Florida Politics

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Statewide grand jury investigating COVID-19 vaccines finds no evidence of crimes

A statewide grand jury didn’t find evidence that COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers broke federal or state laws when making and distributing the shots, according to a report published Tuesday.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/01/07/statewide-grand-jury-investigating-covid-19-vaccines-finds-no-evidence-of-crimes/?

ps:Of course they couldn't!!! There's nothing there!!!!!!!!!!

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State healthcare agency wants $6.7 million to hike staff pay, improve services

TALLAHASSEE — The state agency that administers Florida’s Medicaid program for 5 million residents told lawmakers it needs a midyear budget boost of $6.7 million to address chronic staffing shortages that advocates say prevent needy families from getting medical care.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/01/09/state-healthcare-agency-wants-6-7-million-to-hike-staff-pay-improve-services/?

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Republican leaders in Florida House, Senate, rebel against Gov. DeSantis

The Florida Legislature is meeting in special session this week — but only on the issue of illegal immigration. In doing so, legislative leaders are openly defying Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attempts to bend lawmakers to his will – and his ability to control the discussion.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/01/27/republican-leaders-in-florida-house-senate-rebel-against-gov-desantis/?

DeSantis, GOP legislative leaders in feud over who will enforce immigration laws

A dispute between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican leaders of the Legislature over conflicting views of an immigration crackdown escalated Monday after the governor labeled as “bizarre” lawmakers’ proposal to strip him of immigration enforcement powers.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/01/27/desantis-gop-legislative-leaders-in-feud-over-who-will-enforce-immigration-laws/?

Democrats, activists push unsuccessfully for GOP to ditch repeal of in-state tuition for Dreamers

With Florida GOP leadership now determined to pass an immigration reform bill that differs somewhat from what Gov. Ron DeSantis had been proposing for the past few weeks, Florida Democrats and activists on Monday tried to persuade GOP lawmakers to remove the provision that apparently unites all Florida Republicans — repealing in-state tuition rates for undocumented students who attend Florida colleges and universities.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/01/27/democrats-activists-push-unsuccessfully-for-gop-to-ditch-repeal-of-in-state-tuition-for-dreamers/?

Florida’s new attorney general: An advocate for secrecy in government | Commentary

With so much chaos in Florida politics lately, little attention has been paid to something that should be big news: The state is about to get a new attorney general for whom none of its citizens voted.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/01/28/uthmeier-florida-attorney-general/?

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Florida Legislature pushes through immigration bill over DeSantis’ objections

In defiance of Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Republican-led Florida Legislature passed a bill late Tuesday night anointing Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson as the state’s chief immigration officer and zapping millions of dollars from the governor’s office for immigration enforcement.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/01/28/florida-legislature-pushes-through-immigration-bill-over-desantis-objections/?

DeSantis threatens to veto Florida Legislature’s sweeping immigration bill

TALLAHASSEE — The showdown between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature over immigration enforcement continued today with the governor threatening to veto the Legislature’s $500 million bill drafted with input from President Donald Trump’s team.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/01/29/desantis-threatens-to-veto-florida-legislatures-sweeping-immigration-bill/?

ps:What's the matter with this guy?? Oh yeah he wants to be a mini trump, but he doesn't want his people listening to trump!! Wow these guys are just incredible!!!!!!!!!

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Florida Republicans just declared war on each other

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Florida’s Republican era of good feelings appears over.

https://local.newsbreak.com/florida-state/3787881002624-florida-republicans-just-declared-war-on-each-other?

ps:That's because the "real" Republicans are finally stepping up!! I wonder when that will happen at the federal level?????

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DeSantis says he’s supportive of open carry law — but is GOP leadership?

Immigration may not be the only major policy issue that divides Gov. Ron DeSantis and the GOP leadership in the Florida Legislature.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/01/31/desantis-says-hes-supportive-of-open-carry-law-but-is-gop-leadership/?

Tallahassee’s going Looney Tunes over immigration

Ron DeSantis is spittle-spouting, white boot-stamping, holding-his breath-till-he’s-blue, screaming-till-he’s-sick mad.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/02/03/tallahassees-going-looney-tunes-over-immigration/?

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Florida Senate panel advances bill to prevent attempts to ‘pave over’ state parks with golf courses, lodges

TALLAHASSEE — After a bipartisan uproar last year about a proposal dubbed the “Great Outdoors Initiative,” the Florida Senate on Tuesday began moving forward with a bill that would prevent building such things as golf courses, pickleball courts and hotel-style lodges in state parks.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/11/florida-senate-panel-advances-bill-to-prevent-attempts-to-pave-over-state-parks-with-golf-courses-lodges/?

