Governor Ron DeSantis, wearing a dark navy suit and tie, stands with a serious expression at an outdoor or indoor event. The background includes a wood-paneled wall and various items suggesting an outdoor theme, such as a boat seat, what appears to be a gun case or cover, and ammunition boxes.

News & Views

DeSantis’ plan to eliminate Florida property tax is different than what he pitched

There is no reference to the $500,000 homestead exemption that DeSantis said was the ultimate goal of his proposal.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix May 29, 2026May 29, 2026

Aerial drone view of a modern high-tech data center facility and cloud computing infrastructure campus.

News & Views

Under new Florida law, data centers can’t rely on taxpayers to pay utilities

However, SB 484 does not ban artificial intelligence companies from signing secret nondisclosure agreements with state agencies.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix May 8, 2026May 8, 2026

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, Representative Jenna Persons-Mulika, and Speaker-Designate Sam Garrison address the press during the 2026 special legislative session in Tallahassee.

News & Views

Florida Speaker kills DeSantis’ AI and vaccine bills on first day of special session

“There were no bills filed on these policies prior to the start of this special session [in the House],” Perez told his members minutes after opening House proceedings.

by Liv Caputo, Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium in front of American flags

News & Views

DeSantis orders Legislature to revisit vaccine mandates, as CDC confirms 134 confirmed measles cases

The Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday will consider SB 6D, offered by Jacksonville Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

News & Views

Florida adds more measles cases

Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to make it easier for parents to opt out of mandatory school vaccines.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix March 24, 2026March 24, 2026

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez wearing a blue suit and tie, speaking to reporters after a legislative floor session on January 15, 2026. He stands in front of a dark wood door and a wall-mounted light fixture.

News & Views

Florida’s 2026 legislative session ends Friday—and lawmakers don’t have the budget ready

The budget is the one bill lawmakers must pass each year.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

A young girl smiling while a healthcare professional applies a bandage to her arm after receiving a vaccination in a medical office.

News & Views

Florida’s ‘Medical freedom’ from vaccines bill is likely dead

The DeSantis administration announced last fall it wanted to eliminate every vaccine mandate from Florida statutes.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix March 5, 2026March 5, 2026

Fentrice Driskell speaks into a microphone at a desk while other House members look on.

News & Views

Tampa Rep. Fentrice Driskell sponsors bill to revive abortion access

The Reproductive Freedom Act bills were filed on Roe v. Wade’s 53rd anniversary.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

A uniformed law enforcement officer stands beside an open patrol car door, with a holstered firearm visible at their waist.

News & Views

Proposed Florida bill would make carrying an open package of medical marijuana in a car illegal

SB 1056 would give cops the green light to search a vehicle based on the ‘plain smell’ of edibles, hemp, marijuana, or THC beverages.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

Front exterior view of the Supreme Court of Florida building in Tallahassee, featuring six large white columns, beige walls, and flanking palm trees under a bright blue sky. A low wall in the foreground displays the text 'Supreme Court of Florida'.

News & Views

Florida Supreme Court ruling could allow children to have three parents

The opinion focused on whether a state law applies to people who artificially inseminate outside a clinic setting.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix January 2, 2026January 2, 2026

A Florida black bear is nestled high in a tree, showing its excellent climbing ability. One of its paws with short, curved claws is visible on a branch as it peers down from the safety of the dense, green foliage and rough bark

News & Views

FWC says 52 bears were ‘harvested’ in Florida’s 2025 bear hunt

The agency said that a full report will be released in the coming months.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix January 2, 2026January 2, 2026

A daytime exterior view of the Moffitt Cancer Center. The large, beige concrete building features a covered entrance canopy with the number "4101" visible. Prominent blue lettering on the upper façade reads "MOFFITT CANCER CENTER." Green hedges and landscaping line the front of the building under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

News & Views

DeSantis’ proposed budget would change how Florida cancer centers get funds

Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa is one of them.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

Close-up of a child wearing a face mask being prepared for a vaccination by a person wearing white medical gloves, who is swabbing the child's upper arm with cotton.

News & Views

Hearings to repeal Florida’s school vaccine mandates begin

Heated debates began last week in the Panhandle.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a press conference. He is wearing a dark blue suit with a patterned blue tie and a white shirt. An American flag pin is on his lapel. He has short, dark brown hair and is gesturing with his right hand as he speaks into a microphone. In the blurred background, there's a golf cart and what appears to be a large, taxidermied animal. The image is credited to Dave Decker.

Florida News, News & Views

DeSantis’ proposed state budget includes bans on ‘social justice,’ Net Zero policies

It also includes a record increase for teachers’ salaries.

By Christine Sexton and Liv Caputo/Florida Phoenix December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

A man speaks at an outdoor event from a podium decorated with the U.S. Constitution and American flag designs, with multiple flags displayed around the stage and trees in the background.

News & Views

DeSantis picks panhandle for public meeting on Florida school vaccinations

Despite the location, some believe the Dec. 12 meeting will be well-attended.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

Official portrait of Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady, smiling and wearing glasses and judicial robes, against a backdrop of law books.

News & Views

With Canady resignation, DeSantis gets to pick his sixth Florida Supreme Court justice

Canady is considered conservative but in a 2024 opinion agreed to green-light proposed Constitutional Amendment 4 to enshrine abortion access in the state.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix November 19, 2025November 19, 2025