Outdoor portrait of Mayor Jerry Demings, wearing a dark blue suit and a patterned blue tie, smiling slightly against a blurred green, leafy background.

Orange County Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Jerry Demings says he’ll change Florida’s approach to home rule

Demings will make an appearance at the Florida Association of Counties in Tampa later this week.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix November 17, 2025November 17, 2025

Jerry Demings, mayor of Orange County and Democratic candidate for Florida governor, talks about home rule, immigration, education, and more.

A bald man in a gray suit and a red patterned tie is speaking at a wooden podium. He is in a large room with rows of dark blue seats, some of which are occupied by an audience in the background.

News & Views

As his bill faces home rule lawsuits, Pinellas Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie says he may ‘have to make some adjustments’

More than two dozen local governments have filed suit seeking to block SB 180, which restricts local them from regulating development.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 30, 2025September 30, 2025

A speaker stands at a podium addressing a seated audience, with two American flags and two Florida state flags behind them, in front of a red curtain.

News & Views

DeSantis comes to Hillsborough County and defends signing controversial land-use law

VALRICO — Manatee County Commissioners have voted to join a lawsuit challenging a new state law (SB 180) that restricts local governments from regulating developments.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 4, 2025September 5, 2025

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home rule in Florida

Orange County Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Jerry Demings says he’ll change Florida’s approach to home rule

As his bill faces home rule lawsuits, Pinellas Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie says he may ‘have to make some adjustments’

DeSantis comes to Hillsborough County and defends signing controversial land-use law