The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 2.23.26 — Burnin’ today: Budget conferences, Retail Days, TSA PreCheck, DeSantis, Simpson, Bartleman & ChatGPT

Make your mornings brighter with Sunburn! ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

From: Extensive Media Enterprises Good Monday morning. Senate President Ben Albritton has named conferees for the budget conference following the passage of the Senate's $115 billion spending plan, paving the way for work to begin on reconciling the $1.4 billion gap between the House and Senate. The conferees align with the Appropriations Committee assignments, with the Chairs of the various Committees also serving as leaders of the corresponding Conference Committees. At-large members are also aligned between the appropriations Subcommittees for which they serve and the budget Conference Committees that correlate to them. Ben Albritton names budget conferees after Senate passes $115 billion spending plan. As the upper chamber's Appropriations Committee Chair in charge of overall budget negotiations, Senate Budget Chief Ed Hooper will continue leading negotiations through the Appropriations Conference Committee, alongside Sens. Lori Berman, Jim Boyd, Jason Brodeur, Joe Gruters, Kathleen Passidomo and Darryl Rouson. Brodeur will lead the Appropriations Conference Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government and the Appropriations Conference Committee; on Criminal and Civil Justice-related budget negotiations, Sen. Ileana Garcia will take the helm; Sen. Jay Trumbull will head the Appropriations Conference Committee on Health and Human Services; Sen. Gayle Harrell is leading higher education budget conferencing; on Pre-K-12 Education, Sen. Danny Burgess will serve as Chair; Sen. Nick DiCeglie will chair the Appropriations Conference Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development. ___ House Speaker Daniel Perez has named conferees for the budget conference following the passage of its $113.6 billion budget. The appointments came just after Senate President Albritton announced his chamber's conferees and after the Senate passed its $115 billion budget. The conferees align with budget Committee assignments, with the Chairs of the various Committees also being installed to lead the corresponding Conference Committees. Members are also mostly aligned between the budget Subcommittees for which they serve and the budget Conference Committees that correlate to them. Daniel Perez names House conferees after chamber passes $113.6 billion budget plan. As the House Budget Committee Chair in charge of overall budget negotiations, Rep. Lawrence McClure will continue leading negotiations, alongside House Conference Managers At-Large Chuck Brannan, James Buchanan, Jennifer Canady, Kevin Chambliss, Fentrice Driskell, Wyman Duggan, Anna Eskamani, Gallop Franklin, Sam Garrison, Christine Hunschofsky, Traci Koster, Lauren Melo, Jim Mooney, Toby Overdorf, Michele Rayner, Felicia Robinson, Michelle Salzman, Tyler Sirois, Allison Tant, Josie Tomkow, Kaylee Tuck, Susan Valdés and Marie Woodson. Subcommittee Chairs remain at the helm for each budget silo: Rep. John Snyder will lead Agriculture and Natural Resources conferences; Rep. Alex Andrade takes point on health care; Rep. Demi Busatta will serve as House Chair for budget conferences related to higher education; Rep. Patt Maney will be leading House budget conferees on matters related to criminal justice; Rep. Jenna Persons Mulicka is leading House in Pre-K-12; Rep. Randy Maggard will captain House conference negotiations on state administration; and House budget conferences on TED will be co-chaired by Reps. Jason Shoaf and Fiona McFarland. ___ It's Florida Retail Days at the Capitol! The Florida Retail Federation will welcome retailers to Tallahassee Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to engage with lawmakers, promote the retail industry in the Sunshine State and advocate for their priorities. "Women in Retail" will connect at FRF on Monday evening to celebrate women in leadership. Special guests include Reps. Jennifer Canady, Traci Koster, and Fiona McFarland. Tuesday features a legislative forum with prominent speakers leading discussions on key policy issues impacting retailers, including tax changes and other significant legislation. The day concludes with an evening legislative reception bringing together retailers and elected officials. Wednesday is Capitol Connections, an opportunity for rising leaders in the retail industry to meet lawmakers, explore the legislative process and see how policy impacts retail. Activities include a retail forum with legislative guests, an ice cream social and retail booth displays. ___ "New analysis projects $9B economic loss if Florida weakens vaccine safeguards" – A new statewide economic study from the Regional Economic Consulting Group estimates that weakening Florida's school vaccine safeguards could cost the state $9 billion in GDP, eliminate 64,644 jobs and reduce state and local tax revenue by nearly $1 billion over the next decade. More than 90% of projected long-term losses stem from preventable death and reduced productivity, with regional impacts including $2.5 billion in Miami, $1.3 billion in Tampa, $1.2 billion in Orlando and $717 million in Jacksonville. "Florida's long-standing vaccine safeguards have helped protect children, support workforce stability, and prevent the kinds of outbreaks that disrupt families and businesses," said Sen. Gayle Harrell. "When policy decisions affect the health of our communities and also have the potential to affect jobs, tax revenues, and health care costs at this scale, we have a responsibility to consider the full picture." Business leaders are also warning about the risks of increased illness and instability for employers. "Florida has built one of the strongest economies in the world, and that growth is powered by our people," said Julio Fuentes of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "When preventable illness disrupts workforce participation and consumer confidence, the implications for productivity and competitiveness are real. Stability and predictability are essential to Florida's long-term economic success, and our long-standing vaccine safeguards are a key part of that foundation." ___ Personnel note — Aegis Biz Tech is promoting Michael Harris to Chief Technology Officer as the Florida-based technology firm prepares for its 30th year in business. Harris, a former U.S. Marine, joined Aegis a decade ago as a consultant and advanced through roles including Senior Consultant, Sales Engineer and Solutions Manager. Current CTO Kevin Drake will transition to Chief Information Officer, overseeing solutions and technology infrastructure he helped build. CEO Blake Dowling said the leadership shift aligns with the company's long-term growth strategy. Aegis recently rebranded and relocated its headquarters in 2024 and is expanding operations with a new Washington, D.C., office to better serve clients nationwide. Michael Harris, Kevin Drake and Blake Dowling mark Aegis Biz Tech's leadership transition and expansion plans.

