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DeSantis blasts House on its potential cuts to law enforcement budgets | Florida

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Steve Wilson | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-16 14:29:00

(The Center Square) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continued his war of words with the Florida House of Representatives, accusing the lower chamber of planning to cut law enforcement spending in its budget proposal Wednesday.

He said at a news conference in Fort Myers in southwest Florida that the House’s budget proposal, House Bill 5001, would force Florida state troopers to keep cars with more than 100,000 miles on them, defund salary hikes for law enforcement officers and fails to fund replacements for in-car cameras and ballistic armor.

The second-term GOP governor also said the House’s budget would cut 84 trooper and 73 state law enforcement dispatcher positions. 

He said Republicans have the largest legislative supermajorities in state Republican Party history because of the leadership they’ve provided, but that the House is trying to overturn six years of conservative policy. 

“A lot of people ran in the House and Senate on the same record, but what’s going on in Tallahassee right now with the Florida House of Representatives is really treacherous,” DeSantis said. “What they’re doing, because they all ran on this agenda. They never ran against law enforcement. I can tell you that because they would have gotten shown the door by the voters if they had done that. They never ran on trying to overturn our reforms in higher education.

“They never ran on joining with Democrats to try to manufacture smears against the administration the governor, even the First Lady. They’ve tried to do that on they never ran on any of that stuff, but that’s what they’re doing. They are not doing what they told you they would do. They are effectively stabbing the voters in the back with this really, really terrible agenda. This is the swamp in action. This is the swamp trying to strike back after six years of success.”

In his budget proposal, DeSantis wants 20% salary increases for entry-level state law enforcement officers, such as state troopers and investigators, and 25% for veteran state law enforcement officers and state firefighters. These increases for 4,700 state law enforcement officers and 730 state firefighters would cost an additional $118.3 million annually. 

House leaders bragged about their budget proposal being $6 billion less than last year’s appropriation and $2 billion less than what DeSantis seeks. 

DeSantis is facing scrutiny over a $10 million contribution by health care giant Centene, which is being investigated by the state House of Representatives, which has a Republican supermajority. 

The governor has been locked in a battle with House leadership since January, when they balked along with their Senate counterparts about DeSantis’ call for a special session to handle immigration enforcement.

After several weeks of negotiations, both sides arrived at a compromise.

The House also is in disagreement with DeSantis over tax reform. DeSantis wants a one-time property tax rebate and a ballot initiative for permanent relief, while the House has passed a bill that would cut the state’s sales tax from 6% to 5.25% that the governor says would help non-residents. 

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News from the South - Florida News Feed

Delray Beach leaders fight for rainbow street mural during Florida hearing in Orange County

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www.clickorlando.com – Catherine Silver – 2025-09-02 15:47:00

SUMMARY: Delray Beach city leaders traveled nearly 200 miles to a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) hearing regarding the state’s request to remove a rainbow pride mural at Northeast Second Avenue and First Street. The mural commemorates the Pulse nightclub shooting anniversary and was painted in 2021. No final decision was made; the city must submit supporting documents by September 5. City attorney Howard DuBosar argued the mural is street art, not a traffic control device, and cited local control under “Home Rule.” FDOT emphasized safety and state standards. Governor DeSantis supports removal of such messages from crosswalks. The mural remains for now pending the decision.

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Rudy Giuliani leaves the hospital after being injured in a car crash in New Hampshire

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www.news4jax.com – Carolyn Thompson, Associated Press – 2025-09-02 10:32:00

SUMMARY: Rudy Giuliani, 81, was released from the hospital after a car accident in New Hampshire where the vehicle he was in was struck from behind on Interstate 93. Giuliani sustained a fractured thoracic vertebra, multiple lacerations, contusions, and injuries to his left arm and leg. He and the driver, spokesman Ted Goodman, were helping a woman who reported a domestic violence incident when the crash occurred. Both suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The crash’s cause is under investigation, with no charges filed. Giuliani, known as “America’s mayor” for his 9/11 leadership, later served as Trump’s personal attorney, involved in controversial election fraud claims.

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Polls to open in Florida Senate, House special elections. How to find out if you should be voting

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www.clickorlando.com – Christie Zizo, Emily McLeod – 2025-09-02 04:00:00

SUMMARY: Election Day in west Orange County, Florida, on Tuesday features special elections to fill two Florida Legislature vacancies in Senate District 15 and House District 40. Senate District 15 includes northwest Orange County areas like Winter Garden and College Park. The seat was vacated by the late Sen. Geraldine Thompson. Democratic State Rep. Bracy Davis faces Republican Willie J. Montague for the Senate seat. In House District 40, RaShon Young, Davis’ former chief of staff, won the Democratic primary and will compete against Republican Tuan Le and write-in Chris Hall in the Sept. 2 general election. Polls open 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; vote-by-mail ballots are due by 7 p.m.

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