Five Florida local law enforcement agencies were awarded a combined $1.78 million as reimbursement for their work on immigration enforcement, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced.

The funding went to Sheriff’s Offices in Polk, Hernando, Sarasota and Hardee counties, as well as the Port Richey Police Department.

At a news conference in Winter Haven, Ingoglia said the agencies have been enforcing immigration laws and arresting undocumented migrants for years. He said they are costly operations, and it’s appropriate they get reimbursed from federal funds.

“Local law enforcement agencies throughout Florida work tirelessly to protect Floridians. Because of the crisis caused by reckless border policies of the Joe Biden administration, our local law enforcement agencies have stepped up to assist with immigration enforcement efforts and help to deport dangerous criminal illegal aliens out of our country,” Ingoglia said.

“It is because of their efforts that Florida leads the nation in immigration enforcement. We must keep our foot on the gas to continue our efforts to protect Floridians from criminal illegal aliens.”

The immigration issue has risen to increased prominence in the past year as tensions mount in many states, most notably in Minnesota in the past week. But Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said his deputies have long been focusing on deporting migrants who are not in the country legally.

“As our deputies work to arrest and transport criminal illegal aliens, they must have the tools to do their job safely and effectively. I want to thank CFO Ingoglia for his dedication to prioritizing the needs of our deputies as they protect and serve the Polk County community,” Judd said.

Ingoglia presented ceremonial checks to each law enforcement office. The breakdown of funding for each Department includes:

— Polk County Sheriff’s Office: $1,006,985.10.

— Hernando County Sheriff’s Office: $321,112.30.

— Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office: $283,389.68.

— Hardee County Sheriff’s Office: $135,560.

— Port Richey Police Department: $32,850.

The federal funding is distributed through the Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement, which applies for the reimbursements. Ingoglia is a member of that Board, along with Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

The Florida Medical Association (FMA) Political Action Committee is backing Republican Rep. Josie Tomkow in the special election for Senate District 14, adding another high-profile endorsement to her growing list of supporters.

FMA PAC President Andrew Borom said the organization supports Tomkow’s leadership on health policy and her current work as Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee. Borom said Tomkow understands the health care challenges facing Floridians and emphasized the group’s interest in continuing to work with her should she advance to the Senate.

“As Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee, Rep. Tomkow understands the significant health care issues impacting Floridians and we look forward to our continued collaboration in the Florida Senate,” Borom said.

Tomkow said she was “humbled” by the endorsement, and highlighted the role medical professionals play in improving access to care and driving innovation across Florida’s health care system.

“Florida’s medical community is helping lead our nation into a healthier future that emphasizes wellness,” Tomkow said. “Through their advocacy, Florida’s doctors have helped improve access to care and leveraged innovation and technological advances to deliver better health outcomes in Florida. I’m so humbled to have the endorsement of Florida’s doctors who are on the frontlines of making our state — and country — healthier for generations to come.” 

The endorsement further strengthens Tomkow’s standing in the race for the open Hillsborough County-based seat. The SD 14 seat became vacant after former Sen. Jay Collins was appointed Lieutenant Governor by Gov. Ron DeSantis, and the Special General Election to find his successor is scheduled for March 24.

Tomkow formally entered the race last fall and quickly consolidated support from Republican leadership and elected officials. She previously received endorsements from Senate President Ben Albritton and Sens. Jim Boyd and Jay Trumbull, as well as U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, several members of the Florida House, and multiple county Sheriffs across the Tampa Bay region.

The FMA PAC, founded in 1974, supports candidates it says will advance policies that make Florida the best state to practice medicine. The committee raises voluntary contributions from health care professionals and routinely weighs in on competitive legislative races across the state.

A seventh-generation Floridian and third-generation cattle rancher, Tomkow currently represents Polk County in the House. She is term-limited from her House seat and has been viewed as a logical successor to Collins in the upper chamber, particularly given her leadership role on health and human services and her close ties to House leadership.

Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

House leaders are casting the opening days of the 2026 Legislative Session as an early win, pointing to a slate of bills approved in the chamber’s first week touching on workforce rules, public safety, health care, and civil liability.

“From protecting Florida jobs and improving health care outcomes to strengthening public safety and standing up for families, the Florida House hit the ground running,” House Speaker Daniel Perez said.

“These bills reflect our shared mission: to govern responsibly, solve real problems, and deliver meaningful results for Floridians. This productive first week set the tone for a Session focused on common-sense solutions and accountability.”

Among the priorities House Republicans are highlighting are proposals to tighten employment verification requirements, expand who can seek damages in wrongful death and medical negligence cases through a revived version of the so-called “Free Kill” repeal, and increase oversight of nursing education programs.

Lawmakers also advanced legislation aimed at improving pediatric readiness in hospital emergency departments, as well as a controversial measure that would roll back the post-Parkland law blocking adults under 21 from purchasing long guns. The long gun bill does not have a Senate companion.

The House news release said the chamber will “continue advancing legislation throughout the Session that reflects conservative principles, protects taxpayers, and improves the quality of life for all Floridians.”

__

The James Madison Institute announced that U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody will be on hand as the general reception speaker for its 2026 Naples Annual Dinner.

The event is scheduled for LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort in Naples and will include a private meet-and-greet and photo opportunity for sponsors and VIP ticket holders beginning at 5 p.m., followed by a reception with Moody at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is set for 6:30 p.m., with formal programming running from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The evening will also include appearances by conservative commentator Scott Jennings and other featured guests promoted by the organization. Additional details about tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available through the institute.

Evening Reads

—”Donald Trump is going to have a hard time winning on Iran” via Mac William Bishop of Rolling Stone

—”Marco Rubio won; liberty lost” via Missy Ryan and Vivian Salama of The Atlantic

—”Why ICE can kill with impunity” via Lila Hassan of WIRED

—“ICE is becoming politically toxic — and fast” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”Machado’s Nobel gamble: A peace offering to win over a wary Trump” via Michael Birnbaum and María Luisa Paúl of The Washington Post

—”Leading prediction firms share a commonality: Donald Trump Jr.” via Sharon LaFraniere of The New York Times

—”The wild card group that could scramble America’s political alliances” via Katherine Kelaidis of Vox

—”Jamie Dimon seemed to have Trump figured out — until this week” via Alexander Saeedy, AnnaMaria Andriotis, Emily Glazer and Brian Schwartz of The Wall Street Journal

—“Proposal to gradually end property taxes advances in House committee” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix

—”‘Parkland learned this the hard way:’ Victim’s parents decry Florida bill to lower gun-buying age” via Angie DiMichelle of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel