The Anna for Florida Blog

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

A community resource drop to share information on the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session Orlando, FL - On Thursday, March 2nd, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Representative Anna V. Eskamani will be hosting an in-person pre-session community literature drop in Orlando. Join us...

Dear Friend, HB999 was filed late on Thursday and is the Governor's priority higher education bill. To put it bluntly, this is a very bad bill that includes a breathtaking control of viewpoint and content throughout all academic activity in the entire Florida system....

HB 769/SB 1144 would stop global corporations from using shell games to dodge taxes, level the competitive playing field for small businesses, and raise revenue to help everyday Floridans. Orlando, Fla. – Rep. Anna V. Eskamani and Senator Geraldine Thompson have filed...

An in-person event alongside community advocates and organizational leaders Eatonville, FL - On Tuesday, February 28th, from 5:00pm - 6:00pm, Representative Anna V. Eskamani will be hosting an in-person town hall meeting in the Historic Town of Eatonville alongside...

The Bill to Transition Florida to 100% Renewable Energy Is Critical to Florida’s Environmental Health and Economic Success Orlando, FL -  Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) has refiled legislation to transition Florida to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050...

Dear Friend, We’re on the highway and headed back to Tallahassee for one final week of committee meetings before the 2023 session of the Florida Legislature begins on March 7.  But before this week’s battles begin, I wanted to give you an update on last week, which...

Dear Friend, Today marks five years since the Parkland shooting where we lost 17 students and staff to gun violence. Nothing we say or do will bring back the lives lost, but we can -- and we must -- honor their lives through action. The epidemic of gun violence has...

Dear Friend, I’m already preparing to head back to Tallahassee for Week 5 of Committee Meetings, but I wanted to give you on update on the events of last week – which included a five-day special session in which the Florida Legislature made itself into even more of a...

Dear Friend, I wanted to uplift for you a very serious and potentially damaging lawsuit on abortion access taking place in Texas federal court right now. In Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA, this case could revoke FDA approval of mifepristone and remove it...

Tallahasee, FL: House Bill 9B just passed the Florida House and is now heading to the Senate. See Representative Eskamani’s statement below. Florida House Republicans just approved the hostile takeover of Reedy Creek while admitting that the district still keeps all...

Representative Eskamani Will Be Unpacking Corporate Tax Loopholes To Close Orlando, FL: Tonight Representative Anna V. Eskamani will be hosting a virtual event focused on Corporate Tax Policy in Florida. Why does this matter? Well, taxes are how governments decide how...

Tallahassee, FL: Today Florida Republicans filed HB9B, a bill that brings back Reedy Creek with a name change and Governor appointed board. Below is Representative Eskamani’s statement in response. "They should rename the district to “Disney is the Governor's...

Dear Friend, Today House Bill 543 will be heard in its first committee stop, Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Government Operations Subcommittee. This bill, known as permitless carry, is dangerous. It goes against the will of law enforcement, Florida voters,...

SB 462/HB 579 take action towards ending gun violence Orlando, FL-- Senator Lori Berman (D-Delray Beach) and Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) have filed SB 462 / HB 579, legislation that would ban assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in Florida....

Orlando, FL: Today Governor Ron DeSantis released his proposed budget for the next fiscal year. Part of his proposal includes what is a Democratic tax break: the tax on children’s diapers. As sponsor of the bill and Ranking Member of the Florida House’s Ways &...

Every year, the month of February is recognized as Black History Month, a time where we honor historic struggles experienced by generations of Black Americans, highlight their boundless achievements, and commit to advancing racial equity in all areas of our society....

As protesters for freedom in Iran persist, federal representatives should continue to push the United Nations' investigative mechanism for crimes against humanity committed by Iran and demand the end of unlawful imprisonment and execution in Iran. Orlando, FL - ...

I see a lot of folks upset and frustrated by book bans in our schools, and classroom libraries shutting down. I am frustrating too, but it's really important to understand how this happened as it's the only way to fight back long term. Here is the final vote on...

State House Representatives in Orange County Are Fighting Back for Public Safety Orlando, FL: Today Florida Republicans announced and filed House Bill 543, a bill that would implement permitless carry in the state and allow people to carry a concealed firearm without...

