Florida's Latest News

David Jolly calls for Special Session on Flock Cameras, proposes ‘dramatic reforms or elimination’ of the controversial surveillance tech

A bipartisan push against surveillance technology is picking up pace in Florida, as it is around the rest of the country, and it looks to be a wedge issue in the race for Governor.

One candidate backs the current Governor’s play. Another one is silent on it. And if you were to guess the party of each, you might be wrong.

In comments exclusive to Florida Politics, Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly says he supports a Special Session to deal with Flock Safety Cameras.

“Shy of a judicial warrant or active crime environment, no data should ever be collected by government cameras on an individual or their movement. It’s clear dramatic reforms or elimination of Flock altogether should be under consideration,” Jolly said Wednesday afternoon.

Byron Donalds Highlights Plan to Tackle Florida's Affordability Crisis

Friends of Byron Donalds, a political action committee supporting Rep. Donalds' gubernatorial campaign, released an ad promoting the Republican hopeful's plan to address Florida's affordability crisis.

The 30-second ad begins by emphasizing Rep. Donalds being raised by a single mother with two jobs and raising three kids while "barely making ends meet." Donalds grew up in Brooklyn, New York with his mom and two sisters.

"I know what living paycheck to paycheck feels like," Donalds said. "That's why I'll cut taxes, lower insurance rates, and take on the insane cost of prescription drugs. It's your money, and you need it now more than ever. As your governor, I'm going to help you keep it."

The ad comes as affordability remains a major concern for Floridians.

At FIU, DeSantis rolls out new emergency management education program

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a new initiative at Florida International University on Wednesday aimed at improving disaster response statewide.

The program, titled the Coalition for Operational Readiness and Education (CORE), is designed to bolster and modernize Florida's emergency management sector through training across colleges, universities, training centers, government agencies and private-sector organizations.

"That may mean you work for the state of Florida at the Division of Emergency Management, but it also may mean you can work for Miami-Dade County, or you could even work in the private sector because a lot of these private sector partners are heavily involved in emergency management," DeSantis said.

The program will provide students with hands-on experience through a partnership between the Florida Division of Emergency Management, FloridaCommerce and the Florida Department of Education.

Maria Scruggs backs Charlie Crist, adding to a growing wave of support for St. Pete Mayor

Charlie Crist‘s coalition keeps growing. Former St. Petersburg Mayoral candidate Maria Scruggs, a 40-year veteran of the city’s civic life who fell short of the runoff last week, is endorsing Crist for Mayor — and she says he earned it.

Crist finished last week’s Primary Election in first place, with 35% of the vote. Incumbent Mayor Ken Welch finished second, with less than 21% of the vote. The two will face off head-to-head in the Nov. 3 General Election.

Scruggs is the second defeated candidate to endorse Crist, after businessman Kevin Batdorf offered his support to Crist the day after the election. Together, the two endorsements signal a field consolidating quickly behind the frontrunner. Jim Large, the former city fire chief who finished third, has said he’s not planning to endorse a candidate.

City Council member and fourth place finisher Brandi Gabbard has not said whether she’ll endorse a candidate in the race.