The Florida Trident

A triple threat to Florida conservation — and to the Florida Wildlife Corridor   | The Invading Sea Three pending policy actions would fundamentally undermine land conservation in Florida.

Several pending policy changes are leading to "a sweeping rollback of Florida’s land protection framework and a direct threat to the Florida Wildlife Corridor." #DefendDemocracy www.theinvadingsea.com/2026/03/04/f...

Florida lawmakers want ‘medical freedom’ to risk getting measles UPDATED: 10:30 a.m./March 5 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With Florida’s measles outbreak making headlines, the Sunshine State is preparing to welcome millions of

Florida measles cases increased five-fold from January to February, making Florida third-highest in the nation for measles this year. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/florida-lawm...

New records show Florida officials burned more than $1.2 million per day on 'Alligator Alcatraz' Last August, the Florida Division of Emergency Management requested a $1.49 billion grant from the federal government, underscoring the staggering scale of spending of taxpayer dollars on federal…

"At one point, the state estimated the Everglades facility’s 'daily burn' rate – how much cash it cost on a daily basis to support 500 detainees – was more than $1.2 million a day." #DefendDemocracy floridatrib.org/2026/03/01/n...

Far narrower politics-on-campus bill moves to House floor as its Senate companion sits unheard The revised bill focuses on notification and rulemaking rather than new campus restrictions.

A piece of legislation "meant to crack down on hyperpartisanship" at Florida colleges and universities is moving through the House, but its Senate counterpart isn't getting traction, decreasing the likelihood of the House bill passing. #DefendDemocracy floridapolitics.com/archives/782...

How Florida property insurers keep secrets from policyholders — with the state’s help Florida insurers are using industry-friendly laws to hide how they set premiums, handle claims, and shield profits from state regulators.

"Empowered by industry-friendly state statutes and court rulings," property insurance companies are blocking homeowners from obtaining important information determining claim denials and payouts by labeling them as "trade secrets." #DefendDemocracy www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/26/h...

GOP hits point of no return on 'dangerous bill' some Republicans refuse to push through A child vaccine bill set to be pushed through by Florida's Governor, Ron DeSantis, will face opposition from the Republican Party, representatives have confirmed. Plans from DeSantis and Florida…

#DefendDemocracy www.rawstory.com/gop-health-c...

"A DeSantis-backed bill banning artificial intelligence data center companies from keeping secret their plans to locate or expand in Florida unanimously cleared the Senate Floor Thursday." #DefendDemocracy floridaphoenix.com/briefs/flori...

The sheriff’s father was a well-documented menace. Did he get special treatment from the law? While jogging in her gated community, Vanessa Pagan noticed an older man in a white BMW following her, passing her in both directions, and at times

The Florida Trident obtained police reports showing more than a decade of stalking, harassment, & theft complaints involving Carmine "Butch" Marceno Sr, Lee County Sheriff Marceno's father. Despite multiple warrants, no charges were ever filed. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/the-sheriffs...

Florida child vaccine push faces bipartisan opposition, pediatrician worries The medical community, as well as Republican and Democratic lawmakers, were critical of plans announced last year to ban school vaccine requirements.

Pediatricians statewide expect that the proposed school vaccine exemption will "leave so many children unvaccinated that mass immunizations will no longer be effective, and doctors will be left to treat the illness itself." #DefendDemocracy www.politico.com/news/2026/02...

Gov. DeSantis still sees Special Session as necessary for property tax relief He has taken his time with this, but says it's still on track.

"Gov. Ron DeSantis is praising the House for passing a path to homestead property tax abatement, but still believes that the ultimate product will have to emerge during a Special Session after Sine Die." #DefendDemocracy floridapolitics.com/archives/782...

Is the Florida redistricting process delayed — or dead on arrival? Even Republicans aren't sure Florida was eager to join Donald Trump's redistricting push. But will a legal challenge stop the process and leave campaigns racing?

"Florida was eager to join Donald Trump's redistricting push. But will a legal challenge stop the process and leave campaigns racing?" #DefendDemocracy floridapolitics.com/archives/782...

DOJ: Trump administration won’t pay for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ construction costs • Florida Phoenix Florida officials’ plan to use a $608 million federal reimbursement to pay for the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” lockup won’t cover construction costs — if the money comes through at all, Justice…

Florida built “Alligator Alcatraz” expecting a $608M federal reimbursement. DOJ lawyers say that money may never come, and even if it does, it won’t cover construction or facility modifications. #DefendDemocracy floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/25/d...

Florida's CFO tells a Tallahassee business group that local governments will face more scrutiny Blaise Ingoglia spoke before NEBA, the Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates.

"[W]hile the federal DOGE effort to shrink spending and headcount has essentially vanished from the scene, Ingoglia said a similar effort aimed by the state at local government entities very much continues in Florida." #DefendDemocracy news.wfsu.org/state-news/2...

Release the records! Final House Committee OKs government transparency bill Government agencies' default setting is 'ignore, delay, and deny' when it comes to public records.

HB 437, requiring government agencies to respond to public records requests within 3 days, has passed its final House committee, and will now advance to the House floor. #DefendDemocracy floridapolitics.com/archives/781...

Maxwell: Florida’s property tax cut plan is flailing. Here’s what should happen Property tax relief is needed in Florida. But the Florida Legislature’s plans, which wouldn’t provide any relief to millions of Floridians, are flailing. A new approach is needed.

#DefendDemocracy www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/02/24/f...