Situational awareness   Tweet, tweet: Tweet, tweet: Tweet, tweet: —@KatieMiller: James Fishback never worked, consulted or advised DOGE. Tweet, tweet:

Days until   Netflix docuseries 'Drive to Survive' premieres — 4; 'Yellowstone' spinoff 'Y: Marshals' premieres — 6; World Baseball Classic begins — 10; F1 Season Opener — 11; Boca Raton Mayoral referendums and City Council Elections — 15; last day of the Regular Session — 18; The Oscars — 20; March Madness Opening Weekend — 24; 'Peaky Blinders' movie premieres on Netflix — 25; Special Election for SD 14, HD 87, HD 51 and HD 52 — 29; Yankees-Giants Opening Day matchup / Netflix's first exclusive MLB stream — 30; MLB 14-game Opening Day slate — 30; new season of 'Your Friends And Neighbors' premieres on Apple+ — 39; NCAA Final Four begins — 40; Tampa Bay Rays first game at the newly repaired Tropicana Field — 42; 'Handmaid's Tale' sequel series 'The Testaments' premieres — 44; The Masters begin — 45; Florida TaxWatch Spring Meeting begins — 51; MLB Jackie Robinson Day — 51; First Qualifying Period begins (Federal) — 56; 2026 Florida Housings Solutions Summit — 58; NFL Draft — 59; Federal Qualifying Period ends — 60; F1 Miami begins — 67; 'Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu' premieres — 88; new mission for 'Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run' premieres at Disney World — 88; Marvel's 'Spider-Noir' live-action series with Nicolas Cage arrives on Amazon Prime — 93; MLB Lou Gehrig Day — 99; Second Qualifying Period begins (State) — 105; South Africa in the FIFA World Cup opener in Mexico City — 108; Steven Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day' premieres — 109; State Qualifying Period ends — 109; 'Toy Story 5' premieres in theaters — 116; Florida GOP's statewide debates for the Primary in its 'Sunshine State Showdown' — 123; Mexico will face live-action 'Moana' premieres — 128; Primary Election: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 131; Primary Election: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 136; MLB All-Star Game — 141; Domestic Primary Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 143; Primary Election: Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation — 147; Primary Election: Deadline to request that ballot be mailed — 164; Primary Election: Early voting period begins (mandatory period) — 166; Primary Election Day — 176; Yankees host the Mets to mark the anniversary of 9/11 — 200; MLB Roberto Clemente Day — 204; General Election: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 208; General Election: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 213; Domestic General Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 220; General Election: Deadline to register to vote — 224; Early Voting General Election mandatory period begins — 243; General Election — 253; 'Godzilla Minus Zero' premieres — 256; 'Dune: Part 3' premieres — 298; 'Avengers: Doomsday' premieres — 298; untitled 'Star Wars' movie premieres — 298; College Football Playoff national title game in Las Vegas — 336; Super Bowl LXI — 356; Tampa Mayoral Election — 372; Jacksonville First Election — 393; Jacksonville General Election — 449; 'Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse' premieres — 467; 'Bluey The Movie' premieres — 529; 'The Batman 2' premieres — 585; 'Avengers: Secret Wars' premieres — 662; College Football Playoff national title game in New Orleans — 700; Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 872; U.S. Presidential Election — 988; College Football Playoff national title game in Tampa — 1,064; 'Avatar 4' premieres — 1,388; College Football Playoff national title games in Miami — 1,428; 'Avatar 5' premieres — 2,119.

Top story   "DHS reverses course on suspending TSA PreCheck after outcry" via Marianne LeVine, Riley Beggin and Theodoric Meyer of The Washington Post — The Department of Homeland Security reversed course Sunday, announcing that TSA PreCheck would remain operational despite the partial shutdown. The Transportation Security Administration said there would be no change for travelers, though staffing adjustments could occur as needed. TSA PreCheck remains operational after DHS reverses suspension during partial shutdown. A DHS official said the shift followed conversations between Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the White House and TSA leadership. Global Entry, however, remains paused. Noem had said Saturday the agency was making "tough but necessary" workforce decisions, prioritizing the general traveling public. The initial suspension drew swift bipartisan criticism. Rep. Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, urged an immediate reversal. Airline and travel groups warned the move would disrupt passengers and strain employees. The shutdown stems from a congressional standoff over DHS funding that expired Feb. 14. Democrats are demanding new restrictions on federal immigration agents after fatal shootings last month in Minneapolis. Republicans warn defunding DHS weakens national security, even as immigration enforcement continues with prior funding. The lapse affects about 13% of the civilian workforce. FEMA has halted non-disaster activities, TSA faces strain, and 91% of DHS employees are expected to work without pay, with the first missed paycheck set for March 3.

Statewide   "The Casey DeSantis question looming over Florida's Governor race" via Kimberly Leonard of POLITICO — First Lady DeSantis has spent the past month raising alarms on conservative platforms about toxic substances in candy, contaminants in baby formula and vaccine concerns, while launching a "Healthy Florida First" initiative aligned with President Donald Trump's "Make America Healthy Again" push. What she has not addressed is whether she will run for Governor as her husband enters his final year in office. Most GOP insiders interviewed expect she will not run, citing the couple's three young children, lack of fundraising and Trump's backing of Rep. Byron Donalds. Still, no allies rule it out before the June 12 filing deadline. Polling shows Donalds leading. Her future remains closely tied to the Governor's political standing. Casey DeSantis fuels 2026 speculation amid Healthy Florida First push. "James Fishback's Azoria ETFs collapsed months after launch amid legal, financial scrutiny" via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Azoria Capital, founded by Republican gubernatorial candidate Fishback, liquidated its only two exchange-traded funds less than six months after launch, citing limited assets and recent litigation involving firm leadership. Trustees voted in December 2025 to terminate the Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF and the Azoria TSLA Convexity ETF, which held about $30.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively, before ceasing trading. The closure leaves the firm without active ETFs. The decision followed a court order directing Fishback to turn over company shares to satisfy a $229,000 judgment owed to former employer Greenlight Capital. The developments add to mounting scrutiny of Fishback's finances and campaign as he trails Republican rivals in early polling. "Anastasios Kamoutsas continues hammering teachers union over student walkouts" via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — Kamoutsas is continuing to attack the Florida Education Association (FEA), accusing the teachers union of supporting student political walkouts, then leaving students on their own when they get in trouble. FEA leaders have previously denied encouraging young people to walk out of school during protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Florida's classrooms are for learning, not political activism," Kamoutsas said. "When the state's teachers' union encourages students to walk out of class to protest, it not only contradicts their claimed support for educators but also sends a harmful message about the role and purpose of public schools. Our focus must remain on students and their academic achievement." Meanwhile, the FEA strongly refuted the state's claims earlier this week that it was supporting students walking out of class. "Florida tweaks charter school 'co-location' rule" via Andrew Atterbury of POLITICO — Florida's Board of Education approved revisions to its Schools of Hope co-location rule, limiting how many requests charter operators can submit and allowing districts to recover some added costs. Under the new policy, Hope charters may file no more than five co-location requests within 12 months and must provide draft staffing and enrollment plans. Eligible campuses include those with a capacity below 75% or with at least 400 surplus seats. Districts and charters must negotiate shared service agreements covering safety, transportation and other operations, with districts able to recoup incremental expenses. Critics argue the changes fall short, saying schools should recover full costs and have greater local input. The first co-locations are expected in the 2027-28 school year. —"State Board of Education tweaks Schools of Hope rules, allowing districts to recoup some costs" via Divya Kumar of the Tampa Bay Times —"Florida approves teaching students about the fall of Nicolás Maduro" via Jeffrey S. Solochek of the Orlando Sentinel —"Step Up For Students gets renewed for handling state private school scholarship program" via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics "Faculty union, profs decry 'censored' state sociology textbook" via Steven Walker of the Orlando Sentinel — Florida's Higher Education Board "censored" a general education sociology textbook, the state's faculty union says, cutting more than half of the book's original content and removing chapters on racism, genocide and inequality. The book, now required for introductory sociology courses at Florida State University, was reduced from 669 pages to 267. The state's cuts removed references and chapters on media and technology, global inequality, race and ethnicity, social stratification, and gender, sex and sexuality. The term "racism," for example, appeared 115 times in the original version but six times in the revised one. The edited version also removed a section on the government-sanctioned genocide of Native Americans. "Freeze events deal $3.17B blow to farmers, report says" via Jim Saunders of State Affairs — Two spells of freezing temperatures this Winter caused billions in estimated losses for Florida farmers, including the already-struggling citrus industry, according to a report released by state Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. The report estimated $3.17 billion in losses from storms Dec. 30 to Jan. 1 and Jan. 26 to Feb. 4 and said freezes "of this nature have not been experienced by Florida producers for decades." The estimate includes crops lost during the current growing season and damage that will carry over into future seasons. Numerous crop types, ranging from citrus and sugarcane to tomatoes and blueberries, were affected. "Our preliminary estimate of over $3 billion in agricultural losses makes clear what we already knew: This was one of the most damaging freeze events for Florida agriculture in history," Simpson said. "It is also clear that our state's farmers, ranchers, and growers — who we rely on daily to feed and nourish our communities — need timely and substantial support."

