Florida Politics

[phkrause]

Canadian man held by immigration officials dies in South Florida federal facility, officials say

MIAMI (AP) — A Canadian man being held by immigration officials in South Florida has died in federal custody, officials said.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/06/26/immigration-detention-death/?

DeSantis signs oil drilling ban for Apalachicola River area

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law Thursday evening to ban oil drilling along the Apalachicola River in northwest Florida, delivering a win for both environmentalists and fishermen who said the ban was essential to protect their way of life.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/06/27/desantis-signs-oil-drilling-ban-for-apalachicola-river-area/?

[phkrause]

Environmental groups sue to halt construction of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Environmental groups filed a lawsuit Friday seeking to halt construction of a state-run immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades called “Alligator Alcatraz” that is set to open within days.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/06/27/environmental-groups-sue-to-halt-construction-of-alligator-alcatraz/?

Canadian man who died in Miami detention lived in Daytona Beach

Johnny Noviello moved from Canada to Daytona Beach when he was 10 years old. He grew up in Florida and became a lawful permanent resident.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/06/28/canadian-man-who-died-in-miami-detention-lived-in-daytona-beach/?

What if a hurricane hits ‘Alligator Alcatraz’? Florida drawing up evacuation plan

MIAMI — Construction is underway for an immigrant detention center in the heart of the Everglades, where Florida says it plans to stash detainees in tents as soon as next week.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/06/28/what-if-a-hurricane-hits-alligator-alcatraz-florida-drawing-up-evacuation-plan-2-2/?

[phkrause]

Florida’s leaders are swapping class for crass

Younger readers may be unaware there was a time when politicians followed the rules, almost as if they cared about good government.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/06/30/floridas-leaders-are-swapping-class-for-crass/?

Lawmakers say they had no idea new slavery memorial is now on display across from Capitol

Seven years after the Florida Legislature approved a memorial recognizing the tragedy of slavery for the grounds of the Florida Capitol, the bronze statue called “Circle of Chains” has been completed and is on display across the street from the building.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/06/27/lawmakers-say-they-had-no-idea-new-slavery-memorial-is-now-on-display-across-from-capitol/?

ps:Right!!!

How DeSantis leaned on emergency powers to build ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in days

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Nearly three years ago, when Hurricane Ian destroyed a bridge in southwest Florida and left residents on a barrier island with scant access to drinking water and food, Gov. Ron DeSantis leveraged his emergency authority to scramble contractors to reconstruct the bridge. It took less than three days.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/06/30/how-desantis-leaned-on-emergency-powers-to-build-alligator-alcatraz-in-days-2/?

DeSantis signs austerity budget, saves Florida businesses nearly $1 billion in taxes

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis approved an austere spending plan on the last day of the fiscal year Monday under $115 billion, one that is less than the current budget yet still delivers almost $1 billion in tax savings for Florida businesses.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/06/30/desantis-signs-austere-budget-saves-florida-businesses-nearly-1-billion-in-taxes/?

[phkrause]

Fluoride, ‘Gulf of America’ and student cell phones: 10 new Florida laws

TALLAHASSEE — With Gov. Ron DeSantis signing a state budget and a flurry of other bills, the dust has settled on the 2025 legislative session. Here are 10 laws that took effect Tuesday, the start the 2025-2026 fiscal year:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/01/fluoride-gulf-of-america-and-student-cell-phones-10-new-florida-laws/?

DeSantis vetoes target Central Florida programs, charities

TALLAHASSEE –  Money for Central Florida projects, from charities that help the poor to an initiative to fix a faulty east Orange County water system, disappeared this week under the red veto pen of Gov. Ron DeSantis, with critics calling his cuts arbitrary, mean-spirited and politically motivated.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/01/desantis-vetoes-target-central-florida-programs-charities/?

Maxwell: In Florida, it’s always an ‘emergency.’ The ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ backstory

By now, you probably know that Gov. Ron DeSantis built a detention center in the middle of the Everglades and seized control of land to do so. But you might not appreciate how he was able to do so.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/01/alligator-alcatraz-florida-state-of-emergency-desantis-maxwell/?

[phkrause]

Editorial: Governor moves to erase the truth behind big tax cuts

Gov. Ron DeSantis wants Floridians to vote to cut their property taxes. But he doesn’t want Floridians to know what will happen if they vote to cut their property taxes.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/02/editorial-governor-moves-to-erase-the-truth-behind-big-tax-cuts/?

