AGP Executive Report

Florida Politics: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings suspended his Florida governor campaign after a prostate cancer diagnosis, saying he must step off the trail to focus on treatment. Local Elections: Pinellas County Commissioner Kathleen Peters picked up support from Sen. Nick DiCeglie ahead of her District 6 re-election bid. Property Taxes: Democrats are warning Florida’s proposed property tax cuts could “defund essential public services,” pushing cities toward higher fees or budget cuts. Public Safety: Florida’s summer lightning season is already turning deadly—an 18-year-old kayaker died after being struck on the Blackwater River. Legal/Justice: The Florida Supreme Court approved a change to how interest rates are set for lawyer trust accounts tied to IOTA, aimed at keeping legal aid funding steady. Business/Consumer Watch: Texas AG Ken Paxton is investigating Boca Raton-based Celsius over claims it marketed an energy drink to teens. Culture/Community: Sen. Rick Scott urged Tampa officials to cancel Kanye West concerts at Raymond James Stadium over antisemitic remarks.

Property Taxes & Local Budgets: Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is urging voters to read the “fine print” on Florida’s November homestead exemption ballot measure, warning it could cut city revenue by more than $300 million by 2029 and force service cuts. Local Utilities: St. Petersburg City Council voted 4-3 to spend up to $590,000 to study whether to leave Duke Energy and build a city-run electric utility as the franchise nears its 2026 expiration. Hurricane Season Prep: Fort Myers seniors got door-to-door hurricane preparedness kits from FPL and a local cooperative as the season kicked off. AI & Public Safety: A Jacksonville case shows how facial recognition can misfire—an NC man spent 50+ days in jail before prosecutors dropped charges after it turned out he was far away. Courts & Politics: Trump’s lawyers refused BBC access to financial details in his $10 billion defamation fight filed in Florida. Foreign Policy: The House passed a Ukraine aid and sanctions package with 18 Republicans joining Democrats, sending it to the Senate.

Property & housing rights: Hulu’s new docuseries spotlights Florida squatting cases, including Jacksonville homeowner Patti Peeples, framing “loopholes” that let squatters weaponize tenant protections. Public safety & traffic enforcement: A Florida town is weighing adding school-zone speed cameras after a study found thousands of violations in just two days. Hurricane readiness: Florida Power & Light and state emergency guidance urge residents to plan now—review evacuation routes, prep supplies, and keep EVs charged and gas tanks at least half full. Conservation politics: A governor’s race argument pushes for Fish and Wildlife commissioners with strong conservation backgrounds, warning current oversight can drift from science to politics. Judicial vacancies: DeSantis announced new circuit court openings and extended deadlines for other judicial nominations. Elections & governance: St. Pete Democrat Rep. Lindsay Cross says she won’t run again, setting up a new HD 60 bid. Federal legal shakeup: Trump says he’ll nominate Florida’s acting AG Todd Blanche as permanent attorney general.

Property Taxes (Florida ballot): Florida lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment that would raise the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 the next year, with voters needing 60% approval in November—local officials warn it could gut funding for services like libraries, parks, and infrastructure. Local Governance (Duval): Duval County’s elections chief says the office is still waiting on the final ballot language, underscoring how much residents don’t yet know about timing and impacts. Immigration (South Florida courts): Immigration courts in the Miami area are accelerating “master calendar” hearings, leaving families and attorneys scrambling as dates move up by months or even years. Federal Justice (Trump AG pick): President Trump says he will nominate Todd Blanche as attorney general, after Blanche’s aggressive DOJ moves and a controversial plan tied to compensating allies. College Sports (NIL debate): Nick Saban told Congress NIL shouldn’t become pay-for-play driven by bidding wars, warning the transfer and spending arms race could reshape college football. Everglades Cleanup: Florida appears to be missing pollution cleanup deadlines for Everglades stormwater treatment areas, raising fresh concerns about progress. UF Leadership: Former Alabama president Stuart Bell met with UF students and staff as the presidential search nears a conclusion, including questions about DEI and his vision for the university.

