AGP Executive Report

Medicaid Crackdown: Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a statewide Medicaid Integrity Initiative in Palm Beach County, aiming to stop fraud before taxpayer dollars are lost with provider screening, fraud-detection tech, and a full revalidation of active Medicaid providers. State Politics & Courts: The Florida Supreme Court issued a reprimand (not a suspension) for Kenneth Chesebro, a key figure in the “fake electors” scheme, declining to halt his law license. Local Governance: The Florida Commission on Ethics dismissed an ethics complaint against Lee County Undersheriff John Holloway, saying the claims relied on hearsay rather than personal knowledge. Elections Watch: Candidate qualifying is over, setting the stage for Florida’s 2026 races under new congressional maps, with multiple Democrats and Republicans now officially in the mix. Business & Community: Florida’s state offices will close for a five-day Independence Day weekend as the U.S. marks its 250th anniversary. Sports: Florida State landed ASUN Player of the Year Nicole Edmiaston, a former Stetson slugger, as it rebuilds its softball roster. Weather: Saharan dust is drifting into Southwest Florida, bringing hazier skies and warmer, drier conditions.

World Cup & Weather: Southwest Florida is bracing for a classic summer pattern—morning storms near the coast, afternoon activity pushing inland, and locally heavy downpours possible through the weekend. Property Taxes: Florida voters will weigh a major constitutional amendment this November that would expand the homestead exemption for non-school local taxes, with the exemption rising to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Courts & Immigration: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Florida’s bid to challenge other states’ commercial driver licensing programs tied to a fatal crash involving an undocumented immigrant driver. Free Speech at FWC: Florida’s wildlife agency rolled out a new social media policy after a judge said a fired biologist’s online speech was protected; the policy restricts negative personal comments about the agency. UF Sports & Space Coast: UF unveiled a $1.45B Ben Hill Griffin Stadium renovation plan, and a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral is set for Friday with Starlink satellites. Local Business: Florida Paints opened a new retail store in Eustis, bringing its locally made products and services closer to Lake County contractors and homeowners.

Stadium Upgrade: UF unveiled plans for a record $1.45B renovation of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (“The Swamp”), with construction targeted to start after the 2026 season and finish before the 2030 season, keeping capacity at about 88,000 while adding upgrades like better accessibility, traffic flow, tech, and gathering spaces. Public Safety: Florida lawmakers are moving to curb child drownings after a string of pool tragedies, including new drowning-prevention info for new parents and expanded swim-lesson vouchers. State Politics: Florida’s GOP-backed U.S. House map stays in place after the Florida Supreme Court declined to block it in an emergency bid, as voting-rights groups argue it’s a partisan power grab. Legal/Justice: Florida AG James Uthmeier says “teen takeover” organizers can be charged as adults and face racketeering, as the state ramps up efforts to dismantle the networks behind the events. Local Watchdog: Florida TaxWatch flagged more than $829M in “budget turkey” spending, including $5M for a Sarasota County Fairgrounds multi-purpose facility, raising questions about public review. Weather/Utilities: Experts recommend setting thermostats around 78°F to balance comfort and cooling costs during a brutal Central Florida heat stretch.

Florida Politics: A new Associated Industries of Florida poll shows Byron Donalds dominating the GOP governor primary with 54% support, far ahead of James Fishback (8%), Jay Collins (5%) and Paul Renner (2%), with 31% undecided. Courts & Law: The Florida Supreme Court kept GOP-drawn congressional maps in place for 2026 elections after rejecting emergency challenges. Public Safety & Crime: Florida AG James Uthmeier announced “Operation Sunset Stakes,” arresting 11 and seizing 479 illegal machines, while linking illegal gambling to public-safety threats. Immigration Crackdown: A report says Florida’s state and local agencies have quietly surged in immigration arrests as part of the broader crackdown. Business & Consumer: Eli Lilly won a federal court order in a rebate-fraud fight involving pharmacy groups tied to Florida and Tennessee. Weather: Central Florida is seeing rising humidity and rain chances, with a quieter start before storms build later. Sports & Community: Florida Everblades won an overtime thriller in Game 3 of the Kelly Cup Final, pulling the series to 2-1.