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Florida’s abortion ban: What the latest data shows

The statewide total of 60,755 abortions in 2024 was down 28% from 84,052 in 2023, according to the state

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/13/floridas-abortion-ban-what-the-latest-data-shows/?

Editorial: Is there courage enough in Tallahassee to fight for tax-code fairness?

Florida’s sales tax code is a mess. And this matters. It matters a lot, because sales tax is the single largest slice of the state’s annual revenue, bringing in roughly $36 billion a year. Yet the state tax code is riddled with exemptions that often draw comparisons to Swiss cheese, including many tax breaks that were enacted for the benefit of an elite few, and no longer serve a purpose (if they ever did). At a time that calls for tough measures, taking a sharp pencil to special-interest tax cuts makes sense — along with reining in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ calls for pointless, lavish spending.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/13/editorial-is-there-courage-enough-in-tallahassee-to-fight-for-tax-code-fairness/?

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Bill aims to help Floridians with autism secure work

The Senate Committee on Education PreK-12 gave unanimous support Tuesday to a bill aiming to secure work opportunities for people with autism during its first of three committee stops. 

https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/bill-aims-to-helps-floridians-with-autism-secure-work/?

DeSantis represents a clear and present danger to Black Floridians

He’s trying to gaslight us about the state’s lingering pattern of discrimination.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/02/19/desantis-represents-a-clear-and-present-danger-to-black-floridians/?

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Here’s what immigration crackdowns mean for Florida’s workforce

Fidel Sanchez remembers how hard things got after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law tightening restrictions on immigration in 2023. Out of nearly 80 workers and their families who used to work on his Plant City strawberry and vegetable farm, eight stayed.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/20/heres-what-immigration-crackdowns-mean-for-floridas-workforce/?

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Florida insurance companies steered money to investors while claiming losses, study says

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — While Florida insurers claimed to be losing money in the wake of hurricanes Irma and Michael, their parent companies and affiliates were making billions of dollars, according to a study obtained by the Times/Herald.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/24/florida-insurance-companies-steered-money-to-investors-while-claiming-losses-study-says/?

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Editorial: Stop the stampede of secrecy at Florida’s Capitol

Florida legislators will soon flock to the Capitol in Tallahassee for their annual 60-day session, and that means the public’s right to know will once again be under siege.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/25/stop-the-stampede-of-secrecy-at-floridas-capitol-editorial/?

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Editorial: Sen. Geraldine Thompson showed Floridians what a true servant leader looks like

Throughout her long career, Florida Sen. Geraldine Thompson relied on strategies that made her one of this community’s most effective and beloved public servants: It’s always better to keep friends than make enemies. Speak softly until it’s time to yell. Put the most effort into creating solid, incremental change rather than relying on grand gestures that grab headlines before they fizzle.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/25/editorial-sen-geraldine-thompson-showed-floridians-what-a-true-servant-leader-looks-like/?

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Florida is stealing food from the mouths of hungry children

The United States, according to Credit Suisse, was the wealthiest nation in the world in 2022, with net wealth of $145.8 trillion, and the second wealthiest country in the world per capita at $555,147.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/02/26/florida-is-stealing-food-from-the-mouths-of-hungry-children/?

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Editorial: Florida AG’s hysterical attacks on diversity are a disgrace

The Republican Party’s war against diversity, equity and inclusion — DEI for short — has taken on multiple disgraceful turns, even as a federal judge’s partial injunction exposes how shabby it is.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/28/florida-ags-hysterical-attacks-on-diversity-are-a-disgrace-editorial/?

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Florida voters could do away with lieutenant governor post under proposed constitutional amendment

Florida voters would be asked to do away with the office of lieutenant governor and create a new Cabinet position under a proposed constitutional amendment filed Thursday in the state House.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/03/01/florida-voters-could-do-away-with-lieutenant-governor-post-under-proposed-constitutional-amendment/?

ps:Oy Vey!!!!!

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Editorial: Don’t let Trump pick another governor

In a gang war, victory is a rare achievement. Conflict between the aggressors drags on interminably. But the ones who suffer most of all are the innocent bystanders.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/03/04/dont-let-trump-pick-another-governor-editorial/?

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DeSantis wants Legislature to ‘reevaluate’ gun safety laws passed after Parkland

Gov Ron DeSantis said Tuesday in his State of the State address that he wants the Florida Legislature to re-examine key provisions of the landmark 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, enacted following the shootings in Parkland that killed 17 students and school administrators.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/03/04/desantis-wants-legislature-to-reevaluate-gun-safety-laws-passed-after-parkland/?

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? Exclusive: Gaetz could be next Florida AG

Florida's next attorney general could be the ex-congressman who almost became President Trump's U.S. attorney general: Matt Gaetz, Axios' Marc Caputo scoops.