[phkrause]

Hundreds of immigrants to arrive at Everglades detention center tonight, Uthmeier announces

Hundreds of immigrants awaiting deportation will arrive Wednesday night at the detention center the state built in the Everglades, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on X.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/02/hundreds-of-immigrants-to-arrive-at-everglades-detention-center-tonight-uthmeier-announces/?

US appeals court endorses state ban on teachers’ use of preferred pronouns

A federal appeals court has ruled against a Florida teacher who challenged a state law forbidding transgender teachers from using their preferred pronouns during their official duties in the classroom.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/02/us-appeals-court-endorses-state-ban-on-teachers-use-of-preferred-pronouns/?

Powerful Florida developer hears a rare response from Manatee County: No!

There’s a tradition that when someone sings Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” everyone has to stand. So please rise as I warble several heartfelt hallelujahs over what the Manatee County Commission did last week.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/03/powerful-florida-developer-hears-a-rare-response-from-manatee-county-no/?

Feds push back in ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention center fight

TALLAHASSEE — The Trump administration Thursday argued a federal judge should deny a request to block operation of a detention center in the Everglades for undocumented immigrants, saying Florida has been responsible for the project dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.”

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/03/feds-push-back-in-alligator-alcatraz-detention-center-fight/?

First immigration detainees arrive at Florida center in the Everglades

The first group of immigrants has arrived at a new detention center deep in the Florida Everglades that officials have dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” a spokesperson for Republican state Attorney General James Uthmeier told The Associated Press.

https://apnews.com/article/alligator-alcatraz-immigration-detainees-florida-56670910db4c88800d9df42ac3ce7f91?

[phkrause]

Maxwell: NASCAR, Publix get tax breaks in Florida. You get higher tolls

The headline stripped atop the Orlando Sentinel’s front page at the end of this past legislative session seemed like it should’ve been accompanied by a sad-trombone sound:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/03/florida-tax-breaks-nascar-publix/?

ps:Again lets screw the workers and give the business the breaks!!!

[phkrause]

Lawmakers were stopped from entering Alligator Alcatraz. That may violate Florida law

A group of Florida lawmakers were barred from entering Alligator Alcatraz, the state-run detention facility for migrants in the Florida Everglades, Thursday afternoon.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/04/lawmakers-were-stopped-from-entering-alligator-alcatraz-that-may-violate-florida-law/?

[phkrause]

Editorial: Sticker shock at the grocery store means more Floridians going hungry

This Fourth of July, sure, there were fireworks and parades. But many Americans just wanted to enjoy a plate of ribs, corn on the cob and watermelon with family and friends. Some might have trimmed guest lists — not for space, but to cut the grocery bill.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/05/food-costs-rising-covid-grocery-groceries/?

ps:If people don't believe that tariffs are not effecting the prices of other foods are just lying to themselves!! If you recall trump had already told a number of businesses to just eat the cost, but you better believe that those companies have increased the prices on other goods, especially fruits!!!!! I notice the last number of times going to Walmart that the prices of peaches and nectarines were way up! Other prices on other groceries have gone up!!!!!

[phkrause]

Did the president drop an f-bomb? Yes, and Democrats are doing it too

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who started in politics as a young legislative aide and is now the senior Democrat in Florida’s congressional delegation, has for years calibrated her statements, carefully choosing her words to communicate exactly the message she intends.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/06/did-the-president-drop-an-f-bomb-yes-and-democrats-are-doing-it-too/?

ps:Lets not lower ourselves to his level!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gustave]

Democrats and Republicans (as well as the Socialist / Communist) politicians have been using foul language since the founding of the Parties. Wasserman Shultz's epic diarrhea like departure from her DNC position circa Hilliary Clinton's historic loss triggered incredible profanity from the Democrat Party talking heads. We can be charitable and allow Shultz to make-a-mess in her britches. She's had a rather tough go of it. Democrats have had to watch as several of their sacred cows have been sent through the rendering works. Until things normalize again the language will be spicy me thinks. 

