assistance or an appointment, please call my Tallahassee office at (850) 487-5019.
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.
If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My staff and I are here to serve you! |
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2026 "State of the State" Address
Last week, Governor DeSantis delivered his final “State of the State” address during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives. His remarks highlighted the strength of Florida’s economy, education system, public safety, and environmental stewardship.
The Governor emphasized major fiscal gains, including tripling the state’s rainy‑day fund, doubling reserves, repayment of nearly half of the state's debt, and maintaining one of the nation’s lowest per‑capita spending levels.
Governor DeSantis also highlighted Everglades restoration accomplishments, hurricane response improvements, and aggressive law‑and‑order policies, including expanded penalties for Fentanyl dealers and those committing crimes against children.
He reaffirmed that challenges remain such as the rapid development of artificial intelligence and affordable property taxes and insurance.
To view the 2026 “State of the State” address, click here.
Florida High School Graduation Rates Reach Historic High
Florida has achieved its highest-ever high school graduation rate, reaching 92.2% for the 2024–2025 school year. This marks a 2.5% increase over the previous year and a 4.9% increase since the 2021–2022 school year.
“These achievements demonstrate what can be accomplished when we uphold rigorous standards, provide robust support to schools, and prepare every student for success beyond graduation,” said Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas.
Since the 2021-2022 school year, graduate rates have increased for:
· 7.2% for African American students;
· 5.7% for Hispanic students;
· 5.6% for students with disabilities; and
· 6.4% for economically disadvantaged students.
Brevard Public Schools exceeded the statewide average with a graduation rate of 92.7%, up from 89.8% for the 2023-2024 school year. Nearby Indian River County schools also exceeded the statewide average with a graduation rate of 96%.
To read the announcement in full, click here.
Governor DeSantis Announces Homeowners' Insurance Relief
Last week, Governor DeSantis announced significant insurance rate reductions for homeowners beginning in Spring 2026. The decreases are being driven by the state’s recent insurance and tort reforms. Citizens Property Insurance customers across all 67 counties will see premium decreases averaging 8.7%, with more than 150,000 policyholders receiving reductions of 10% or more.
“The reductions in Citizens Insurance rates are the most significant in recent memory. Premiums are lowering because we’ve enacted real reforms and withstood the pressure to reverse course. We will hold firm in our commitment not to go back to the broken insurance market of the past,” said Governor DeSantis.
Legislative reforms that eliminated one‑way attorney fees and curbed assignment‑of‑benefits abuse have helped to stabilize the market. As a result, litigation has sharply declined, reinsurance costs have fallen, and more policyholders are returning to the private market.
To view the announcement in full, click here. |
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Senate President Ben Albritton Provides Opening Remarks for 2026 Legislation Session
Last week, Senate President Ben Albritton opened the 2026 Legislative Session with a message centered on stability, collaboration, and a renewed commitment to Florida’s rural communities, agricultural heritage, and affordability challenges.
Some of the priorities President Albritton mentioned include:
· Rural Renaissance: A $217.9 million investment focused on rural roads, housing, healthcare, education, and business development. The initiative is supported by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, who suggested the initiative could serve as a national model.
· Affordability and Property Taxes: Recognizing the financial strain of property taxes and cost‑of‑living pressures while emphasizing commitment to practical, targeted solutions rather than political theatrics.
· Collaboration Over Control: Emphasizing shared leadership, open communication, and a service‑first philosophy grounded in biblical principles to ensure passage of legislation and achieve shared goals.
· Support for Florida Agriculture: The importance of the state's "agricultural heritage" to the state's economy and expansion of the "Make Citrus Great Again" and “Farmers Feeding Florida" programs.
President Albritton concluded his remarks with Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
To view President Albritton's message in full, click here.
SB 546 and SB 620 Successfully Pass Through Committee
I’m pleased to report that two of the bills I sponsored have advanced through their first committee assignments during the first week of the 2026 legislation session.
SB 546 - Conservation Lands unanimously passed the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. The bill strengthens transparency in decisions involving the sale or exchange of state conservation lands.
SB 546 ensures the public is informed in advance about which conservation lands are proposed for sale or exchange, the reasons they are deemed surplus, and the criteria used to evaluate those decisions. The bill establishes clearer processes to safeguard public interests before conservation lands leave public ownership.
The next stop for SB 546 is the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.
SB 620 - Candidate Qualifying unanimously passed the Ethics and Elections Committee. SB 620 requires that to qualify for nomination or election to federal, state, county, district, school board, or judicial office, a candidate must file a statement disclosing any country they are a citizen of other than the United States.
