Here’s Brunch, a pop-up, weekend email about the 2026 Legislative Session — 3.15.26

Good Sunday morning, and welcome back to “Brunch,” a pop-up newsletter about the 2026 Legislative Session and more.

“The Ides of March have come. … Aye, Caesar, but not gone.”

Sine Die has come. … Aye, readers, but not gone.

Yes, the Regular Legislative Session has concluded, but anyone reading this knows that there is still a lot of work ahead for Florida lawmakers.

That’s why I am excited to announce here that we will continue publishing Brunch, at least on the weekends around the forthcoming Special Sessions. Thank you to our title sponsors, Jeff Johnston and Amanda Stewart of Johnston & Stewart, for their generous support.  

Now, please enjoy Brunch!

— More to do —

Senate President Ben Albritton is declaring the 2026 Regular Session over, but not exactly finished, with Senators set to return to Tallahassee to wrap up a balanced budget and put a homestead property tax relief measure on the 2026 ballot.

— Wins on the board: In his end-of-Session statement, Albritton touted a long list of Senate priorities that cleared the Legislature, including bills on data centers and power costs, campus security, election integrity, foreign influence, DEI restrictions, veterans issues, sentencing for violent offenders and crimes against law enforcement, and bridge funding for the HIV/AIDS medication program.

— Still unfinished: He also highlighted Senate measures that passed that chamber but died in the House, including proposals on rural development, school choice, public school deregulation, AI consumer protections, medical freedom and Medicaid guardrails.

— Affordability first: Albritton said the Senate will come back to offer voters “a meaningful option for property tax relief” while also holding the line on spending, living within the state’s means and striking “the right balance between spending and saving.”

— Missed opportunities —

House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell says the 2026 Session will be remembered less for what lawmakers passed than for what they failed to do while Republicans fought among themselves.

— Her verdict: Driskell argued GOP infighting overshadowed solutions for Floridians struggling with housing, insurance and everyday costs, saying, “There was too much talk and too little action, and that’s a missed opportunity for the people of Florida.”

— Affordability gap: She said affordability was “the No. 1 issue coming out of the 2024 election,” but blasted the Legislature for producing “no transformative policies” to help Floridians keep more money in their pockets.

— Budget bungled: Driskell also took aim at lawmakers for ending Session without a finalized budget, calling it unacceptable given that passing a balanced spending plan is the Legislature’s core constitutional job.

— History vs. reality: While acknowledging the House’s effort to assert independence from the Governor, she warned that institutional chest-thumping does little for struggling families. “That’s going to sound really good for the history books,” she said. “But that doesn’t help the teacher who’s living in their car or the family in Jacksonville who can’t afford their utilities.”

— Rayner’s decorum drop —

For someone who got to say goodbye to the chamber twice, Rep. Michele Rayner doesn’t seem to have learned decorum. Rayner’s second House farewell — her first one delivered when she had planned to leave office early to run for Congress, a bid she later abandoned before winning re-election — was a moving tribute to an army of friends, family and colleagues she praised for helping her through difficult times and shaping the lawmaker she has become.

— Ill-advised attacks: But when Rayner spoke on an education bill (SB 182) she had supported before its final passage, she went off the rails, throwing barbs at Rep. Yvonne Hinson, a Democrat she had only days earlier praised, for allowing the bill Hinson had sponsored to become a so-called “train” bill, packed with new riders.

— The baby with the bathwater: While Rayner described her dissent as a “conflicted” choice tied to a provision she saw as helping private schools on the backs of public schools, it also showed her dismissal of provisions that had bipartisan support, including teaching kids cursive and barring charter schools from dismissing low-performing students to game school grades.

— Admonishments: Rayner’s comments were out of line enough to earn finger wagging, first from Hinson, who reminded members that Sen. Shevrin Jones, the incoming Senate Democratic Leader, had already negotiated and signed off on the amended bill, and then from Rep. Jennifer Canady. But Rayner still wasn’t done, with House Speaker Daniel Perez later having to stop Rayner when she tried to violate decorum by debating the bill again.

It’s also worth noting that in her House farewell, despite the touching nature of those she did honor, Rayner made not a single mention of House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell. That may not be surprising given Driskell is Rayner’s opponent for Sen. Darryl Rouson’s seat, but it says something that Rayner was more willing to praise Perez and House budget chief Lawrence McClure — both Republicans — than the leader of her own caucus.