[phkrause]

8 hours ago, Gustave said:

Democrats and Republicans (as well as the Socialist / Communist) politicians have been using foul language since the founding of the Parties. Wasserman Shultz's epic diarrhea like departure from her DNC position circa Hilliary Clinton's historic loss triggered incredible profanity from the Democrat Party talking heads. We can be charitable and allow Shultz to make-a-mess in her britches. She's had a rather tough go of it. Democrats have had to watch as several of their sacred cows have been sent through the rendering works. Until things normalize again the language will be spicy me thinks. 

If you say so!!

[phkrause]

‘Cartoonish:’ Pushback on Everglades detention center extends to ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ name

Florida is moving to solidify its renaming of the training airport where the 3,000-person capacity detention center in the Everglades is located to “Alligator Alcatraz.”

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/03/pushback-to-alligator-alcatraz-name/?

Trump and DeSantis have made ignorance great again

If you’re wondering what happens when history is bowdlerized or suppressed, lies are enshrined, free enquiry stifled, empathy ridiculed, education crippled, and hatred valorized, take a look at Preston Damsky, racist, antisemite, and top law student at the University of Florida.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/07/trump-and-desantis-have-made-ignorance-great-again/?

ps:Oh yes they have!!

[phkrause]

Florida pulls back $2.1 billion in reinsurance money

TALLAHASSEE — As Florida lawmakers in 2022 tried to bolster the troubled property-insurance system, they drew attention for setting aside $3 billion in state money to help insurers with critical backup coverage.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/07/florida-pulls-back-2-1-billion-in-reinsurance-money/?

In the name of parental rights, new law requires sign-off for corporal punishment in Florida schools

The number of students paddled in Florida schools may decrease now that parents are included in a new state law.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/08/in-the-name-of-parental-rights-new-law-requires-sign-off-for-corporal-punishment-in-florida-schools/?

30-day public comment period underway for new Medicaid managed care program

Medicaid officials are moving quickly to expand statewide a managed care pilot project for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities championed by Miami Republican and House Speaker Daniel Perez.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/07/30-day-public-comment-period-underway-for-new-medicaid-managed-care-program/?

Editorial: A tour of depravity in the Everglades

Unable to resist the political clickbait, President Donald Trump muscled Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier out of the limelight June 30, to celebrate the opening of a Florida first.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/08/a-tour-of-depravity-in-the-everglades-editorial/?

[phkrause]

Maxwell: DeSantis spending orgy at Alligator Alcatraz benefits donors

Last week, I told you how Ron DeSantis granted himself special powers by declaring that Florida has been in a state of “emergency” for more than two straight years.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/08/alligator-alcatraz-spending-orgy-desantis-donor/?

[phkrause]

Deltona fire chief wants agency upgrades to cut down emergency response times. Here’s what it will cost

DELTONA, Fla. – Deltona fire officials want to cut fire emergency response times, but say that could take tens of millions of dollars in upgrades. The city is looking to renovate existing fire stations and build several new ones to keep up with rapid population growth.

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/07/09/deltona-fire-chief-wants-agency-upgrades-to-cut-down-emergency-response-times-heres-what-it-will-cost/

ps:With this Governor I'm not sure he'll get the funds!! But you never know, every once in a while he does do good!!!!!

Miami-Dade County mayor seeks oversight of Everglades immigrant detention center

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava wants the state to give the county monitoring authority over the new Everglades immigrant detention center.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/08/miami-dade-county-mayor-seeks-oversight-of-everglades-immigrant-detention-center/?

Industry pros: ‘Governor, $32 is not too much for a local grouper sandwich’

Is $32 too much for a Florida-caught grouper sandwich?

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/09/industry-pros-governor-32-is-not-too-much-for-a-local-grouper-sandwich/?

DACA recipient from Orange County among those at Alligator Alcatraz, attorney says

One of the first transfers from the Orange County Jail to Alligator Alcatraz is a 36-year-old who is legally in the United States and was picked up for driving with a suspended license, his attorney told the Orlando Sentinel.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/09/daca-recipient-from-orange-county-among-those-at-alligator-alcatraz-attorney-says/?

[phkrause]

DEP once again fails Florida springs, won’t push polluters

Florida’s springs are one of the natural wonders of our state. As a result, I naturally wonder why the government agency in charge of protecting them thinks it’s OK to let them become cesspools of pollution and toxic algae.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/10/dep-once-again-fails-florida-springs-wont-push-polluters/?

Darkness is crucial to Everglades habitat. Could Alligator Alcatraz threaten it?