The bill improves election transparency by ensuring that Florida voters are aware if candidates hold a dual citizenship and if so, which foreign country they are a citizen of.
The next stop for SB 620 is the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Rural Renaissance Bill Passes on Senate Floor
SB 250 - Rural Communities unanimously passed the Senate Floor. The bill strengthens economic development and infrastructure in rural communities by expanding access to transportation funding, school project funds, administrative guidance, and targeted support for Florida’s least populated areas.
Specifically, the bill:
· Establishes the Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to coordinate assistance and resources for rural communities.
· Creates the Renaissance Grants Program, which provides block grants for growth-impeded rural counties, as well as public infrastructure technology grants.
· Establishes the Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program to prioritize roadway capacity, safety, and economic connectivity in rural areas.
SB 250 has been sent in messages to the House of Representatives for their consideration.
Educational Scholarship Programs Bill Passes on Senate Floor
SB 318 - Educational Scholarship Programs unanimously passed the Senate Floor. The bill funds scholarships and other student resources for local schools. SB 318 also provides families with support to choose between private, public, or home-school options, and enables children with disabilities to succeed in schools. Additionally, schools with declining enrollment numbers will benefit from increased stabilization in funding and administrative support.
SB 318 has been sent in messages to the House of Representatives for their consideration. |
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Mr. Steve Young, Entrepreneur and Owner of Pineapples
Our Constituent of the Week is Steve Young, Entrepreneur and Owner of Pineapples restaurant. Mr. Young was born in West Virginia and moved to Florida in 1969 when his father, Henry “Gene” Young, and his uncle relocated their families for work opportunities in Florida’s growing infrastructure industry.
Utilizing Gene Young’s income from his accomplished military career, the brothers founded Young’s TV Cable. From 1978 to 1981, Mr. Young worked for his father's company during school breaks and at age 18, he started working full-time. In 1993, at age 30, he was running Young’s TV Cable which became one of Florida’s largest telecommunications contractors. In 1997, Mr. Young changed the name to Young’s Communication (Y-COM) and continued at the helm until he sold the company in 2018.
Following his nearly 50 years in the communications infrastructure field, Mr. Young began a career in the restaurant industry. In 2021, he opened Pineapples, a landmark three‑story restaurant and rooftop venue overlooking the Indian River in the Eau Gallie Arts District.
As a long-time Brevard County entrepreneur, Mr. Young has built his reputation on innovation, service, and a deep commitment to local culture. His vision for Pineapples was to create a gathering place where residents and visitors could enjoy a unique cuisine with coastal and Florida Keys influences, live entertainment, and panoramic rooftop views. In less than five years, Pineapples has become synonymous with the vibrancy and excitement of the up-and-coming Eau Gallie Arts District, as well as a favorite spot for locals.
Beyond Pineapples and Y-COM, Mr. Young is well known for his charitable and philanthropic endeavors through his Young Family Foundation. The organization supports St. Jude’s Hospital, the Coastal Conservation Association, Florida Surf Museum, Habitat for Humanity, and many local churches. He is also an officer on the Eau Gallie Yacht Club Board.
Mr. Young’s drive and work ethic comes from his late father’s legacy and his German mother, Erika. Gene Young was a Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army. He served in the Korean and Vietnam wars and was a Golden Gloves boxing champion. His parents married while stationed in Germany.
Mr. Young and his wife of 41 years, Melodie, reside in Melbourne and they have two adult sons.
SD 19 is grateful to Steve Young for his contributions to the economic and cultural vitality of Brevard County. His long‑standing leadership in business and community organizations reflects his commitment to ensuring the county remains a prosperous place to live, learn, work, and raise a family. |
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Brevard Zoo Welcomes a New Primate Species
A new primate species, the Colobus monkey, has recently joined the Brevard Zoo primate family. Two females, Naia age seven, and her sister, Zuba age six, came from the Nashville Zoo. After a few weeks of quarantine and successful acclimation to their new zoo care team, they have moved to their island home in the Zoo’s Expedition Africa area.
Colobus monkeys are native to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa and are known for their black‑and‑white fur and unusual lack of thumbs. They spend nearly all of their time in trees and are able to leap up to 50 feet using their long fur and tails as a parachute.
“We’re proud to be able to help contribute to the growing, healthy population of these incredible primates in human care that will act as safeguard population ambassadors for their native counterparts,” said Keith Winsten, Executive Director of the Brevard Zoo.
This relocation helps to support the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Colobus monkeys which are vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss, fur hunters, and human encroachment in their native area of central Africa.
To follow the progress of Naia and Zuba, click here.
