Florida Legislature

Four districts held by Democrats looked set to flip to the Republican column. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, and the others were able to fend off challenges.

Byron Donalds will be governor, Ashley Moody turned back Angie Nixon and Amendment 3 passed. But what about Congress? What about Texas?! We try to break it down on "Florida Matters Live & Local."

Nocco succeeds the retiring Ed Hooper in District 21, representing parts of Pasco and Pinellas. Harrington, who had been Nocco's chief of staff, was appointed by a judge until the governor names a replacement.

Breaking the supermajority means Republicans can no longer act alone on certain major decisions, including overriding a governor’s veto or bypassing legislative rules.

Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers of the Florida Legislature. Democrats say they can break both this November — and gain more legislative leverage.

Legislators approved $250 million for the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Some will go toward hurricane relief, but a large portion will pay vendors for completed work at "Alligator Alcatraz."

State lawmakers received an accounting less than an hour before a budget meeting to decide whether to hand over more tax dollars.

Florida workers would remain without government oversight at any level if federal heat policies are watered down. The Legislature banned cities and counties from creating such protections in 2024.

Rep. Kevin Steele sent a resignation letter to House Speaker Daniel Perez after he posted a photo on social media of him voting at a Tampa library. Florida law requires lawmakers live in their districts.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state's fiscal year 2026-27 budget on June 29, and it took effect July 1. The budget allocated just over $63 million to Florida's state parks.

Florida's first post-Surfside collapse condo inspection report found dozens of unsafe or uninhabitable buildings. But reporting problems and disputes over some findings are complicating things.

The provision was part of HB 757, a package designed to prevent another tragedy such as the campus shootings at FSU in 2025, when two people were killed and more were injured. Most notably, that package arms trained college and university faculty.