Trump’s unpopularity, high gas prices helped Florida Dems flip two seats, says analyst

“President Trump’s unpopularity cast a long, dark shadow over these Republican candidates in these races,” UCF analyst Aubrey Jewett said

by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

University of Central Florida political science professor Aubrey Jewett said at the campaign level Democrats put forward solid candidates.

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Florida bill banning local government ‘net-zero’ policies heads to DeSantis

If signed into law by DeSantis, it would go into effect on July 1

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

a glass of filthy, polluted water on a white background

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Florida lawmaker is back with bill promoting water pollution

House Bill 479 is this year’s worst of the worst.

by Craig Pittman, Florida Phoenix January 23, 2026January 23, 2026

Florida News

Florida House Democrats prioritize affordability in 2026 session

Lawmakers have housing affordability and government efficiency on their minds a month out from the start of the 2026 legislative session

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

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Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings intends to change home rule if elected governor

The latest such move by the Legislature is a law passed earlier this year that restricts local governments from regulating development

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix November 18, 2025November 18, 2025

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Florida bill would impose timelines for governor to set special election dates

Gov. DeSantis’ delay means some voters won’t be represented until after the next legislative session ends

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix November 12, 2025November 12, 2025

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Republican Jim Boyd designated as Florida’s next Senate president

Boyd did not detail priorities but spoke of a need to ‘defend the taxpayer’ and to ‘protect the rights of parents and strengthen our schools’

by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida October 15, 2025October 15, 2025

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15 of the dumbest things Florida legislators have done so far this year

by Orlando Weekly Staff August 8, 2025

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‘Gulf of America,’ high school phone ban and more Florida education laws now in effect

Several education bills were delayed until the last day of session and jammed into two major packages

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix July 2, 2025September 1, 2025

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Florida budget talks to resume with $900M tax cut for commercial leases on the table

Conference committees will start meeting Tuesday to negotiate details of the different parts of the budget, such as education, health care and criminal justice

by Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida June 2, 2025June 5, 2025

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DeSantis blasts Florida House Republicans’ property tax panel as ‘dog and pony show’

‘It’s honestly not that hard to do any of this stuff,’ DeSantis said

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix May 7, 2025July 19, 2025

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Florida Republicans finalize pass plan for additional restrictions on constitutional amendment process

Democrats are calling the changes an ‘assault on the very spirit of Florida’s democracy’

by Dara Kam, News Service of Florida May 2, 2025May 15, 2025

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Florida lawmakers consider bill to keep secret their home addresses, phone numbers

Government watchdogs say it may lead to reduced accountability and unnecessarily infringes on the public’s right to records

by Matthew Cupelli, Fresh Take Florida April 22, 2025July 21, 2025

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Florida House OKs bill that loosens defamation protections, requires removal of certain online articles

The bill advanced with support from Democrats who said they’d been targets of false information spread online

by Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix March 28, 2025April 7, 2025

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State Sen. Geraldine Thompson, longtime Central Florida lawmaker and educator, dies at 76

The veteran legislator died Thursday following complications from knee surgery, according to a statement from her family

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix February 14, 2025March 2, 2025

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Florida Republicans defy DeSantis’ immigration plan, advance Trump-inspired proposal instead

Monday’s battle over the immigration issues was a stark departure from the GOP’s unity that’s been the hallmark of DeSantis’ relationship with the Legislature over the past six years

by Dara Kam, News Service of Florida January 28, 2025February 21, 2025