— Wright hook —

Republican Sen. Tom Wright broke with his party and joined four Democrats in opposing Shevaun Harris’ confirmation to lead the Agency for Health Care Administration, delivering one of the sharpest rebukes heard on the Senate floor this week.

— His bottom line: “I hate to see that she’s going to get appointed to something else because I have no trust in Shevaun Harris,” Wright said before voting “no.”

— What set him off: Wright pointed to Harris’ handling of issues at an unnamed women’s shelter in Volusia County, saying, “That 50-bed women’s shelter was in chaos. I asked her to inspect it. She didn’t come. I asked her again to inspect it. She didn’t come.” When Harris finally did inspect the facility, Wright said she later told him, “She found nothing” because “we called them and told them we were coming next week.” Wright’s response: “The women of Volusia County deserve better.”

— Not enough to stop her: Harris was still confirmed easily, 32-5, with Wright the lone Republican in opposition alongside Democratic Sens. Kristen Arrington, Lori Berman, Tina Scott Polsky and Carlos Guillermo Smith.

Democrats had their own objections, with Berman citing the Hope Florida scandal and saying Harris “failed to provide oversight” of the Hope Florida Foundation. At the same time, Republicans countered by praising Harris’ work on Medicaid funding and backing her renomination.

— Portrait shuffle —

In a rare bit of House chamber housekeeping, members this week retired a former Speaker portrait once thought lost, giving Arthur Yager Milam a brief return to the wall before his likeness headed to the Old Capitol Museum.

— Milam’s background: Milam was a Jacksonville Democrat who served in the House from 1923 to 1925 and held the Speaker’s gavel in 1925. He was born in Leesburg in 1889 and was also known for his role in developing Davis Islands in Tampa before he died in Jacksonville in 1956.

— One day only: Milam’s second portrait, once thought to be lost, was rediscovered and temporarily took the spot vacated by former Speaker L.D. Edge. Milam’s portrait was then sent off as part of a larger reshuffling inside the chamber.

— Why the move: The portrait carousel was part of making room for House Speaker Perez, whose official portrait was unveiled this week.

— Waffle House hijinks —

A group of lawmakers and staff gathered at the Capitol steps in paper Waffle House hats for a pointed bit of Session-week trolling.

— What’s behind it: The gag plays off the running Capitol joke about Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback getting banned from Waffle House, turning a diner dustup into a full-blown photo op.

— Who sparked it: The group shot was organized by Rep. Michelle Salzman, who summed it up on X with: “Back to our @WaffleHouse shenanigans!”

— Joining in: Also on hand to troll Fishback were Reps. Robin Bartleman, Jim Mooney, Kelly Skidmore and more, making it a bipartisan affair.

— Family legacy —

Rep. Will Robinson reflected on eight years representing Manatee County in the House during an emotional farewell address.

— Three touchstones: Robinson, the Bradenton Republican who chairs the House State Affairs Committee, used his remarks to walk colleagues through three symbolic locations in the chamber that shaped his legislative journey: an empty chair, the members-only “bubble” room and the desk where he once served during his sophomore term.

 

— The empty chair: It represented family and perseverance. Robinson recalled seeing his father seated there during his 2018 swearing-in ceremony while battling cancer, describing the memory as a reminder of the loved ones who supported him throughout his time in office.

— The “bubble” room: It marked a turning point in 2019, when Robinson learned he would not become Speaker. He said the moment ultimately led to lasting friendships in the chamber, including with Perez, whom Robinson credited with offering personal support during that difficult period.

— The desk: Robinson also reflected on casting one of the most meaningful votes of his career from the seat he occupied during his second term — a moment he said reinforced a lesson he carried throughout his service: that every person deserves dignity and respect, regardless of who they love.

— Back home: A Bradenton native with deep Manatee County roots, Robinson used the speech to look back on legislative priorities shaped by his family values and those of the community, including environmental protection efforts tied to coastal restoration and his long-running opposition to a proposed cruise port near the mouth of Tampa Bay.

— What’s next: Robinson will remain in the House through the end of the 2026 term before leaving office under Florida’s term limits, after which he plans to return his focus to his law practice and family in Manatee County, though he has left the door open to a possible future return to public service.

— Sirois says goodbye —

Rep. Tyler Sirois turned his House farewell into part stand-up set, part tribute and part love letter to the institution.