Property Taxes Ballot Fight: Florida lawmakers approved Gov. Ron DeSantis’ property tax amendment for the November ballot, but they rewrote it to exempt public school funding—setting up a 60% voter threshold and a new round of local budget warnings about service cuts. Local Impact: Baker County officials estimate the change could cost the county about $3.31 million a year starting in 2027, rising to nearly $4.79 million by 2028, with cities like Macclenny also facing losses. AI Legal Clash: Florida AG James Uthmeier’s lawsuit against OpenAI over ChatGPT safety is backed by a new poll showing 65% support statewide, with voters also favoring restrictions and financial penalties. Public Safety: Boca Raton narrowed its search for a new police chief to two finalists—an assistant chief from Maryland and a Jacksonville, N.C. chief—after a shake-up that followed a prior chief’s departure. Crime Investigation: Divers are expanding the search for Lynette Hooker in the Bahamas after officials described it as a possible foreign murder of a U.S. national. Teen Tragedy: A 17-year-old e-bike rider died after a Charlotte County hit-and-run; the driver was identified and the investigation remains ongoing.

Property Taxes (Florida): Florida lawmakers approved a sweeping homestead tax exemption increase that would boost the break from $50,000 to $250,000, sending the measure to voters in November—while local leaders warn it could force cuts or layoffs as cities and special districts rely on property-tax revenue. Local Impact (Southwest Florida): Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue says it could lose more than $8 million over two years, raising fears about staffing, training, and service expansion. Homestead Debate (South Florida): Homeowners in Broward and beyond are split: some expect big savings, others worry about funding for police, parks, and community programs. Hurricane Prep (Utilities): Florida Power & Light is pushing grid hardening in Palm Beach County, including smart switches and vegetation trimming, ahead of hurricane season. Elections (Voter Mail): A Fort Lauderdale man reported receiving wrong voter ID cards, prompting concern about identity theft and voter fraud. Diplomacy (Florida Connection): Trump nominated former Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Johnson-Carroll as U.S. ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago. National Politics (Trump): The DOJ says it’s scrapping a $1.8B “anti-weaponization” fund after backlash.

Property Taxes in the Spotlight: Florida lawmakers approved Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to expand homestead exemptions and send a constitutional amendment to the November ballot, with the exemption rising to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 by 2028—while school funding is protected and the measure needs 60% voter approval. Local Fallout: Cities and residents are already warning that shrinking property-tax revenue could mean cuts or higher fees, and Greenacres officials say public safety funding could take a hit. Lakeland Data Center Backlash: Lakeland and Polk County residents rallied against a proposed hyperscale data center near Old Tampa Highway, arguing the deal would shift costs to families while big companies chase tax breaks and cheap utilities. National Intelligence Shake-Up: President Trump tapped Bill Pulte, Florida’s FHFA chief, as acting director of national intelligence—an unusual move that’s already raising questions about experience and political fallout. Medicaid Work Rules: New federal requirements could bring work or engagement rules to millions of Medicaid recipients starting in 2027, with major exemptions for groups like pregnant people and people with disabilities. Reentry Barriers: A Florida reentry simulation in Citrus County showed leaders how hard it can be to secure IDs, transportation, and jobs after incarceration—often pushing people back toward jail. Rubio on Iran: Marco Rubio told senators Iran’s supreme leader is alive and increasingly active, while insisting any sanctions relief would be tied to nuclear concessions. St. Pete Beach Utility Project Ends: St. Pete Beach stopped its long-running undergrounding effort as costs climbed and grant deadlines loomed.

Property Taxes in Tallahassee: Florida lawmakers advanced Gov. Ron DeSantis’ homestead and property tax overhaul with late-night amendments aimed at protecting school funding and key local services, but critics say the plan still risks major budget shocks for cities, counties, and public safety. AI Lawsuit: Florida AG James Uthmeier’s office moved to sue OpenAI and Sam Altman over alleged ChatGPT safety failures for children, adding to a fast-growing backlash against big tech. Local Politics: Maitland Mayor John Lowndes filed to challenge Sen. Jason Brodeur in Florida Senate District 10, setting up a high-stakes Central Florida race. Hurricane Prep & Funding: FEMA’s staffing and leadership strain is raising alarms as the Atlantic hurricane season begins, with fewer resources heading into a critical period. Nassau Data Center Watch: Nassau County launched a fact-finding effort and is weighing a possible 12-month moratorium on new data centers after residents raised concerns about water, power, and quality of life. Public Safety: A Florida man was arrested for allegedly threatening to kill Rep. Byron Donalds, while separate reporting highlights ongoing efforts to tackle organized retail theft.

