Jeanette Nuñez Points to Success Against Human Trafficking, Health Policy, Hurricane Response

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez highlighted 2022 successes on human trafficking, public health, hurricane responses and more.

“In our first term in office, we not only fulfilled our promises but we have solidified Florida’s preeminence as the freest state in the union,” Nuñez said. “Whether in areas of public health or workforce training, our administration has put Floridians first and has secured Florida’s future for generations to come. As Lieutenant Governor, I am proud to serve alongside America’s Governor, Governor Ron DeSantis, and I look forward to keeping Florida free in our next term.”

Nuñez highlighted human trafficking successes of 2022. The lieutenant governor continued to focus on protecting Floridians from this crime and helping victims regain their identity, dignity and freedom.

Some of the highlights of 2022’s human trafficking successes include:

• Nuñez and Attorney General Ashley Moody launched the 100 Percent Club which encourages businesses to train their employees on the signs of human trafficking and more.
• Nuñez and Moody announced Florida’s National Human Trafficking Hotline to report human trafficking to law enforcement which is 1(888) 373-7888.
• The Lt. Gov. continued to serve on the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking and as Chair of the Legislative and Special Initiatives Committee which addresses legislative priorities and special initiatives to combat the crime, met with leaders, experts, survivors and world-renowned figures.
• Throughout the year, Nuñez held multiple round table events and met with survivors, clinicians and peer advocates who directly work with victims.
• In June, the Lt. Gov. visited the U.S. Southern Border to see firsthand the ways in which traffickers smuggle undocumented aliens and illicit drugs into the country.

Over the past year, Nuñez worked closely with Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo to address numerous public health issues including infectious diseases, maternal and child health and heart disease. The Lt. Gov. is a key advisor to the Department of Health.

Highlights of public health success in 2022 include:

• Nuñez consistently met with a wide variety of public and private sector partners to discuss and expand routine screenings for HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis C.
• The lieutenant governor joined stakeholders in November to discuss Florida’s Integrated HIV Prevention and Patient Care Strategic Plan. Together with the Department of Health, their goal is to eliminate HIV in Florida.
• Throughout Florida, 26 delivery hospitals achieved the Healthy People 2030 goal of C-section deliveries for first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies at or below 23.6 percent in 2020. Nuñez participated in a statewide Hospital Cesarean Section Awards tour to congratulate and recognize these hospitals for their achievement.
• Every year, on Sept. 29, the Florida Department of Health observes World Heart Day and this year, Nuñez joined Ladapo and participated in a 5K to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to prevent heart disease and stroke.

Two hurricanes devastated Florida this year with destruction. Hurricane Ian made landfall on Sept. 29 as a Category 4 hurricane and several weeks later, Hurricane Nicole made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane. Despite their impact and destruction, Floridians remained resilient in their fight to recover.

Highlights of hurricane response successes include:

• Nuñez collaborated with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie Griffin and Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham, visited a shelter, distributed meals and supplies and interacted with children and adults facing destruction.
• She also visited schools to assess their damage and find ways to help them safely reopen and get students back in the classroom.
• Nuñez joined several churches and faith-based organizations to help pre-package meals, supplies and other goods, as well as distribute them to Floridians in need. 
• With First Lady Casey DeSantis’ efforts in leading the Florida Disaster Fund, Nuñez was honored to accept a donation on behalf of DeSantis from the Government of Taiwan through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami to assist in the ongoing recovery, restoration and rescue efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

In her fourth year as Chair of Space Florida’s Board of Directors, Nuñez led one of the state’s most impressive years in aerospace growth.

• Under Nuñez’s leadership, Space Florida supported 39 launches from Florida’s Space Coast, expanded 15 aerospace companies and created and retained nearly 6,000 jobs throughout the state.
• Nuñez and Space Florida staff attended the Space Symposium in April. The delegation met with aerospace companies SpaceX and Blue Origin, U.S. Space Force leadership and many other companies to champion further development in Florida.
• This helped yield an increase in Space Florida’s Capital Programs pipeline, which has an estimated value of $2.4 billion across 85 pending projects. Together with the Board of Space Florida, the administration has set out to expand to $10 billion by 2030.
• Nuñez led a statewide effort urging the Secretary of the Air Force to bring the USSF Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) headquarters and Space Delta 13, the education and training branch, to Florida.
• In June, with support from the Department of Education, Department of Economic Opportunity, CareerSource Florida, Space Florida and Enterprise Florida, Nuñez brought aerospace industry leaders together to discuss specific needs in an effort to help fill critical positions in advanced manufacturing and aerospace jobs. The workgroup provided critical information, which allowed the administration to dedicate $30 million to support workforce development. 
• Nuñez also launched the first Florida Space Art Contest. Students in grades K-5 were tasked to create an original art piece inspired by the theme “Florida is the Place for Space.” The contest generated over 2,500 submissions across the state. Two grand prize winners had their original art pieces flown into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket which supported a Starlink mission.

“The passion for space travel is alive and well in our creative Florida students,” Nuñez said.

As Chair of the Florida Cybersecurity Advisory Council, Nuñez supported the administration’s efforts to bolster the state’s cybersecurity response efforts, promote workforce initiatives and develop best practices to better protect Florida’s digital infrastructure from cyber-attacks.

The Florida Legislature supported DeSantis’ and Florida Digital Service’s vision by providing critical financial resources to address the Advisory Council’s recommendations. These investments included:

• 23 full-time positions to support the work of the Chief Information Officer (CIO)
• $50 million in Enterprise Cybersecurity Resiliency to implement Advisory Council recommendations
• $30 million for local government technical assistance grants
• $30 million to Cyber Florida for government cybersecurity training, with oversight from the Cybersecurity Advisory Council

Nuñez  joined the State Government Leadership Foundation on a trade mission to Israel in March with five other lieutenant governors to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties between our respective states and America’s greatest ally in the Middle East. The mission included meetings with Israeli government and business leaders on issues like economic development, trade and security.

She reaffirmed Florida’s commitment to Israel by participating in important business, cultural and academic meetings that strengthened the administration’s longstanding partnerships.