State & Local
Along with up-to-date political coverage, The Floridian takes the opportunity to post about issues, legislation, and lawmakers in local municipalities and at the state level
Gov. Ron DeSantis commented on Florida's recent green Iguana purge following a winter snap that left the cold-blooded reptiles stunned and immobilized while speaking during a press conference in the Florida Keys this week. "The iguanas were falling from the trees like we've never seen before. We think that there were tens of thousands of […]
Floridians enjoying the long Presidents' Day weekend can feel pretty good at the pump compared to this date last year, according to AAA. As of Monday, Feb. 16, the average price for a gallon of gas in the Sunshine State was $2.86, down 17 cents from 2025. However, the price was up a tad from […]
President Donald Trump has cancelled a tax credit for car manufacturers that incentivizes them to install an automatic start/stop feature in vehicles. This move from the Trump administration is part of a broader rollback of environmental regulations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This “auto stop-start” feature shuts off gas engines when cars are idle, such […]
Representative Cory Mills (R-FL) is introducing legislation prohibiting the federal government from contracting with businesses that have refused to serve federal law enforcement. The Halting Inappropriate Limits Targeting Officers Now Act (HILTON Act) prohibits the government from entering into contracts for covered services like food, lodging, transportation, vehicle rental, healthcare, and other services if a business […]
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of 51 individuals, including some allegedly involved with the Valentine Bloods gang, in a sophisticated drug operation out of Central Florida that included the seizure of over 70 pounds of meth and 10 pounds of fentanyl during a news conference this week. “This was a highly organized, […]
The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill 112-1 this week to designate the American flamingo as Florida's state bird and the Florida scrub jay as the state's songbird. The lone 'No' vote was from Rep. Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola). Under the bill, HB 11, the American flamingo would replace the northern mockingbird as Florida's official […]
Broward County amassed an estimated 700 million dollars in economic impact from sports and entertainment events in 2025, according to data collected by Oxford Economics, Simpleview, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. "In case you were wondering, the economic impact on sports tourism in @browardinfo county is really powerful. Adds jobs, dollars and […]
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Rep. James Buchanan (R-Sarasota) in his State Senate District 22 bid, announcing the support through a release this week. “James Buchanan has free enterprise in his blood and entrepreneurialism in his DNA, making him a natural choice for the Florida Chamber to endorse as Senate District 22’s next […]
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced charges against several individuals accused in an organized theft operation across Orange, Broward, Polk, Osceola, St. Lucie, and Volusia counties during a press conference this week. Alayn Espinosa Lopez, Yerrison Perez, Yasser Mederos Garcia, Alexis Suarez Hernandez, Alejandro Valdes, and Arley Osmany Hernandez Relova were charged with Grand Theft […]
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced an award of over $8 million to the Job Growth Grant Fund, which supports workforce and infrastructure needs in Florida's aerospace and aviation, military and defense, cybersecurity, financial services, and other industries, through a release this week. According to the governor, the award will be distributed to three different areas. Palm […]
Attorney General Pam Bondi testified on Capitol Hill this week, where she was questioned about the Department of Justice's (DOJ) handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, which comes a year into her role as head of the DOJ, devolved into Bondi lashing out at judges and Democratic lawmakers […]
Press Ganey, a leading global provider of experience technology, data analytics, and AI-powered insights, announced Aetna, a division of CVS Health, as its first-ever Health Plan of the Year recipient at their annual Human Experience Conference in Orlando this month. "Receiving this award - especially in its first year - reflects the sustained performance and […]
38 House members have joined forces to create the Sharia-Free America Caucus, warning that Sharia contradicts the U.S. Constitution and threatens American freedoms. The group is pushing for laws that would prevent judges from considering Islamic law in their decisions and restrict entry to the country for individuals who adhere to Sharia principles. The caucus […]
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) is not a fan of Ron DeSantis, calling him the "worst governor" in America during a recent appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. "Ron DeSantis," Beshear answered when Stewart asked him who he'd like to run into in an elevator. The answer drew laughter and applause from the […]
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a 120-year prison sentence this week for a Hillsborough County man convicted of human trafficking. Marquett James, 50, was convicted of two counts of human trafficking, one count of racketeering, and one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering following a jury trial in November 2025. According to the attorney […]
Florida Representatives Kat Cammack (R) and Vern Buchanan (R) led a delegation of Florida lawmakers in sending a letter to the USDA, urging the federal organization to issue a "Disaster Declaration" for Florida farmers amidst recent freezing temperatures. “THIS IS A NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE! Florida farmers are facing a devastating crop crisis caused by freezing […]
KPMG Florida hosted its first annual Day at the Capitol event by donating books in an effort to support literacy for K-12 students across the state on Tuesday. "Literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning and we are proud to do our part, one book at a time," KPMG Florida Partner Anthony Monaco said. "Thank […]
First Lady Casey DeSantis announced this week the successful completion of a patient's cancer treatment in the Florida panhandle through the Cancer CARE (Connected Access and Remote Expertise) Beyond Walls program, which expands access to cancer care across the panhandle and surrounding areas. Established under the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund and led by the Mayo […]
