Today, Governor Charlie Crist will sign into law legislation that boosts Florida’s KidCare health care initiative after years of steep declines in enrollment caused by bureaucratic barriers and lack of investment. Read more »

“This historic bill makes a critical investment in clean energy jobs, bolsters our national security and protects our environment. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced passage today of the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act, which will make innovative, energy efficient investments in our local schools by updating buildings and classrooms. The bill also ensures students have up-to-date educational technology. The legislation will bring approximately $35 million to schools in the Tampa Bay area and will create tens of thousands of jobs nationwide. Read more »

With the goal of eliminating disparities in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced today that she has introduced a bill designed to ensure that the cancer diagnostic and follow-up tests that are offered to some are offered to all. The bill will require providers to report their practices to encourage doctors to offer adequate care for all, regardless of race, income or health insurance status. Read more »

Taking aim at unfair and deceptive credit card practices, aggressive billing tactics and exorbitant fees, Tampa Bay area Congresswoman Kathy Castor today helped pass the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights in the United States House of Representatives. The consumer-friendly legislation includes provisions pushed by Castor to guarantee that credit card applicants receive truth-in-lending information when applying for a credit card. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor hails the passage today of the Federal Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which will ensure that hate crimes based on sexual orientation will be treated the same way as hate crimes committed on the basis of race, religion and national origin. I Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor hailed the passage of provisions that allow family members to more frequently visit their relatives in Cuba. The provisions are contained in the annual appropriations bill. “This is a huge victory for families in the Tampa Bay area,” Castor said. “The unnecessary hardship of these burdensome restrictions has finally been lifted for Cuban-Americans and their loved ones.” Read more »

La Congresista Kathy Castor aclamó el paso de las provisiones que permiten a miembros de familia visitar a sus parientes en Cuba con más frecuencia. Las provisiones están contenidas en la propuesta de apropiaciones anual. "Esto es una enorme victoria para familias en la Bahía de Tampa," Castor dijo. "La dificultad innecesaria de estas restricciones pesadas finalmente ha sido levantada para Americanos cubanos y sus amados familiares. " Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced today certain Recovery Act dollars that will be directly targeted to the Tampa Bay area community as early as the end of this month. “Education dollars will be allocated to Florida by the end of the end of March,” Castor said. “This money will immediately flow directly into the hands of our school districts and the private sector vendors they partner with, helping to create and preserve jobs and educate our students. This funding will especially help students with disabilities, students from low-income families and students needing help paying for college.” Read more »

With President Obama’s housing plan and passage of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, Congresswoman Kathy Castor expects a large, new wave of loan refinancings for Tampa Bay area families at her next foreclosure prevention workshop – her fourth since the onset of the economic crisis. “Families should not wait for the workshop but should take action now to refinance their loans under the new Obama plan by contacting their loan servicer or lender,” Castor said. Read more »