2025 Legislative Session

Amid ongoing scrutiny of First Lady Casey DeSantis’ signature welfare-assistance program and an affiliated foundation, the executive director of the Hope Florida program is poised to step down from the job.Erik Dellenback, who also serves as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “liaison for faith and community,” is leaving to pursue a post as CEO of Florida Family Voice, a Christian nonprofit affiliated with national groups such as the Family Policy Alliance, Focus on the Family and the Alliance Defending Freedom.

Ron DeSantis’s latest salvo with the Florida House of Representatives unfolded in Southwest Florida Wednesday with the governor accusing the House of trying to defund the police.While the House is far from calling for the defunding of law enforcement agencies, millions of dollars separate it from the its counterpart in the Senate as the two sides hammer out the upcoming state budget.

An effort to keep students off cell phones throughout the school day passed the Florida House on Wednesday, though differences remain with a Senate proposal.The House unanimously approved a bill (HB 949) that would expand a law that prohibits the use of wireless devices at schools during “instructional time.”

A bill aimed at preventing a return of efforts to build golf courses, pickleball courts and resorts in state parks is ready to go to the full Florida House.The House State Affairs Committee on Tuesday unanimously supported the measure (HB 209), which sponsor John Snyder, R-Stuart, said seeks to prevent “unintended development within the state park system.” It came after widespread opposition last year to a plan dubbed the “Great Outdoors Initiative” by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

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.

House Speaker Daniel Perez said Wednesday he wants to lower the state’s sales-tax rate, trimming revenue by almost $5 billion a year.Perez, R-Miami, told House members he has directed Ways & Means Chairman Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, to produce a bill next week that would lower the rate from 6 percent to 5.25 percent.

The Florida legislature offers people a way to find and contact their elected officials online. Here's a step-by-step guide to getting in touch and making your voice heard.

Florida lawmakers say they want to investigate insurance companies. Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis calls for action on property taxes and condos.