FHSAA Transfer Rules: The Florida High School Athletic Association approved new bylaws tied to SB 538, requiring non-traditional transfer athletes to play in the county where they live—aimed at slowing transfers and standardizing eligibility. Congressional Map Fight: The Florida Supreme Court kept the GOP-drawn U.S. House districts in place for midterms, rejecting a request to pause the map while lawsuits play out. Gubernatorial Race: David Jolly named former Rep. Gwen Graham as his running mate, betting on a rural-and-working-class coalition as he tries to make the race competitive. Property Taxes & Public Safety: DeSantis says he’ll push a special session to restore parts of his homestead property tax plan if voters approve it; meanwhile, Southwest Florida fire districts warn they could be forced to consolidate if revenue drops. Local Costs & Quality of Life: Collier County residents complain about repeatedly stolen road signs for “Alligator Alcatraz,” with FDOT replacing them quickly. Public Health: Seminole County ranks third in Central Florida for rabies exposure cases, with health officials urging residents to avoid wild animals. Weather: Central Florida saw notable rain and storm activity as a tropical system stays mostly away from the state. AI & Policing: An ACLU-backed lawsuit alleges Jacksonville Beach relied too heavily on facial recognition, leading to a wrongful arrest. Lottery: Powerball climbs to $238M and Florida Lotto hits a $2M jackpot for Wednesday.

Property Taxes Showdown: Florida lawmakers put a major homestead property tax cut on the November ballot, with local officials warning it could slash county revenue by about $9.9 billion and force service cuts or higher fees. Politics & Elections: Qualifying is underway for Florida’s congressional and state races, with the field solidifying in key South Florida contests as candidates pitch affordability and public safety. Campaign Watch: Republican Joe Kaufman unveiled his S.E.A. Plan for Florida’s 25th District, tying border security and law enforcement to lower costs for South Florida families. Public Safety: A Navy base employee was critically injured in a shark attack near a marina at Naval Support Activity Panama City. Health & Tech: Tampa General says its AI “Sepsis Hub” helped cut sepsis deaths by about half since 2021. Remembering Pulse: Central Florida marks 10 years since the Pulse nightclub massacre, with families and survivors still carrying the grief. Weather: Southwest Florida braces for a humid, stormy stretch with afternoon and evening rain chances.

Property Taxes & Elections: Rep. Byron Donalds qualified for Florida governor and says he’ll keep pushing property-tax relief after lawmakers put a November homestead amendment on the ballot. State Finance & Insurance: Florida Democrats are also lining up for the CFO race, with former Sen. Annette Taddeo announcing her bid, arguing the office must rein in insurance costs and boost transparency. Immigration Enforcement Funding: DeSantis’ Cabinet approved $90 million in grants for local law enforcement equipment tied to immigration enforcement. Earthquake Watch: A 6.1 quake off Cuba was felt across Southwest Florida, with NOAA saying there’s no tsunami threat. Space: NASA named the Artemis III crew for a late-2027 orbital test of commercial lunar landers. Schools & Sports: The FHSAA is launching an eight-team Open Division in multiple sports, and a new law clarifies what high school coaches can spend on student-athletes. Local Politics: Miami-Dade County commission seats were filled without votes for five candidates, while union leaders warn DeSantis’ anti-union push could reshape teacher union elections.

Public Safety: A Brevard County woman, Jodi Cowan, was killed in a “vicious” pit bull attack after neighbors reported the dogs’ owner to authorities at least 14 times since 2024; the owner, Linda Cutler, is charged with manslaughter and due in court June 23. Local Government/Energy: St. Petersburg City Council voted to study the practicalities of leaving Duke Energy for citywide electricity service, with residents citing high bills and Duke’s profit model. State Budget Watch: Florida TaxWatch flagged $830 million in “budget turkeys,” including $50 million tied to a proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium site at Hillsborough Community College. Politics: Former state Sen. Annette Taddeo launched her bid for Florida CFO, challenging incumbent Blaise Ingoglia and promising tougher oversight of property insurance costs. Earthquake: A 6.1 quake off western Cuba shook buildings across Florida, including as far as Orlando, with no reported damage or injuries. Business/Tech: Florida startup Ampera says it formed an Australian subsidiary to secure thorium supply for its advanced nuclear fuel plans. Sports: Florida A&M qualified six athletes for the NCAA outdoor championships, including a record-setting women’s 4x100 relay.

