The Anna for Florida Blog

Dear Friend, Happy Mother’s Day from my family to yours. I’ll be honest, this day can be a hard one for me. My mom passed away in 2004 after a long fight with colon cancer. I was just 13 years old, and I miss her every single day. This photo, taken around 1995 at a...

Dear Friend, May the 4th be with you. For fellow Star Wars fans, today is a celebration of courage, resistance, and hope in the face of overwhelming odds. But it also feels a little closer to home than fiction, because the struggle between progress and extremism is...

Dear Friend, I am a proud UCF Knight, through and through. The University of Central Florida has shaped nearly every chapter of my life. I earned five degrees there, including dual master’s degrees in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management, and most recently,...

Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani responds to the Florida House passing Governor DeSantis' partisan, gerrymandered map:  Today, the Florida Legislature advanced a deeply partisan congressional map mid-decade, once again putting politics over people. This map is not...

Orlando, FL: Following widespread concerns and advocacy surrounding the proposed Sloth World attraction on International Drive, our community came together to demand accountability and protect vulnerable animals. Thanks to those efforts, the facility will not open,...

Orlando, FL — Last night, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law legislation filed by Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani focused on drowning prevention. This new policy marks a major step forward in protecting Florida’s children and families from preventable...

Established on April 22, 1970, Earth Day reminds us of the importance of protecting and advocating for our planet. From our wetlands to our wildlife that makes Central Florida special, Earth day reminds us of our collective responsibility to protect them. Team Anna...

In Partnership with Senator LaVon Bracy Davis, Representative RaShon Young, and Keep Orlando Beautiful Orlando, FL — This Earth Day, Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani (D-42), Representative RaShon Young (D-40), Senator LaVon Bracy Davis (D-10), and Keep Orlando...

Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a deeply troubling 8–1 decision in Chiles v. Salazar, holding that state laws protecting children from so-called “conversion therapy” are presumptively unconstitutional under the First Amendment when applied to...

Orlando, FL: Yesterday, Florida Phoenix reported that Florida’s Republican sheriffs want President Donald Trump to end mass deportations of undocumented immigrants who haven’t committed crimes, a striking shift from law enforcement in the nation’s most aggressive...

The 2026 Regular Legislative Session has officially concluded, and we want to take time to review what happened in Tallahassee: the bills that passed, the ones that failed, and what it all means for our community and state. During this conversation, Representative Dr....

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, Central Florida’s leading elected women will come together for a timely and inspiring virtual panel to reflect on the progress made in advancing gender equity, uplift the voices and leadership of women in public service, and...

Join us in celebrating the vibrant spirit of Nawruz and the arrival of spring at the heart of Orlando—a joyful gathering that honors themes of hope, renewal, and new beginnings shared across cultures. Presented in collaboration between the Orlando Museum of Art, the...

Dear Friend, The Florida Legislature gaveled its 2026 regular session to a close a little after 3 pm Friday.  This year’s session came at a time when Floridians are facing a growing affordability crisis. From rising housing costs and skyrocketing insurance premiums to...

Passed in 2025, SB 180 was an emergency response bill that barred counties and cities from imposing new restrictions on rebuilding after major storms. The measure was framed as a way to help homeowners rebuild following major hurricanes, but unfortunately, this...

Florida's 2026 Legislative Session has come to a formal close, with still more work to do. Here is Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani's statement in response.  "This year’s session came at a time when Floridians are facing a growing affordability crisis. From rising...

Tallahassee, FL: The Orange County School Board gave final approval late Tuesday to close seven schools. The schools are Union Park Middle School and Bonneville, Chickasaw, Eccleston, Meadow Woods, McCoy and Orlo Vista elementary schools. They will close their doors...

Tallahassee, FL –  On Wednesday, March 11th at 7:00PM, Representative Dr. Anna Eskamani and The Atlantic Institute respectfully invite you to join us for a Ramadan Iftar; an evening of shared tables and conversations.  During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until...

Dear Friend, Well, we’ve made it to the final week of the 2026 Session. Or, at least, what was supposed to be the final week of session.  Unfortunately, House and Senate leaders are in a stalemate over the state budget and have yet to even begin the negotiations to...

