Florida House Set to Vote on Protecting State Parks from Development & Judge Halts State Immigration Law
April 10, 2025 - This Week's News from Central Florida
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Here’s the latest from Central Florida…
Bill to Protect State Parks from Development Heads to Full House Vote
A measure to protect Florida’s state parks from future development cleared the House State Affairs Committee on Tuesday with unanimous support, moving closer to a full vote. The “State Park Preservation Act” (HB 209), sponsored by Rep. John Snyder (R-Palm City), aims to prohibit the construction of facilities like golf courses, pickleball courts, hotel-style lodging, and ball fields on park land. The bill was introduced after fierce public backlash last summer over a proposal to redevelop nine state parks with commercial amenities, including hotels and sports facilities. Although Governor Ron DeSantis canceled the plan, lawmakers are pushing legislation to ensure such proposals cannot resurface. “[We want] to make sure our state parks are preserved for the sanctuaries that they are,” Snyder said during the hearing. Environmental activists have welcomed the legislation but have rallied for stronger protections, staging protests at 16 state parks last weekend that urged lawmakers to act. The committee responded by removing ambiguous language that would have created loopholes and required “substantial harm” for a development project to be blocked. While HB 209 heads to the House floor, its companion bill in the Senate (SB 80) still faces committee hurdles. Activists plan additional protests this weekend at some state parks to maintain pressure on legislators.
Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Florida Immigration Law
A federal judge has issued a 14-day injunction blocking enforcement of a new Florida law that criminalizes immigrants reentering the state after entering the U.S. unlawfully. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled Friday that the law is likely unconstitutional, noting immigration policy is a power reserved for the federal government. “In short, for nearly 150 years, the Supreme Court has held that the power to control immigration… is exclusively a federal power,” Williams wrote. The law, passed in February during a special legislative session, had already led to arrests across the state. The lawsuit was filed by two undocumented immigrants and two advocacy groups, arguing the law would cause “irreparable harm.” Judge Williams added that the state law's mandatory nine-month jail sentence and detention provisions restrict federal law enforcement’s ability to “recommend pre-trial release” and conduct judicial proceedings. A full hearing is scheduled for April 18. Following the injunction, Gov. DeSantis criticized the “activist judge” in a video posted on X, accusing the judiciary of choosing to set “immigration policy rather than the elected officials.” He added that the state will be appealing the decision.
Canada Launches Anti-Tariff Billboard Campaign in Florida
Canada has taken its fight against President Donald Trump’s tariffs directly to Floridians with a series of billboards across the state. The campaign, funded by the Canadian government, features messages like “Tariffs are a tax on hardworking Americans” and “Tariffs inflate grocery prices.” The billboards appear throughout the state and aim to educate Americans on how tariffs increase costs for essentials like fuel and food, according to a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada. The marketing campaign also hopes to place public pressure on the U.S. to reverse President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, including a 10% tariff on energy products. Some Floridians have criticized the ads as foreign interference, with social media users labeling the billboards “propagandist,” sparking mixed reactions. Trump defends the tariffs as necessary to stimulate economic growth and boost U.S. manufacturing, but critics warn they could disrupt Florida’s economy—particularly its ports, which handle a sizeable percentage of imports from Canada. Notably, Canada is also a major exporter of agricultural products from the Sunshine State. Meanwhile, Canada has retaliated with its own 25% duties on $20 billion in U.S. goods, escalating the trade dispute. Beyond Florida, billboard messages have been installed in at least 10 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Report: Florida Directed $10M Settlement to Charity Led by Casey DeSantis
Florida officials quietly redirected $10 million from a state health care settlement into a charity led by First Lady Casey DeSantis, according to a Miami Herald investigation published Tuesday. The funds were linked to a previously undisclosed $67 million agreement between Centene, the state’s largest Medicaid provider, and the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Centene settled after facing allegations of overcharging state Medicaid programs for pharmacy services. The $10 million settlement was funneled into Hope Florida — a program aiming to reduce public assistance by partnering low-income individuals with religious and nonprofit groups. State law typically requires such settlements to be deposited into government accounts for legislative oversight. However, AHCA Secretary Shevaun Harris argued that the $10 million was a "separate contribution" exempt from these disclosure rules. Hope Florida is now under scrutiny, with Republican House staffers saying its fundraising arm may violate laws on transparency and ethics. When reporters visited its office to review required IRS documents, they were turned away, despite federal rules requiring access on request. Meanwhile, AHCA faces broader scrutiny from lawmakers of overspending, financial mismanagement, and poor accounting records, including a looming budget deficit that could be upwards of $965 million.
Florida Legislature Approves Renaming Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’
Florida lawmakers have passed legislation to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" in state laws, documents, and school materials, implementing President Donald Trump's executive order. The Republican-led House and Senate approved the measures (HB 549 and HB 575) largely along party lines, with some Democratic support. The bills require state agencies and schools to update geographic references in statutes, official records, maps, and textbooks by July 1. Supporters, including bill sponsor Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach), called it a patriotic move reflecting American leadership. "This affirms our nation's exceptionalism," he said. Critics, like Sen. Lori Berman (D-Boca Raton), dismissed it as political symbolism with no practical benefits. "Floridians need solutions on property insurance and schools, not name changes," she argued. Florida becomes the first state to codify the rebranding, changing the Gulf of Mexico designation which has existed since the 16th century. The legislation heads to Governor DeSantis’ desk for approval, where he is expected to sign the bills into law. The change will affect 52 Florida statutes and educational materials as they are updated.
