This is a great article drawing attention to Floridians witnessing a deliberate move to replace local control with centralized state overreach. Recent bills are stripping parents of their rights to an honest education for their children, replacing history with state-mandated 'patriotic displays,' and ignoring our country’s fundamental freedom of religion. Whether it’s the attack on bodily autonomy, the 'chilling effect' of book banning, or the creation of bureaucratic hurdles designed to keep us from the ballot box, the intent is clear: to silence dissent and consolidate power.
Floridians cannot wait until November 2026 to act. We must stand against this legislative overreach now by learning and understanding what each of these bills are really about. The call-to-action starts has to start today as the 2026 Florida Legislative Session is currently in its final weeks (Day 53 of 60 as of early March) requiring immediate action critical for those seeking to influence pending bills that haven't reached the floor yet.
In this final week, two people have the ultimate power to stop or advance a bill and demand they "refuse to hear" specific bills. Speaker Perez has already stated that the House will not consider any new legislation that hasn't already cleared at least one committee as of March 4.
Senate President Ben Albritton: (850) 487-5027
House Speaker Daniel Perez: (850) 717-5000
All of the HB/SB Bills in 2026 continue the multi-year trend of state preemption, where Tallahassee overrides local authority to enforce uniform—and often more restrictive—statewide policies. Critics argue this systematically dismantles "home rule" and local checks and balances, but policy analysts note that these bills often target policies popular in more liberal-leaning urban hubs (like Miami, Orlando, or St. Petersburg), effectively using state power to neutralize local political opposition called "Erosion of Home Rule". It is also the first time in modern history, no citizen-led initiatives will appear on Florida's 2026 ballot after last year's HB 1205 passed blocking local governments from setting their own safety or environmental standards, such as heat protections for outdoor workers or specialized local zoning. Then add the recent session has introduced more "punitive preemption." If local officials attempt to pass ordinances that conflict with these new state laws, they face personal liabilities and allows Gov. DeSantis to suspend anyone even "suspected" of doing so. These bills have also mandated the state withhold state funds from cities or counties that violate specific preemption laws, punishing the entire community for the actions of their local board!
Florida's politics are forcing their own constituents into a DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDE with their INTENTION LEGISLATIVE ORERREACH with last year’s passed bills and this listing below.
- RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS (SB 1444 / HB 1227): These bills preempt all local regulation of religious services. They prohibit counties and cities from "substantially burdening" the free exercise of religion through local ordinances or policies.
- Property Taxes & Local Funding (HJR 201–213): A series of proposed constitutional amendments aims to drastically reduce or eliminate non-school property taxes. Crucially, these include "death star" clauses that prohibit local governments from reducing law enforcement funding, effectively locking in state-mandated budget priorities regardless of local needs.
- Land Use & "Blue Ribbon Projects" (SB 354): This bill allows large-scale development projects (10,000+ acres) to bypass local comprehensive planning and land use regulations entirely in exchange for environmental "reserve areas". It effectively grants developers a 50-year window to build without local zoning interference.
- Residential Development Approvals (SB 208): Prohibits local governments from denying or delaying residential development based on "lack of compatibility" with the surrounding area, stripping neighborhoods of the power to challenge new construction projects.
- Wage & Labor Protections (HB 433): Although passed previously, its full impact hits in 2026, blocking local governments from requiring contractors to pay more than the state minimum wage or providing "heat-exposure" protections beyond federal law.
First the Democrats drove us away with their presidential electoral incompetence, now the Republicans drive us away with their cruelty and incompetence.
Can this horror story be undone - even if we manage to change our Regime of Squandering - what a mess the next group of elected officials will be left with cleaning up? I just can’t wrap my head around - how the citizens of Florida - who put this Legislature into power - can’t see - the 2026 Florida Legislature is not for US! What can WE do?
I sent this to the "elected officials" responsible for this, Feel free to copy paste and email
The Silent Gavel—How Tallahassee Silences Manatee
Masterclass in Procedural Manipulation
This morning, the Florida House chose Cowardice over Constituency. By refusing to even go on the record regarding the amendment to fix SB 180, they didn’t just fail to do their jobs—they actively subverted the democratic process.
The strategy was as cynical as it was effective. They declared the amendment "Out of Order" and then buried SB 840 by assigning it to a subcommittee that is defunct and no longer meeting. This wasn't a policy debate; it was a shell game designed to ensure a vote never happened.
"If they believed they were on the right side of this vote, they would have held it." Their refusal to stand and be counted is a confession. They knew they were wrong last year, and by hiding behind procedural tricks, they prove they are still wrong today.
The Cost of Absolute Power
I have spent my career warning about the dangers of a supermajority. When any party holds absolute control, the check-and-balance system that protects citizens disappears. We are seeing the result: local elected officials in Manatee County have their hands tied by a state government that prefers "Out of Order" rulings to open floor debates.