Surrounded by the low hum of swamp bugs, Anthony Sleiman pointed his camera to the west.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/10/darkness-is-crucial-to-everglades-habitat-could-alligator-alcatraz-threaten-it/?

[phkrause]

Central Florida Dems say Medicaid users, public school students first at risk from ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’

Central Florida Democrats and local leaders say the region will suffer from the major cuts to health care and education programs in President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/10/medicaid-users-public-school-students-first-at-risk-from-big-beautiful-bill-dems-say/?

Florida lawmakers who were denied access to Alligator Alcatraz file lawsuit

Five Florida Democratic legislators who were denied access to the Alligator Alcatraz immigrant detention center in the Everglades last week when they attempted an unannounced inspection have filed a lawsuit in the Florida Supreme Court.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/09/florida-lawmakers-members-of-congress-to-tour-alligator-alcatraz-this-weekend/?

Hope Florida: Odd, unexplained payments raise more questions | Special Report

TALLAHASSEE — The call to Skip Simmons, CEO of a mentorship program in Volusia County, came from out of the blue.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/11/odd-unexplained-payments-raise-more-questions-about-hope-florida/?

Editorial: Lawmakers, stand up to DeSantis and start healing a mangled river

For Florida’s leaders, a few controversies stand as bright-line tests: There is a wrong side and a right side, with little gray in between. The fate of the Ocklawaha River, strangled for six decades by an ill-conceived dam just north of the Ocala National Forest, is one of those issues. And once again, Gov. Ron DeSantis and a misguided minority of Florida lawmakers are on the wrong side.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/11/editorial-lawmakers-stand-up-to-desantis-and-start-healing-a-mangled-river/?

Editorial: Lawmakers, stand up to DeSantis and start healing a mangled river

For Florida’s leaders, a few controversies stand as bright-line tests: There is a wrong side and a right side, with little gray in between. The fate of the Ocklawaha River, strangled for six decades by an ill-conceived dam just north of the Ocala National Forest, is one of those issues. And once again, Gov. Ron DeSantis and a misguided minority of Florida lawmakers are on the wrong side.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/11/editorial-lawmakers-stand-up-to-desantis-and-start-healing-a-mangled-river/?

[phkrause]

Alligator Alcatraz evokes racist trope of ‘gator bait’

On Sunday, two men stood in front of Alligator Alcatraz to show support for the detention center. One held a sign that read, “Welcome to Paradise. Don’t feed the animals.”

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/11/alligator-alcatraz-evokes-racist-trope-of-gator-bait/?

Florida auditor general failed to review illegal immigration expenditures

TALLAHASSEE — More than two years into Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ongoing emergency declaration of a “border crisis,” Florida’s fiscal watchdog agency hasn’t audited any of the expenses and contracts issued under the order.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/11/florida-auditor-general-failed-to-review-illegal-immigration-expenditures/?

Cameras confiscated, detainees off limits as lawmakers tour ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

With a white binder, disposable camera and list of questions in hand, Congressman Maxwell Frost headed Saturday morning down a 2-mile driveway to “Alligator Alcatraz.”

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/12/florida-lawmakers-tour-alligator-alcatraz-leave-with-more-questions-than-answers/?

[phkrause]

Immigration

Florida lawmakers who took a limited tour of the immigration detention center located deep in the Everglades described the conditions as “inhumane.” Dozens of detainees are housed in each cell where they experience sweltering heat, bug infestations, meager meals and a lack of privacy, they said. Although the lawmakers were barred from viewing the medical facilities or meeting any of the detainees, many could be heard crying out for freedom. “They are essentially packed into cages, wall-to-wall humans, 32 detainees per cage,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who represents Florida’s 25th Congressional District. She also said each cage contained three small toilets with attached sinks, which detainees used for drinking water and to brush their teeth. About 900 people are currently detained in the center, which has been dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” Republicans have touted it as a “low-cost” facility fortified by Mother Nature.

