Brian Hodgers Narrowly Defeats Two Contenders in HD 32 Republican Primary

Brian Hodgers Narrowly Defeats Two Contenders in HD 32 Republican Primary

Michael Costeines
|
April 2, 2025
Republican Brian Hodgers squeaked past Bob White and Terry Cronin to secure the House District 32 GOP special primary nomination on Tuesday night. "Congratulations Brian Hodgers on securing the Republican nomination for Florida House District 32. On June 10th we will bring home a huge VICTORY!" the Republican Party of Florida said.  According to unofficial […]
Read More
Debbie Mayfield Cruises to Victory in SD 19 Republican Primary

Debbie Mayfield Cruises to Victory in SD 19 Republican Primary

Michael Costeines
|
April 2, 2025
Republican Debbie Mayfield cruised to victory in the Senate District 19 Republican primary over three other GOP candidates on Tuesday night. According to unofficial results, Debbie Mayfield secured over 60% of the vote. She will now face Democrat Vance Ahrens in the SD 19 special general election on June 10. Mark Lightner III followed Mayfield […]
Read More
Donate Life Florida Announces Statewide Initiative to Promote Organ Donations

Donate Life Florida Announces Statewide Initiative to Promote Organ Donations

Michael Costeines
|
April 1, 2025
Donate Life Florida proudly announced its first-ever statewide organ donor registration initiative on Monday as more than 5,000 Floridians await hopeful life-saving transplants. The announcement comes during April's National Donate Life Month. Donate Life Florida's initiative seeks to increase the number of Floridians who become registered donors of organs, tissues, and eyes. “Life is such […]
Read More
House Favors Bill That Would Give More Freedom to Psychiatric Nurses

House Favors Bill That Would Give More Freedom to Psychiatric Nurses

Michael Costeines
|
April 1, 2025
The House Health and Human Services Committee advanced a bill on Monday that would strengthen mental health care in Florida by allowing psychiatric nurses to practice autonomously without barriers. Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St. Joe) explained his bill (HB 883) to the committee. "The current law allows for advanced practice registered nurses to engage in […]
Read More
Dem Chair Nikki Fried Pitching Republicans to Vote Democrat in CD 1

Dem Chair Nikki Fried Pitching Republicans to Vote Democrat in CD 1

Michael Costeines
|
April 1, 2025
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried is ironically pitching Republicans to vote for the Democratic candidate ahead of the 1st Congressional District special election on Tuesday. "Now I know that most of you probably voted for Donald Trump. But you certainly didn't vote to have your VA benefits cut, veterans being fired from the administration, […]
Read More
Senate Bill Advances Requiring Foreign Agents, Organizations to Disclose Political Info

Senate Bill Advances Requiring Foreign Agents, Organizations to Disclose Political Info

Michael Costeines
|
April 1, 2025
The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections advanced a bill 8-0 on Monday that would require agents of foreign countries of concern and foreign-supported political organizations to disclose their “identity, affiliations, financial transactions, and political activities" with the Florida Division of Elections. Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) presented his bill (SB 766) to the committee. Rep. […]
Read More
President Trump Reinforcing Randy Fine Before CD 6 Election Day

President Trump Reinforcing Randy Fine Before CD 6 Election Day

Michael Costeines
|
March 31, 2025
President Donald Trump is making one final push to Florida voters to help get Republican Randy Fine across the finish line on Tuesday in Florida's 6th Congressional District. "America First Patriot Randy Fine is running to represent the Wonderful People of Florida’s 6th Congressional District! A highly successful, Harvard educated businessman, and greatly respected State […]
Read More
Sen. Jason Pizzo Pushing Excessive Speeding Bill Against Reckless Drivers

Sen. Jason Pizzo Pushing Excessive Speeding Bill Against Reckless Drivers

Michael Costeines
|
March 31, 2025
A bill by Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo would allow law enforcement authorities to impound Floridians' cars if they recklessly speed on the roads. Sen. Pizzo is pushing SB 1782, which penalizes drivers going 50 miles per hour or more above the speed limit. The bill also knocks drivers going 100 miles or more while […]
Read More
Florida Senate Passes Bill Backing Off Later School Start Times

Florida Senate Passes Bill Backing Off Later School Start Times

Michael Costeines
|
March 28, 2025
The Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill 38-0 on Wednesday that would eliminate the previously proposed later academic start times for middle and high schools set to take effect beginning in 2026. Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) sponsored the bill (SB 296) in the Senate. Sen. Bradley explained her bill and reasons for the change […]
Read More
Florida House Passes Cursive Handwriting Bill Unanimously

