House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell announced the leadership team for the House Democratic Caucus this legislative term.

Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, a Parkland Democrat and former Caucus Whip, now serves as Democratic Leader Pro Tempore.

Rep. Kelly Skidmore, a Boca Raton Democrat, will remain Policy Chair for the second term in a row, just as Rep. Mike Gottlieb, a Davie Democrat, will remain Floor Leader.

Rep. Marie Woodson, a Hollywood Democrat, will serve as the new Caucus Whip. Meanwhile, Reps. Allison Tant, Felicia Robinson, Daryl Campbell, Lindsay Cross and Johanna López will serve as Deputy Whips.

“Florida House Democrats remain committed to fighting for every single Floridian and advocating for solutions to the kitchen-table issues most important to Floridians,” said Driskell, the first House member to serve as a caucus leader in consecutive legislative terms in the term limits era.

“Floridians are still asking for immediate and lasting relief from the ongoing property insurance crisis, to fortify our communities against the next natural disaster, and to protect their inherent freedoms. We believe every Floridian deserves the freedom to be healthy, prosperous, and safe, and we will continue championing commonsense, people-centered policies.”

Hunschofsky, the Democrat in line to succeed Driskell as Democratic leader in 2026, will assist Driskell this term in carrying out leadership responsibilities as assigned, and will step in as caucus leader in Driskell’s absence should occasion arise.

“I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with Representative Hunschofsky last legislative term in her capacity as Caucus Whip,” Driskell said. “Since she was elected as state Representative, Representative Hunschofsky has been a consistent champion of mental health issues, responsible gun ownership policies, and homeowners’ insurance relief. In her time as Caucus Whip, Representative Hunschofsky was instrumental in ensuring the House Democratic Caucus stood unified against the divisive and extremist Republican policies.

“I am proud to call Representative Hunschofsky a friend and colleague, and I look forward to her leadership over the next two years.”

Driskell also praised Skidmore and Gottlieb for their work.

“I am so grateful to Representative Skidmore and Representative Gottlieb for enthusiastically agreeing to continue serving Floridians on our leadership team,” Driskell said. “Their drive to help this caucus fight for every Floridian is an inspiration. I look forward to continue working with both of them over the next two years.”

Woodson will take on a new role but isn’t new to the duties of caucus whipping.

 “Representative Woodson has an amazing ability to build consensus and unify differing views,” Driskell said. “Serving as Deputy Whip last legislative term, Representative Woodson was instrumental in helping Representative Hunschofsky keep the Caucus up-to-date and informed. Representative Woodson is also a champion of many initiatives close to Floridians’ hearts, such as ensuring veterans receive the benefits they deserve. I know her ability and skillset will help guide our Caucus over the next two years.”

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Florida’s outdoor workers could be getting an added layer of protection as part of ongoing efforts to enhance worker safety by preventing heat-related illnesses and fatalities on the job.

The bill (SB 510) filed by St. Petersburg Democrat Sen. Darryl Rouson would add requirements for employers whose work crews spend a large portion of their time working outside in the Florida heat, particularly in industries such as agriculture, landscaping, and construction.

The measure would aim to protect outdoor workers from heat illness and death caused by heat exposure, by setting in place certain responsibilities for employers, including providing cool or cold water, regular breaks in the shade, and annual training programs on the risks of heat exposure for both employees and supervisors.

Employers would be required to implement an outdoor heat exposure safety program approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture, Consumer Services, and the Department of Health — which would include first-aid training, preventative measures, and high-heat procedures.

Both supervisor and employee first aid training would include ways to identify the signs and symptoms of heat exposure, both in themselves and others, as well as how to best use appropriate first-aid measures in the event an employee or co-worker suffers from a serious heat-related illness event before medical attention can arrive on scene.

Shaded areas and access to cold or cool drinking water would be required if temperatures reach more than 80 degrees during the workday.

Under high-heat conditions, employees would be given regular 10-minute breaks every two hours when they are working in environments exceeding 90 degrees. Supervisors would also be required to make available an effective voice, observational, or electronic communication system that allows an employee to communicate with a manager, supervisor, or emergency medical services if needed.

