Representative Berny Jacques, an African American man in a blue suit and orange tie, speaks into a standing microphone from his desk in a legislative chamber. Numerous colleagues are seated around him in dark leather chairs and wooden desks. Portraits line the walls above the seating area.

Pinellas Republican re-files bill that would require all employers to use E-Verify

Rep. Berny Jacques had tried to pass this measure during the 2025 session, but its Senate version stalled.

By LIvia Caputo/ Florida PhoenixOctober 20, 2025October 20, 2025

Rep. Berny Jacques, a Seminole Republican, issued HB 197 to mandate all private businesses use E-Verify, a federally operated system allowing employers to electronically verify whether new employees can legally work in the United States.

A bald, white man in a dark blue suit and a light blue collared shirt is standing and speaking into a microphone. He is on a stage or at a public event. Other people are seated in the foreground and background, including a Black woman with glasses and a man in a navy suit and yellow patterned tie. A black curtain serves as the backdrop.

News & Views

In Tampa, city councilman Alan Clendenin pushes back hard against proposal to eliminate property taxes

According to Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, every dollar of Tampa’s $380 million in property tax revenue is allocated to police and fire services.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 25, 2025September 25, 2025

A man in a navy blue suit with a red tie stands confidently indoors, with framed portraits hanging on the wall behind him.

Politics

In Largo, town hall with Pinellas Republican Berny Jacques gets loud

It’s not just Republicans in Congress who are being aggressively challenged at town-hall meetings this summer.

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

News & Views

Pinellas representative’s bill requiring E-Verify for all Florida businesses advances to House

Florida is one of 23 states that use E-Verify in some fashion, although only a handful require all private companies to use the system.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 8, 2025April 24, 2025

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