FDOT Renames Space Commerce Way to State Road 321
Last week, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced the official renaming of Space Commerce Way in Brevard County as State Road (S.R.) 321. The “321” designation carries great significance for the Space Coast, reflecting the iconic rocket-launch countdown, 3-2-1 liftoff, and the region’s 321 area code.
S.R. 321 connects NASA Parkway (S.R. 405) to Kennedy Parkway (S.R. 3) to provide a seamless, state-maintained roadway system serving the region’s growing high-tech aerospace corridor. S.R. 321 is a key connector for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Space Florida, Exploration Park, and other aerospace facilities.
Florida law requires that any roadway maintained and managed by the state must have a state road title. Also, consistent with FDOT’s numbering system, the odd-numbered designation indicates S.R. 321 is a north-south corridor. Signs indicating the new S.R. 321 distinction have been installed throughout the roadway and at relevant intersections.
To read the announcement in full, click here.
America 250 Flag Presented to Brevard County School District
In a patriotic ceremony last month, Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell was presented with the America 250 commemorative flag which honors 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Donn Weaver, the president of the Good Deeds Foundation, which is part of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAACC), Cape Canaveral Chapter, and Hans Hunt of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) made the special presentation.
“We’re planning on donating the 250th anniversary flag to every high school in Brevard County, as well as a separate flag to every high school in the county with a JROTC program,” Mr. Weaver said. “We want all students to embrace the history behind the founding of this nation, especially the role of Veterans. Without Veterans throughout our history, there would be no America. It’s just our way of keeping history alive.”
To learn more about national events commemorating America 250, click here and for Florida specific activities, click here. |
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Health First Florida Marathon Weekend
The 18th annual Health First Florida 1/2 Marathon, Sunshine State Lager 5 Miler, and 5K will be held on Sunday, February 8th at Front Street Park (2210 Front Street) in Melbourne. Parking is available at the Melbourne City Hall garage (900 East Strawbridge Avenue). Parking will not be available at Front Street Park.
Online registration for all race events ends on Thursday, February 5th at 2:00 p.m. Race packet pickup will take place on Saturday, February 7th from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Front Street Civic Center (2210 Front Street). Walk up registrants will be accepted at race packet pick up only; race day signups will not be accepted.
Race fees and start times are as follows:
· 1/2 Marathon race fee is $120 and start time is 6:30 a.m.
· Sunshine State Lager 5 Miler race fee is $80 and start time is 7:00 a.m.
· 5K race fee is $45 and start time is 7:10 a.m.
There is a 3.5 hour time limit to complete the event. The 5 Miler and 5K are walker friendly events. Advance registration is available online here.
The Florida Marathon event features live music throughout the race routes and park, free hats to runners, complimentary finishing photos, beverages courtesy of Carib Brewery, and other post-race activities
For more information, click here.
Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners Meeting
The Port Canaveral Authority Board of Commissioners meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 28th at 9:00 a.m. at the Port Canaveral Authority's Commission Room (445 Challenger Road).
The meeting agenda will include additional information as a follow-up to the December 10th meeting where BHE GT&S, a Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company, and Chesapeake Utilities Corporation made a presentation regarding LNG demand and their interest in the purchase of Barge Canal properties for an LNG liquefaction facility.
Those interested in providing comment are encouraged to arrive early, complete a request to comment form, and adhere to the three-minute time allotted. For your comments to be part of the public record, you must appear in person.
For more information, click the link here on or after Wednesday, January 21st.
No Bad Days Foundation's 13th Annual Kickball Tournament
The No Bad Days Foundation's 13th Annual 'Kickin' It for Hope' Kickball Tournament and Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday, January 31st from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Viera Regional Park baseball fields (2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way) in Melbourne.
The cost to register your team of 8 to 10 members is $500. There is no charge for spectators of the tournament or for those attending Family Dun Day events. Activities include free bounce houses, music entertainment by DJ Timmy V, and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office motor units, crime prevention team, and the bloodhound K9s. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
All proceeds benefit the No Bad Days Foundation which provides support for Brevard County disabled children in need of life-enhancing medical devices and equipment.
To register your team online, click here.
Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition Benefit Concert
The Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition will hold a benefit concert featuring national recording artists, Alice Howe and Freebo, on Wednesday, February 4th at 7:00 p.m. at the Schenk Shop Schack (5575 Schenck Avenue, Unit #1) in Rockledge.
A limited number of tickets are still available for $40 each. Proceeds benefit educational programs that support the Indian River Lagoon.
Alice and Freebo have been working as a duo since 2017. Their latest album, Alice Howe and Freebo Live, debuted as the #1 most played album on Folk Radio charts.
For more information and to purchase tickets, 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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