Orlando, FL: Governor DeSantis just finished what was an unhinged press conference once again attacking higher education in Florida. Below is Representative Anna V. Eskamani’s response. “Unlike Governor Ron DeSantis, I actually went to and graduated from a Florida...

Dear Friend, Session is coming.  I’m back from Tallahassee, where we just wrapped our third week of committee hearings in advance of the Legislative session, which begins March 7. We’re now halfway through our pre-session “committee weeks.” We’ll be headed back to the...

In Partnership with the Eatonville Chamber of Commerce and Senator Geraldine Thompson  Eatonville, FL - In 1887, Eatonville became the first town in America to be organized, governed, and incorporated by African-American citizens, serving as a nationwide pillar of...

Tallahasee, FL: Today, Senate Republicans introduced a housing proposal, SB102. Below is Representative Eskamani’s initial response: “Though I am glad to see Florida Republicans finally agree that housing affordability is an issue that should be addressed, I am...

HB 473 Creates an Interstate Compact Agreement  Orlando, FL -  Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) has refiled legislation to end corporate giveaways in Florida and increase corporate tax transparency.  HB473, titled Agreement For Best Practices in Economic...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Supreme Court accepted a request by abortion providers today to hear arguments in their case against House Bill 5 (HB 5), a ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The move comes after several court rulings closed off meaningful...

House Bill 1 is expected to have huge consequences on public education  Orlando, FL - Filed last week, House Bill 1 is a major expansion of school vouchers, and would essentially set up what are known as “education savings accounts,” providing publicly-funded vouchers...

With the two new team members comes transition with current team too Tallahassee, FL: Today Representative Anna V. Eskamani is excited to announce two new members of her Legislative Team. Madison Clearman (she/her) will serve as District Aide and James Williams...

Dear Friend, Today marks what would have been the 50th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. In this moment of incredible loss, we must remind ourselves that Roe was never the ceiling, it was the floor. And it is our duty to center communities that were always left out, fight...

Dear Friend, We just got back to Tallahassee for the third week of committee meetings ahead of the 2023 legislative session but I wanted to make sure you saw our Team Update from last week's meetings too.  We had a packed schedule last week; five of my committees held...

Part of a National Weekend of Action for Abortion Access Orlando, FL - Fifty years since the landmark case Roe V. Wade decision and we are now a nation without a constitutional right to abortion, with GOP extremists hostile to access, seeking to ban abortion in...

Dear Friend, This weekend marks what would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Which is why we're partnering with organizations across the state to host a #BiggerThanRoe rally and march right here in Orlando. Not in Orlando? Find an event near you at this...

Dear Friend, I am not sure if you heard the news, but last week I was unanimously elected by my colleagues to serve as Chair for the Orange County Legislative Delegation, alongside Senator Geraldine Thompson as Vice Chair and Representative Johanna López as Secretary....

Representative Anna V. Eskamani Announces Launch of the Energy and Climate Caucus in the Florida Legislature A new coalition of Florida lawmakers is banding together to pursue policies that combat climate change, reduce fossil-fuel dependence, and promote clean-energy...

Orlando, FL: It’s a new year — so let’s fight for a new Florida! Tonight Representative Anna V. Eskamani alongside her team at People Power for Florida will be launching their 2023 Virtual Volunteer Kickoff! We will be looking back on the 2022 election cycle and...

Bipartisan Group of 26 Lawmakers Sign On to Letter Supporting Freedom Fighters in Iran Orlando, FL: Today a group of 26 lawmakers released a bipartisan letter in support of the Iranian people that includes specific requests for federal officials to take. You can read...

Dear Friend, I am excited to announce that on February 4th, People Power For Florida will launch its inaugural organizing bootcamp -– a training for local college and high school students where they will learn best practices for political organizing, community...

Dear Friend, The 2023 session of the Florida Legislature unofficially began this past Tuesday with our first week of committee meetings in Tallahassee. Three of my committees met last week, including the Select Committee on Hurricane Resiliency & Recovery. This is...

Hosted in advance of Legislative Session and amid national attacks on abortion rights Orlando, FL - 50 years following the landmark Roe v Wade decision, we are now a nation without a constitutional right to abortion. In the six months since the SCOTUS decision to...

