Florida Politics

Headlines Influence

Jesse Scheckner

Mike Giallombardo’s CRA-killing bill advances, but even some supporters disagree with its aim

‘I look at this bill as if we’re chopping down a tree when we should be just trimming a branch.’

0 16min

Emails & Opinions Headlines

Staff Reports

Last Call for 3.13.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

A digest of the day’s politics and policy while the bartender refreshes your drink.

0 12min

Headlines Influence

Andrew Powell

Tiffany Esposito’s electronic notices bill gets forwarded to next committee

The legislation sparked concerns during committee over the rights of tenants and landlords and safeguards for both parties.

0 7min

APolitical Headlines

Peter Schorsch

Specialized virtual mental health treatment program for veterans expands to Florida

Veterans, service members, and first responders in Florida can now enroll in the program.

0 3min

News & Trending

Headlines Influence

March 13, 2025

Jesse Scheckner

Mike Giallombardo’s CRA-killing bill advances, but even some supporters disagree with its aim

0 16min 0

Emails & Opinions Headlines

March 13, 2025

Last Call for 3.13.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

0 12min 0

Headlines Influence

March 13, 2025

Tiffany Esposito’s electronic notices bill gets forwarded to next committee

0 7min 0

APolitical Headlines

March 13, 2025

Specialized virtual mental health treatment program for veterans expands to Florida

0 3min 0

Headlines Influence

March 13, 2025

Florida Public Policy Project urges lawmakers to establish Criminal Justice Commission

2 4min 0

2026 Headlines

March 13, 2025

Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk backs Byron Donalds’ bid for Governor

4 4min 0

Emails & Opinions Headlines

March 13, 2025

Preston Scott: Republicans, did my daughter have to become another Laken Riley to matter?

2 9min 0

Culture Wars Headlines

March 13, 2025

‘Arrest me’: Andrew Tate taunts silent Ron DeSantis, James Uthmeier

3 5min 0

Legislative, Influence & Policy

Headlines Influence

Jesse Scheckner

Mike Giallombardo’s CRA-killing bill advances, but even some supporters disagree with its aim

‘I look at this bill as if we’re chopping down a tree when we should be just trimming a branch.’

0 16min

Headlines Influence

Tiffany Esposito’s electronic notices bill gets forwarded to next committee

The legislation sparked concerns during committee over the rights of tenants and landlords and safeguards for both parties.

0 7min

Headlines Influence

Florida Public Policy Project urges lawmakers to establish Criminal Justice Commission

The recommendation comes as Florida’s corrections system is under duress.

2 4min

Headlines Influence

Gabrielle Russon

Bills inspired by abandoned dog during Hurricane Milton are moving through Legislature

The story of Trooper the abandoned dog has a happy ending and could lead to new legislation.

0 4min

Headlines Influence

Mike Redondo’s capital felonies legislation moves to House floor

Capital felonies that occur during religious events and school activities could be considered as aggravating factors during a trial.

0 6min

Headlines Influence

Jesse Scheckner

Bill easing professional licensing of ex-inmates heads to House floor

‘We train them in our prisons. Let’s make sure they can get employed once they leave prison.’

0 6min

Headlines Influence

Juan Porras’ bill to put Gulf of America in textbooks clears first House hurdle

The President’s preferred name for the body of water continues to go over with Sunshine State Republicans.

7 4min

Headlines Influence

Alex Andrade’s presidential library bill clears final House committee

The bill, which would lay groundwork for a Donald Trump library, is poised for a Senate floor vote as well.

2 3min

Headlines Influence

Corey Simon’s ‘Rural Renaissance’ bill ready to hit the Senate floor

The legislative package, a priority of Senate President Ben Albritton, looks to provide economic development support in agriculture communities.

