The Anna for Florida Blog

"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,...

Tallahassee, FL: President Donald Trump signed a new proclamation reinstating and expanding the travel ban initially introduced during his first term. This updated ban imposes full entry restrictions on nationals from 12 countries and partial restrictions on seven...

Dear Friend, Our team is coming to a public library near you! As you know, we are proud to serve House District 42, and although our state has a part-time legislature, our office has a full-time responsibility to serve our community. That's why our team will be...

Dear Friend, Like many Floridians, I like to receive my ballot in the mail so I can take my time filling it out, and then easily drop it off without waiting in line. But now in Florida, all vote-by-mail requests must be renewed with every election cycle. And as an...

Dear Friend, Protests are being planned across the state and country on June 14th; you can learn more here via this link. Here are details for the event in Orlando: If you're looking for other ways to be civically engaged this year, check out our Take Action page on...

Dear Friend, Happy Pride Month from Team Anna! The first photos in this email are from 2011, when I was a UCF student showing up for Orlando Pride. More than a decade later, I’m still here — still celebrating and still fighting — because every person deserves the...

ORLANDO, FL – On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, State Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani and local community officials will host a property tax roundtable bringing together elected officials, property tax experts, and community members.  The purpose of the roundtable is to...

Dear Friend, Today, we express our gratitude to our fallen heroes and send love and support to their families. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. This day...

Dear Friend, This Thursday, we have two back-to-back learning sessions focused on public budgets. The first is a virtual event I will host at 4:00pm, focusing on the State Budget. We'll discuss in detail the state budget process, how federal cuts impact us, funding...

Dear Friend, Mother’s Day always brings up a lot of emotions for me. I was thirteen when my mom passed away after a long fight with colon cancer. And while she’s no longer physically here, I still feel her with me everyday — guiding me, grounding me, and reminding me...

Dear Friend, I wanted to personally share with you an important event happening in Orlando this weekend for Mother’s Day. Local Orlandoans are coming together to host a Mother’s Day Rally — a powerful gathering focused on lifting up the ongoing fights for women’s...

Dear Friend, Well, we just finished up what was supposed to be the final week of the 2025 Legislative Session.  But we’re still not done.  The House and Senate failed to agree on a new state budget during the regular 60-day session, which has forced us to extend the...

Tallahassee, FL: Today, House Bill 1205, a bill to restrict Florida’s citizen-led initiative process, passed the Senate and is heading to the Governor’s desk. Here is Represenative Eskamani’s statement in response:   “Today is a sad day for democracy in Florida. HB...

Dear Friend, This is it: We’re about to begin the final week of Florida’s 2025 Legislative Session. Sort of. The House and Senate have been unable to begin final budget negotiations so far amid a disagreement over how deeply to cut taxes at a time when recession fears...

Orlando, FL: Pope Francis passed away earlier today at the age of 88. He died at 7:35 a.m. CEST at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. Below is Representative Eskamani's statement in response: "Today, we mourn the passing of Pope Francis — a spiritual...

Dear Friend, We’re getting close to the end of the 2025 Legislative Session now.  We just finished up Week 7, which means there are only two more weeks remaining in the 60-day session. A bunch of bills have now moved through all of their committees and are starting to...

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,...