Dear Friend, Wednesday was meant to be a quiet day nestled between Christmas and New Years Eve, but then the DeSantis Administration began to attack not just a local drag show, but they threatened one of our most beloved Orlando venues too. For more context: On...

While yard signs are coming down, holiday lights are going up as we lean into a season of reflection. This year demanded endurance and empathy, but we stretched to meet the mark every time. Team Anna has been so honored to spend this year with you and to call you a...

Orlando, FL - 50 years following the landmark Roe v Wade decision, we are now a nation without a constitutional right to abortion. In the six months since the SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe, we have witnessed monumental attacks towards  abortion access in Florida and...

Trabajando Para Usted, Luchando Por Nosotros El huracán Ian ha impactado a todo el estado de la Florida. Esta página será actualizada regularmente por la Representante Anna V. Eskamani con formas de buscar apoyo y participar. Esta página fue actualizada el 27 de...

Nap Travay Pou Ou, Nap Goumen Pou Nou Siklòn Ian afekte tout Eta Florid la. Reprezantan Anna V. Eskamani pral mete paj sa a ajou regilyèman yon fason pou ou ka chèche sipò ak patisipe. Dènye mizajou a te fèt 27 desanm 2022.INITE FLORID FON Tanpri ranpli fòm sa a pou...

Working For You, Fighting For Us Hurricane Ian has impacted the entire State of Florida. This page will be updated regularly by Representative Anna V. Eskamani with ways to seek support and get involved. This was last updated on December 27, 2023.UNITE FLORIDA FUND...

Dear Friend, 2022 has been another challenging year. But we have been humbled to be by your side every step of the way, and we hope that wherever you are, holiday cheer finds you with peace, love, and joy. Growing up in a working class immigrant family here in Orlando...

This update is from HSN and can be found here. Freezing temperatures are expected Friday, Saturday and possibly Sunday nights throughout Central Florida. Gusty winds are also forecast, meaning the windchill factor will make temperatures feel like they're in the 20s....

Dear Friend, As the eight days of Hanukkah begin, I want to wish all who celebrate a wonderful holiday surrounded by love and family. Hanukkah reminds us of the power of light and the resilience of the Jewish people in the face of the greatest challenges. It's also an...

Dear Friend, Friday night I joined Chris Hayes on MSNBC to talk about Governor DeSantis and his extreme anti-abortion agenda. We also talked about my past work at Planned Parenthood, and what it'll take to fight back against a GOP super-majority in Tallahassee....

Orlando, FL: Today during a press conference in Fort Lauderdale Governor Ron DeSantis was asked if he would “take the lead” on the “heartbeat bill,” also known as a six week abortion ban. He responded with: “I’m willing to sign great life legislation. That’s what I’ve...

Orlando, FL: Today the Florida House of Representatives announced Ranking Member positions for each committee. You can see full list here, and we are proud to announce that Representative Anna V. Eskamani has been re-appointed as the Ranking Member for the Ways &...

Dear Friend, I just got home from Tallahassee where Republican leaders rushed through a 72-hour special session in order to pass a property-insurance bill demanded by Governor Ron DeSantis that guarantees no immediate rate reduction for Floridians. Unfortunately, the...

The current exemption set to end June 30, 2023 Orlando, FL -  Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) has refiled legislation to prevent families from being charged sales tax when purchasing diapers and adult incontinence products. If passed, House Bill 29 would...

Eskamani Invited to Collaborative Space of Lawmakers from Across the Country Washington, DC: Today Representative Anna V. Eskamani will join White House officials and fellow state lawmakers for a collaborative conversation focused on the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. The...

WASHINGTON, DC, December 6, 2022—Americans for the Arts is pleased to present Representatives Anna V. Eskamani, Carlos Guillermo Smith, Jay Trumbull, and Jayer Williamson with the Public Leadership in the Arts Award for State Arts Leadership, in partnership with the...

Orlando, FL: Today committee assignments were announced for the 2023 Regular Legislative Session. Representative Anna V. Eskamani has been assigned to serve on: Infrastructure Strategies Committee Transportation & Modals Subcommittee Select Committee on Hurricane...

