Florida's Latest News

Ashley Moody pushing Senate bill to stem student loan fraud, reduce ‘ghost students’

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is backing a bill that seeks to limit student loan fraud and eliminate “ghost students.”

The No Aid for Ghost Students Act is now being considered in the Senate. Moody said the bill is targeting fraudsters who pose as students in order to bilk government and financial institutions out of money meant for real students who need the funds to pay for higher education.

Ghost students are those who use fake or stolen identification such as driver’s licenses or Social Security cards for bogus submissions to the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) process. They get the funding and then use it for purchases that have nothing to do with college.

“Taxpayer-funded student aid should go to students — not fraudsters gaming the system. This legislation takes common-sense steps to verify identity, strengthen oversight, and ensure federal dollars are not wasted,” Moody said in a news release Wednesday.

Ron DeSantis says property tax repeal Special Session will wait until at least June, with ‘phased’ approach planned

Lawmakers can plan on returning to Tallahassee this Summer to vote on a measure that could repeal homestead property taxes, Gov. Ron DeSantis told the National Mining Association.

“We’ll be working with the Legislature, not this week, not probably May, but probably after that, to do a Special Session on putting this on the ballot,” he said in Palm Beach.

The proposal would require 60% of members in both the House and Senate to vote to put it on the ballot, and the same proportion of voters would need to approve it to put it in the constitution. DeSantis said the language would provide graduated relief from homestead property taxes.

“Our goal would be: Homestead properties would be exempt from property tax,” DeSantis said. “You still get a lot of revenue, probably have to phase it in, do some other things, make it work. I’ve even said we’ll give some of our surplus to help with the transition.”

Gus Bilirakis to seek re-election to 11th term in Congress, will run in CD 12

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis will seek a 11th term in Congress, seeking to remain in the race for the newly drawn Florida’s 12th Congressional District after Florida approved a new congressional map.

“I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished for Florida families this term, and I look forward to building on that success, which is why I’m running for re-election in 2026,” Bilirakis said. “We’ve made real progress on affordability through policies like no tax on tips and overtime, and a new senior tax deduction, but there is still more work ahead to expand opportunity and ease the burden on workers, families, seniors, and small businesses.”

First elected in 2006 succeeding father and former U.S. Rep. Mike Bilirakis, the younger Bilirakis already has key support in his race from President Donald Trump. Trump offered his support in November, calling Bilirakis a “Tremendous Champion” for the district.

Neal Dunn Introduces Bipartisan Bill Ensuring Timely Medicare Access

Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) has introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the timeliness of Medicare services for patients.

Rep. Dunn's Ensuring Timely Access to Coverage Decisions Act increases stakeholder involvement, tightens rules on fulfilling requests on time, and creates a formal review process for reconsideration decisions.

The bill comes as a result of Medicare patients reporting that the local coverage determination process is frequently delayed, filled with red tape, vague, and lacking consistent standards.

"Americans on Medicare too often face unnecessary delays and red tape in seeking coverage determinations for needed care," said Rep. Dunn in a press release. "This bipartisan legislation will work to ensure patients receive timely coverage decisions and improve access to quality care."