Big bill of the day   "House-passed proposal to eliminate homestead taxes would undercut public safety in 116 cities, lawmaker says" via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — House Republicans are advancing HJR 203, a proposal to ask voters in November whether to phase out homestead property taxes over 10 years starting in January 2027. Supporters say the plan protects public safety by barring local governments from cutting police, fire rescue and first responder levies below current levels and by exempting School District taxes. Democrats argue the math does not work. Weston Rep. Robin Bartleman warned that many cities could lose 50% or more of their budgets under a full homestead exemption, calling the proposal financially reckless. Robin Bartleman warns HJR 203 homestead proposal threatens city public safety budgets. A simulation using 2024 state data found 116 municipalities would not raise enough general revenue to cover current public safety spending. Larger cities such as Tampa, St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale made the list. Even eliminating all other spending would not fully close the gap for those cities. Smaller communities would also face steep losses. In Broward County, Southwest Ranches could lose about 60.5% of its budget, with Cooper City, Sea Ranch Lakes and Parkland facing even deeper cuts. Sponsor Monique Miller said cities will need difficult conversations, including consolidating boutique police departments under county sheriffs. Bartleman said that admission undercuts claims that public safety would remain unchanged and faulted lawmakers for not detailing how the plan would be implemented or paid for.

Legislative   "A Republican coup d'état" via Romy Ellenbogen of the Tampa Bay Times — A rare public clash among Senate Republicans unfolded this week in the Legislature, as Sen. Erin Grall tried to revive her wrongful death bill by attaching it to separate civil litigation legislation. Grall's proposal would allow parents to sue for the wrongful death of an unborn child, a measure opposed by abortion access advocates and some conservatives concerned about impacts on insurance and the legal market. The bill has stalled for multiple Legislative Sessions, blocked in Committee under former Senate President Passidomo, who now leads the Rules Committee. When Grall attempted the amendment, Senate Democratic Leader Berman objected, and Passidomo ruled it out of order. Grall appealed, but the chamber ultimately rejected the underlying bill. Erin Grall's wrongful death amendment sparks rare Senate GOP clash. "Lawmakers eye a crackdown on city, county government 'DEI' activities" via Romy Ellenbogen, Aaron Leibowitz and Colleen Wright of the Tampa Bay Times — Lawmakers are moving forward with legislation, supported by Gov. Ron DeSantis, that would prohibit local governments from supporting any "diversity, equity, and inclusion" activities. But local governments and residents across the state worry that the bill could stop innocuous government activities, including food, music and other cultural festivals. Sen. Clay Yarborough, sponsor of the Senate legislation, told lawmakers that he thought diversity, equity and inclusion were positive concepts.

More legislative   "Senator wants to outlaw 'forever fees' for community amenities" via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel — It's been three years since thousands of residents in a Central Florida subdivision won a landmark class-action lawsuit against their developer, who was illegally making millions of dollars by charging them to use their neighborhood pool, clubhouse and other features. Yet developers across Florida, including some of the biggest in the state, are still profiteering off homeowners by charging illegal "forever fees" on amenities. A state Senator hopes new legislation will put an end to the practice, though the fate of her bill is uncertain as the Legislature hits the halfway mark in its 2026 Session. Charging those fees "is contrary to public policy and our existing homeowners statute," said Sen. Jennifer Bradley. Jennifer Bradley pushes bill to ban illegal 'forever fees' on community amenities.

Sked.   Happening today — Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia will host a news conference in Panama City alongside Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford, Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews, Holmes County Sheriff John Tate and Calhoun County Sheriff Michael Bryant. The event will bring together regional law enforcement and state officials for remarks, though the specific topic has not been detailed publicly. All credentialed media are invited to attend. Reporters must RSVP in advance by contacting Abigail Weeks at Abigail.Weeks@myfloridacfo.com to receive location details. Media arrival is 10 a.m. CST, with the news conference beginning at 10:30 a.m. CST.

D.C. matters   "60% disapprove of Donald Trump ahead of State of the Union, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds" via Dan Balz and Scott Clement of The Washington Post — As Trump prepares to deliver his State of the Union address, a Washington Post-ABC News - Ipsos poll shows his approval at 39% and disapproval at 60%, with broad dissatisfaction across key issues. Majorities disapprove of his handling of the economy, tariffs, inflation and foreign relations, with just 32% approving of his response to inflation. By 48% to 29%, Americans say the economy has worsened since he took office. Nearly two-thirds say he has overstepped his authority through executive orders, and most question his transparency and commitment to protecting rights. While 50% support deporting undocumented immigrants, 58% say he is going too far. Democrats, however, remain similarly mistrusted on major issues. Donald Trump faces 60% disapproval ahead of the State of the Union address. "MAHA unleashes on White House after Trump backs pesticide" via Marcia Brown and Cheyenne Haslett of POLITICO — Trump's executive order promoting production of a widely used herbicide is threatening to blow up a coalition that played a key role in his 2024 election victory. Make America Healthy Again activists brought into the Republican fold by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are furious over Trump's move to ensure adequate supplies of the herbicide glyphosate, a prime target of their efforts to crack down on toxic chemicals that they argue are killing Americans. "I'm witnessing the bottom falling out on MAHA," MAHA influencer Kelly Ryerson, who goes by the moniker "Glyphosate Girl" online, said. "People came along on MAHA because of pesticides and foods. It wasn't because of vaccines. —"RFK Jr.'s days of going wild on health may be over" via Amanda Chu of POLITICO "Conservative groups push back on Trump's 'most favored nation' drug pricing plan" via Emily Brooks of The Hill — More than 50 conservative and free-market leaders have signed a letter urging Congress not to codify the "most favored nation" (MFN) drug pricing model into law, warning it would "import socialist price controls and values into our country" and undermine U.S. innovation. The coalition argues that tying U.S. prices to those set by foreign governments would reduce access to new cures, weaken America's global competitiveness, "ceding ground to China," and risk drug shortages by making it harder to recoup R&D costs. Signatories include Grover Norquist (Americans for Tax Reform), Stephen Moore (Unleash Prosperity Now), Tim Chapman (Advancing American Freedom), Phil Kerpen (American Commitment), Alfredo Ortiz (Job Creators Network), Morton Blackwell, and leaders from the National Taxpayers Union and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance. Although the Trump administration has pursued voluntary agreements with 16 drugmakers under a separate framework, the MFN policy being debated in Congress would impose binding price controls tied to foreign benchmarks.

