DeSantis elections push: SAVE Act sued, gerrymander maps signed; budget deal reached; voter education session held; new voter ID law
Key Questions
What changes did DeSantis sign regarding congressional maps?
DeSantis signed HB1-D/SB8-D, which adds three GOP seats to Florida's congressional delegation. Lawsuits from Fair Districts and others are ongoing, and a judge upheld the map despite gerrymandering claims.
What was included in the recent Florida budget deal?
The deal closed a $1.4-1.5B gap using bonding and finalized a $115B budget with increased Everglades funding, HIV drug support, and raises for law enforcement, but no funding for Florida Forever or gas tax relief.
What does the new voter ID law change starting in 2027?
HB 991 tightens voter ID rules by banning student, retirement, and debit card IDs. The ACLU and disability groups have filed lawsuits challenging the law.
What happened at the Tampa voter education session?
Voting rights activists discussed new voter ID rules, mail-in ballot changes, and the congressional map. A judge refused to block the map ahead of the June 8 qualifying deadline.
Who entered the 2026 governor's race as a no-party candidate?
Former Surfside mayor Charles Burkett announced his candidacy focusing on affordability issues.
DeSantis signs HB1-D/SB8-D for +3 GOP seats; lawsuits from Fair Districts/Fried ongoing. Special session closed $1.4-1.5B gap with $1.24B bonding bill and $115B budget deal finalized over Memorial Day weekend: includes $645M Everglades (up from $514M), $75M HIV drugs, $4M Groveland Four, law enforcement raises, gun accessory tax exemptions, AI for policing and prisons, higher education changes, but zero for Florida Forever and bills allowing conservation land sales. No gas tax break, no security detail for DeSantis. Former Surfside mayor Charles Burkett enters 2026 governor's race as NPA focusing on affordability. Voting rights activists held a voter education session in Tampa on new voter ID, mail-in ballot changes, and the controversial congressional map; a judge refused to block the map, raising minority representation concerns. Judge Hawkes upheld the map, rejecting gerrymandering claims; appeal possible before June 8 qualifying. New voter ID law (HB 991) signed, tightening requirements starting 2027, banning student/retirement IDs and debit cards; ACLU and disability groups sue.