AGP Executive Report

Death Penalty Push: Florida carried out the first of two back-to-back executions Tuesday, killing former police officer James Aren Duckett, with 80-year-old Dominick Anthony Occhicone scheduled hours later—another flashpoint in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ accelerated capital punishment pace. Elections & Voting Rules: Republicans and the RNC moved to intervene in lawsuits challenging Florida’s proof-of-citizenship voting requirement under the SAVE Act, while a separate court fight targets whether property-tax amendment ballot language misleads voters. Florida Politics—Governor Race: A judge kept Republican James Fishback on the governor primary ballot after rejecting a residency challenge. Local Government: St. Augustine tightened its Neighborhood Grant Program, excluding HOAs and CDDs from receiving funds meant for groups without independent revenue. Courts & Accountability: Federal judges in Florida rebuffed parts of Trump’s litigation efforts, including discovery fights tied to the BBC. Immigration & Enforcement: A DCF critical response team is investigating a foster toddler’s hot-car death in Fort Myers. Public Safety & Tech: Lee County election officials tested voting equipment ahead of the Aug. 18 primary and pulled one tabulator after a malfunction.

College of the Florida Keys: The Board of Trustees dismissed President Jonathan Gueverra in a surprise 6-0 vote, with critics saying the meeting’s short notice and limited public comment may have violated Florida sunshine rules; Gueverra can seek an administrative hearing within 15 days. Everglades Restoration: The South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps signed an agreement to speed key Everglades projects, aligning federal funding with the EAA Reservoir timeline and aiming to send more water south. Elections & Courts: A judge ruled Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback can stay on the ballot despite residency challenges, rejecting a lawsuit that would have removed him. Trump vs. NYT: A federal judge let Trump amend his $15 billion defamation suit against The New York Times, delaying any dismissal for now. Death Penalty: Florida scheduled two lethal injections Tuesday—James Aren Duckett and Dominick Anthony Occhicone—marking the first double-execution day in years. Environment & Species Protection: A lawsuit says the federal government isn’t designating critical habitat for the Queen Conch, leaving protections lagging while projects near Port Everglades could harm habitat. Tech & Power Policy: Rep. Byron Donalds advanced a push to require hyperscale AI data centers to supply their own power and water, targeting ratepayer impacts. Florida Politics Watch: A forum for Florida’s District 23 seat featured Lois Frankel and Victoria Doyle trading sharp contrasts on Trump, immigration enforcement, and the Iran war.

Florida Politics & Courts: A federal ethics ruling says Rep. Mike Redondo’s law firm can represent health-care clients before state agencies as long as Redondo himself doesn’t personally appear—an important clarification for lawmakers’ in-office representation rules. Elections & Voting: A federal appeals court upheld a block on Trump’s vote-by-mail restrictions, saying election administration belongs to states, not the president—setting up a likely next legal fight. Immigration: Haitian TPS protections end Monday, with about 158,000 beneficiaries in Florida facing imminent uncertainty as advocates warn of rapid enforcement and urge legal steps. State Policy & Data Centers: Indiantown leaders are debating whether to pause new data center applications amid concerns about local impacts and compliance with Florida’s new data-center bills. Local Government: Apopka commissioners will revisit a proposed property tax increase after mixed resident reaction. National Politics With Florida Ties: The SAVE America Act push is driving talk of canceling Senate recess, while Florida’s Vern Buchanan daylight-saving push faces religious and scheduling concerns. Business & Tech: A new cross-border AP payments partnership targets vendor payouts in 180+ countries, reflecting Florida’s growing role in payments and global commerce.

New College Fight: New College of Florida officials move to dissolve the school’s long-running alumni association, replacing it with a foundation-run alumni engagement committee—an effort alumni critics say is meant to sideline opposition to the DeSantis-era overhaul. Property Tax Fallout: With a statewide property tax cut referendum looming, Highlands County budget talks warn outside-agency funding could shrink, hitting services for the poor, mentally ill, aging residents, and even airport and historic preservation support. Immigration Pressure in South Florida: Haitian TPS protections are set to expire, prompting rallies and urgent legal triage as attorneys urge people to review options like asylum or other relief. Elections & Voting Rules: A federal appeals court keeps restrictions in place blocking parts of a Trump mail-ballot executive order in 23 states and D.C., rejecting emergency requests to pause the injunction. Florida Courts & Free Speech: The Florida Supreme Court unanimously rebukes the Florida Bar for disciplining conservative attorney Chris Crowley over political speech during his state attorney campaign. Tate Extradition: Andrew and Tristan Tate’s attorneys meet federal prosecutors in Miami to map out a long extradition fight to the UK. Water, Health & Infrastructure: A Fort Lauderdale family’s canal pollution story spotlights a push for “living seawalls” to improve water quality and protect public health.

