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people killed in the Pulse nightclub shooting 10 years ago."},{"_id":"3TN4F6PHQFB4RGSVALC6S5QNJY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"St. Petersburg is the latest city to receive a request for a proclamation from Christian groups that promote marriage as being between one man and one woman. It was brought forward by council member Corey Givens. "},{"_id":"Z6F64AHOINEB7C2QWMK5RAMKII","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A similar proclamation was recently approved by the Pinellas County Commission. The Clearwater City Council <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2025/06/21/clearwater-embraces-faith-family-this-pride-month/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2025/06/21/clearwater-embraces-faith-family-this-pride-month/\">approved the recognition last year</a>. "},{"_id":"VRYIPHE2URFGHJWR4GUO7VCSUA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"However, Mayor Ken Welch’s administration has attempted to mitigate the message by inserting the word “Inclusive” before the proclamation’s title. “Inclusive Family and Faith Month” now seeks to recognize families in all forms, including same-sex couples."},{"_id":"AHFALACEG5HQDCUWKTIWFQ5KOA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Though Faith and Family Month’s official organizers are not expected to come to City Hall on Thursday, Givens’ invited guests include a group called Florida Faith Foundations. According to its website, the group is “against a radical Leftist Woke insurgency.” It seeks to “expose LGBTQ+ radical activism.”"},{"_id":"TPY3U3VITNBIJHJ3CK2FJJM7JY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Before it was rewritten, the proclamation seemed out of character for St. Petersburg, which <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/06/04/st-petersburg-pride-dei-lgbtq-desantis/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/06/04/st-petersburg-pride-dei-lgbtq-desantis/\">raised the St. Pete Pride flag above City Hall</a> last week for potentially the last time.<b> </b>It has historically hosted the largest Pride festival in Florida and threw a block party to celebrate ahead of a new Florida<b> </b>law that goes into effect in January that bars cities and counties from <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/22/desantis-dei-diversity-net-zero-emission-greenhouse-gases/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/22/desantis-dei-diversity-net-zero-emission-greenhouse-gases/\">funding or promoting diversity</a>, equity and inclusion programs."},{"_id":"JV562FWZBNGXZL5IQZAOQEVA4Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Givens was the only council member who was not at the flag raising, though he attended a council meeting later that day. He said he had a personal conflict but attended the St. Pete Pride Family Day event."},{"_id":"KQRBA2EOEZAZHGPC3BJBBBXG5A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A few organizations approached him wanting the city to recognize the month of June as Faith and Family Month,<b> </b>Givens said. He said he brought the proclamation forward as Gov. Ron DeSantis declared June Faith and Family month."},{"_id":"OVTS7SVHTNFIZJLGY3NQL6NTDE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Givens said Welch did not approve the language of the original proclamation submitted. Givens said he was supportive of the changes."},{"_id":"KEMV42C7SNH6RFUD3VM4FBMKNI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“This had nothing to do with Pride,” Givens said. “This is just a month where we’re celebrating faith and family and promoting organizations to support family and having a Father’s Day event.”"},{"_id":"EOEFAR2YSJCAFNNMV7SYQ2FYYI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Givens said he supported the proclamation because he is the son of a single teen mom and he is a proponent of ending “the epidemic of fatherlessness.” He serves on the board of Next STEPP, a St. Petersburg pregnancy center that has been <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2021/06/12/how-controversy-over-a-st-petersburg-pregnancy-center-derailed-grants-for-small-businesses/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2021/06/12/how-controversy-over-a-st-petersburg-pregnancy-center-derailed-grants-for-small-businesses/\">accused by abortion-rights advocates of using unethical anti-abortion tactics</a>."},{"_id":"RZ42L3RWWNGQZIRDH5GQFV3NBQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I recognize too that families today look different,” Givens said. “There’s homosexual couples who are parents and I respect that. I would not diminish their ability to be good parents in any way. What I do know is that kids in general stand to benefit in many ways from having a father figure in their life.”"},{"_id":"5WWG5A2TXJEX5CJZSZVOV4WU2Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Asked about Florida Faith Foundations and the statements on the group’s website, Givens said he doesn’t discriminate when people bring proclamations to him."},{"_id":"YYUWTQVLNBCFBIO7XG3YOMEAXA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“As long as it’s legal and appropriate, this was one I was willing to bring forward,” he said. “I commend the mayor for signing it.”"},{"_id":"TI5R5OJ6AFED7MHWPKF5U56GZU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"That doesn’t pass the smell test for council vice chairperson Richie Floyd, who is sponsoring the Pulse Remembrance Day Proclamation, which remembers the deadliest act of anti-LGBTQ+ violence in modern history."},{"_id":"3KHIV6PAAJF2NNIQ5WTNR44IJ4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“There’s a concerted effort to try to push back against LGBTQ+ rights,” he said. “I’m glad the proclamation is reflecting that our city’s not going to be a part of that pushback. Obviously I can’t speak to his intent, but the intent of these organizations are abundantly clear. It’s laid out on their website."},{"_id":"T2RTVNAYZJB5XEK6EIZSPNPQVA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It’s naive at best, really,” Floyd said."