AGP Executive Report

Florida Politics & Elections: Qualifying is closing out with a packed field for governor and statewide races, plus Democrats celebrating nominees after the deadline; in Miami-Dade, three school board members were reelected by default with no votes cast, while other local seats head to August primaries. Congressional Races: Kendrick Meek Jr. jumps into the crowded CD 24 race after Frederica Wilson announced she won’t seek reelection, and Florida’s CD 20 Democratic primary remains a high-stakes fight with multiple Black candidates. Statehouse Power Plays: The Florida GOP’s internal feud over debate access and candidate treatment keeps flaring, including fresh fallout around James Fishback and the party’s governor-debate rules. Courts & Rights: Two UF students sue the university over alleged rules meant to suppress pro-Gaza protest speech, and a separate Florida case highlights how facial-recognition errors can land people in jail. Policy & Public Safety: Florida’s property tax amendment fight is headed toward more legal challenges over ballot language, while Medicaid fraud crackdowns and immigration enforcement plans stay in the spotlight. Tech & AI: State attorneys general open a sweeping investigation into OpenAI, adding pressure on how AI products handle users and children.

Florida Politics & Courts: The Florida Supreme Court issued a reprimand (not a license suspension) for Kenneth Chesebro, convicted in Georgia over fake electors, keeping the focus on election-law fallout. Property Tax Fight: A new lawsuit targets the ballot wording for Florida’s proposed homestead property tax amendment, arguing the summary is biased and not neutral. Redistricting: The court also declined to block the GOP congressional map, leaving new districts in place for 2026. Campaign Trail: Rep. Maxwell Frost qualified unopposed for Florida’s 10th District, while Byron Donalds keeps dominating fundraising in the governor’s race. Public Safety & Local Government: Broward prosecutors moved to clear decades-old reverse-sting crack cocaine convictions, and Pensacola/Santa Rosa officials warned property-tax cuts could mean fewer deputies. Tech & Rights: Florida’s wildlife agency rolled out a social media policy restricting employee speech, and a wrongful-arrest suit highlights facial-recognition errors. Health & Safety: Florida saw multiple child drownings in pools this week, renewing pressure for prevention. National With Florida Ties: A judge blocked the Trump “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” and the White House is set to host UFC Freedom 250.

Property Tax Fight in Court: Two former Florida mayors and a nonprofit sued to challenge ballot language for the November homestead property tax amendment, arguing it’s “biased” and more like a campaign pitch than a neutral summary, with the measure potentially cutting local revenues by billions. Florida Supreme Court Redistricting: The Florida Supreme Court declined to block the GOP congressional map, keeping the new districts in place for 2026 elections while more legal challenges continue. Governor Race Moves: Jolly and Graham held a rally at FIU as David Jolly taps Gwen Graham as his running mate, while Trump weighed in on Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter’s congressional bid. Public Safety & Policy: A Senate bill would restore cost-of-living increases for Florida police, fire, and EMS retirees, and Panama City Beach is set to consider new e-bike regulations. Tech and Policing: An ACLU lawsuit says Jacksonville Beach relied too heavily on AI facial recognition, leading to a wrongful arrest later dropped. Environment & Agriculture: Florida rescinded a water shortage warning for Lee and Collier after heavy rain, while screwworm detections are driving shelter-pet blockage rules.

UF Stadium Overhaul: The University of Florida unveiled plans for a $1.45 billion Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (“The Swamp”) renovation, with construction starting after the 2026 season and targeting completion for the 2030 season, funded through donations, reserves, and long-term debt. Property Tax Fight: S&P warns DeSantis’ ballot-backed property tax cuts could strain local government credit and services, with Volusia County projecting major revenue losses if voters approve the overhaul. AI in Schools: As AI tools spread in classrooms, states and districts are scrambling to set guardrails, training, and literacy requirements for students and teachers. FISA Standoff: The House failed to extend Section 702, with a list of Republicans breaking with Trump ahead of the World Cup deadline. Immigration Enforcement Funding: AG Alan Wilson touts passage of the Secure America Act, praising new CBP/ICE funding and 287(g) cooperation. Florida Politics & Elections: The Florida Supreme Court allowed GOP-backed congressional maps to remain for 2026 elections, keeping redistricting battles alive. Gates/Epstein Fallout: Bill Gates defended his Epstein ties in congressional testimony, saying he never witnessed criminal conduct and regrets the relationship.