With the new decorations glittering across our District, and the temperature beginning to drop (at least for Floridians!), it’s time to celebrate the holiday season! This year has undoubtedly been challenging for so many, but we’re no strangers to finding power in...

The Lawmaker is Continuing the Tradition of Sharing Holiday Cheer in House District 42 Orlando, FL-- Tonight, Representative Anna V. Eskamani will be hosting her 4th Annual night of caroling!  An annual tradition, volunteer carolers will be meeting at Representative...

Orlando, FL: Florida State Representative Anna V. Eskamani hosted a virtual discussion focused on what renters can do to advocate for themselves and what steps to take when navigating an eviction. Representative Eskamani was joined by Mike Resnick from The Legal Aid...

Orlando, FL-- Tomorrow, November 30th at 10:00am, Florida State Representative Anna V. Eskamani will host a virtual discussion focused on what renters can do to advocate for themselves and what steps to take when navigating an eviction. Representative Eskamani will be...

Orlando, FL -- Today Representative Anna V. Eskamani submitted a letter of support to Secretary Debra Haaland of the Department of the Interior and Director Martha Williams of the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service asking that they heed the request of a recent petition to...

Orlando, FL: The Florida Boards of Medicine and Osteopathy are in the process of passing rules that restrict gender-affirming care and today Representative Anna V. Eskamani submitted her public comments in support of LGBTQ+ Floridians. You can read her comments here....

Donations will be provided to children of all ages across the Central Florida area Orlando, FL - Representative Anna V. Eskamani has launched a Team Anna Toy Drive to support two local nonprofits located in House District 42: Nathaniel’s Hope and United Against...

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, This morning we woke up to devastating news: A 22-year-old gunman entered an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, just before midnight and immediately opened fire, killing at least five people and injuring 18 others, before patrons confronted...

In the United States, millions of families sit around their dinner table on the fourth Thursday of November to express their gratitude and reflect as the year is coming to a close. This ritual traces back to celebratory harvest festivals hosted by indigenous people in...

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 1.5 million veterans in the State of Florida and we are humbled...

Veterans Day is a holiday that recognizes the brave individuals who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This occasion is commemorated annually on November 11th to coincide with the anniversary of the end of World War I in 1918, originally referred to as “Armistice...

Dear Friend, I know we are still processing the results of the 2022 Election Cycle in Florida and are watching national results come in too -- but I did want to take a moment make sure you were prepared for Tropical Storm Nicole.  Based on the latest storm track, the...

Dear Friend, We did it -- we won our re-election and by a landslide too. Words cannot express my immense gratitude to our incredible constituents for your support, and to our volunteers who got us to the finish line. In fact, House District 42 saw an 11% greater...

Looking for ways to help get out the vote this election cycle? Well you've come to the right place! Scroll down to see upcoming events for this final GOTV push! Super Monday GOTV Phonebank | Monday, November 7th, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm Join us as we call Floridians...

Orlando, FL -- Today 14 Iranian-American elected officials and candidates have released a letter of solidarity with the women and people of Iran as they risk their lives for freedom. Representative Anna V. Eskamani is one of the signers. Born in Orlando, Eskamani is...

Dear Friend, In case you missed it -- last week we were proud to earn the Orlando Sentinel's endorsement! I take a lot of pride in being a problem solver for Central Floridians, pushing back against the unnecessary culture wars while trying to alleviate the real life...

Orlando, FL— Several white supremacist Telegram channels have been sharing information about an upcoming drag story hour event at Orlando’s LGBT+ Center on October 29, 2022. This includes the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement (NSM), whose members claim they will...

This National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, our team wanted to highlight the many programs and resources available to support domestic violence survivors. 

Orlando, FL - As healthcare expenses continue to rise, millions of Americans face the threat of losing coverage. The Open Enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace will reopen on Tuesday, November 1st and allow new and existing patients to either...

Orlando, FL - In honor of the passage of a one-year tax exemption for children’s diapers in Florida, Representative Anna V. Eskamani will host a virtual press conference celebrating the win for Florida’s families. This event will take place on Tuesday, October 11th at...

