Florida's Latest News

Ed Hooper to resign from Senate, Chris Nocco expected to run to succeed him

Sen. Ed Hooper, the current Senate Appropriations Chair, is resigning from office and retiring from politics. Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco will run in his place.

Hooper’s resignation will be effective on Election Day — Nov. 3 — which will allow Gov. Ron DeSantis to set a Special Election to replace Hooper. The winner would have to run again in 2028.

Hooper said he hopes the timing of his resignation allows constituents to “remain continuously represented in Tallahassee.” By announcing his retirement before the 2026 qualifying period DeSantis could call a Special Election to run concurrently with 2026 regular Primary and General Elections.

Hooper called his service over the past 16 years in the Legislature “a great honor.”

“As Senate Appropriations Chairman for the past two years, I’m proud to have advanced a fiscally responsible, balanced budget that supports a sustainable and prosperous future for all Floridians. During this time, our leadership team navigated significant fiscal challenges driven by changes in federal funding across key budget areas, while also responding to unprecedented natural disasters and managing the expiration of pandemic-era support,” Hooper said.

Mike Johnson, House Republican Brass Endorse Sydney Gruters in CD 16

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and members of congressional Republican leadership announced their endorsement of Sydney Gruters in Florida's District 16 congressional race in a joint statement on social media.

Republican leadership backing Gruters includes Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), and House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-N.Y.)

"Sydney Gruters is an America First patriot who will help us continue to deliver safe streets, secure borders, a strong economy, and peace through strength," GOP leadership wrote. "She has dedicated her career to serving her community, and in Congress will defend our constitutional rights, veterans, law enforcement, and the principles that have made America the greatest nation on Earth."

"We are proud to ENDORSE Sydney Gruters for Florida’s 16th District, and look forward to working with her to defend and grow our House Republican majority and CONTINUE our American comeback!" GOP leadership added.

Budget conference: Senate stirs Everglades, wastewater funding in first environmental offer

Senate budget negotiators reoriented the chamber’s environmental and infrastructure spending priorities in their opening offer to the House, shifting hundreds of millions of dollars between wastewater projects, Everglades restoration efforts and other water programs while keeping overall environmental spending largely intact.

The Senate’s first offer in budget conference negotiations boosted funding for statewide wastewater grants by $235 million above its original proposal, raising the total from $125 million to $360 million.

The House, by comparison, is offering $175.3 million.

Senate negotiators also eliminated a separate $154.2 million line item for water projects that appeared in the Senate’s initial budget plan, matching the House proposal.

The changes, made Tuesday afternoon, came hours into a budget Special Session expected to run 18 days through May 29. Lawmakers failed to get the state spending plan — the only legislation they’re constitutionally required to pass each year — across the finish line during the regular Session that ended March 13.

Florida 'Nearest nickel' law lets stores round off and it may cost you

Goodbye, take-a-penny-leave-a-penny dish. Shopping in Florida may soon cost you slightly less — or slightly more — as retailers decide which way to round prices to avoid dealing with pennies under a new Florida law.

On May 11, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 1074, which allows retailers to choose whether to round prices up or down to the nearest nickel in cash transactions, effective immediately. They may also choose to keep going on as before.

The bill does not change sale prices, how much tax is collected, or any other fees or charges added to the sale. It simply allows retailers to choose to avoid pennies by rounding down to the nearest nickel in favor of the customer or up in favor of themselves. It also defines how rounding works.

“With this framework, Florida is a model for how states can navigate currency changes, ensuring businesses can prosper and consumers are protected,” Florida Retail Federation President and CEO Scott Shalley said in a statement after the signing, The News Service of Florida reported.