Florida Courts & Elections: The Florida Supreme Court cleared the way for GOP lawmakers to use DeSantis’ redrawn congressional map in 2026, despite the state’s voter ban on partisan gerrymandering—leaving dissenters warning the court is dodging the core question. Property Tax Fight: A city attorney in Weston says the ballot language for the property tax amendment reads like a “campaign slogan” and plans to sue to force neutral wording. UF Leadership: The UF Board of Trustees unanimously selected Stuart Bell as the university’s 14th president, with Bell promising he won’t bring back DEI “or ‘woke’” to campus. Congress & National Politics: Republicans extended their Congressional Baseball Game winning streak, beating Democrats 11-2 while raising a record $3.2 million for charity. Federal Oversight: Bill Gates told a House panel he made a “grave error in judgment” meeting Jeffrey Epstein, while denying he witnessed criminal conduct. World/Defense: The U.S. and Iran traded airstrikes for a second straight day as Trump warned of more attacks without a peace deal.

Epstein Fallout in Congress: Bill Gates told the House Oversight Committee he “should never have met” Jeffrey Epstein and said he never saw any sign of ongoing criminal conduct, while lawmakers press for what government failures let the case persist. Florida Redistricting Fight: Voting rights groups urged the Florida Supreme Court to pause the new congressional map, arguing the Fair Districts Amendment’s limits on partisan and minority voting power are being violated. Gubernatorial Race Shake-Up: Democrat David Jolly named Gwen Graham as his running mate, setting up a fresh GOP attack line as primaries approach. Immigration Enforcement Funding: Gov. DeSantis and the Cabinet approved about $90 million to expand state support for immigration enforcement. Public Safety Watch: A national pedestrian-safety report ranks Florida’s metro areas among the deadliest, with Tampa Bay topping the state list. Health Policy Pressure: Two Alabama hospitals (including DCH/Nolan Hospitals) received federal threatening letters over required hospital pricing transparency plans. Local Governance: Slidell’s city council again delayed a vote over moving a park near a hospital, kicking the decision to a new council in August.

Healthcare Cost Fight: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals nationwide—including three Philadelphia-area facilities—to post clearer pricing or face penalties up to $2 million annually, spotlighting how patients can get hit with surprise costs for tests like blood work and imaging. Florida Elections & Representation: In South Florida’s District 20 race, four Black candidates reportedly met privately to consider consolidating into one or two contenders to improve odds against Debbie Wasserman Schultz, as the primary field solidifies. Property Tax Fallout: Dunedin officials are weighing painful cuts to fire, parks, and libraries if voters approve a state-backed property tax initiative that would sharply expand the homestead exemption. Local Campaign Shuffle: Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter dropped her commission bid to run for the newly redrawn District 22 congressional seat, arguing the map reshaped the battlefield. Public Safety & Policy: Polk County schools approved a new $400 activity fee for certain non-traditional student-athletes under a new statewide eligibility law. Space & Defense: NASA named the crew for Artemis III (including three U.S. astronauts and an Italian astronaut), while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to visit Guantanamo Bay and Tampa.

Gubernatorial Politics: Byron Donalds shrugged off Gov. Ron DeSantis’ cold shoulder, saying he’s “not concerned” because term limits mean a new governor soon—while Donalds also officially qualified for the race. Abortion & Elections: GOP primary candidate James Fishback says he’d shut down all 53 Florida abortion clinics and replace them with crisis pregnancy centers. Property Taxes: Florida’s property tax relief plan heads toward a November vote, with critics warning it could cut essential services and face multiple constitutional challenges. Local Governance/Data Centers: Zephyrhills advanced a temporary moratorium on data center proposals as residents cite water and power strain; Alachua County says large-scale data centers aren’t currently allowed without plan and code changes. Public Safety/Health: A New World screwworm outbreak is spreading beyond Texas into New Mexico, raising alarms for Florida’s cattle industry. Immigration Tech: DeSantis and the Cabinet approved $87M in immigration reimbursements for local agencies, including radios and AI policing tools. Earthquake Disruption: A 6.1 quake off Cuba rattled South Florida and led to ride shutdowns at Disney World.

