Here’s Brunch, a pop-up, weekend email about the 2026 Legislative Session — 3.8.26

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

Did. You. Remember. To. Move. Your. Clock. Forward???

It promises to be one of the most interesting weeks in Florida politics, especially if ‘nothing’ happens in the Florida Legislature. It’s also Election Day on Tuesday in a host of municipalities. But don’t worry, the staff of Florida Politics will be covering the goings-on in Tally and election results throughout the state. 

Please check out this week’s selections for the Winner and Loser of the Week in Florida politics. Read our picks here.

Happy birthday to former Rep. Michael Bileca, now the Chair of Miami Dade College Board of Trustees and Lance Block.

Now, please enjoy Brunch!

— Fishback follies —

From waffle woes to legal travails, the week that ended up being an absolute embarrassment for James Fishback, the groyper grifter and District of Columbia homesteader who is trying to convince Republicans that he’s the logical heir to Ron DeSantis.

— Tesla trouble: It’s not Elon’s musk you’re smelling on Fishback; rather, it’s Eau D’esperation. The candidate continues to be written up in court documents, including a garnishment order this week for his bank accounts from Greenlight Capital for $462 and change. The same company is coming after his 2023 Model 3, which he already had to buy off auction once. Here’s the bright side, though: at least he’s not spending much on gas.

— D.C. Scab: Meanwhile, questions continue to be raised about his fishy claims to be a Florida resident, given unearthed proof that he was registered as an NPA in the Nation’s Capital in 2020. Did he vote for Biden or Trump? Who really knows? But he did get a homestead exemption in 2025 for a property in Washington’s Glover Park area, nestled between American University and the Georgetown neighborhood. Nice neighborhood!

— Scattered, smothered, covered: While we don’t know if he will qualify for the election at this point, we do know Fishback is banned from Waffle Houses after his habit of bringing extras from “American History X” … er, we mean campaign supporters to the breakfast spots for random rallies. While his choice of venue is surprising, given his “failure to launch,” basement-dweller brigade more closely resembles a cracker barrel, his failure to clear even the Waffle House’s low bar for comportment says it all about one of the most debased, delusional, and pathetic campaigns in Florida history. But let’s keep it positive to close: when he takes 95 back north, he can always rally the troops at Ben’s Chili Bowl.

— Policy polling —

Floridians are split down the middle on artificial intelligence, with 48% supporting its broader rollout and 48% opposing it.

— AI divide: Republicans are much more supportive of AI’s growth (57% supporting) than Democrats (36% supporting). A proposed bill requiring chatbot disclosures, banning sexually explicit manipulated images and restricting some AI interactions with minors drew overwhelming support, with 86% in favor.

— Marijuana support: Legalizing small amounts of marijuana for recreational use also won broad backing, with 66% supporting the policy overall. Support for legalization was strongest among independents (80%) and Democrats (77%), though even Republicans were split, with 50% supporting legalization.

— Guns at protests: A proposal to prohibit firearms at protests and demonstrations drew 64% support statewide, with Republicans and Democrats landing at nearly identical levels.

— Recall idea: Extending recall elections to state legislators and statewide officials posted some of the strongest numbers in the survey, with 83% support and just 10% opposed.

— Alive and kicking —

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson rechurned rumor mills about U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn reportedly telling donors the Panama City Republican was “terminally ill.” But Dunn this week made a series of appearances in Washington to counter that assertion.

— Quoting Twain: At a breakfast for lawmakers Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis posted the good doctor appears “very lively” and quoted Mark Twain saying, “The report of my death was an exaggeration.”

— USDA Prime Choice: The same day, Dunn could be spotted, sitting in all pictures, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He was one of eight lawmakers present when Secretary Brooke Rollins declared a February freeze an agricultural disaster. That’s an important move to provide relief for farmers in Dunn’s District.

— KIDS Act: Dunn then spent hours at the House Energy & Commerce meeting on Thursday. He brought key language from his Safe Messaging for Kids Act, as an amendment to the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act, hoping to protect children from “strangers who are hiding in their pockets.” Dunn is Vice Chair of the long-standing Committee.

— Wildlife legacy

Former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo will be remembered for pushing the Live Local Act and Live Healthy Act. But she said her most lasting work may be the green center of Florida.

— Wildlife Corridor: While she insists on sharing credit with Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Environmental Appropriations Chair Jason Brodeur, she said her most important achievement in the Legislature may be the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

— Preserving the swamp: “If we don’t protect and preserve the center of our state, the rural communities will be concrete from Fort Myers to Fort Lauderdale,” Passidomo said, “and that’s not what we want.”

— More than framework: While other policies associated with Passidomo were crafted and passed in a single Session, she said the wildlife corridor took years and will require attention in the future as well.

