| The Mayfield Minute - June 7, 2026 |
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| 82nd Anniversary of D-Day |
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This week, we remember the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal moment in World War II. On June 6, 1944, more than 156,000 Allied troops from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other nations landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, as part of Operation Overlord. This massive assault marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany and remains one of the most significant military operations in history.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower explained the invasion by stating, “This operation is not being planned with any alternatives. This operation is planned as a victory, and that’s the way it’s going to be. We’re going down there, and we’re throwing everything we have into it, and we’re going to make it a success.”
Although the mission was ultimately successful, it came at a tremendous cost, with approximately 4,000 Allied soldiers losing their lives. The D-Day invasion remains the largest naval, air, and land operation in history.
The courage and sacrifice of these Allied troops altered the course of the war, leading to the liberation of northern France by August 1944 and contributed significantly to the defeat of Nazi Germany in May 1945.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Veterans who fought on D-Day. Their sacrifice and bravery changed the course of World War II and further confirmed the United States of America as a nation securing peace through strength.
To all of our Veterans, military service members serving at home and abroad, and your families, today and every day, we truly appreciate your courage and sacrifice.
I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for the Mayfield Minute.
If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (321) 409-2025. My staff and I are here to serve you! |
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| Floridians Making an Impact |
Florida House Speaker Perez Nominated for Ambassadorship
Last week, President Donald J. Trump appointed Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez to serve as the next United States Ambassador to Brazil. Speaker Perez is in his eighth and final year of his term in the Florida House of Representatives.
Speaker Perez, originally from New York City, is a first generation Cuban American. He moved to Miami in 1993 and attended Christopher Columbus High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and received his law degree from the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.
Speaker Perez was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2017, in a special election. Prior to his term as Speaker, he served as Chairman of the Rules, Judiciary, Pandemic & Public Emergencies, and Public Integrity & Elections Committees.
In addition to his public service, Speaker Perez works as the in-house legal counsel for Doctors Health Care Plans, Inc. He is married to Mrs. Stephanie Perez, and together they are the proud parents of Camila Lucia, Matias Daniel, and Paulina Andrea.
As the U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, Speaker Perez will be responsible for representing U.S. interests, coordinating embassy operations, strengthening bilateral ties in diplomacy, economic and trade promotion, environmental and technology cooperation, interagency leadership and consular services.
All Ambassadorship nominations are subject to confirmation by the United States Senate.
Congratulations to Speaker Daniel Perez on his nomination. |
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Property Tax Amendment Headed to Voters on 2026 Ballot
Last week, the Florida Legislature passed House Joint Resolution 1F - Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes, which places a constitutional amendment on the ballot for the 2026 November Election.
Below is the amendment summary as it will appear on the ballot. Please note that this summary does not contain all of the details related to House Joint Resolution 1F. For additional details, click here for the Senate's analysis on the joint resolution.
Exempting homestead properties from taxation. Exempts the first $250,000 of a homestead’s value from taxation for all levies other than school district levies and requires, through general law, a schedule for full elimination.
Ensuring funding for core services. Requires local governments to use remaining property taxes solely for core public needs including public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, and natural resources.
Protecting small businesses. Limits future property tax assessments on businesses.
Ensuring fairness for Florida residents. Requires any person who establishes Florida residency after January 1, 2027, to maintain Florida residency for five years prior to receiving the increased homestead exemption.
If the amendment receives approval from at least 60% of voters, it will take effect on January 1, 2027.
Additionally, click here to view a website, created by the State of Florida, for homesteaded property owners to view potential savings under the proposed amendment.
Preventing New World Screwworm from Spreading to Florida
New World Screwworm (NWS) is a blowfly that is not normally present in the United States. Unlike native blowflies, whose larvae feed on decaying flesh, NWS larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. NWS can affect livestock, pets, wildlife, and less commonly, people and birds.
NWS was eradicated from the U.S. States in the 1960s. However, incursions have occurred since, including a severe outbreak in 2016 affecting Key deer in the Florida Keys.
Following the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirming the detection of NWS in South Texas, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issued an emergency rule placing temporary restrictions on the importation of warm-blooded animals originating from high-risk areas and designated infested zones. To read more about the restrictions, click here.