Florida House Passes Cursive Handwriting Bill Unanimously

Michael Costeines
|
March 28, 2025
The Florida House unanimously passed a bill 113-0 on Wednesday that would require cursive handwriting in grades two through five and other proficiencies to improve their cursive penmanship. Rep. Tobin "Toby" Overdorf (R-Palm City) explained his bill (HB 921) on the House floor. "In a digital age, we must not lose sight of the foundational […]
Read More
'Lucy's Law' Unanimously Passes 112-0 in Florida House

'Lucy's Law' Unanimously Passes 112-0 in Florida House

Michael Costeines
|
March 27, 2025
The Florida House unanimously passed a bill 112-0 on Wednesday that would increase boating safety in the state in honor of 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez, who tragically died after a 2022 boat crash during Labor Day Weekend on Biscayne Bay "Lucy's Law" was filed by Reps. Vicki Lopez (R-Miami) and Vanessa Oliver (R-Punta Gorda). "House Bill 289 […]
Read More
Invasive Argentine Black and White Tegu Population Growing in St. Lucie County

Invasive Argentine Black and White Tegu Population Growing in St. Lucie County

Michael Costeines
|
March 27, 2025
The Argentine black and white tegu, a large invasive lizard, appears to be making quite a home for itself in St. Lucie County in Florida's Treasure Coast region. "Reproducing populations of Argentine black and white tegus are established in Hillsborough and Miami-Dade and Charlotte Counties," Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) spokesperson Lisa Thompson […]
Read More
Leader Pizzo Doubts Condo Reform Bills Will Be Addressed, Says Lawmakers 'Still Pretty Far Away'

Leader Pizzo Doubts Condo Reform Bills Will Be Addressed, Says Lawmakers 'Still Pretty Far Away'

Michael Costeines
|
March 26, 2025
TALLAHASSEE—Florida Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo gave an update on the status of condo reform bills currently going through the legislative session. It's fair to say Sen. Pizzo is not optimistic the bills to address the issue will cross the legislative goal line. "The House version of the condo bill and the Senate version are […]
Read More
Senate Bill Forwards Exempting 100% Disabled Veterans from State Tolls

Senate Bill Forwards Exempting 100% Disabled Veterans from State Tolls

Michael Costeines
|
March 26, 2025
The Senate Committee on Transportation favored a bill 8-0 on Tuesday that would exempt 100% disabled veterans from having to pay tolls in the State of Florida. Sen. Blaise Ingoglia filed the bill (SB 532) in the Senate. Rep. J.J. Grow (R-Inverness) is carrying the House version (HB 445). Sen. Ingoglia explained the bill to […]
Read More
Senate Bill Advances Restricting Use of Preferred Pronouns

Senate Bill Advances Restricting Use of Preferred Pronouns

Michael Costeines
|
March 26, 2025
The Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability advanced a controversial bill 5-2 that would prohibit the use of preferred pronouns in Florida workplaces and limit gender identity training for state and local government employees. Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) sponsored the bill (SB 440). Rep. Rachel Plakon (R-Lake Mary) leads the House version (HB 1495). […]
Read More
Senate Bill Forwards Designating American Flamingo as Official State Bird, Scrub-Jay as Songbird

Senate Bill Forwards Designating American Flamingo as Official State Bird, Scrub-Jay as Songbird

Michael Costeines
|
March 26, 2025
The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources advanced a bill 8-0 on Tuesday that would designate the American Flamingo as Florida's official state bird and the Florida scrub-jay as the official state songbird. If passed, the American flamingo would replace the northern mockingbird as the official state bird. The mockingbird has been Florida's state […]
Read More
DeSantis Announces $389 Million to Improving Florida Waterways

DeSantis Announces $389 Million to Improving Florida Waterways

Michael Costeines
|
March 25, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced a $389 million grant to help boost the protection to Florida's waterways and natural resources during a press conference in Brevard County. Gov. DeSantis added that the grant includes $189 million for water quality improvements. The governor explained the grant process in his announcement. "The legislature decided to put some […]
Read More
Collins Looks to Add Requirements for Driver ID, Learner's Permit

Collins Looks to Add Requirements for Driver ID, Learner's Permit

Michael Costeines
|
March 25, 2025
The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a bill 14-0 on Monday that would require a person 18 years of age or older to complete a traffic law and substance abuse education course to obtain a Florida driver's license and pass a driver's education safety course for a learner's permit. Sen. Jay Collins (R-Tampa) filed the bill […]
Read More
Texas Politics
Cactus Politics
Big Energy News
Dome Politics
Northeast Independent