Immigration Funding Push: Florida Rep. Mike Haridopolos backed a Senate-passed $70B Homeland Security package that would fully fund ICE and related agencies through the rest of Trump’s term, arguing it’s needed to crack down on “sanctuary cities” and violent offenders. Supreme Court Media Fight: Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive his $475M CNN defamation case over the “Big Lie” label, seeking a jury-focused standard. Florida Elections & Courts: Florida Republicans filed briefs urging the Florida Supreme Court to toss the Fair Districts Amendment’s gerrymandering ban, setting up a major fight over whether the GOP can use a redrawn congressional map. Earthquake Hits Cuba, Felt in Florida: A rare 6.1 quake off Cuba rattled buildings across South and Central Florida, prompting evacuations and ride shutdowns at Disney/SeaWorld as officials reported no major damage. Cuba Security Signals: Reports say Cuba is mobilizing territorial militias amid U.S. invasion fears, while Cuban customs seized Starlink antennas shipped from Miami. OpenAI Goes Public: OpenAI confidentially filed for an IPO, joining Anthropic in the race to go public—while Florida continues to litigate AI’s harms. Congressional Run Watch: Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter announced she won’t seek re-election and will run for the newly redrawn CD 22.

CFO Race Heats Up: Miami Democrat Annette Taddeo formally jumps into Florida’s Chief Financial Officer contest, pitching herself as a “watchdog” against incumbent Blaise Ingoglia and tying her pitch to property insurance costs and alleged insider-driven waste. Budget Fight: Florida TaxWatch released its 2026-27 “Budget Turkeys” list, flagging 621 projects totaling about $830 million as bypassing review rules or competitive selection—setting up another DeSantis veto test. Property Tax Politics: Ingoglia’s FAFO campaign says Jacksonville waste totals $275 million, while the ballot property tax cut plan would boost homestead exemptions—sparking local-government fears of service cuts. Congressional GOP Shuffle: Bryan Leib says he won’t run in CD 25 and instead fully backs Byron Donalds for governor, signaling more consolidation in the GOP. Local Governance: Miami commissioners may order a referendum on an $80M Virginia Key marinas redevelopment after years of legal fights. Agriculture/Health: USDA confirms more New World screwworm cases in Texas, and Florida officials are watching closely as the parasite threatens cattle and could drive up beef prices. Campaign Trail/Threats: Byron Donalds speaks out after death threats, warning rhetoric can embolden violence.

Immigration & Education: Florida’s Department of Education is proposing a rule that would require proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status for admission to public colleges, a move immigrant advocates say would effectively block undocumented students from higher education and state benefits. Federal Power & Civil Liberties: The U.S. Senate failed to extend a key warrantless FISA surveillance program, with seven Republicans joining Democrats as the June 12 deadline nears—an issue Florida’s GOP leaders have been watching closely. Florida Politics & Elections: With qualifying days away, 25 Florida House races are still uncontested by one of the two major parties, raising questions about competitiveness in several tight districts. Gun Violence & World Cup Security: A shooting near England’s FIFA World Cup base camp in Kansas City left nine injured, underscoring ongoing concerns about public safety as the tournament approaches. Space & Jobs: NASA has appointed Brian Hughes as senior director of launch operations, placing him in a de facto leadership role at Kennedy Space Center amid surging launch demand. Local Governance: St. Pete is set to explore dumping Duke Energy for a city-run electric utility, a major shift in how power could be managed locally. Cuba Policy: Reports say two Cubans in Cape Coral were deported to Cuba despite active legal challenges, fueling fresh scrutiny of U.S. immigration enforcement. Property Taxes Backdrop: The week’s coverage also kept circling Florida’s looming property tax amendment fight, with officials warning about service impacts if relief passes.

Florida Obamacare Shake-Up: Cigna is pulling out of Florida’s ACA marketplace for 2027, joining Aetna’s earlier exit and raising fears of a “death spiral” as options shrink and premiums climb. Livestock Biosecurity: Florida enacted emergency rules to keep the New World screwworm out after Texas detection, restricting warm-blooded animal imports and tightening inspections/quarantines. South Florida Power Struggle: Miami-Dade abandoned a $400M plan to buy a Fisher Island fuel depot and is moving toward eminent domain after a failed high-price negotiation. Homestead Tax Fight: Florida lawmakers advanced a ballot measure to raise the homestead exemption to $250,000 by 2028, with school funding carved out and voters facing a tough 60% threshold. Florida Politics Watch: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings suspended his governor bid after a prostate cancer diagnosis, while Rep. Byron Donalds pressed for GOP unity and a debate. Miami-Dade Summer Meals: The district will offer free breakfast and lunch to kids up to 18 at 170 sites all summer, with on-site eating required.

