Florida Lawmakers

Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) announced that he has received a 100% rating from the U.S. Humane Society’s 2023 legislative scorecard. The Florida congressman serves as the co-chairman of the bipartisan Animal Protection Caucus. He was one of 13 Members on the right side of the aisle to receive a perfect score. “As a proud dog […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A bill banning local governments from providing community IDs to illegal immigrants passed its final committee stop Wednesday afternoon, though not before facing claims of "inhumanity". SB 1174 builds on a sweeping immigration package passed last session. One of the provisions prevented local governments from providing money to nonprofits so they could create community […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—The bill sponsor for a defamation bill threatening increased penalties for journalists and news outlets faced bizarre allegations of secret, back-door dealings in Wednesday's House Judiciary Committee, while the bill itself faced down claims of unconstitutionality. Proposed by Republican Rep. Alex Andrade, HB 757 presumes that if a reporter published a false statement by an anonymous […]

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson (R-FL) provided his thoughts concerning kratom, the herbal substance growing in popularity around the country. The substance is used over the counter to combat withdrawal symptoms. The drug is said to produce “opioid and stimulant-like effects” according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, however. It is more often […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A bill allowing parents to collect damages for the death of their unborn child would grant rights to a fetus at all development stages, raising concerns about abortion and in vitro fertilization. Republican Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, who carried last year's six-week abortion ban, is sponsoring HB 651, which would expand Florida's Wrongful Death Act […]

As the 2024 legislative session in Tallahassee ends on March 8, lawmakers are thinking of their next political move, with most running for reelection and some also looking to involve themselves in other races. Rep. Mike Caruso has just supported pro-family, pro-farming philanthropist Meg Weinberger in the Republican primary race in Florida's 94th House District. […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A bill banning delta-8 and capping THC milligrams in hemp products divided House Republicans Tuesday afternoon, raising concerns about the economy and sick patients who use hemp to cope with their illnesses. "The legislature has made some mistakes," HB 1613's sponsor, Republican Rep. Tommy Gregory said Tuesday. "We've regulated marijuana instead of really focusing […]

With her stint as the leader of the upper chamber in Florida’s state government dwindling in the sunset, State Senate President Kathleen Passidomo’s (R-FL) legacy affordable housing legislation could be in danger. SB 102 – the “Live Local Act” – Introduced by State Senator Alexis Calatayud (R-FL), allegedly has a glaring loophole that counties and […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Seven weeks into the nine-week Legislative Session, the Florida House has unveiled a major new election bill, reinstating runoff primaries for the next Governor election and drastically reducing the number of mail-in ballot drop-off boxes—and Republicans are not happy. PCB 24-06, a 44-page bill revealed yesterday by the House State Affairs Committee, makes sweeping […]

Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) appeared on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America” program on Sunday to discuss the foreign policy strategies of President Joe Biden (D) and his administration. The program hosts mentioned the developing story concerning Russia’s stated efforts to put a nuclear weapon in space. When asked about this possibility and the Biden administration’s ability […]

Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) introduced a bill in November to rename the House Press Gallery to the “Frederick Douglass Press Gallery.” During his as the Editor-In-Chief for the New National Era newspaper, Douglass – the famous abolitionist – was also a member of the Congressional House Press Gallery, according to Spectrum News. Rep. Donalds spoke […]

It's all About Immigration. Still. In the wake of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas' impeachment by the U.S. House of Representatives, Florida hit hard on the topic of immigration this week, taking steps to demand action at the border. The sixth week of the nine-week Legislative session is over, and lawmakers are scrambling to pass […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Abortion rights advocates are up in arms over new bill language establishing an "unborn child" as a person at conception. If passed, this language could negatively impact Democrats' efforts to get abortion on the ballot in November. Republican Sen. Erin Grall, who sponsored Florida's six-week abortion ban last session, amended SB 476 this week […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A Republican Lawmaker is no longer targeting Florida's "crack bears" in his bill allowing people to kill bears in self-defense. On the House Floor Thursday, the sponsor explained his bill is meant to protect families against all bears on their property—not just ones high on crack. Last week, The Guardian reported that Republican Rep. […]

Representative Cory Mills (R-FL) sat down for an exclusive interview with The Floridian to discuss recent developments regarding global conflicts and foreign policy from an American perspective, and to assert that the U.S. was safer under President Donald Trump than with President Joe Biden. During the interview, Rep. Mills spoke on the United States’ current […]

Florida Rep. Alina Garcia (R) has decided to not seek reelection to the Florida House of Representatives in the 2024 presidential election cycle, and will instead run for Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Election. In an exclusive interview with The Floridian, Rep. Garcia expressed her gratitude to the voters of House District 115 for allowing her […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—In a Valentine's Day voice vote, the Florida Senate is demanding Congress enforce immigration laws, secure the border, and protect against human and drug trafficking across the southern border. Though the memorial faced accusations of vague and inflammatory language, it ultimately passed the Senate Floor. "We have a problem on our hands, we have a […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A Republican-led bill would abolish civilian police review boards from the state. Mostly founded after the death of George Floyd, Democrats argue that these boards serve to build trust and understanding between the public and law enforcement, while Republicans believe they are unnecessary and "erode trust". After George Floyd, a black man, was unnecessarily […]