Earthquake Watch: A 6.1 magnitude quake off Cuba rattled southern Florida, with reports of minor shaking from the Keys to Orlando and brief disruptions at Miami-Dade’s government center and rail service; officials say there’s no tsunami threat. Property Tax Fight: Florida’s property tax relief measure heads toward a November vote, but critics warn it could face up to five constitutional challenges, including home rule and unfunded mandate concerns. Gun Law Update: Florida AG James Uthmeier moved to end the state’s 3-day firearm purchase waiting period, issuing an injunction that keeps the hold only long enough for a background check. World Cup Economy: South Florida businesses and airports are gearing up for a surge of World Cup fans, with Miami beefing up security and local venues preparing for big crowds. Business & Housing: GS Property LLC says it’s expanding real estate project execution across Florida and Texas. Public Safety: Law enforcement responded to a crash blocking an Estero intersection, and officials are still confirming details.

Fire & Courts: Jury selection is set to begin Monday for Jonathan Rinderknecht, a Brevard County man accused of intentionally setting the Jan. 1, 2025 fire that prosecutors say smoldered into the deadly Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, killing 12 and destroying thousands of homes. Gun Policy: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is moving to end the state’s three-day handgun waiting period, arguing it’s unconstitutional; gun-rights groups say the “cool-down” is unnecessary, while advocates warn it’s a small step with big stakes. Energy Costs: St. Petersburg and Clearwater are studying whether to leave Duke Energy and build municipal utilities as residents push back on high electric bills. Property Taxes: Pensacola officials warn that proposed statewide property tax cuts could strain the city’s downtown redevelopment funding tied to bond payments. Justice System Tech: A Florida case highlights growing use of AI in jury selection, raising bias concerns. Health & Education: Florida is proposing a rule requiring proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status for community college applicants, drawing criticism from immigrant advocates. Weather: Southwest Florida starts the week hot and humid, with rain chances building midweek.

Human Remains Mystery: A human skull was donated to a Brooksville thrift store, and Hernando County investigators are asking the public to help identify who it belongs to—marking at least the second similar discovery in Florida. Local Events: The 35th Annual GIGANTIC Garage Sale returns to the South Florida Fairgrounds July 11 with tens of thousands of square feet of bargains. Road Safety: Florida Highway Patrol reports a 67-year-old motorcyclist died after a crash on State Road 51 in Taylor County, and two people were killed in a wrong-way I-10 crash in Madison County. Public Safety & Crime: Sanford police are investigating two separate shootings that left one dead and another seriously injured. State Policy: Florida’s SAVE Act will require new driver’s licenses and IDs to show citizenship status starting Jan. 1, 2027. Environment & Agriculture: Florida issued emergency rules to keep the New World screwworm out after it was detected in Texas, including restrictions on warm-blooded animal imports. Health & Insurance: Cigna is exiting Florida’s Obamacare marketplace in 2027, raising fears of shrinking options for enrollees.

Property Taxes: Florida lawmakers advanced Gov. Ron DeSantis’ sweeping homestead property tax cut plan, setting up a November vote and sparking warnings from local leaders about potential cuts to services like parks and fire budgets. Space Coast Watch: SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 carrying 29 Starlink satellites from Florida on Monday, with possible visibility from Jacksonville Beach to West Palm Beach depending on weather. Public Safety: First responders in Broward pulled an elderly woman from a sinking car in a dramatic canal rescue moments before it went under. Teen Takeovers Crackdown: St. Augustine Beach police shut down an unsanctioned “teen takeover” at a pier after monitoring identified the plan early. Health Insurance: Cigna is exiting Florida’s Obamacare marketplace in 2027, joining Aetna’s earlier departure and raising fears of a market “death spiral.” Invasive Wildlife: Nile monitor lizards are spreading across South Florida, with experts urging residents not to handle or approach the fast-growing, dangerous reptiles. Hurricane Prep: United Way of Northwest Florida hosted a “Play It Forward” event handing out free sports gear and physicals to help kids stay active—plus broader community hurricane readiness drives continue.