Elections   Happening Wednesday: "Wilton Simpson backs Kelly Ann Walker in crowded HD 74 GOP Primary" via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Simpson endorsed Republican Walker in the crowded House District 74 race to replace term-limited Rep. James Buchanan, giving her a major boost ahead of the Aug. 18 Primary. Simpson, a former Senate President, called Walker a strong conservative aligned with protecting agriculture, law enforcement and veterans. The Sarasota County seat has drawn five GOP candidates, with establishment support divided. Buchanan is running for Senate District 22 and has endorsed Venice Mayor Nick Pachota. Walker, a Manatee County native with legislative and campaign experience, reports about $258,000 cash on hand, leading the field. Pachota and Jennifer Winkler trail in fundraising, while two other Republicans and a lone Democrat lag far behind. Wilton Simpson endorses Kelly Ann Walker in the competitive House District 74 Primary. "Medicaid expansion group hopeful as trial challenging Florida's petition-gathering restrictions wraps" via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO — The future of Florida's new restrictions on gathering voter signatures for ballot initiatives is again in the hands of a federal judge. And plaintiffs challenging the restrictions believe a favorable ruling could serve as a road map to protect petition-led ballot initiatives in other states. Last year, Florida's Legislature tightened control of the process used by political committees to gather the thousands of voter-signed petitions required by the state to make the ballot. The new restrictions, including bans on petition gatherers who are noncitizens or live outside the state, and an extensive onboarding process for volunteers, prompted the Florida Decides Healthcare Committee to sue Secretary of State Cord Byrd.

Local: S. FL   "DOJ moves to revoke citizenship of former North Miami Mayor over alleged immigration fraud" via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Federal prosecutors are seeking to revoke the U.S. citizenship of former North Miami Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime, alleging he concealed key facts about his identity and immigration history to obtain naturalization. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a civil denaturalization complaint Feb. 18 in federal court in Miami. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore. Prosecutors allege Bien-Aime used the name "Jean Philippe Janvier" when he entered the United States using a fraudulent, "photo-switched" passport. According to the complaint, an immigration judge ordered Bien-Aime removed from the country in 2001 under the Janvier identity. Philippe Bien-Aime faces a DOJ bid to revoke U.S. citizenship over alleged fraud. "Broward School Board used closed-door meeting to end weight-loss drug coverage" via Scott Travis of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — The Broward School Board agreed to stop paying for popular weight-loss medicines for its employees during a recent closed-door meeting — a move that legal experts and the teachers' union say may have violated the state's open-government law. It's the latest in a string of closed-door, secret meetings that have raised questions and concerns in recent years. Some School Board members, as well as the District's director of benefits and employment services, confirmed that a decision to end coverage for some GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, was reached in closed-door discussions. A School District spokesperson, while not saying whether the medications were discussed behind closed doors, said such discussions would be allowed under an exemption for collective bargaining strategies. But the coverage change was not proposed during bargaining sessions. "Anti-ICE protests were a 'risk factor' for tech firm that just moved to Miami" via Claire Heddles and Catherine Odom of the Miami Herald — Palantir announced it is relocating its headquarters from Denver to Miami, listing a suite in Aventura as its new address, while citing activist protests as a risk factor in its 2025 SEC filing. The data analytics firm, which holds more than $1 billion in U.S. government contracts, including major deals with the Department of Defense and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, faced repeated demonstrations in Colorado over its work with ICE and the Israeli Defense Forces. Its latest filing warned protests could increase expenses and divert management attention. The company did not explain the move or detail staffing plans. Florida's pro-business climate and stricter anti-protest laws may offer a more favorable environment as tech and finance firms increasingly relocate to South Florida. "Boca's big money is a troubling sign" via Steve Bousquet of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — It was called "Boca envy." It used to be quite a thing. Boca Raton was the envy of neighboring cities, such as Plantation and Coral Springs, as an elite place to live, including strict design standards that set it apart from the commercial blight you see everywhere else in South Florida. You don't hear talk about Boca envy anymore, and you may never hear it again after the city's upcoming Municipal Election. Politically speaking, at least, Boca looks and acts more and more like its bigger neighbors — and that's definitely not a good thing. This is the year that big money — especially big developer money — hijacked city elections like never before. It's the first time that contributions for the mayoral race alone will top $1 million for a part-time job paying less than $40,000 a year. More hard-to-trace checks are laundered among political committees, with their murky-sounding names and Tallahassee addresses, frustrating attempts by voters or the media to figure out exactly who's giving to whom. "Fort Lauderdale rolls out the 'welcome mat' for Spring Breakers" via Megan Vaz of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — As the Spring Break tourism boom approaches, Fort Lauderdale officials want travelers to balance fun with safety — both on the beach and across the city. Mayor Dean Tantralis joined fire department and police officials on Friday to discuss safety measures and city initiatives for the break. The city attracts crowds of revelers each year. "It's really important that the college kids know that Fort Lauderdale is putting out the welcome mat for you to come here and enjoy," Tantralis said. Police Chief Bill Schultz detailed safety tips for visitors: Use designated rideshare pickup locations; share your trips with loved ones on rideshare apps; check license plates; remember where you're staying; travel in groups; watch your drinks closely; keep your cellphone and wallet on you; protect yourself from pickpocketing; and always check your surroundings.

Local: C. FL   "Orlando judges are releasing migrants from ICE custody, but a showdown is coming" via Cristóbal Reyes of the Orlando Sentinel — Reynel Bautista-Anzola, Angel Marquez-Perez and Francisco Delgado-Garcia entered the courtroom shackled on Feb. 9 and, walking in a line, were ushered in by federal officers to wait for their cases to be heard. The hearing in federal court in Orlando was to determine whether the three men, all migrants who'd been in ICE custody for weeks, should remain detained. U.S. Senior District Judge Gregory Presnell took less than an hour to order the men's release, saying the delay in providing them bond hearings in immigration court left them wrongly languishing in detention. "In our general jurisprudence, a reasonable time for a bond hearing would be 72 hours, not 17 days," Presnell said of Delgado-Garcia's case. Gregory Presnell orders release of migrants after ICE detention delays.

Local: TB   "Naya Young files for re-election after underdog Special Election victory" via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Tampa City Council member Young filed for re-election this week to her District 5 seat after she became the youngest woman elected to the body last year during a Special Election. Young emerged from a crowded race that included a dozen names on the ballot, and a 13th candidate who ran as a write-in. "From day one, I made a commitment to be present in the community — not just to listen, but to act," Young said. "That means asking the tough questions and making sure our neighborhoods are heard and supported." Since her election, Young has worked to ensure a strong presence among constituents. Naya Young files for re-election to the Tampa City Council District 5 seat. "Lisset Hanewicz is in for re-election to St. Pete City Council" via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — St. Petersburg City Council member Hanewicz has filed for re-election to her District 4 seat. Hanewicz, the current Council Chair, is so far unopposed. "Serving our community has been the honor of my life," Hanewicz said in a statement. "At a time when politics can feel divisive and uncertain, I remain committed to thoughtful leadership, fiscal responsibility, and ensuring St. Petersburg continues to be a thriving, inclusive city for generations to come." Hanewicz was first elected to the City Council in 2021 and received an extra year on her first term because the city moved its municipal elections from odd-numbered to even-numbered years. "Sam Wilson officially in for Clearwater City Council bid" via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Wilson, a congressional staffer for U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, has officially filed to run for Clearwater City Council in Seat 5, where he hopes to replace outgoing City Council member Lina Teixeira. Teixeira announced last month that she would not seek re-election. Wilson is the District Director for Luna. He said last month, after Teixeira's announcement, that he was seriously considering a bid. He has worked with Luna in various roles since mid-2022, first as a scheduler and later as a District Field and Legislative Coordinator. He was promoted to District Director in November 2024. "I'm running for City Council to protect the Clearwater we love for the next generation," Wilson said. "Should Temple Terrace build $50M public safety complex? Voters will decide" via John C. Cotey of the Tampa Bay Times — Temple Terrace voters will decide this Summer whether to fund a new police headquarters and third fire station after the City Council unanimously advanced plans for a roughly $50 million public safety complex on Harney Road. The proposed project, developed by PBK Architects, would include a three-story, 33,000-square-foot police station and an 11,000-square-foot Fire Station 3, to be financed through a general obligation bond on the Aug. 18 Primary Election ballot.

