Politics
Tim Moshier looks to continue ‘back to basics’ approach in Collier School Board re-election bid
Tim Moshier has announced his bid for re-election to the Collier County School Board, seeking another term representing District 5.
Moshier, who was first elected to the Board in 2022, said his campaign will continue to center on fiscal responsibility, student achievement and community engagement.
Moshier will face a challenge from Ford Dalusma and any other candidates that file to challenge for the seat.
During his time on the Board, Moshier has promoted what he describes as a “Back to the Basics” approach, emphasizing balanced budgets, campus safety, academic performance and accountability to taxpayers.
His campaign highlighted the district’s current standing as having the lowest truancy rate in Florida, an outcome Moshier attributes to coordination between schools, families and the judicial system. He regularly attends truancy court and has remained involved in student intervention efforts, according to the campaign.
Moshier has also supported the opening of two new schools to accommodate enrollment growth, with another campus now under development in Ave Maria.
His tenure has included backing a reduction in the district’s capital millage rate, a move that lowered property tax obligations for families while maintaining investment in school facilities. He has also highlighted his support for targeted capital improvements, such as a ticket booth at Immokalee High School, as examples of balancing fiscal restraint with student and community needs.
Moshier and his wife, Debbie, have been married for 38 years and have children and grandchildren. His campaign emphasized their shared focus on education, parental involvement and preparing students for long-term success
A graduate of Northwood University, Moshier brings more than three decades of experience in transportation and logistics. Moshier is an Eagle Scout and also serves on the Ochopee Fire Board.
Moshier is also known for his visibility across District 5 schools, frequently attending athletic events, performances and extracurricular activities. He has supported literacy initiatives such as Patriot Readers and advocated for the use of phonics-based reading programs to strengthen early learning.
“Serving on the School Board is my passion and one of the greatest honors of my life,” Moshier said in a statement. “There is still important work ahead, and I am committed to continuing to put students first while keeping our schools focused on the fundamentals that matter most.”
Politics
Senate panel advances bill to strengthen Tax Collector oversight of commercial driving schools
‘We want to make sure that when they’re out on the road, they’re not going to be a menace to society.’
A proposal meant to crack down on fraudulent commercial driver’s license activity at DMV sites zipped through its first Senate committee with unanimous support.
Members of the Senate Transportation Committee advanced the measure (SB 584) by Miami Springs Republican Sen. Bryan Ávila, who said there’s a rising trend in Miami-Dade of people lying about being licensed to drive commercial vehicles.
Ávila said Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez approached him about the problem, which could spread to other parts of the state, if it hasn’t already.
“The goal here, Senators, is to protect the integrity of driver licensing processes, deter fraud and support compliant driving schools without altering curriculum testing standards or a statewide eligibility criteria,” he said.
“This is an effort to make sure we can cover all our bases through cooperation and through collaboration with our Tax Collector.”
If approved, the legislation would authorize the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to formally delegate enforcement authority over commercial driving schools to county Tax Collectors through interagency agreements.
Under those agreements, Tax Collectors could bar driving school operators from Tax Collector Offices, investigate fraud or practices undermining license integrity, require license verification and inspect driving school premises for legal compliance
“We want to make sure that when they’re out on the road, they’re not going to be a menace to society,” Ávila previously told Florida Politics while discussing his 2026 legislative priorities. “We want everyone that is driving any truck or vehicle on our roadways to be absolutely qualified and licensed to be driving.”
Barney Bishop of the Florida Smart Justice Alliance and Carlos San Jose of Corcoran Partners signaled support for the measure, which will next go to the Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development.
A House twin of the bill (HB 953) by Miami Republican Rep. Omar Blanco awaits committee referrals.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ fundraising is lagging behind U.S. Rep. David Jolly’s in the race for the Democratic Primary for Governor.
Demings raised about $225,000 in addition to $104,000 from his political committee Moving Florida Forward, campaign finance reports show.
The latest campaign fundraising report covers the fourth quarter of 2025.
In comparison to Demings’ $330,000, Jolly brought in more than $1 million in the final three months of 2025.
Jolly raised about $649,000 in addition to his political committee Florida 2026 collecting about $412,000, records showed.
Demings officially jumped into the race Nov. 6, a timing he acknowledged as a handicap during the start of the holiday season.
“Despite those challenges, we raised a respectable $330,000. I look forward to expanding our fundraising and support during the first quarter of the year and thereafter,” Demings said in a statement, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Demings said he was “excited about the momentum we’ve achieved.”
Whoever wins the Democratic nod faces a long fight against the better-funded Republicans.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who is leading Republicans in polls, raised $13.1 million raised during the fourth quarter of the year between his campaign account and the Friends of Byron Donalds political committee. Donalds amassed a war chest of more than $45 million in 2025.
Demings, the former Orange County Sheriff and Orlando City Police Chief, has led Orange County government since he won election in 2018.
“This is not a right or left moment, but a right or wrong moment in our history. The power of the people is greater than the people in power,” Demings said during his campaign launch in November in Orlando. “We’re tired of toxic and divisive politics. If you vote for me, it’s a vote for a new style of leadership. It’s a vote for change. It’s a vote for democracy.”
Senate panel advances bill to strengthen Tax Collector oversight of commercial driving schools
‘Home Alone’ Star Daniel Stern Charged With Soliciting Prostitution
Underwear and lingerie producer Trucco Tessile buys rights to Italian homewear brand Happy People
-
Politics8 years agoCongress rolls out ‘Better Deal,’ new economic agenda
-
Entertainment8 years ago
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
-
Politics8 years ago
Poll: Virginia governor’s race in dead heat
-
Politics8 years ago
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
-
Entertainment8 years ago
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
-
Entertainment8 years ago
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
-
Business8 years ago
6 Stunning new co-working spaces around the globe
-
Tech8 years ago
Hulu hires Google marketing veteran Kelly Campbell as CMO