}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"The proclamation resembled the one Pinellas County approved before St. Petersburg officials revised it to include the word “inclusive.”"},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/st-petersburg","parent_id":"/news","name":"St. Petersburg","description":"The latest community, government, crime and business news about St. Petersburg from the Tampa Bay Times.","_id":"/news/st-petersburg","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/st-petersburg"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Keep up with Tampa Bay’s 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The St. Petersburg City Council is slated to recognize June as “Inclusive Family and Faith Month” Thursday right after it celebrates Pride month and honors the 49 people killed in the Pulse nightclub shooting 10 years ago.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BFO5264CRVEHRH3BU4GPARTIHA.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Dirk Shadd","type":"author"}]},"width":4174,"_id":"BFO5264CRVEHRH3BU4GPARTIHA","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/BFO5264CRVEHRH3BU4GPARTIHA.JPG?auth=7e47b8717de8990965b29d3718a936ab225031a554dfdcb228c003cd2183c1cd","iptc_source":"Tampa Bay Times","iptc_job_identifier":"600752085","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/BFO5264CRVEHRH3BU4GPARTIHA.JPG?auth=7e47b8717de8990965b29d3718a936ab225031a554dfdcb228c003cd2183c1cd","takenOn":"2026-06-04T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BFO5264CRVEHRH3BU4GPARTIHA.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/BFO5264CRVEHRH3BU4GPARTIHA.JPG?auth=7e47b8717de8990965b29d3718a936ab225031a554dfdcb228c003cd2183c1cd","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/BFO5264CRVEHRH3BU4GPARTIHA.JPG?auth=7e47b8717de8990965b29d3718a936ab225031a554dfdcb228c003cd2183c1cd&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"436020_shad_12_PrideFlag.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"created_date":"2026-06-04T14:48:36Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-04T18:19:33Z","slug":"436020_shad_PrideFlag","height":3467}},"canonical_url":"/news/st-petersburg/2026/06/10/st-petersburg-pride-family-faith-desantis/","revision":{"editions":["default"],"parent_id":"GDXREKGY2NH4PNT7KAPYRW3CAI","published":true,"branch":"default","revision_id":"UOFOA7LVKZBDJHJQAPEUVUUEEQ"},"planning":{"budget_line":"St. Petersburg ‘Family & Faith’","scheduling":{"planned_publish_date":"2026-06-11T10:00:01.000Z"},"story_length":{"character_count_actual":3804,"inch_count_actual":22,"inch_count_planned":25,"word_count_actual":626,"line_count_actual":154}},"display_date":"2026-06-10T23:49:45.474Z","headlines":{"tablet":"","print":"","meta_title":"","native":"","web":"","mobile":"","basic":"St. Petersburg’s ‘Inclusive Family and Faith’ proclamation draws scrutiny","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-10T13:56:24.216Z","publish_date":"2026-06-10T23:49:45.474Z","_id":"DIBST6FB3BAVTMWVGP6QQ2T72Q","website":"tbt","website_url":"/news/st-petersburg/2026/06/10/st-petersburg-pride-family-faith-desantis/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"WBHFKVV4UFHCXDGBDVXPEVVO7Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1551117679223},"type":"text","content":"TALLAHASSEE — The new congressional district map will remain in effect for the midterm elections, after the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a push to block the new configuration."},{"_id":"JXZSHWN5LJDJLKQ74U726RPCQQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In a 6-1 ruling, the court determined the First District Court of Appeal should consider the merits of the case before it weighs in on the matter. Equal Ground Education Fund and two other voting rights groups <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/05/congressional-redistricting-lawsuits-desantis-election-voting/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/05/congressional-redistricting-lawsuits-desantis-election-voting/\">brought the case</a> alleging the new districts were drawn to favor the Republican Party, a violation of the state’s anti-gerrymandering law, but the First District Court of Appeal didn’t grant a temporary injunction while the underlying case is pending."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"ERHSGLUKYZCALJGKEEPUQFFB5U","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781135582461-964q7ymls","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Florida redistricting map to stay for 2026 after judge declines to block it"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/26/florida-redistricting-maps-2026-midterm-republican-gop-desantis/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"HRWRTO6TWFDE3EB5NVAI47CHQM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“At this time, we do not have jurisdiction over that matter, and we do not simply assume that the First District’s decision will provide an appropriate basis for this Court’s review,” the court ruling states."},{"_id":"L6FLVAWNQFENBCETE42CKILPVA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Genesis Robinson, executive director for Equal Ground, slammed the court’s decision. "},{"_id":"6GAA5IRYPNCEFE4HLEHEPPU5SY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The time to protect voters from irreparable harm is before another election takes place under this map,” Robinson said in a released statement. “And while we remain committed to ensuring that Florida’s constitutional protections are fully upheld, Florida voters deserve fair maps, fair representation, and a democracy that works for everyone now.”"},{"_id":"JOX5WA273JFDDJIAO2XWMHJ7NU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Justice Jorge Labarga wrote a dissent arguing the court did have jurisdiction, and chiding the First DCA for not expediting a review by the Florida Supreme Court. The qualifying deadline for U.S. House candidates ends Friday at noon, leaving no time for the courts to rule on the merits of the case before the elections are locked in place."