Local: N. FL   "Donna Deegan compares 'smear campaign' against JEA CEO to sales attempt" via David Bauerlein of The Florida Times-Union — Jacksonville Mayor Deegan alleged a political "smear campaign" against JEA CEO Vickie Cavey, tying it to Cavey's decision not to renew a lobbying contract with Ballard Partners. Deegan said politically connected figures, including allies of City Council President Kevin Carrico, are retaliating over the lapse and seeking to undermine the utility's leadership. Carrico has called for a JEA investigation, citing employee complaints about racism and a toxic culture. Cavey said she did not feel pressured to renew the contract and denied any ultimatum. JEA said the contract ended due to limited use. Former Mayor Lenny Curry is a Ballard partner. Deegan warned against revisiting the turmoil surrounding the failed 2019 attempt to sell JEA. Vickie Cavey denies pressure as Donna Deegan alleges a smear campaign. "Prosecutor of Adelson family among finalists for Circuit Judge" via Jim Rosica of USA Today Network — One of the prosecutors in the high-profile Dan Markel murder trials has been selected as a finalist to replace the retired John C. Cooper as the newest circuit judge in the Big Bend. William N. Spicola, Chair of the 2nd Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), on Feb. 20 released the panel's list of six recommendations for consideration by DeSantis, who will make the pick. That includes Sarah Kathryn Dugan, an assistant state attorney prosecuting felonies in Tallahassee, most recently including Donna Adelson. She was convicted of being one of the masterminds of the 2014 murder-for-hire of Florida State law professor Markel, her ex-son-in-law.

Local: SW. FL   "How New College turned housing dollars into fund for athletics" via Alice Herman of the Bradenton Herald — At a time when New College of Florida faces a long-standing housing shortage for students, the school is planning to shift $2.5 million in its housing fund to instead build a baseball field. The move stems from a landmark National Collegiate Athletic Association settlement this Summer, allowing universities to pay student-athletes. After the NCAA settlement in June cleared the way for schools to begin sharing revenue directly with college athletes, universities across the country faced a new financial challenge: how to pay for it. In response, the Florida Board of Governors moved to temporarily allow universities to transfer "auxiliary" funds — money generated by student fees for operations like campus bookstores, dining and housing — into athletics. New College redirects $2.5 million from housing fund toward baseball field project.

Top opinions   "Trump demeans himself as he attacks the Supreme Court" via The Wall Street Journal editorial board — Trump lashed out at the Supreme Court after it voted 6-3 to strike down his "emergency" tariffs, and the outburst crossed a line. Presidents have criticized rulings before, but accusing Justices of betraying the country is something else entirely. The Court held that Trump's tariffs were unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the controlling opinion, joined by Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, along with the three liberal Justices. Rather than accept the legal defeat, Trump called the ruling "deeply disappointing" and said he was ashamed of certain members of the Court. He labeled the liberal Justices a disgrace and reserved sharper criticism for the conservatives who broke with him. He accused them of lacking courage, being politically correct and serving partisan interests. He went further, suggesting the Court had been swayed by unnamed foreign influences and calling two of his own appointees an embarrassment. Such rhetoric risks inflaming tensions around an institution that depends on public trust. The language echoes past political threats against Justices and comes in an era when members of the Court already face heightened security concerns. The irony is that this same Court recently ruled in Trump's favor on presidential immunity, a decision with major personal consequences for him. The Justices are not his adversaries when they uphold the law, nor his allies when they rule his way. The tariff defeat was foreseeable. The administration's reliance on emergency powers under IEEPA always faced serious legal hurdles. Blaming the Court avoids the harder truth that the policy exceeded statutory authority. Respect for the judiciary demands better.