More Charter Schools: Florida Legislation Seeks to Ease Public-to-Charter School Conversions
Two bills are advancing in the Florida Legislature that would lower the barrier for converting public schools into charter schools. House Bill 123 and Senate Bill 140 would remove the requirement that at least 50% of a school’s teachers approve the change. Currently, both a majority of teachers and parents must vote in favor of a charter conversion. Under the proposed legislation, only parental approval would be required. Additionally, the new charter school would need to be focused on curriculum and programming that provide workforce development. The House bill cleared its last committee in a 7-1 vote last week and awaits a vote on the full floor by lawmakers. Supporters, including bill sponsor Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Pensacola), argue the change would give parents more control and boost local economies by readying a young, well-trained workforce. Critics like Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar warn the move prioritizes profit. "Charters pay teachers less and avoid accountability," he stated. “They’re trying to eliminate an obstacle for them to make money.” Other concerns include a diversion of essential funding away from traditional public schools, exacerbating budget shortfalls, and negatively impacting students still enrolled in public systems. Florida’s charter school enrollment has doubled in the past decade, now representing 12% of all public school students. There are 23 conversion charter schools operating in the state, serving 3% of charter students.
DeSantis Rebukes GOP Lawmakers in Fiery Speech, Escalates Feud House Leadership
Governor Ron DeSantis is ramping up his battle with Republicans in the state's House of Representatives, signaling a deepening divide within the state’s ruling party. In a forceful speech to a Republican Party of Florida gathering at the Governor’s Mansion, DeSantis called out lawmakers, saying GOP supermajorities must "act like supermajorities" or risk reviving Democratic influence unless its members act like a unified force. He also targeted House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) without naming him directly, criticizing his efforts leading the lower chamber’s resistance to his agenda. Tensions between the two have simmered for months, now intensifying over policy differences such as tax relief, gun rights, and overall governance philosophy. DeSantis has publicly derided Perez’s own proposal to permanently cut the state sales tax by $5 billion annually instead of supporting his idea of a property tax elimination or reduction. DeSantis also accused House lawmakers of spreading negative information about his wife's charity, Hope Florida. The governor slammed GOP legislators for straying from conservative principles and accused some of siding with Democrats. Faced with a GOP-led House rejecting signature items from his platform, a term-limited DeSantis approaches the end of his term with legacy at the forefront. As a result, he is urging grassroots members to hold their representatives accountable and pressure them into defying Democrats by backing a right-wing agenda. “What are you doing to defeat the left?” DeSantis asked. “The reality is, I ain’t budging an inch.”
Straz Center Breaks Ground on $100 Million Expansion
Construction is officially underway on a $100 million expansion of the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. City officials and Straz leadership marked the occasion this week with a celebratory groundbreaking along the Tampa Riverwalk. The expansion will include an outdoor stage along the Riverwalk, upgraded lobbies, a fine-dining restaurant, a 2,000-square-foot rooftop bar, a new dance studio, and additional educational spaces for the Patel Conservatory. Designed by DLR Group and constructed by Creative Contractors, the project aims to connect the Straz Center more closely with the Tampa Riverwalk while enhancing public access to arts and culture. The center has already raised 92% of the necessary funds, including a $25 million contribution from Tampa’s Community Redevelopment Agency as well as funding from Hillsborough County and private donors. Construction is expected to be completed by June 2027.
Tampa City Council Member Luis Viera Running for Florida House
Tampa City Council member Luis Viera has officially filed to run for Florida House District 67, aiming to succeed term-limited House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) in 2026. Viera, 47, a Democrat and longtime Tampa resident, has served on the City Council since 2016 and is term-limited himself. He is known for his bipartisan approach to governance and hopes to bring that same collaboration to Tallahassee. “I’m running to invest in public schools, protect civil rights, support workers, and ensure dignity for all Floridians,” Viera said in a statement. During his time on the council, Viera championed funding for fire stations, disability-inclusive parks, and hurricane relief efforts. He had been rumored as a potential Tampa mayoral candidate but ruled out that possibility earlier this year. Instead, he aims to continue serving much of his current constituency in New Tampa, North Tampa, parts of Brandon and Lutz, as well as USF through the statehouse.
What’s That Smell? Florida City Launches $270K Study to Find Out
For years, residents in parts of Mount Dora have endured a persistent and mysterious odor that Mayor James Homich describes as “more industrial than sewer.” The smell has been a source of frustration and concern for the community, and now, a $270,000 study is underway to get to the bottom of it. Jointly funded by Mount Dora and Lake County, the odor evaluation study will examine the likely sources around Sullivan Ranch, Stoneybrook, and the U.S. 441 and SR 46 junction. A consulting firm is leading the investigation, assisted by odor analysis company St. Croix Sensory. Multiple sources have been suspected as the cause of the odor, including the nearby landfill and the city's wastewater treatment plant. Despite past mitigation efforts—like a $500,000 carbon filter at the city’s wastewater plant—the smell lingers. A 2024 report ruled out the city’s wastewater system, prompting officials to dig deeper. Residents have reported headaches and sleep disruptions, prompting health concerns. Mayor Homich said identifying the source is key, but tougher fights may follow in regulating the responsible party. “Once we have the data, hopefully [the Florida Department of Environmental Protection] will step in and regulate whoever’s causing it,” he said.
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