Politics
Legislation to boost support for children with autism advances
The House Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee has unanimously advanced a bill that seeks to enhance services, support and resources for children with developmental disabilities, particularly autism spectrum disorder.
Zephyrhills Republican Rep. Randy Maggard presented the bill (HB 591) and explained that the best course of action for children with disabilities is to provide an early safety net to ensure they get the help they need in school, to become successful in life as adults.
“Autism is an issue in the state of Florida, and what we’re trying to do is take a child that could be autistic, to get them tested, get them into rehab, and get them into mainstream life, get them into the workforce, so they will be productive citizens of our state,” Maggard said before the 16-0 vote.
The bill would address gaps in services by expanding the Dr. and Mrs. Alfonse and Kathleen Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program to include screenings and services for autism; create the Early Steps Extended Option, allowing children to continue receiving services past 3 years old; and provide grants aimed at developing specialized charter schools exclusively for children with autism.
The measure would further fund Summer programs to help children with autism develop skills and socialize with other children. It would also establish the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment at the University of Florida that would oversee autism-related grants, coordinate resources, develop training and increase public awareness.
“What the bill plans to do is if we can get them before the age of 3, our records show that 90% of those children will be productive,” Maggard said. “When we do not, then we’ll have a problem one day that we as a state will have to take care of.”
Maggard acknowledged the previous work of lawmakers who have introduced other measures related to children and adults with autism.
“Thanks to past Legislatures that set the groundwork for us to build on, we have the bones in the state of Florida that we can build this and go,” Maggard said. “I am sure that most of you know somebody who has somebody who is autistic, and unfortunately it’s a number that’s growing.”
North Miami Beach Democratic Rep. Wallace Aristide, an educator who works with both children and adults with autism, thanked Maggard for the bill.
“I deal with a lot of young people that are autistic. … I deal with adults too that have the same issues,” Aristide said, adding that it is important to “make sure from a very early age we can begin to diagnose the problem, begin the program to begin the treatment to help them so later on in life they can be productive citizens of our community. So, I want to thank you for putting this bill out. … I just think it’s phenomenal.”
Escambia County Republican Rep. Michelle Salzman, who said she has two autistic children of her own, thanked Maggard for his bill and stressed the importance of catching children early before they can fall behind.
“It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. And in public school, and in the majority of private schools, they are one-size-fits-all curricula,” Salzman said. “When you don’t recognize and identify children that have learning disabilities, or they have unique abilities, such as children with autism, they are looked over, they are often not taught properly, and they start falling behind.”
Salzman further pointed out that it’s not only children with autism who miss opportunities in the classroom, but all the other children who are in the classroom with them.
“Third grade reading scores are literally the indicator for high school dropout rates,” Salzman said. “If you don’t catch these kids early, then you’re taking the opportunities away not just from the families, but you’re also taking the opportunities from other children in the classroom, because the child with autism isn’t getting what they need and they’re disruptive.”
“This is such meaningful legislation,” Salzman added.
The bill will now move to the House Budget Committee.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential aspirations are meeting a cool reaction from the people who would vote in GOP Primaries and Caucuses.
A YouGov survey in the field from March 30 through April 1 shows that while 8% of Republicans and GOP-leaning respondents back the former 2024 candidate making a second run, 10% of respondents would be disappointed if he were nominated.
DeSantis is far behind Vice President JD Vance, the runaway first choice to be the nominee, with 43%. Donald Trump Jr. also leads DeSantis, with 11% support.
It’s not all bad news, though, as 43% of potential GOP Primary voters say they would consider voting for DeSantis. Vance leads there too, with 68%.
On the bright side for DeSantis, he doubles Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s 4% support for the nomination.
DeSantis said last year that he hasn’t “ruled anything out” and that he will “see what the future holds.” But this survey suggests the future may present some challenges.
While 8% is not where DeSantis wants to be, it’s better than the 7% he had in a March survey of Republican voters from Echelon Insights.
Overall, though, DeSantis struggles in every recent survey.
A previous Echelon Insights poll conducted between Feb. 10 and Feb. 13 found the Governor of Florida at 10% support, 29 points behind Vance.
A January survey from McLaughlin & Associates showed DeSantis at 8%, behind Vance and Donald Trump Jr.
DeSantis was also at 8% in an Echelon Insights poll of the theoretical contest conducted last year.
At a straw poll conducted at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference, DeSantis mustered 7% support, finishing far behind Vance’s 61% and also behind Steve Bannon, whose 12% support surprised many observers.
As of now, DeSantis couldn’t win his home state, according to one survey.
A survey released exclusively to Florida Politics by Fabrizio Lee & Associates shows that Vance would defeat the Governor 47% to 33%.
Tampa City Council member Luis Viera has filed to run for House District 67 to replace House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, who is facing term limits in 2026.
Viera’s filing officially puts to bed rumors that he could run for Tampa Mayor in 2027, with incumbent Mayor Jane Castor unable to seek re-election due to term limits. Viera had previously said he would not run for Mayor, but didn’t offer specifics on his next political steps.
“As a public servant and lifelong Tampa resident, I know how strong communities are built. And as the son of refugees, I know how futures are made,” Viera said. “I’m running to invest in our public schools, protect civil rights, support workers, and ensure dignity and respect for all Floridians — no matter their background.”
Viera, a Tampa lawyer and a Democrat, has served on the Tampa City Council since 2019. He’s been active in the community for far longer, with service on the Hillsborough County Bar Association Diversity Committee and the Tampa Civil Service Board.
As a City Council member, Viera has helped secure funding for three new fire stations in New Tampa and north Tampa, and he was a champion for the city’s apprenticeship ordinance to help young people enter skilled trades. He has also fought diligently for expanded access to disability-inclusive recreational spaces, such as the All Abilities New Tampa Park.
Viera has also led efforts to expand the New Tampa Recreation Center and other north Tampa facilities, and he helped secure $3.2 million in housing assistance for families impacted by recent hurricanes.
“For eight years, I have fought to deliver real progress for New and North Tampa,” Viera said. “Whether it was improving emergency response times, securing disaster relief, or standing up for our most vulnerable communities, I have never backed down from a fight. I’m ready to bring that same dedication and energy to the Florida State House.”
Viera is also the founder and former President of Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation, and serves on the Board for Tampa Bay Best Buddies, a group that advocates for and helps individuals with special needs and developmental disabilities, an issue for which Viera has been a vocal advocate himself.
“People want to believe in their government but don’t feel it fights for them. That’s especially true for our working class, middle class, and those striving to get ahead. Too many Floridians feel they don’t have a voice. Politics is about changing that. We need to remember how futures are made in Florida again,” Viera said.
Viera is already set up for a Primary. He’s the second Democrat to enter the race, joining Air Force veteran William Atkins, who joined the race in early February.
A Democrat is favored to hold the seat. Nearly 38% of the electorate are registered Democrats, compared to just 27% who are Republicans, according to the most recent L2 voter data.
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