Local government advocate says property tax proposal would make Florida ‘more unaffordable’ City and county governments in Florida face significant financial challenges if Governor Ron DeSantis’ plan to reduce property taxes for permanent residents is approved by lawmakers and later ratified by voters as a constitutional amendment. The proposal, unveiled last week, would provide a $150,000 homestead exemption for homeowners by 2027 and a $250,000 exemption starting in 2028. Advocates for local governments warned that the measure could severely strain municipal budgets, as the exemptions would cost counties an estimated $4.8 billion annually by 2030-31, according to the Florida Policy Institute. The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) projected a $4.6 billion annual loss by fiscal year 2028-29. Local government leaders argued the plan represents a “tax shift” rather than a genuine cut, as it disproportionately benefits homeowners while leaving renters and small businesses without relief. Jeff Scala, deputy director of the FAC, criticized the proposal during a webinar, stating, “This isn’t a full plan. In that magic fund, legislators are going to be forced to pick winners and losers amid thousands of funding requests among the 67 counties.” He emphasized that the trust fund proposed to offset revenue losses is not a guaranteed solution, as it relies on future legislative decisions and could be raided during economic downturns. The plan’s funding restrictions further complicate its impact.#ron_desantis #florida_policy_institute #florida_association_of_counties #florida_league_of_cities #florida_taxation_and_budget_reform_commission
DeSantis’ Map Redraw Push Tests Florida GOP Ahead of Midterms Florida Republicans are preparing for a special legislative session next week that could reshape the state’s congressional map, potentially strengthening the GOP’s majority in the House. However, the effort has sparked internal debate among members of the state’s congressional delegation, who are divided over how aggressively to pursue the redistricting plan. Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has long advocated for revisiting the state’s electoral boundaries, but his push faces resistance from some lawmakers who fear the risks of overreach. DeSantis, who has previously drawn maps used in the 2022 and 2024 elections, argues that rapid population growth and an upcoming Supreme Court ruling on redistricting could justify a mid-decade redraw. Despite these claims, any new map would still rely on the 2020 census data. Some Republicans estimate that a redraw could secure two to five additional GOP-leaning seats, but others caution that the effort might backfire. The state’s redistricting attempt is part of a broader national strategy to influence the November midterm elections, where control of the House remains in question. Democrats are preparing to counter expected Republican gains in key states like Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and North Carolina by targeting seats in California and Utah. In Virginia, voters are set to decide on a new map that could add four Democratic seats. A successful Florida redraw could help Republicans preserve their majority, but analysts warn the outcome remains uncertain. Texas Republicans, for instance, are unlikely to achieve the five-seat pickup President Donald Trump predicted, and even a single seat in Missouri or North Carolina is not guaranteed. The political stakes are high, with Rep.#ron_desantis #byron_donalds #florida_gop #national_republican_redistricting_trust #adam_kincaid
Florida's Morgan & Morgan Founder Skips Governor Bid, Launches New Political Party John Morgan, the founder of the Orlando-based law firm Morgan & Morgan and a prominent political donor in Florida, has decided not to run for governor in 2026. Instead, he is focusing on reshaping the state’s political landscape by launching a new political party and offering a $100,000 prize to the person who names it. Morgan, known for his influence in Florida’s political arena, has played a key role in funding major ballot initiatives, including the legalization of medical marijuana and raising the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. Both measures passed despite Florida’s high 60% voter approval threshold for constitutional amendments, solidifying Morgan’s reputation as a major political financier. While Morgan has ruled out a gubernatorial candidacy, he has not stepped away from politics. He argues that most Floridians share common ground on key issues, despite the polarizing effects of partisan politics. Morgan believes a new party could provide an alternative for voters disillusioned with the Democratic and Republican parties. “If you take the ‘D’ down and the ‘R’ down, we agree on most things,” he said, emphasizing his vision for a party that bridges ideological divides. The new party will be launched through a public contest for its name, with a $100,000 cash prize for the winning submission. Morgan has not yet disclosed details about the contest’s rules, duration, or selection process, though he has stated that he is working to ensure compliance with state and federal laws governing promotions and rewards. This move comes as Florida prepares for a competitive governor’s race, with former Governor Ron DeSantis term-limited and Republican U.S. Rep.#political_party #ron_desantis #florida #john_morgan #morgan_morgan
HD 87 Voters to Fill Long-Vacant Seat as Emily Gregory, Jon Maples Face Off in Special Election Voters in Florida’s House District 87 will cast ballots Tuesday to select a replacement for the legislative seat that has remained vacant since August, when Republican state Rep. Mike Caruso resigned to become the county’s Clerk and Comptroller. The district, which spans coastal areas including Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Juno Beach, and Hypoluxo, has been without representation for seven months. The extended vacancy became a central issue in the race, as the delay in scheduling the special election prompted Democrat Emily Gregory to file a lawsuit arguing voters were denied a voice during the 2026 Legislative Session. Though the lawsuit became moot after Gov. Ron DeSantis called the election in late October, the absence of representation during key legislative debates highlighted the urgency of the contest. The race pits Democrat Emily Gregory, a 40-year-old first-time candidate and owner of a Jupiter-based fitness center for pregnant and postpartum women, against Republican Jon Maples, a 43-year-old financial planner and former Lake Clarke Shores Council member. Both candidates advanced to the general election after dominant primary wins in January, each securing over 80% of the vote in their respective contests. Maples, who has ties to the Republican Party and received endorsements from President Donald Trump, Attorney General James Uthmeier, and several state lawmakers, has positioned himself as a proponent of tax cuts, reduced government spending, and school choice policies. His campaign has raised over $440,000 in contributions, with significant support from the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee and substantial spending on digital and TV advertising.#ron_desantis #emily_gregory #jon_maples #florida_house_district_87 #mike_caruso
Trump plans executive order to address college sports issues President Donald Trump announced plans to issue an executive order within a week to address widespread concerns over the future of college sports. The move follows a high-level meeting at the White House, where leaders from major athletic conferences, media executives, former coaches, and lawmakers gathered to discuss the challenges facing collegiate athletics. Trump emphasized that the order would be "all-encompassing" and aimed to resolve issues ranging from name, image, and likeness (NIL) regulations to the broader economic structure of college sports. The meeting, titled "Saving College Sports," took place in the East Room of the White House and included figures such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, New York Yankees president Randy Levine, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Attendees included NCAA President Charlie Baker, commissioners from the ACC, SEC, Big 12, Big Ten, and American Conference, as well as university leaders and former coaches like Nick Saban and Urban Meyer. The gathering, which lasted nearly two hours, highlighted the need for federal legislation to address the complexities of NIL and the financial sustainability of college athletics. Saban, a former Alabama coach, argued that the current system undermines the educational mission of college sports. He stated that the focus on athletic success has overshadowed the importance of academic development, calling for reforms that prioritize student-athletes' long-term futures. Meyer echoed similar concerns, criticizing the use of collective funding models that he described as "pay-for-play," where donors' money is funneled through coaches to players.#trump #marco_rubio #randy_levine #ron_desantis #charlie_baker