[phkrause]

Before it was Alligator Alcatraz, this airstrip sparked fury and changed America’s landscape

Alligator Alcatraz has triggered pride in the MAGA world — and fury in an unlikely bipartisan mix of South Floridians.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/13/before-it-was-alligator-alcatraz-this-airstrip-sparked-fury-and-changed-americas-landscape/

[phkrause]

The Miccosukee Tribe of Florida wants to join a federal lawsuit against 'Alligator Alcatraz'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida is seeking to join a federal lawsuit aimed at halting the construction and operation of a new immigration detention facility in the Everglades, which tribal members consider their sacred ancestral homelands.

https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/miccosukee-tribe-of-florida-lawsuit-alligator-alcatraz/67-17a572e1-e4e2-4e58-9573-b849b31a9e4f

Florida airports ordered to report any ‘weather modification’ activities

Florida airports soon must submit monthly reports on weather modification activities or face the loss of state funding under a controversial new law derided by critics as fueling conspiracy theories.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/14/florida-airports-ordered-to-report-any-weather-modification-activities/?

Prosecutors in Amesty case seek more time, citing ‘ongoing investigation’

Federal prosecutors pursuing a criminal complaint against former state Rep. Carolina Amesty are seeking more time to obtain an indictment, citing an “ongoing investigation” and a pending sealed motion before a grand jury.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/14/prosecutors-in-amesty-case-seek-more-time-citing-ongoing-investigation/?

Clean energy firm aims for November groundbreaking at Poinciana SunRail site

A French green energy company is on track to break ground this November on its long-awaited $500 million green energy project at the Poinciana SunRail Station site.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/15/cmg-clean-tech-shoots-for-november-groundbreaking-at-poinciana-sunrail-site/?

Dozens of teens who spent time at abusive Florida reform school ended up on Death Row

Eight years before a jury sentenced him to death for two murders and he confessed to three more, Michael Bell spent time at a Florida reform school so violent that the state later apologized for the abuse and paid millions to the victims.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/15/dozens-of-teens-who-spent-time-at-abusive-florida-reform-school-ended-up-on-death-row/?

[phkrause]

Maxwell: Florida flouts auditing law on ‘emergency’ immigration spending

There are a lot of troubling aspects about Florida’s so-called “Alligator Alcatraz”:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/15/alligator-alcatraz-missing-audit-emergency-spending-maxwell/?

DeSantis’ concentration camp stunt is source of more cruelty, chaos

While the Occupant of the White House has wreaked havoc on the lives and fortunes of immigrant families in Los Angeles, New York, and other sanctuary cities, his MAGA partner in Florida has been working just as diligently to wage war on undocumented immigrants and foreign-born, brown-skinned U.S. citizens.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/16/desantis-concentration-camp-stunt-is-source-of-more-cruelty-chaos/?

DeSantis names Sen. Blaise Ingoglia Florida’s next CFO

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed his ally Sen. Blaise Ingoglia as the state’s chief financial officer on Wednesday, setting up a clash with a President Donald Trump-backed legislator who also wants the job.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/16/desantis-names-sen-blaise-ingoglia-floridas-next-cfo/?

Florida attorney general identifies wrongful charges under halted immigration law

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — At least two people have been wrongly charged under a Florida law that outlaws people living in the U.S. illegally from entering the state since a federal judge halted its enforcement, according to a report Florida’s attorney general is required to file as punishment for defying the judge’s ruling.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/16/florida-attorney-general-identifies-wrongful-charges-under-halted-immigration-law/?

[phkrause]

? Prisons instead of schools. Florida lawmakers have obtained a state contract with the private firm managing “Alligator Alcatraz,” a new $450 million immigration detainment facility built in the middle of the Everglades, and found that staffers’ hourly rates are higher than the state’s average public schoolteacher salary. At $53,098 a year, Florida’s teachers are some of the lowest-paid in the country. Meanwhile, the Alligator Alcatraz purchase order shows Critical Response Strategies, a crisis response firm, is billing the state for more than $78 million including tens of millions of dollars in overtime, to staff the detention center.

[phkrause]

Is DeSantis slowing down plan for a second migrant detention center at Camp Blanding?

Gov. Ron DeSantis appears to be cooling off, for now at least, on a plan to build a second state-run immigrant detention center at the Florida National Guard training site in Clay County.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/16/is-desantis-slowing-down-plan-for-a-second-migrant-detention-center-at-camp-blanding/?

Federal judge recuses himself in lawsuit against Everglades immigrant detention center

The U.S. trial judge assigned to the lawsuit to halt the state-run immigrant detention center in the Everglades recused himself on Wednesday, nearly three weeks after environmental groups asked the court to intervene.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/16/federal-judge-recuses-himself-in-lawsuit-against-everglades-immigrant-detention-center/?