In January, Gov. Ron DeSantis called the Florida Legislature into a special session over House and Senate leaders’ objections. Defying DeSantis, the Legislature convened its own session and passed an 84-page “TRUMP Act” to support federal immigration enforcement efforts. DeSantis also released a $115.6 billion “Focus on Fiscal Responsibility” budget proposal, sought more control over federal Everglades restoration funds, and filled federal and state office vacancies arising from presidential appointments, retirements, and resignations.
It was a busy month! Read on for details about this Florida government news and more.
Special Sessions
Called by DeSantis
On Jan. 13, Gov. DeSantis called for a special session of the Florida Legislature to convene in two weeks’ time. Stating that the issue couldn’t wait for the regular legislative session in March, he said the session would coordinate Florida’s immigration policies with then-President-elect Donald Trump’s planned crackdown.
He also wanted lawmakers to address condominium regulation, change a ballot initiative process, help the agricultural industry and residents recovering from hurricanes, and replenish funding for the My Safe Florida Home program.
DeSantis’ special session proposals, suggested bill language on immigration, and suggested bill language on ballot initiative integrity indicate his thinking at the time, although things may have changed in the weeks since.
Legislative Leaders Object
Senate President Ben Albritten and House Speaker Daniel Perez, who were not consulted or informed in advance about DeSantis’ plan, promptly responded in a joint statement that “calling a special session at this time is premature.”
“[W]hen it comes to immigration, we are strong supporters of President Trump and stand ready to follow his lead,” they said. “At this time, we are not aware of any specific guidance provided to the states about actions state legislatures can take to support forthcoming federal action. It is completely irresponsible to get out ahead of any announcements President Trump will make, especially when uninformed or ill-timed state action could potentially impair or impede the success of President Trump’s forthcoming efforts to end illegal immigration, close our borders, and protect the sovereignty of our nation.”
They said the other issues the Governor wanted to address could wait until the regular session, which was to start in 50 days.
DeSantis’ Session Convenes; Adjourns
As required by law, both chambers convened DeSantis’ special session on Jan. 27 then quickly adjourned.
Legislators Reconvene; Pass TRUMP Act
The leaders then opened their own session. Special sessions “should not be stunts designed to generate headlines,” Speaker Perez told his members. “We do not have to choose between right now and getting it right.”
Over the course of two days, legislators introduced, debated, and passed the “Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy (TRUMP) Act” which would:
- move immigration enforcement from the Office of the Governor to that of the state Agriculture Commissioner, making Wilton Simpson the state’s “immigration czar” and liaison with the Trump Administration on the issue,
- steer hundreds of millions of dollars to law enforcement agencies to support Trump’s immigration policies, and
- do away with in-state tuition breaks at colleges and universities for undocumented immigrants.
The bill passed on Jan. 28, with votes of 21-16 in the Senate and 82-30 in the House.
Read the 84-page “TRUMP Act” (CS/SB 2-B) and the Florida House Bill Analysis.
DeSantis Threatens Veto
The morning after the measure was passed, DeSantis pledged to veto it. “The bill that narrowly passed the Florida legislature last night fails to honor our promises to voters, fails to meet the moment, and would actually weaken state immigration enforcement,” he wrote on X. “The veto pen is ready.”
As of Feb. 8, the bill had not been sent to the governor’s office.
DeSantis Signs Pact with SWFL Law Enforcement
Moving forward in an executive action, on Jan. 29, DeSantis announced a new partnership with federal agencies. The agreement with Florida Highway Patrol and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement grants state and local law enforcement enhanced capabilities to enforce federal immigration laws, including authority to police illegal immigration and subject those arrested for traffic violations and other offenses to deportation.
At a news conference at FGCU, DeSantis warned that sheriffs who do not abide by his terms on immigration and policing may face removal.
Local Response
Collier County’s entire legislative delegation (Sen. Kathleen Passidomo and Reps. Botana, Benarroch and Melo) voted for the “TRUMP Act.”
According to a statement to FOX 4 News, Collier Sheriff Kevin Rambosk has asked to expand the county’s 287g partnership program to meet President Trump’s objectives set forth within his Executive Orders.
The Collier County Republican Executive Committee (CCREC), in a resolution passed on Feb. 3, “formally expressed its displeasure with the Florida Legislature” and threatened the Collier County delegation with censorship if they “fail to work with Governor DeSantis and fail to vote in favor of strong legislation acceptable to Gov. DeSantis” regarding the immigration issues being discussed in Tallahassee.
DeSantis Budget Proposal
On Feb. 3, DeSantis released his proposed “Focus on Fiscal Responsibility” 2025-26 budget proposal. It totals $115.6 billion with $14.6 billion in reserves, “providing a significant reduction over last year’s spending while still leaving ample resources for unforeseen economic issues.”
Read more: the budget highlights, the transmittal letter, the budget FAQs, the budget one-pager.
DeSantis’ budget, however, is only a recommendation. The Legislature is constitutionally responsible for passing a balanced budget during its annual 60-day legislative session, which will convene next month. The Governor then has line-item veto power.
