A majority of Floridians are still on board with the agendas of both President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis.

That’s according to a new Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy survey that shows 52% of voters in the state approve of Trump’s job performance. A similar 53% are liking the Governor’s work.

Notably, DeSantis’ number is down from 59%, the job approval rating he enjoyed just after his 2022 landslide re-election. But a polling memo says the job ratings for DeSantis are on par with how he polled in 2021 or 2022.

Currently, about 42% of Florida voters disapprove of DeSantis’ job performance, putting the Governor a solid 11 points above water.

DeSantis’ peak popularity in the history of Mason-Dixon polling was in March 2019, when about 62% of voters approved of his work and only 24% disapproved. That was a few months after DeSantis’ first inauguration as Governor, and a significant 14% of voters at that point still said they were not sure how they felt about him.

The closest he came to those levels again was in March 2023, after his re-election, when 59% of voters approved of him and 39% disapproved.

But for Trump, the most recent polling numbers show a marked uptick in his approval ratings.

With 52% approving of his job performance and 44% disapproving, he’s 8 percentage points above water. That puts him in a better position than at the end of his first term in the White House.

The pollster notes that Trump in December 2019 was underwater with Florida voters, with 47% approving of his job performance and 50% disapproving.

Notably, more than half of Hispanic voters support both DeSantis, who boasts 57% approval with that demographic, and Trump, who has a 53% approval.

Women appear sharply split regarding Trump, with 48% approving of the President and 47% disapproving. But 57% of male voters support the President, and just 40% disapprove of the job he has done.

Among independent voters, Trump enjoys a 55% approval rating, while just 37% disapprove. Meanwhile, about 51% approve of DeSantis’ job performance and 42% disapprove.

Mason-Dixon conducted the poll between March 11 and March 25, surveying 625 registered voters by telephone. The pollster reported a 4-percentage-point margin of error.

FL325Poll by Jacob Ogles on Scribd

 

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Good Tuesday morning.

Florida voters are still on the Trump Train, according to a new Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy survey.

The poll of 625 registered Florida voters found that a majority (52%) approve of Donald Trump two months into his second administration. Compared to the 44% who disapprove, the President is at plus-8.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is doing better than his one-time rival, now frenemy, with 53% approval and 42% disapproval putting him at plus-11.

Notably, more than half of Hispanic voters support both DeSantis, who boasts 57% approval with that demographic, and Trump, who is at 53%.

Mason-Dixon also tested the waters on the major 2026 Governor candidates: U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who is officially in the mix, and First Lady Casey DeSantis, who may or may not challenge him for the Republican nomination.

Donalds, pre-endorsed by Trump, is at 48% approval, with just 6% disapproving. The balance of those polled (46%) have no opinion, likely attributable to the Southwest Florida Congressman’s comparatively low name ID.

Meanwhile, the First Lady scored 53%-9%, indicating she may be the “better half” of Florida’s First Couple.

The Mason-Dixon survey was conducted March 11-15 and collected responses via live telephone interviews. The margin of error is plus or minus 4% at a 95% confidence level.

___

Red Dog Blue Dog 2025 was a smashing success.

Turnout was solid for the 10th edition of the annual fundraiser benefiting Tallahassee-area animal shelters, and patrons showed up with pockets full of cash.

The total, per event organizers, is $48,655.

The rake keeps pace with recent years, proving yet again that Red Dog Blue Dog’s post-COVID boom was no fluke — pre-pandemic tallies were in the $10,000 ballpark but rocketed to new heights when the fundraiser returned in 2022.

Team Red — comprised of Rep. Danny Alvarez, Rep. Adam Botana, Rep. Demi Busatta, Sen. Alexis Calatayud, Rep. Hillary Cassel, Rep. Tiffany Esposito, Rep. Mike Redondo and Rep. Kaylee Tuck — won the night, but it wasn’t a blowout.

At the last call, the Team Blue lineup of Sen. Jason Pizzo, Sen. Tina Polsky, Sen. Kristen Arrington, Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, Rep. Lindsay Cross, Rep. Tae Edmonds, and Rep. Kevin Chambliss was just $2,170 behind.

In addition to thanking the bar crew, organizers shouted out presenting sponsor Lisa Miller & Associates and Bar Sponsor Rubin Turnbull, as well as numerous other sponsors who made RDBD 2025 possible, including McGuireWoods Consulting, TECO, On3PR, Anheuser-Busch, and Moffitt Cancer Center.

The true winner, however, was man’s best friend … and presumably man’s most indignant roommate as well as any number of more exotic but no less lovable pets making a pitstop at the Animal Shelter Foundation, the Leon County Humane Society or Last Hope Rescue on their quest for a forever home.

You can still make a difference if you didn’t make it to Township last week. Shelters, it just so happens, accept donations year-round. And, if you’re looking for a new addition to the fam or open to being convinced via the guilt trap known as “fostering,” there are many furry friends ready and waiting — check out the online listings at the Leon County Kennel, the Leon County Humane Society and Last Hope Rescue.

— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —

—@realDonaldTrump: This Judge is almost as conflicted (actually, not even close!) as the Judge whose daughter made Millions of Dollars representing Biden/Harris against me while her father presided over a Fake Case against me and refused to RECUSE himself. He should be disbarred! Crooked Alvin Bragg was the D.A. in the case. They put me under a GAG ORDER so that I could not talk about it. Miscarriage of Justice!!!

—@realDonaldTrump: Why would the now highly discredited 60 Minutes be doing a total “puff piece” on George Clooney, a second-rate movie “star” and failed political pundit? He fought hard for Sleepy Joe’s election and then, right after the Debate, dumped him like a dog. Later, I assume, under orders from the Obama camp, pushed all-out for “Kamala,” only to soon realize that that was not going to work out too well. 60 Minutes even fraudulently inserted Fake answers into her disastrous interview, aired just before Election Day, in one of the most embarrassing and dishonest events in broadcast history…And now George Clooney again? His press agent should be making a fortune!!!

—@SenMarkKelly: NOTICE TO WHITE HOUSE STAFF: There is a room in the building and secure systems where you are supposed to have these discussions. SIGNAL ain’t it. Your recklessness put the lives of those pilots at risk. You got lucky! Time to reevaluate the way you are doing things.