},{"_id":"5HUO3NEXDVCFZDNXEZZEU32OTQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Had the district court invoked pass-through jurisdiction here, doing so would have established an independent basis for this Court’s jurisdiction in this matter,” Labarga wrote. “Unfortunately, for now, and with a filing deadline and an election fast approaching, we will not have the opportunity to review the issues of statewide importance raised in the petitioners’ efforts to enjoin Florida’s 2026 congressional map.”"},{"_id":"ZMBJCOESANA7HPDTS3QZMORBQY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":""},{"_id":"YTUWAADV2ZGDJLQTECQ6JKYP6Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/04/florida-redistricting-desantis-maps-gop-republican-congress-trump/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/04/florida-redistricting-desantis-maps-gop-republican-congress-trump/\">Gov. Ron DeSantis </a>pushed for a redrawn congressional map of Florida’s 28 districts after President Donald Trump urged Republican-controlled states to pass new maps favoring the GOP ahead of the midterm elections."},{"_id":"HKO74IMCDZCITPIUN3647YWUYY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"An aide for DeSantis drew the new map and <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/27/florida-redistricting-map-desantis-trump-congress-republican-seats/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/27/florida-redistricting-map-desantis-trump-congress-republican-seats/\">handed it to the Republican-led Legislature</a>, which passed it without any changes during an April special session."},{"_id":"XY7VG3UNTFCURGQJV7N7QZQM2A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"DeSantis has pointed to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which was released during the special session, undercutting part of the Voting Rights Act that allowed districts to be drawn to favor racial or ethnic minorities. That ruling meant District 20, specifically, had to be redrawn, he contends."},{"_id":"7LAJWOFKYVEPFACAZWN5I3D4MI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But Democrats and voting rights groups that brought the case alleged the new map is a blatant gerrymander to favor the GOP, violating a constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2010, known as the Fair District Amendment, that prohibits drawing districts to favor or disfavor political parties."},{"_id":"KTRPV2OOA5GMHLIVYOHKL44UHY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"They noted DeSantis’ aide, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/28/florida-redistricting-desantis-trump-gop-partisan-fair-districts/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/28/florida-redistricting-desantis-trump-gop-partisan-fair-districts/\">Jason Poreda</a>, told lawmakers he drew the new map with partisan data. And DeSantis’ office also sent the map to Fox News with partisan coloring, showing Republicans could flip up to four seats based on 2024 presidential voting patterns."},{"_id":"6PPGUU3AGVDNHAD2AVSTQOYTSQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Although the underlying case will still progress through the court process, the maps will remain in place."},{"_id":"KZI73KA52VCEDGME6S4VGWJZNI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The people of Florida can rest assured that elections will take place this year — under a redistricting law and an election code enacted by their Legislature, all as administered by various, capable state and local election officials — following which they will have their duly apportioned allotment of elected representatives in Congress,” Justice Adam Tanenbaum wrote in a concurrence that took issue with Labarga’s dissent."},{"_id":"R2FGJZOQWBC6RAV62LTYVG7PPM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“In the meantime, the plaintiffs will have their days in court, in due course, to be heard on the merits of their challenge to the new redistricting law—all in comportment with the reformed judicial system established by the people through their constitution,” he added."},{"_id":"2SAPUDVPR5BTNBHM46FCJ433VQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>By Gray Rohrer, News Service of Florida</i>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Justice Jorge Labarga wrote a dissent."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida-politics/elections","parent_id":"/news/florida-politics","name":"Elections","description":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news/florida-politics"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics/elections"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every 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Ron DeSantis’ property tax proposal</a> could affect the county’s finances, according to a draft agenda obtained by the Tampa Bay Times."},{"_id":"O5SJIN4P6BC73FKLXSWQISBPPY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The presentation comes at the request of Commissioner Chris Boles, who told the Times Wednesday he felt his directive was a particularly prudent course of action because of Hillsborough’s ongoing stadium deal negotiations with the Tampa Bay Rays. Talks with the team, he said, cannot occur in a vacuum."},{"_id":"A3R4Q7MFXVC33IZGVUD6PGV7D4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“We have this huge decision to make,” Boles said. “How is this (property tax plan) going to affect it?”"},{"_id":"PXLYM6ITHVF5POCZQA264OENHU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"After <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/20/tampa-bay-rays-hillsborough-county-stadium-mlb-babby-hagan/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/20/tampa-bay-rays-hillsborough-county-stadium-mlb-babby-hagan/\">Hillsborough</a> and the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/21/tampa-bay-rays-tampa-city-council-stadium-vote-memorandum-of-understanding/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/21/tampa-bay-rays-tampa-city-council-stadium-vote-memorandum-of-understanding/\">city of Tampa</a> approved a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with the baseball team last month, Rays CEO Ken Babby <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2026/05/23/ken-babby-rays-stadium-deal-tampa-city-council/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2026/05/23/ken-babby-rays-stadium-deal-tampa-city-council/\">told the Times</a> future discussions would not include “reopening a discussion on the economics” in the memorandum."