— Commitment to greenery: “The wildlife corridor is something you have to add to over time.”

— The Wright way —

Sen. Tom Wright got a warm Senate send-off packed with praise for his generosity, patriotism and old-school style, before delivering a heartfelt farewell.

— He means business: “Tom Wright brings to the Senate a rare quality … he’s built a business from the ground up,” Sen. Don Gaetz said, noting that Wright “signs the front side of paychecks,” adding that “it’s a quality that can build character.” Gaetz added that Wright is “the gentleman of the Senate.”

— Nonpartisan acclaim: Independent Sen. Jason Pizzo praised Wright’s “resilience,” “selflessness,” “duty and honor,” and closed by telling him, “You’re a damn good man.”

— Senate President praise: President Ben Albritton summed him up as “smart,” “measured,” “patriotic,” “determined,” “practical,” and “generous,” then added that Wright uses those gifts “to make the lives of the people around you better.”

— How he got there: Wright recounted being recruited in 2018 after the death of then-Sen. Dorothy Hukill, saying three different callers asked if he wanted to be the next Senator. His first answer each time: “No.”

— What changed: One caller told him, “You have a passion to support military veterans, domestic violence survivors, children that are neglected and abused,” and urged him to think about what he could do as a state Senator. Wright’s answer: “OK, I’ll do it.”

— Staff praise: Wright leaned hard into gratitude, saying hiring Hukill’s staff was “the best decision in my life,” and joking that one longtime aide “found the first bathroom for me my first day on the job, and then it’s been all downhill from there.”

— Parting thought: As he closed, Wright said he leaves with “a sense of pride” and confidence that the Senate will continue to serve with “integrity, transparency and compassion.”

— Goodbye, Gottlieb —

Rep. Mike Gottlieb delivered an emotional farewell on the House floor this week, calling his time in the chamber “one of the greatest honors” of his life.

— Gratitude tour: Gottlieb thanked constituents, colleagues and staff, joking that he read every email he received — “some of them twice,” though many required coffee first.

— Public service: Reflecting on his time in office, the Broward Democrat told members that lawmaking is “messy, it’s loud, it’s complicated — but that’s because it matters.” He also said he cherished his colleagues. “I value every one of you. Many of you will remain true friends for life. This is the truth.”

— Family first: Gottlieb closed by thanking his wife of 25 years and their children, telling them they are “our heart and soul.”

Speaker Daniel Perez also offered praise for Gottlieb. “You served your District well, but you also served your colleagues in the Democratic caucus well. You did it the right way,” Perez said.

— Return to oversight —

The tension between DeSantis and the Florida House during this legislative term often centered on an investigation led by Rep. Alex Andrade. But the Escambia Republican said oversight shouldn’t feel strange, and suggested it wasn’t long ago.

— Separate branches: Andrade told Florida Politics that, unlike conventional wisdom suggests, the Legislature stood up to the Governor during his whole first term.

— Post-COVID: Andrade spoke especially well of Speaker Chris Sprowls. “He did a very good job of maintaining the independence of the Legislature despite generationally bizarre circumstances.”

— What changed? But Andrade didn’t feel the same when the gavel went to Speaker Paul Renner, now a candidate for Governor. “It was like all doors were blown off, and we turned over the reins of decision-making to the Governor’s office.”

— Defiant return: Andrade said the work of his House Health Care Budget Chair was a return to form. “The last Legislative Session should not have felt out of the ordinary,” he said.

— Survivor voices —

Before the House passed Rep. Debra Tendrich’s domestic violence bill, the Lake Worth Democrat told colleagues the legislation was built directly from survivors and grieving families who shared their stories in Committee and behind the scenes. And she earned vocal support from across the aisle, from Republican Rep. Michelle Salzman.

— Stories that shaped it: Tendrich said every provision in the legislation is tied to real people. “Every section of this bill centers on victim support, victim protection and abuser accountability. Every provision in this bill is tied to a name, a face and a family.”

— Painful testimony: She recounted stories shared with lawmakers, including a survivor whose restraining order didn’t stop the murder of her two children and a mother whose son was stabbed after dozens of injunction violations.

— Speaking up: Salzman praised survivors for telling their stories publicly, noting the backlash many face. “It’s not even just the strength to share the story. It’s the questioning of it and the flippant remarks and the ‘Oh, is she really being honest? Is it really happening?”

— Standing together: Salzman told Tendrich she was proud of her for bringing the bill forward. “You are strong. You are loved, and I appreciate your testimony.”

— GRU showdown —

House lawmakers last week passed a utility bill with a late-stage amendment that pre-empts certain regional utility authorities — well, one regional utility authority — to the state.

