AGP Executive Report

Attorney General Shake-Up: The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote, with Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining Democrats—after a bruising fight over a proposed “anti-weaponization” settlement tied to Trump’s IRS lawsuit. Property Tax Fight: Florida officials are rewriting the November ballot language for Amendment 3 after a Leon Circuit judge ruled the original wording was misleading and used political slogans; the measure still stays on the ballot. Local Courts & Costs: A judge struck down Palm Coast’s development impact fee increases as violating state law, setting up more legal and planning pressure on local growth rules. Public Safety at School: Lee County is warning drivers that passing a stopped school bus can bring a $225 citation, with cameras back on the road as classes resume. Power Reliability: Keys Energy Services (KEYS) won a Florida Public Power Endurance Award for keeping outages under 60 minutes on average. Prison & Clemency: Convicted former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg is asking President Trump for a pardon.

Medical Marijuana & Public Safety: A Hillsborough County paramedic fired for medical marijuana use is set to appeal after a state appeals court said his card can’t be treated like a prescription under his fire-rescue contract—his case could now reach the Florida Supreme Court. Election Access vs. Security: A new Florida Trib piece finds vote-by-mail requests in the August primary have fallen sharply, citing tighter 2021 rules and GOP messaging that mail ballots are “inherently corrupt.” Property Taxes & Renters: Florida’s Amendment 3 fight is heating up as public safety groups warn the rewritten ballot language could shift the tax burden onto renters, even as supporters push for bigger homestead relief. Federal Appointments With Florida Ties: The U.S. Senate confirmed dozens of Trump nominees, including a Florida politician for ambassador to Brazil, while also naming a new TSA chief and FEMA head. Local Politics: In Florida’s CD 20 Democratic primary, the Broward Democratic Black Caucus backs Dale Holness, arguing redistricting threatens Black representation. Hurricane Prep: A West Palm Beach company is selling paid “guaranteed” evacuation flights as an alternative to gridlocked roads.

Judicial Races: With two circuit judge seats open in Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit, voters head to the Aug. 18 primary choosing between candidates including Lakeland criminal attorney Andrea DeMichael for Group 24, as well as other contested Group 23 and Group 24 options across Highlands, Hardee, and Polk. Invasive Species: The 2026 Florida Python Challenge wrapped with 280 Burmese pythons removed in 10 days—highlighting Everglades National Park’s role and a $10,000 grand prize for Tom Rahill. Public Safety: A Polk County shootout left a K-9 critically wounded and a suspect dead, tied to a warrant for a man accused of unlawful sex with a minor. Education Costs: Sarasota County Schools is weighing ways to rein in legal spending after a report found litigation drives most costs. Politics & Primaries: DeSantis says he’s withholding endorsement in the GOP governor race for now as the primary nears, while Florida’s Democratic progressive push continues to test whether statewide wins are possible. Environment & Conservation: A new look at monarch butterfly migration underscores how wildlife protection ignores human borders.

COVID Accountability in Washington: A GOP-led Senate committee voted 8-7 to recommend holding former top infectious-disease official Anthony Fauci in contempt after he invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during a COVID probe, with Sen. Rand Paul signaling the case could go to the Justice Department. Florida Education Push: Gov. Ron DeSantis kicked off the 2026-27 school year in Lehigh Acres, touting Florida’s education rankings and announcing major investments in teacher pay and school safety. Property Tax Amendment Fight: Florida is rewriting the ballot language for Amendment 3 after a judge found it misleading, with DeSantis saying the new summary will better reflect tax relief and homestead exemptions. Early Voting Starts: Early in-person voting begins Saturday across Florida, with counties like DeSoto reporting low initial turnout so far. Public Safety: A 17-year-old suspect in the DeLand double shooting has been arrested after a statewide manhunt, as the Florida AG and Volusia sheriff trade barbs over the case. School Shooter Tech in Broward: Broward is set to be the first district to deploy campus guardian drones, though officials say details on capabilities and timing are still being worked out.

