Florida's Latest News

'Great platform to run on': DeSantis, with eye toward 2024, launches second term

After four years of building a national profile and cementing his place as the favorite governor for conservatives across the country, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday formally kicked off his second term in office as he looks to his political future.

DeSantis gave his inaugural address in front of the Florida historic Capitol building in downtown Tallahassee, but the event came with much grander trappings than traditional inaugural events — including DeSantis' first one four years ago. Thousands of people filled the standing-room-only space, which had increased security and huge sets of bleachers that aren’t normally featured at such events.

“The governor's overwhelming victory on election night combined with his national profile makes him the most powerful elected official in Florida’s history,” said Nick Iarossi, a lobbyist and co-chair for DeSantis’ inaugural committee. “With that much political capital, he is clearly in the driver’s seat to shape policy in Florida during his second term.”

Democrats have decried DeSantis' rise because it has been fueled in large part by what they see as policies aimed at harming marginalized communities, and a focus and rewiring long-held norms, specifically the state’s education system. DeSantis, for instance, has championed civics training courses that some teachers have criticized as overly conservative-leaning and lacking opposing viewpoints.

Gov. DeSantis promises huge tax cuts, major education changes in second inauguration address

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ second inauguration speech was light on policy proposals, but he gave a few indications of his priorities in the upcoming Legislative Session.

Most of the 16-minute speech focused on his first-term record, including policies aimed at “keeping Florida free” during the COVID-19 pandemic and combating “woke” ideology. But he also hinted he’ll seek massive tax cuts and more state control over school districts and state universities.

“Florida has accumulated a record budget surplus, and we need to enact a record amount of tax relief, particularly for Florida families who are grappling with inflation,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis signed a hefty $1.1 billion tax cut package last year. Much of it was in the form of sales tax holidays on select items throughout the year, although the sales tax break on baby diapers and clothes will last the entire year.

The Florida Lottery raised $2.3 billion for education in 2022

The Florida Lottery announced Monday that it transferred $2.3 billion to the state Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in the Fiscal Year 2021-22, marking the second consecutive year that education contributions exceeded $2 billion in a single fiscal year.

Per internal lottery statistics, jackpot rolls from the Mega Millions and Powerball games generated $184.1 million for education funding alone. A $50 scratch-off ticket was also introduced in February, which generated $261.7 million for education, according to the group.

A portion of every Florida Lottery ticket purchased gets transferred to the EETF, making up the remaining amount raised in 2022.

The state lottery, which leads the nation in lotto sales with $9.3 billion in sales over the last year, has contributed $43 billion in contributions to education since 1988, as of December 2022.

Latest on the Senate legislative staffing merry-go-round

With a tip of the hat for LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — on and off — the Senate legislative merry-go-round.

On: The Senate Majority Office added John Spencer Wallace as Press Secretary and James Hart as an administrative assistant.

On: John Hinchee is in as legislative analyst for the Senate Majority Office.

On: Jay Ferrin is in as senior policy adviser for agriculture, environment, government oversight, ethics and elections for the Office of Senate President.

Off: Cathy Schroeder is out as deputy staff director for the Senate Minority Office.

On: Dustin Paulson is in as legislative analyst for the Senate Minority Office.

Off: With the conclusion of President Wilton Simpson’s term, Brooks Timmons, a longtime aide to Simpson, has left the Office of Senate President.