Florida Legislature

The Floridian is a statewide and national political media platform that covers government affairs, elections, public policy, and campaigns on Florida politics. These stories are focused on Florida and the inner workings of the Florida Legislature
A new bill inspired by a petition fraud settlement paid by an abortion rights group passed its first committee Thursday, aiming to overhaul Florida's ballot initiative process through a $1 million bond on future petition sponsors and charging certain fraudsters with racketeering. Filed by Republican Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, HB 1205 would enact widespread changes increasing […]
Sen. Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) recently filed a bill to tackle human sex trafficking in the state by imposing stricter penalties, particularly against those involving children and those with mental deficiencies. Under Jonathan Martin's bill, SB 1804, an individual who knowingly engages in human trafficking by use of physical force on a child less than […]
In an exclusive statement to The Floridian, state Rep. Basabe explained why he voted against the bill, citing concerns over leadership failures and mismanagement in addressing flooding issues in his district.
The US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) recently ruled against President Donald Trump’s request to freeze $2 billion of USAID payments. President Trump had asked SCOTUS to reaffirm the US’ freezing of $2 billion USAID ‘reimbursement’ payments to companies for work that had already allegedly been performed. However, in a 5-4 ruling, SCOTUS rejected Trump’s request, ruling […]
Republican Lawmakers Announce Plans to Eliminate Property Taxes in Florida Rep. Ryan Chamberlin (R-Belleview) announced he intends to work on eliminating property taxes in the "Free" State of Florida with a string of bills during a press conference Wednesday in Tallahassee. ...READ MORE Debbie Wasserman Schultz-Millions more veterans can now get health care thanks to the […]
Rep. Ryan Chamberlin (R-Belleview) announced he intends to work on eliminating property taxes in the "Free" State of Florida with a string of bills during a press conference Wednesday in Tallahassee. In a press release, Chamberlin announced filing HB 357 and HB 359 which would create a new $100,000 tax exemption on all properties, not […]
While lambasting the Covid vaccine on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis questioned how effective flu shots are and whether physicians push them in return for compensation. His comments came at a Tampa press conference to pressure lawmakers to permanently ban the Covid vaccine mandates he signed in 2021. DeSantis' opposition to the Covid vaccine, however, segued […]
Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) announced the filing of HB 983, a legislation designed to reform Florida's Homeowners Association (HOA) by enhancing enforcement, improving transparency, and empowering residents with stronger rights. "As Florida continues to grow, it is critical that our HOA system is fair, transparent, and accessible to all residents," Porra said in a […]
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the charging and extradition of terrorist Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as “Jafar,” for helping orchestrate the Abbey Gate terror attacks which killed 13 US military service members. The August 26, 2021 attacks occurred during President Joe Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal debacle. As US servicemembers attempted to coordinate the […]
Polls measuring viewers’ reactions to President Donald Trump’s recent joint address to Congress are signaling overwhelming support for the president's speech. A CBS poll conducted shortly after President Trump’s speech recorded 76% of viewers approved it. While the poll claimed 51% of viewers were Republican, 27% were independent while 20% were Democrats. The 76% approval […]
Sen. Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach) and Rep. Hillary Cassel (R-Dania Beach) recently filed bills to show Florida's support for the Jewish State by expanding the state's existing anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) law. Tom Leek and Hillary Cassel, under SB 1678/HB 1519, would enhance the state's policy against opponents who participate in boycotts against Israel. […]
Florida Chief Financial Officer and Congressional District 1 Republican congressional nominee Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) spoke to The Floridian regarding the persistent antics of House Democrats during President Donald Trump's Address to the Joint Session of Congress last night. Senate Minority Leader Sen. Jason Pizzo (D-FL) also called out his fellow Democrats over their behavior. For context, […]
President Donald Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports while increasing current tariffs on Chinese goods by 10%. The tariffs had been originally imposed last February but were paused by President Trump due to ongoing negotiations with the respective countries. Trump has repeatedly promised, both during his presidential campaign and first days […]
TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Legislature kicked off the 2025 Legislative Session, but the talk of the town was First Lady Casey DeSantis’s probable 2026 gubernatorial run and a running Black List of Republican lawmakers that the DeSantis’s embrace. From rumors of reality, Mrs. DeSantis is expected to announce her run for Governor in the coming weeks, and […]
TALLAHASSEE—Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo issued a rebuttal Monday to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' State of the State Address where he bluntly laid out his concerns on the direction of the state, including its hardline focus on social issues and misteps on illegal immigration. However, Sen.Pizzo, considered a moderate Democrat, didn't exactly come to his […]
Representative Al Green (D-TX) has been kicked out of the House chamber during President Donald Trump's (R) address to the joint session of Congress. Almost immediately, Rep. Green stood up and began heckling President Trump, and after Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) reminded Rep. Green to keep decorum, Green heckled again and again, […]
Fresh off an immigration battle with GOP leaders, Gov. Ron DeSantis is now asking the Legislature to greenlight open carry and repeal provisions of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Act, a gun-tightening package passed after Florida's deadliest school shooting. But, bucking the governor, Republican Senate President Ben Albritton is pushing back against DeSantis's request for more […]
While Gov. Ron DeSantis and GOP lawmakers agree that excess government spending needs to be cut, Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Danny Perez are starting to point the finger at the state government. On the first day of the 60-day legislative session, Albritton and Perez echoed Gov. Ron DeSantis's call for a state […]