0 4min

Headlines Influence

Jacqui Carmona launches consulting, strategic advocacy firm Carmona Advisors

‘Her commitment to improving our community is evident in every project she takes on …’

0 3min

Headlines Influence

Personnel note: Danielle Alvarez returns to Mercury Public Affairs

Alvarez most recently served as a Senior Adviser to the Trump 2024 campaign.

0 3min

Headlines Influence

Jesse Scheckner

Bill to loosen media protections, compel outlets to remove online content advances in Senate

‘We have to have freedom of speech, but it needs to be with integrity.’

10 12min

New Administration

Headlines New Administration

Associated Press

Donald Trump administration withdraws nomination of David Weldon for CDC director

The nominee faced questions about his controversial opinions on vaccines.

2 3min

Headlines New Administration

Associated Press

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.

0 9min

Headlines New Administration

Associated Press

Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports go into effect

Canadians prepare retaliatory tariffs in escalating trade war.

12 9min

Headlines New Administration

Associated Press

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.

26 7min

Headlines New Administration

Associated Press

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.

6 12min

Headlines New Administration

Associated Press

Donald Trump doubles planned tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50% as trade war intensifies

Another stock market dive followed.

24 8min

Headlines New Administration

Associated Press

Marco Rubio says purge of USAID programs complete, with 83% of agency’s programs gone

The Secretary of State left 17% of USAID, about 1,000 programs, in operation.

23 5min

Headlines New Administration

Associated Press

Elon Musk and DOGE try to slash government by cutting out those who answer to voters

Even some conservatives are pushing back on dramatic cuts that leave out elected officials in the decision.

14 11min

Headlines New Administration

Associated Press

DOGE Administrator Amy Gleason has Florida ties

Sunshine State insiders know her better than most.

3 7min

Headlines New Administration

Conservative poll finds Donald Trump popularity at all-time high

The OnMessage poll found voters shifting right on taxes while voters across the spectrum support GOP positions on transgender issues.

20 4min

Headlines New Administration

Poll: Dan Bongino at +3 favorability after FBI appointment

But more than half of those polled don’t know who he is.

13 3min

Headlines New Administration

Pam Bondi touts success over terrorists, international gangs during first month as Attorney General

The Florida Republican figure spoke to conservatives at a summit headlined by Rick Scott in Washington.

2 4min

Immigration Enforcement

Headlines Immigration Enforcement

Florida Phoenix

Gov. DeSantis administration missed self-imposed deadline for hospital immigration data

Why the delay?

0 4min

Headlines Immigration Enforcement

Gov. DeSantis credits immigration crackdown with improving traffic flow

‘You’d have people here illegally. It’s like they own the place.’

12 3min

Headlines Immigration Enforcement

Gabrielle Russon

Florida leaders face federal bureaucracy roadblocks in illegal immigration crackdown

Florida’s immigration czar called working with the federal government to share immigration records ‘a high priority.’

4 4min

Headlines Immigration Enforcement

Gabrielle Russon

All 67 of Florida’s county sheriffs agree to work with ICE to crack down on illegal immigration

The Governor touts Florida as helping lead the way in fighting illegal immigration.

5 5min

Headlines Immigration Enforcement

Jesse Scheckner

‘A matter of public safety’: Democrats file bills to protect immigrants from notary fraud

‘Due to the high priority this Legislature and Governor placed on immigration, I hope that our legislation will be a priority.’

5 7min

Headlines Immigration Enforcement

Associated Press

States threaten fines and jail time for local officials who resist Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is on the leading edge of eradicating illegal immigrants.

11 10min

Specials

Headlines Specials

Brian Hodgers admitted selling beer to a minor in a state application. Now, he says opponents want to ‘frame’ him as a criminal

At a candidate forum, he said a clerk working his business was responsible for the 1996 misdemeanor.

3 6min

Headlines Specials

Flagler Co. deputies arrest campaign worker handing out Josh Weil flyers on stolen bike

Randy Fine slammed Democrats for utilizing a staffer with a lengthy criminal record.

