The Anna for Florida Blog

I am devastated by the tragic shooting that took place today at Florida State University. My heart is with the victims, their families, and the entire FSU community. No student should ever fear for their life while pursuing an education. To the first responders and...

Dear Friend, We are two-thirds of the way through the 60-day Legislative Session.  We just wrapped up week six of nine, and it was a busy one. The House and Senate both passed their initial drafts of the state budget. The House version would make a big cut to the...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tallahassee, FL: Today, the Florida House of Representatives passed HB 1517 — a dangerous and deceptive bill that does nothing to support grieving families and everything to advance a cruel political agenda. Here is Representative Eskamani's...

Orlando, FL: In celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, a free, family-friendly cultural event will be hosted on Saturday, April 12th at the Orlando Museum of Art. This special program is presented in collaboration with the Ismaili Council, the City of Orlando’s...

Dear Friend, We’ve passed the halfway mark of the 2025 Legislative Session.  Week Five (of nine) was another busy week, too. The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill meant to shut down citizen-led constitutional amendments – the process that Floridians have...

In Partnership with Keep Orlando Beautiful Orlando, FL - Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has been a global movement, sparked by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, who led the first environmental protests. His efforts played a pivotal role in the establishment...

Dear Friend, Hard as it is to believe, we’re already almost halfway through the 2025 Legislative Session.  We just finished another busy week, which was the fourth week of the nine-week (60-day) session. It included our first full floor session in the House, where we...

Dear Friend, We wanted to let you know about a special event happening on Saturday, April 12th. Presented in collaboration between the Orlando Museum of Art, the Ismaili Council, the City of Orlando’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, and our legislative office, a...

Dear Friend, We’re now a third of the way through the 2025 Legislative Session.  There are literally hundreds of bills moving now, and poison-pill amendments are surfacing everywhere you look. Last week, for instance, a Senate committee slipped a provision into...

Happy Nowruz, Friend! Nowruz, which translates to “New Day” in Persian, marks the beginning of the Persian New Year. It falls on the spring equinox and is celebrated by millions across the globe.  As a first-generation Iranian-American, Nowruz has a special place in...

"Today, Donald Trump took an unconstitutional and deeply reckless step by signing an executive order directing his Secretary of Education to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education—an order that not only disregards the rule of law but also threatens the...

Orlando, FL – House Bill 1623, the Early Education Workforce Support Pilot Program, was introduced in the Florida Legislature, with State Representatives Dr. Anna V. Eskamani and Angie Nixon serving as prime co-sponsors. The bill seeks to provide essential resources...

Dear Friend, We just finished up the second week of Florida’s 2025 legislative session, which is nine weeks long in total.  Bills are really starting to move now across the entire range of issues – from education to insurance to housing to elections, and so much more....

Today, a federal judge denied a request to block Florida's law banning social media access for young teenagers. The judge ruled that the trade associations challenging the law failed to demonstrate which specific platforms would be affected, leading to the denial of...

ORLANDO, FL -- Today, Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani released the following statement in response to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upholding a key part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, which prohibits...

Dear Friend, I wanted to make sure you knew that today is a local Election Day for municipalities across Florida. If you're not sure if you have a local election, you can confirm at this link. It's important to note that regardless of your political affiliation --...

Legislators warn that the proposed increase would impose an unsustainable burden on Florida consumers TALLAHASSEE, FL – A coalition of Florida state lawmakers is calling on the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject or significantly modify Florida Power...

Dear Friend, Well, here we are again: The Florida Legislature is back in session.  We just completed the first week of the 2025 Legislative Session. And we are already fully engaged in what I think may be the most important fight of the entire 60 days: Defending the...

Dear Friend, Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible achievements of women past and present—the trailblazers, the change-makers, and the everyday warriors who refuse to back down in the face of injustice. But this day is more than just a...

"I want to first thank Governor DeSantis for highlighting the permanent diaper tax break, legislation we fought hard to pass. While I wasn’t mentioned by name, it’s always great to see meaningful Democratic policies that cut costs for consumers being recognized.  ...

March in Florida marks Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the powerful influence women have had in shaping the state’s history. Figures like Zora Neale Hurston, a celebrated Eatonville author and anthropologist who captured the essence of the African American...

Orlando, FL – Today, Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) introduced House Joint Resolution 1625 (HJR 1625), a proposed amendment to the Florida State Constitution aimed at reforming the appointment procedures for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation...

Panel will focus on the past, present and future of women’s history in Florida Orlando, FL - In honor of Women's History Month in March, Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani has invited elected officials from across Central Florida to convene on a virtual panel to...

Orlando, FL — Representative Anna V. Eskamani and Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith have filed HB6031 a repealer bill to allow counties like Orange to spend additional hotel bed tax revenue on mass transit and other public facilities, freeing up property tax revenue to...

