NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend,
We’re making great progress in the district; however, I can’t say the same for Washington, D.C. Senate Democrats, once again, blocked a COVID-19 relief package that would aid the American people and small businesses. They took an all-or-nothing approach much like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and put their political wishes ahead of the well-being of this nation. It’s unfortunate that we’re approaching yet another month of no relief. You deserve better.
On a brighter note, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett. I cannot think of anyone better suited for this position. Amy Coney Barrett has a strong record in protecting the right to life and our Constitution. I trust that my colleagues in the Senate will make the right call in approving this nomination.
As for the steady progress we are making in the district, this past week, I joined friends and officials in announcing two excellent investments in the future of Florida’s Second Congressional District. Florida State University – Panama City (FSU-PC) will soon offer the Promise Scholarship that will aid students in Northwest Florida who have a combined family and student income of $50,000 or less or are eligible for Pell Grants. In Gulf County, a $615,448 U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant will help make critical, disaster-resistant infrastructure improvements needed to support manufacturing and industrial growth at the Costin Airport site and along Cessna Drive in Port St. Joe.
Our communities have seen their fair share of trials in the past few years, but opportunities like these will help us rebuild and grow even stronger. You can read more about the FSU-PC scholarship and the EDA grant below.
Please read about my week below:
This Week in the District
Legislative Updates
Coronavirus Updates
Good News in FL-02 This Week in the District
Investing in the Future of Florida-02 
On Monday, I had the privilege of joining the Florida State University - Panama City Dean Dr. Randy Hanna, donors, and others in announcing an outstanding opportunity for students in our district. Students in Northwest Florida who have a combined family and student income of $50,000 or less, or are eligible for Pell Grants, can now qualify for free tuition at FSU-PC. The FSU PC Promise scholarship is effective spring 2021 and will guarantee that qualified full-time resident undergraduates will not pay tuition and fees. 300 students per year are expected to benefit from this scholarship.
Read more about this scholarship here.
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On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to join officials in Gulf County to announce a $615,448 U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) investment to Gulf County. This grant will help make critical, disaster-resistant infrastructure improvements needed to support manufacturing and industrial growth at the Costin Airport site and along Cessna Drive in Port St. Joe. Additionally, it will enhance economic diversity and resiliency, as well as support and advance export-led growth in Gulf County. This project will create 71 jobs and generate private investment of $5.2 million. I’m grateful to everyone who made this possible. I’m looking forward to seeing these improvements in Gulf County and to further grow our district.
Legislative Updates
GOP Doctors Caucus Condemns Gov. Cuomo My colleagues in the Doctors Caucus and I condemned New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for making disparaging comments about the Federal Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and suggested that Americans not take an Operation Warp Speed vaccine to ABC’s George Stephanopoulos.
Once again, Governor Cuomo’s ignorance about safely getting us out of this pandemic is endangering Americans’ lives. It would be unconscionable if Americans failed to take a safe, effective vaccine because of partisan politics. Our nation’s scientific experts and researchers are heroically working around-the-clock to deliver safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and treatments that our nation so desperately needs, and they are doing so independent of politics and without sacrificing the rigorous standards or quality controls to which they have always been held. That’s why Governor Cuomo’s comments are not only wrong – they are dangerous. All of us – Republicans and Democrats – need to be doing everything we can to ensure Americans trust our scientists on the safety of vaccines. We hope ABC will talk to actual scientific experts about the safety and efficacy of vaccines instead of simply letting the governor with the deadliest coronavirus record have an open forum to sow distrust in our medical experts.
Coronavirus Updates
Recent Updates - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gilead’s antiviral drug Veklury® (remdesivir) for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. Previously authorized by the FDA for emergency use to treat COVID-19, Veklury is now the first and only approved COVID-19 treatment in the United States. The drug is now widely available in hospitals across the country, following Gilead’s early investments to rapidly expand manufacturing capacity to increase supply. For more information, click here.
- Traditional Halloween activities are fun, but some can increase the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 or influenza. Plan alternate ways to participate in Halloween. Here are some tips for trick-or-treating:
- Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.
- Give out treats outdoors, if possible.
- Set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids
to take.
- Wash hands before handling treats.
- Wear a mask.
For more helpful tips to keep you and your family safe this Halloween, click here.
- As of Thursday (October 22nd, 2020) data reported to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration showed that the number of COVID-19 positive Florida residents that are currently hospitalized is down more than 70 percent since July. The Florida statewide positivity rate for new cases is 5.62 percent. Read more here.
Good News in FL-02 
It’s been a tough couple of years in Port St. Joe, but that hasn’t stopped two young men from working on achieving the highest rank than can be awarded to a Scout. Corey Phelps and Sean Farnsley recently completed their community projects to receive their Eagle Scout rank. Sean's Eagle project was to build a butterfly garden and reflecting area at the Constitution Museum, and Corey's project was to build a flag deposit box out of steel for the John C. Gainous VFW Post 10069. This is the first time in Troop 347’s existence that two scouts have become members of the 2020 Gulf Coast Council Eagle Class. It has also been approximately 24 years since Port St. Joe has had its last Eagle Scout. Well done, gentlemen! Read more here.
Additionally, Loran Brookins, Chiefland native and longtime President of the Suwannee River Fair was named 2020 Outstanding Agriculturalist by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Brookins has been involved with Agriculture for the past 50 years. He is the third generation to be involved with his family farm located just outside Chiefland. This is an exceptional achievement and yet another reason to be proud of Florida’s Second Congressional District. Congratulations, Loran! Read the full story here. Thank you for your continued energy and enthusiasm, as reflected in your letters and Facebook posts. If you haven’t already, LIKE my Facebook page. You can also follow me on Twitter @DrNealDunnFL2. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in Congress!
Sincerely,
Dr. Neal Dunn
Member of Congress
| IN THE NEWS Bonifay Post Office renovations to be completed by the end of the month
FSU PC to offer free tuition to hundreds of prospective students in NWFL
Gulf County gets $615,000 economic development grant Constituent Casework Corner
Officials with Panama City Beach contacted my office when they were having issues with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issuing a permit. Without timely issuance of the permit, the cost of the project would end up costing taxpayers more money. My office contacted the USACE and the permit was issued so the project would meet its projected deadlines.
Do you need help with a federal agency? Contact my office at 850-785-0812 or at www.dunn.house.gov
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