— To the Speaker: Sirois even revisited old political scuffles, jesting, “In 2019, I tried to derail your Speaker’s race,” before adding, “I want you to know that I regret it.” He later gave Perez perhaps the cleanest line of the speech: “Because of you, we have delivered on a simple but powerful promise. The House of Representatives is back.”

— Family matters: The Merritt Island Republican got more emotional when he turned to his home, saying, “Representative is a great title, but nothing beats the title of dad.” He praised his wife, Katie, as “the glue that holds our family together” and told his children, “Jack and Emma Kate, I am so proud of you.”

— Policy legacy: Sirois also pointed to social media regulation as the work he came to Tallahassee to do, calling tech platforms “a Pandora’s box that we’ve unleashed on our children.” He credited an unlikely bipartisan partnership with Reps. Rayner and Fiona McFarland for helping turn that idea into legislation “now being copied all over the world.”

— Leader humor: On the realities of leadership, Sirois deadpanned, “When you get to be Majority Leader, your days of voting ‘no’ are over.”

He closed with an extended riff on “A Land Remembered,” comparing House leadership to the MacIvey clan gathered around the table, and ended with a line aimed squarely at the chamber itself: “Mr. Speaker, it’s sure been something.” Even after he sat down, praise kept coming, with Perez declaring Sirois “the best damn Majority Leader this place will ever see.”

— Rhymes and reasons —

Susan Valdés put poetry on the House floor in her farewell, opening with a line that sounded more like verse than valedictory: “The gavel falls, the Session ends, the sun begins to set. Years of work and memories I will never forget.”

— To Jerry: Valdés drew a standing ovation when she turned to her husband. “Thank you for having my back and supporting me throughout, and for sharing me these last 22 years with the community I live in, love, and care deeply about. Through all the ups and downs, we were always fated. You are my soulmate, and I love you and the family that we created.”

— To her father: In one of the speech’s warmer moments, Valdés honored her late dad, who died when she was 10. “Whether riches come or go or the world forgets your face, your word is your true signature that time cannot erase.”

— For autism advocates: Valdés also used the speech to spotlight her work for Floridians with autism, including this year’s HB 365, which would create a statewide blue envelope program and require additional law enforcement training to improve interactions with motorists on the spectrum. Her mission, she said, was “to be a surrogate for the voiceless, to ensure their rights are known, because in the land of liberty, no soul should stand alone.”

— Sock it to ‘em —

Rep. Meg Weinberger is apparently making the rounds in Tallahassee with custom “MAGA Meg” knit socks, turning a simple member gift into a little branding exercise as Session winds down.

— On the socks: The design features a hand-drawn “MAGA Meg” logo created by Sammy Loudon, the son of conservative commentator Dr. Gina Loudon, who worked on Weinberger’s House campaign.

— Personal touch: Weinberger praised Sammy as the “best employee and sign-waver ever.” Sammy was born with Down syndrome and turned his artwork into a creative outlet.

— MAGA Meg: Weinberger has been a longtime Trump supporter and recently appeared with the President to commemorate President Donald J. Trump Boulevard.

— Luke who’s talking —

Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell took his case for Florida’s 20th Congressional District to Stephen A. Smith, telling the host he sees a path to office rooted in community work and frustration with today’s Democratic Party.

— On the party: Appearing on Smith’s SiriusXM show, Campbell said flatly that “the Democratic Party, the way in my lens, is not the party that it was before,” adding, “It’s not the party that I grew up on. It’s not the party that I grew up in. It’s a lot of infighting. It’s a lot of outfighting. It’s not a lot of support.”

— What he’s hearing: Campbell said many Black men he knows have grown disillusioned. “Sitting down with my brothers at the barbershop, sitting down at the park with the coaches and all that, I mean, they don’t look at the party the same way.”

— His case: The rapper-turned-activist argued he already has the résumé for public office, pointing to decades of youth work and bipartisan dealmaking in Miami-Dade. “What qualifies a person to run for office … what have you done for your community? What have you done socially?”

— GOP local wins —

The Republican Party of Florida is touting a string of local election wins from Tuesday night, casting the results as more proof the party can compete in races up and down the ballot.

— Statewide brag sheet: Party leaders highlighted victories in cities and towns across Florida, including wins in Apopka, Boca Raton, Belle Glade, Greenacres, Indian Rocks Beach, Juno Beach, Kenneth City, Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach, St. Pete Beach and Wellington.

— Notable names: Among the candidates the party spotlighted were Michelle Grau in Boca Raton City Council Seat A, Lan Vaughan for Indian Rocks Beach Mayor, Scott Tate for St. Pete Beach Mayor and several municipal winners in Palm Beach County.