This event will take place in partnership with community advocates and policy experts Eatonville, FL - Each year, State House Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani joins community advocates to host in-person “Policy to the People” town halls, providing legislative...

Dear Friend,  It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of Senator Geraldine Thompson—a fearless leader, a tireless advocate, and a true champion for justice in Florida. Senator Thompson dedicated her life to uplifting others. As a historian, educator, and...

Here is Representative Anna V. Eskamani’s statement in response to Governor DeSantis’ press conference in Tampa this morning: "Let's be clear: the Republican Party has dominated our state government for nearly 30 years, and any inefficiencies are a direct result of...

Orlando, FL – State Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani has officially endorsed Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet in his campaign for Florida House District 42, declaring him the right person to continue her work and legacy in the district. With Eskamani termed out of the...

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Today, lawmakers filed a suite of bills to undo the harm of dangerous laws backed by Governor DeSantis that undermine parental rights and personal freedom in Florida. These proposals come at a critical moment when the Trump administration is doubling...

Orlando, FL — Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) and Senator Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach) are proud to reintroduce legislation that establishes bold, science-based goals for Florida to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2040 and achieve net-zero carbon...

It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of Senator Geraldine Thompson—a fearless leader, a tireless advocate, and a true champion for justice in Florida. Senator Thompson dedicated her life to uplifting others. As a historian, educator, and legislator, she...

Orlando, FL: The Florida Legislature is calling another Special Session targeting the immigrant community. Below is Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani's statement in response. "Yet again, Governor Ron DeSantis and legislative leadership are wasting taxpayer dollars...

There is nothing scarier than not being able to find your child; that fear increases when your child has special needs  Tallahassee, FL: Representative Anna V. Eskamani and Senator Kristen Arrington filed legislation to ensure all school districts have School Staff...

Orlando, FL: Today Governor Ron DeSantis has unveiled a $115.6 billion budget proposal for Florida's 2025-2026 fiscal year. Below is Representative Eskamani's statement in response: “While I appreciate bipartisan investments in teacher pay and environmental...

Orlando, FL: Representative Anna V. Eskamani and Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith have filed the Right to Repair Act for Powered Wheelchairs, landmark legislation aimed at empowering wheelchair users by ensuring they can access timely and affordable repairs for their...

Tallahassee, FL — Today, Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani and Senator Lori Berman filed the Transparency and Integrity in Consumer Knowledge and Enforcement of Transactions (TICKET) Act (HB297/SB404), groundbreaking legislation designed to protect consumers from...

Orlando, FL: Today, Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-42) and Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-17) announced the filing of the Business Disruption Assistance Act (link here), legislation aimed at providing critical support to small businesses affected by public...

Dear Friend, Once again, Governor Ron DeSantis is prioritizing partisan theatrics over the real issues facing Floridians. You might have heard that Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a special legislative session—one that many members of his own party do not support....

It has been nearly two and a half years since Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision protecting abortion rights, was overturned. Since then, these rights have faced relentless attacks across the United States, including in Florida. In 1970, Jane Roe filed a...

Orlando, FL — Today marks what would have been the 52nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that once guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion in the United States. Here is Representative Anna V. Eskamani's statement in response: ...

Dear Friend, In honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I’m humbled to invite you to a Day of Service Community Clean-Up with the Town of Eatonville, Eatonville Chamber of Commerce, and the office of Senator Geraldine Thompson. When: Saturday, January 25th...

Dear Friend, Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a visionary leader whose courage and commitment to justice changed the course of history. Dr. King’s dream was not just a call to action—it was a mandate to confront injustice wherever it...

Orlando, FL: Earlier this week, Governor Ron DeSantis released a four-page memo to legislative leaders outlining his policy proposals for the upcoming Special Session. Though the bulk of the memo and media attention has centered on immigration, page four outlines...

Orlando, FL: Today Governor Ron DeSantis announced a Special Session to be scheduled for the week of January 27th. Here is Representative Eskamani’s response to this announcement: “Once again, Governor Ron DeSantis is wasting taxpayer dollars and Floridians' time to...

Dear Friend, 2024 has been a year of growth, resilience, and determination. Together, we’ve tackled critical issues, stood up for what’s right, and supported one another through moments of triumph and difficulty. None of this would have been possible without your...

Dear Friend, 2024 has been another year of challenges and triumphs. Through it all, we’ve been humbled to stand by your side, and we hope that wherever you are, the spirit of the season finds you surrounded by peace, love, and joy. Growing up in a working-class...

As we reflect on 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible work Team Anna accomplished together in Central Florida and across the state. From securing important outcomes in the state legislature to standing up for our values and supporting those in need,...

Dear Friend, The Orange County Legislative Delegation will meet on January 9th at the Orange County Government Administration Building. This is an opportunity to speak in person to all 15 state lawmakers who represent parts of Orange County in the state legislature....