Grand jury returns presentment in Hope Florida investigation Legal challenge pending to suppress findings A grand jury investigating the diversion of millions of dollars in public funds to the Hope Florida

BREAKING: The Trident has learned that a grand jury investigating the diversion of millions of dollars in public funds to the Hope Florida Foundation has just produced a report, known as a "presentment," stating its views and recommendations. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/grand-jury-r...

With help from lawmakers, cops in Florida could see 'fewer complaints, fewer investigations and more coverups' There’s never a good time to make it more difficult for the public to oversee the police. There couldn’t be a worse time than now.  The murders of

Senate Bill 1544 and CS/HB 1283 would make it harder to investigate police misconduct and even guarantee promotions for officers with long histories of complaints. Critics warn the bills would undo 20 years of progress in transparency. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/fewer-compla...

Uthmeier’s office goes after Republican lawmaker who investigated Hope Florida It’s an apparent bout of political payback against Rep. Alex Andrade.

Uthmeier’s office goes after Republican lawmaker who investigated Hope Florida #DefendDemocracy www.tampabay.com/news/2026/02...

Commentary: Security legislation and the knock Floridians don’t want to hear Legislation would establish what is effectively a state-level, CIA-style counterintelligence and counterterrorism apparatus tasked with identifying perceived threats. This is dangerous and damages …

"A postcard criticizing a public official should not end with unidentified investigators at your front door." Yet that happened to the Tampa-area O'Gara family, after Mr. O’Gara sent a "sharply worded message" to FL CFO Blaise Ingoglia." #DefendDemocracy www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/02/22/c...

Controversial surveillance bill moves ahead in Florida House Facing bi-partisan opposition for the first time, the sponsor says political speech not the target Legislation which would allow secretive government

Despite bi-partisan opposition for the first time, the surveillance bill HB 945 still advanced through the House Budget Committee 20-8. Lawmakers raised alarms about vague language, potential political targeting, and the lack of guardrails. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/controversia...

Amid FL measles outbreak, lawmakers vote to gut vaccine requirements Legislation to gut Florida’s school-vaccination requirements by green-lighting virtually all parental requests for exemption on grounds of “conscience”

As measles spreads across Florida, lawmakers just voted to green‑light parental vaccine exemption requests on grounds of "conscience," despite warnings from numerous medical experts. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/amid-fl-meas...

Florida senator wants to outlaw ‘forever fees’ for community amenities A state court has ruled that developers can charge for maintenance but not otherwise make a profit with amenity fees, but Sen. Jennifer Bradley says some are ignoring that decision and still chargi…

Developers across Florida "are still profiteering off homeowners by charging illegal 'forever fees' on amenities." Senator Jennifer Bradley is trying to change that by making it easier to sue developers. #DefendDemocracy www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/02/22/f...

Stealth tax proposal surfaces as Sarasota County spending outpaces revenue Shortfall looms while Tax Collector seeks 52% budget increase  Sarasota County staff is preparing to float new tax options at next week’s budget

Internal budget documents show Sarasota County is considering dipping into reserves, shifting funds, and even reducing services. Now county staff are considering a new tax that would show up on your utility bills, not your property tax bill. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/stealth-tax-...

Criminalizing dissent in the ‘Free’ State of Florida Proposals quietly moving through the Legislature would create a new counterintelligence unit in state government, echoing the FBI’s controversial

Proposed legislation would let the state secretly surveil FL residents based on “actions, views, or opinions” that are deemed "a threat or are inimical to the interests of this state." Experts say this could open the door to political policing. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/criminalizin...

Florida House passes bill to add more transparency around conservation land decisions The measure was filed in response to a controversial proposal to trade away 600 acres of wilderness preserve near St. Augustine.

#DefendDemocracy www.tampabay.com/news/environ...

Editorial: Florida House is right. End DeSantis’ slush fund Florida’s years-long immigration “emergency” paved the way for Alligator Alcatraz and allowed Gov. DeSantis to award fat, no-bid contracts to its builders. House Republicans are f…

DeSantis' "shameless exploitation of President Trump’s signature issue has cost Florida taxpayers at least $573 million since 2023. It’s long past time for the Legislature to pull the plug." #DefendDemocracy www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/02/18/f...

Florida House passes bill to add more transparency around conservation land decisions The measure was filed in response to a controversial proposal to trade away 600 acres of wilderness preserve near St. Augustine.

#DefendDemocracy www.tampabay.com/news/environ...

GOP lawmakers push to ban climate actions in FL cities; Dems fight to preserve them Should local governments in Florida be free to pursue local net-zero goals that fight climate change, sea-level rise, extreme heat and worsening weather

Local governments in FL could lose the ability to set their own climate goals under new bills backed by Republican lawmakers. The measures would block net‑zero plans at the local level, limiting responses to flooding, heat, and severe weather. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/gop-lawmaker...

Maxwell: $92 million for porta-potties? Big spending at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ New reports show Florida gave $92 million to a single porta-potty company involved with ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’ And the state has yet to produce audits required by law on hundreds of mill…

"A report last week from the Florida Phoenix found the state spent more than $400 million in just six months — with the biggest chunk going to a single company that specializes in porta-potties." #DefendDemocracy www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/02/17/9...

Alex Andrade's public records bill advances with unusual coalition of allies The bill is one Committee stop away from advancing to the House floor.

HB 437, the bill requiring that government agencies respond to public records requests within 3 days, has been approved by three Committees and is now heading to the House State Affairs Committee before it’s ready for a full House vote. #DefendDemocracy floridapolitics.com/archives/780...