Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 3.28.25
Your morning download of Florida political power plays.
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118min
Mr. Telephone Man: Donald Trump dials it in for Jimmy Patronis, Randy Fine
‘The whole country’s actually watching this one.’
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5min
Capitol gets a dose of fun on STEM Day
This year’s event comes after an unprecedented time of cuts for Florida’s museums and science centers.
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3min
Jesse SchecknerHouse panel signs off on bill loosening media protections, requiring removal of online reports
Unlike its Senate analog, the House bill did not face opposition from Democratic lawmakers in its first committee stop.
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8min
News & Trending
March 28, 2025
Peter Schorsch
Peter Schorsch
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 3.28.25
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118min
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March 27, 2025
A.G. Gancarski
A.G. Gancarski
Mr. Telephone Man: Donald Trump dials it in for Jimmy Patronis, Randy Fine
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5min
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March 27, 2025
Gabrielle Russon
Gabrielle Russon
Dana Trabulsy bill aims to help families get death certificates faster
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4min
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Drew DixonLegislative, Influence & Policy
Capitol gets a dose of fun on STEM Day
This year’s event comes after an unprecedented time of cuts for Florida’s museums and science centers.
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3min
House panel signs off on bill loosening media protections, requiring removal of online reports
Unlike its Senate analog, the House bill did not face opposition from Democratic lawmakers in its first committee stop.
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8min
Dana Trabulsy bill aims to help families get death certificates faster
‘This will solve a problem and be able to help these families move on sooner with the things that they need to do to start healing.’
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4min
House panel votes up bill to protect affordable housing tenants from mid-lease rent increases
A ‘loophole’ in the law today allows rent hikes in the middle of leases for affordable units.
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5min
‘Stolen valor’ measure gets full support from the Senate
‘We have to protect the sanctity of the uniform.’
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4min
Ben Albritton urges fellow Senators to get residents involved in hurricane prep program
The My Safe Florida Home now has $103M in grants available.
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3min
‘Fix this problem’: Senate approves bill to make candidate party affiliation rules enforceable
It’s a bipartisan problem that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree needs fixing.
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7min
Never forget: Senate passes bill to establish Holocaust Remembrance Day
Lawmakers in both chambers of state government expressed hope that the bill would raise awareness and fight back against antisemitism happening in the Sunshine State.
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4min
Tom Leek postpones floor vote on cop killer bill after Black Caucus decries removal of ‘good faith’ standard
‘My love for you all tells me today that the best thing for us to do is to keep talking.’
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12min
Benefits for firefighters hurt in training advance in House
The measure is said to ‘fix a glaring hole’ in Florida law. But it may create a hole in local budgets.
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3min
Gov. DeSantis rips House for budget veto overrides
Money for water, sewer, veterans and the Department of Corrections was reinstated Wednesday.
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6min
Heat-not-burn legislation is getting hot in Tallahassee
Proposed changes to smoking statutes would set up the option for a new taxing structure for less harmful tobacco products.
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7min
New Administration
Associated PressWhite House withdraws Elise Stefanik’s nomination for U.N. Ambassador over tight GOP House margin
‘We must be unified to accomplish our Mission.’
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3min
Donald Trump nominates UCF’s ‘space czar’ for NASA job
‘Space is the most important thing to happen in at least half a millennia,’ said UCF’s space czar as he was nominated to be NASA’s CFO.
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4min
Donald Trump nominates Flagler School Board member and transportation expert for top federal trucking post
Derek Barrs has a long history of trucking and transportation experience in Florida.
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3min
Donald Trump Co-Campaign Manager Chris LaCivita sues The Daily Beast for defamation
LaCivita says the outlet ‘maliciously’ and wrongly reported that he had earned $22M from the campaign.
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6min
Ron DeSantis keeps pushing for Joseph Ladapo to take over CDC. Could he be confirmed?
Florida’s Top Doc’s views would be heavily scrutinized if Donald Trump advances him.
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4min
‘Like a beggar’: Revived Donald Trump quotes offer reminders of feud with Ron DeSantis
A new book reminds us of how things were a couple of years ago.
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4min
Elon Musk, DOGE tries to slash government by cutting out those who answer to voters
How will Congress respond?
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9min
Donald Trump administration withdraws nomination of David Weldon for CDC director
The nominee faced questions about his controversial opinions on vaccines.
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3min
CDC nominee Dave Weldon is likely to be pressed on his vaccine views at Senate hearing
Former U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon from Florida has years of questionable stances on vaccinations.
9min
Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports go into effect
Canadians prepare retaliatory tariffs in escalating trade war.
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9min
Education Department cuts half its staff as Donald Trump vows to wind the agency down
But Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in confirmations only Congress can abolish the agency completely.
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7min
Donald Trump halts doubling of tariffs on Canadian metals, after Ontario suspends electricity price hikes
Donald Trump brinksmanship enters new stage as stock markets continue downward slide.
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12min
Immigration Enforcement
‘Not discretionary’: James Uthmeier warns Donna Deegan not to veto Jacksonville illegal immigration law
Deegan’s response? ‘No comment.’
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4min
Police union backs Jacksonville Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act
Law enforcement continues to fall in behind this proposal.
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2min
Jacob OglesFort Myers approves police agreement with ICE days after shooting it down
The change of heart happened after James Uthmeier threatened members with removal for failing to follow a new state law.
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8min
Problems with rulings? Ron DeSantis suggests eliminating Judges
If Congress had courage, rogue Judges could be reined in.
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6min
Ron DeSantis wonders why ‘young people’ aren’t doing immigrants’ jobs
The Governor suggested undocumented immigrants are taking teenagers’ jobs.
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3min
Byron Donalds calls for removal of Ft. Myers Council members after illegal immigration deadlock
The Naples Republican expects Gov. DeSantis to take action.
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3min
Specials
Mr. Telephone Man: Donald Trump dials it in for Jimmy Patronis, Randy Fine
‘The whole country’s actually watching this one.’
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5min
Donald Trump to hold telerallies for Randy Fine, Jimmy Patronis
Special Elections in CD 1 and CD 6, both Republican-leaning districts, will be settled Tuesday.
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4min
DNC Chair Ken Martin to campaign for Josh Weil ahead of CD 6 Special Election
Martin will accompany Nikki Fried as Democrats aim to turn out voters ahead of the high-profile race.
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5min
Poll shows CD 6 Special Election within margin of error
Republican Randy Fine holds the edge ahead of a Special Election for Congress.
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4min
See the ‘rustic lodge’ Josh Weil’s campaign spent 5 figures on for campaign HQ as Dems question spending spree
Democratic consultants question whether the prolific fundraiser has spent his resources wisely.
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10min
Randy Fine slams Josh Weil for pulling salary, criticizes other campaign expenses
Financial disclosures also show the Democrat spent $62K on Airbnb rentals.
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4min
2026
Erika Donalds says Casey DeSantis ‘teased a run’ for Governor, but Byron Donalds can better deal with Florida issues
‘I don’t know what she’s going to do, but I know my husband has an incredible track record.’
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9min
EMILYs List puts 4 Florida Republicans in Congress ‘on notice’
The progressive group slammed the voting records of Aaron Bean, Laurel Lee, Anna Paulina Luna and Cory Mills.
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6min
David Jolly, exploring run for Governor as a Democrat, says Florida has a chance to change direction
Does the former Republican have a path?
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4min
Senate Republican leaders back Jake Johansson in open SD 8 race
‘We need leaders in the Senate who will put families first.’
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3min
Casey DeSantis enjoys slightly higher approval ratings than Byron Donalds in new poll
Mason-Dixon polling shows she enjoys higher name recognition than her potential rival for the Republican nomination.
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5min
Maxwell Frost backs ‘visionary’ Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet for open HD 42 seat
‘He doesn’t just talk about change — he delivers it.’
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3min
Federal
Department of Health and Human Services will cut 10,000 jobs as part of a major restructuring plan
The National Institutes for Health will also be slashing more than 1,000 positions.
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2min
U.S. cities located in states won by Donald Trump would be most hurt by Canadian tariffs, an analysis finds
Red states could pay the highest price for Donald Trump’s tariff plans.
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6min
Jared Moskowitz runs back Congressional ‘Sneaker Caucus’ to promote bipartisanship
Everyone loves a good pair of sneaks.
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5min
Tax season is a prime time for scams. IRS uncertainty could add to the issues this year
With layoffs sweeping through the IRS, experts advise to file tax returns early.