Public Safety & Crime Policy: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed five public safety bills aimed at tougher penalties for trafficking and gangs, better oversight of career offenders, and stronger protections for law enforcement, including the Officer Jason Raynor Act. Property Tax Amendment Fight: The Florida Fraternal Order of Police joined the Florida Fire Chiefs in opposing Amendment 3, warning that property tax relief could create funding uncertainty for police, fire rescue, and EMS. Elections & Courts: An Orange County candidate’s election lawsuit was moved to Leon County, reshaping the timeline for the Aug. 18 ballot. Federal Election Integrity: A First Circuit panel blocked key parts of Trump’s election-integrity executive order in 23 states and D.C., keeping limits on DHS citizenship lists and USPS mail-ballot changes. COVID Fraud Crackdown: Elaine Angene Escoe, accused in a $32M COVID relief fraud scheme, was arrested in Jamaica and extradited to South Florida to face wire fraud and money laundering charges. Local Government Funding: Cocoa won $7M for road access tied to a future multimodal station, stormwater upgrades for the Indian River Lagoon, and improvements at Provost Park. State Politics & Messaging: A weekly roundup targets GOP lawmakers for “midterms panic,” arguing Republicans are leaning on election lies and misleading claims about the economy.

Election Integrity Court Fight: A federal appeals panel refused to lift an injunction blocking key Trump election-integrity steps in 23 states, keeping limits on federal citizenship lists and new mail-ballot rules for 2026. Florida Elections & Voting Access: Local election testing and voter-mail guidance continue to draw attention as Florida prepares for the Aug. 18 primary cycle. AI Data Centers vs. Florida Politics: Congress and governors are pushing back on AI data-center impacts, with Florida lawmakers weighing new rules for large electricity users and a growing debate over power and water costs. Immigration Enforcement Pressure: Faith leaders are demanding ICE release detained pastors, while separate reporting highlights the broader fallout from detention practices. Public Safety & Crime: An FBI Most Wanted fraud suspect tied to $32M in COVID relief fraud has been returned to South Florida to face charges. Local Community Spotlight: Camp Shriver in the Florida Keys is expanding inclusive sports and leadership programs for kids and young adults.

Property Tax Fight: Florida’s Fraternal Order of Police joined firefighters and fire chiefs in opposing Amendment 3, warning the homestead-exemption boost could leave local governments short on funding for law enforcement, EMS, and fire rescue. Public Safety Leadership: Brevard County swore in Jim Stables as Fire Rescue chief after his confirmation, taking over from Patrick Voltaire. Florida Politics & Elections: Lt. Gov. Jay Collins campaigned in Flagler Beach, arguing he can replicate DeSantis’ 2018 comeback as polls show him trailing Byron Donalds. Surveillance Backlash: A 77-year-old St. Petersburg resident staged a second protest against Flock cameras, saying the system threatens privacy by collecting license plates and AI profiles. Teen Takeovers: National coverage highlights how “teen takeovers” are shifting from social-media hype to shootings and vandalism, including a Pensacola case. Health Watch: CDC data shows measles cases hitting the highest level in decades, with Florida’s surgeon general weighing in as outbreaks surge. National Politics: A House Democrat urged Barron Trump to testify in the Tate extradition fallout, while a separate report says Trump’s push for a fast Air Force One replacement drove safety trade-offs.

Property Tax Amendment Fight: Florida’s Nov. 3 homestead property tax relief measure is drawing pushback from cities and counties that warn of service cuts, while polling shows support swings depending on whether voters hear about the local revenue hit. AI Meets Politics: A Florida governor’s race is colliding with the AI boom as candidates trade proposals over data centers—Jolly backs a moratorium tied to water and power planning, while Donalds argues for tighter cost responsibility and school-meal transparency. Elections Watch: Duval County’s voting equipment passed a public logic and accuracy test ahead of the Aug. 18 primary. Courts & Accountability: A former Florida pastor sues OpenAI over alleged ChatGPT medical advice; separately, an AI agent “went rogue” during testing, reigniting calls for stronger guardrails. Local Infrastructure: Homestead is moving forward on water and bridge upgrades plus affordable housing redevelopment, even as growth strains budgets. Immigration & ICE: Senators press DHS for ICE accountability after deadly incidents, keeping enforcement reform in the spotlight.

Election 2026 (Florida voting by mail): Florida voters are being reminded that mail-ballot requests must be renewed for the Aug. 18 primary, even if they voted by mail in 2024, with ballots due by 7 p.m. on Election Day and drop-off options starting Aug. 8. Property tax fight (Amendment 3): Opposition is building to a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand Florida’s homestead exemption for non-school taxes from $50,000 to $250,000, with Democrats warning it could hobble local governments and harm public schools. Energy & data centers: Dominion and NextEra filed for state approval of a $66.8 billion merger, while a separate push—backed by governors and major tech—aims to shield ratepayers from data center costs, raising fresh questions about utility bills in Florida. Public safety & courts: Sen. Ashley Moody introduced a federal bill to make staged commercial vehicle crashes a crime, targeting fraud that drives up insurance costs. Health & fraud: A Florida-based federal contractor remains eligible for major government work after settling allegations tied to shell-company abuses in disabled-veteran small-business contracting. Crime & opioids: A Pembroke Pines pill peddler was convicted by a federal jury for oxycodone sales without legitimate medical need, facing decades in prison.

Recall Fight: A Florida judge halted Avon Park’s Aug. 4 recall election of Mayor Garrett Anderson, Deputy Mayor Jim Barnard, and Councilwoman Brittany McGuire, saying the recall petitions were “legally insufficient.” Education Fraud: A new federal inspector general review finds $225 million in confirmed school fraud since 2019 across 24 states and Puerto Rico, with Florida tied for the most cases (11). Trans Health Legal Battle: The American Association of Pediatrics moved to drop its federal bid to block Florida AG James Uthmeier’s suit over alleged deceptive claims about child gender-transition care. Energy Costs & AI Data Centers: Trump pushed governors and utilities to back a voluntary pledge to shield consumers from higher utility bills tied to data centers, telling communities “you can’t fight it.” Florida Elections/Finance: Democrats Annette Taddeo and Earle Ford are competing in the CFO race to challenge GOP incumbent Blaise Ingoglia. Tampa Growth Politics: Tampa City Council voted 4-3 against transmitting a Rays stadium land-use amendment to Tallahassee, a rare “no” on a procedural step. Haitian TPS: A federal ruling blocks termination of Haitian TPS before July 27, giving Southwest Florida employers more time. Drug Enforcement: Florida AG and Volusia-Flagler officials announced 49 arrests in a major fentanyl and meth bust. Immigration Enforcement: An ACLU report alleges ICE and Border Patrol misconduct in Florida and other states, including intimidation and retaliation.

Data Center Cost Fight: Trump is touting a voluntary “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” signed by 23 GOP governors, aiming to keep AI data-center growth from driving up household utility bills. Domestic Violence Safety Tech: Volusia County approved Florida’s first county-run Domestic Violence Offender Database, consolidating qualifying conviction records into a searchable site. Florida Schools & Student Records: A new Florida policy will transfer high school disciplinary records to the college students attend, expanding what postsecondary schools receive under HB 757’s safety package. Amendment 3 Property Tax Debate: Ahead of the Nov. 3 vote, coverage highlights how Amendment 3 would boost homestead exemptions while opponents warn of local service cuts. Immigration & Haiti TPS: Federal appeals court action extends TPS for Haitians through the weekend as local leaders push for longer protections. Congress & Elections: House Republicans advanced a stock-trading curbs bill bundled with voter ID requirements, setting up a tough Senate path. Florida Politics on the Ground: West Palm Beach’s downtown development authority named new board leadership amid controversy over developer influence.

Florida Elections: With the Aug. 18 primary looming, a Daytona Times guide lays out who’s running for governor and key state races, plus vote-by-mail and early voting dates. Congressional District 22: Collier County voters are navigating the new map after redistricting reshaped CD 22 across four counties, with election officials mailing registration cards to tens of thousands now inside the district. Local Politics: Orlando’s mayoral and county races drew a packed candidate hobnob, where housing, jobs, and transportation were front-and-center. Data Centers & AI: A Tampa Bay Times report says Democrats and Republicans are now fighting over AI data centers, with Byron Donalds facing backlash over water and land-use concerns. Public Safety: Volusia County approved a domestic abuser offender database, while the county also hit a turtle nesting record as sea turtle conservation continues to pay off. Immigration Enforcement: Mexico filed complaints over ICE-related deaths that include Florida, as ICE continues to tout arrests of “worst of the worst” criminals. State Government & Business: DeSantis’ UK mission highlighted insurance and reinsurance talks, while North Port moved toward a data center moratorium amid confidentiality disputes.