Orlando, FL – In recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani will host a community town hall on Tuesday, March 17 focused on colorectal cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection. Colorectal cancer is the...

Dear Friend, We’re getting very close now to what should be the end of the 2026 Legislative Session. Last week was Week Seven of the normally-nine-week session, and it was intense. Republican leaders fast-tracked bills intended to suppress the vote among college...

Below is Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani's statement on today's news of the United States launching strikes on Iran: "The Islamic Republic of Iran is a brutal and repressive regime. For 47 years it has imprisoned, tortured, executed, silenced, and massacred its...

Dear Friend We’re entering the homestretch of the 2026 Legislative Session (sort of).  We just wrapped up the sixth week of what is usually a nine-week session, which means we should be two-thirds of the way through it. Things are a little more unclear this year,...

Dear Friend, We’re excited to share several clips of Representative Dr. Eskamani presenting her bills this legislative session. Each of these bipartisan proposals is focused on uplifting our most vulnerable community members, strengthening public safety, expanding...

Dear Friend We have officially passed what should be the halfway point of the 2026 Legislative Session. After some gamesmanship, the House and Senate both released their proposed budgets for the new fiscal year, which begins on July 1. There are already big and...

It is deeply unfortunate that at a time when the Iranian people are courageously fighting for freedom and human rights, some individuals have chosen to spread false and harmful misinformation about Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani's record and values. These...

Dear Friend, We are almost halfway through the 2026 Legislative Session (assuming we actually finish on time this year, of course).  Last week was the fourth of nine weeks in the regular 60-day session. And the schedule was packed: Legislative leaders started moving...

Dear Friend, I want to be unequivocally clear in condemning the deeply racist and abhorrent social media post shared by President Trump, in which former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were depicted as apes. This imagery is not accidental, nor is...

As protests have continued in Iran against the Islamic Republic, Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani again expresses a statement of support: "Today, I reaffirm my solidarity with the people of Iran, courageous individuals and families who continue to raise their...

Dear Friend, Last week was the third week of the 2026 Legislative Session, and it was the busiest one yet.  An amendment was slipped into what had been a good bill to undermine the rural boundaries in Orange and Seminole counties. House Republicans unveiled a plan to...

Dear Friend, I am en route back to Tallahassee for the third week of the 2026 Legislative Session, which is supposed to last 60 days – nine weeks in all. But before we get going again, I wanted to get you an update from week two. The second week of Session is always...

Dear Friend, Now that we’ve completed the first week of the 2026 Legislative Session, we’re restarting our weekly Session Update newsletters.  Below you’ll find information on dozens of bills that moved forward during Week One of the session – from dangerous bills...

Dear Friend, Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and recommit ourselves to the work he called us to do: building a more just, compassionate, and connected community. This morning, I had the honor of attending the Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy...

Here is Rep. Eskamani's response to federal officials considering opening an immigration detention facility in Orlando: "The idea of expanding ICE detention in Orlando comes at a moment when immigration enforcement has increasingly looked like vigilante-style...

In recent weeks, people across Iran have taken to the streets in response to deepening economic hardship, political repression, and longstanding restrictions on civil liberties.  As demonstrations have spread across cities and provinces, it is important that everyday...

2025 tested us — politically, personally, and as a community. We faced painful losses, harmful policies, censorship, political violence, and economic uncertainty. The Trump administration’s agenda hit close to home. We witnessed the targeting of immigrants and the...

Eatonville, FL — Black Girls Govern will host a CROWN Act Community Conversation to address hair-based discrimination in Florida schools and workplaces. The event will feature individuals personally impacted by hair discrimination, along with a panel of state and...

Dear Friend, 2025 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...

2025 tested us — politically, personally, and as a community. We faced painful losses, harmful policies, censorship, hatred, and economic uncertainty. But we also saw the very best of Orlando: generosity, creativity, resilience, and people who refuse to give up on one...

ORLANDO, Fla. — Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) and Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) today filed legislation to create a professional licensure system for music therapists in Florida, a step advocates say is urgently needed after recent...

ORLANDO, FL — Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani (D–Orlando) and Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith (D–Orlando) today announced the filing of legislation to ensure comprehensive, equitable coverage for stuttering treatment across Medicaid, private insurance, group health...

Hello Team Anna Family, The new year is almost here, and we are excited to invite you to our Volunteer Orientation Kick Off Call! Are you looking to get more civically engaged this year? Want to plug into Florida’s upcoming legislative session, support local...

Dear Friend, As we pause for Thanksgiving, I want to say thank you. Thank you to every volunteer who knocks doors, makes calls, writes postcards, shows up to community events, and keeps hope alive. Thank you to every donor, whether you give $3 or $300, who ensures we...

Orlando, FL — Today, Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) and Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) announced new legislation to help prevent childhood drownings by ensuring every new parent in Florida receives evidence-based water safety and safe...

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

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

There is nothing scarier than not being able to find your child; that fear increases when your child has special needs  TALLAHASSEE, FL - Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) and Senator Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) have re-filed legislation to ensure...

Orlando, FL — This Sunday, Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani will join volunteers and community partners to host a Community Spaghetti Dinner serving Orlando’s unsheltered neighbors with dignity, compassion, and care. In partnership with the Christian Service Center...

Orlando, FL: This week, the City of Orlando announced it accepted a $394,000 grant from the State of Florida for the Pulse memorial project. Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani championed this funding request alongside Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith. Below is her...

Dear Friend, At a time when our country is desperate for new political leadership, I'm proud to see Orlando spotlighted in New York Magazine’s list of “25 Young[ish] New Democrats to Watch.” Both Congressman Maxwell Frost and I are honored to be recognized among...

Orlando, FL: Tonight, Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani's endorsed candidates in the City of Orlando elections performed incredibly well, with Tom Keen outright winning and beating an incumbent City Commissioner, and Mira Tanna advancing to a runoff as a close...

Dear Friend, Happy Halloween! We hope as you plan your spooky activities tonight that you prioritize community safety too. Here are some safety tips for you and your loved ones to consider. Here's an Eskamani Family photo from Halloween in 1999 to help get folks in...

Dear Friend, The federal government is shut down, and many Floridians are already feeling the impact. With federal workers not getting paid and President Trump allowing SNAP to be cut off in the coming days, countless families in our community are facing uncertainty....

October is National Arts and Humanities Month, a time to honor the creativity, culture, and stories that make our community so resilient. The arts and humanities are not just performances, but a chance to reflect on our shared humanity and serve as a powerful tool for...

ORLANDO, FL – Orlando Magazine has named State Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani the #2 Most Powerful Person in Orlando Politics and Government for 2025, recognizing her unwavering leadership, people-powered organizing, and commitment to transparency and...

ORLANDO, FL: Families, educators, healthcare providers, and community members are invited to a town hall on vaccines and public health, hosted by Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani and partners. With state and federal leaders pushing to eliminate school vaccine...

Orlando, FL: Today, state leaders announced a new portal to report ‘violent extremism’ after Charlie Kirk’s assassination in Utah. Below is Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani's statement in response: "The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk is a sobering reminder...

Orlando, FL — In recognition of National Diaper Need Awareness Week (September 15–21, 2025), Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani, with help from The Ver Ploeg & Marino Law Firm, successfully raised more than $12,000 for the Central Florida Diaper Bank, a nonprofit...

Dear Friend, Today is National Voter Registration Day, and we're out at college campuses across Florida registering students to vote! Here are photos of us at the University of Central Florida right now: But this work doesn’t stop today. Democracy depends on...

Orlando, FL — In recognition of National Diaper Need Awareness Week (September 15–21, 2025), Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani announced a community-wide diaper supply drive at her legislative office in partnership with the Central Florida Diaper Bank, a nonprofit...

Orlando, FL: Today, the Florida First District Court of Appeals ruled that the state’s law banning the open carry of firearms is unconstitutional and violates the Second Amendment. The case stems from the July 4, 2022, arrest of Stanley McDaniels in downtown...

