Florida Lawmakers

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Republicans are turning on President Biden's bipartisan immigration bill, claiming the measure will lead to increased immigration and drug trafficking into the country. Democrats, however, believe Republicans' flip-flopping is a ploy to keep immigration a top talking point for former President Donald Trump's election campaign. President Biden is backing a $118 billion proposal increasing […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Congressional Republicans failed last week to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a member of Biden's Cabinet, over the ongoing illegal immigration surge at the U.S.-Mexico border. In an interview with The Floridian,  Sen. Blaise Ingoglia expresses his opinion on where conservatives went wrong. "It's unfortunate. I think it was right for the House […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—As Governor Ron DeSantis prepares to send thousands of National and State Guardsmen to the Texas Border, Florida Republicans and Democrats agree on one thing: the border is failing, and Florida should help secure it. In two exclusive interviews with The Floridian, top Legislators talked about border protections. "I think the border is a serious […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A sweeping Florida bill is facing backlash over its proposed ban on lab-grown meat, with opponents fearing limited consumer choices, a weakened American economy, and an increase in Chinese jobs. HB 1071, sponsored by Republican Rep. Danny Alvarez, proposes an all-out ban on the manufacture or sale of cultivated meat, branding violators with a […]

The 2024 Legislative Session is now almost halfway completed, closing out the fifth week of the 9-week period. Tempers are wearing thin as we draw closer to the end, with a Republican expressing his "disgust" over Democrats storming out of a bill hearing. Other controversial issues this week included abortion rights, "identity politics" in the […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A Republican-led education bill prohibits teacher prep courses from including a curriculum on "identity politics" or that "systemic racism, sexism, or oppression" is inherent in U.S. institutions. Proposed by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, SB 1372 blocks theories of social, political, and economic inequity from being taught in educator prep courses. The sponsor said the bill […]

Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released a statement following the House’s failed attempt to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. An incredibly small minority of Republicans killed the vote as Democrats voted upon party lines against it. The initial vote was 215-215 until Representative Blake Moore (R-UT) changed his vote to no so the bill could […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Local law enforcement agencies may receive a $10 million grant to fund online sting operations, designed to apprehend online pedophiles. SB 1190, proposed by Republican Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, would allocate $10 million to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The grant would be disbursed to local law enforcement agencies to "support their creation of […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Florida is one step closer to adopting the Hope Card Program, designed to protect further and assist victims of domestic violence. Hope Cards provide easy-access information about any court protective orders that have been obtained, increasing speed and security for victims and officers alike. "This card includes information about the respondent, streamlining access to […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—The Florida Legislature aims to increase safety regulations surrounding Kratom distribution, an increasingly popular herbal substance used throughout the state to combat opioid addiction. The new bill would crack down on selling adulterated versions of the product, requiring safety labels and dosage outlines. Kratom is known to produce either "opioid- or stimulant-like effects,", depending […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—The Florida Legislature has condemned the "abhorrent" public comments on a bill banning the removal of Confederate monuments, causing Senate President Kathleen Passidomo to be undecided on allowing its arrival to the Senate Floor. If it fails, this will be the second year in a row the measure has been blocked from the Floor. […]

State Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book (D-FL) blasted Republicans for not wanting to put abortion on the ballot in the Sunshine State in November. The Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday after Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) petitioned the state’s highest court to take a look at the abortion coalition’s proposed amendment. […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Senate Democrats stormed out of committee at the introduction of a new bill that would punish anyone who removes, damages, or destroys a Confederate monument or memorial. After a proponent congratulated the bill's fight for "white culture", an intense debate ensued. "This bill creates the Historical Monuments and Memorials Protection Act," SB 1122's sponsor, […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A sweeping new bill would prohibit banks from dealing in digital currency without completing a comprehensive risk assessment to be approved by the Office of Financial Services. The measure builds on Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on Florida's use of a federalized central bank digital currency. SB 914, proposed by Republican Sen. Keith Perry, defines […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—The Florida Senate is sticking to its guns in a social media ban for minors. In a rare departure from the Governor, the Republican-led measure outlawing social media accounts for minors—regardless of parental wishes—passed committee down party lines. "If we as a government have identified this harm that is beyond the magnitude of any […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A far-reaching defamation bill united conservatives and liberals in strong opposition, despite a strike-all amendment softening its components. Though the measure removed controversial provisions related to claims of discrimination, it still facilitates the ability to sue a journalist. "When you make a false statement, you are committing some kind of negligent act against someone," […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Mere days after Gov. DeSantis announced that the state's version of the national guard will be sent to the Texas border to fight illegal immigration, U.S. Marine veteran Mark Thieme was unanimously confirmed Monday as the new director for the state guard. This makes Thieme the third director in less than two years. "I […]

Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has  came back to his job as governor of Florida after dropping his presidential bid and endorsing President Donald Trump (R).  However, one of his biggest claims in the primary race is being fact-checked. In order to appeal to small government conservatives, Gov. DeSantis told a crowd of primary voters in […]