Florida Legislature

Valdes, elected to the House four times as a Democrat, wrote that she didn’t expect to agree with “fellow Republicans” on every issue, but “that in their caucus, I will be welcomed and treated with respect.”

The plan would expand a pilot program that pays growers to provide excess dairy, beef and eggs to food banks.

Florida's 2025 legislative session will begin with 26 new lawmakers in the 120-member state House and nine new Florida senators out of 40 — but the make-up of the chambers will shift in the coming months due to President-elect Donald Trump.

House and Senate committees will meet in parts of December, January, and February to start sifting through proposals in the lead-up to the 60-day session.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we discussed FEMA’s response to hurricanes Helene and Milton, how Americans are consuming political news, how the Florida Democratic party can reengage apathetic voters, what’s next for former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida legislature’s new leadership, and a collection of environmental stories from across the state.

Under DeSantis’ leadership, the country’s third most-populous state has cemented its reputation as a national testing ground for conservative policies like restricting abortion and defending gun rights.

Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, says he won't sit "idly by" if legitimate property insurance claims get denied while rates continue to rise. He also promises to bring tech advances to rural parts of the state.

The Legislature will hold a post-election organization session on Nov. 19, when incoming House Speaker Daniel Perez and incoming Senate President Ben Albritton will formally begin their new roles.

Republicans maintained supermajorities in both legislative chambers. Democrats failed to topple Republicans’ supermajority in the Florida House, an effort that would have required picking up a net of five seats.

Outgoing Senate President says "a whole new philosophy of reconstruction and resilience and resiliency in our state" will need to be discussed when lawmakers meet in March.

He said "we do need to do something this year" to help with increased costs for repairs and property insurance. The 2025 regular legislative session begins in March.

The discovery raises questions about whether Rep. Bruce Hadley Antone was legally eligible to hold office.