This isn't just about a single bill; it’s about the erosion of Home Rule. When Tallahassee manipulates the rules to avoid a record, they are effectively silencing the District 4 residents I am running to represent.
A Sad Day for Democracy
A failure to go on record is inexcusable. In Manatee, we deal with real-world problems—housing shortages, infrastructure needs, and Veteran support. We don't have the luxury of "assigning" our problems to defunct committees.
We need a change. We need leaders who aren't afraid to have their names attached to a "Yes" or "No" vote. Today was a loss for the public voice, but it serves as a stark reminder: If we want our local officials to have the power to help us, we must demand accountability from those who seek to tie their hands.
To address the procedural stall of SB 840, you’ll want to contact the House Leadership and the Rules & Ethics Committee. These are the "gatekeepers" who determine if and when a bill is scheduled for a floor vote.
House Leadership (The Ultimate Decision Makers)
The Speaker and Majority Leader control the flow of all legislation.
Name
Role
Email Address
Daniel Perez
Speaker of the House
daniel.perez@myfloridahouse.gov
Tyler Sirois
Majority Leader
tyler.sirois@myfloridahouse.gov
Fentrice Driskell
Minority Leader
fentrice.driskell@myfloridahouse.gov
House Rules & Ethics Committee
This committee specifically handles "out of order" procedural moves and sets the daily calendar. If a bill is stuck, it is often here.
Name
Role
Email Address
Sam Garrison
Chair
sam.garrison@myfloridahouse.gov
David Borrero
Vice Chair
david.borrero@myfloridahouse.gov
Michael Gottlieb
Ranking Member
michael.gottlieb@myfloridahouse.gov
Other Key Committee Members:
Jennifer Canady: jennifer.canady@myfloridahouse.gov
David Smith: david.smith@myfloridahouse.gov
Michelle Salzman: michelle.salzman@myfloridahouse.gov
Tiffany Esposito: tiffany.esposito@myfloridahouse.gov
we have a state and national administration that denies human impact on air, climate, water, wildlife and human life......mining, sugar, oil, gas, development, on and on.(the weed killer situation is a prime example)..with the goal to make money......I feel sorry for our future generations
A a parent you can always get a vaccine for your child. It will not be denied. The measles vaccine not being a required one has not led to an epidemic. 1136 confirmed cases for a country of 343 million. or a state with 107 confirmed cases and a population of over 23M, I would hardly call that an epidemic. RFK has never said you couldn't vaccinate your children, just that they shouldn't be mandatory. It should be up to the parents, not government.
It is quite obviously that both Republican-controlled chambers have spent this term caring very little for their own constituents with the focus instead on their party. Even Rep. Vern Buchannan had ignored emails, letters, phone calls and refused to appear in any town meeting in all of 2025.
The Florida Constitution requires both the House and Senate to agree on one identical budget by the end of the session (scheduled for March 13, 2026), they are currently in a "budget chicken" scenario. If the House wins, counties lose their tax base. If the Senate wins, the state keeps more revenue, but the "no-bid" contractors might keep getting their checks from the state's general fund (taxpayer money). For Floridians, it’s a tough pill to swallow when it feels like the "checks and balances" have turned into a Republican "rubber stamp."
The loss of local control is precisely what’s fueling the tension in Orlando as city and county leaders are finding that even when they say "no" to a massive warehouse detention center, state and federal overrides can just pull the rug out from under them.
And what about Governor DeSantis being granted the power to suspend local officials from office if they "refuse" to comply with state immigration priorities? This overreach of executive power forces jails to prioritize ICE detainers, turning our county facilities into 'drop-off points.' Any Floridians or local leaders who attempt to create 'sanctuary' policies now face fines of $5,000 a day. Even if a Democrat eventually replaces DeSantis, they will face a 'fortress' of laws and no-bid contracts specifically designed to outlast this administration. It is a clear case of private interests being prioritized over public services."
What this Republican Florida Legislature has intentionally done is prioritized private interests through their long-term "fortress" structures, the current Florida Legislature has essentially attempted to "future-proof" their agenda against the will of future voters. Vote for every Democrat possible this fall in Florida and save this state.
There is no credible evidence that Jeffries funneled "dark" money from Palantir into Congress. The $2.9 million came from lobbyists of firms representing Palantir and aren't "dark"...or funneled by Jeffries and are appropriately recorded. There's no secret or illegal mechanism moving undisclosed corporate funds to, or for, him. Check the facts.
Carol Felts, as a citizen activist, was a friend to every citizen who came to the chambers for public comment. As a commissioner, she not only represented her district but she regularly reached out to respond to citizens outside her district to let them know that she appreciated their written comments and emails. This is something that rarely, if ever, happens from other commissioners now. We will truly miss her and her dedication to Manatee County.
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