—@SeanMDavis: I’m a lot less interested in how J.D. Vance is trying to keep the defense bureaucracy aligned with Trump’s foreign policy message and vision and a lot more concerned about why Mike Waltz is regularly talking to Jeffrey Goldberg, a dead-end neocon war pimp who has been involved with every major foreign policy hoax of the last quarter century.

—@EWErickson: Kudos to @JeffreyGoldberg for not listing certain names and data he could have listed, but that would have compromised national security even more than the NatSec guys adding Goldberg to their group chat.

—@ErikaDonalds: Anyone who has accidentally hit “reply all” and said too much is feeling just a little bit better about themselves today.

Tweet, tweet:

—@JakeSherman: Just a massively stunning cash disparity in FL-6, where there will be a special next week to replace @michaelgwaltz. Democrat Josh Weil raised $9M and has $1.2M on hand. Republican Randy Fine raised $987,759 and has $92,693 on hand. This is a district Waltz and Trump won by 30. Republicans on the Hill and in W.H. are getting a bit worried about this seat.

— DAYS UNTIL —

‘The Studio’ premieres on Apple TV+ — 1; Florida Tourism Day Expo — 1; Tampa Bay Rays Opening Day — 3; Special Election for CD 1 and Senate District 19 Special Primary — 7; Final season of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ premieres — 14; ‘Your Friends and Neighbors’ with Jon Hamm premieres on Apple+ — 17; Children’s Week begins at the Florida Capitol — 19; ‘The Last of Us’ season two premieres — 19; Children’s Day — 21; ‘Andor’ season two premieres — 28; ‘Carlos Alcaraz: My Way’ premieres on Netflix — 29; ‘The Accountant 2’ premieres — 31; Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ Tour begins in Los Angeles — 34; ‘Thunderbolts’ premieres – 38; Florida TaxWatch Spring Meeting — 49; Florida Chamber 2025 Leadership Conference on Safety; Health + Sustainability — 51; Epic Universe grand opening — 58; Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ premieres — 59; ‘Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning’ premieres — 59; Florida Chamber 2025 Florida Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit — 65; ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ premieres — 66; 2025 Tony Awards — 75; Special Election for SD 19 — 77; DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet will meet — 78; Florida Chamber 2025 Florida Learners to Earners Workforce Solution Summit — 91; ‘Squid Game’ season three premieres — 94; James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ premieres — 108; ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ premieres on Netflix — 122; ‘Fantastic Four – First Steps’ premieres – 122; ‘Eyes of Wakanda’ premieres on Disney+ — 134; Florida Chamber 2025 Florida Technology & Innovation Solution Summit — 140; 2025 Emmys — 173; DeSantis and the Cabinet will meet — 176; Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio premieres — 185; 2025 Future of Florida Forum (F3) & Florida Chamber Annual Meeting — 216; ‘Wicked: Part 2’ premieres — 241; 2025 Florida Transportation, Growth & Infrastructure Solution Summit — 253; 2025 Florida Chamber Annual Insurance Summit — 253; DeSantis and the Cabinet will meet — 267; ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ premieres – 269; Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic & Paralympic Games begin — 318; ‘Avengers 5’ premieres – 406; Untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie premieres – 423; FIFA World Cup 26™ final – 444; Another untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie premieres – 634; ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres – 774; ‘The Batman 2’ premieres – 920; 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 1,207; 2028 U.S. Presidential Election — 1,323; ‘Avatar 4’ premieres – 1,723; ‘Avatar 5’ premieres – 2,454.

— TOP STORY —

“Officials included journalist in group chat on Yemen attack plans in extraordinary breach” via Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt of The New York Times — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under fire after revealing operational details of U.S. strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen via an unsecured Signal chat group, according to The Atlantic. The chat, which included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, contained information on targets, weapons, and attack timing, posing a potential national security breach.

Goldberg, mistakenly added to the group by a national security adviser, observed the discussion among senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Two hours before the strikes, Hegseth posted details that, if intercepted, could have endangered U.S. personnel.

Defense officials expressed shock, suggesting the incident could violate the Espionage Act and compromise troop safety. Sen. Jack Reed condemned the breach as an “egregious failure” of operational security.

The White House acknowledged the incident, saying it was reviewing how the journalist was added to the chain. The State Department declined to comment. The news has sparked comparisons to past criticisms Trump made against Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server.

—”Donald Trump officials shared war planning in unclassified chat with journalist” via Dan Lamothe, Michael Birnbaum, Abigail Hauslohner, Warren P. Strobel and Ellen Nakashima of The Washington Post

—”A conversation with Jeffrey Goldberg about his extraordinary scoop” via David A. Graham of The Atlantic

“Mike Waltz’s future in doubt following accidental war plan leak” via Dasha Burns, Rachael Bade and Eli Stokols of POLITICO — The accidental inclusion of a journalist in a group chat discussing war plans has ignited a fierce debate inside the White House regarding the future of National Security Adviser Waltz. While no decision has been made, officials say Trump will decide. Some believe Waltz’s recklessness warrants his removal, while others suggest he resign. Internal concerns focus on Waltz’s judgment and the security breach. However, Trump’s confidence in his national security team, including Waltz, is standing firm for now.

— LEGISLATIVE —

House and Senate meeting notices indicate that lawmakers’ plans for the 2025-26 state budget will be released over the next two days.

The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee meets at 9 a.m. The House Subcommittees for Justice, PreK-12, and Higher Education will also discuss Chair recommendations. Justice meets at noon, and both education subs meet at 3:30 p.m.

The House’s take on the most significant budget silo will debut Wednesday when the Health Care Budget Subcommittee meets at 8 a.m.

All six Senate Appropriations Subcommittees will release Chair recommendations on Wednesday. The HHS, PreK-12, and TED Subcommittees meet at 1 p.m., and the Ag, Justice, and Higher Ed Subcommittees meet at 3:30 p.m.

The Senate’s budget bill is expected to drop on Friday and go before the full Appropriations Committee when it meets on April 2.

— MORE LEGISLATIVE —

“Lawmakers call for changes to Florida’s school voucher funding” via Jeffrey Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times — As Florida’s voucher program has grown, school district officials have raised concerns about their ability to keep track of students and funding as they move in and out of classrooms. The state Senate has proposed changing the education funding program to streamline the process. Sponsors say the measure also should help improve the reimbursement model that has frustrated many voucher recipients. “With input from stakeholders across the spectrum of school choice, this bill creates reasonable timeframes and mechanisms to improve both transparency and efficiency in education funding,” Sen. Don Gaetz said.

