Florida Politics

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DeSantis signs bill allowing state officials to issue domestic ‘terrorist’ designations

TAMPA — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Monday that will allow just a handful of government officials to designate domestic terrorist organizations in Florida and expel college students who “promote” them.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/06/desantis-signs-bill-allowing-state-officials-to-issue-domestic-terrorist-designations/?

DeSantis plays down lack of Supreme Court opinion in justifying congressional redistricting effort

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has previously said that one of the reasons why Florida must conduct an unusual mid-decade congressional redistricting this year is because the state would likely be “forced” into compliance with an expected U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/06/desantis-plays-down-lack-of-supreme-court-opinion-in-justifying-congressional-redistricting-effort/?

Data center dilemma: Why money isn’t winning over communities

At least 37 states offer some sort of financial incentives to businesses building data centers. The incentives aren’t just a drop in the bucket either. In Virginia, for instance, the state has notched up about $1.6 billion in data center tax breaks. 

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/06/repub/data-center-dilemma-why-money-isnt-winning-over-communities/?

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Intact but not in use: Florida’s AIDS drug formulary advisory panel

The Florida Department of Health limited access to life-saving drugs for people with HIV without consulting its hand-picked advisory committee charged with maintaining and updating the list of available drugs for the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/08/intact-but-not-in-use-floridas-aids-drug-formulary-advisory-panel/?

Advocates fear Florida’s domestic terrorist law could reach beyond Muslim groups

TAMPA — One day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation (HB 1471) granting a handful of public officials power to designate a domestic terrorist organization, members of a likely target of the law warned it could reach beyond Muslim organizations.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/07/advocates-fear-floridas-domestic-terrorist-law-could-reach-beyond-muslim-groups/?

Is ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ under federal control? Answer could decide environmental groups’ case

Proving that the federal government controls the Everglades immigrant detention camp the state calls “Alligator Alcatraz” could be key to whether environmental groups’ case to shutter the facility survives, a chief appellate judge indicated Tuesday.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/07/is-alligator-alcatraz-under-federal-control-answer-could-decide-environmental-groups-case/?

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Retaliation? Provider loses $3.5M in state contracts after fighting HIV cuts

The state Department of Health notified the AIDS Healthcare Foundation that it would not renew five of its contracts to test and treat people with HIV and stop the spread of the sexually transmitted infection (STI).

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/10/retaliation-provider-loses-3-5m-in-state-contracts-after-fighting-hiv-cuts/?

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Brian Nathan says he’s ready to fight for the working class as he heads to Tallahassee

Florida’s 14th Senate District in western Hillsborough County went without representation during the past regular legislative session in Tallahassee, so newly elected Democrat Brian Nathan says his first responsibility is to make sure the district doesn’t get slighted when House and Senate leaders resume negotiations on the state budget later this spring.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/10/brian-nathan-says-hes-ready-to-fight-for-the-working-class-as-he-heads-to-tallahassee/?

DeSantis administration touts Medicaid, Hope Florida at press conference

Representatives of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ health care agencies came together Friday to recognize April as National Child Abuse Awareness Prevention Month.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/10/desantis-administration-touts-medicaid-hope-florida-at-press-conference/?

Uthmeier using the Rooney Rule to stir grievance, grease re-election

It is no accident that Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is suddenly concerned about the National Football League’s hiring practices. Twenty-three years after the Rooney Rule was established, he sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressing his profound concerns about the rule.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/13/uthmeier-using-the-rooney-rule-to-stir-grievance-grease-re-election/?

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Poll: NPAs giving Florida Democrats a legitimate chance in November

A month after Florida Democrats scored upset victories in two special legislative elections, a new survey shows their top candidates for statewide offices are either in a statistical tie or leading against GOP opponents.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/13/poll-npas-giving-florida-democrats-a-legitimate-chance-in-november/?

Bob Buckhorn, running to ‘finish what I started,’ announces run for Tampa mayor

TAMPA — Saying he wants to build a city that “is the envy of the nation,” former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn filed paperwork Monday to become a candidate to return to lead City Hall.

https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/bob-buckhorn-running-to-finish-what-i-started-announces-run-for-tampa-mayor/?

Anti-abortion lawmakers seek to redefine ‘abortion’ to exclude medical treatment

Some anti-abortion state lawmakers are pushing to revise the definition of “abortion” so abortion bans don’t apply to cases in which the death of an “unborn child” is the result of medical care provided to the pregnant woman.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/14/repub/anti-abortion-lawmakers-seek-to-redefine-abortion-to-exclude-medical-treatment/?

Florida Bar passage rate lower than a year ago

Aspiring attorneys taking the Florida Bar exam for the first time in February passed at a rate 3% lower than last year’s winter administration of the exam.

https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/florida-bar-passage-rate-lower-than-a-year-ago/?

DeSantis: Congressional redistricting special session may be delayed

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis insisted Tuesday that a special session on congressional redistricting will take place, although maybe not beginning Monday as originally scheduled.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/14/desantis-congressional-redistricting-special-session-may-be-delayed/?

Jose Javier Rodriguez raises objections to some of James Uthmeier’s campaign contributions

First-quarter fundraising totals for state candidates have now been reported, and Florida Democratic attorney general candidate José Javier Rodríguez is taking issue with a couple of financial contributions received by the man he hopes to replace in November, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.

https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/javier-rodriguez-takes-aim-at-james-uthmeiers-campaign-contributions/?

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DeSantis delays redistricting special session, expands it to AI, vaccines

Gov. Ron DeSantis delayed Wednesday a long-anticipated special session to redraw the state’s congressional maps, pushing it back by one week and expanding the call to address artificial intelligence and vaccine mandates.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/15/desantis-delays-redistricting-special-session-expands-it-to-ai-vaccines/?

Slipshod investigation of famous Florida eagle’s death ruffles feathers

Florida is truly a land of mystery. Often, things aren’t what they seem. You may wind up with more questions than answers.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/16/slipshod-investigation-of-famous-florida-eagles-death-ruffles-feathers/?