Florida Politics

Four exuberant football fans who rushed the field after the University of Florida's upset win over Texas are facing first-of-their-kind, felony trespass charges under a new law a Republican senator said was intended to punish protesters of President Donald Trump during his appearances in the state. Lawmakers in Tallahassee said they never intended the new law to be used against fans storming football fields after a huge victory. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it in May.

In the aftermath of the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, The State of Florida is taking new measures to stop political violence.

The $117 billion spending plan includes support for mental health and addiction services, cancer research, maternal and child health, elder care, and veterans' services.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has tapped Republican state Sen. Jay Collins to be his lieutenant governor. It's a closely watched appointment by the two-term governor, who can't run for reelection in 2026. The seat has been vacant since February, when then-lieutenant governor Jeanette Nuñez was appointed to lead one of the state's public universities. If Collins decides to launch a bid to succeed DeSantis, the move could tee up another proxy fight between the popular GOP governor and President Donald Trump, who has already endorsed Republican Congressman Byron Donalds for the job.

As Minnesota reels from the murder of one state lawmaker and the shooting of another, Florida could shield from public disclosure the home addresses of legislators, other elected officials and their family members.

Oral arguments are June 4 in a long-running case involving a Florida bar complaint before the Florida Supreme Court against former Fort Myers attorney Christopher Crowley alleging bar rules violations.The Florida bar's complaint is that Crowley, during the 2018 political campaign for state attorney of the 20th Judicial Circuit "publicly disparaged his opponent through various political campaign materials, advertisements, and social media postings" among other rules violations.

The race to become the governor of Florida is beginning to bubble, with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds leading what is becoming a crowded field of hopefuls, all jockeying to assume the mantle.It’s way too early to divine who will win the open governor’s seat next November, but Donalds, who is Black and represents Florida’s 19th Congressional district, is bumping up against the reality that in its 180-year history, Florida has never elected a Black governor, man or woman, Democrat or Republican.

The Legislative Session has hit a pause as the State House and Senate still need more time to figure out a budget. Legislators were still able to agree on a plethora of new proposed laws.

After asserting the Democratic Party in Florida is “dead,” Sen. Jason Pizzo says he’s running for governor as an independent and will make that official in a couple of months.Orlando attorney John Morgan, describing the Democratic Party as “broken,” believes Pizzo is making a mistake if he runs without party affiliation.

Legislative budget talks blew up Friday, as the House, the Senate and Gov. Ron DeSantis tangle over tax cuts.House Speaker Daniel Perez accused Senate President Ben Albritton of backing out of a “historic tax proposal” that the leaders outlined last week as they extended the annual legislative session to reach a budget deal. DeSantis, who wants to reduce property taxes, threatened this week to veto Perez’ priority of cutting sales taxes.