Orange County District 5: Office of Commissioner Semrad

The mother-son duo has become a force to reckon with, particularly when they have state lawmakers in their sights, and are the Orlando Sentinel’s 2025 Central Floridians of the Year.

Proposal to speed up large developments in rural areas clears final House committee Critics say the changes approved by lawmakers Thursday still wouldn’t protect local home rule power.

Please keep spreading the word 🙏📢🚨 Special interests and DEVELOPERS DREAM BILL (SB 354 / HB 299 “Blue Ribbon Projects”) is quickly making its way through the Florida legislature‼️

WE NEED TO FLOOD legislators with emails and calls 🌊 Please help us TELL THEM that SB 354 / HB 299 (and any other anti-smart growth bills) are a HELL NO from Floridians.

📧 Easily and quickly email legislators using the 1000 Friends of Florida and Matanzas Riverkeeper links below.

➡️ https://shorturl.at/hPrtM

➡️ https://shorturl.at/tjUay

Organizing to Victory Podcast: Garage Politics- Episode 17 on Florida’s War on Home Rule with Orange County Commissioner Dr, Kelly Martinez Semrad!

Let’s Talk About The States Attack On Local Governmental Control.

Orange County District 5 Commissioner Dr. Kelly Martinez Semrad joins us for a deep dive on the fights shaping Central Florida’s future, including uncontrolled sprawl and the escalating attacks on local home rule.

We get into why “growth doesn’t pay for itself,” how impact-fee caps and infrastructure deficits create a development “Ponzi scheme,” and why Orange County’s tourism economy can be either a poverty generator or a tool to fund better wages, transit, and land conservation.

Visit www.OrganizingToVictory.com to watch this episode and show up to volunteer with Commissioner Semrad in 2026 to feed the community and give back to our neighbors in a hands-on approach!
Visit www.KellySemrad.com today!