Members phkrause Posted December 26, 2025 Author Members Posted December 26, 2025 ‘Sadly timed’: New bill would allow professors, TAs to open carry on campus Florida professors, university faculty, and teaching assistants could soon be able to openly carry firearms on campus, thanks to a sweeping new measure filed by a Republican lawmaker. https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/16/sadly-timed-new-bill-would-allow-professors-tas-to-open-carry-on-campus/? CAIR-Florida files lawsuit against DeSantis after ‘terrorist’ designation TAMPA — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil-rights organization, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order issued last week designating the group as a “terrorist organization.” CAIR is asking the court to block the executive order and declare it unconstitutional. https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/16/cair-florida-files-lawsuit-against-desantis-after-terrorist-designation/? Gun-safety groups call on Ben Albritton to block bill lowering age to buy long guns to 18 A dozen gun-violence prevention groups are calling upon Florida Senate President Ben Albritton to once again reject a proposal from the Florida House to lower the age to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18 years old. https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/19/gun-safety-groups-call-on-ben-albritton-to-block-lowering-age-to-buy-long-guns-to-18/? What have immigrants ever done for America? Foreigners! What have they ever done for us? https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/22/what-have-immigrants-ever-done-for-america/? ps:Each one of us can trace our linage to a immigrant!!!! Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted December 27, 2025 Author Members Posted December 27, 2025 AI ‘Bill of Rights’ filed in the Florida Senate A leading Senate Republican filed a lengthy bill Monday to enact Gov. Ron DeSantis’s proposed “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights.” https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/22/ai-bill-of-rights-filed-in-the-florida-senate/? Who decides what vaccines a child should get? As childhood vaccination rates fall, several diseases once considered eradicated are back and spreading, most notably measles and whooping cough. https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/22/repub/who-decides-what-vaccines-a-child-should-get/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 7 Author Members Posted January 7 DeSantis condemns ‘destructive’ Maduro government while announcing arrests of 10K non-citizens SANDERSON — Without directly praising President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis Monday at Florida’s “Deportation Depot” condemned the “destructive” Nicolás Maduro government days after U.S. military forces captured him. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/05/desantis-condemns-destructive-maduro-government-while-announcing-arrests-of-10k-non-citizens/? In Miami-Dade, Republicans say democracy is coming to Venezuela — but not immediately A little over 48 hours after U.S. troops removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power, top Florida Republicans say they are certain that democracy is coming to the South American nation. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/05/in-miami-dade-republicans-say-democracy-is-coming-to-venezuela-but-not-immediately/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 8 Author Members Posted January 8 Anti-vax discrimination, behind-the-counter ivermectin access bill filed in the House A House Republican is charging back into a continuing fight over vaccines and doctors that created a huge rift during last year’s legislative session. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/07/anti-vax-discrimination-behind-the-counter-ivermectin-access-bill-filed-in-the-house/? DeSantis announces support for Rep. Luna’s bill banning congressional stock trading CLEARWATER — Pinellas County Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s push for a congressional stock trading ban received an endorsement Tuesday from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/06/desantis-announces-support-for-rep-lunas-bill-banning-congressional-stock-trading/? DeSantis: Trump was ‘accurate’ in description of Miccosukees in veto message CLEARWATER — Gov. Ron DeSantis admits he wasn’t familiar with the federal legislation vetoed by Donald Trump last week that would have given the Miccosukee Tribe more control over a portion of the Everglades. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/06/desantis-trump-was-accurate-in-description-of-miccosukees-in-veto-message/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 9 Author Members Posted January 9 Bills requiring new FL voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship filed for session Legislation that would require new Florida voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship has again been filed in advance of the Florida legislative session kicking off next week in Tallahassee. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/07/bills-requiring-new-fl-voters-to-show-proof-of-u-s-citizenship-filed-for-session/? Florida lawmaker is back with bill promoting water pollution This is such an exciting time of year for us Florida columnists! The 2026 legislative session begins next Tuesday, and we’re all waiting to see which piece of legislation will win the coveted title of the Worst Bill of the Year. I’ve already chosen my nominee. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/florida-lawmaker-is-back-with-bill-promoting-water-pollution/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 11 Author Members Posted January 11 Court rules Florida Medicaid termination letters fly in face of federal law A federal judge ruled this week that Florida violated the constitutional rights of poor people it removed from the Medicaid rolls following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, when it sent beneficiaries “vague, confusing and often incorrect and misleading” termination letters. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/09/court-rules-florida-medicaid-termination-letters-fly-in-face-of-federal-law/? Massive immigration package targets employers hiring undocumented immigrants Florida businesses that purposely ignore whether employees are legally in the United States could face hefty fines or even criminal charges if they hire more than 50 undocumented immigrants, according to a sweeping new immigration package. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/massive-immigration-package-targets-employers-hiring-undocumented-immigrants/? Bills would create Office of Corrections Ombudsman to monitor prisons Saying existing law does not provide adequate and independent oversight of the Florida’s Department of Corrections (FDC), two Florida GOP lawmakers have proposed an Office of Corrections Ombudsman to ensure accountability, monitor conditions of confinement, and investigate complaints. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/bills-would-create-office-of-corrections-ombudsman-to-monitor-prisons/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 13 Author Members Posted January 13 DeSantis administration nixes uninsured requirement for Kidcare enrollment The DeSantis administration said Wednesday it no longer will require some children to go uninsured for two months before enrolling them in the federal children’s health insurance program, or CHIP. https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/31/desantis-administration-nixes-uninsured-requirement-for-kidcare-enrollment/? DeSantis condemns ‘destructive’ Maduro government while announcing arrests of 10K non-citizens SANDERSON — Without directly praising President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis Monday at Florida’s “Deportation Depot” condemned the “destructive” Nicolás Maduro government days after U.S. military forces captured him. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/05/desantis-condemns-destructive-maduro-government-while-announcing-arrests-of-10k-non-citizens/? Florida tests 24 formulas; purport that 16 have at least one heavy metal Florida officials on Friday warned parents about certain brands of infant formula, saying tests conducted by the state showed potentially unsafe levels of heavy metals. https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/florida-tests-24-formulas-purport-that-16-have-at-least-one-heavy-metal/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 13 Author Members Posted January 13 Man convicted for carrying Pelosi’s podium during US Capitol riot seeks Florida county office BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — A man who grabbed then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s podium and posed with it for photographs during the U.S. Capitol riot is running for county office in Florida. https://apnews.com/article/adam-johnson-pelosi-podium-lectern-january-6-7300673ecfeba82accac63fc4395c853? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 15 Author Members Posted January 15 With his next pick, DeSantis will have selected every Florida Supreme Court justice bar one Six white men make up the group of finalists to fill the seat on the Florida Supreme Court vacated by Charles Canady. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/10/with-his-next-pick-desantis-will-have-selected-every-florida-supreme-court-justice-bar-one/? Florida’s Democratic congressional delegation calls for Trump admin to restore TPS for Venezuelans All eight Democratic U.S. representatives from Florida have signed a letter urging the Trump administration to immediately restore temporary protected status (TPS) to Venezuelans in the U.S. following the administration’s military attack on Venezuela last weekend. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/09/floridas-democratic-congressional-delegation-calls-for-trump-admin-to-restore-tps-for-venezuelans/? Don’t be fooled by flamingo debate; Legislature is poised to do great harm It’s the most wonderful time of the year! https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/dont-be-fooled-by-flamingo-debate-legislature-is-poised-to-do-great-harm/? What does Ron DeSantis hope to achieve in his final legislative session? After seven productive years in office, Ron DeSantis will give his final “State of the State” address as Florida governor Tuesday morning at the Florida Capitol. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/13/what-does-ron-desantis-hope-to-achieve-in-his-final-legislative-session/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 20 Author Members Posted January 20 Florida Obamacare enrollment dips by more than 5% The number of Floridians relying on a federal health care exchange established under the Affordable Care Act has dropped by more than 261,000 people after Republicans in Congress let expire the enhanced premium tax credits that help hold down coverage costs. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/16/florida-obamacare-enrollment-dips-by-more-than-5/? ps:What do they expect? If they can't pay for the ACA they definitely won't be able to afford anything else and will now be without health insurance!! Florida’s universal E-Verify mandate passes House Floor For the second year in a row, the Florida House has greenlit a measure requiring all businesses to use a federal verification tool to determine whether new hires can legally work in the country. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/15/floridas-universal-e-verify-mandate-passes-house-floor/? The ball is in the House’s court to solve school voucher funding problems It’s the Florida House’s turn to address school voucher accounting shortfalls. The Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved its package to fix problems uncovered by a state audit that created major consternation among lawmakers. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/14/the-ball-is-in-the-houses-court-to-solve-school-voucher-funding-problems/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 25 Author Members Posted January 25 Black Democrats blast AG Uthmeier’s attack on affirmative action Three days after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day by declaring in an advisory legal opinion that more than 80 state laws aimed at protecting minority employees and businesses are no longer valid, Black Democratic lawmakers protested during a press conference in the rotunda of the state Capitol on Thursday. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/22/black-democrats-blast-ag-uthmeiers-attack-on-affirmative-action/? House budget panel eyes SNAP changes and their effect on state budget Florida will have to pay more to participate in the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program, often referred to as SNAP, due to changes in law enshrined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/22/house-budget-panel-eyes-snap-changes-and-their-affect-on-state-budget/? Cursive writing bill swoops to House floor A proposal requiring testing for Florida students’ cursive writing ability passed its second House committee Thursday, the last stop before it goes before the full House. https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/cursive-writing-bill-swoops-to-house-floor/? Reproductive ‘freedom’ bills would revive access to abortion care in Florida A pair of Florida Democrats have filed legislation that would in effect eliminate the state’s restrictive six-week abortion ban and other laws limiting abortion access and guarantee access to reproductive health care. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/23/reproductive-freedom-bills-would-revive-access-to-abortion-care-in-florida/? Teacher nonpartisan oath bill postponed before first committee hearing A bill requiring teachers to take an oath to the Florida and U.S. constitutions, and to non-partisanship, was temporarily postponed in advance of its first committee hearing Tuesday. https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/teacher-nonpartisan-oath-bill-postponed-before-first-committee-hearing/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted February 1 Author Members Posted February 1 Gun-safety advocates push to preserve Florida’s red-flag law One major part of the 2018 gun safety law approved by the Florida Legislature following the mass school shooting in Parkland would already be history if the state House had its way. The chamber voted earlier this month (for the fourth year in a row) to lower the legal age to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/30/gun-safety-advocates-push-to-preserve-floridas-red-flag-law/? Planned Parenthood on Medicaid chopping block, SNAP work requirements moving in the House The Florida Legislature may be poised to copy federal law and ban Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/29/planned-parenthood-on-medicaid-chopping-block-snap-work-requirements-moving-in-the-house/? State contemplating pausing university H-1B visas for a year, at DeSantis’ urging Following through with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ wishes, the Florida Board of Governors preliminarily voted Thursday to freeze public university H-1B visa hirings for a year, leaving hopeful international academics without that option. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/29/state-contemplating-pausing-university-h-1b-visas-for-a-year-at-desantis-urging/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted Friday at 04:24 PM Author Members Posted Friday at 04:24 PM Bill adding transparency to state land swaps sweeps through House committees Hugh Long was born and raised “just up the road” from the Guana River Wildlife Management Area in St. Johns County, and spent “countless hours” as a youth hiking its trails, fishing its waters, and hunting its game. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/03/bill-adding-transparency-to-state-land-swaps-sweeps-through-house-committees/? Florida Democrats: Haitian TPS ruling a ‘victory,’ but there’s still more to be done A federal judge’s 11th hour order blocking deportation of Haitians legally sheltering in the United States is a massive victory for immigrants, Florida Democrats argued Tuesday. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/03/florida-democrats-haitian-tps-ruling-a-victory-but-theres-still-more-to-be-done/? Temporary legal status allowed for now for 350,000 Haitians as judge blasts Kristi Noem WASHINGTON — A federal judge late Monday blocked the termination of temporary protections for roughly 350,000 Haitians from taking effect, a move that prevents the Trump administration from acting to deport them as litigation continues. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/03/repub/temporary-legal-status-allowed-for-now-for-350000-haitians-as-judge-blasts-kristi-noem/? After legal challenge, state proposes new rules for AIDS drug assistance program The DeSantis administration announced Tuesday that it’s developing three new rules meant to curb spending in a federally funded program that provides benefits to people with HIV and AIDS. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/03/after-legal-challenge-state-proposes-new-rules-for-aids-drug-assistance-program/? Balancing act: Bills to both regulate, promote AI data centers advance to final committee Florida Sen. Bryan Avila acknowledges his pair of AI bills present a quandary: Attempt to regulate data centers enough that they don’t harm the environment, but not too much that they’re not built within the state. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/04/balancing-act-bills-to-both-regulate-promote-ai-data-centers-advance-to-final-committee/? Cameras in special education classrooms move ahead Special education rooms could feature cameras watching over students if Florida lawmakers keep up support for a bipartisan bill. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/04/cameras-in-special-education-classrooms-move-ahead/? Proposal to clarify if ex-felons are eligible to vote advances in the Senate – but not in the House A bill that would require the state of Florida to develop and maintain a centralized database to help individuals with felony convictions determine whether they are eligible for restoration of voting rights quickly passed its second committee stop in the state Senate on Wednesday. https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/proposal-to-clarify-if-ex-felons-are-eligible-to-vote-advances-in-the-senate-but-not-in-the-house/? Bill requiring new FL voters to prove U.S. citizenship clears first committee A bill to impose heightened requirements for first-time voters, including mandating presentation of documents such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate — received its first hearing in this year’s legislative session, and was approved by a party-line vote in the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee on Wednesday. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/04/bill-requiring-new-fl-voters-to-prove-u-s-citizenship-clears-first-committee/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted Saturday at 01:10 AM Author Members Posted Saturday at 01:10 AM Back to school: Senate panel OKs bill mandating sickle cell education In many ways, Shamar Harper is a typical 12-year-old boy living in Miramar. He worries about homework, what he’s going to wear to school, and even the video games he plays. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/06/back-to-school-senate-panel-oks-bill-mandating-sickle-cell-education/? FL voters sue to block DeSantis’ mid-decade congressional redistricting Two Florida voters backed by the National Redistricting Foundation filed a legal challenge with the Florida Supreme Court Thursday against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to hold a special legislative session in April to address congressional redistricting. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/05/fl-voters-sue-to-block-desantis-mid-decade-congressional-redistricting/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted Sunday at 09:46 PM Author Members Posted Sunday at 09:46 PM DOJ holding up Everglades detention reimbursement, Florida emergency director says The Department of Justice is preventing a federal grant from going to Florida to pay for the Everglades immigration detention center that the state calls “Alligator Alcatraz,” according to Florida’s emergency chief. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/05/doj-holding-up-everglades-detention-reimbursement-florida-emergency-director-says/? Medicaid work requirements in the works in Florida? Saying he believes a distinction should be drawn between those who can work and those who can’t, a top Senate Republican wants to implement work requirements for Florida’s $38 billion Medicaid program. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/03/medicaid-work-requirements-in-the-works-in-florida/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted Sunday at 11:53 PM Author Members Posted Sunday at 11:53 PM Students at DeLand High School walk out to protest ICE DELAND, Fla. — Student led walkouts are taking place at high schools across the country this month to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). https://dailywise.com/city/deltona-fl/students-at-deland-high-school-walk-out-to-protest-ice/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted 4 hours ago Author Members Posted 4 hours ago Does a shocking election result in Texas mean anything in Florida politics? In the suburbs of Fort Worth, Texas, on Jan. 31, a Democratic candidate named Taylor Rehmet won a special election for a state Senate district by 14 points. It was the same district Donald Trump won by 17 points in 2024 — a 31 point swing, the largest over-performance in a competitive special election since Trump took office a year ago. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/08/does-a-shocking-election-result-in-texas-mean-anything-in-florida-politics/? Do Florida public universities really embrace the Western Tradition? It’s a lousy time to be a kid in Florida. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/09/do-florida-public-universities-really-embrace-the-western-tradition/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
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