},{"_id":"FVBUR6TY55B6JP43C32VLLQQPA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But Boles, who voted in favor of the memorandum of understanding, said he believes DeSantis’ plan should change that."},{"_id":"GYLGQTS3EFACZLSW3WLVB7O5CM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Given the Governor has advanced a plan to reduce revenue sources for local governments, by increasing the homestead exemption amount and reducing the cap on commercial property to 5%, the landscape has dramatically changed,” he wrote in an email to County Attorney Julia Mandell and County Administrator Bonnie Wise earlier this week."},{"_id":"6SS5LKW5NZDDHM6MCQMWPQMTJQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Therefore, I believe an opportunity has now opened to reconsider any “financial template(s).”"},{"_id":"FQHSD4QPFREJHAEXCKXNW5SCLI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In his email to Mandell and Wise, Boles raised a total of nine questions that, he wrote, the answers to which “will significantly influence whether (he feels) sufficient common ground exists to justify continued advancement of the proposal.”"},{"_id":"P74ZRJVLTZHEZEIDVAERPGDDD4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Before I can determine whether this proposal remains in the County’s best interest, I need greater certainty regarding the County’s long-term financial exposure, future flexibility, taxpayer protections, and the enforceability of the private commitments being relied upon,” he wrote."},{"_id":"LYDG5AGEQJBBRJN2UOG2TUIQ4U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Particularly concerning to Boles is the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/05/02/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-property-tax-ken-hagan-ken-babby/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/05/02/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-property-tax-ken-hagan-ken-babby/\">$103 million in county rainy day funds</a> that is included in the framework for the $976 million public contribution outlined in the nonbinding memorandum. "},{"_id":"TPX576UUI5GQLKYQI5VFM3E2VI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Is it really smart to give $100 million of reserves if we are looking at a potential $300 million loss?” Boles said, alluding to how DeSantis’ property tax plan could affect Hillsborough’s funding. "},{"_id":"PMMRZCX33VFRDFWXOG2EQS2DP4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Such a decision, he said, could look like “bad form” from the county."},{"_id":"7RB7WU5ORRDZ7DOFNXWASI5L2I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Boles joined commissioners Harry Cohen, Ken Hagan, Christine Miller and Gwen Myers in voting in favor of approving the memorandum in May. Commissioners Donna Cameron Cepeda and Joshua Wostal voted against it."},{"_id":"2D54WABWQFDWHP5FSJM7QAELBM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Next Wednesday’s meeting is scheduled to start at 9am."},{"_id":"EH2E2YHQNNDJ5F2XNECM62CDYY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>This story will be updated.</i>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Commissioner Chris Boles, who voted in favor of the memorandum of understanding, says the governor’s plan dramatically changes the landscape in which the deal is being considered."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news","parent_id":"/","name":"News","description":"News in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area, including breaking news, public safety, crime, health, hurricanes and weather, politics, the environment and more from the staff of the Tampa Bay 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Gov. Byron Donalds is presiding over a dystopian Florida overrun by energy-guzzling data centers. Utility bills have skyrocketed. “Marijuana monopolies” are poisoning the water. And, if things couldn’t get any worse, “AI hate speech is now a felony.”"},{"_id":"EOFASUIS65GPPDXVU24XQKDCSY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"There is only one man who can save the day: Lt. Gov. Jay Collins."},{"_id":"2K65QNHKG5CGTBCF2KANZB2IH4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"This is the Orwellian future depicted in one of several AI-generated attacks that have emerged from the online ecosystem supporting Collins, a former Republican state senator and Green Beret now running for governor."},{"_id":"UMRYRQJB6RCGVNFYZCUSSX55OM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The video is ridiculous by design. But it also exposes a striking contradiction at the heart of Collins’ candidacy. "},{"_id":"OWZGSREFGVE4PNUTEEWMZNKQJU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Opposition to data centers has become one of the lieutenant governor’s signature campaign issues as he seeks to overtake Donalds, the Trump-endorsed front-runner in the Republican primary and the beneficiary of support from a super PAC funded by AI industry giants."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"LEVVDQ522NAL3F427G2W3ZCGGE","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781116120365-x8ihcbp1x","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"What does Byron Donalds think about AI and data centers? He says he disagrees with Trump"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2026/06/02/data-centers-florida-ai-byron-donalds/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"XD5Y423PRZBEZIMIICLDYXQJHI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Yet, even as Collins travels the state warning voters that artificial intelligence and the data centers that support it threaten Florida’s environment, energy grid and quality of life, some of the most salient messaging boosting his candidacy is being created with the help of the same technology."