Staff Reports
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Tensions between Florida’s legislative chambers are escalating further as House Speaker Daniel Perez sharply criticized Senate President Ben Albritton for blowing up a budget framework the two had developed.
Speaking on the House floor, Perez said he has “very strong feelings” about Albritton “breaking” their deal, but it wouldn’t stop the House from pursuing a spending plan more attuned to fiscal restraint.
“As presiding officers, as elected officials, our word is our bond. Breaking our word, breaking a deal, is breaking faith not only with one another, but with our institutions,” Perez said.
“However, I will not allow these actions to deter us from fulfilling our constitutional obligations.”
Perez’s comments reflect a growing discord among Republican leaders in Tallahassee, particularly as the House, Senate and Gov. Ron DeSantis remain divided over how to handle the state’s multibillion-dollar budget surplus and competing tax relief plans. DeSantis has backed aggressive tax cuts, including $1,000 rebate checks to Floridians — an idea Perez strongly rejected.
“These checks do not actually lower tax rates. These checks do not solve the property tax problem,” Perez said. “They are just state taxpayers apologizing for local government spending, which is the kind of irresponsible idea I associate with California policymakers.”
The House’s posture has been defined by Perez’s belief that the state is spending too much, too fast. “State government has too much money, and that excess cash has led us to spend recklessly,” he told lawmakers. While the House initially proposed a sales tax cut, Perez said that was only a tool to slow the growth of government, not an end in itself.
“We must stop leveraging Florida’s future needs by overspending on today’s wants,” he said.
With negotiations stalled, Perez said the House has floated several alternatives — including a “lean, critical needs budget with minimal spending and no tax cuts,” along with a range of tax reform options such as eliminating the business rent tax, communications services tax, and gross receipts tax.
Read more on Florida Politics.
Evening Reads
—“What’s at stake as Trump’s assault on birthright citizenship heads to the Supreme Court” via Althea Legaspi of Rolling Stone
—”Due process is a right, not a privilege you get for being good” via Adam Serwer of The Atlantic
—”Byron Donalds hits the campaign trail” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix
—”FDA targets prescription fluoride tablets for children” via Fenit Nirappil and Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post
—”Money talks (and listens) at Saudi Investment Forum attended by Trump” via Luke Broadwater, Vivian Nereim and Jonathan Swan of The New York Times
—”Trump is giving refugee status to White South Africans — but many don’t want to come” via Alexandra Wexler of The Wall Street Journal
—”David Hogg’s DNC role in jeopardy after panel recommends new election” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics
—”To reach Latinos, some Democrats pivot to talk more about the economy and less about immigration” via Adriana Gomez Licon of The Associated Press
—”Florida’s corals are in hot water, but 1,000 coral babies are here to help” via Max Chesnes of the Tampa Bay Times
Quote of the Day
“Giving up is always the easier path. I am unwilling to punt this problem. … The people of Florida deserve better.”
— House Speaker Daniel Perez, on tax cuts in the 2025-26 budget.
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.
Order U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds a Grand Tour as he makes pit stops around the state for his 2026 Governor campaign.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan gets a Plausible Deniability for claiming she was unaware that a city employee set up a gun registry.
A new analysis by U.S. News & World Report shows Florida is ranked among the least obese states in America. If it wants to stay that way, the state cocktail should be the Mickey Slim.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Rays open series in Toronto
The Tampa Bay Rays open a three-game series in Toronto against the Blue Jays this evening (7:07 p.m. ET, FanDuel Sports Network Sun).
The series is the start of a six-game road trip that ends with three games in Miami against the Rays’ Florida rivals, the Marlins.
Tampa Bay (18-22) opened the season by losing 17 of 28 home games at Steinbrenner Field. The Rays have played just 12 games on the road, winning seven, including the last two games on the road, both wins at Yankee Stadium.
Tampa Bay took two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend, losing the series finale 4-2 on Sunday. Earlier this year, the Rays won five straight on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres so a trip away may be exactly what the team needs.
Jonathan Aranda continues to be the hitting star for the Rays. Aranda ranks fourth in the big leagues with a .342 batting average.
Right-hander Shane Baz is scheduled to start for the Rays. Baz is 3-2 with a 4.93 earned run average this season. In his last start, Baz allowed six earned runs in a 7-0 loss to the Phillies. He was pulled from the game in the fourth inning. Baz started the season with wins in his first three decisions before losing his last two outings. He will be opposed by Toronto’s Jose Berrios (1-1, 3.86 ERA).
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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.