More opinions   "'Save' our right to vote: Stop the suppression" via the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — The United States Senate is 10 votes away from making sure that millions of Americans will not be able to vote in the Midterms. Ten votes. The war on American voting is not on the horizon. It is not going to ramp up before the August Primary. It's here, in plain sight. Fifty U.S. Senators are lined up to vote for the SAVE America Act, a voter suppression bill wrapped in the myth of noncitizens sneaking into polling places. If another 10 Senators sign on this week, the bill will usher in sweeping restrictions on who can vote. The assault on elections goes far beyond voter ID, which is widely accepted by Americans. "The MAHA meltdown" via Jonathan Cohn of The Bulwark — Trump's executive order boosting glyphosate production has sparked backlash not from the left, but from Make America Healthy Again activists who helped power his coalition. MAHA influencers, long focused on pesticides and food safety, accused the administration of betraying its promise to curb harmful chemicals. The order, issued under the Defense Production Act, prioritizes the supply of the widely used herbicide despite ongoing disputes over cancer risks. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now leading Health and Human Services, has warned about glyphosate for years but has supported the move, citing agriculture's dependence on it. The clash exposes tensions inside Trump's base, as vaccine fights, regulatory reversals and corporate alignments leave some MAHA leaders threatening political consequences in the Midterms. "James Uthmeier just needs $400 per hour to feed his family" via Stephanie Hayes of the Tampa Bay Times — Attorney General Uthmeier is earning $100,000 to teach two hours per week at the University of Florida's Levin College of Law, a contract that amounts to roughly $400 per hour based on a 20% workload over a 16-week semester. The arrangement makes him the highest-paid adjunct at the law school in decades, far exceeding the median pay for similar positions. Uthmeier has said he sought additional income to support his family. The compensation stands in sharp contrast to average Florida wages and has raised questions about qualifications, value and optics. Comparisons with other university salaries, including UF's interim president's, have further fueled debate over spending and priorities. "Everybody hates Cory" via Noah Lanard of Mother Jones — A Mother Jones investigation portrays Rep. Mills as a Republican facing bipartisan criticism and multiple controversies. The story cites interviews with people who served or worked with Mills and disputes his claims of special operations service, noting Army records show he attended but did not complete a special forces course. It recounts allegations in 2025, including a retracted domestic violence claim, accusations of hiring sex workers abroad, and a restraining order sought by an ex-girlfriend. The article also details financial troubles tied to an arms business that sold grenades overseas and is now in foreclosure, raising conflict-of-interest concerns because Mills sits on Armed Services and Foreign Affairs panels with access to classified briefings. The House Ethics Committee is investigating "Florida opts into federal tax credit to expand school choice" via Jenna Collins for Florida Politics — Florida will opt in to the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit after DeSantis' Jan. 28 announcement, pitching the move as an expansion of the state's long-running push for school choice. The federal credit would let taxpayers claim up to $1,700 in dollar-for-dollar credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, with funds covering K-12 expenses such as tuition, tutoring, technology and supplies. Set to launch Jan. 1, 2027, the program is framed as a complement to Florida's existing choice system, including the 2023 shift to universal scholarship eligibility. Supporters argue the opt-in strengthens public-private scholarship models, increases family control over education decisions, and positions Florida as part of a broader state coalition using federal incentives to widen access without increasing state spending. "Economic analysis warns workforce disruptions could cost Florida $9B" via Julio Fuentes for Florida Politics — A new Florida-specific report by the Regional Economic Consulting Group projects that preventable workforce disruptions could shrink Florida's gross domestic product by $9 billion over the next decade and eliminate more than 64,000 jobs. The analysis estimates nearly $1 billion in lost state and local tax revenue, $2.7 billion in lost household earnings and more than $3 billion in added government health care costs. More than 90% of the projected losses stem from preventable deaths and reduced workforce participation. Hispanic-owned businesses, which account for more than 600,000 enterprises and $90 billion in annual revenue, could be especially vulnerable. Even a 1% decline in tourism tied to public health concerns could reduce statewide spending by $1.3 billion each year and threaten thousands of jobs. "Medicaid work mandate would trap Florida's poorest parents in coverage Catch-22" via Joan Alker for the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families — Florida lawmakers are advancing legislation requiring the state to seek a Section 1115 waiver to impose Medicaid work reporting rules on certain "able-bodied adults," despite Florida not expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. SB 1758, approved 8-3 by the Senate Health Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Don Gaetz, would primarily affect very low-income parents and some young adults. Critics argue the policy creates a Catch-22: parents who fail reporting requirements lose coverage, while those who work enough hours could earn too much to qualify, leaving them uninsured in Florida's coverage gap. The bill would add complex administrative burdens, likely requiring costly system changes through vendors such as Deloitte. Federal law may bar such mandates in non-expansion states, raising the risk of litigation and taxpayer costs. "Florida's fire risk keeps climbing. Don't ignore it" via the Orlando Sentinel editorial board — Florida is in a record drought, reviving memories of the 1998 "Florida firestorm" that forced Flagler County's evacuation and burned 500,000 acres. More than 900 wildfires have already scorched nearly 40,000 acres this year, and the Keetch-Byram drought index in some areas matches levels seen in May 1998. Veterans of that season recall flames near homes, heavy smoke and widespread illness. Newer residents may not grasp the risk. Officials are urged to elevate wildfire warnings, expand public education and prepare firefighting resources. DeSantis is being pressed to amplify the message and consider statewide burn bans, as some counties already have. Leaders may face backlash, but delaying action could invite far greater devastation later. "Patients rely on pharmacies. Let's strengthen that bond, not disrupt it" via Eric Larson for Florida Politics — Community pharmacies remain among Florida's most accessible health care resources, helping patients manage medications and chronic conditions while navigating a complex system. Concerns are mounting, however, over a provision in HB 697 that could unintentionally strain pharmacies despite advancing welcome PBM transparency reforms. The bill's "Most Favored Nation" pricing model would tie Florida reimbursement rates to foreign government pricing, potentially disconnecting payments from actual acquisition costs set through national supply chains. Because pharmacies cannot buy drugs at those foreign-based rates, reimbursement could fall below cost, threatening inventory and stability, particularly for independent and rural operators. Supporters of reform urge lawmakers to focus on transparency around rebates and sustainable reimbursement policies that lower costs without undermining patient access.

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Aloe   "Smelly, lazy and slutty? ChatGPT shows 'bias' to Tampa Bay and Florida" via Christopher Spata of the Tampa Bay Times — A peer-reviewed study in the journal Platforms & Society found geographic bias embedded in ChatGPT by prompting the AI to choose between pairs of places, exposing what researchers call the "silicon gaze." Florida ranked high for pop culture influence and attractiveness, but also scored near the top for being annoying, smelly, dishonest and lazy. Tampa was labeled as having better vibes and being hospitable, yet also associated with negative traits, including ignorance and drug use. St. Petersburg is rated higher for inclusivity and arts. Researchers say such outputs reflect stereotypes absorbed from internet data, not deliberate programming. As AI tools influence decisions on travel, housing and business, experts warn that unchecked algorithmic bias could normalize harmful perceptions. Study finds ChatGPT reflects geographic stereotypes about Florida and Tampa Bay.

Happy birthday   Happiest of birthday wishes to one of our besties, Amanda Taylor Houston. ___ Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel Dean, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, and Drew Wilson.

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