In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed several conservative measures including universal school vouchers, a near-total ban on abortion, and allowing concealed weapons without a permit. However, the unity among Republican lawmakers and Governor Ron DeSantis is now in question as the next legislative session approaches. The governor and legislative leaders clashed over an immigration plan and the tensions have continued with the legislature asserting their independence by overriding a budget veto by the governor.
The upcoming session is expected to be heavily influenced by the Republican Party’s loyalty to former President Donald Trump. Proposed bills include creating a Florida version of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency and renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Despite the emphasis on pleasing Trump, concerns remain about extreme bills and cultural wars.
Some key issues facing Florida, such as property insurance, affordable housing, and the teacher shortage, are at risk of being overlooked in favor of political posturing. The Legislature’s top priorities include addressing housing affordability, hurricane recovery, and child welfare. Additionally, efforts to revive rural economies and proposals to restrict citizen-led ballot initiatives, increase homestead exemptions, and reverse age restrictions for buying rifles are expected to be discussed.
Although there may be areas of agreement between DeSantis and the legislature, there is a potential for pushback from lawmakers if the governor pushes too far. The future legislative outcomes remain uncertain as the session gets underway, with only a small percentage of introduced bills typically passing into law.
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