As President Joe Biden’s term winds down, he signed a number of bills, including one filed by U.S. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota. He also signed a defense package including a number of legislative initiatives introduced by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota.

The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, which Steube pushed for throughout the last legislative term, will now allow individuals in federally declared disaster areas to claim disaster-related losses without itemizing deductions. The new law also eliminates a 10% adjusted gross income threshold before claiming losses and ensures settlements for disaster victims are tax-free.

The legislation was especially important to this region, Steube said, in the wake of several major hurricanes impacting Sarasota County in the last three years.

“The devastation caused by disasters doesn’t stop at state borders or political lines—it affects every Floridian and every American,” he said. “This bipartisan effort delivers relief to communities across the nation, whether they’re recovering from a hurricane, wildfire, or another tragedy. For Florida, where we’ve faced the brunt of multiple hurricanes in recent years, this law means real help for families and businesses working to rebuild. I will never stop fighting for Floridians and ensuring our communities come back stronger and more resilient than ever.”

Buchanan saw eight measures signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, a bipartisan defense package. Those include expansion of fitness and academic  initiatives in the military and safety improvement requirements for Navy amphibious and combat vehicles, as well as an effort to reduce obesity in military ranks while improving access to health care. He also introduced legislation honoring service members killed in an airport terrorist attack in Afghanistan and resuming the use of horse-drawn carriages at military funerals at Arlington Cemetery.

“My proposals signed into law as part of the final NDAA will strengthen our alliances and honor the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces. This legislation reflects our unwavering commitment to America’s servicemembers and their families,” Buchanan said.

He also sponsored a telehealth expansion allowing more access in geographically isolated areas that was signed into law. “Making telehealth services available to patients regardless of their location is a major win for the nearly two hundred thousand seniors in my district and anyone in need of accessible, convenient care,” Buchanan said. 

Photo: Vern Buchanan, Greg Steube.

Christopher Alan Homes recently received five awards from the Lee Building Industry Association at the 2024 Industry Awards. The Lee BIA Industry Awards honor individuals, companies and projects at the top of Southwest Florida’s residential home building and commercial construction industry who make superior contributions in sales, marketing, design and outstanding achievement. Lee BIA is a not-for-profit trade organization representing the building industry in the regulatory arena for Lee, Hendry and Glades counties. The Lee BIA is chartered by the National Association of Home Builders and is an affiliate of the Florida Home Builders Association. It is comprised of over 400 companies involved in every aspect of building and creating a thriving community for a growing Southwest Florida. For more information, visit bia.net. 

After 20 years of dedicated service, Brooke Chase Associates is proud to announce the retirement of Rick Mohrman as Vice President of Sales, a role he has held since 2022. Under Rick’s leadership, the company as experienced significant growth and numerous achievements. Rick joined Brooke Chase Associates in 2005 as a Research Associate and steadily advanced through roles including Executive Recruiter and Vice President of Operations, culminating in his appointment as Vice President of Sales. His unwavering dedication to the company’s mission, vision and values has been instrumental in strengthening the organization and fostering its success. Throughout his career, Rick has made a lasting impact, touching the lives of countless colleagues and clients alike. 

HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital is proud to announce the remarkable impact it had on Charlotte County and surrounding communities in 2024 through the dedicated volunteer efforts of its colleagues, strategic partnerships, and generous donations. In 2024, HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital colleagues collectively contributed over 1,500 hours of volunteer service to various community initiatives spanning a spectrum of healthcare outreach, social services, and educational programs. Their commitment to giving back demonstrates the hospital's culture of extending care beyond the clinical setting and fostering a sense of community wellbeing. As part of the hospital’s ongoing commitment to the community, HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital has forged meaningful partnerships and made substantial contributions to local charities, enhancing the collective ability to address diverse healthcare needs. These partnerships focused specifically on increasing opportunity and access to healthcare careers, advocating and promoting heart health for all communities and championing positive mental wellness. 

To learn more, visit.