Florida Politics

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Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz is preventing attorney access, lawsuit says

TALLAHASSEE — A class-action lawsuit filed Wednesday alleges that people held at the immigrant-detention center dubbed Alligator Alcatraz are being prevented from having access to lawyers and “effectively have no way to contest their detention.”

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/17/floridas-alligator-alcatraz-is-preventing-attorney-access-lawsuit-says/?

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Emails show DeSantis administration blindsided county officials with plans for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration left many local officials in the dark about the immigration detention center that rose from an isolated airstrip in the Everglades, emails obtained by The Associated Press show, while relying on an executive order to seize the land, hire contractors and bypass laws and regulations.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/17/immigration-florida-records/?

Alligator Alcatraz isn’t meant for minors. A 15-year-old ended up there anyway

TALLAHASSEE — In the rush to open a detention camp in the Florida Everglades for “some of the most vicious” migrants illegally in the country, state and federal officers detained a 15-year-old boy with no criminal record and sent him in handcuffs to Alligator Alcatraz, the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times have learned.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/18/alligator-alcatraz-isnt-meant-for-minors-a-15-year-old-ended-up-there-anyway/?

Florida’s disaster pipeline funnels millions to politically connected contractors

In a matter of days, a detention camp for undocumented migrants state officials have dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz”  rose out of the mosquito-infested Florida Everglades in time for a visit from President Trump on July 1.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/19/floridas-disaster-pipeline-funnels-millions-to-politically-connected-contractors/?

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Editorial: Make it clear that Floridians hate the idea of a black-bear massacre

Despite a thundering chorus of opposition, state wildlife officials seem determined to go through with its plan to slaughter dozens, maybe hundreds, of Florida black bears this December.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/18/editorial-make-it-clear-that-floridians-hate-the-idea-of-a-black-bear-massacre/?

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Video shows Florida deputies punching and dragging a Black man from his car

A video showing Florida deputies punching and dragging a Black man from his car during a traffic stop has sparked nationwide outrage, with civil rights lawyers accusing authorities of fabricating their arrest report. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said the cellphone camera footage from inside the car “does not comprehensively capture the circumstances surrounding the incident.” Read More.   DeSantis plans ‘DOGE’ audits of cities and counties that didn’t voluntarily comply State officials are preparing to conduct “on-site audits” of cities and counties across Florida, starting with Broward County and Gainesville, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday in press conferences in each place. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/22/desantis-plans-doge-audits-of-cities-and-counties-that-didnt-voluntarily-comply/?

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Florida signs $245 million in contracts for ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’ Here’s a look by the numbers Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ’ administration has already signed contracts to pay at least $245 million to set up and run a new immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” according to a public database. The amount — to be fronted by Florida taxpayers — is in line with the $450 million a year officials have estimated the facility will cost. Read more.

Why this matters: All the contracts were awarded under an executive order declaring an illegal immigration emergency the governor first enacted in 2023. The order grants the state sweeping authority to suspend “any statute, rule or order” seen as slowing the response to the emergency, including requirements to competitively bid public contracts.   State officials say at least some of the cost will be covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But in court documents, attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security stated that the federal government had yet to reimburse Florida for any of the costs. The department made clear that “Florida is constructing and operating the facility using state funds on state lands under state emergency authority.   One of the contracts shared with The Associated Press shows Critical Response Strategies was set to hire a warden for the temporary facility at $125 an hour and potentially spend more than $400,000 in overtime pay. It’s not clear how long staffers can expect to work at the facility. Corrections officers at the facility can expect to earn up to $11,600 a month, plus overtime, according to a job posting for the company on LinkedIn.

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DeSantis & Ingoglia target two Democratic-leaning areas as DOGE crackdown begins

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and newly installed Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia are beginning a crackdown on local government spending by targeting predominantly Democratic Gainesville and Broward County.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/22/desantis-ingoglia-target-two-democratic-leaning-areas-as-doge-crackdown-begins/?

Editorial: Why did DeSantis veto a common-sense ethics law?

It can make you dizzy, trying to figure out what is going on inside Gov. Ron DeSantis’ head, particularly when it comes to ethics laws meant to hold Florida’s leaders accountable and in balance.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/23/editorial-why-did-desantis-veto-a-common-sense-ethics-law/?

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Black student dragged from his car and punched by Florida officers says he was scared and confused

A Black college student shown on video being punched and dragged from his car by Florida law officers during a traffic stop faces a long recovery from injuries that include a concussion and a lip punctured by one of his teeth, his lawyers said Wednesday.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/22/black-student-dragged-from-his-car-and-punched-by-florida-officers-says-he-was-scared-and-confused/?