Orange County will continue to provide assistance to tenants and landlords with the opening of phase two of its Emergency Rental Assistance Program on Saturday 10/8 at 8 a.m. Visit ocfl.net/RentalAssistance NOTE: You must live in Orange County and outside the City of...

Dear Friend, This Saturday and Sunday are being dubbed as a national Weekend of Action for abortion rights. You can find a full list of events here, but below are three ways to get plugged in with what's happening right here in Central Florida. First, we have our...

Orlando, FL - More than 2.5 million Floridians were under mandatory evacuation orders when Hurricane Ian made landfall last week. Major devastation has impacted Southwest Florida and property damage has been experienced at different degrees statewide. In the wake of...

Lawmaker organizes volunteers to help clear yard debris in Orlando Orlando, FL - In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Representative Anna V. Eskamani will be hosting a community clean-up Saturday, October 1st in Orlando starting at 9am.  With yard debris, fallen tree...

Dear Friend, We are working on sending a more thorough Hurricane Ian update but first wanted to bring to your attention two supply drives happening in Central Florida along with a volunteer opportunity and ways for impacted UCF students to seek support. Expect another...

Dear Friend, I am writing this email to you from my home in Orlando where we lost power and are witnessing mass flooding. Evacuations are taking place, but the impact here is nowhere near what we've witnessed in Southwest Florida. My heart aches for our state and we...

Dear Friend, The eyewall of Hurricane Ian with dangerous winds near Category 5 status has begun to make landfall over Sanibel and Captiva islands in southwest Florida, according to the National Weather Service, as the system is expected to barrel its way up toward...

Dear Friend, Hurricane Ian is heading toward Florida after raking western Cuba – and evacuation orders have been made for the peninsula’s west coast ahead of what could be life-threatening storm surge in the Tampa and Fort Myers areas and flooding rains. You can plug...

Dear Friend, Tropical Storm Ian strengthened into a hurricane as it churned north toward the Gulf of Mexico. Much of Florida and the entire Tampa Bay area remained in the forecast cone and a hurricane watch was issued for the Tampa Bay area early this morning. On...

Dear Friend, Hurricane Fiona slammed into southwestern Puerto Rico on Sunday, wiping out the power grid and cutting off clean water to most of the island's residents. Hurricane Fiona continues to make landfall throughout the Caribbean too. This blackout and...

Orlando, FL: Protests have broken out in Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was arrested by Iran's "Morality Police" for "improperly" donning the hijab because she had not completely covered her hair. According to a Reuters report, she died...

Orlando, FL - According to the EPA, three Central Florida landfills are among the top emitters of greenhouse gasses in the country. Landfills like the Orange County Landfill are huge producers of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. The...

Every year, during Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate and honor the cultures, histories, and achievements of Hispanic Americans, whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. To date, this month formally recognizes cultures from...

Orlando, FL: Today Representative Anna V. Eskamani officially endorsed Dr. Michael Daniels for Orange County School Board District 3. As an Orange County public school graduate herself, Representative Eskamani knows how incredibly important it is to have qualified,...

Orlando, FL - As the cost of living climbs across our state, many families struggle with “diaper need,” or the incapacity to afford essential hygiene products such as diapers. On July 1st, 2022, legislation took effect that created a year-long diaper tax holiday in...

Orlando, FL — Today Representative Anna V. Eskamani is excited to announce her team’s slate of Fall 2022 Legislative Interns, serving the people of Florida on Team Anna! “This fall semester, we have welcomed a brilliant team of 10 interns to serve House District 47...

Dear Friend,  Today marks twenty-one years since 9/11. We promised to never 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...

ORLANDO – The Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention Inc. (CMWP) in collaboration with the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Florida Inc., Florida Department of Health in Orange County, Advent Health, and Florida Hospital will host the 19th Annual...

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...

By Anna Eskamani Guest Columnist • Aug 28, 2022 at 5:30 am • Published in the Orlando Sentinel Two months ago, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down Roe v. Wade, expressly taking away the constitutional right to access abortion care from the American...

Dear Friend, I am humbled to share that we have been recognized by Orlando Weekly readers for three separate awards! ✅ Local Legend ✅ Best Local Leader During the Pandemic ✅ Best Local Politician Here's what the Orlando Weekly had to say: "Eskamani is a no-nonsense...