MOONEY’S FIANCÉE HURT IN SERIOUS CRASH IN ISLAMORADA

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

State Rep. Jim Mooney’s fiancée, Charity Rebl, is on a long path to recovery after she was involved in a serious crash in Islamorada last week.

Rebl, a local real estate agent, remains hospitalized at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. She’s being treated for a number of broken bones after a tractor-trailer collided with her vehicle in Islamorada.

Mooney, who was in Tallahassee for legislative session, left the capital in order to be by his fiancée’s side. Rebl was being treated in the intensive care unit since arriving at the hospital. Mooney said she left the ICU on April 17.

Despite being away, Mooney continues to manage several bills he’s sponsoring, including legislation related to fees in lieu of security deposits that’s supposed to be heard before the House on April 20 (today). Mooney said his colleague, state Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera, of Miami-Dade County, is helping to take on some of his bills appearing before legislators this week.

“We cover each other when things come up,” Mooney said regarding the camaraderie among his fellow representatives in the House.

Lee Young, Mooney’s legislative aide, said the hours, the stress and the time Mooney puts in to ensure his family and constituents “are both getting 100% from him is amazing.”

Mooney’s departure from the state capital came as the House was considering Senate Bill 300 on a 6-week abortion ban. Legislation passed through the chamber by a 70-40 vote and was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis the next day. Mooney, who couldn’t vote as he was away, said he wasn’t in favor of such a move.

“I struggled to get to 15 weeks. I did so much research,” Mooney said, adding that the state legislature has important issues, such as property insurance, to consider before the session concludes next month.

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