Statewide News

Florida gubernatorial hopeful Byron Donalds served from 2016-2020 in the Florida House, before getting elected to Congress.

Florida gubernatorial hopeful Byron Donalds served from 2016-2020 in the Florida House, before getting elected to Congress.

Republican Byron Donalds formally enters 2026 Governor’s race

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
News Service of Florida — After announcing his candidacy Tuesday night on Fox News, Florida Congressman Byron Donalds filed paperwork Wednesday to formally enter the 2026 race for governor.Donalds, a Naples Republican, became the first major candidate to enter the race to succeed term-limited Gov.
DeSantis' new panel would reportedly review some 900 state positions, university spending, local government spending and the need for about 70 state boards and commissions.

DeSantis' new panel would reportedly review some 900 state positions, university spending, local government spending and the need for about 70 state boards and commissions.

DeSantis touts Florida's own DOGE task force

Jim Turner
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Taking a page from billionaire Elon Musk’s push to cut federal spending, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday announced a new panel that will review about 900 state positions, university spending, local government spending and the need for about 70 state boards and commissions.
James Uthmeier is sworn in Monday as Florida attorney general. PHOTO/TOM URBAN, NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

James Uthmeier is sworn in Monday as Florida attorney general. PHOTO/TOM URBAN, NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

James Uthmeier takes reins as Attorney General

Jim Turner
Monday, February 17, 2025
News Service of Florida: With Gov. Ron DeSantis describing him as a “bulldog,” James Uthmeier was elevated Monday to become Florida attorney general after serving as the governor’s chief of staff.
The Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a suite of measures Thursday aimed at strengthening enforcement of illegal immigration.

The Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a suite of measures Thursday aimed at strengthening enforcement of illegal immigration.

State lawmakers pass illegal immigration crackdown

Dara Kam
Friday, February 14, 2025
News Service of Florida: President Donald Trump emerged as the biggest winner Thursday as the Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a suite of measures aimed at strengthening enforcement of illegal immigration.
Senate President Ben Albritton (shown in photo) and House Speaker Daniel Perez on Monday called a special legislative session to address illegal immigration. NSF PHOTO/COLIN HACKLEY

Senate President Ben Albritton (shown in photo) and House Speaker Daniel Perez on Monday called a special legislative session to address illegal immigration. NSF PHOTO/COLIN HACKLEY

New special session called on immigration

Jim Saunders
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
News Service of Florida — After a special session late last month spiraled into a clash between Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida lawmakers will meet in another special session Tuesday to pass a package of bills targeting illegal immigration — with DeSantis’ support.
The announcement about the House’s veto review came as a standoff over immigration plans continues to linger.

The announcement about the House’s veto review came as a standoff over immigration plans continues to linger.

State budget vetoes eyed amid broader fiscal, immigration disputes

Dara Kam
Sunday, February 9, 2025
News Service of Florida: Special Florida House panels are teed up next week to scrutinize Gov. Ron DeSantis’ line-item budget vetoes, setting up possible overrides amid a dispute between the governor and Republican legislative leaders over immigration-enforcement plans.
The proposal is an initial step as lawmakers prepare to negotiate a final budget during the regular legislative session, which will start March 4.

The proposal is an initial step as lawmakers prepare to negotiate a final budget during the regular legislative session, which will start March 4.

DeSantis proposes $115.6B state budget

Jim Turner
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a $115.6 billion budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year that calls for increasing pay for state law-enforcement officers and firefighters, eliminating a commercial-lease tax and holding a new sales-tax “holiday” on guns and ammunition.
Osceola News-Gazette

Osceola News-Gazette

DEO — Florida jobless rate stays at 3.4%

Jim Turner
Friday, January 31, 2025
Despite retirees continuing to reduce the size of the labor force and a slight bump in the number of Floridians out of work, the state’s unemployment rate held steady in December.The Florida Department of Commerce on Friday released a report that said the unemployment rate was 3.
Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, was a sponsor of immigration legislation that passed Tuesday. PHOTO/COLIN HACKLEY

Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, was a sponsor of immigration legislation that passed Tuesday. PHOTO/COLIN HACKLEY

Despite DeSantis' objections, Immigration bill passes

Jim Saunders
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Saying they are trying to help President Donald Trump crack down on illegal immigration, Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature late Tuesday passed a plan that includes boosting criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants, ending in-state tuition rates for...
House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, said Monday the House will "not be moved by threats." PHOTO/COLIN HACKLEY

House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, said Monday the House will "not be moved by threats." PHOTO/COLIN HACKLEY

Lawmakers rebuke DeSantis, will address immigration in special session

News Staff
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
By Jim Saunders, Dara Kam and Jim Turner News Service of Florida  Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature will revamp immigration laws this week but issued a sharp rebuke Monday to Gov. Ron DeSantis that included overriding a budget veto from last year.
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