Dear Friend, This weekend, Orlando and Orange County experienced a profound loss with the passing of the Honorable Mable Butler. She was by every definition of the word a trailblazer, breaking barriers as the first Black woman elected to the Orlando City Council and...

Orlando, FL – Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani (HD 42) announced today a powerful new partnership with Building Homes For Heroes, the Greater Orlando Builders Association (GOBA), and other community partners to rebuild the Eatonville home of U.S. Army Veteran...

Orlando, FL: Today, the appellate court lifted the stay, meaning that this environmentally disastrous and inhumane immigrant detention camp will have the ability to reopen. Here is Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani's statement in response: “The decision to allow...

Dear Friend, Governor Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo have announced plans to eliminate all school and child-care vaccine requirements in Florida. This is a reckless and dangerous departure from decades of public health policy that has kept our children...

ORLANDO, FL — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced that Florida will aim to end all vaccine requirements statewide, including those historically required for school entry. Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani released the following...

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...

"I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of innocent lives here in Florida. No family should ever have to endure such pain, and my thoughts are with the loved ones of those who were killed in this tragic accident. It is important to recognize that English proficiency...

Dear Friend, Today marks Women’s Equality Day, commemorating the ratification of the 19th Amendment and the generations of women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. While we celebrate this moment in history, we also recognize how much work remains to ensure...

Orlando, FL: Tonight, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction that forbids the State of Florida from bringing any new detainees to the Florida Everglades immigrant detention camp, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” It also permanently halts all new construction at...

Orlando, FL: We just learned that the Florida Department of Transportation painted over the Pulse Memorial Rainbow Crosswalk off Orange Avenue in the middle of the night. Here is Representative Anna V. Eskamani's statement in response: "In the middle of the night,...

Orlando, FL: Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted on Wednesday to host a proposed three-week bear hunt in December. This will be the first time in 10 years that hunting black bears will be permitted in the Sunshine State....

Eight-Campus Voter Registration Blitz Kicks Off Fall 2025 with Unprecedented Youth Outreach [FLORIDA – August 11, 2025] – People Power for Florida is proud to announce its largest-ever Fall Dorm Storms, expanding the statewide effort to register and engage student...

Dear Friend, I’m humbled to share that Orlando Magazine readers have voted me as their #1 Community Leader. This recognition isn’t just about me—it’s about us. It’s about the neighbors who show up for one another, the volunteers who knock on doors in the heat, the...

Rep. Anna Eskamani Sounds Alarm on Florida’s Potential Mid‑Decade Redistricting and Affirms Solidarity with Texas Democrats Orlando, FL: As President Donald Trump pushes to get more Republicans in Congress, the Florida House of Representatives is putting together a...

Orlando, FL: A federal judge on Thursday ordered a temporary halt to construction at an immigration detention center — built in the middle of the Florida Everglades and dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” — as attorneys argue whether it violates environmental laws. The...

"Ron DeSantis and his hand-picked cabinet didn’t come to Orlando to solve problems — they came to peddle a half-billion-dollar anti-immigrant grift. While everyday Floridians are struggling with the cost of living, DeSantis is using taxpayer dollars to fund a...

Dear Friend,  I’m proud to endorse my dear friend and trusted colleague Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet in his campaign to succeed me as the next State Representative for District 42. With term limits bringing my final year of service in 2026, it’s been a top priority to...

Dear Friend, I’m excited to join American Pride Rises and other elected officials for a meaningful event in Orlando on Saturday, July 26, and I’d love for you to be there too! As part of their national Summer of Us tour, American Pride Rises is bringing two...

Orlando, FL – A coalition of Florida lawmakers is calling on Governor Ron DeSantis to rescind Executive Order 23-03, an immigration-focused emergency order that has now entered its third year through repeated extensions, despite the lack of any current emergency...

Dear Friend, I wanted to ensure you listened to my recent interview with NPR's Here and Now, centered on our scheduled visit to the Everglades Immigrant Detention Facility. As you likely know, we have been hard at work to shut down this immigration detention facility...

Dear Friend,  Orlando 50501 is building long-term grassroots power to create real, lasting change in our city and state — and we want YOU to be a part of it. That's why People Power For Florida is joining Orlando 50501 to launch a Training Academy to equip everyday...