Florida Politics—Affordability at the center of the governor’s race: With the Aug. 18 primary looming, both Byron Donalds and David Jolly are trying to own the affordability story—especially inflation, housing, and property insurance—as Donalds leads in fundraising and polling. Election 2026—Campaigns go more digital: Florida governor hopefuls are leaning harder on online and social media buys to reach younger voters, even as TV still dominates spending. Public Safety—Drones enter Broward school security plans: Broward County is set to be among the first districts to use Campus Guardian Angel drones, though deployment details are still unclear. Local Government—Eagle Lake schoolhouse gets more time: City commissioners granted the Eagle Lake Historical Society a four-month extension to fund a plan to preserve the historic schoolhouse, with electricity restored to prevent mold damage. Health—CDC director confirmed: The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC director after nearly a year-long vacancy. Housing/Property Taxes—Amendment 3 fallout study in Brevard: County leaders warn that a potential homestead tax overhaul could hit services like parks, libraries, and even parts of “core” operations. Education—Hillsborough schools start strong: Hillsborough reports 74 “A” schools and zero “F” schools as the new year begins. Conservation—Ranch permanently protected in Highlands: A partnership secured a conservation easement for 1,500 acres at Square One Ranch to protect panther habitat while keeping the land in production. Crime—Stalking case tied to stolen ashes: A Flagler County man faces charges after police say he stalked a dating-app match and stole a teddy bear containing her late son’s ashes.

Local Elections: Lee County voters in School Board District 4 will choose between incumbent Debbie Jordan and challengers Carl W. Baxter, Tony Beougher, and Gisele “Gigi” Gentile in the Aug. 18 primary. Public Safety & Health: Florida AG James Uthmeier announced a subpoena tied to an investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci after Senate testimony where he invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times. Courts & Voting Rights: A Leon County judge ordered Florida’s Amendment 3 property-tax ballot language rewritten, saying the current title and summary read like a political slogan and mislead voters. State Politics: Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC director, ending a long leadership gap at the agency. Community & Culture: Federal appeals court upheld Florida’s ban on children attending sexualized drag shows, a win for Gov. Ron DeSantis. Business & Tech: Altitude Water partnered with Winged Solar Solutions to pair atmospheric water generation with modular solar for off-grid and disaster relief use.

Airport Security: Tampa International is set to use private screeners under the TSA Gold+ program, aiming to avoid long lines during federal shutdowns—while the federal workers’ union warns about security and job impacts. College Sports Policy: The Protect College Sports Act is inching closer to passage, with major changes on transfers, conference expansion, coach-departure limits, and revenue sharing. Local Elections: Gainesville’s City Commission District 2 race is heating up with three candidates after Ed Book steps aside. Ballot Fight: A Leon County judge ordered Florida’s property tax Amendment 3 ballot language rewritten, calling parts of it “political” and misleading. Diplomacy: The U.S. revoked Brazil’s ambassador visa in a retaliatory escalation tied to Brazil delaying approval for a Trump nominee—raising stakes ahead of Brazil’s October election. Public Safety & Health: A new Florida workers’ comp ruling limits injured workers’ pharmacy choice to pharmacists, not doctors who dispense meds. Environment: Seaweed sargassum is smothering parts of the Caribbean and Gulf, with Florida tourism at risk.

Ballot Fight in Tallahassee: A Leon County judge ordered Florida to rewrite Amendment 3’s ballot title and summary, saying the current wording is misleading and “akin to a political slogan,” and the AG has 10 days to appeal or redo it. Primary Season Momentum: Florida’s early voting is underway, with more than 566,000 ballots already cast in the first wave across 10 counties, and all 67 counties required to offer in-person voting by mid-August. Medicaid Fraud Push: Florida AG Tim Griffin joined 16 other state attorneys general urging Congress to pass the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act, arguing states should be able to investigate beneficiary and recipient fraud, not just provider fraud. Protection of Children Upheld: The 11th Circuit upheld Florida’s Protection of Children Act restricting minors from attending sexually explicit drag performances. Public Safety & Courts: In St. Lucie County, a fourth arrest was made after a nearly 3-month-old died from dehydration and malnutrition, with the biological father taken into custody. Wildlife Penalties: AG James Uthmeier says his office will advocate for tougher criminal penalties for poaching, potentially escalating offenses from misdemeanors to felonies.