— The amendment: The provision tacked onto HB 1451 applies to authorities created after Jan. 1, 2023 — a description that currently fits only the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority, which was established by the Legislature and signed into law by DeSantis in … wait for it … 2023.

— Why it matters: Gainesville voters have twice approved charter amendments aimed at dissolving the Authority and returning oversight of the utility to the City Commission. The first was overturned on a technicality, the second passed with greater than 75% support and is subject to an ongoing court fight.

— House debate: The bill passed the chamber 81-26, with Democrats arguing the language targets Gainesville specifically, while sponsor Rep. Demi Busatta said the measure addresses broader concerns about municipal utilities.

What’s next: The Senate companion (SB 1724), which is awaiting a floor vote, does not include the GRU provision, so it’s currently a jump ball — the Senate bill could be brought in line with the House version, or passed as-is, kicking the issue back to the House.

— Last laps? —

Lawmakers return Monday for another week of floor action as the Legislature moves deeper into the final stretch (or what was supposed to be the final stretch) of Session.

— Emergency fund fight: The House is expected to take up the Senate’s extension of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund, which expired in February. The Senate wants a straight extension, while the House is pushing to add guardrails. Fireworks or fizzle, the answer could come as soon as tomorrow.

— Policy pileup: Both chambers have lengthy floor calendars, including bills on coastal resiliency, firefighter cancer benefits, Citizens insurance, micromobility devices, municipal utilities and you-name-it. Scope the latest sked for the House here and the Senate here.

— Farewell tour: With term limits looming for several members, the House schedule also includes a wave of farewell speeches throughout the week as departing lawmakers wrap up their final Session. Monday’s docket includes Reps. Anna Eskamani and Toby Overdorf in the morning, followed by Reps. Chip LaMarca, Alex Andrade and Chuck Brannan in the afternoon.

— Boca ballot —

Boca Raton voters aren’t just picking a new Mayor on Tuesday. They’re also deciding who gets to steer City Hall through a development fight that has spilled across the whole ballot.

— Mayor’s lane: The open Mayor’s race features Council members Fran Nachlas and Andy Thomson, as well as political newcomer Mike Liebelson. With both Nachlas and Thomson running for the top job, their current Council seats are also up for grabs, turning one mayoral contest into a broader reshuffling of Boca’s leadership.

— Council map: The Seat A race features Michelle Grau, Bernard Korn and Christen Ritchey; Seat B has Meredith Madsen, Jon Pearlman and incumbent Marc Wigder; and Seat D is a one-year term contest between Larry Cellon, Stacy Sipple and Robert Weinroth.

Also on the ballot are two heavyweight referendum questions: whether to authorize up to $175 million for a new police headquarters and other facilities, and whether to approve lease agreements for development near the Brightline station.

— WPB watch —

West Palm Beach voters will decide Tuesday whether Commissioners Cathleen Ward and Christy Fox keep their seats or get bounced by challengers pressing for a new direction at City Hall.

— District 1: Ward is running on redevelopment work at Currie Park, as well as supporting affordable housing. Challenger Martina Tate Walker is pitching a more neighborhood-centered approach focused on homelessness, community service and bringing City Commission conversations directly into local communities.

— District 3: Fox is being challenged by Roger Lee Jackson, an Army veteran and Legal Aid grant manager who has framed his candidacy around service and community advocacy. Fox, meanwhile, helped launch the city’s “Adopt-A-Block” initiative and received the Grow Lit Project’s “Champion of Change” award in 2023.

— Beach barbs —

St. Pete Beach voters head into Tuesday’s mayoral contest with a clear choice between incumbent Adrian Petrila and challenger Scott Tate, after a campaign shaped as much by crossfire as by policy.

— Petrila’s case: The incumbent has leaned hard on his record, arguing he has delivered results and earned another four years at the helm. He says he has reined in overdevelopment and pushed for lower taxes.

— Tate’s lane: Petrila’s opponent has benefited from outside criticism of the Mayor’s tenure. He has opposed a push by Petrila to impose tolls at the north, central and southern access points to the island to raise revenue for infrastructure projects.

— Also on the ballot: District 3 voters are choosing between incumbent Commissioner Betty Rzewnicki and challenger Al Causey, while District 1 is not competitive this cycle because Commissioner Karen Marriott is unopposed.

— Apopka power play —

Apopka voters aren’t just choosing a Mayor Tuesday. They’re deciding whether that office should keep its current clout or be reduced to a largely ceremonial post under Question 1, which would hand day-to-day authority to a City Manager.

— Three-way fight: Incumbent Bryan Nelson is seeking a third term against Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore and Apopka Commissioner Nick Nesta, setting up a race between an established city executive, a term-limited county officeholder and a younger City Hall critic pitching change.