• Why it matters: Despite the intense controversy he generated before withdrawing his nomination, Gaetz still has strong name ID and is well-liked enough among Florida's GOP base to be a formidable candidate.

In a hypothetical primary matchup against Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Gaetz was favored 39%-21%, according to a recent survey of likely Republican voters by Tony Fabrizio, one of the nation's top GOP pollsters.

? Zoom in: There's already a war of words brewing between Gaetz and Uthmeier supporters over right-wing influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate, who recently were allowed to return to the U.S. after facing sex trafficking charges in Romania.

• Uthmeier has announced an investigation into the Tates. Gaetz — who as a member of Congress faced allegations of paying a minor for sex — has criticized Uthmeier's motives.

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Mr. Musk, please stop trying to kill Florida’s national parks and refuges

We need the parks to stay open and thriving, not just for the environment but also for our economy.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/03/06/mr-musk-please-stop-trying-to-kill-floridas-national-parks-and-refuges/?

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DeSantis warns gubernatorial hopeful Donalds about missing votes in Congress; he missed many in 2018

During key months of his first gubernatorial run, DeSantis missed dozens of congressional votes

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/03/06/desantis-warns-gubernatorial-hopeful-donalds-about-missing-votes-in-congress-he-missed-many-in-2018/?

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DeSantis opposes repealing Florida’s no-fault auto law. Will his stand stall Legislature’s efforts?

Gov. Ron DeSantis seems determined to put the brakes on efforts in the Florida Legislature to scrap the state’s no-fault automobile insurance laws, including a requirement for drivers to buy personal injury protection.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/03/06/desantis-opposes-repealing-floridas-no-fault-auto-law-will-his-stand-stall-the-legislatures-efforts/?

Pinellas won’t enforce ICE agreement school police chief signed without authorization

Pinellas County Schools are backing off from an agreement with the federal government to deputize school police for immigration enforcement efforts.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/03/06/pinellas-wont-enforce-ice-agreement-school-police-chief-signed-without-authorization/?

Proposal to make vast changes to ballot petition process draws huge opposition — but still advances

A bill that would radically change Florida’s citizen-led constitutional amendment process received its first hearing in the Legislature on Thursday, where dozens of Floridians warned it would deal a major blow to direct democracy.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/03/06/proposal-to-make-vast-changes-to-ballot-petition-process-draws-huge-opposition-but-still-advances/?

Abolish the property tax? Momentum builds for Florida overhaul

Gov. Ron DeSantis is eyeing a massive overhaul of taxes in Florida, a change that could save homeowners thousands of dollars a year but also throw funding for police, schools and other critical government services into turmoil.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/03/07/abolish-the-property-tax-momentum-builds-for-florida-overhaul/?

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Committee would ban use of state funds to advocate on ballot measures

A committee of the Florida Senate approved an amendment to an election bill on Monday that would ban use of state funds to advocate for or against a ballot measure. 

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/03/10/committee-would-ban-use-of-state-funds-to-advocate-on-ballot-measures/?

Florida Senate committee moves to ban using tax dollars on ballot initiative campaigns

TALLAHASSEE –After Gov. Ron DeSantis used millions of state dollars last year to battle against abortion and marijuana proposals, some Florida lawmakers want to ban the use of public funds to promote or oppose ballot amendments.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/03/11/florida-senate-committee-moves-to-ban-using-tax-dollars-on-ballot-initiative-campaigns/?

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First Target. Now Florida budgets $20 million to sue other companies | Commentary

In his first week in office, Florida’s new attorney general was eager to score some headlines. So James Uthmeier announced he was suing Target for espousing LGBTQ-inclusive viewpoints.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/03/11/first-target-now-florida-budgets-20-million-to-sue-other-companies-commentary/?

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Pilot program to provide free genetic testing gets OK from House education panel

In what advocates believe could put Florida on the map as a leader in genomic medicine, a House Education panel on Tuesday gave the nod to a bill (HB 907) that would create the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases (FIPRD) at Florida State University.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/03/11/pilot-program-to-provide-free-genetic-testing-gets-ok-from-house-education-panel/?

Editorial: Lawmakers scheme to block Florida voters’ ideas from reaching the ballot

Democracy is dying — not in darkness, but in plain sight at the Florida Capitol.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/03/12/a-very-dark-future-for-ballot-initiatives-in-florida-editorial/?

Out-of-state employees, a Paris trip, missing vehicles: Florida legislators question spending

TALLAHASSEE — Four high-level Florida employees earning six-figure salaries live out of state and racked up $56,000 in travel expenses, including money spent on trips to Tallahassee, in the last two years, a Florida budget oversight panel has learned.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/03/12/out-of-state-employees-a-paris-trip-missing-vehicles-legislators-question-fl-spending/?