World Cup Kickoff in Tampa: England opens its 2026 warmup slate against New Zealand at Raymond James Stadium tonight, with sweltering Florida heat and a newly laid pitch in the spotlight; Arsenal stars Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke are expected to sit after extended seasons. Hurricane Season Prep (Pets Included): Southwest Florida pet owners are being urged to plan for storms with pet-safe evacuation options, first-aid basics, and supplies—because “we all forget our pets last.” Lottery Buzz: Powerball rolls past $200 million for Saturday’s drawing, while Florida Lotto resets to $1.25M after a recent Publix ticket won nearly $30M. Public Safety: Clearwater police say Hulk Hogan’s death was natural and close the investigation. Health & Science: University of Miami opens a 3D-bioprinting lab aimed at regenerative medicine and faster, more personalized treatments. Courts & Business: A South Florida firm reports an $8 million jury verdict in a Broward County business dispute, including punitive damages.

Property Taxes & Local Power: Florida lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment that would exempt the first $150,000 of home value from property taxes in 2027 (then $250,000 in 2028), but analysts warn it could cut billions from local governments—pushing cities and counties to delay services or lean on Tallahassee. Gun Laws: Florida AG James Uthmeier asked a federal judge to strike the state’s three-day “cooling off” waiting period for most gun purchases as unconstitutional. Immigration: Senate Republicans advanced a $70 billion immigration bill to fund President Trump’s crackdown through the rest of his term, after internal GOP fights. Community Associations: A new Q&A explains who pays when a condo leak damages the unit below—typically the association for common elements and the unit owner for their unit. Local Government Finance (MSTUs): Columbia County posted business impact statements for proposed law enforcement and EMS municipal service taxing units, setting up public consideration later this month. Sports (Florida): Duke will play Florida again in the 2026 ACC/SEC Challenge in Gainesville on Dec. 1.

Governor’s Race Shakeup: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings suspended his Florida governor campaign after a prostate cancer diagnosis, leaving former U.S. Rep. David Jolly as the top Democrat heading into qualifying. Property Taxes: Florida lawmakers approved DeSantis’ homestead exemption expansion, sending it to voters in November—raising the exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028—while local leaders warn of major service cuts and revenue losses. Gun Rights: Florida AG James Uthmeier announced a settlement declaring the state’s 3-day waiting period unconstitutional, a win celebrated by the NRA. Shark Tourism vs. Ban: Dive operators are pushing back on a federal bill that would ban shark feeding off Florida within 200 miles, arguing it targets conservation-focused businesses. Health & Regulation: The Florida Health Department filed a third complaint against a Ponte Vedra dentist after a patient died during implant treatment, seeking possible license discipline. Local Water Update: A Lee/Collier drought warning was lifted after heavy rain, though conservation is still urged. Sports: UF softball’s season ended in the Super Regional, while Trenton’s Addison Allaire won Gatorade Player of the Year for Florida.

Florida Courts & AI: The Florida Supreme Court is tightening rules after lawyers filed AI-made “hallucinations,” requiring attorneys to verify cited legal authorities and warning sanctions for bad filings. Housing & Growth: A new housing-cost debate is heating up as builders and industry leaders point to regulation and permitting timelines as major drivers, while red-state housing advocates argue faster development and fewer roadblocks help keep supply moving. Cuba Pressure in Florida Politics: Florida’s political fight over Cuba is back in the spotlight as new U.S. sanctions target Cuban leaders and the Florida Green Party condemns the “blockade” and threats to Cuban sovereignty. World Cup Security & Local Prep: South Florida is ramping up security and planning for the World Cup surge, with officials focused on protecting visitors and preventing ticket scams. Business in Miami: Peter Thiel’s family office reportedly signed a record-high Miami lease at 830 Brickell, underscoring continued high-end office demand. Public Health & Tech: Google is seeking approval to release millions of mosquitoes in California and Florida as part of a Wolbachia-based population control plan.