Between 2010 and 2020 there were 215 heat-related deaths in Florida, averaging between 10 and 38 deaths per year, with the highest number of deaths occurring during the summer months of June and July, according to a study from the University of Florida.

If passed, the bill would take effect October 1, 2025.

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The Florida Education Association, a union representing teachers, support staff and higher education faculty, is blasting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed budget as inadequate, and calling on the Legislature to “fully commit to students” and public schools. 

In a sweeping rebuke to DeSantis’ budget, chock full of tax cuts, and a plea to lawmakers who will take up the budget next month during the annual Legislative Session, the group noted “nominal increases for educators and support staff,” but argued the hikes don’t keep pace with inflation and won’t “move the needle on per student funding.”

It further noted Florida’s ranking near dead last in average teacher pay, as well as ongoing teacher and support staff shortages, declining college admission test scores and declining reading and math scores. The point: “Current policies are failing our students.”

“Educators in Florida want what every hardworking American wants: to pay their bills with a single job, have healthcare without premiums that push them into debt, work without political interference, and retire with dignity after a lifetime of service. They want to build better lives for themselves and their families,” FEA President Andrew Spar said. 

“This budget proposal is legislators’ chance to take a bold stand and commit to our students, educators and their constituents by fully investing in public education. As we head into this legislative session, we are eager to work with leaders in Florida’s Legislature to focus on what truly matters: providing the resources and support educators and students need to thrive. Now is the time to prioritize the resources and policies that will strengthen our schools, uplift our communities, and help build better lives for every child in Florida.”

The lengthy memo details failures it identified in DeSantis’ proposed budget, including some that may be hard to spot for the uninitiated. The group claims a 2023 bill (SB 256) that removed the ability for some union members, including those in the FEA, to pay dues from their paychecks came at a steep cost, despite DeSantis saying at the time that it would not cost taxpayers. Instead, the group argues DeSantis is seeking $1.7 million from the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) to fund increased workload they say was created by the law. 

The group further laments DeSantis’ prioritization of school vouchers in his budget, which seeks to allocate $3.3 billion to the program allowing students to use taxpayer-funded vouchers to attend private schools. FEA leaders note his budgeted amount for school vouchers is double the amount set aside for teacher salaries in the proposed budget. 

“Today, estimates reveal that 70% of voucher students have never attended public schools, meaning public tax dollars are being used as private tuition assistance for families who could already afford it,” the press note claims. 

It further complains that additional funding for school vouchers exacerbates the already troublesome cost to public education, arguing $4 billion “is siphoned from public education to fund corporatate-run charter schools and voucher programs.” That is a common refrain among school choice critics who argue money being spent to help kids go to private schools, or to create privately-run, but publicly-funded charter schools, takes away from funding that could be used to better the public school system.

The back and forth is about as old as time, and amounts to something of a, “which came first, the chicken or the egg” scenario. School choice supporters say vouchers and charters are needed to give parents options when their kids are stuck in failing schools, while school choice critics argue schools are struggling because funding is being diverted. 

While school choice was initially pitched to Floridians — and parents throughout the nation — as a way to help low-income families attain quality education for their children, FEA argues programs are now catering to people who don’t necessarily need the help. Indeed, the Legislature in 2023 passed a universal school choice measure (HB 1, which was substituted for SB 202), which allows for $8,000 per student to attend private school and is available to all families, regardless of household income. 

But the press note isn’t just an airing of grievances. It also offers a path forward, and pleads with lawmakers to take action. 

The FEA recommends investing $1,000 more per student each year and fully funding the Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) program to make needed facility repairs at school campuses, including to rid aging schools of mold, replace water fountains that may produce lead-containing water, ensuring working air conditioning and providing proper ventilation. 

The FEA also asks the Legislature to prioritize developmentally appropriate, teacher-led assessments, rather than mandated standardized tests. And it asks lawmakers to pass legislation that would safeguard families from unaccountable private and charter schools. 

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