Dear Friend, Happy Thanksgiving from the Team Anna family to yours! Our team wishes you a restful holiday and a safe weekend ahead with special thanks to those who are working this holiday season and those organizations who are spending the day serving others. I also...

Dear Friend, I am honored to announce that we received the prestigious Florida Public Media Champion Award. This honor recognizes members of the Florida Legislature who have demonstrated unwavering support for public media and its critical role in communities across...

No matter your culture or family traditions, everyone has their own special way of getting into the holiday spirit. Whether hosting a family gathering, attending a community feast, or volunteering, the holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate old traditions and...

In response to the return of an extreme Trump Administration, Team Anna joined coalition partners in hosting a virtual event called Prepare & Protect: Facing Trump 2025 Together. This event outlined the anticipated impacts on Florida via a Trump Administration and...

Dear Friend, Today is Veterans Day -- a moment to honor the contributions of our military service members, and recommit ourselves to ensuring the health and well-being of our veterans. There are close to 1.3 million veterans in the State of Florida and we are humbled...

Dear Friend, At Team Anna, we are working for you -- fighting for us. And we're not going to slow down in our fight for economic prosperity, educational advancement, environmental protection, and equality for all. That's why we are working with coalition partners to...

Dear Friend, Amendment 4 secured 57% of voter support. Though that was not enough to amend Florida’s State Constitution, it is still a historic outcome that demonstrates how the majority of Floridians reject the state’s near-total abortion ban. Amendment 4 has also...

Dear Friend, Today is Election Day! Polls are open across the country and right here in Orange County. If you didn't vote early or vote-by-mail, you need to go in-person to your polling location ASAP -- polls are open from 7AM-7PM. Let's break down your options:...

Dear Friend, After you vote and get your loved ones to vote, join the Orange County Democratic Party and our candidates for an Election Night Watch Party! The event will kick off at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 5th. RSVP here. We'll be joined by several candidates and...

Dear Friend, Join fellow Floridians for a rally for our freedoms and an action-packed weekend to get out the vote in support of Amendment 4. The powerful rally will start at 9:30am and feature guest speakers, music, and inspiration for the final days of critical voter...

Dear Friend,  I wanted to share some important Orange County voter information. First, if you are voting by mail -- make sure you track your ballot. You can do so via this link. Remember, the Orange County SOE must receive and accept your ballot no later than 7:00pm...

Every October, our nation observes National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This month serves as a vital opportunity to honor victims and survivors of domestic violence, while also promoting healthy relationships and educating communities around detecting the signs...

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time dedicated to protecting communities and taking a stand for others. We all can help prevent bullying by fostering a culture of respect and empathy in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities, and taking time...

Dear Friend, President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for Florida, meaning that people in nearly three-dozen counties affected by Hurricane Milton can now get FEMA aid. The full list of 34 counties under the declaration: Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus,...

Dear Friend, Due to the impact of Hurricane Milton in our state, we've canceled our campaign canvassing for this weekend and will instead host a neighbor-to-neighbor virtual phone bank to check in with community members and see what support is needed post-Milton. You...

October 10th is internationally recognized as World Mental Health Day. Although discussions centered around mental health are not only confined to this day, this event serves as a reminder to prioritize mental well-being. It is a chance to break silence, reduce...

CLICK HERE FOR MOST UPDATED HURRICANE GUIDE Working For You, Fighting For Us Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane Monday in the Gulf of Mexico on a path toward Florida, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay, leading to evacuation orders...

Miami, FL (October 1, 2024) — Today, the genCLEO Action Fund proudly announced its official endorsements for 19 climate champion candidates and three amendments that will appear on the General Election ballot. The endorsed candidates are running for offices that range...

We are proud to be endorsed by our hometown paper! You can read the full endorsement here and below.  It’s been nearly 14 years since the Orlando Sentinel first introduced its readers to a UCF student just a few days shy of her 21st birthday — and absolutely incensed...

Dear Friend, Yesterday morning I debated my opponent on WESH 2 news. You can gab some popcorn, and watch the full clip below. https://youtu.be/XFQBtPHHus4?si=rmX0cjGVovgSNe6w I also spoke to the Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, though my opponent failed to attend...

Rep. Eskamani is proud to be named as one of the "50 Most Powerful People of 2024 In Orlando: Politics & Government" by Orlando Magazine. You can read more below and here.

This month, we will celebrate activists that pioneered queer rights today, but many of their predecessors will go unnoticed. Efforts to erase LGBTQIA+ history are growing across the nation, especially in our state of Florida. To ensure that LGBTQIA+ history is not...

Dear Friend, I'm sad to report that the Republican Party of Florida is at it again, this time spreading lies by placing all of our nation's economic challenges squarely on me. That's right -- apparently, I am so omnipotent as a member of the Minority Caucus in the...

