If you haven't been watching the Florida State Capitol lately, you've missed a masterclass in political theater. This week, the 2026 Legislative Session kicked off with a vibe that can only be described as "aggressively awkward." Most people think Florida politics is just a smooth-running conservative machine, but honestly, the cracks are showing. Between a governor entering his final stretch and a legislature that’s suddenly found its backbone, things are getting messy in a way that actually matters for your wallet.
The big story isn't just a bill or a budget. It's the friction. On opening day, Governor Ron DeSantis delivered his final State of the State address—a defiant victory lap—but the real news happened before he even spoke. He shook hands with Senate President Ben Albritton and then, in a move that felt straight out of a middle school cafeteria, seemingly ignored House Speaker Danny Perez. Perez didn't hold back later, basically calling the governor "petulant." Why does this matter? Because when the guys holding the purse strings aren't talking, your taxes and insurance rates usually pay the price.
The Property Tax vs. Insurance Tug-of-War
Everyone in Florida is obsessed with property insurance. If you live here, you know the drill: your premium goes up, your coverage goes down, and you wonder if you’re just paying for some executive’s third yacht. The current Florida state US news cycle is dominated by a massive disagreement on how to fix this.
Lawmakers are currently pushing a plan to potentially repeal property taxes. Sounds great, right? On paper, sure. But there’s a catch. A recent Mason-Dixon poll found that nearly two-thirds of Floridians—63%, to be exact—don't actually want a property tax cut if it comes at the expense of insurance relief. Most people feel like a tax cut is a band-aid on a gunshot wound when their insurance premium is $6,000 a year.
- The Albritton Approach: Senate President Ben Albritton is leaning heavily into "Rural Renaissance." He’s pushing a $200 million package for rural infrastructure, healthcare, and schools.
- The Perez Perspective: Speaker Danny Perez is wary of big spending. He’s the one who pushed the 2025 session into a 45-day overtime because he wanted more fiscal restraint.
- The Voter Reality: People are tired. Whether you're a Republican in The Villages or a Democrat in Miami, the consensus is that the "Florida Premium" is becoming unaffordable.
The Race for the Governor’s Mansion is Already Crowded
We are officially in the "lame duck" phase for DeSantis, which means everyone is jockeying for his seat. If you think 2026 is far away, the pollsters disagree. Rep. Byron Donalds is currently the frontrunner according to latest surveys, sitting at a comfortable 37% among Republican voters. He’s got the Trump endorsement, which in Florida is basically like having a golden ticket.
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But don't count out Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, who just officially jumped into the race this January. Then there’s the "Casey Factor." While First Lady Casey DeSantis hasn't said a word about running, she’s still pulling about 26% in hypothetical polls. It’s a weird dynamic. You have a sitting governor trying to cement a legacy while his potential successors are already measuring the drapes and trying to out-conservative each other.
The "Bumper Crop" of Transparency Issues
There’s a weird thing happening with public records. Florida used to be the "Sunshine State" not just for the weather, but because of our "Government-in-the-Sunshine" laws. Well, the sun is getting some clouds.
This session, there’s a "bumper crop" of roughly 40 bills aimed at creating exemptions for public records. We’re talking about hiding the home addresses of more government employees and even shielding details about people who buy ammunition. Open government advocates like Bobby Block from the First Amendment Foundation are sounding the alarm. They argue that once you start poking holes in transparency, the whole system of accountability leaks. Honestly, it’s one of those things nobody talks about until they suddenly can't find out how their local tax money is being spent.
Why "Full to Function" Is the New Catchphrase
There is a growing sentiment that Florida is, well, full. The Independent Florida Alligator recently ran a piece titled "Florida is too full to function," and it's resonating. In 2023 alone, we had a net gain of over 636,000 residents.
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This isn't just about traffic on I-4 being a nightmare—though it definitely is. It’s about land. Researchers at the University of Florida estimate we’re losing about 120 acres of agricultural land every single day to developers. That’s 45,000 acres a year. When you pave over a farm to build a "luxury" apartment complex, that land never grows food again. This "migration from failing states," as some call it, is bringing people who want Florida's low taxes but are also demanding the infrastructure that requires higher spending. It’s a paradox that the 2026 legislature hasn't solved yet.
What’s Actually Happening with Your Money?
The "Floridians First" budget for 2026–2027 is a massive $117.4 billion. That’s a lot of zeros. DeSantis is touting it as a win for education, with a record $30.6 billion for K-12 schools.
| Budget Item | Proposed Amount | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| K-12 Education | $30.6 Billion | $9,406 per student (the highest ever) |
| Reserves | $16.75 Billion | "Rainy day" fund for hurricanes/recession |
| Debt Reduction | $250 Million | Trying to keep the state's credit rating high |
But while the state is flush with cash, individual households are feeling the squeeze. Consumer sentiment in Florida rose slightly in December to 74.9, but it’s still way lower than it was a year ago. People are "cautiously optimistic," which is basically economic speak for "I'm keeping my credit card in my wallet for now."
Misconceptions About the 2026 Session
A lot of national media outlets portray Florida as a monolith where every Republican is in lockstep. That is objectively false. The 2026 session is proving that the House and Senate are very different beasts.
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For example, the House just passed a bill that would expand the wrongful death act to cover fetuses at any stage. It was an emotional, three-hour debate that saw Republicans like Hillary Cassel and Democrats like Michele Rayner clashing over bodily autonomy versus legal rights. Meanwhile, the Senate is focusing on the "Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights" and trying to regulate how AI interacts with your data. It’s a strange mix of old-school cultural battles and futuristic tech regulation.
Practical Steps for Floridians
If you’re trying to navigate this landscape, don't just wait for the news to hit your feed. The 2026 session is only 60 days long, and things move fast.
- Track the "Home Hardening" Tax Exemptions: There is a proposal (SB 78) for a two-year sales tax refund on impact-resistant doors and windows. If you’re planning renovations, wait to see if this passes before buying.
- Watch the Property Tax Ballot Initiative: There’s a move to put a property tax repeal on the 2026 ballot. You’ll likely get to vote on this yourself in November, but read the fine print—repealing property tax usually means a hike in sales tax to cover the gap.
- Check Your Insurance Eligibility: With the state pushing more "home hardening" grants, make sure you're applying for My Safe Florida Home funds if they get replenished this cycle.
The reality of Florida state US news right now is that the state is at a crossroads. We have a population boom meeting an infrastructure lag, and a political leadership that’s starting to look past the current administration. It’s not just about the headlines; it’s about whether the "Florida Miracle" can actually survive its own success.
To stay ahead of these changes, you can monitor the Florida Senate's daily bill actions or look up your specific representative's voting record on property insurance measures. Keeping an eye on the House Justice Budget Subcommittee is also a smart move if you want to see how the 39 new judgeships authorized last year are being filled, as these appointments will shape Florida's legal landscape for decades.