6 4min

Headlines Specials

Florida Chamber backs Brian Hodgers in competitive HD 32 Special Election

The group said the Melbourne business owner will keep momentum for Florida’s economic growth.

6 3min

Headlines Specials

Jesse Scheckner

‘A strong defender of our rights and liberties’: Joel Rudman backs Hayden Hudson for HD 3

‘Hayden knows right from wrong and fights for justice every day.’

0 4min

Headlines Specials

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Florida Chamber backs Nathan Boyles to help make Florida a top 10 global economy

‘I look forward to partnering with them in Tallahassee to continue to build Florida’s strong workforce and champion economic opportunity.’

0 4min

Headlines Specials

Jesse Scheckner

Jimmy Patronis endorses ‘America First fighter’ Nathan Boyles for HD 3

Boyles says he’s running to ‘continue fighting for the MAGA agenda.’

2 5min

2026

2026 Headlines

Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk backs Byron Donalds’ bid for Governor

The conservative leader isn’t waiting for Casey DeSantis to make up her mind on running.

4 4min

2026 Headlines

Casey DeSantis betting market cools as Byron Donalds support solidifies

Will she ultimately bow out before she officially jumps in?

6 3min

2026 Headlines

Donald Trump Jr. backs ‘great patriot’ Byron Donalds for Governor

Momentum builds for the Naples Republican.

4 4min

2026 Headlines

Club for Growth PAC, which backed Ron DeSantis in 2018, gives early endorsement to Byron Donalds

The Congressman gets help from a group that had backed the Governor in the past.

1 3min

2026 Headlines

Byron Donalds wants to fix the insurance market. But Gov. DeSantis says things are improving already

Costs could be a talking point in the Governor’s race.

5 5min

2026 Headlines

Jim Oberweis becomes first Republican to file for Byron Donalds’ seat in Congress

The former Illinois state Senator previously ran for U.S. House and Senate in the Prairie State.

1 4min

Federal

Federal Headlines

Associated Press

USDA ends program that helped schools serve food from local farmers

Programs launched in the pandemic involving school lunches will come to a close.

4 4min

Federal Headlines

Ashley Moody fights for Florida cops in first Senate bill

‘Standing up for the LEO community will always be a top priority of mine.’

7 3min

Federal Headlines

Anna Paulina Luna rallies support to force House vote on proxy voting for new mothers

The St. Petersburg Republican gave birth while in office during her first term.

0 4min

Federal Headlines

Associated Press

The U.S. agency that monitors weather will cut another 1,000 jobs

NOAA is likely to layoff 10% of the workforce at the federal weather service and forecast agency.

5 6min

Federal Headlines

Associated Press

Republicans are marching ahead with a government funding bill despite Democratic opposition

Can Congress make a deal before a shutdown?

1 11min

Federal Headlines

Florida expected to lose $5.5B in state GDP and 49,000 jobs if enhanced premium tax credits expire

Will Congress act?

5 4min

Jacksonville

Headlines Jax

Donna Deegan pans ‘performative’ push to kill local DEI initiatives

3 3min

Jacksonville tourism economic impact exceeds $7B

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may have to leave downtown Jacksonville due to DOGE cuts

Jacksonville eyes fingerprint readers as tool in illegal immigration fight

NE Florida

Headlines NE Florida

Home sales in February for Northeast Florida see a year-to-year drop

0 6min 0

The Players PGA tourney gears up for competition this week and sizable charitable donations

Palm Coast looking for new City Council member after Ray Stevens resigns abruptly

North Florida Land Trust to honor lawmakers and volunteers for conservation work

Orlando

Headlines Orlando

Gabrielle Russon

Homeless advocates challenged by new law, NIMBY outcry

1 4min 0

Orange County gets more money back — but not all — after Glen Gilzean spending scandal

Sara Roberts McCarley becomes first candidate for open Lakeland Mayor position

Belle Isle picks Jason Carson for Mayor and Ocoee keeps George Oliver

St. Pete

Headlines St. Pete

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Tampa Bay Rays won’t move forward with stadium deal