NWS could reach Florida through expansion of range or through the movement of infested animals or people. If introduced, the species could reproduce and persist across much of the state due to Florida's subtropical climate. Once established, eradication could take years and require extensive resources. As a result, early detection and rapid response are critical to controlling the spread of NWS and preventing its establishment.
Please report any observations in domestic animals and wildlife to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rare Animal Diseases department by phone at (850) 410-0900 or by email at RAD@FDACS.gov.
Florida Lottery Launches New Resource Webpage for Bright Futures Scholarship
The Florida Lottery has launched a new resource webpage for Bright Futures Scholarship to assist Florida students, families, educators, and school counselors navigate the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
The new Bright Futures webpage serves as a centralized resource hub featuring a Bright Futures “Roadmap to Success” with tools, information, and planning guides to support students and families throughout the scholarship program.
Visitors to the new webpage can access Bright Futures announcements, scholarship application links, tips and guidance for completing the application, eligibility requirements, the Bright Futures Student Handbook, and answers to commonly asked questions.
To visit the new Bright Futures webpage, click here.
Florida Files Lawsuit Against OpenAI for Deceptive Practices
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed the nation’s first state‑led lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging that the company deceived consumers, ignored internal safety warnings, and released ChatGPT despite knowing it posed serious risks, especially to children. The complaint states that OpenAI suppressed safety concerns, misrepresented the dangers of its product, and allowed ChatGPT to encourage harmful behaviors, including self‑harm and violence.
“Today, we announced the first-in-the-nation state-led lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman,” said Attorney General Uthmeier. “OpenAI and Altman ignored internal and external safety warnings, put children at great risk, and allowed a dangerous product to reach millions of Floridians.”
Attorney General Uthmeier alleges that OpenAI prioritized commercial gain over user safety, violating Florida’s laws against unfair and deceptive trade practices. The lawsuit seeks damages and a court order to stop the alleged deceptive practices.
To read the announcement in full, click here. |
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| America's 250th Anniversary |
As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America leading up to July 4, 2026, I will continue to share updates on the 250th anniversary and how it is being recognized across the State of Florida as well as information on our nation’s history, government, and more.
Be sure to visit my Facebook and X (Twitter) pages for more weekly historical recognitions on the people and events that shaped our nation over the past 250 years.
- Facebook: Senator Debbie Mayfield
- X (Twitter): @debbie_mayfield
America 250th Anniversary Commemorative Locomotives
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, Union Pacific Railroad recently unveiled two new commemorative locomotives. On Wednesday, June 3rd, the two locomotives departed together from Corrine, Utah on their inaugural freight mission.
The commemorative locomotive No. 4547 is transporting eight Northrop Grumman solid rocket motor segments to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. These segments will be assembled for the twin solid rocket boosters for NASA’s Artemis III mission, generating 7.2 million pounds of thrust. The Artemis III mission is the next segment of NASA’s Artemis program which aims to return humans to the moon as soon as 2028.
Assisting No. 4547 with the transport is No. 1616, a commemorative locomotive honoring President Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln founded Union Pacific in 1862 with the signing of the Pacific Railway Act, which authorized construction of the transcontinental railroad.
Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena remarked, “As No. 4547 carries these rocket components, it represents the strength of our nation’s supply chain and our role in connecting the country – linking industries, communities and opportunity from our rail network to the surface of the moon.” |
| Bill Action by Governor DeSantis |
As of Sunday, June 7th, Governor DeSantis has received a total of 140 bills for his consideration, of which 123 have been signed into law. Upon receipt of a bill, the Governor has seven days to sign, veto, or take no action at which point the bill will automatically become law.
If you have an interest or concern regarding any bill, you can contact the Governor's office directly here.
Bills Signed this Week:
No bills were signed this week. |
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Samih Daubney, Founder of Confronting Childhood Cancer
Our Constituent of the Week is Samih Daubney, Founder of Confronting Childhood Cancer (CCC), a nonprofit organization which raises awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research.
Samih was raised in Brevard County and recently graduated from Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School. His high school career has been filled with outstanding accomplishments in academics, athletics, leadership, and community service.
Samih graduated with a 4.627 weighted G.P.A., completed 13 Advanced Placement courses, earned a Diploma of Distinction, achieved an SAT score of 1480, while completing dual enrollment courses at Eastern Florida State College. He was elected to the Student Government Association for four consecutive years, serving as Class President, Vice President, and Treasurer. Outside of the classroom, Samih was a member of Edgewood basketball teams from grades 7 through 12, where he earned the Junior Varsity team's “Most Valuable Player” award and was named Senior Team Captain.
At 14 months old, Samih’s little brother, Noah, was diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma, a rare, aggressive grade III tumor of the central nervous system. Anaplastic ependymomas grow rapidly from ependymal cells in the brain or spinal cord and can occur at any age but are most common in children under the age of four. Noah would ultimately beat the disease, pushing Samih further in his pursuit to combat childhood cancer.
Experiencing his brother’s courageous battle with the disease first-hand, Samih launched CCC in August 2025 to advocate for pediatric cancer awareness and to raise funds to support families and research initiatives. He established partnerships with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Candlelighters of Brevard, and St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and traveled to Washington, DC for the American Childhood Cancer Organization’s Action Days to advocate for pediatric cancer research. To date, he has raised over $35,000 through student-led community fundraising campaigns across multiple events.
Samih also served as President of HOSA – Future Health Professionals, a national career and technical organization for students interested in the health and medical fields. As a member of HOSA, he placed first in the regional competition each year from 2024-2026, second in the state competition in 2024 and 2025, and first place in the international competition in the community awareness category in 2025.
Junior Achievement of the Space Coast nominated Samih for their 2026 Honors Award, and most recently, he was selected as a Spectrum Scholar earning a $1,000 scholarship in recognition of his positive community impact.
Samih’s talent and leadership skills have captured the attention of local, national, and global organizations. In April, he was named one of the Top 100 Emerging High School Innovators Worldwide for his work to advance pediatric cancer research and support families affected by childhood illnesses. He was selected from a competitive group of applicants representing 29 countries and 25 U.S. states.
This Fall, Samih will be attending Florida State University with the goal of becoming a pediatric oncologist. While in Tallahassee, he hopes to work alongside policymakers, healthcare leaders, and advocacy organizations to raise awareness and research funding and to support families facing childhood cancer.
SD 19 commends Samih Daubney for embracing his family’s challenge and transforming the experience into an inspiring mission to raise awareness, funds, and hope for families facing childhood cancer. He is sure to be successful in all of his future endeavors. |
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Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Fishing Club Finishes 2nd in FWC Statewide Challenge
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy placed second in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) “2025-2026 School Fishing Program’s Fishing & Conservation Challenge.” Students from across the state completed projects focused on conservation, ethical angling, local waterway cleanups, and activities to pass on their knowledge of fishing and conservation to younger students.
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy’s team was comprised of nine fishing club member students working in collaboration with environmental experts from the St. John’s River Water Management District. The team collected water quality data and biological inventories at Suntree Rotary Park on the Indian River Lagoon. Club members conducted oxygen, pH, phosphorous, and salinity tests. Additionally, they developed habitat and biological surveys and completed core sampling to determine lagoon muck levels. The collected data shared with the Ocean Research Conservation Association (ORCA).
The team then shared their knowledge with fellow students by coordinating a visit for 96 seventh grade students, with adult chaperones, for “A Day in the Life of the Indian River Lagoon.” During the outing, the fishing club members were each assigned a group of students where they visited various stations to conduct additional testing and surveys.
Congratulations to the Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy’s Fishing Club for their second-place finish in the statewide competition. We are very encouraged to see students enthusiastically engaging in the protection and conservation of the Indian River Lagoon.
Blue Origin Aims to Launch Before Year’s End
Last week, Blue Origin announced that the company is committed to launching the New Glenn rocket before the end of 2026, despite the May 28th explosion during a status fire test at Launch Complex 36 on Cape Canaveral. During the test, for a currently unknown reason, the rocket exploded on the launchpad.
Shortly after the incident, Jeff Bezos, founder and owner of Blue Origin stated “All personnel are accounted for and safe. It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it. Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it.”