Florida Politics & Elections: With Florida’s 2026 primary underway, Republicans and Democrats are still jockeying for momentum, including coverage of Cabinet primaries leaning toward incumbents and reminders on early voting options. Property Tax Fight: A new report says Hernando County could take a $36.9 million hit in the first year if voters approve the property tax referendum, with Brooksville facing smaller but growing losses. AI Data Centers: Palm Beach County rejected Project Tango for now, citing water-demand concerns, while Florida education officials are also moving on AI classroom guidelines. Immigration & ICE Oversight: Sen. Dick Durbin released harsh findings from a Dilley ICE detention visit and is pushing for a Senate Judiciary hearing on conditions for children and families. Fauci Probe in Florida: Florida AG James Uthmeier is investigating Anthony Fauci at the state level as the political fight over COVID-era decisions keeps escalating. Local Community Needs: In Punta Gorda, St. Vincent de Paul says demand for food and clothing has surged, with more people seeking help than two years ago. Business/Tech: Z Squared is buying Paradox Data’s El Dorado data center, and Capital One says it closed Trump Organization accounts after an anti-money laundering review—not politics.

Space Coast Politics: Rep. Byron Donalds and Sen. Ashley Moody are pushing the “Florida’s Space Race” plan to move NASA headquarters to Brevard County, tying it to the CAPE Canaveral Act and NASA’s 2028 lease clock. Election Watch: Early voting is underway in multiple Florida counties, with vote-by-mail returns now over half a million—while analysts warn Florida’s election signals are getting harder to read as polling gets more partisan. Property Tax Fight: The Florida Sheriffs Association is “significantly concerned” about Amendment 3, warning it could squeeze local budgets and slow public safety response times. Business & Tech: Walmart and Wing launched drone delivery in the Greater Orlando area, with service expanding to more stores. Local Government: Lakeland approved a one-year moratorium on new high-power data centers, citing unknown impacts on electricity, water, noise, and neighbors. Community & Access: Florida State Parks Foundation is funding new accessible track chairs for several state parks, boosting beach access for people with disabilities. Courts & Immigration: A judge’s stay blocking TPS changes for Somalis is triggering fresh impeachment threats in Congress.

Police Surveillance Backlash: Florida residents are pushing back on license plate readers, with St. Petersburg protesters and a Jacksonville Beach teen arrest tied to alleged lens-spraying, while some cities pause or cancel contracts over privacy and misuse fears. Election & Voting Rules: Trump is again taking mail-voting restrictions to the Supreme Court after lower courts blocked parts of his order, setting up another high-stakes fight ahead of the 2026 midterms. Health Care Costs & Coverage: A new dispute over Obamacare “fraud” claims centers on falling enrollment and rising premiums and deductibles, with critics saying the administration’s explanation glosses over uninsured Americans. Disability Rights: The DOJ’s disability-services legal opinion could weaken protections for people who need home-based support, teeing up state-by-state court battles. Local Education Safety: Duval County schools will add OPENGATE weapons detection at elementary campuses as part of a broader security plan. STEM Pipeline: Polk State and Florida Poly expand transfer options through a new Eagle to Phoenix pathway. Property Tax Politics: Florida police and fire unions oppose Amendment 3, warning tax relief could disrupt public safety funding.

Florida Politics: Embattled Rep. Cory Mills faces a new GOP primary challenge from former TV anchor Ryan Elijah, with backing from key Central Florida sheriffs and party figures—while Mills would still have to fend off a well-funded Democratic bid in CD 7. Education & Culture Wars: A Florida English professor is suing South Florida State College, saying she was fired after a college president labeled an assigned award-winning short story “political,” raising First Amendment and academic freedom questions. State Government & Health: Florida AG James Uthmeier’s Fauci investigation is now part of a wider push—Louisiana says it will join Alabama and Florida after Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times at a Senate hearing. Courts & Banking: Capital One asked a federal judge to toss the Trump Organization’s lawsuit over account closures, arguing the bank acted after an anti-money-laundering review, not politics. Space Coast Buzz: Byron Donalds unveiled “Florida’s Space Race,” pitching NASA headquarters to Brevard County as a jobs and permitting boost. Local Elections: Pasco County school board races are heating up ahead of the Aug. 18 vote, with multiple seats open and nonpartisan ballots drawing attention countywide.