Parkland shooting survivors to AG Pam Bondi: ‘We will make you reckon with your hypocrisy’

Gun-control advocates from the Parkland shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas say U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi exploited them for political gain.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/23/parkland-shooting-survivors-to-ag-pam-bondi-we-will-make-you-reckon-with-your-hypocrisy/?

Maxwell: The mind of a Florida book-banner is a delusional place

Perhaps you read about Florida’s most recent efforts to beef up book banning in public schools.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/23/florida-book-bans-uthmeier/?

Mexican tourist, brother held in Alligator Alcatraz after Orlando arrest, father says

Two brothers, including a Mexican citizen vacationing in Orlando on a valid tourist visa, are being detained in Alligator Alcatraz after a traffic stop in the city earlier this month, their father said Wednesday.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/23/mexican-tourist-brother-held-in-alligator-alcatraz-after-orlando-arrest-father-says/?

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Florida Republicans love Alligator Alcatraz; many not bothered if legal residents are mistakenly deported

Florida Republicans are enthusiastic about Alligator Alcatraz.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/24/florida-republicans-love-alligator-alcatraz-many-not-bothered-if-legal-residents-are-mistakenly-deported/?

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ICE arrests of immigrants without criminal convictions or charges surge in Florida

Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests of people without criminal charges or convictions in Florida rose by more than 450% this June compared to last year.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/24/ice-arrests-of-immigrants-without-criminal-convictions-or-charges-surge-in-florida/?

DeSantis says it’s ‘appropriate’ to redistrict congressional districts before next election

With President Trump fearful that congressional Republicans could lose their slim majority in the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm election, he has urged the state of Texas to redraw their congressional map to add as many as five GOP seats to Congress, and that he’d like other states to follow suit.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/24/desantis-says-its-appropriate-to-redistrict-congressional-districts-before-next-election/?

ps:Of course he did. It amazes me that they have to do redistricting in a state that's probably 60/70 percent republican!! What could they possibly be afraid of?????

Central Florida DACA recipient released from Alligator Alcatraz, attorney says. He’s still jailed.

A Central Florida immigrant — who lives legally in the United States, according to his attorneys — has been released from the state’s Alligator Alcatraz detention center but remains in federal custody, his lawyer said Friday.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/25/central-florida-daca-recipient-released-from-alligator-alcatraz-attorney-says-hes-still-jailed/?

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Deportation flights from Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention center have begun, DeSantis says

Deportation flights from the remote Everglades immigration lockup known as "Alligator Alcatraz" began in the past few days, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday. Two or three flights have departed from the site so far, officials said, but they didn’t comment on where those flights were headed. Read More.

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Editorial: DeSantis’ local DOGE targets Broward — why Orange should brace itself

Ron DeSantis sure knows how to put the “bully” in bully pulpit.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/26/the-real-reason-desantis-is-targeting-broward-editorial/?

As DeSantis calls for property tax cuts, 10 Central Florida governments propose hikes

While state leaders seek to stoke a tax revolt, at least 10 Central Florida cities and counties are signaling they may increase the rate they levy on property owners.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/27/as-desantis-calls-for-property-tax-cuts-11-central-florida-governments-propose-hikes/?

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Mexican tourist, brother detained in Alligator Alcatraz now back in Mexico

Two brothers detained at Alligator Alcatraz, including a Mexican citizen vacationing in Orlando on a valid tourist visa, are now back home in Mexico City, their father said at a press conference Monday.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/28/mexican-tourist-brother-detained-in-alligator-alcatraz-now-back-in-mexico/?

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Does the Florida Kidcare program comply with Trump’s new ‘Big Beautiful’ law?

Is Florida’s children’s health insurance program compliant with the “big beautiful” law that President Donald Trump pushed through Congress?

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/30/does-the-florida-kidcare-program-comply-with-trumps-new-big-beautiful-law/?

Florida prison data breach exposes visitors’ contact information to inmates

Dozens and perhaps hundreds of individuals who applied to visit inmates at Everglades Correctional Institution (ECI) in Miami-Dade County last weekend had their personal contact information shared with every inmate at that facility, according to five different individuals who have spoken to the Phoenix over the past four days.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/29/florida-prison-data-breach-exposes-visitors-contact-information-to-inmates/?