“‘There are certain things worth funding’: School safety legislation advances to next Committee stop” via Andrew Powell of Florida Politics — The Senate PreK-12 Education Appropriations Committee unanimously advanced a measure 8-0 that seeks to bolster the safety of Florida’s schools. Sen. Danny Burgess presented the bill (SB 1470) to the Committee. Burgess said the legislation was designed to ensure school safety teachers receive consistent training. “This strengthens Florida’s school safety efforts by improving training standards and ensuring campus security measures are realistic and effective,” Burgess said. “The bill aligns school security guard training with Guardian program requirements, ensuring all personnel responsible for school safety receive consistent, high-quality preparation, firearms efficiency threat response, and de-escalation techniques. We’re also refining locked campus and building requirements so that security protocols apply during school supervision hours.”

“Steeper penalties for AirTag use in dangerous crimes nears Senate floor” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Creeps who use mobile apps and Bluetooth-enabled devices like AirTags and SmartTags to track people without their knowledge could face heightened punishments under legislation edging closer to a Senate floor vote. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice voted 9-0 to advance SB 1168, which would update a 2015 ban on placing or installing a tracking device or application on another person’s property without their permission. Lawmakers last year steepened the penalty for tech-assisted stalking from a second-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. But harsher penalties are merited for harsher offenses, according to St. Augustine Republican Sen. Tom Leek, who filed SB 1168.

“Bill codifying gift card fraud punishments advances to final Senate Committee” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice voted 9-0 for SB 1198 by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, which would establish that it is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and/or $1,000 in fines, to commit gift card fraud in Florida. That includes acquiring or retaining possession of a gift card or gift card redemption information without proper consent; altering or tampering with a gift card or its packaging; devising a scheme to obtain a gift card or gift card redemption information for fraudulent pretenses; or using an illegally obtained gift card or gift card redemption information to get money, goods, services or anything else of value. Its House companion (HB 1007) by St. Augustine Republican Rep. Sam Greco and Coral Springs Democratic Rep. Dan Daley cleared its first of two Committee stops this month with unanimous support.

“Florida forges ahead with Gulf of America legislation” via Andrew Atterbury of POLITICO — Florida is moving toward becoming the first state to pass legislation conforming to the Trump administration’s Gulf of America name switch. The issue has emerged as a GOP point of pride in the state, where Republicans seek to lead on compliance with the federal designation that some Democrats have contended makes Florida look like a “laughingstock.” State senators advanced a bill Monday requiring Florida agencies and local schools to update geographic materials to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Similar proposals are on the cusp of final passage in the state House.

— EVEN MORE LEGISLATIVE —

Happening today: The second annual Israel Day at the Capitol celebration will be held in conjunction with Jewish Advocacy Day in Tallahassee today and tomorrow. Multiple activities are planned, including panel discussions and meetings with elected officials, community leaders and youth. The day will also highlight Florida-Israel ties and feature an award ceremony honoring Holocaust survivor David Shaecter. A news conference hosted by Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, Rep. Mike Gottlieb, and the Consul General of Israel to Florida, Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, will be held in the Capitol courtyard at 3 p.m.

“Florida Holocaust Memorial dedication set for Tuesday” via Florida Politics — The Florida Department of Management Services and the Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus will host a public viewing of the Florida Holocaust Memorial at Memorial Park in Tallahassee on Tuesday. Only two State Capitals have Holocaust monuments: Florida and Ohio. This project took eight to nine years to complete through a bipartisan collaboration between former Sen. Eleanor Sobel’s sponsorship and funding secured during Gaetz’s term as Senate President in the 2010s.

— LEG SKED —

8:30 a.m.

Senate Banking and Insurance, Room 412, Knott Building.

— SB 0134, Sales Tax Exemption of Bullion (Rodriguez).

— SB 0232, Debt Collection (Rodriguez).

— SB 0292, Virtual Currency, Kiosk Businesses (Burton).

— SB 0794, Mandatory Human Reviews of Insurance Claim Denials (Bradley).

— SB 0888, Consumer Transparency for Homeowner’s Insurance (Ávila).

— SB 1578, Coverage for Mammograms and Supplemental Breast Cancer Screenings (Davis).

Senate Commerce and Tourism, Room 110, Senate Office Building.

— SB 0752, Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses (Simon).

— SB 0846, Notary Public Fraud (Polsky).

— SB 0854, Consumer Protection (Ingoglia).

— SB 0868, Social Media Use by Minors (Ingoglia).

— SB 0918, Employment of Minors (Collins).

— SB 1734, Florida, Kratom Consumer Protection Act (Collins).

— SB 1438, Online Access to Materials Harmful to Minors (Grall).

— SB 0578, Wine Containers (Leek).

— SB 0800, Requirements for Battery Manufacturers (McClain).

9 a.m.

H Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee, Room 314, House Office Building.

— HB 0295, Comprehensive Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan (Casello).

— HB 0339, Licensure Requirements for Surveyors and Mappers (Abbott).

— HB 0843, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Trust Funds (Johnson).

House Careers & Workforce Subcommittee, Room 17, House Office Building.

— HB 0875, Educator Preparation (Rizo).

— HB 0541, Minimum Wage Requirements (Chamberlin).

— HB 0681, Apprenticeship and Preapprenticeship Program Funding (Melo).

— HB 1105, Education (Kincart Jonsson).

House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee, Room 102, House Office Building.

— HB 0313, Toll Exemptions for Purple Heart Medal Recipients (Fabricio).

— HB 0567, Transportation (McFarland).

— HB 1123, Sewer Collection Systems (Cassel).

— HB 1239, Energy Infrastructure Investment (Kincart Jonsson).

— HB 7009, OGSR/Public Safety Communication Systems (Government Operations Subcommittee).

— HB 1397, Transportation (Abbott).

House Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee, Room 404, House Office Building.

— HB 1183, Cybersecurity Incident Liability (Giallombardo).

11 a.m.

Senate Agriculture, Room 301, Senate Office Building.

— SB 1132, Consumers’ Right to Repair Certain Equipment (Truenow).

— SB 1826, Ultra-processed Food (Martin).

Senate Community Affairs, Room 37, Senate Office Building.