AI & Public Safety: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, accusing ChatGPT of putting profits over safety and helping enable harm—citing incidents tied to children and alleged violence planning. Local Politics: DeSantis endorsed Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco for Senate District 21, tying the race to property tax elimination. Property Taxes: Lawmakers are pushing a special session on DeSantis’ plan to cut or eliminate homestead property taxes, while local leaders warn about revenue gaps for police, fire, and storm recovery. Courts & Accountability: A federal judge heard UF’s free-speech challenge in an antisemitic X-post expulsion case, with a ruling expected after final briefs. Health Care Fraud: GEICO filed a federal lawsuit against multiple Florida clinics, alleging fraudulent no-fault/PIP billing. Business & Consumer Impact: DirecTV blacked out several Scripps stations in Florida after contract talks broke down. Community & Culture: Miami historian Marvin Dunn is preparing another legal fight over Trump’s presidential library project near his community farm. Elections & Appointments: Winter Springs Commissioner Victoria Bruce filed for reelection; DeSantis also convened a judicial nominating commission for a Hillsborough vacancy.

Property Tax Push: Gov. Ron DeSantis is selling a plan to lift the homestead exemption and move toward eliminating property taxes for many homeowners, but Florida mosquito-control officials and local leaders warn the cuts could squeeze funding for essential services. Courts & Immigration: A federal appeals court upheld Texas’s law making illegal immigration a state crime, a reminder Florida’s own similar efforts are still being tested in court. Environment & Everglades: A new lawsuit targets Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center, alleging diesel equipment is polluting a wetland ecosystem without required air permits. Hurricane Prep: Florida officials and utilities are urging residents to get ready early—review evacuation zones, plan for backup power, and build emergency kits. Local Sports: Florida’s Everblades beat Wheeling 6-1 in the ECHL playoffs to close out a season, while FSU baseball advanced in the Tallahassee Regional with a late win over Northern Illinois. Politics & National News: Trump shared an AI-generated Mount Rushmore image featuring himself, and a judge reopened Trump’s $10B IRS settlement fight amid collusion allegations.

Property Taxes in the Spotlight: Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to cut property taxes is moving fast, but Florida’s local governments are warning about real-world fallout—Lee County’s mosquito control district says the plan could strip about $6.2 million (roughly 21% of its budget), threatening its ability to respond to outbreaks. State Policy Details: New Senate language filed for DeSantis’ proposal reportedly drops key promises from his rollout, including a $500,000 exemption cap, and changes how non-homestead properties would be limited—setting up a high-stakes special session and a November vote. Legal Fight Over Fishing: A federal judge halted the extended red snapper season, canceling the June 1–20 harvest window for states including Florida, despite Trump-approved exempted fishing permits. Congress & Campaigns: Rep. Jared Moskowitz says he’s running again in Florida’s newly drawn 25th District, while Rep. Frederica Wilson announced she won’t seek a ninth term, opening the door for potential successors. Health & Science: The DOJ’s medical marijuana rescheduling is expected to unlock some federal tax benefits, but states still face a patchwork future as regulators consider broader marijuana changes.

Foreign Influence Law: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 905, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act, aiming to block hostile foreign actors from influencing Florida government, critical infrastructure, public institutions, and the economy, with tighter ethics and disclosure rules. Property Taxes: Jacksonville warned DeSantis’s proposed homestead exemption and assessment-cap changes could cost the city more than $300 million a year, threatening local services. Congressional Politics: Rep. Frederica Wilson says she won’t seek re-election, citing the new DeSantis map and saying she chose timing to avoid weakening her district. Court Watch: A federal judge reopened scrutiny of Trump’s $10 billion IRS lawsuit settlement tied to an “anti-weaponization” fund, ordering lawyers to respond to claims of misconduct. Local Crime & Safety: A Florida judge kept the state’s Planned Parenthood false-advertising case alive. Community: Miami-Dade leaders plan a caravan to stop violence and mark the fifth anniversary of Jason Campbell’s killing.