Florida Politics & Elections: A Canadian citizen, Giorgio Dominique Mucelli, was charged in Florida with allegedly voting illegally seven times using a federal SAVE citizenship-check system, raising fresh questions about how election integrity tools are used. Local Governance: In Orange County, Democrats say Gov. Ron DeSantis’ late appointment of Mike Crabb to a commissioner seat “undermines” voters with the primary weeks away. Housing & Insurance: A new report points to improving Florida home insurance conditions as reforms and private market participation expand. Public Assistance: SNAP’s August benefits schedule is out, with Florida payments running through August 1–28. Tech & Energy: Florida’s residential solar market is bucking a national slump, with permitting changes helping installations grow. Business & Courts: Capital One is pushing back in a Florida-linked lawsuit over closures of Trump Organization accounts, saying the bank acted after anti-money-laundering reviews. Justice & Safety: A Marion County man, James Westervelt, was indicted for allegedly using a leaf blower on his infant son before the child died. Transportation: Orlando is moving toward e-VTOL testing, with a vertistop approved near Orlando International Airport.

Florida Politics: Early voting kicks off Monday for Miami-Dade’s Aug. 18 primary, with 23 sites and shifting hours through Aug. 16, plus secure ballot intake for vote-by-mail returns. State & Local Governance: Gov. DeSantis appointed a new Charlotte County school board member, Tony Smith, filling in after Kim Amontree’s move to the commissioners race. Public Safety & Health: A 39-year-old e-bike rider died two days after a crash near West Palm Beach; investigators say the rider had no safety equipment listed. Environment: Seaweed is smothering Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, with scientists warning this year’s sargassum surge is “none of this is normal.” Education & Energy: Miami-Dade student Ashley Vanegas-Fonseca won FPL’s first “Drones in School” scholarship, aiming for electrical engineering at Santa Fe College. Elections & Democracy: Lake County also announced early voting dates and secure ballot intake options ahead of the Aug. 18 primary. Business & Community: The Federation of Haitian Chambers of Commerce says it expanded to 14 chambers across six countries in its first year, building programs for Haitian entrepreneurs.

Online Safety Fight: Pornhub sent a letter to Florida lawmakers and Gov. DeSantis criticizing state age-verification laws as ineffective and risky for user privacy, saying Apple/Google-style device checks would be safer. Local Appointments: DeSantis named Michael Crabb to the Orange County Commission seat for District 2. AG vs. Police Policy: Florida AG James Uthmeier demanded Gainesville PD rescind a transgender search rule, arguing it violates the state Civil Rights Act and puts officers at risk. Housing Pressure: Charlotte County evictions rose in 2025, with similar upticks reported in DeSoto and Sarasota. Public Safety/Justice: FDLE arrested a Virginia woman accused of threatening to sexually assault and kill Florida officials after letters traced to her. Energy & Growth: A $307M solar project in Kentucky is getting state tax refunds—another reminder of how incentives shape development. Community & Culture: Charlotte Behavioral Health Care CEO Vickie Scanlon announced retirement, with internal leadership set to continue.

Election & Voting: Early voting for Florida’s 2026 primary kicks off Monday, Aug. 3 in Hillsborough County, with 27 locations open Aug. 3–16 and secure ballot intake for vote-by-mail. Courts & Ballot Language: A judge is set to decide whether the ballot summary for Florida’s Amendment 3 property tax phase-out must be rewritten, a ruling that could swing support ahead of November. Public Safety: Lt. Gov. Jay Collins unveiled a “Florida Internal Shield” plan focused on intelligence sharing, anti-trafficking efforts, cybersecurity, and tighter H-1B use in state government. Health & Schools: Miami-Dade will offer free back-to-school vaccines at 11 clinics on Aug. 8. Separately, Florida AG James Uthmeier warned Catholic schools that if they take voucher money, they must allow religious vaccine exemptions. Elections Integrity: AG Uthmeier charged a Melbourne man accused of illegally voting in seven Florida elections over two decades. Consumer/Crime: A Florida Lottery winner’s $2,600 Pick 4 ticket was intercepted in the mail and redeemed by a USPS letter carrier, who has been arrested. Environment: Record sargassum levels—about 27 million metric tons—are smothering Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, with UF/USF-linked research pointing to warming and runoff factors.