— SB 0014, Relief of the Estate of Peniel Janvier by the City of Miami Beach (Jones).

— SB 0020, Relief of J.N., a Minor, by Hillsborough County (Burgess).

— SB 0100, Display of Flags by Governmental Entities (Fine).

— SB 0268, Public Records/Public Officers (Jones).

— SB 0482, Local Government (DiCeglie).

— SB 0674, Bonuses for Employees of County Tax Collectors and Property Appraisers (Wright).

— SB 0748, Homestead Property Exemption for the Surviving Spouses of Certain Quadriplegics (Simon).

— SB 0750, Tax Exemptions for Surviving Spouses of Quadriplegics (Simon).

— SB 0872, Price Controls for the Removal and Storage of Electric Vehicles (Ingoglia).

— SB 1078, Fire Prevention (McClain).

— SB 1510, Homestead Property Exemption and Assessment Limitations (Ávila).

— SB 1512, Property Tax Exemption and Assessment Limitation on Long-term Leased Property (Ávila).

— SB 1594, Housing (McClain).

— SB 1664, Local Option Taxes (Trumbull).

Senate Education Pre-K – 12, Room 412, Knott Building.

— SB 0008, Relief of Marcus Button by the Pasco County School Board (Simon).

— SB 0742, Workforce Development (Simon).

— SB 1288, Parental Rights (Grall).

— SB 1514, Anaphylaxis in Public Schools (Smith).

— SB 1702, Education (Burgess).

Senate Environment and Natural Resources, Room 110, Senate Office Building.

— SB 0832, Former Phosphate Mining Lands (Burgess).

— SB 0866, Anchoring Limitation Areas (Martin).

— SB 0880, Designation of the State Birds (García).

— SB 1300, Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources (Simon).

— SB 1388, Vessels (Trumbull).

— SB 1784, Sewer Collection Systems (Pizzo).

— SB 1792, Dry Sandy Beaches (Gruters).

— SB 0946, Waste Facilities (Rodriguez).

— SB 1326, Areas of Critical State Concern (Rodriguez).

— SB 1580, Resilience Planning (Rodriguez).

Noon

House Government Operations Subcommittee, Room 404, House Office Building.

— HB 0253, Offenses Involving Motor Vehicles (Bankson).

— HB 0293, Office of Faith and Community (Bankson).

— HB 0351, Traffic Infractions (Plasencia).

— HB 0889, Driver License Education Requirements (Salzman).

— HB 1055, Florida State University College of Law Election Law Center (Albert).

— HB 1387, Public Employees Relations Commission (Persons-Mulicka).

— HB 1519, Entities that Boycott Israel (Cassel).

— HB 4029, Greater Naples Fire Rescue District; Collier County (Melo).

— HB 4073, Leon County Career Services Employment Act (Tant).

— HB 0731, Prohibitions and Limitations on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Requirements for Medical Institutions of Higher Education (Melo).

— GOS7, OGSR/Parental Consent Requirements Before Terminating a Pregnancy (Government Operations Subcommittee).

House Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee, Room 17, House Office Building.

— HB 0393, My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program (Lopez V).

— HB 0411, Affordable Property Ad Valorem Tax Exemption on Leased Land (Chaney).

— HB 0701, Local Housing Assistance Plans (Stark).

— HB 0793, Aerospace Innovation Funding (Kendall).

— HB 0943, Real Property and Land Use and Development (Lopez V).

House Justice Budget Subcommittee, Room 314, House Office Building.

— JUB1, Judges (Justice Budget Subcommittee).

— HB 1351, Registration of Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders (Baker).

House Student Academic Success Subcommittee, Room 102, House Office Building.

— HB 0257, Exceptional Students and Video Cameras in Public Schools (Chambliss).

— HB 0345, Student Elopement (Eskamani).

— HB 0447, Disability History and Awareness Instruction (Salzman).

— HB 0877, School Readiness Program (Bartleman).

1:30 p.m.

Senate Criminal Justice, Room 37, Senate Office Building.

— SB 0058, Boating Safety (García).

— SB 0468, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer (Collins).

— SB 0494, Animal Cruelty (Leek).

— SB 0500, Spectrum Alert (Ávila).

— SB 0612, Murder (Burgess).

— SB 0726, False Reporting (Ingoglia).

— SB 0814, Weapons or Firearms at School-sponsored Events or on School Property (Fine).

— SB 0964, Objective Parole Guidelines (Bernard).

— SB 1136, Age as an Element of a Criminal Offense (Collins).

— SB 1180, Sexual Images (Gaetz).

— SB 1344, Juvenile Justice (Simon).

— SB 1386, Assault or Battery on a Utility Worker (Yarborough).

— SB 1604, Corrections (Martin).

— SB 1660, Prostitution and Related Acts (Grall).

— SB 1828, Trespass in a Structure or Conveyance (Martin).

Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability, Room 110, Senate Office Building.

— SB 0312, Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Inc. (Gaetz).

— SB 0440, Gender Identity Employment Practices (McClain).

— SB 0582, Unlawful Demolition of Historical Buildings and Structures (Leek).

— SB 1202, Benefits for Firefighters Injured During Training Exercises (McClain).

— SB 1328, Public Employee Collective Bargaining (Fine).

— SB 1694, Prohibited Preferences in Government Contracting (Fine).

— SB 1816, Protection of Historic Monuments and Memorials (McClain).

— SB 1760, Public Officers and Employees (Grall).

— SB 0676, Minimum Wage Requirements (Martin).

Senate Health Policy, Room 412, Knott Building.

— SB 1568, Electronic Prescribing (Brodeur).

— SB 1606, Patient Access to Records (Grall).

— SB 0656, Health Care Billing and Collection Activities (Rodriguez).

— SB 0068, Health Facilities Authorities (Martin).

— SB 1690, Surrendered Infants (McClain).

— SB 1346, Fentanyl Testing (Polsky).

— SB 1224, Administration of Controlled Substances (Harrell).

— SB 0524, Newborn Screenings (Harrell).

— SB 0172, Health Care Practitioner Specialty Titles and Designations (Burton).

— SB 7028, Cancer (Health Policy).

— SB 1842, Out-of-network Providers (Burton).

Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space and Domestic Security, Room 301, Senate Office Building.

— SB 0788, Veterans’ Nursing Homes (Truenow).

— SB 1280, Veterans (Collins).

