Ben Albritton

The bill would provide $25 million aimed at helping physicians, physician assistants and APRNs set up practices in rural communities and increase Medicaid payments for “critical access” hospitals.

Florida House supporters of redistricting want to do it during the legislative session, which begins in mid-January. But the Senate president and Gov. Ron DeSantis want to wait for a court decision.

The Appropriations Committee is scheduled to take up Senate President Ben Albritton's priority "rural renaissance" bill next week, possibly sending it before the full chamber after the session starts in January.

Boyd served in the House from 2010 to 2018 before getting elected in 2020 to the Senate, where he serves as majority leader. He will succeed President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, after the 2026 elections.

All state lawmakers representing Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties voted for the “Schools of Hope” expansion . Now that a Miami-based charter operator has filed early notices to occupy several local schools, most of those lawmakers have declined to answer questions about the law or its local impacts.

The state allocated $38 million to the Farmers Feeding Florida program. The new statewide initiative helps food banks distribute surplus and discounted farm products to families in need.

Albritton made the comments as lawmakers start to prepare for the 2026 legislative session and as Gov. Ron DeSantis has made a priority of asking voters next year to cut property taxes.

Florida lawmakers are working out the details on the budget and tax breaks. They've given themselves until mid-June to get it done.

The House and Senate are expected to vote June 16 on the budget and a tax package.

Senate spokeswoman Katie Betta said in an email that President Ben Albritton intends to revive the rural proposal next year.

The measure, a priority of Senate President Ben Albritton, is intended to improve early intervention, school readiness, educational opportunities and workforce training.

Florida Senate President Ben Albritton wrote in a memo that he believes they are making progress but are not in a position to begin the budget conference next week.