2 5min

Karen Love ousts longtime Gulfport Mayor Sam Henderson

Investors lining up to buy the Rays, as stadium deal deadline looms

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

SW Florida

Headlines SW Florida

Steve Branham wins Longboat Key Town Commission seat

0 2min 0

Gov. DeSantis appoints 4 to previously inactive Board of Collier County Housing Authority

Florida Cabinet approves Ryals Citrus and Cattle easement, offering a conservation win for Peace River

The endangered Florida panther faces the dual threats of urban sprawl and increased traffic

Tampa

Headlines Tampa Bay

Tampa General Hospital is working to support rural communities by breaking down barriers to cancer care

0 5min 0

Gov. DeSantis reappoints Thomas Hobbs, Brian McElfatrick to Hillsborough transit board

Tampa’s iconic River O’Green festival returns with food, drinks, entertainment

Tampa General opens Florida’s first and only freestanding behavioral health teaching hospital

Panhandle

Headlines Panhandle

Okaloosa businessman Jay Odom seeks disqualification of Beggs & Lane in legal battle

0 7min

Historic ship completes first leg of journey to become world’s largest artificial reef on Florida’s Gulf Coast

Police seize weapons at gun shop where Kyle Rittenhouse works

‘Very flimsy’: Gov. DeSantis dismisses scrutiny of his controversial UWF board appointee as ‘misplaced criticism’

Tallahassee

Headlines Tallahassee

New ‘Red Tape Florida’ site tackles local government overreach, bureaucracy

5 5min 0

An Oct. 7 survivor’s story moves hearts in Tallahassee

Melania Trump to sit with Tallahassee’s January Littlejohn during Donald Trump speech to Congress

Ron DeSantis wishes Bobby Bowden were still alive to be Lieutenant Governor

Communities

Communities Emails & Opinions Headlines

Jena Antonucci: Preserving Florida — an agricultural triumph

1 6min 0

JJ Grow bests Judith Vowels to win HD 23 open seat

Bill Gladson endorses Matt McClain for Marion County Commission

Are Alachua Commissioners about to pay for a house of cardboard?

South Florida

Headlines South Florida

Jesse Scheckner

12 Palm Beach County cities had elections on Tuesday. Here are the results

Two races — in Jupiter and Royal Palm Beach — are headed for runoffs.

5 11min

Headlines South Florida

Jesse Scheckner

5 Broward County cities had elections on Tuesday. Here are the results

More than 24,400 Broward voters cast ballots Tuesday.

0 6min

Headlines South Florida

Jesse Scheckner

Palm Beach Gardens voters re-elect Marcie Tinsley to City Council, pick John Kemp for Group 4 seat

Voters chose between four Republicans vying for two technically nonpartisan City Council seats.

2 5min

Headlines South Florida

Jesse Scheckner

Miramar voters re-elect Yvette Colbourne, elect 2 new members to City Commission

Most candidates agreed the city is spending too much money on unnecessary things.

3 9min

Headlines South Florida

Jesse Scheckner

Boynton Beach voters pick Rebecca Shelton as Mayor, re-elect Thomas Turkin to City Commission

Shelton was the lone no-party candidate in the Mayor’s race.

5 7min

Headlines South Florida

Jesse Scheckner

Todd Drosky wins race for Deerfield Beach Mayor as voters pick two new Commissioners

The winners secured 4-year terms.

4 8min

Culture Wars

Culture Wars Headlines

‘Arrest me’: Andrew Tate taunts silent Ron DeSantis, James Uthmeier

The gauntlet has been thrown down. Again.

3 5min

Culture Wars Headlines

Andrew Tate says he’s not ‘sorry’ and that his acolytes will be world leaders

‘Me saying sorry now breaks the heart of all of the future leaders of the world.’

