Florida Politics

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‘Alligator Alcatraz’ could be emitting hundreds of tons of toxic gases, new case claims

The so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center could be pumping hundreds of tons of toxic gases into the atmosphere without a permit, Florida environmentalists suing the state claimed in a new court filing.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/05/28/alligator-alcatraz-could-be-emitting-hundreds-of-tons-of-toxic-gases-new-case-claims/?

DeSantis’ property tax plan is different than what was described

New legislation filed in the Senate Thursday doesn’t quite match how Gov. Ron DeSantis described his property tax proposal during a lengthy news conference in Tampa Wednesday.

https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/desantis-property-tax-plan-is-different-than-what-was-described/?

Trump admin pays Florida first $58 million in ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ reimbursements, state says

The Trump administration has paid Florida $58 million for operating the Everglades immigrant detention center called “Alligator Alcatraz,” the first of promised federal reimbursements set to flow into the state.

https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/trump-admin-pays-florida-first-58-million-in-alligator-alcatraz-reimbursements-state-says/?

‘Wound down and shut down’ — Florida congressman says ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ coming to an end

The “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant lockup is slowly closing shop, flying detainees to other facilities, and emptying office cubicles, according to a Florida Democratic member of Congress who toured the center this week.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/05/27/wound-down-and-shut-down-florida-congressman-says-alligator-alcatraz-coming-to-an-end/?

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FY 26-27 budget done, vetoes are coming, and property tax debate lies ahead

The Florida Legislature signed off on a $114.5 billion budget Friday afternoon, even as some legislators worried it falls short of doing enough for schools, healthcare, and the environment.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/05/29/fy-26-27-budget-done-vetoes-are-coming-and-property-tax-debate-lies-ahead/?

Justice for the Groveland Four

Florida has a budget.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/01/justice-for-the-groveland-four/?

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Legislature changes the math on property tax plan to protect schools from DeSantis’ proposal

The Florida Legislature is moving quickly to put into play a revamped proposal pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to drastically reduce property taxes, homestead and otherwise, with potential final passage as early as Tuesday. 

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/01/legislature-changes-the-math-on-property-tax-plan-to-protect-schools-from-desantis-proposal/?

ChatGPT creators knew product would cause harm, Florida argues in lawsuit

OpenAI should’ve known the damage its chatbot would cause, the state argues in a lawsuit against ChatGPT’s creators.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/01/chatgpt-creators-knew-product-would-cause-harm-florida-argues-in-lawsuit/?

Florida officials weigh in on the federal rescheduling of medical marijuana

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is scheduled to hold a hearing later this month to consider the broader federal rescheduling of cannabis. The move follows U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche’s order from April to immediately reclassify state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/02/florida-officials-weigh-in-on-the-federal-rescheduling-of-medical-marijuana/?

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It’s up to the voters now: Legislature OKs DeSantis property tax proposal

Florida voters will be asked to sharply curtail the property taxes cities and counties rely upon under a far-reaching resolution championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and approved Tuesday by a supermajority of the Florida Legislature.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/02/its-up-to-the-voters-now-legislature-oks-desantis-property-tax-proposal/?

Parting messages from the House and Senate leaders differ in focus

House Speaker Daniel Perez in his parting remarks to members Tuesday emphasized the importance of standing firm, while Senate President Ben Albritton emphasized love.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/02/parting-messages-from-the-house-and-senate-leaders-differ-in-focus/?

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University of Florida presidential hopeful Stuart Bell says he won’t bring ‘woke’ back

GAINESVILLE — Stuart Bell, the lone finalist to be the next president of University of Florida, aimed to avoid the fate of the previous solo finalist by pledging allegiance to the conservative higher education policies storming Florida campuses. 

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/03/university-of-florida-presidential-hopeful-stuart-bell-says-he-wont-bring-woke-back/?

Trump touts eponymous airport as example of how DeSantis is ‘very good’

Gov. Ron DeSantis is “very good” and has bestowed a “great honor” upon Donald Trump by renaming the airport neighboring Mar-a-Lago after him, the 47th president said Wednesday.

https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/trump-touts-eponymous-airport-as-example-of-how-desantis-is-very-good/?

Now hitting deadline, Florida flunks Everglades pollution cleanup

The explorers of Florida found the lonely expanse of the Everglades to be downright f-f-f-f-frightening.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/04/now-hitting-deadline-florida-flunks-everglades-pollution-cleanup/?

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St. Pete Council OKs study to review costs, benefits of owning its own utilities

Responding to the frustrations expressed by local residents, the St. Petersburg City Council has taken a major step towards potentially jettisoning its longtime relationship with Duke Energy Florida and creating its own city-run electric utility.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/05/st-pete-council-oks-study-to-review-costs-benefits-of-owning-its-own-utilities/?

She’s out: Democratic Rep. Lindsay Cross says she will not run for re-election

This is a developing story.

St. Petersburg Democratic House Rep. Lindsay Cross stunned political observers Thursday when she announced she will not run for re-election.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/04/shes-out-democratic-rep-lindsay-cross-says-she-will-not-run-for-re-election/?

Shevrin Jones files to succeed Frederica Wilson in CD-24

Former state Senator Shevrin Jones is running to succeed eight-term U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson in Congressional District 24, according to paperwork filed Thursday morning.

https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/shevrin-jones-files-to-succeed-frederica-wilson-in-cd-24/?