Florida Legislature

Governor Ron DeSantis’ fight to end property taxes in Florida has dominated the conversation. Lawmakers are continuing to discuss how to eliminate the state revenue service.

Florida lawmakers will be back for the legislative session. Many major topics including property taxes, school vouchers and exploring changes to Florida’s congressional maps will be discussed.

As Jan. 13th marks the start of Florida’s 2026 legislative session, we’re exploring bills and issues likely to take center stage over the course of the 60-day session in a conversation with Florida Gulf Coast University Political Science professors Roger Green, Ph.D., Sandra Pavelka, Ph.D, and University of Central Florida Political Science professor Aubrey Jewett, Ph.D.

Ahead of Florida’s 2026 lawmaking session, which begins in January, members of the Lee County Legislative Delegation met, Tuesday, at Florida Southwestern State College. Over the course of the nearly three-hour long meeting, lawmakers heard from 58 local officials and members of the public on a broad range of issues including local appropriation requests, property tax reform, vaccines, water quality and home rule.

Following an extended Legislative session, Florida’s Senate and House agreed on a budget. Before it became official, Governor Ron DeSantis brought out his red veto pen and made some major changes.

Seeking to “restore confidence” in its mission, directors of an embattled foundation affiliated with First Lady Casey DeSantis’ signature Hope Florida welfare-assistance program on Thursday agreed to strengthen the nonprofit’s structure amid widening scrutiny by the Florida House.

At the halfway point of Florida’s 2025 Legislative Session, the state House and Senate are poised, this week to take up their budget proposals. We’ll check in with a panel of political scientists for a look at which legislative proposals are advancing, which are headed for defeat, and what it all means for Floridians going forward.

The Florida House will dive into issues about college athletes getting paid for use of their names, images and likenesses, or what is known as NIL.

Just ahead of Florida’s annual legislative session, which begins March 4, our panel of political scientists weighs in on key legislative proposals lawmakers will consider over the next two months including firearm regulations, relief for condo owners, property taxes, tax holidays, state election policy, and much more.