Orlando, FL: The House has approved a Trump administration plan to rescind $9 billion in previously allocated funds, including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) — a move that cuts all federal support for NPR, PBS and their member stations....

Dear Friend, Happy Summer from Team Anna! Join us along with our friends at United Against Poverty and Keep Orlando Beautiful, for a community cleanup in SODO on Wednesday, July 16 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM! We’re coming together to take care of our community, connect...

Dear Friend, Congressman John Lewis taught us that real change starts when everyday people make Good Trouble—and never stop. On Thursday, July 17—the anniversary of Rep. Lewis’s passing—we’re honoring his legacy with a national day of non-violent action: Good Trouble...

Dear Friend, Last week, four of my fellow state lawmakers and I traveled deep into the Everglades to visit Florida’s newest immigrant detention camp, a remote, mosquito-infested facility now being called by the State of Florida “Alligator Alcatraz.” Despite our...

It’s been 249 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed. On this day, we reflect on our nation’s origin and recommit to building a better nation for all.  In addition to fireworks and barbeques, make sure to continue fighting for our county and the...

Dear Friend, Today is July 4th, a day to celebrate freedom, independence, and the promise of America. That promise can feel very far these days, but if there's one thing history teaches us, it's that patriotism isn't about blind pride. It's about the courage to demand...

DeSantis Administration Blocks Statutory Right to Legislative Oversight at State-Funded Immigrant Detention Site Video and Images: Link 1 | Link 2 | Link 3  EVERGLADES, FL — Today, Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones, Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, and State...

Congress just passed Trump's Disastrous Budget Bill. Here is Representative Eskamani's statement in response: "The budget bill passed today is a devastating blueprint for cruelty. It slashes funding for programs that millions of families rely on — from food assistance...

Lawmakers to Exercise Statutory Authority for On-Site Inspection Amid Mounting Legal, Moral, and Humanitarian Concerns EVERGLADES, FL — In response to a series of deeply troubling developments at the state-run immigrant detention facility known as “Alligator...

This month, we honor the strength, resilience, and pride of the disability community, while reflecting on the ongoing fight for equity, accessibility, and justice. For centuries, people with disabilities have endured systemic oppression, harmful stereotypes, and...

Orlando, FL: A divided Supreme Court on Thursday ruled against Planned Parenthood, saying Medicaid patients do not have a right to sue to obtain non-abortion health care from the organization’s medical providers. The decision allows South Carolina to cut off Medicaid...

Orlando, FL: Last night Zohran Mamdani made history in winning a New York City Mayoral Democratic Primary, not only as one of the youngest candidates to win such an important seat but also doing so while being outraised by a powerful opponent. Here is what...

Dear Friend, June 14th was a powerful reminder: the people of Florida are awake, organized, and ready to fight back. Millions across the country and thousands across the state showed up for No Kings Day to reject authoritarianism, say no to Trump’s vision for America,...

Dear Friend, Today, I want to wish a heartfelt Happy Father’s Day to every dad and father figure out there. Your love, hard work, and guidance make a lasting difference. I’m especially thinking of my own Dad, who raised my twin sister and me, along with our brother,...

Known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or America’s second Independence Day, Juneteenth marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s history - a moment of liberation and reckoning. This federal holiday, recognized nationally since 2021, reminds us that while progress has...

Dear Friend, Nine years ago, on June 12, 2016, our Orlando community was forever changed when 49 lives—most of them young, LGBTQ+, and of Latin background—were taken in an act of gun violence at Pulse nightclub. In the aftermath, we came together to grieve, to heal,...

Orlando, FL - Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani, representing parts of Orlando, Winter Park, Belle Isle, Edgewood, Eatonville, and Maitland in the Florida House, is once again taking her constituent services mobile throughout District 42 this summer. Throughout...

State Representatives Eskamani, Joseph, Woodson, Lopez, and Aristide to Denounce Discriminatory Policy and Highlight Personal & Community Impact Orlando, FL — In response to the reinstatement and expansion of a federal travel ban by former President Donald Trump,...