Florida solar power advocates say time is now to take advantage of tax credits

TAMPA — With significant federal tax breaks for purchasing rooftop solar power, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient home improvements set to expire, solar power advocates gathered in Tampa Tuesday to urge those considering making such purchases to do so right now.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/29/florida-solar-power-advocates-say-time-is-now-to-take-advantage-of-tax-credits/?

‘Devastating’ spending cuts: Advocates decry Trump tax law’s harm to Latino communities

WASHINGTON — The massive tax and spending cuts package signed into law by President Donald Trump earlier this month will affect not only Latinos using federal safety net programs but also those living in communities vulnerable to environmental pollution, Democrats and advocates said during a Tuesday virtual press conference.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/29/repub/devastating-spending-cuts-advocates-decry-trump-tax-laws-harm-to-latino-communities/?

ps:Oh so now that they realize it will affect them they're upset with him!!

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Who’s in charge at Alligator Alcatraz? ‘We’ve gotten a lot of runaround’

Immigration attorneys and environmental activists — even the Mexican government and the Archdiocese of Miami — have all asked who’s in charge at Alligator Alcatraz.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/31/whos-in-charge-at-alligator-alcatraz-weve-gotten-a-lot-of-runaround-2/?

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Two Osceola sheriff employees arrested, including deputy close to Marcos Lopez

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has brought charges against two employees including a deputy allowed by former Sheriff Marcos Lopez to continue working despite evidence of illegally using agency databases.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/30/two-osceola-sheriff-employees-arrested-including-deputy-close-to-marcos-lopez/?

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Duval County sheriff's deputies are accused of police brutality against a Black motorist.

As galling as it has been to watch a Jacksonville sheriff’s deputy break a car window and punch a non-combative man in the face, the feeble justification from the sheriff and a determination from the state attorney that cops did nothing wrong is just as infuriating.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/08/02/jacksonville-cops-in-hot-water-after-brutalizing-driver/?

Florida DOGE starts hunt for wasteful spending. What can Orange County expect Tuesday?

Florida DOGE has commenced, delivering hope and glee to some, anxiety and fear to others.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/02/florida-doge-starts-hunt-for-wasteful-spending-will-it-brandish-a-machete-or-wield-a-pencil/?

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Rate decreases announced by Florida’s top five auto insurers. Here they are.

Car insurance rates are falling in Florida, thanks to improved company profits and lower costs from reforms aimed at ending excessive litigation.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/04/rate-decreases-announced-by-floridas-top-five-auto-insurers-here-they-are/?

ps:Interesting, but there prices continue to go up!!

Judge orders Florida, federal officials to produce ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ agreements

ORLANDO — Federal and state officials in Florida must produce agreements showing which government agency or private contractor has legal authority to detain people or perform immigration officer roles at “Alligator Alcatraz,” the immigration detention facility in the Everglades, a federal judge said Monday.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/04/judge-orders-florida-federal-officials-to-produce-alligator-alcatraz-agreements/?

Editorial: DeSantis’ dishonest aggression, suspension threat hits Orange County

Let’s get one thing straight. Last week’s threat by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier — to suspend all seven members of the Orange County Commission if they didn’t sign off on an agreement allowing county jail personnel to transport people being held on immigration detainers  — was outrageously out of line, a lawless disgrace based on a wobbling pile of half-truths and outright lies.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/01/editorial-desantis-dishonest-aggression-suspension-threat-hits-orange-county/?

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Mid-decade redistricting could be risky move for Florida Republicans

TALLAHASSEE — While the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature wages “maximum warfare” to carve new GOP House seats for the 2026 election and solidify President Trump’s lock on Congress, significant obstacles impede Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desire to do the same in Florida.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/04/mid-decade-redistricting-could-be-risky-move-for-florida-republicans/?

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Orange commissioners Wilson and Semrad defied DeSantis. Will he oust them?

Could the two Orange County commissioners who defied Gov. Ron DeSantis’ instructions to support the county’s new ICE pact lose their jobs over their votes?

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/06/orange-commissioners-wilson-and-semrad-defied-desantis-will-he-oust-them/?

ps:I guess this is how maga-publicans do stuff! Just threaten others with losing there jobs if they don't do vote your way!!

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Editorial: Fake immigration claims fuel Trump, DeSantis power grabs. Time to fight back

This weekend, a front page story by the Sentinel’s Natalia Jaramillo detailed a bizarre tango between local jail officials and federal immigration officials. Prisoners suspected of being in this country illegally have been picked up at the Orange County Jail, driven around for hours — then returned to the jail with a new inmate number and a re-set on the time they can be held in local custody. As a result, attorneys for these prisoners say they’ve been unable to speak with their clients, or even keep track of where they are.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/07/editorial-fake-immigration-claims-fuel-trump-desantis-power-grabs-time-to-fight-back/?