— SB 1282, Public Records/Veterans Florida Opportunity Program (Collins).

Joint EDR: Revenue Estimating Conference, Room 117, Knott Building.

Topic: Tax Collection Enforcement Diversion Program

1:45 p.m.

Joint EDR: Revenue Estimating Conference, Room 117, Knott Building.

Topic: Monthly Revenue Estimates

3:30 p.m.

House Higher Education Budget Subcommittee, Room 102, House Office Building.

House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee, Room 404, House Office Building.

— HB 0795, No Anchoring or Mooring Zones (LaMarca).

— HB 1133, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Shoaf).

— HB 1143, Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources (Shoaf).

— HB 1149, Vessel Accountability (Basabe).

— HB 1285, Disposition of Migrant Vessels (Mooney, Jr.).

House PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee, Room 17, House Office Building.

— PKB1, Education (PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee).

— HB 0127, Exceptional Student Education (Kendall).

— HB 1367, School Attendance (Booth).

— HB 1111, Certificates of Completion (Valdés).

4 p.m.

House Human Services Subcommittee, Room 314, House Office Building.

— HB 1013, Crisis Care Coordination (Kincart Jonsson).

— HB 1439, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (Hunschofsky).

— HB 0511, Child Abuse Investigations (Bartleman).

Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs, Room 301, Senate Office Building.

— SB 1310, Reporting of Student Mental Health Outcomes (Bradley).

— SB 1354, Behavioral Health Managing Entities (Trumbull).

— SB 1620, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (Rouson).

Senate Judiciary, Room 110, Senate Office Building.

— SB 0004, Relief of Patricia Ermini by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (Rodriguez).

— SB 0006, Relief of Jose Correa by Miami-Dade County (Rodriguez).

— SB 0024, Relief of Mande Penney-Lemmon by Sarasota County (DiCeglie).

— SB 0028, Relief of Darline Angervil and J.R. by the South Broward Hospital District (Martin).

— SB 0030, Relief of the Estate of M.N. by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (Martin).

— SB 0072, Use of Campaign Funds for Child Care Expenses (Berman).

— SB 0096, Relief of Jacob Rodgers by the City of Gainesville (Bernard).

— SB 0304, Specific Medical Diagnoses in Child Protective Investigations (Sharief).

— SB 0382, Rent of Affordable Housing Dwelling Units (Bernard).

— SB 0658, Waiver or Release of Liens (Truenow).

— SB 1142, Release of Conservation Easements (Rodriguez).

— SB 1430, Postjudgment Execution Proceedings Relating to Terrorism (Collins).

— SB 1622, Recreational Customary use of Beaches (Trumbull).

Senate Regulated Industries, Room 412, Knott Building.

— SB 0592, My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program (Leek).

— SB 0604, Residential Swimming Pool Requirements (Smith C).

— SB 0622, Jai Alai Permit Holders (Rodriguez).

— SB 0818, Utility Relocation (McClain).

— SB 1228, Spring Restoration (McClain).

— SB 1220, Air-conditioning Systems (DiCeglie).

— SB 1404, Gambling (Simon).

— SB 1682, First Responders (Grall).

— SB 0948, Flood Disclosures (Bradley).

— SB 1742, Condominium and Cooperative Associations (Bradley).

Senate Transportation, Room 37, Senate Office Building.

— SB 0532, Toll Payments (Ingoglia).

— SB 0574, Toll Exemptions for Purple Heart Medal Recipients (Collins).

— SB 1210, Traffic Infractions Resulting in a Crash with Another Vehicle (Martin).

— SB 1246, Specialty License Plates/Save Coastal Wildlife (Rodriguez).

— SB 1378, Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Only Damage to Vehicle or Property (Arrington).

— SB 1662, Transportation (Collins).

— SB 1696, Prearranged Transportation Services (Calatayud).

— SB 1738, Transportation Concurrency (Ingoglia).

— SB 1820, Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Dealers (Leek).

6:15 p.m.

Senate Special Order Calendar Group, Room 401, Senate Office Building.

To set the Special Order Calendar

— LOBBY REGS —

New and renewed lobbying registrations:

Rob Bradley, Oak Strategies: Fountainbleau Development, PMI US Corporate Services

—100 DAYS —

“Kristi Noem to Trump’s Cabinet: I’m ‘going to eliminate’ FEMA” via Josh Fiallo of the Daily Beast — Homeland Security Secretary Noem said in a Cabinet meeting that she intends to “eliminate” FEMA, the government’s disaster relief agency. No specifics were provided. This announcement places her squarely behind Trump’s previous plan to disband the agency. Noem and Trump have suggested states should handle their own disaster responses. FEMA has faced criticism for its budget and alleged aid to undocumented immigrants. Sen. John Kennedy from hurricane-prone Louisiana opposes the move, emphasizing FEMA’s role in protecting lives and property. The plan would require Congressional approval, which may face opposition from within the Republican Party.

“Trump nominates Susan Monarez to lead CDC” via Apoorva Mandavilli and Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times — Trump has selected Monarez, the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to lead the agency permanently. The President withdrew his first nominee, Dr. Dave Weldon, just hours before his confirmation hearing. If confirmed by the Senate, Dr. Monarez, an infectious disease researcher, will be the first nonphysician to lead the agency in over 50 years. “Americans have lost confidence in the CDC due to political bias and disastrous mismanagement,” the President wrote on TruthSocial, adding that Dr. Monarez would work with the health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to address the chronic disease epidemic and restore the agency’s accountability. “As an incredible mother and dedicated public servant, Monarez understands the importance of protecting our children, our communities, and our future,” Trump wrote.

“Social Security, buffeted by turmoil, awaits a new leader” via Andrew Duehren, Alexandra Berzon and Tara Siegel Bernard of The New York Times — When the Wall Street veteran Frank Bisignano goes before Congress on Tuesday as Trump’s pick to lead the Social Security Administration, he will confront questions about how he would run an agency suddenly in the grips of upheaval. The churn has alarmed many older and disabled Americans who rely on Social Security payments and worry it could become harder to gain access to them. “It’s a lot of confusion, frankly a lot of chaos,” said Bill Sweeney, the vice president for government affairs at AARP, representing older Americans. “People are terrified of what’s happening with Social Security. There’s a level of anxiety about this among our members that Congress, policymakers and the administration needs to take seriously.”

