Florida's Latest News

Unclear path forward as Florida leaders float competing property tax proposals

After failing to reach a deal during the regular legislative session, Florida lawmakers are advancing a patchwork of proposals to cut — or even eliminate — property taxes, with no clear agreement on what, if anything, will reach voters before the November midterms.

The debate in Tallahassee has fractured along multiple lines. Some Republicans now offering competing visions and Democrats warning of potential consequences for funding essential services.

State Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, a Republican from Marion County, is taking the most aggressive approach. Frustrated by the lack of progress in the Legislature, he announced plans April 1 to pursue a citizen-led constitutional amendment that would eliminate property taxes entirely.

“Our promise of property tax relief feels like the biggest April Fool’s joke of the century,” Chamberlin said.

His proposal would require roughly 900,000 petition signatures to make the 2028 ballot. If successful, voters would be asked to replace property taxes with alternative revenue sources, such as increased tourism taxes, a state-managed fund, or even a one-time fee on new Florida residents.

Florida Chamber case study spotlights aviation workforce challenges

A new Florida Chamber Foundation case study is casting aviation as a key front in Florida’s workforce fight, warning that talent shortages could threaten one of the state’s biggest economic engines.

Released through the Foundation’s Future of Work initiative, the report examines workforce trends in an industry that supports more than 2 million jobs and accounts for 13.5% of Florida’s GDP. The study points to an aging skilled workforce, rising demand for aviation services and a growing mismatch between available talent and employer needs.

The pressure is especially pronounced in South Florida and the Panhandle, where aviation operations, logistics and infrastructure play an outsized role in regional economies. The case study argues that without tighter coordination among employers, schools and workforce partners, those gaps could deepen and undermine the industry’s long-term competitiveness.

“The aviation industry is essential to our state’s economic strength and global connectivity,” said Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber Foundation. “The Foundation’s Future of Work case study reinforces that sustained growth will require a stronger, more coordinated approach to developing aviation talent pipelines. Data-driven collaboration between business, education, and workforce leaders is key to making certain Florida remains competitive for decades to come.”

Race to replace Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis draws record 44 candidates

A record number of 44 candidates have filed to run as governor and replace term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis, breaking the record of 21 candidates from eight years ago when DeSantis was first elected. 

It's unclear what a field this large says about the political climate in Florida. It could be an indicator that people have engaged in the issues of the day, and are frustrated with the same "old politicians doing politics as usual," as one expert puts it.

Or it may be a sign that some people, in a social-media driven era, just want to be able to say they ran for governor. 

It costs $5,565, payable to the Division of Elections, to get your name on the November ballot as a no-party-affiliated candidate. Ten people have already paid the fee for this year’s election. 

One can also claim ballot space by submitting 139,492 signatures from registered voters, but no gubernatorial candidate for 2026 has done that. 

Capital Resources taps former Josie Tomkow staffer Makayla Paggio to boost fundraising operations

Capital Resources, a full-service fundraising and political consulting firm serving Republicans, has added Makayla Paggio to its team as Client Experience Coordinator.

Paggio is a former Legislative Aide to Rep. Josie Tomkow, who is facing term limits this year. In her new role, Paggio will oversee client fundraising events from planning through execution.

“Makayla brings the kind of experience and attention to detail that will help our clients succeed,” said Capital Resources founder Tony Cortese. “We are excited to have her on the team.”

Paggio has served with Tomkow since mid-2024, giving her firsthand experience into the high-stakes political operations at play in Tallahassee and beyond.

“Makayla is a rising star in Florida Politics. Her maturity and work ethic served me well, and will be a huge addition to Capital Resources,” Tomkow said of her former staffer.