Politics

Lawmakers will convene for Special Session, but have yet to file any bills for consideration

Published

7 days ago

January 24, 2025

Lawmakers have been formally called to Tallahassee on Monday. But as of the close of business on the Friday before a scheduled Special Session, no legislation has been filed for consideration.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Jan. 13 announced plans for a Special Session to kick off Monday, Jan. 27. But legislative leaders did not send a memo until Friday morning formally telling Senators and Representatives to convene in Tallahassee and gavel in at 10:30 a.m. The language in that memo lacked any palpable enthusiasm, saying only that legislators were “constitutionally required” to answer the Session call.

Within hours of DeSantis’ initial announcement, Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez had acknowledged as much while also labeling the call from the Governor “completely irresponsible.” Since then, predictions have varied substantially on whether leaders would gavel Session in and out quickly, or if they would take up bills.

DeSantis has stepped up a public pressure campaign on lawmakers, including inviting Republican Executive Committee members onto a Zoom call and sending out e-blasts to party members urging them to call lawmakers. On Thursday, the Governor’s Office sent out a one-page info sheet placing urgency on the need for Florida to “enforce the nation’s immigration laws and deport illegal aliens.”

DeSantis wants the Special Session to touch on a number of issues he said will be important in helping execute President Donald Trump’s mandate to crack down on immigration, and Trump has endorsed the Special Session. The Governor would like state and local law enforcement empowered to enforce deportation policies, and he also wants to end in-state college tuition for undocumented individuals living in Florida.

Sen. Randy Fine notably filed legislation for the Regular Session on the change in tuition policy, and said after DeSantis’ Special Session call that he would like that bill heard in Special Session. But as of Friday afternoon, Fine had not filed it for consideration then and said he remained in discussion with Albritton’s Office.

“What is important to me is that the content of the bill I first filed in 2021 becomes law,” Fine told Florida Politics.

Trump’s Department of Homeland Security on Thursday issued a memo requesting assistance from state and local governments to administer immigration laws based on circumstances that “endanger the lives, property, safety or welfare” of residents.

But DeSantis also wants lawmakers to pass changes to the petition process for candidates and constitutional amendments to qualify for a place on the ballot, and he would like legislation regarding condo regulations as a follow-up to statutory changes after the 2021 Surfside tower collapse.

Lawmakers on background offered different predictions on whether anything will be heard in Special Session. Committee meetings that were canceled for weather-related reasons this week have in some cases been rescheduled for next week, but no published agendas make any mention of bills to be heard in Special Session. DeSantis’ proclamation calls for the Special Session to begin on Monday but end no later than midnight on Friday, Jan. 31.

Republican lawmakers conceded that a majority of legislators in the House and Senate would likely support the Governor’s policy proposals. But many said the dictation of policy and attempt to take full credit for the measures rubbed leadership the wrong way, as did scheduling a Special Session for a week when lawmakers did not intend to be in Tallahassee.

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Politics

Scott Franklin to head House Environment Subcommittee

Published

29 minutes ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

Another Florida lawmaker will have a gavel for one of the U.S. House science subcommittees

U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, will chair the House Environment Subcommittee.

House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chair Brian Babin, a Texas Republican, picked the Florida lawmaker for his expertise in the fields and the role the subcommittee would play on policy affecting the Sunshine State.

“I’m excited about our SST Committee assignments for this Congress,” Babin said. “The valuable expertise and diverse backgrounds that each member brings will be instrumental in strengthening U.S. leadership and competitiveness in science, space, and technology. We have a full agenda ahead that will prioritize advancing critical scientific research, fostering technological innovation, leading the world in space exploration, addressing regulatory burdens across industries, and more. Through our shared efforts, I am confident we can achieve our objectives and drive meaningful progress in our scientific endeavors. Let’s get to work!”

Franklin said he was enthusiastic about the assignment.

“I’m eager to tackle environmental research related to weather forecasting and ensuring disaster readiness,” Franklin said. “I thank Chairman Babin for this opportunity and look forward to advancing America First policy priorities to remain at the forefront of innovation and boost job growth.”

Babin praised Franklin’s conservative record on business issues.