— STATEWIDE —

“Ron DeSantis takes state plane out west, pushing constitutional change and, critics say, seeking spotlight” via Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel — DeSantis was in Idaho and Montana on Monday, his first significant public swing through other states in more than a year as he attempts to maintain his national profile in advance of a potential second run for the Presidency in 2028. For example, during his trip to Indiana and South Carolina in February 2024, he flew out of Tallahassee on a state plane during an ongoing Legislative Session. Both times, his official reason for travel was to lobby other Governors to join him in trying to amend the U.S. Constitution through a constitutional convention — which has never happened since the Constitution was ratified in 1787. Monday’s events were about a proposed balanced budget amendment, which DeSantis said was needed because of the increasing national debt.

“DeSantis says Florida is ‘returning’ $900M to the feds. Not really” via Lawrence Mower and Alexandra Glorioso of the Tampa Bay Times — DeSantis generated headlines and praise after announcing that Florida was helping Elon Musk’s DOGE efforts by “returning” nearly $900 million to the federal government. “Almost a billion dollars of your taxpayer money saved,” Musk touted. The claim was misleading. The money DeSantis said he was returning was for two federal programs that Florida never asked for in the first place. One of them was more than a year old. Those details were left out of the Governor’s announcement on X, which was viewed 33 million times. In the post, DeSantis said that Florida was trying “for years” to return money to the federal government, but President Joe Biden’s administration “couldn’t even figure out how to accept it.”

“DeSantis says DOGE went too far firing probationary employees, cutting weather forecasters” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — DeSantis, a proponent of government efficiency, voiced support for the federal Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) while acknowledging concerns. He referenced potential cuts to the National Weather Service, saying Trump understands the need for core functions. DeSantis believes media framing has been unfair but expects a positive outcome. He criticized firing even high-performing probationary employees while tenured but underperforming staff are protected. Despite these issues, DeSantis maintains DOGE “has a lot of promise.” He avoids direct criticism of Musk’s involvement while suggesting the need for a more balanced approach.

“‘He understands he made a mistake’: Andrew Tate tries to bury hatchet with DeSantis” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Controversial influencer Tate claims he’s made peace with DeSantis, saying media misled DeSantis regarding his actions and now understands his “mistake.” Tate says “conversations” have settled the issue. This follows DeSantis’ earlier statement that the Tates were “not welcome” in Florida. Attorney General James Uthmeier recently suggested a criminal probe was underway, condemning their “weakness and sickness.” The status of the investigation is now uncertain. Tate, facing accusations of human trafficking in Romania and civil lawsuits in Britain, has not been convicted of any crimes. DeSantis’ office has not commented.

“Why won’t professors discuss water fluoridation?” via Naomi Feinstein of the Miami New Times — For over half a century, scientists supported the revolutionary move to fluoridate water for oral and public health. Opponents of the practice were primarily viewed as fringe and small contingency. However, the anti-fluoride movement has seen new life, particularly with Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and a few obscure scientific studies that have come out claiming that fluoride is dangerous to children’s brain development. In the aftermath of Trump’s win in November, Ladapo and the Florida Department of Health launched a campaign to urge local governments to stop fluoridating their water supplies. They claim the naturally occurring mineral is dangerous to children and their IQ levels. Ladapo has traveled across the state to convince municipalities to end their community water fluoridation practices.

— MORE D.C. MATTERS —

“Supreme Court won’t take up Trump ally’s effort to challenge landmark defamation case” via Kathryn Watson of CBS News — The Supreme Court on Monday formally declined to consider 83-year-old Steve Wynn’s request to revisit the court’s decision in a case known as New York Times Company v. Sullivan as a part of Wynn’s legal battle against The Associated Press. The unanimous 1964 Supreme Court decision determined that the First Amendment requires a public figure to prove that a defendant acted with “actual malice” and knew that a statement was false or recklessly disregarded the possibility that it was false in sustaining a defamation claim. The higher standard makes it more difficult for those in the public eye to win defamation cases. First Amendment advocates see it as a fundamental pillar of modern press freedoms. Wynn sued The Associated Press in 2018 over its reporting about sexual misconduct allegations against him from the 1970s that were filed with law enforcement.

— ELECTIONS —

“‘They hate all of us’: Jimmy Patronis ad slams Gay Valimont using her own anti-Trump rhetoric” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Republican Patronis is targeting Democrat Valimont’s opposition to Trump in a new campaign ad for Florida’s 1st Congressional District Special Election. The ad splices clips of Valimont criticizing Trump and Musk, claiming she’d obstruct Trump’s agenda. While Valimont has significantly outraised Patronis, this ad hopes to capitalize on the strong support for Trump by playing up Valimont’s critical views. The district overwhelmingly supported Trump in 2024. It features more than double the number of registered Republicans than Democrats. The CD 1 Special Election is on April 1.

To watch the ad, please click the image below:

“Maxwell Frost backs ‘visionary’ Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet for open HD 42 seat” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — One of Florida’s most prominent Democratic leaders is participating in an open Florida House race in Orlando. U.S. Rep. Frost, an Orlando Democrat, is endorsing Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet in House District 42. In February, Sousa-Lazaballet, Executive Director of the Hope CommUnity Center, filed for the post. “Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet is exactly the kind of bold, visionary leader District 42 deserves and has come to expect,” Frost said. “He doesn’t just talk about change — he delivers it. Felipe has spent his life standing up for working families, fighting for fair wages, defending public education, and ensuring everyone has a voice in our democracy. He’s been on the front lines of the fights that matter, and I have no doubt he will bring that same passion, grit, and commitment to Tallahassee. That’s why I’m proud to endorse him.”

— LOCAL: S. FL —

“Driver who ‘stands with Tesla’ tried to hit Elon Musk protesters, court record says” via Angie DiMichele of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — A man was arrested after he allegedly drove onto a sidewalk and toward a crowd of protesters who gathered outside of the Tesla dealership near West Palm Beach, deputies said. Andrew Dutil, 44, of West Palm Beach, is facing one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, jail records show. One woman told deputies the same man had driven by the crowd earlier in the day and shouted at them. Dutil exited his car after driving onto the sidewalk and walking into the dealership. An employee told deputies he came in and said he “stands with Tesla,” the affidavit said.

