Staff Reports
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
House Speaker Daniel Perez says property tax relief is coming, but it won’t be until 2026.
As Perez lauded Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “exciting and provocative” proposal to end property taxes, the Speaker criticized the Governor for not suggesting any detailed language for this Legislative Session, despite DeSantis specifically saying on more than one occasion that he wanted a referendum.
“As the weeks have gone by, the Governor has yet to come forward with … any specific plan, or with actual bill language,” Perez said, suggesting the House will fill the void.
“It’s my intention to pass our House property tax plan during the first week of the 2026 Session,” Perez said.
The Select Committee will meet throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall. Republican Reps. Vicki Lopez and Toby Overdorf will serve as Chairs.
“This is about bringing the very best proposals to the people of Florida so they have an opportunity to decide their own fate,” Perez said.
He added that the House is seeking to do something “the Governor and the Senate were willing to do” and “apply the same revenue restrictions to ourselves that we are asking local governments to endure.”
Read more on Florida Politics.
Evening Reads
—“Donald Trump’s first 100 days, in 10 charts” via Chris Alcantara, Nick Mourtoupalas, Azi Paybarah and Clara Ence Morse of The Washington Post
—”Trump marks his first 100 days in office with a rally in Michigan, a state rocked by his tariffs” via Will Weissert and Joey Cappelletti of The Associated Press
—”In breakneck 2nd term, Trump turns to falsehoods to justify his agenda” via Linda Qiu of The New York Times
—”An unsustainable presidency” via Jonathan Chait of The Atlantic
—”Neil Gorsuch is the hero America deserves” via Ian Millhiser of Vox
—”Republicans brave hostile crowds in town halls back home” via Jasmine Li of The Wall Street Journal
—“Wilton Simpson’s Florida Farm Bill passes after discussion of ‘soy boys,’ Yoo-hoo and drugged-up water” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—”With House ending Hope Florida probe, will anyone else pick up the case?” via Dan Sullivan of the Tampa Bay Times
—”Legislature OKs plan to require state agencies to review rules” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics
—“Colleen Burton says there’s still time for House and Senate to come together on hemp regulation” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
Quote of the Day
“There are a few truths we hold to be self-evident: ‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas movie; almond and cashew milk is more accurately described as nut juice; and President Trump’s library should be located here in the state of Florida.”
— Rep. Alex Andrade, introducing a bill putting the state in charge of the eventual Donald Trump Presidential Library.
Put it on the Tab
Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.
Parents of teens and tweens could use an Early Riser now that lawmakers OK’d a bill rolling back a law requiring later middle and high school start times.
Floridians can have an After Hours at 9:01 p.m. without fear of late-night texts from debt collectors under legislation now cleared for DeSantis’ signature.
Commercial property owners might soon be able to serve unlawful squatters a Farewell Fizz if a bill on its way to the Governor becomes law.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Magic to keep playoff hopes alive
The Orlando Magic try to stay alive in the NBA Finals tonight as they face the Boston Celtics (8:30 p.m. ET, FanDuel Sports Network – Florida).
Boston topped Orlando 107-98 on Sunday to take a three-games-to-one series lead over the Magic. Orlando has been a two-man team for much of the series. Forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have averaged 58 points per game combined. No other players have averaged in double figures for the Magic.
Last season, Orlando was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic have not won a playoff series since 2010, when they advanced to the Eastern Conference finals before losing to the Celtics.
If Boston wins tonight, the Celtics will advance to face the winner of the series between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. The Knicks lead the series 3-1 entering tonight’s game five of the series.
If the Magic ward off elimination with a win in Boston, the series will return to Florida for Game 6 on Thursday. If the series goes the distance, game seven is scheduled to be played in Boston on Saturday.
In the history of the NBA playoffs, 13 teams have won a series after falling behind three games to one. The last team to do it was the 2020 Denver Nuggets.
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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.