2 4min

Culture Wars Headlines

James Uthmeier says criminal probe of Andrew, Tristan Tate continues

‘We’re looking at possible victims and possible conduct that may have taken place on Florida’s soil.’

0 6min

Culture Wars Headlines

Ron DeSantis says Idaho isn’t a ‘mature economy’

Size matters to the Governor.

3 4min

Culture Wars Headlines

Could red flag laws be replaced by involuntary commitment?

The Governor seeks to protect due process. But does a solution he previously proposed do that?

3 8min

Culture Wars Headlines

Tate brothers leave Florida amid James Uthmeier criminal probe

The Governor and Attorney General want the controversial duo gone.

16 5min

Foreign Affairs

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Marco Rubio deflects questions on Canadian statehood

POTUS has said the U.S. should annex the country. Canadians reject the premise.

7 3min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Associated Press

Donald Trump delays tariffs on most goods from Mexico for a month

The on-again, off-again battle continues.

2 3min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

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.

1 5min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Associated Press

Mexico will impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods

The U.S. tariffs on Mexico and Canada started just past midnight.

3 5min

Foreign Affairs

Associated Press

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy says end of war with Russia is ‘very, very far away’

German leader advises Europe to proceed in dealing with the conflict with little help from America.

1 4min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Ballard Partners expands global reach with strategic partnership in Canada

International lobbying and government affairs firm Ballard Partners announced a strategic partnership with TACT, a prominent communications and public affairs firm based in Canada. TACT is a prominent communications and public affairs firm based in the Québec province. The collaboration will allow Ballard Partners and TACT to leverage their respective expertise and networks to provide […]

0 3min

Emails & Opinions

Emails & Opinions Headlines

Last Call for 3.13.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

A digest of the day’s politics and policy while the bartender refreshes your drink.

Garrett Richter: Let’s learn from our recent past — Florida’s 2017-2022 insurance collapse

Preston Scott: Republicans, did my daughter have to become another Laken Riley to matter?

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 3.13.25

Last Call for 3.12.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

Apolitical

APolitical Headlines

Department of Labor: Jobless claims see slight uptick in Florida after weeks of declines

Florida’s unemployment picture holds pretty steady as anxieties over economy start to grow.

APolitical Headlines

USDA citrus forecast shows slight improvement for Florida farmers

It’s still not much after damage to crops in the Fall.

APolitical Headlines

Florida sees jobless claims drop for third week in a row

APolitical Headlines

Healing era: Lauren Book’s annual trek for childhood sexual abuse survivors takes a Taylor Swift tone

Florida sends detail of 35 foresters to South Carolina to help battle wildfires

Tech

Headlines Tech

SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight ends with another explosion

The FAA briefly halted planes landing in Florida as a result of the explosion Thursday.

Tech

Solar energy: Florida’s solution for resiliency after a storm

‘While we can’t prevent the next storm to hit, we can be better prepared during and after storms.’

Headlines Tech

SpaceX adding new space travel operations to Kennedy Space Center

Headlines Tech

Private lunar lander Blue Ghost aces moon touchdown with a special delivery for NASA

Chesapeake Utilities opens safety training center to collaborate with first responders in DeBary

Education

Education Headlines

Gabrielle Russon

Shane Abbott’s bill giving private school students more access to play sports advances

If the bill passes, it would take effect July 1, before the upcoming school year.

0 4min

Education Headlines

Jesse Scheckner

Total ban on in-school cellphone use coasts through first House committee

The legislation, which does not have a Senate companion, is now 1 vote from reaching the House floor.

2 8min

Education Headlines

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Tech entrepreneur donates $40M for new USF AI, cybersecurity school

Arnie Bellini hopes to raise another $10M for the school, matching up to $5M in donations.

1 6min

#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, Liam Fineout, A.G. Gancarski, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Andrew Powell, Jesse Scheckner, Janelle Taylor, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704

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Preston Scott: Republicans, did my daughter have to become another Laken Riley to matter?

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