Early inspections show key infrastructure survived, including the propellant farm, fuel tanks, and water tower. The support tower, though damaged, is repairable and does not need to be rebuilt, and the boosters inside the integration facility are in good shape, according to Blue Origin CEO Bill Limp.
If Blue Origin succeeds in flying New Glenn before year’s end, it will help to sustain NASA’s Artemis III timeline on track for 2027, with Artemis IV targeted for 2028. The investigation into the explosion remains ongoing.
Eastern Florida State College District Board of Trustees Announced
Last week, Governor DeSantis announced the appointment of Mr. Michael DeMorat and the reappointment of Mr. Bruce Deardoff and Dr. Edgar Figueroa to the Eastern Florida State College District Board of Trustees.
Mr. DeMorat is the Chief Deputy of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. Active in his community, he has served as a member of the FBI National Academy Associates, the Space Coast Early Intervention Center Board of Directors, and the Serene Harbor Domestic Violence Shelter Board of Directors. Mr. DeMorat earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of South Florida.
Mr. Deardoff is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Deardoff Automotive Group. Active in his community, he has served as a member of the Civilian Military Foundation of Brevard County, and the Canaveral Port Authority. Mr. Deardoff earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Fordham University.
Dr. Figueroa is a Physician and Surgeon at Omni Health Care. Active in his community, he is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and previously served as a Trauma Surgeon at Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center. Dr. Figueroa is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Central del Este. |
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Brevard County Parks & Recreation "Kids Night Out"
The Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department will be holding two "Kids Night Out" events on Saturday, June 13th and Saturday, June 27th from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. each night at the McLarty Park Aquatic Center (790 Barton Blvd.) in Rockledge.
The event is for children ages 4-12, and the cost is $13.12 for the first child and $11.12 for each additional child. Activities include swimming, pool games, pizza, popcorn, a movie, and more.
Pre-registration is required and can be completed by calling (321) 633-1970.
Live Inspired Brevard “Honoring the Journey” Event
Live Inspired Brevard will be hosting their “Honoring the Journey” event on Friday, June 19th from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Hotel Melby (801 East Strawbridge Avenue) in Melbourne.
“Honoring the Journey” is an event to celebrate cancer and chronic illness survivors and to raise funds for support, education, and wellness programs. The event features inspirational stories, live music, raffle prizes, and a silent auction.
VIP tickets are $100 and include early entry at 5:00 p.m., hors d’oeuvres, dinner, a complimentary signature cocktail, and a cash bar. Individual dinner tickets are $75. RSVP is requested by Friday, June 12th.
For more information and to purchase tickets online, click here.
Memorial 5K Honoring Airman First Class Christian Bellmore
The 3rd Annual Memorial 5K Run Honoring Christian Bellmore will be held on Saturday, June 20th from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center (400 South Sykes Parkway) in Merritt Island.
The registration fee is $28 and prizes will be awarded for top finishers overall and medals will be awarded for first through third place finishes in the men's and women's categories.
The annual event was established to honor Airman First Class Christian Bellmore, a Merritt Island High School graduate, who tragically passed away while serving on active duty. The 5K is organized by Christian's Mom, Samantha Mecke, an 18‑year active‑duty U.S. Army service member, to preserve Christian’s legacy and to raise awareness about the healthcare challenges faced by first‑term service members.
To register for the Memorial 5K Honoring Christian Bellmore, click here.
16th Annual Surfers for Autism Cocoa Beach Surf Festival
The 16th Annual Surfers for Autism Cocoa Beach Surf Festival will be held on Saturday, June 20th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Alan Shepard Pack (299 East Cocoa Beach Causeway).
The event is for children four years and older, who have been diagnosed with autism or a related disability. The participants will have the chance to feel the glide of surfing with the help of Surfers for Autism's dedicated volunteers and watermen.
Participant and volunteer check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. Two surfing sessions will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A free catered lunch will be available from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and raffle prize drawings will begin at 4:00 p.m.
For more information and to register, click here. |
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Contact Information
Melbourne Office
900 East Strawbridge Avenue,
Suite 408,
Melbourne, FL 32901
321-409-2025
Tallahassee Office
400 South Monroe Street,
302 Senate Building,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
850-487-5019
Staff
Yvette Campbell
Christian Chesnut
William Gooden
Kelli Lane
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