Florida's Latest News

Miami-Dade Mayor announces no gas tax hike as residents demand more arts funding

Miami-Dade County’s first budget meeting of 2025 began with major announcements from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava walking back several of her proposals that saw backlash from county leaders and community members.

“The voices of our residents shaped this process, and you guided us to where we are today. We heard you loud and clear that you wanted us to continue supporting arts and culture, community organizations, parks, and more,” Levine Cava said from the dais Thursday.

She announced the end of her proposal to charge parking fees at county parks; no increase in the county’s gas tax; and the restoration of the county’s pledge to pay for air rescue services, rather than those services being paid for by the Miami-Dade fire district.

Levine Cava said the changes to her proposals will be funded by using carryover funds from the new constitutional offices and dipping into reserves.

The county is still facing a more than $300 million deficit owing to the need to fund the new independent offices of the Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Clerk and Comptroller and Supervisor of Elections.

Personnel note: Governor’s Office promotes Molly Best, brings back Casey Smith

Gov. Ron DeSantis is shaking up his staff as he heads into his final Legislative Session leading the executive branch.

The Governor’s Office is bumping up Molly Best from Deputy Press Secretary to Press Secretary while also rehiring Casey Smith as External Affairs Director. POLITICO Florida Playbook first reported the moves.

Best is an alum of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, where she served as Communications Director. DeSantis’s previous Press Secretary, Jeremy Redfern, left earlier this year to serve as Communications Director for Attorney General James Uthmeier. Uthmeier is DeSantis’s former Chief of Staff and presidential election Campaign Manager, and DeSantis appointed him AG.

Former DeSantis Communications Director Bryan Griffin also departed earlier this year when DeSantis named him CEO of VISIT FLORIDA. Since then, the Governor’s comms shop has been run by Alex Lanfranconi.

Best will now work directly under Lanfranconi in her new role.

Gainesville City Commission selects Chief Operating Officer Persons at interim city manager

The Gainesville City Commission on Sept. 4 voted unanimously to select Andrew Persons, the city's chief operating officer, as its interim city manager.

Mayor Harvey Ward began the discussion by commending the current City Manager Cynthia Curry's impact on the city and jokingly said he wished she'd continue in her capacity.

In an Aug. 8 letter sent to the city, Curry wrote that she would step down from her role effective Nov. 21, and that her decision came after she felt it was the appropriate time to transition to new leadership and allow for a new vision to guide the city forward.

"It is time to make some considerations about an interim period, which I would hope would begin on Oct. 21, which is a full month prior to Curry's last day to work side by side and a good transition process," Ward said at the meeting.

Mass of Tampa Bay area leaders pledge support for Blaise Ingoglia for CFO

Dozens of elected officials from the greater Tampa Bay area are endorsing Blaise Ingoglia for Chief Financial Officer, his campaign announced.

The list includes local Sheriffs, members of the Legislature, elected officials from county and city government, School Board members, and more.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis headlines the list.

“Since day 1, Blaise has been a conservative fighter standing with President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis against the corrupt establishment and the corporate media. I am proud to be on Team Blaise, a candidate with a bold vision and unwavering principles,” he said.

State Sen. Ed Hooper also offered his support, saying Floridians “deserve someone who will fight for them every day.”

“Blaise Ingoglia has done that in the Legislature, is doing it as appointed Chief Financial Officer, and will continue doing it once elected. He has my endorsement to continue preserving and protecting our state’s financial resources as CFO,” said Hooper, who serves as one of the most powerful figures in the Legislature as the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair.