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Trump Doubles Down on Support for Randy Fine in Competitive Florida House Race

President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated his endorsement of Republican state Sen. Randy Fine in Florida’s 6th Congressional District special election, signaling intensified support as the race tightens in its final days.

In a post on X, Trump called Fine an “America First Patriot” and praised his educational and political background. He added that Fine “will work tirelessly with me” on economic growth, tax reduction, border security, support for veterans, American energy independence, and Second Amendment protections.

“Randy Fine has my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump wrote. “Election Day is this Tuesday, April 1st. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR RANDY — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”

The endorsement arrives as Republicans confront growing concerns over the competitiveness of the race. Fine’s Democratic opponent, Josh Weil, a teacher and first-time candidate, has mounted a well-financed campaign, reporting approximately $9.5 million in fundraising, compared to Fine’s $987,000, alongside an endorsement from Vermont senator Bernie Sanders.

Fine, who represents parts of Brevard County in the Florida Senate, entered the race with backing from GOP leaders including U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and House Speaker Mike Johnson. He has emphasized support for border enforcement, pro-Israel policy, election integrity measures, and opposition to corporate social responsibility initiatives.

‘We owe it to taxpayers to get this right’: Ben Albritton says Senate to consider dueling GOP tax plans

Senate President Ben Albritton says he is open to considering dueling approaches regarding cutting taxes for Floridians proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez.

But in a newly issued memo, Albritton says he is hesitant to push through a permanent tax cut right now, instead warning lawmakers to act cautiously and avoid a budget shortfall.

“We owe it to taxpayers to get this right,” Albritton said.

“At this point, I believe it is prudent that a final tax cut package of this size be predominantly nonrecurring, while permanent tax cuts are explored during the interim.”

Albritton issued the memo as Republican leaders are at odds over taxes at the halfway point of the Session.

DeSantis advocates abolishing property taxes, while Perez is calling to cut the state sales tax from the current 6% to 5.25%.

“For our part, the Senate has a lot to consider. In my view, we should be open-minded to an ‘all of the above’ approach,” Albritton said in the memo.

Florida Farm Bill’s fluoride preemption gets MAHA seal of approval in House committee

A Florida Farm Bill backed by Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is moving through the House and is wading directly into the debate over water fluoridation.

The Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee is the latest panel to advance Rep. Kaylee Tuck’s legislation (HB 651). And this time around, the public showed up in favor of a provision that would ban Florida cities from fluoridating water.

While the legislation covers a lot of ground, the issue of “additives” in municipal water supplies took center stage yet again, with Democrats pressing the issue.

Rep. Michelle Rayner wondered why fluoride required a “preemption.”

Tuck noted that the bill covers all additives, and rejected the premise that banning fluoride in the water supply would lead to more cavities.

As opposed to the bill’s previous stop, people showed up to speak out against forced fluoridation.

Susan Clark, a former research assistant at the Harvard School of Public Health, made the scientific case against fluoridation, saying it creates “neurologic problems.”

Proposed House budget tackles nursing shortage with investments in education

The proposed House budget calls to spend millions of dollars on education to help fight the state’s nursing shortage.

The spending plan calls would allot $40 million through the Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) Fund at Florida’s two-year state colleges and another $40 million for nursing programs offered at Florida’s public universities.

In addition, the House’s budget proposes $30 million to “incentivize collaboration between nursing education programs and healthcare partners.”

The budget would also spend $20 million for nursing education programs at school districts’ postsecondary technical career centers.

Out of the 10 Florida public universities receiving part of the $40 million pot, the University of Central Florida, which graduates the most nursing students in the system, could receive the most money, at about $7.4 million. That would be followed by the University of South Florida at $6.3 million and the University of Florida at $4.3 million.

Other smaller schools also could stand to receive funding from additional funding streams to grow their nursing programs.

The funding is a piece of the House’s overall $112.95 billion spending plan released by House Speaker Danny Perez.