“Jupiter and Lake Worth Beach have runoff elections Tuesday to settle Council, Commission races” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Palm Beach County held 12 local elections earlier this month, and all but two saw definitive results in their respective races. Voters in Jupiter and Lake Worth Beach are holding runoff elections on Tuesday to decide the remaining contests. In Jupiter, the county’s sixth-largest municipality by population, Republican Phyllis Choy and Democrat Teri Grooms compete for the right to succeed Council member Frank “Andy” Fore in the District 1 seat. Both candidates agree Jupiter needs more affordable housing, smart but sustainable growth, better transparency at Town Hall, more community engagement in government decision-making, and better provisions for local small businesses.

— LOCAL: C. FL —

“Social Security hearing office in Melbourne to close as part of DOGE cuts” via Tyler Vazquez of Florida Today — A Social Security office in Brevard County that handles appeals for those seeking benefits is slated for closure amid federal spending cuts orchestrated by the Musk-led DOGE. Both Social Security offices that provide direct services in Brevard County — at 1715 W NASA Blvd. in Melbourne and 310 Canaveral Groves Blvd. in Cocoa — remain open and are not on the DOGE list of closures. The Dairy Road office, scheduled to be closed later this year, is the home of the Office of Hearings Operations locally, which provides hearings and appeals to those seeking benefits. According to a list published by The Associated Press, the Social Security Administration office at 4740 Dairy Road in Melbourne will close on May 16.

“Inside a DeSantis appointee’s taxpayer-funded spending spree” via Jason Garcia of Seeking Rents — The political appointee picked by DeSantis to run elections in Orlando last year spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money on campaign-style self-promotion, contracts with personal friends, and payments to allies of the Republican Governor and other GOP leaders in Tallahassee. During a 10-month stint as the Interim Supervisor of Elections in Orange County, records show DeSantis appointee Glen Gilzean steered work to an assortment of businesses and organizations run by Republican operatives — ranging from the Governor’s former Communications Director to Rep. Susan Plasencia, an Orlando Republican. Gilzean also awarded a lucrative legal contract to a law firm run by the best man at his wedding.

“Next year’s Orange County Mayor contest could draw big names” via Ryan Gillespie and Stephen Hudak of the Orlando Sentinel — Some of Central Florida’s most prominent name politicians are weighing bids for Orange County Mayor next year. Incumbent Jerry Demings cannot run again due to term limits, and the field to hold the region’s most important local office is expected to be crowded. According to seven informed sources who discussed the race with the Orlando Sentinel in recent weeks, it could feature multiple former members of Congress, former constitutional officers and County Commissioners. Former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy confirmed her interest to the Sentinel, and former U.S. Rep. Val Demings is said to be mulling entering the race to succeed her husband. However, in an email to the Sentinel, she stopped short of confirming her interest.

“Lawsuit outlines salacious sexual harassment allegations at Holly Hill Police Department” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — A police evidence technician says former Holly Hill Police Chief Jeffrey Miller invited her for a threesome with his wife, masturbated at work in front of her and groped her. Lisa Amara sued Holly Hill and accused officials of fostering a boys club and turning a blind eye to the rampant sexual harassment happening in the Police Department, her lawsuit said. The suit is the latest fallout for the city in Volusia County after Miller and Captain Christopher Yates resigned last year, and several other employees were suspended. City Manager Joseph Forte told Florida Politics that the lawsuit had not been served to the city. He added that the city does not comment on pending litigation.

— LOCAL: TB —

“Berny Jacques slams Largo library, threatens funding cut over children’s materials, Mayor Woody Brown responds” via Anita Padilla of Florida’s Voice — State Rep. Jacques is calling for immediate action from Largo’s Mayor after alleging the Largo Public Library is indoctrinating children. “Today, I learned that the Largo Public Library is actively promoting radical gender and sexual ideology to children. Here is my letter to Mayor Brown. This must be corrected,” Jacques stated. Jacques’ letter to Brown included attached photos, but the images were not shared with the public. “As the attached photos show, there are LGBTQIA+ picture books, trans and nonbinary pamphlets, pride flags, and sexual identity displays in youth areas. This is indoctrination,” he wrote. Jacques argues in the letter that taxpayer-funded institutions, especially those serving children, should reflect the values of the community rather than act as platforms for what he described as “controversial social movements.”

— LOCAL: N. FL —

“Self-driving vehicle factory projected to contribute $300M to Jacksonville economy” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — A new autonomous vehicle factory set to open in Jacksonville within three years could contribute some $300 million to the First Coast economy. Holon announced it will build a new facility to produce 15-passenger self-driving vehicles in Jacksonville, with the factory set to open in 2028. JAXUSA Partnership, the business development wing of JAX Chamber, commissioned an economic impact study from the University of North Florida (UNF) Coggin College of Business to determine the factory’s effect. The business school’s interim dean, Albert Loh, drafted the study findings. Researchers found that the 500,000-square-foot Holon facility will contribute some $200 million during construction and will likely add another $87 million annually to the local economy after production begins in three years.

— LOCAL: SW. FL —

“Ben Brown resigns from New College Alumni Association in protest of financial mismanagement” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — The Chair of New College’s Alumni Association has resigned to protest the university administration’s “mismanagement and wasteful spending.” “The feedback I get from the thousands of alumni is that New College graduates have lost confidence in the college’s administration and see its runaway spending as unsustainable,” said Brown, who announced his resignation Monday morning. The education lawyer now plans to petition the Legislature and Board of Governors to preserve the education model at New College and stop current spending habits. The move follows over two years of criticism since DeSantis announced a conservative makeover of the small liberal arts college, a one-time haven of progressive activism. The new Trustees promptly fired the university president and installed Richard Corcoran, DeSantis’ former Education Commissioner, in the role instead.

“Celebration of life for Corbin Wyant, former NDN publisher, set for April 12” via Liz Freeman of the Naples Daily News — A celebration of life for Wyant, the former publisher of the Naples Daily News, will be held April 12 at First Presbyterian Church of Naples. The celebration will be at 1 p.m. The church is located at 250 Sixth St. S. in downtown Naples. A reception afterward will be held in the church’s Spencer Hall. Wyant’s late wife, Donna, who died in 2017, also will be honored. An earlier celebration of life scheduled for late September last year had to be postponed due to extensive damage from Hurricane Helene to the home of the Wyants’ eldest daughter, Amy Milliken, in Englewood.