— Lawsuit shadow: The campaign has been overshadowed by Nelson’s lawsuit trying to knock Moore off the ballot over residency, saying she hasn’t lived inside city limits long enough to qualify. Moore has denied it, and the issue appears unlikely to be fully resolved before voters cast ballots.

— Competing cases: Nelson has argued his biggest accomplishment is shoring up Apopka’s finances and says he’s best positioned to finish major city projects. At the same time, Moore has leaned on her record in county government and says the city needs less dysfunction, slower growth and sharper attention to infrastructure and quality-of-life issues. Nesta, for his part, is running as the anti-career-politician option, promising “fresh ideas” on utilities, roads and water quality.

The wild card is Question 1. Nelson and Moore both want to preserve Apopka’s strong-Mayor system, but voters may decide if the winner inherits a much weaker job anyway.

— Made to flourish —

When a community comes together, families flourish, and Better Together supporters showed exactly that at the group’s Night of a Million Dreams gala.

— Big number: The event at The Ritz-Carlton, Tiburón raised more than $1.35 million to support efforts aimed at strengthening families and keeping children safe.

— Historic gift: George Wilson and Whitney Schadler announced a $500,000 commitment from the Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation to create an endowment focused on helping families build long-term stability.

— Why it matters: “An endowment means sustainability. It means stability,” Schadler said. “It means that when a desperate parent reaches out years from now, someone will answer them.”

— Stories of hope: Guests also heard from families and job seekers helped through Better Together’s programs, including Bryanna, who described how the organization lifted her family, and Victor Carr, who found support through its jobs ministry.

— The message: Better Together’s backers left with a clear reminder that the right support system can help families weather crises and find their footing again.

— Golden turkey trivia —

Florida TaxWatch is teaming up with FAPL to bring back Sine Die Survivor Trivia Night on Wednesday at Raymond C. Sittig Hall, where teams will test their knowledge of Florida politics, laws and lore.

— Game plan: Doors open at 5 p.m. and trivia begins at 6 p.m., with teams of one to five players competing across four rounds of multiple-choice questions.

— How it works: Participants log in through TriviaMaker using a code provided at the event, answering questions in real time, with faster answers earning more points. Try and show up with more than 6% left on your phone battery.

— Keep it PG-13: Yes, you get to choose your team name and humor is encouraged. The catch: the name will be publicly displayed, so don’t get too raunchy.

— Final showdown: The two highest-scoring teams advance to a lightning round where the winner claims bragging rights and the title of Florida TaxWatch’s Golden Turkey Champion.

For the GPS: Raymond C. Sittig Hall, 301 S. Bronough St., Tallahassee.

— F-1 opens —

The F-1 season began this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday in Melbourne.

— First winner: Great Britain’s George Russell won the first race of the season, setting the pace for 2026. The Mercedes team finished 1-2, with Charles Leclerc finishing second in a race that featured 120 lead changes.

— Driver gripes: Drivers criticized the new cars leading up to the race, with four-time world champion Max Verstappen saying that he was “not having fun at all driving them.”

— What’s next: The next stop on the circuit is in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix next weekend. The schedule then takes teams to Japan, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

F1 returns to the United States for the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, the first of three races run on American soil. Austin, Texas, and Las Vegas will also host Grand Prix races in the Fall.

— Brunching Out —

Open since 2014, Liberty Bar & Restaurant is a popular destination for both craft cocktails and a creative menu.

— Backstory: Liberty is an early venture from the Seven Hills Hospitality Group, also behind the restaurants, The Hawthorn Bistro & Bakery, Bar 1903, Black Radish and Link Sausages & Beer.

— Setting: The Midtown pub and restaurant is a friendly gathering spot with brick accents and a handsome bar flanked by white columns. It offers indoor and outdoor seating.

— The menu: Liberty offers small plates and shareables, egg dishes and brunch favorites. Some of the more intriguing dishes are a Scotch egg (a soft-boiled egg wrapped in housemade sausage and fried), shakshuka (two poached eggs in a North African tomato sauce with quite a kick) and bulgogi beef omelet, along with more traditional items such as pork schnitzel, biscuits and gravy and chicken and waffles. A recent highlight on our visit: a terrific mushroom Benedict, with a Lion’s Mane and risotto cakes set upon English muffins, topped with garlic creamed spinach, poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce.

— Beverages: Brunch drinks include a Bloody Mary, mimosas, Irish coffee and a few other spirits.

— Details: 1307 N. Monroe St.; 850-354-8277. Hours: 5 p.m. to midnight Monday and Sunday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Brunch hours are 10:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.