Dara Kam | State Affairs

Despite Republican victories in all statewide contests, narrower-than-expected margins in last week’s midterm elections could prompt national Democrats to reengage in Florida.

Messages of unity by both House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison, R-Fleming Island, and Senate President-designate Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, signaled a new era of close collaboration following two tumultuous years in the Florida Capitol.

As season vaccinations ramp up, Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski is accusing Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier of “bullying” Catholic schools in a dispute over religious freedom, public health and state scholarship funding.

Calling himself the “Ted Lasso” of political discourse, Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly says he would be able to work across party lines and is framing the Nov. 3 election as a “generational moment” for Floridians.

With mail-in voting underway, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri warned that a property tax proposal on the November ballot may offer homeowners an appealing promise of relief but could threaten public safety and other programs.

Democrat José Javier Rodríguez is campaigning with a mantra to battle “crime, costs and corruption” in a quest to oust incumbent Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier in November.

Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant estimates the proposal would save about $1,000 a year in 2027 and $1,800 in 2028 for the average homeowner.

“I told myself, ‘I don’t like bullies, and I will always stand up and push back and fight against bullies,’” Nixon said on Monday’s episode of the State Affairs podcast “Between the Lines With Dara Kam.”

An appeals-court panel has put on hold a judge’s ruling that blocked parts of a law prohibiting non-Florida residents and non-U.S. citizens from collecting signatures for ballot proposals.

Calling it "exactly the kind of disaster that Congress took pains to avoid," attorneys for immigrants held at a detention center in the Everglades filed a lawsuit alleging Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration lacks the authority to run the facility.

The hearing addressed issues including allegations that detainees at the facility lack the ability to meet privately with their attorneys in person or online, as required by law, and don’t have a way to access immigration judges to challenge their detention or potential deportation.

Gulfstream Park Racing Association has filed a lawsuit arguing that a requirement that the South Florida thoroughbred track conduct races to maintain its lucrative slot-machine operations is an unconstitutional “special law” that “thoroughly undermines” its ability to compete with other parimutuels.