Ron DeSantis Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

Former Florida Congressman David Jolly speaking into a microphone at a town hall meeting or political event with an attentive audience in the background.

Florida Democrat David Jolly wants an Office of Civil Rights in the Governor’s Office

His comments came as DeSantis has applied a sledgehammer to vestiges of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the state.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 20, 2026May 20, 2026

Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly says that if he’s elected in November, he would establish an Office of Civil Rights within the Governor’s Office. Speaking in Fort Myers Sunday during a gathering hosted by the Florida Democratic Hispanic Caucus, the former U.S. representative from Pinellas County reflected on the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling weakening […]

Based on the image provided in the Facebook post, here are a few options for SEO-friendly alt-text, ranging from concise to more descriptive: Option 1: Descriptive & Keyword-Rich (Best for SEO) Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium during the unveiling of a James Madison statue in Florida. The podium features a sign identifying Madison as the "Father of the Constitution," set against the backdrop of a historic courthouse with patriotic banners.

DeSantis slams Florida House Speaker Perez, claims he has ‘a personal agenda’

“When you have people that got elected on our back, like the Speaker of the House, get in and do the opposite of what the voters expected us to do, I’m going to call that out.”

by Gray Rohrer, Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida May 15, 2026May 15, 2026

Close-up of a black fuel nozzle at an American gas station with colorful grade selection buttons for regular, mid-grade, and premium gasoline.

Florida Democrats once again call on Gov. DeSantis to suspend state’s gas tax

An average gallon of gas in Florida was $4.39 on Thursday, $1.49 more than on Feb. 28, when the conflict with Iran began.

by News Service of Florida May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

A bright, daytime outdoor photograph of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a press conference. Standing behind a podium and a white railing, they are wearing a dark blue suit, a light blue shirt, and a dark red tie. They are gesturing with their raised left hand while speaking. The background features a softly blurred marina with several white boats docked on the water.

DeSantis signs bill banning local climate change efforts, putting Tampa’s plan in limbo

The law takes effect July 1st.

by Chris Young and WMNF News May 13, 2026May 13, 2026

Florida has spent $460 million on immigration enforcement so far, records show

FDEM filed a budget amendment May 6 notifying the Legislature it was spending $45.3 million out of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund to pay off invoices for the 2025-2026 year.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida May 12, 2026May 12, 2026

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

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

‘It was always designed to be a temporary facility’: DeSantis addresses rumors ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ may soon close

Florida insists the federal government will reimburse the state hundreds of millions of dollars, although it has not yet.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix May 8, 2026May 8, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium during a press conference at the Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center.

DeSantis and the people suing him, can agree on one thing: His new map violates Florida’s Constitution

“We believe the [Fair Districts provision] does not apply,” the governor’s top elections lawyer, Mohammad Jazil, told senators during a committee hearing last week.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix May 7, 2026May 7, 2026

Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar speaking at a press conference in front of the Florida Historic Capitol, surrounded by supporters holding "Invest in Our Students" signs during the 2026 school choice lawsuit announcement.

Florida education union claims school choice system is unconstitutional, files suit

The plaintiffs ask the court to declare the scholarship programs and charter schools “as currently administered” unconstitutional.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix May 6, 2026May 6, 2026

lorida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium with "The Free State of Florida" sign, flanked by the American and Florida flags

DeSantis signs bill making new gerrymandered congressional map official

House Democratic Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a blistering statement hours after DeSantis signed the map into law, saying “see you in court.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 4, 2026May 4, 2026

U.S. Representative Kathy Castor speaking with a constituent in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, during her 2026 re-election campaign

Despite new maps, Florida Democratic Reps. Kathy Castor & Debbie Wasserman Schultz say they’re running again

Their districts have become much more Republican-leaning following passage of a new redistricting map.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 4, 2026May 4, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis signing education legislation in Fort Myers, Florida, surrounded by state officials in a school gymnasium.

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs law making it easier to decertify teachers unions

“This bill doesn’t end unions. The unions will end themselves when they lose their way.”

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida May 1, 2026May 1, 2026

Genesis Robinson of Equal Ground speaking at a protest against mid-decade redistricting outside the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee.

‘Rigging a system:’ Florida’s new congressional map expected to draw legal challenges

“House Republicans cheered at the destruction of democracy while Democrats fought to defend it.”

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix April 30, 2026April 30, 2026

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 Legislature approves DeSantis’ new redistricting map, giving Republicans significant boost

“You are destroying democracy with this vote, and the people of Florida deserve better,” House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell said.

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at the Congressional Term Limits Retreat in Delray Beach, seated at a panel with state legislators to discuss a U.S. Constitutional amendment for congressional term limits.

‘This is clearly unconstitutional’: Florida Democrats decry DeSantis’ new congressional map

House and Senate committees approved the new map (HB 1D, SB 8D) ahead of a floor votes later in the week.

by Gray Rohrer, Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida April 29, 2026April 29, 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.

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

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

Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at the U.S. Caribbean Maritime and Ports Forum at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, discussing Florida's seaport investments and global commerce.

DeSantis’ new redistricting plan would leave Tampa Bay with zero Dem seats

Democratic lawmakers decried the new map as a blatant partisan power grab.

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium during the unveiling ceremony of a bronze George Washington statue in Chipley, Florida.

DeSantis signs bill allowing untrained volunteers to carry guns in Florida churches

The law is effective July 1, the start of the next fiscal year.

by News Service of Florida April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sits at a draped table in Jacksonville, signing SB 1134 and HB 1217 legislation into law, flanked by five officials and American and Florida state flags in the background.

DeSantis signs bills banning Florida cities and counties from supporting DEI programs, net zero carbon policies

“With DEI, the disfavored groups, number one obviously, would be white males, and I think they’ve been discriminated against,” DeSantis said Wednesday.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida April 23, 2026April 23, 2026