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Judge orders temporary halt to construction at Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention center

MIAMI (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday ordered a two-week halt to construction at an immigrant detention center in the Florida Everglades dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” as she considers whether it violates environmental laws.

https://apnews.com/article/florida-detention-alligator-alcatraz-08aac166ad5fa5dfbd33a00f6be2b979?

Florida House creating a committee on congressional redistricting

The Florida Legislature appears to be on board with Gov. Ron DeSantis stated desire to convene a mid-decade redistricting process this year.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/08/07/florida-house-creating-a-committee-on-congressional-redistricting/?

Judge blocks construction at Everglades deportation facility for two weeks

Further construction at the Everglades deportation facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” must be halted for at least two weeks, a federal judge ruled Thursday.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/08/07/judge-blocks-construction-at-everglades-deportation-facility-for-two-weeks/?

‘Conservatives’ rally for continuation of enhanced Obamacare premium credits

Championing access to affordable health care is an issue that some identify as left-leaning, especially in a Republican-dominated state like Florida.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/08/07/conservatives-rally-for-continuation-of-enhanced-obamacare-premium-credits/?

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Will Trump administration cuts kill Osceola initiative to teach English to pre-K kids?

Florida Atlantic University professors have been training Osceola County prekindergarten teachers techniques for teaching English since 2023.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/10/will-trump-administration-cuts-kill-osceola-initiative-to-teach-english-to-pre-k-kids/?

Editorial: Find a way to block DeSantis’ threats against local leaders

Over the six and a half years he’s been in office, Gov. Ron DeSantis has conducted political aggressions with increasingly predatory glee. And he’s made one form of attack a personal signature — removing officials from public office for policies he finds offensive, whether or not they violate the law.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/10/editorial-find-a-way-to-block-desantis-threats-against-local-leaders/?

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Opposition grows to Florida law designed to improve disaster recovery

A nonprofit smart growth advocacy organization, 1000 Friends of Florida, is the latest entity calling for the Florida Legislature to repeal portions of a new law designed to expedite post-disaster rebuilding.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/08/08/opposition-grows-to-florida-law-designed-to-improve-disaster-recovery/?

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Florida bear hunt foes aim to stop it or make it “less cruel” at final vote Wednesday

Waving signs that read “Killing Is Not Conservation,” Florida black bear advocates rallied over the weekend in Central Florida and elsewhere and plan to caravan to a state wildlife meeting Wednesday aiming to block the first hunt in a decade of a once-imperiled species — or at least make the rules “less cruel.”

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/11/florida-bear-hunt-foes-aim-to-stop-it-or-make-it-less-cruel-at-final-vote-wednesday/

FWC commissioners appear poised to affirm the first bear hunt in Florida in a decade

Although the odds indicate regulators will OK the first black bear hunt in a decade in Florida, opponents will pull out all the rhetorical stops when the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) gathers this week in North Florida for a final vote.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/08/12/fwc-commissioners-appear-poised-to-affirm-the-first-bear-hunt-in-florida-in-a-decade/?

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Florida AG says he won’t defend state ban on long gun purchases, so gun safety group steps up

A gun violence prevention group is calling upon the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a legal challenge to Florida’s ban on individuals under 21 years of age purchasing long guns.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/08/12/florida-ag-says-he-wont-defend-state-ban-on-long-gun-purchases-so-gun-safety-group-steps-up/?

Ron DeSantis selects Jay Collins to serve as lieutenant governor of Florida

TAMPA — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis selected Republican state Sen. Jay Collins to be his next lieutenant governor on Tuesday, immediately leading to speculation that the retired Army Green Beret could be the candidate to run for governor in 2026 and continue the DeSantis legacy.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/08/12/ron-desantis-selects-jay-collins-to-serve-as-lieutenant-governor-of-florida/?

Environmental concerns could halt construction at Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ immigration jail

MIAMI (AP) — Construction of a makeshift immigrant detention center in the Florida Everglades dubbed “ Alligator Alcatraz ” could be halted indefinitely as a federal judge considered Wednesday whether building on sensitive wetlands violated environmental laws.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/13/environmental-concerns-could-halt-construction-at-floridas-alligator-alcatraz-immigration-jail/