— Chair’s message: Florida GOP Chair Evan Power said the results show “there is no race too small” when it comes to building conservative leadership at the local level.

— Grand Prix brunch —

Erika Donalds is tying Miami Grand Prix weekend to education advocacy with a private brunch reception at the Faena Theater on April 30.

— The pitch: Billed as “A Race to Education Freedom,” the event will benefit the Education Freedom Foundation and bring together supporters and leaders focused on school choice and education freedom.

— Miami flair: Donalds is promising a stylish kickoff to race weekend, with black-and-white attire and the Faena’s red velvet backdrop setting the scene for what she describes as an intimate gathering with “great conversations” and “incredible energy.”

— Also in play: Sponsorships and VIP packages are available for those looking for premium access and added recognition.

— Seminoles go Hollywood —

The school out west keeps sending talent to the Dolby Theatre.

— The pedigree: Florida State University’s film school already boasts a long roster of alums tied to Oscar-winning and Oscar-nominated films — including Best Adapted Screenplay winner Barry Jenkins and Best Picture-winning producer Allison Rose Carter.

— This year’s crop: While they aren’t in contention for a statuette, some of 2025’s most celebrated films — “One Battle After Another,” “Marty Supreme,” “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” “The Ugly Stepsister,” and “Weapons” — might not have been the same without the FSU touch.

— FSU’s cast and crew: 2014 alum Max Allman was an editor and producer on “Marty Supreme”; fellow 2014 grad Tatiana Bears has a producer credit on “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”; Bonni Camen was a production supervisor on “One Battle After Another”; 2006 grad Cody Gallo served as first assistant director on “The Ugly Stepsister”; and Michael Bennett Smith from the class of 2012 and Devin Huber, who earned her degree in 2008, both worked on the production team for “Weapons.”

— Feeling garnet and gold? Want to maximize your school spirit? Head to The Moon Sunday night for FSU’s “A Night at the Oscars” watch party — and bring the checkbook to help keep future Seminoles chasing hardware.

Can’t make it? The Oscars air live Sunday at 7 p.m. on ABC. Just ensure your garb is garnet, not cardinal. Pantone says there’s a difference.

— Big cities go green —

From Miami to Orlando to Tampa Bay, Florida’s biggest metros are rolling out a full slate of St. Patrick’s Day parties Tuesday, with everything from Irish dancers and live bands to bar crawls and green beer.

— Miami: Hard Rock Cafe Miami will host a St. Patrick’s Day celebration starting at 5 p.m. with live music and Irish-themed food and drinks. Wynwood Marketplace’s block party runs from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. with DJs, food vendors, games, drink specials and green beer.

— Palm Beach County: Clematis Street in West Palm Beach is the site of an all-day St. Patrick’s Day block party with live music, green drinks, street vendors and Irish-themed fun. Paddy Mac’s in Palm Beach Gardens is also throwing an evening celebration with traditional food, Irish music and drinks.

— Orlando: Disney Springs’ Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival opens at 11 a.m. with bands flown in from Ireland, live dancing, multiple stages and Irish food and drinks. SeaWorld Orlando is also joining in with Irish fare, themed entertainment and cultural performances as part of its Seven Seas Food Festival. Howl at the Moon Orlando is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Party with live music, a sing-along piano show, themed cocktails and green beer.

— Jacksonville: Jacksonville Beach’s official St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl runs from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. with drink specials and wristband access to participating bars. Main Event Jacksonville is offering a more family-friendly option from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with bowling, arcade games, laser tag and a shamrock scavenger hunt.

— Tampa: Ybor City is the focus of Tampa’s official St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl starting at 5 p.m., with a guided tour through multiple venues featuring themed cocktails and drink specials. Pour Decision’s Emerald Lounge Green Party runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with drink specials and a strong suggestion that guests wear green.

— Pinellas: Downtown St. Pete is getting in on the action, too. Mary Margaret’s Olde Irish Tavern is kicking things off around 9 a.m. with a block party running until noon featuring Irish bands, dancers, bagpipers, Guinness and traditional fare. The city’s official St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl starts at 5 p.m. at Welcome to The Farm.

— More green scenes —

Beyond the big-city blowouts, plenty of other Florida communities are getting in on the St. Patrick’s Day fun Tuesday with their own mix of block parties, Irish music and pub fare.

