Florida's Latest News

‘Fresh and affordable’: Kat Cammack aims to streamline food labeling nationwide

U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack says streamlining labeling requirements for food goods could simplify shopping and cut grocery bills.

The Gainesville Republican presented a discussion draft of her FDA Review and Evaluation for Safe, Healthy (FRESH) and Affordable Foods Act during a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Cammack’s bill would update the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, setting a national standard on ingredient transparency with foods.

“A strong, unified national framework protects consumers, keeps healthy foods affordable, and gives industry clear, predictable standards to operate under, and that, in my mind, is a win for everyone,” Cammack said.

“This also includes very important steps forward on infant and toddler food safety contaminant testing and national consistency, so that every American, regardless of ZIP code, can have confidence in the safety of what is on the store shelves.”

Legislative leaders direct members ahead of budget Special Session

The Senate and the House have butted heads the last two years, but Senate President Ben Albritton and Speaker Daniel Perez are presenting a unified message regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget Special Session.

The Special Session will begin the morning of May 12 and run through May 29 to complete the General Appropriations Act, the implementing bill and the tax package, both leaders said in their own memos.

The House will be hosting the conference committees this year. Legislators in the Senate and House will be on a one-hour notice through Friday for their respective conference committees, but can leave Tallahassee when their respective committees have completed work with outstanding issues bumped.

“Senators will not need to return to Tallahassee until the week after Memorial Day,” Albritton said.

Byron Donalds Endorses Ron DeSantis for Attorney General

Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) hypothetically endorsed Gov. Ron DeSantis for Attorney General during a discussion with Benny Johnson on "The Benny Show" this week.

“I think he actually would make a very good Attorney General because, knowing Governor DeSantis, he will make sure that he looks through everything with a fine-tooth comb to hold people accountable. And I think that's a spot he could be incredibly well suited for," Donalds said.

Rep. Donalds, however, mentioned he wasn't aware of President Donald Trump's plan to name a new attorney general. Todd Blanche is currently the active attorney general, having taken over for Pam Bondi, who Trump fired in April.

“Todd Blanche is the acting Attorney General; by all accounts, he's doing a very good job in that role. So we'll see what happens," Donalds said.

Blaise Ingoglia floats 6-year ‘glide path’ to eliminate homestead property taxes

Florida homeowners who once envisioned almost immediate relief from the burdens of homestead property taxes might have to wait until next decade for the full benefit, according to CFO Blaise Ingoglia.

Ingoglia said the yet-to-be-unveiled proposal might include a “glide path over six years” so that government and taxpayers “know it’s coming.”

The measured approach presents a contrast to the appointed official’s so-called “FAFO” Audits conducted by the recently devised Florida Agency for Fiscal Accountability, which have spotlighted purportedly wasteful spending by local governments. On a six-year path, much of the alleged excess can continue until many of the worst offenders leave office due to term limits or to get another job.

State leaders continue to excuse the ongoing delays in releasing what seemed months ago to be a clean plan to eliminate homestead property taxes via constitutional amendment.