Orlando, FL: Representative Anna V. Eskamani will host a Hurricane Relief Drive to support fellow Floridians impacted by Hurricane Helene. Details are below. Her goal is to collect supplies throughout the week and then deliver all collected items a week from today....

WASHINGTON — Today, GIFFORDS PAC, the national gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, made key endorsements in state legislative races across Florida and Texas. Earlier this year, GIFFORDS launched GIFFORDS Texas, a...

Working For You, Fighting For Us Hurricane Helene strengthened into a Category 4 storm ahead of its expected landfall on Florida’s northwest coast Thursday night as forecasters warned that the enormous system could create a “nightmare” storm surge and bring dangerous...

Dear Friend, Hurricane and storm surge watches covered much of the Gulf Coast of Florida on Tuesday morning as a system churning in the Caribbean Sea was expected to strengthen rapidly into a powerful hurricane. The National Hurricane Center predicted the storm – soon...

Dear Friend, When you have no plan to address the property insurance crisis or cost of living, then all you can do is attack marginalized people and spread hateful attacks across our community. This is a mailer my Republican opponent sent to our constituents over the...

Respond to what you see.. When you see misinformation and lies, call it out! This page and slide deck will unpack some of these lies to help you be an advocate. Also: volunteer to help get out the vote for Amendment 4! That is one of the clearest ways you can help....

This week marks Bi Awareness week, along with Bi Visibility Day on the 23rd of September. These events represent a time to be aware of the discrimination that the bi community faces inside and outside of their community, along with the challenges that they’ve...

Dear Friend, Today marks twenty-three years since 9/11. We promised never to forget, and I still grieve for every life lost on that terrible morning, and for every person who lost loved ones too. Orlando knows how to find power in pain, and though 9/11 marks difficult...

Dear Friend, I don't use these words lightly, but the State of Florida has engaged in police-state measures in an attempt to stop us from restoring reproductive freedom this November. It has been reported this week that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration...

Dear Friend, I’m the daughter of working-class immigrants, of parents who had to work multiple minimum-wage jobs just to make ends meet. Before my Mom passed away to cancer in 2004, my twin sister, Ida, and I would sometimes join her when she was working shifts at...

Orlando, FL: MomsRising and Representative Eskamani's campaign announced today that the candidate has earned a Child Care Seal of Approval from MomsRising, the online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families. She is the...

More people expected to be reached during the 2024 Annual Caribbean Health Summit ORLANDO, Fla. – Mark your calendar for the 21st Annual Caribbean Health Summit that will be taking place on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Orange County Multicultural Center...

Orlando, FL: After days of backlash and after FDEP tried to defend these terrible proposals to pave over our state parks, Governor DeSantis now says it’s time to “go back to the drawing board” with these awful proposals. Below is Representative Anna V. Eskamani’s...

UPDATE: After days of backlash and after FDEP tried to defend these terrible proposals to pave over our state parks, Governor DeSantis now says it’s time to “go back to the drawing board" with these terrible proposals. Not only should all of these proposals be...

Dear Friend, I am humbled to share that Orlando Weekly readers have once more honored us with the recognition of Best Local Elected Official!  At Team Anna, our slogan is: Working For You, Fighting For Us. We take this phrase to heart, and it impacts everything we do,...

Orlando, FL: In celebration of Women's Equality Day, Democratic women candidates running for office in Orange County, Florida, will come together to host a press conference highlighting the importance of gender equality in politics and the ongoing fight for women's...

Dear Friend, Florida’s environmental agency has unveiled major development proposals for nine state parks, a sweeping initiative that would further threaten sensitive, already imperiled habitat. You can read more via reporting by the Tampa Bay Times here. These...

Orlando, FL: Today the Florida State Supreme Court denied a petition requested by the Yes On 4 Campaign to review political bias language that will be on the ballot as the “fiscal impact statement” designed by Florida Republicans to confuse voters. Here is...

August 21st marks Senior Citizens Day, when we celebrate those who came before us and continue to share their wisdom and joy with us.  Here at Team Anna, we honor and respect our elders and are here to serve however we can! Below are some resources for senior...

Orlando, FL: Today, the Orange County Commission will consider a proposal to eliminate the medical debt of over 150,000 residents. The plan involves partnering with the nonprofit Medical Debt Resolution Inc., which will identify individuals in Orange County with...

Dear Friend, Early voting in Florida begins on August 5-10th in most counties. Are you ready to vote in the August elections?! The time to make your plan to vote is now. Whether you want to vote early, vote-by-mail, or on election day--we're here to help you ensure...

Orlando, FL: This weekend, Representative Anna V. Eskamani walked the commencement stage at the University of Central Florida (UCF) as she completed her doctoral program in Public Affairs, focusing on Public Administration. Her dissertation, which she successfully...