— Clearwater: O’Keefe’s Tavern is hosting an event from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with green beer, corned beef, Irish bands, dancers, bagpipers, drummers and lawn games in a family-friendly setting. There’s also a St. Paddy’s Day Boat Party on tap for the evening.

— Tallahassee: The Hub at Feather Oaks is planning St. Patrick’s Day festivities from noon to 8 p.m. with traditional Irish dancers and music. The Getaway Grille and Bar’s second annual celebration starts around 5 p.m. with live band entertainment, Irish-themed food specials and green beer.

— Central Florida: Downtown Mount Dora is hosting a St. Patrick’s Festival with live entertainment, craft beer, vendors and family-friendly activities. Ocala’s WEC Exposition Center is offering a block party with live music, Irish dancers and traditional food and drink samples.

— Southwest Florida: Downtown Fort Myers is planning a St. Patrick’s Day block party from about noon to 8 p.m. with music and drink specials. Naples offers a quieter option with “And They Call It Ireland,” a musical program at the Naples Regional Branch Library from 2-3 p.m.

— Space Coast: Downtown Melbourne’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival runs from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on New Haven Avenue with music, food and drinks. Paddy Cassidy’s Irish Pub in Cocoa Beach is going from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. with live music, dancers, bagpipers and corned beef and cabbage.

— Panhandle: Downtown Pensacola is hosting an official St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Miramar Beach and North Beach Social in Santa Rosa Beach are both putting on Irish-themed parties with live music, food, drinks and plenty of green.

— Bracket watch —

The March Madness bracket will be set today as Selection Sunday reveals the field for the NCAA basketball tournament (6 p.m. ET, CBS).

— Auto bids: Automatic bids from 31 conferences are determined via conference tournaments, including today in the Southeastern, Big Ten, Atlantic 10, American Athletic conferences and the Ivy League.

— Top seeds: Florida is among the programs projected as a top seed in one of four regionals. Duke, Michigan and Arizona are projected to be No. 1 seeds in the tournament.

— Home-state angle: The Gators are the defending national champions and will likely be scheduled to play first- and second-round games in Tampa, where fan support should be strong. When Florida won the program’s first championship in 2006, the first two rounds were played in Jacksonville.

The women’s bracket will be unveiled tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

— Hayward House helpings —

Hayward House is rolling out a new brunch menu with a lineup that leans luxe, Southern and a little indulgent.

— On the table: New offerings include a pastry basket, lobster toast, soft scramble with caviar, a hashbrown duet with caviar, steak and eggs, churro French toast, croque madame, low country flapjack, a brunch burger and a Seoul fried chicken sandwich.

— A little extra: The menu mixes comfort food and upscale touches, pairing staples like steak and eggs and croque madame with splashier options like caviar service and lobster toast.

— The vibe: Brunch at Hayward House looks built for both the classic crowd and the go-big crowd.

— Brunching Out —

If you’re a fan of Jewish deli classics such as corned beef sandwiches, potato pancakes or chopped liver, head to Social Kitchen for these hard-to-find treats, currently being offered along with the market’s other premade delicacies. I heard so many raves about these dishes; I had to try them.

— Backstory: Angela Walker, a well-respected caterer, and her team at Social Kitchen, offer premade dishes, desserts, casseroles, prime steaks and gourmet and gift items. With encouragement from a good friend and the skill of two chefs with a knowledge of New York-style delis, Walker decided to offer these classics as a pop-up pick until March 15. But the lineup has received such a big response, Walker said she expects to keep some of these items, such as the corned beef, pastrami and house-roasted turkey sandwiches.

— Setting: You can load up on your gourmet goodies and sit at one of two outside tables (these are spots where you can bring your food, but no servers are waiting on you). The market showcases specialty grocery items such as spices, soup mixes and wine, along with some retail items, but the focus is on Social Kitchen’s colorful fare.

— The menu: We devoured our corned beef and chopped liver sandwich on excellent rye bread, traditional kasha varnishkes, crisp potato pancakes and added a rich, creamy rich banana pudding. Deli dishes are disappearing from restaurants, even in big cities, so it’s no wonder the lineup has sparked a lot of interest. But also go for the regular menu, which includes housemade entrées, vegetables, salads, sandwiches and desserts. Social Kitchen has a program of ordering premade meals that customers can reheat at home.

— Details: Social Kitchen is at 2910 Kerry Forest Pkwy.; (850) 894-6261. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.