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12min
Ron DeSantis urges Montana Legislature to certify Balanced Budget Amendment, but it’s too late for this year
Timing is everything. The Governor is out of time.
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3min
Ron DeSantis says DOGE went too far firing probationary employees, cutting weather forecasters
Room for improvement? ‘There’s a blip here, a blip there.’
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4min
Jacksonville
NE Florida
Orlando
St. Pete
Janelle Irwin TaylorSW Florida
Fresh Take FloridaTampa
Panhandle
Tallahassee
Communities
Guest Author
South Florida
Anthony Segrich wins runoff for Lake Worth Beach Commission
He won the seat representing District 4, which spans the city’s southeastern portion.
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5min
Phyllis Choy wins runoff for Jupiter Town Council
She ran on a promise to improve the town ‘while preserving what we all cherish about Jupiter.’
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6min
Staff ReportsPalm Beach Zoo ‘Tiger Forest’ offers immersive experience, wildlife protection
Visits to the zoo help support conservation efforts for the Malayan Tiger.
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4min
Jupiter and Lake Worth Beach have runoff elections Tuesday to settle Council, Commission races
The offices are nonpartisan.
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11min
Man drives car into protesters outside a Palm Beach Co. Tesla dealership, nobody hurt
Andrew Dutil drove his vehicle onto the sidewalk full of protesters at a slow speed at a Palm Beach County location.
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3min
Benjamins, tigers and bears, oh my! Palm Beach Zoo raises $2.3M at star-studded gala
From Hollywood stars to venture capitalists and political appointees, the zoo was feeling the love.
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4min
Culture Wars
‘Good riddance’: Confederate monuments bill appears to topple
A Senate committee heard testimony but declined to hold a vote on the bill.
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5min
Senate committee advances bill restricting preferred pronoun mandates
Stan McClain: ‘The policy of the state is that there are only two genders.’
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5min
Randy Fine’s bill to allow guns on college campuses shot down in first Senate stop
Republican Ileana Garcia cast the pivotal ‘no’ vote.
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8min
Despite Democratic opposition, Randy Fine’s bill to ban ‘political’ pride flags advances
‘Whether it’s political viewpoints that we agree with or we disagree with, let’s keep that stuff out of government buildings.’
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4min
Tate Brothers return to Romania as Florida probe continues
It’s unknown when they will be back in the Sunshine State.
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2min
Foreign Affairs
After Senate hearing, Kevin Marino Cabrera strongly positioned for Panama Ambassador confirmation
He encountered minimal friction.
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9min
Ron DeSantis reveals Donald Trump’s role in stopping Bahamian hurricane evacuees from coming to Florida
‘And no one ever heard from this boat ever again.’
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4min
Marco Rubio deflects questions on Canadian statehood
POTUS has said the U.S. should annex the country. Canadians reject the premise.
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3min
Donald Trump delays tariffs on most goods from Mexico for a month
The on-again, off-again battle continues.
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3min
Mike Waltz lays groundwork for Ukraine peace deal days after Volodymyr Zelenskyy spat
A cessation of hostilities contingent on American access to minerals may be back on the table.
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5min
Emails & Opinions
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 3.28.25
Your morning download of Florida political power plays.
Apolitical
Florida’s new unemployment claims drop again, reflecting trend for most of 2025
Florida’s drop in new jobless claims was in line with the national trend.
Personnel note: Jessica Ehrlich joins Taylor English Duma
‘Jessica’s litigation and transactional experience and depth of financial industry knowledge will be exceptional assets.’
Tech
Gus Bilirakis among bipartisan coalition calling for end to deepfake porn
‘Detestable people are extorting children with technology, creating these images and uploading them online for the world to see.’
Deloitte, Cell Phones for Soldiers and the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs team up to donate devices
State legislators and community members are donating devices to support military families.
Education
Sorry, teens. Senate passes bill backtracking on push to start school later
The House companion bill is also ready for the floor.
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4min
Andrew PowellBill giving greater flexibility to school districts for testing, funding ready for Senate floor
‘That’s what this bill aims do, making sure that our kids get all that they need to be successful and open up doors.’
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6min
Bill to help Floridians with autism prepare for workforce passes unanimously in Senate
Don Gaetz said this should make it easier for individuals on the spectrum to find work outside centers.
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4min