More Control Over Everglades Money
First authorized by Congress and the Legislature in 2000, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is the largest environmental restoration ever, covering an area the size of New Jersey.
At a press conference on Jan. 9, DeSantis said Florida would ask the Trump administration for more authority to help speed construction of a federal reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee.
He wants to accelerate projects by “garnering authority over the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in an effort designed to save both time and taxpayer dollars.”
DeSantis has been praised for the progress made to-date on Everglades restoration during his time in office. The South Florida Water Management District posted a statement outlining 75 Everglades restoration projects that have been completed, broken ground or hit a major milestone since January 2019.
DeSantis “made a promise when he came into office to do all that he could to advance restoration, and he has made good on that promise,” said The Everglades Trust CEO Anna Upton in a statement. “The progress has been unlike anything we have ever seen in the history of Everglades restoration,” she said to the Palm Beach Post.
Gubernatorial Appointments
Florida’s U.S. Senator Marco Rubio was sworn in as Secretary of State on Jan. 21, creating the first of what became several vacancies for Gov. DeSantis to fill.
Moody to U.S. Senate
DeSantis chose Ashley Moody, 49, who was serving her second term as Florida’s Attorney General, to fill the Senate position.
Moody “has been an ally of DeSantis as he has steered the state in a sharply conservative direction.” She challenged the Biden administration on labor rights, immigration, and COVID-19 restrictions and sued it for allegedly discriminating against hurricane victims who support Trump. She also backed Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss, joining an unsuccessful lawsuit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn his defeat in several battleground states.
“She’s also rejected DEI, ESG, gender ideology, and supported our efforts to ensure Florida’s education is free from impositions of the radical left,” DeSantis said at a news conference announcing her selection on Jan. 16.
Moody took the oath of office on Jan. 21.
Uthmeier to Florida Attorney General
DeSantis chose James Uthmeier, 37, to complete the Attorney General term ending in 2026.
Uthmeier, most recently DeSantis’ chief of staff, had previously been the governor’s top official attorney. He was also the campaign manager for DeSantis’ unsuccessful presidential bid, spearheaded the governor’s efforts to defeat last year’s recreational marijuana and abortion-rights ballot initiatives, and masterminded the program to fly migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, among other things.
A timeline for his appointment has not been announced.
“Unknown” to Florida CFO
In November, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced his candidacy in the 2025 special election to fill former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s seat in Florida’s first congressional district. After announcing his candidacy for Congress, Patronis submitted his resignation as chief financial officer of Florida effective March 31, 2025, as would be required by Florida’s resign-to-run law. The election will be held on April 1, 2025.
Then-President-elect Trump publicly urged Patronis to run in a post on Truth Social.
If Patronis wins on April 1 and DeSantis replaces him, he will have chosen two of the three independently elected members of the Florida Cabinet, which comprises the state’s agriculture commissioner, attorney general, and CFO.
”Unknown” to Lt. Governor
At the request of DeSantis’ office, the Florida International University Board of Trustees on Feb. 7 named Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez as the school’s interim president. Once Nunez formally accepts her new role, she will have to resign as lieutenant governor, setting the stage for DeSantis to pick a new lieutenant governor.
Weida to Chief of Staff
Jason Weida, who has led the state Agency for Health Care Administration for the past two years after serving as its chief of staff, will be DeSantis’ next chief of staff.
Weida’s departure from AHCA means yet another high-level vacancy the governor will have to fill. AHCA’s primary responsibility is overseeing the state’s Medicaid program. It also handles licensing for the state’s health care facilities and the sharing of health care data for the purpose of developing public policy and promoting the transparency of consumer health care information.
Loukonen, Reichling to 20th Judicial Circuit Court
On Jan. 8, DeSantis announced two judicial appointments to the 20th Judicial Circuit Court.
He appointed Rachael Loukonen of Estero to fill the vacancy created by Judge Lee Ann Schreiber’s retirement. Loukonen has been a Shareholder at Cheffy Passidomo, P.A., since 2019.
In addition, DeSantis appointed Trent Reichling of Fort Myers to fill a vacancy created by Judge Margaret Steinbeck’s resignation. Reichling has been an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Middle District of Florida since 2018.
The 20th Judicial Circuit encompasses the counties of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee.
Both judges will face voters in nonpartisan elections in 2026.
The Speed Read
- Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida’s GOP-controlled Legislature appear to align on teachers and campus police officers being part of the state’s “all-hands-on-deck” plan to aid federal immigration enforcement. (Politico) ($)
- Facing fire from DeSantis, Florida’s agriculture industry says it doesn’t rely on undocumented foreign workers. (Politico) ($)
- Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez outlined four “combined workgroups” that will review line-item vetoes from the current 2024-25 budget Gov. Ron DeSantis signed last year and submit recommendations for “further legislative action,” if any, which could include votes to override. (Florida Politics)
- Dozens of measures have already been proposed in the Florida House and Senate ahead of the March 4 start to the 2025 legislative session. (Miami Herald)
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