},{"_id":"22R6NMVLBNCVTIL6WRHMPYBOHE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The videos promoted by his campaign may also offer an early sign of where Florida politics is headed."},{"_id":"RCMRJZWX5ZGJTPLNYJUSCHWAPM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"While so-called “AI slop” has surfaced in congressional races and presidential campaigns across the country, the videos appear to be among the first high-profile examples of a Florida gubernatorial candidate or his political allies using AI-generated content as a recurring campaign tactic."},{"_id":"YQJYYXSSNNH3VG5Q3OD7XFRMM4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Political observers say the technology is likely to become a fixture of future campaigns because it allows supporters to create professional-looking ads, songs and videos at little cost with virtually no gatekeepers. "},{"_id":"U6Q4P3PGWBDQ7G7SW7E4T4YRTY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“This is the future of political advertising,” said Jane Bambauer, a University of Florida law professor who studies technology and free speech. “Everyone’s going to be able to do this.”"},{"_id":"BHQR7JCLV5ELROA4RK5NX5VKVQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"As the technology becomes cheaper and more accessible, Bambauer said, political messaging will become increasingly decentralized. Candidates and parties may lose control over their own narratives as supporters, activists and influencers create and distribute content on their behalf. Some messages will go viral; others will disappear unnoticed."},{"_id":"AWDIM2L4ENGOVBQKFE65VEZSMU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“There will be fewer controls that the political parties, or even the candidates themselves, can exercise,” Bambauer said."},{"_id":"V6B5F257AVHUDGYV2UXABWUT4Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"For now, though, Collins and his supporters seem comfortable leveraging fan-made AI content as political ammo against their biggest rival."},{"_id":"FOA3VVMGBFAJZP7ZYW3TWZV3FQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A roughly minute-long video circulated on X by an account known as “Collins War Room” — which describes itself as the “Official War Room Account for DeSantis Appointed @JayCollinsFL” — and amplified by Collins supporters, depicts Donalds as an authoritarian supervillain and Collins as a comic-book superhero. "},{"_id":"UF7DI52Q5FGH3N3KVDCVC4JQAQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Literally."},{"_id":"343GO34EDFFQTJVR4YFTNIPVOY","type":"raw_html","content":"<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Our supporters have outdone themselves with this one!<br><br>🔥🔥🔥 <a href=\"https://t.co/PAr3CXU0X9\">pic.twitter.com/PAr3CXU0X9</a></p>&mdash; Collins War Room (@CollinsWarRoom) <a href=\"https://x.com/CollinsWarRoom/status/2061883775462559837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>"},{"_id":"K54XUQJYKFDY7BQ4YZLLWXY6HU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The video opens with a scowling Donalds sitting behind the governor’s desk one year into his hypothetical first term. Flanked by Jeffrey Epstein and Republican operative Roger Stone, Donalds brushes off a working-class man in overalls pleading for relief from data centers and the utility bill hikes they bring."},{"_id":"5EZPTAFTL5CYFJPYR5UCG6YTXA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Guards, get this peasant out of my office,” the AI-generated Donalds snarls."},{"_id":"OJGKVN4QGZHIDFXYD77TKS5OYU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Bill Gates and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman cackle as Capitol police drag the man away."},{"_id":"2BNFOAJJLZB7ZNG3CGEBYBSOVA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Moments later, Collins bursts onto the scene donning a Captain America-style costume. He punches his way through a half-dozen officers before delivering a flying kick — aided by a bionic version of the prosthetic leg he wears after being wounded in Iraq — to Donalds’ face."},{"_id":"GPNS34FCJVHLBKPEZVC433CYYI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Collins campaign did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Donalds, a Naples-area congressman, declined to comment."},{"_id":"QGH5KPURIBGGNF6OPBNJQ4XZ4E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Donalds alluded to the video at an event in Miami last week as he laid out his AI policy agenda, saying, “There’s all kinda AI gifs and things running around. That’s fine, but whether it’s you or anyone else, you should be able to protect your name, image and likeness.”"},{"_id":"4J57HNHXXBCQBC4W4MWRGMG5TM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The architect behind the video is Michael Thompson, a Winter Haven Republican who runs a THC chocolate and candy business as well as an AI-assisted marketing company called Green Peak Media."},{"_id":"6N66ZPD67RCZRGL2LHAWTXWYA4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Despite the videos’ appearance on accounts dedicated to promoting Collins, Thompson said he did not coordinate with the campaign. Instead, he said he shared the content with fellow Republicans in Polk County before they ended up on the Collins War Room account."},{"_id":"C7YVZTFQWVHQZNY6YR5APN5YCU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I wasn’t coordinating with them,” Thompson said of the Collins campaign. “But, hey, if they want to offer me a job? Maybe.”"},{"_id":"WYDDTB5OYBAWLOL6KL7FHK533U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thompson relied heavily on AI tools, software and “synthetic” assistants he developed himself. He described himself as the “executive producer” of the videos and said he was motivated by what he viewed as insufficient criticism of Donalds’ support for data center development."},{"_id":"2D6ZOCOF2VAXRMUR54LYYBXFJY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I was wanting to convey a story that I didn’t see the campaign conveying: basically, that Byron Donalds is in alignment with data centers,” Thompson said. He pointed to a Collins event in Polk County where the lieutenant governor discussed requiring data centers to generate their own power and use closed-loop water systems. "},{"_id":"QIVQLSHEQJHI3PFWPMGXHQX3AY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I was like, ‘OK, this is the guy,’” Thompson said of Collins. “But he’s got to be marketed better.”"},{"_id":"F57ZILHT45DFDFIWYG67AKDB5A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Captain America video is just one entry in Thompson’s growing catalog of AI-generated content supporting Collins, which has been reposted on X by several of the lieutenant governor’s allies, including his wife, Layla Collins; <a href=\"https://x.com/johncardillo/status/2061904781614944648?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/johncardillo/status/2061904781614944648?s=20\">John Cardillo, a senior adviser to the Collins campaign</a>; and Jason Puwalski, Collins’ press secretary."},{"_id":"YRLEFNHLZREF5FFP3WH6MXGQ4M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thompson said there are more videos to come. His catalog so far includes “Data Center Donalds,” a catchy Lego-style music video attacking the congressman. Collins called the earworm “pretty cool” on X."},{"_id":"K7ZJTLU5AJEJ5CXGSHSY72H5QY","type":"raw_html","content":"<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">OMG, who did this!?<br><br>(And now I can’t get this song out of my head.) <a href=\"https://t.co/tJWNfDjayo\">pic.twitter.com/tJWNfDjayo</a></p>&mdash; Collins War Room (@CollinsWarRoom) <a href=\"https://x.com/CollinsWarRoom/status/2059995687937360368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>"},{"_id":"KXZON7CKXVHLXJ5OALOYNCKI44","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A sequel song, “Old McByron,” goes like this: “Old McByron had a plan. AI, AI, o. And on that plan, he built a grid. AI, AI, o. With a data center here, and a data center there….”"},{"_id":"OIUVPDLPYVE3XGHFVDRYQCXVC4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thompson acknowledged that the Lego aesthetic was inspired in part by <a href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjd8jrd1vnyo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjd8jrd1vnyo\">AI-generated videos that circulated online from Iranian state-linked accounts</a> attacking President Donald Trump."},{"_id":"DIBLY25MOZHOXFYMYBE2FAR5MU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I saw what Iran was doing,” Thompson said. “You have the ground war, and then you have the propaganda war, and I saw what Iran was doing with the propaganda war, and I realized how powerful that was.”"},{"_id":"KMOJ36NFTFCORG7F53LWYSNE24","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thompson embraces AI enthusiastically — even as the candidate benefiting from his work campaigns against the spread of AI infrastructure."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"GZZWA4QDPJDJBIDSNAVIAUGCXQ","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781123548934-5wkbbj58o","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Is a data center coming to Gandy Boulevard in Pinellas? We chased the rumor"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/06/10/data-center-florida-gandy-pinellas-st-petersburg-petition/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"OUQLX5ESLRCYTOPNXU6QJOJZ7I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thompson said he does not oppose data centers categorically, but believes they should be located outside Florida. He argued the United States has become fixated on building massive data centers to gain an edge in AI, while countries such as China are pursuing more efficient computing technologies that may require less energy and water."},{"_id":"MFCJ47KKSJFGXCYHOWPLNNNNW4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thompson still poked fun at the apparent contradiction in his <a href=\"https://x.com/MichaelThompson/status/2063411562220577003?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/MichaelThompson/status/2063411562220577003?s=20\">latest production</a> on Saturday, in a parody of an oft-memed clip from the Adolf Hitler-centered film “Downfall.”"},{"_id":"WXOECJ7HBFGPJKP3HD7AJEUYQA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In Thompson’s video, a Nazi Party official informs Donalds — standing in for Hitler — that “the Jay Collins supporters are using AI to call you out for your plans to make Florida the data center capital of the U.S.”"},{"_id":"ERM7P2PJ5FFFHJCK2XWNKBDKWE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I’m basically fully taking advantage of AI, 100%,” Thompson said. “And I’m not against AI data centers, I just don’t want them in Florida. Go put them in another state.”"},{"_id":"NDVKS73ACBHMFMQZCZNKA227WQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Donalds has argued such facilities can be developed responsibly if they generate their own power, manage water consumption and shield ratepayers from added costs."},{"_id":"UJCKF3B3MJDEROTYSABTKEM43A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Collins has made opposition to data centers a central plank of his campaign, but as a state senator he voted for legislation that included tax incentives for them."},{"_id":"3NR23MMAYZHP5O4RJ4VATKH4CU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"One of Collins’ opponents in the Republican primary, former House Speaker Paul Renner, dismissed the videos in an interview as “over the top.” (A miniature, AI-generated version of Renner can be seen in a bird cage on Donalds’ desk in Thompson’s Captain America video.)"},{"_id":"3ALCANWFQBFE7F6HZRJTM2NH54","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Renner argued that voters deserve substantive engagement from candidates through televised debates and public appearances rather than AI-generated caricatures and social-media spectacles."},{"_id":"GBPJPGQKYBENLG4NTM7JOZJZDU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It’s also disrespectful to the voters to run a caricature campaign,” Renner said. “He needs to show up and actually stand on the stage with all the other candidates.”"},{"_id":"JZEXZYGIXNH2LBXLIBQGW7JTCQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"He also mocked Collins’ superhero alter ego."},{"_id":"OWGYIGE4QRHDDJFRWRDYCMJ4TA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“He’s making such a big deal about it and running these stupid AI videos that he’s Mr. Captain America, but can’t even show up for a single candidate forum with other candidates present,” Renner said."}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Videos being promoted by Lt. 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Jay Collins’ campaign use AI-generated content."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida-politics/elections","parent_id":"/news/florida-politics","name":"Elections","description":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news/florida-politics"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics/elections"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every 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"},{"_id":"Q2BOHXLX6ZAKRPWKHCB6Q7AB34","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"That’s according to a recent poll from researchers Timothy Kellison and Cole Armstrong of Florida State University and San José State University, respectively. It probed 600 active Hillsborough County voters — out of more than 801,300 registered as of April — between April 16 and June 9. "},{"_id":"XJP6O5F4A5F4ZP66XOVQ2MO4VY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The survey comes weeks after <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/20/tampa-bay-rays-hillsborough-county-stadium-mlb-babby-hagan/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/20/tampa-bay-rays-hillsborough-county-stadium-mlb-babby-hagan/\">Hillsborough’s County Commission</a> and the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/21/tampa-bay-rays-tampa-city-council-stadium-vote-memorandum-of-understanding/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/21/tampa-bay-rays-tampa-city-council-stadium-vote-memorandum-of-understanding/\">Tampa City Council</a> approved a nonbinding agreement with the Rays, propelling their pitch to build a $2.3 billion baseball stadium in Tampa. "},{"_id":"PAPNWVS45BDLZLX2BXPS3LO764","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Many residents recognize what a ballpark could bring— what they’re less sure about is whether their voices have been part of the decision,“ Kellison said in a news release. ”The gap between support for the idea and confidence in the process is worth paying attention to as the project moves forward.” "},{"_id":"LKRXFKRBZVECTMROLR66BVGPRE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Three in four survey respondents agreed that the stadium would bring jobs to the region, and roughly two-thirds said it would be a source of community pride."},{"_id":"L3LIV4CKTNF6HJPNDWAXZMPUY4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But a majority said they feel residents have been shut out of the decision-making process. Less than 30% of respondents said “city leaders have taken seriously” the views of residents who live near the site at the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough College, in West Tampa. "},{"_id":"VMH37WVOKVGK7G6PT76GJ4IBNE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Roughly a third of respondents agreed that “city leaders have been open and honest about the costs and benefits” of the project. A third also said they trust officials to make the “right decisions for the community regarding the ballpark.” "},{"_id":"CRGS3AQHGBC3ROF6LGGLDAE5NM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"And around 45% of respondents said they support using public funds to build the stadium, with more than half opposed. More than 70%, meanwhile, agreed that “there should have been a public vote on the use of public funds.” "},{"_id":"HW4UEKP7PJDKHF45S47EAHB25M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The nonbinding memorandum of understanding approved by local officials last month outlines a $976 million public contribution toward the cost of the stadium, with $796 million from the county and roughly $180 million from the city. "},{"_id":"IVM6APZOHZAIFE5NQXZVCC74IE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Survey responses were collected through an online questionnaire sent to more than 29,600 active registered county voters. Roughly 25% of respondents are registered Democrats, 32% are Republicans and another third are independent, according to the news release. Nearly 60% are men. "},{"_id":"WKHHP4EEJNGY3CPHDB2RLJITZY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Some responses mirror those from a <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/04/08/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-poll-hillsborough-deal/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/04/08/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-poll-hillsborough-deal/\">survey commissioned earlier this year</a> by Tampa Sports Authority board member Andy Scaglione that found a majority of county voters say they support a Rays stadium in Tampa and believe the project would drive economic impact. "},{"_id":"INPWUPZZFBF4TCOBYO22S2OOOA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"That poll of 530 “likely voters” also found that a majority of respondents opposed using money from the Community Investment Tax, the county’s half-percent sales tax, to help pay for the stadium. 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Gwen Graham</a> will join him on the ticket. "},{"_id":"BWQEFELNSNEMZEOOXMWGF63XMM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly is the first major gubernatorial candidate to announce his lieutenant governor pick. "},{"_id":"YNGYBXIN7VBM5BCWF7MQYXMIXI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“This is a generational moment that requires generational leadership,” Jolly said Wednesday."