— TOP OPINION —

“The wild Trump theory making the rounds on Wall Street” via Rogé Karma of The Atlantic — A new theory, dubbed the “Mar-a-Lago Accord,” suggests Trump’s seemingly erratic tariff policy is a master plan to revive American manufacturing, reduce debt, and reshape global alliances. The theory proposed by economist Stephen Miran posits that Trump’s trade barriers aim to force nations into a grand bargain. Claims of addressing fentanyl or migration are decoys, designed to shock the world and create desperation for relief.

Under this theory, Trump would then summon leaders to Mar-a-Lago, demanding currency revaluations to favor American goods, investments in U.S. factories, and conversion of existing U.S. debt into interest-free “century bonds.” Compliance would bring tariff relief and security guarantees; refusal would result in steeper tariffs and lost support.

Some analysts argue it’s a genius, if risky, plan. Critics call it QAnon-esque, highlighting conflicting goals and the weak dollar’s impact on manufacturing. Trump’s tariffs are not aligned with any of this, and it has caused retaliation from allies and adversaries and prompted a groundswell of anti-American nationalism. Even the Trump administration seems unaware of the plan.

— OPINIONS —

“Radical environmentalism and failed leadership turned America’s wildfires into costly infernos” via Jeff Stier of the Washington Times — While wildfires ravage western states, Florida boasts success using prescribed burns to manage risks. In 2024, the state set records, issuing 88,000 burn authorizations, including 10,000 for sugarcane. This proactive approach contrasts sharply with California’s environmental regulations, which are blamed for worsening fires. Florida enforces strict land stewardship, prioritizing safety and ecological health. Experts say Florida’s Florida Forest Service is a good model for the rest of the nation. Trump’s campaign plans to implement measures nationally, such as his answer to our nation’s failing ability to respond to natural disasters.

“Don’t write off Florida citrus industry” via John Barben of the Fort Myers News-Press — As a fourth-generation citrus grower, it’s more than a job — it’s our family’s heritage. Florida citrus faces tough trials: hurricanes, freezes, and citrus greening. Production has catastrophically declined. But we’re fighting back! Growers and researchers are developing treatments and disease-resistant trees, showing renewed hope. We’re embracing innovative technologies and sustainable practices to increase resiliency. However, we can’t do it alone. We need state and federal support to combat these challenges and continue delivering Florida’s signature orange juice. It’s not just our legacy; it’s Florida’s — and we must fight together to preserve it.

“With device-level verification, Florida can lead on online safety” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — Florida lawmakers are considering HB 931/SB 1438 to mandate device-level age verification for internet access, aiming to protect children from online threats. While experts debate the feasibility and free speech implications of policing the internet, proponents argue for proactive measures. The proposed legislation would require tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Apple to implement age verification on devices, blocking children from inappropriate content, even outside of apps. This tackles a loophole in current app-based age restrictions. Supporters emphasize the urgency of safeguarding children’s innocence, rejecting a purely application-based approach as insufficient. Florida aims to lead the way in online safety, setting an example for other states.

“The device filtering mirage — why mandated content controls fall short” via Edward Longe for Florida Politics — Legislators are debating digital safety measures for teens, but device-level filtering is drawing criticism. Experts warn that mandated manufacturer-installed content restrictions are problematic and have been rejected by other legislatures. Critics argue it undermines parental judgment, outsourcing decisions to Silicon Valley while offering a false sense of security. These filters are ineffective against third-party browsers and apps, offering a hollow performance. They also threaten Florida’s thriving market of customizable filtering solutions. This undermines innovation and limits parental choice in favor of standardized restrictions set by tech executives, whose values may not align with Florida families. Instead, lawmakers should uphold parental authority and support diverse digital safety tools.

“Florida homeowners deserve the truth about asphalt shingles” via Reed Hitchcock for Florida Politics — A battle is brewing in Florida over asphalt shingles, the most common roofing material. Special interest groups pushing expensive alternatives are misrepresenting shingles’ effectiveness, capitalizing on the Insurance Commissioner’s comments. Despite claims, asphalt shingles are widely used, making damage more visible. Many perform well, especially when properly installed. The issue isn’t the material but installation quality, aging infrastructure, and evolving codes. Forcing expensive alternatives burdens homeowners. High-performance asphalt shingles dominate the market, offering wind resistance and fire protection. The industry is working to improve standards further. Restricting shingles ignores their cost-effectiveness and durability. Policy should focus on improving roofing standards, not pushing costly options. Asphalt shingles remain a reliable choice for Floridians.

— INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY —

— ALOE —

“Comics roast Conan O’Brien, torch Trump at Kennedy Center’s Twain Prize” via Travis M. Andrews of The Washington Post — Some of the United States’ best-known comedians gathered at the Kennedy Center on Sunday to praise and jab this year’s recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, O’Brien, while reserving some of their haymakers for the man whose portrait now hangs on the venue’s wall: Trump. Will Ferrell complained about having to attend this year’s event because “I’m supposed to be shutting down the Department of Education.” John Mulaney suggested the Kennedy Center would be renamed the “Roy Cohn Pavilion of Big Strong Men who Love ‘Cats.’” Even the Interrupter — one of the many recurring characters from O’Brien’s decades as America’s zaniest late-night host — showed up to announce that he’s the new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

“New Disney Cruise Line ship gets 1st taste of water” via Richard Tribou of the Orlando Sentinel — Disney Cruise Line’s new ship Disney Destiny hit a construction milestone floating for the first time ahead of delivery this year. The third Wish-class vessel is a sister ship to Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, sailing out of Port Canaveral. Disney Destiny, though, will make its home farther south at DCL’s second Florida home of Port Everglades. The ship under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, underwent a “float up” last week. The dry dock where the ship had been getting assembled was filled with water from the Ems River. “The ship was then guided to another position in the hall, where the team will begin testing different systems onboard, including the main engines,” the post reads. While floating, work will continue on the ship’s interior spaces, which include a dinner theater space themed to “The Lion King,” an atrium with a statue from “Black Panther,” a sweets shop themed to “The Incredibles” and an adults-only lounge that pays homage to “101 Dalmatians” villain “Cruella de Vil.”

— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —

Best wishes to Sara Bianca of Maguire Woods, former state Rep. John Cortes, Matt Floyd of Mosaic, Andrew Rutledge, and former Sen. and current Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Sachs.

___

Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel Dean, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, and Drew Wilson.

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