DOJ Probe in Florida: Multiple reports say U.S. Rep. Cory Mills is facing a Department of Justice criminal investigation into his finances, as Mills denies wrongdoing and calls it “fake news,” adding to his ongoing House Ethics scrutiny. Education Leadership: Florida’s State Board unanimously confirmed Dr. Henry Mack as education commissioner, backing DeSantis’ parental-rights and school-choice agenda. Property Tax Fight: A new poll suggests Florida’s Amendment 3 could fail depending on how it’s worded, while Martin County warns the measure could cost fire services—up to 116 firefighter positions or closure of three stations. Courtroom Fallout: A Florida judge ordered Trump to turn over detailed financial records in his $10B BBC defamation case, a ruling that could expand what the broadcaster can seek. Local Government: Oakland commissioners approved paving East Vick Avenue for about $41,500.49. Federal Courts: The U.S. Middle District of Florida will appoint a full-time magistrate judge for Jacksonville, with an eight-year term. National Security/Policy: Rubio said any U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal would not lead to proliferation, as debate grows over uranium enrichment.

Homelessness Enforcement: Miami commissioners are set to vote July 23 on an ordinance that makes it easier to arrest unhoused people sleeping outdoors, including allowing police to skip written warnings if a verbal warning is given and a shelter bed is offered. Education & Tech Policy: Florida’s Department of Education is moving to require school districts to add AI rules into internet safety guidelines, pointing to student privacy and FERPA protections. Elections & Ballot Clarity: A new UNF poll says Amendment 3 has a narrow path to passage only if voters don’t fully understand its local budget impact, with support collapsing when revenue-loss details are included. Federal Justice Watch: DOJ is investigating Republican Rep. Cory Mills, with reporting saying the probe includes his personal finances. Labor & Rail: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking SMART-TD from striking CSX workers over a new attendance policy. Local Public Safety: Marion County wrapped up “Operation Southern Slow Down,” reporting 929 traffic stops and 581 citations. Transportation Rules: Sunny Isles Beach is rolling out new e-bike rules starting Aug. 16, including a minimum age, no sidewalk riding, and fines for violations.

Medicare Fraud Crackdown: The FBI arrested Khalid Ahmed Satary, accused of a $547M Medicare genetic-testing scheme, after nearly three years abroad—third capture from the bureau’s “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list. FIU Free-Speech Fight: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz urged FIU to drop conduct charges against seven students for a silent indoor protest targeting ICE, arguing the policy chills constitutional speech. Florida Ballot Eligibility: A Tallahassee judge began hearing Lt. Gov. Jay Collins’ lawsuit to remove GOP rival James Fishback over alleged residency issues tied to D.C. voting and property purchases. Women’s Small-Business Funding: SBA announced a $6M Women’s Business Center modernization competition, including Florida, with proposals due Aug. 10. 2026 Voter Prep: Tampa Bay area voter guide and statewide primary logistics (Aug. 18) are rolling out ahead of registration and voting deadlines. Data Center Backlash: David Jolly renewed calls for a statewide data center moratorium, while local governments weigh new rules as residents push back. Election Integrity Warning: The Brennan Center warned mass voter challenges could surge in 2026, potentially undermining participation. Space Florida Deal: Space Florida and the UK Space Agency launched a $400K partnership under a new Florida international aerospace fund.

Florida Politics & Elections: A new UNF poll shows Byron Donalds leading David Jolly for governor 46%-41%, with crossover support helping Jolly keep it close. Voting rights: Pro-voting groups asked a federal appeals court to block Florida and other GOP-led states from using the Trump administration’s expanded SAVE database for mass voter screenings. Immigration & TPS: State Rep. Marie Woodson urged action as Haitian TPS is set to end for about 350,000 Haitians, with families bracing for loss of work authorization. Property tax amendment: Local officials in Central Florida kept explaining Amendment 3 ahead of the November vote, as confusion persists over how it would take effect. State courts & policy: A judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to remove Rep. Cory Mills from the GOP primary ballot, keeping him in the race. Federal enforcement: Florida-based NeoGenomics agreed to pay $9.8M to settle False Claims Act allegations. Local government: DeBary secured $3M in state funding for stormwater and Alexander Island projects.