Property Tax Shake-Up: Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed constitutional amendment to slash or eliminate homestead property taxes is drawing confusion and backlash, with local officials warning of major budget gaps for schools, law enforcement, EMS and other services. State Budget: Florida lawmakers approved a $114.5B budget after a special session, including $75M in one-time funding to restore HIV medication access through 2027. Elections & Voting Access: Mail-in ballot requests are dropping ahead of Florida’s August primary as voters must renew requests each election year, and a separate U.S. Supreme Court fight could expand states’ power to purge voter rolls for noncitizens close to elections. Immigration Enforcement: DeSantis says Florida’s Operation Tidal Wave has led to nearly 25,000 arrests statewide, while he defended the Everglades migrant detention facility “Alligator Alcatraz” as temporary and federally reimbursable. Public Safety: A SWAT raid in Volusia County led to the arrest of a man accused of possessing child pornography. Insurance Watch: A new report says Florida’s home insurance market is stabilizing after reforms, with expectations that rates could ease. Florida in the News Cycle: Byron Donalds unveiled an education plan built around personalized student roadmaps starting in 6th grade.

Property Taxes & Immigration: Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed his “Save Our Homes” plan during a Davie stop, saying lawmakers will gavel into a special session next week and framing the migrant detention site “Alligator Alcatraz” as temporary while he highlights recent immigration enforcement operations. Florida Politics: Rep. Frederica Wilson announced she won’t seek re-election in Florida’s 24th District, setting up a potentially crowded Democratic scramble as the district’s political map shifts. Elections & Courts: A federal judge declined to immediately block Trump’s mail-in voting executive order, leaving room for further legal challenges later. Oversight Watch: Former AG Pam Bondi faced House scrutiny over the Epstein case files, refusing to answer questions about Trump’s involvement and citing DOJ “redaction errors.” Local Governance: Duval County GOP leaders are calling for the resignation or removal of school board member Darryl Willie over a voter registration address dispute. Budget/Policy Detail: A small shellfish aquaculture workforce appropriation in the state budget is drawing questions about how the program is administered. Sports/Policy: Florida’s college sports debate continues to ripple after SEC and Big Ten spring meetings.

Space Coast Jobs & Industry: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a $600M Blue Origin expansion at Cape Canaveral’s Rocket Park, aiming to build an 830,000-square-foot upper-stage facility and create 500 aerospace jobs. Property Taxes in the Spotlight: DeSantis also called for a special session starting June 1 to advance his “Save Our Homes” plan to eliminate or phase out property taxes on Florida homeowners’ permanent residences, with a possible November ballot vote. Local Government Impact: Fort Myers leaders warn the property-tax proposal could delay or kill a long-planned police headquarters project. Legal & Accountability: A federal judge in the 11th Circuit received a private reprimand after an investigation found an extramarital affair involving sex in chambers, with staff nearby. Florida Courts & Politics: Leon County’s charter review committee approved a revised “historic harms” amendment 14-3, removing slavery/segregation/reparations language to comply with a state DEI ban, setting up public hearings and a potential November ballot. Space Launch Setback: Blue Origin reported an “anomaly” during a New Glenn hot-fire test in Florida after the rocket exploded on the pad.

Property Taxes Special Session: Gov. Ron DeSantis called a special session starting Monday to push a constitutional amendment that would raise the homestead exemption to $250,000 immediately and phase toward $500,000, aiming to shield 92% of homeowners from property taxes—while also tightening how local governments can use the money and creating a rural county trust fund. Congressional Race Watch: Rep. Jared Moskowitz launched his bid for re-election in Florida’s newly drawn 25th District, a Cook-rated toss-up shaped by the DeSantis-backed map. Legal & Ethics: Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego set up a legal defense fund after an ethics investigation tied to misconduct allegations from Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who says she’s backed by a complainant. Courts & Voting: A federal judge declined—for now—to block Trump’s mail-in ballot order, keeping it in place while the legal fight continues. Local Economy & Costs: A poll finds energy bills are a top 2026 campaign issue, with voters backing faster permitting and grid upgrades to lower electricity costs. State Policy: Florida lawmakers are nearing a nearly $114.5B budget deal that restores some AIDS medication funding and includes Everglades money, while court spending gets partial support.