Anna Eskamani

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the new immigrant detention center in the Everglades with Rep. Anna Eskamani and spoke about the contractors who have been hired to operate the facility with Bob Norman of the Florida Trident. Then, we were joined by former state senator Jeff Brandes about property insurance reform.

State Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens, state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, along with state Reps. Dr. Anna V. Eskamani, D-Orlando, Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, and Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg, said they were not allowed to tour the facility off Tamiami Trail in the Everglades when they made a July 3 surprise visit.

The lawmakers said state officials flatly denied them entry to the immigration detention facility Thursday afternoon and later were given "vague safety concerns" without any specific details.

After the Supreme Court's ruling to allow South Carolina to block Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood, advocates for the nonprofit are concerned other states could follow suit.

It would take effect with the July 1 start of the 2025-2026 fiscal year but remains subject to vetoes from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Federal funding cuts will impact Medicaid, SNAP nutrition, and other health-related programs, concerning some health care workers who say it will have an impact on Central Florida.

The Democrat says her priorities would include homelessness and affordable housing, public transportation and support for small businesses.

Some Florida Democrats are looking for who to blame after struggling during the 2024 elections, continuing a downward slide for the party in the state.

Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, criticized universities for incentivizing participation in the survey in a social media post to X on Wednesday.

Under the revisions, questions about race and ethnicity that previously were asked separately will be combined into a single question. A Middle Eastern and North African category also will be created.

Republicans control Florida's Legislature, Supreme Court, Governor's Mansion and Cabinet posts.

DeSantis vetoed two bills meant to reform Florida's criminal justice system on Tuesday. Advocates said the bills are "casualties of the shifting electorate and presidential campaign" of the governor.