“I’m confident Congressman Franklin will provide strong leadership for our Environment Subcommittee this Congress,” Babin said. “He has been a steadfast advocate against burdensome government regulations that stifle innovation and fail to address states’ needs. His perspective will be critical as we consider key weather legislation in the months ahead. I look forward to working with him to advance commonsense environmental policies and legislation.”

The same day, Babin assigned Rep. Mike Haridopolos, an Indian Harbor Beach Republican, to head the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommitee.

“Since the earliest days of our space program, Florida’s Space Coast has been the launchpad for America’s journey to the stars,” Haridopolos said. “From the Apollo missions that first carried Americans to the Moon to today’s groundbreaking private sector launches, our skies have always been at the forefront of space exploration. Space is central to our district’s identity and economy, providing countless high-paying jobs and opportunities.”

He praised Haridopolos’ knowledge of the Space Program.

“Over the past several years, the SST Committee has diligently worked to support and advance our nation’s space endeavors,” Babin said. “As the representative of Florida’s Space Coast, the Congressman brings valuable expertise and leadership that will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to keep America at the forefront of exploration and development. I am excited to work alongside him to propel our space agenda forward.”

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Politics

Disney plans to convert Star Wars hotel into Imagineers’ offices

Published

60 minutes ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

It’s going to be an office far, far, away.

Disney World is converting the shuttered Star Wars hotel into office space for the famous Imagineers who will be designing new lands and projects at the theme parks.

The hotel’s update was reported by The Wrap and confirmed by other media outlets.

Disney closed the hotel September 2023 less than two years after it opened. The company had said it took a $300 million tax write off for shutting down the hotel after it reportedly had low occupancy.

At the hotel near Hollywood Studios, guests who were willing to pay nearly $5,000 for a two-night stay could pretend to be in their own Star Wars story at the hotel. Lightsabers included.

“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms,” Disney said in a statement when it announced it was closing.

Why did it fail?

YouTuber Jenny Nicholson explained the list of reasons in a four-hour video called “The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel” which captured 11 million views. The cost, the marketing, and not fully embracing the cosplay concept all likely hurt the hotel, she said.

The Wrap reported Disney had been considering using the empty hotel for a dinner theater-type experience but Disney ultimately settled on keeping the space closed to the public.

The Imagineers’ new office space comes as Disney World is starting a major expansion across several of its Orlando theme parks. Disney plans to build a Villains land and add “Cars” attractions at the Magic Kingdom as well as “Encanto” and Indiana Jones to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and “A Monsters, Inc.” land at Hollywood Studios. Disney is closing several longtime attractions in the process.

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Politics

Holland & Knight launches National Security & Defense Industry Group

Published

3 hours ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

D.C.-based partner Jason Klitenic will lead the 100-person team.

Holland & Knight is launching a National Security & Defense Industry Group led by D.C.-based partner Jason Klitenic.

The multinational law firm headquartered in Tampa said it’s taking on the new endeavor due to clients’ increasing demands amidst a complex national security landscape and rising global defense investments.

H&K expects the new practice will benefit from its already-established expertise in the defense, aerospace, cybersecurity and technology sectors. The 100-person team of practitioners led by Klitenic will cater to security and defense clients based the U.S., Europe and Latin America.

“To confront emerging global threats, our clients are continuing to create and fund the development of innovative defense solutions that support the U.S. and its allies around the world,” Klitenic said. “… Our team’s deep government connections in the U.S. and abroad, coupled with our firm’s established reputation for collaborating with government policymakers and operators on meaningful issues, enables us to advise clients on the full spectrum of legal, political and operational issues in this space.”

Klitenic’s background includes serving as General Counsel to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The Industry Group will also include former U.S. Intelligence Community members, high-ranking law enforcement officials and military veterans — Holland & Knight said the team’s diverse expertise will allow it to effectively navigate the intricacies of the national security landscape.

“In the many years that we have represented companies in the national defense and security sectors, we have built a substantial bench of premier practitioners across our geographic platform,” said Holland & Knight Chair and CEO Bob Grammig.

“We are excited to bring all of our global resources — comprising a unique mix of first-rate legal capabilities, a robust public policy and federal lobbying practice, and trusted relationships with U.S. government officials and foreign partners — under the umbrella of this new group. Together, this multidisciplinary team will continue to help our clients advance their strategic objectives.”

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