The Florida Senate passed legislation to rename Palm Beach International Airport (PBIA) to “President Donald J. Trump International Airport" in the upper chamber this week.
The bill passed 25-11 along party lines. Rep. Debbie Mayfield (R-Melbourne) sponsored the Senate version while Rep. Meg Weinberger (R-Palm Beach Gardens) championed the House bill, which passed 81-30.
The rebrand is expected to cost $5.5 million. Democrats largely opposed the bill, arguing that the bill could be better spent in other areas.
They also argued that the name change be held off till President Trump left office in January 2029, and that he not profit off the rebranding.
That all fell by the wayside.
The bill now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis for approval. It is also subject to approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
If signed, it is expected to take effect on July 1.
George Washington/Abraham Lincoln Portraits in Florida Classrooms
In other matters, the Senate passed a bill to require portraits of former Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to be displayed in public schools across the state.
The bill passed 36-2, with only Sens. Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens) and Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville) opposing the measure.
Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) filed the legislation in the Senate.
"For years, Florida schools proudly displayed portraits of United States Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln," Burgess wrote in November. "However, over time and as classroom designs and curricula evolved, these historic figures were slowly removed from classrooms."
Rep. John Snyder filed a House version of the bill, which has yet to pass in the Florida House of Representatives. The bills come as America gets ready to celebrate its 250th birthday on July 4.
If fully passed and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the bill would take effect on Jan. 1.
Groveland Four Compensation
In a unanimous vote, the Senate passed $4 million in compensation to the families of the Groveland Four: Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd, and Ernest Thomas.
The four black men were wrongfully accused of raping a white woman in the community of Groveland in Lake County in 1949. A white mob murdered Ernest Thomas in the aftermath.
Florida apologized to the four men nearly 70 years later. Gov. Ron DeSantis pardoned the men posthumously in 2019.
Sen. Lavon Bracy Davis (D-Orlando) filed the bill in the Senate. Rep. Rashon Young (D-Orlando) is carrying the House version, which is still being considered.
If fully passed and signed by Gov. DeSantis, the bill will take effect immediately.