Florida Property Tax Fight: Florida lawmakers advanced a major property tax overhaul to the November ballot, with cities warning it could gut local services and school funding as the homestead exemption grows if voters approve. Local Governance: Tampa City Council Chair Alan Clendenin is pushing to delay a Tampa Bay Rays CRA vote as stadium talks and Tallahassee property-tax uncertainty keep negotiations fluid. Election & Voting Rights: The U.S. Senate blocked a FISA surveillance extension, while voting-rights groups urge Florida’s Supreme Court to pause new congressional lines tied to GOP gerrymandering. Public Safety: A Flagler County teen was struck by a deputy’s patrol car after running a stop sign on an electric scooter; officials released the video to stress scooter safety. Federal Courts & Rights: A judge blocked Trump administration SNAP conditions tied to “gender ideology” and other policy demands, arguing they’re unconstitutional. National Politics: FBI analysts tied to a disputed 2023 “Catholic ideology” memo were fired, adding to the broader fight over federal investigations and political targeting.

Florida Politics: Gov. Ron DeSantis’ homestead property tax cut is headed to voters after lawmakers wrapped a fast, third special session in three months, setting up a major November fight over who pays and what services could be squeezed. Elections & Courts: The Florida Supreme Court is fast-tracking a request tied to blocking a gerrymander, as voting-rights groups push to keep new congressional lines on hold. Immigration & Education: Proposed Florida rules would restrict immigrant students’ access to adult education and state colleges, drawing sharp backlash over vague standards and potential harm to students who’ve been working toward higher education. Public Safety & Planning: Flagler County is moving toward “tsunami ready” certification, using hurricane-style preparedness steps to warn beachgoers and residents about rare but real Atlantic tsunami risk. Health Care: OMNI Healthcare added trauma surgeon Dr. Edgar Figueroa in Brevard, alongside his pending Florida Senate confirmation for a college board role. Local Economy: Fort Myers Beach’s post-Ian redevelopment process is facing political and regulatory friction that could deter major investment.

Gun Rights Clash: Florida AG James Uthmeier asked a federal judge to strike down the state’s three-day “cooling off” waiting period for most gun purchases as unconstitutional, while background checks would still apply. Governor Race Shakeup: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings suspended his Florida governor campaign after a prostate cancer diagnosis, prompting quick reactions from GOP and Democratic figures. Courts & Voting: The Florida Supreme Court fast-tracked a voting coalition’s request to block the state’s new congressional map, ordering GOP lawmakers to respond by Monday as qualifying begins. Property Tax Politics: Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava warned the county faces pressure from Republican lawmakers at the same time DeSantis’ property tax overhaul threatens local revenue. Immigration Funding: Congress is poised to approve a nearly $70B Homeland Security package aimed at fueling Trump’s deportation push. International Ties: Florida House Speaker Danny Perez said he’s “humbled” by his Brazil ambassador nomination and denied it’s payback for the redistricting fight. Cuba Pressure: New U.S. secondary sanctions are pressuring foreign businesses tied to Cuba’s government, with financial-system access at stake.

Florida Governor Race: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings suspended his Florida governor campaign after a prostate cancer diagnosis, saying he must step off the trail to focus on treatment while finishing his mayoral term. State Politics: Florida’s property tax overhaul heads toward a November vote, with Democrats warning it could “defund essential public services” and force higher fees or cuts. Federal Surveillance: The U.S. Senate let Section 702 expire after blocking a key surveillance program extension, with Sen. Rick Scott among Republicans voting to stop it. Small Business Deregulation: Scott also backed a Senate push to “dump” small-business red tape through a new regulatory complaint channel to Washington. Tampa Stadium Controversy: Scott urged the Tampa Sports Authority to cancel Kanye West’s upcoming Raymond James Stadium shows over antisemitic remarks, arguing taxpayer-backed venues shouldn’t subsidize the events. Consumer Safety: Texas AG Ken Paxton opened an investigation into Boca Raton-based Celsius over claims it marketed Alani Nu energy drinks to teens. Local Utilities: St. Petersburg City Council approved funding a municipal electric utility feasibility study as Duke Energy’s franchise nears expiration.