DeSantis's Political Aide Put on ICE
Tallahassee is still buzzing about Pushawgate. After Governor Ron DeSantis' aide decided to out herself for working to derail Rep. Byron Donalds' gubernatorial campaign by working with James Fishback, a parasitic "candidate" for governor who could be on the verge of finding himself behind bars, the Executive Office went dark.
Pushaw is said to be iced out in Miami.
Meaning, the cover-up is on, and mum is the word at the Capitol. There isn't any proof that Gov. DeSantis was directly involved in trying to undermine Donalds with Fishback, but it's hard not think that he didn't have some knowledge of the "Operation By'rone."
"Too many people know of what really transpired between Fishback and The Pushaw Puppets, and the fear in the Capitol is that all of the dirty laundry could be aired and could implicate key figures within the administration."
Word on the street is that some interested parties are flipping out over text messages that The Floridian may or may not have in its possession that could expose all interested parties. Stay tuned...
In the meantime... happy reading
What I'm Hearing About Property Taxes?
The property tax debate is becoming less abstract, and I’m seeing it show up in real conversations at city halls and around kitchen tables, especially as rising assessments have left many homeowners questioning how much government should grow simply because property values do.
From where I sit, many of my municipal clients are starting to adjust in practical ways, being more cautious on millage rates, focusing spending on core services like infrastructure and public safety, and thinking twice before taking on new long-term commitments.
I’m also seeing a growing awareness that taxpayers are paying closer attention than ever, and that automatic revenue growth doesn’t mean automatic new spending. At the same time, cities and counties are working more closely with legislative leaders to help shape solutions that balance taxpayer relief with the need to maintain critical local services.
I’m also hearing from major real estate clients who are increasingly concerned about rising commercial property tax burdens and are urging policymakers to ensure that reforms aimed at helping homeowners do not inadvertently place disproportionate pressure on the businesses that drive local economies.
As a result, many local governments are looking harder for efficiencies, building healthier reserves, and being more transparent about how public dollars are used, all with an eye toward the possibility that broader property tax reforms could be coming and not wanting to be caught flat-footed.
Jared Rosenstein is a partner at Capital City Consulting and has been actively engaged on the front lines of municipal advocacy, working on both the evolving property tax debate and recent government efficiency efforts impacting cities and counties.
Marc Caputo: If there’s one thing New York media consistently gets wrong, it’s Florida politics The overwhelming number of Hispanic voters in FL speak English Some of the highest concentrations of primary Spanish-speakers are older Cuban Americans who are pretty loyal GOP voters …
James Blair: Any “news” outlet failing to make clear in their headline that Don Lemon was indicted by a federal grand jury is intentionally misleading the public. Thank you for your attention to this matte
MYFWC: Temps are dropping, and so are iguanas! Much like many Floridians, iguanas can’t stand the cold (Literally.) If you’re in South or SW FL, a new Executive Order allows people to remove these invasive reptiles from your property and bring them to one of five designated FWC offices Feb. 1 & 2 – no permit required!
Gray Robinson Government Affairs: Happy Florida Manufacturing Days at the Capitol! Thank you to Florida’s job creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector – an industry that’s white hot and growing rapidly.
Lenny Curry: Good morning. Movement is medicine and prayer is nourishment. Go get some. God all-powerful, let your radiance dawn in our lives. At daybreak, be merciful to me. Make known to me the path that I must walk.
Gary Fineout: Fla @GovRonDeSantis announces that in honor of America's 250th birthday that Washington's birthday will not just be a federal holiday ... but a state holiday and state offices will be closed ... along with other events
Florida Revokes Nurse's License for Refusing Anesthesia to 'MAGA' Patients— Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that a registered nurse who said he would refuse to provide anesthesia to "MAGA" patients is no longer licensed in the state.
Florida Education Leaders Call for Tweaks to Nursing Education Bill — Independent Colleges and Universities President (ICUF) Bob Boyd expressed concern about a provision in a nursing bill that creates a temporary, nonrenewable 180-day provisional license through the Florida Department of Health for graduate nurses to practice under supervision in the state.
Florida Nonprofit Hospitals Under Scrutiny for Rising Prices and Lack of Transparency —
James Uthmeier Charges Pair in Medicaid Fraud Scheme— Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of Alexander McKinnie and Kara Morrison this week for allegedly defrauding tens of thousands of dollars through Florida's Medicaid program.
Eric Stelnicki Scores Coveted Florida Medical Association Endorsement — By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres — The race to replace term-limited State Rep. Chip LaMarca in Florida’s 100th House district continues to gain steam as Pediatric Surgeon Eric “Doc” Stelnicki has landed the coveted Florida Medical Association PAC endorsement for his campaign.
Ileana Garcia Calls Alex Pretti Shooting 'Abhorrent,' Says GOP Could Lose Midterms —The Trump administration is touting immigration victories as ICE amasses controversy over its operations in Minnesota. Some Republicans, however, are warning that the Trump administration’s dispatch of ICE could come back to haunt the GOP in the 2026 election.
Put Patients First: Free CRNAs to Do the Critical Work They Have Trained For — OPINION
DeSantis Joins into Federal Education Tax Program to Expand School Choice — By The Floridian's Michael Costeines — The Florida Democratic Party slammed the retirement of U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) this week as a sign of things to come for the GOP as Democrats look to take back the House in the 2026 midterms.
Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses Josie Tomkow in SD 14 Special Election — The Florida Chamber of Commerce endorsed Rep. Josie Tomkow (R-Polk City) in her special election bid for Senate District 14 this week.
DeSantis Joins Federal Education Tax Program to Expand School Choice — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Florida is opting into a new tax credit scholarship program established by the Trump administration during a press conference in Valrico this week.
Tom Fabricio Introduces Bill Removing Yellow Decals from Florida License Plates — State Representative Tom Fabricio (R-110) has introduced legislation that would eliminate the requirement to place a yellow decal on the license plates of Florida-registered vehicles each year.
Florida Department of Health Finds Elevated Levels of Arsenic in Candy Products — Gov. Ron DeSantis revealed that the Florida Department of Health (DOH) detected arsenic in 28 of 46 candy products as part of its commitment to promoting healthy food products through the state's "Healthy Florida First" initiative.
James Uthmeier Announces Additional Charges Against Man Accused of Child Rape—Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced this week that 47 additional charges have placed on a Hernando County man already accused of capital sexual battery on a child under twelve. Nathan Douglas Holmberg, 36, was indicted on 25 original charges, including seven counts of capital sexual battery, in November 2025.
Florida Named Best State to Start a Business in America—The Republican Governors Association shared an announcement this week highlighting that GOP Governors make up nine of the 10 best states to start a business in America for 2026, with Florida under Gov. Ron DeSantis at No. 1.
SB 980 Stands Between Youth Protection and Neglect — OPINION — Florida is already grappling with a flood of unregulated disposable vapes, and pretending otherwise jeopardizes our youth.
THE LOUNGE is posted by Michael Costeines and Javier Manjarres
