Senate President Ben Albritton said the upper chamber of the Legislature isn’t moving yet on congressional redistricting. But he is working with Gov. Ron DeSantis while closely following court developments.

“As I’ve previously stated, there is no ongoing work regarding mid-decade redistricting taking place in the Senate at this time,” Albritton said in a memo to all Florida Senate members. “I’ll continue to monitor legal developments and will keep you updated.”

He sent the message the same day DeSantis proclaimed a Special Session on redistricting, effective April 20.

That incidentally is just four days before the expected qualification day for federal candidates, but DeSantis’ proclamation also moved qualifying week for congressional contenders to June 8 through 12, the same as candidates for the Florida Legislature.

As timing goes, DeSantis has always eyed Spring for drawing new cartography. But that has put him on a different page with House Speaker Daniel Perez, who already appointed a House Redistricting Committee that has held two meetings in hopes of crafting a map during the regular Legislative Session.

Perez earlier this week told Florida Politics, “Members can expect the process will unfold thoughtfully, deliberately and transparently.” His office offered no further comment after the Governor issued his call for a Special Session. Perez spokesperson Amelia Englehart said she was informed of the coming proclamation on Wednesday morning.

DeSantis has cited a pending U.S. Supreme Court case from Louisiana that could provide more explicit guidance on the redistricting process.

Albritton signaled he supports patience and wants to follow the Governor’s lead on the process.

“The Governor stated the Legislature should wait as long as feasible before redrawing Florida’s congressional district boundaries in order to take advantage of any further guidance from the United States Supreme Court,” Albritton wrote.

In the meantime, he urged lawmakers to be careful about any public statements about the process.

“Senators should be aware that in prior cycles, significant litigation has followed passage of new maps. The Florida Supreme Court has previously limited the scope of legislative privilege when it comes to redistricting,” he wrote.

“Sitting legislators may be compelled to produce records or be subject to questioning under oath about conversations with colleagues, with legislative staff, or with outside parties who may attempt to persuade the Legislature to pass maps that favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent.”

On the Democratic side, Senate Minority Leader Lori Berman on Wednesday blasted DeSantis’ mid-decade redistricting push as “clearly illegal.”

Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

One week into 2026, and it’s already time to check a “car wreck” off the list.

On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a Special Session to redraw Florida’s congressional map — and strongly suggested it won’t be the last time lawmakers are summoned back to Tallahassee this year.

The redistricting Session is set to convene at noon on April 20 and adjourn by the end of that week, with a narrowly tailored agenda: produce a new congressional map and set aside money to defend it in court.

The timing is no accident.

DeSantis says he’s waiting on an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision that could upend minority-protected districts nationwide, a ruling he argues may clear the way for Florida to revisit lines he believes are “malapportioned.”

The Governor has already credited his current map, which produced a 20-8 split in the state’s U.S. House delegation, with delivering Republicans the majority and hinted that population shifts justify an even redder redraw.

But before lawmakers can pack up their maps, they may be asked to return to tee up a ballot proposal to eliminate homestead property taxes.

DeSantis said the Regular Session’s 60-day sprint may be the wrong venue for an issue he believes needs singular focus and clean language to survive Election Day.

Flipping the table also aligns with the Governor’s growing frustration with how the Legislature, particularly the House, has handled the proposal so far. He has said the multi-question “some, all, or none” approach represents an attempt to “kill anything on property taxes.”

Translation: the Governor wants this done his way, and he’s more than willing to flex his authority to make sure lawmakers get the message.

Evening Reads

—”South Florida takes center stage in U.S. politics after Nicolás Maduro’s capture” via Patricia Mazzei of The New York Times

—“Marco Rubio offers threefold plan for future of Venezuela, including release of political prisoners” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—“U.S. vows to control Venezuela oil sales ‘indefinitely’” via Evan Halper of The Washington Post

—“The wrath of Stephen Miller” via Ashley Parker, Michael Scherer, and Nick Miroff of The Atlantic

—”Venezuela is the first big test for the Pentagon’s influencer press corps — and it’s failing” via Makena Kelly of WIRED

—“How the Minnesota fraud scandal could upend American child care” via Anna North of Vox

—”DOJ admits it has still not released 99% of Jeffrey Epstein files, violating law” via Judd Legum and Rebecca Crosby of Popular Information

—“Why I cover Donald Trump the way I do” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”Florida failed to give due process to thousands kicked off Medicaid, court finds” via Christopher O’Donnell of the Tampa Bay Times

—”Anti-vax discrimination, behind-the-counter ivermectin access bill filed in the House” via Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix