Former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, wants lawmakers to continue working on housing issues. PHOTO/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA COLIN HACKLEY

Former State Rep. Carolina Amesty

Gov. Ron DeSantis likely will select a successor to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio by the start of 2025 as Rubio prepares to serve as secretary of state in the Trump administration. FILE PHOTO

In the three times Trump has carried Florida, his victory margin has swelled from less than 150,000 in 2016 to nearly 1.5 million—growing apace with membership in the state GOP, which now has about 1 million more voters than the Democrats.

Democrat leaders raised concerns that Pam Bondi will assist the president-elect in dismantling the Affordable Care Act.

/gaetz.house.gov/sites/gaetz.hoFormer Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has ended his controversial bid to become U.S. attorney general. PHOTO/IKE HAYMAN

Florida education leaders are trying to fend off a lawsuit filed by major publishing companies and authors over the removal of books from school libraries, disputing allegations that a controversial state law violates the First Amendment.

Incoming House Speaker Daniel Perez has already rolled out changes to House committees, while saying lawmakers have, “Spent taxpayer funds excessively and indiscriminately in the last few years.” PHOTO/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area unemployment rate for October was at 3.5 percent. PHOTO/GLEGORLY