},{"_id":"JESQ3NSALZH7PFNTVHIDM4YWA4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Graham is the daughter of former Florida Gov. Bob Graham. She ran for governor in 2018 but lost in the primary to Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who was the more progressive candidate. "},{"_id":"KJZZYSZYNFGUJGO2TGTFD4GZKA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly, who was a Republican when he served as Pinellas’ U.S. representative, has run his campaign as a moderate Democrat. Graham joins him on the ticket in the center-left. "},{"_id":"XDCDRIJRB5CIZHAGMZSF6UJECE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly said he chose Graham because he was looking for someone who was capable of serving the state “not just as lieutenant governor but as governor.” He said he and Graham would be a governing partnership. "},{"_id":"K4GYHAXDU5C6LORF3JICOVGD44","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Her loss in 2018 to the U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders-endorsed Gillum was seen as a <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/08/28/for-gwen-graham-loss-is-a-rejection-of-her-familys-centrist-politics/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/08/28/for-gwen-graham-loss-is-a-rejection-of-her-familys-centrist-politics/\">rejection of Graham’s milder</a>, occasionally Republican-friendly brand of politics. Gillum later lost to Republican Ron DeSantis in the general election by <a href=\"https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/17/desantis-wins-florida-gubernatorial-race-as-gillum-concedes-1000530\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/17/desantis-wins-florida-gubernatorial-race-as-gillum-concedes-1000530\">less than half a percentage point</a>."},{"_id":"JCSK2EDOLJC2PEMV4UCWYDRPNA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But the Florida of 2026, branded by DeSantis as the ideal state for conservatives, isn’t the Florida of 2018. Jolly and Graham are embracing their centrist bona fides rather than running away from them. "},{"_id":"TJIMAOTBRFHNLIPHXXRWZJ2UKE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“David and I are in this campaign because the Florida we love, the Florida we all love, frankly is slipping away,” Graham said."},{"_id":"FH3H2UYPRZD75GTZJ6ITWLZWXA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"When <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/06/05/david-jolly-democrat-governor-desantis-pinellas-2026-election/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/06/05/david-jolly-democrat-governor-desantis-pinellas-2026-election/\">launching his campaign</a>, Jolly said his policies had changed but his values hadn’t, emphasizing his belief in fiscal restraint and small government. "},{"_id":"TQWFSHXBYBFZFORWX26X67F2GY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly’s announcement comes a week after his main opponent for the Democratic nomination, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/05/jerry-demings-cancer-diagnosis-florida-governors-race/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/05/jerry-demings-cancer-diagnosis-florida-governors-race/\">withdrew from the race</a> after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. "},{"_id":"KRZALWTC5FGAJPHFW2EH5WGIBM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Among Republicans, there are several high-profile candidates, including President Donald Trump’s pick, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds. Other Republicans include investor James Fishback, former House Speaker Paul Renner and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins."},{"_id":"7QF7QYLZZBCTLGGDFKKIQD7FVI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In a statement, Evan Power, the head of the Republican Party of Florida, said that Jolly and Graham are “the perfect representatives of today’s Florida Democratic Party.”"},{"_id":"WMBSJLHDD5CJTJZCUYK3WJJQWA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“David Jolly has spent years changing his beliefs whenever it benefits his political career, while Gwen Graham abandoned the North Florida values she once claimed to represent and went to work advancing Joe Biden’s radical education agenda in Washington,” Powers said. "},{"_id":"N2HSQIPHM5BI5I73HPJWKXOUTA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":""},{"_id":"J743IHYJZVDUDHNKHSX3KT7X7A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"DeSantis is term-limited. He has not yet endorsed a candidate to replace him."},{"_id":"TJA5UQJ3XZGKPDWLERTMSDSDVM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The primary election is Aug. 18. "}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Graham, the daughter of former Gov. 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Facebook users talked of sit-ins and urged their neighbors to flood the inboxes of Pinellas County commissioners. Residents testified in government meetings that they were terrified for their future home values and drinking water."},{"_id":"QQWXVJPG6NH4XFJOFVL7N5FNYA","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"The rumors of a potential data center coming to Gandy Boulevard in Pinellas County have weighed heavy on the minds of residents. They’ve read horror stories of the hulking, humming warehouses going up in neighborhoods before locals could mount opposition — spurring fears of<b> </b>a powerful industry that can move faster than reliable information."},{"_id":"VNKCVQ7GRNCIDGOA22UCAB26IA","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"But, at least for now, a Gandy data center proposal doesn’t exist."},{"_id":"35Y4HWGZO5HV3MIYIZUGGHEC4E","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"The Tampa Bay Times tracked down the rumor to its most likely source. Here’s what we found:"},{"level":2,"_id":"T6ETRSAIVJBQRMTDUDUQQB6KTE","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"The origin of the Gandy data center rumor"},{"_id":"HEUTLVHRHNCH7D4HQUNSDZF7BU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The first known mention of a potential data center on Gandy Boulevard came on April 30 during a Pinellas County commission meeting."},{"_id":"JUWIJJQY2FH5VB3RELZWEW7I5U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Commissioner Kathleen Peters floated the idea of passing a county moratorium on large-scale data centers. She said time was of the essence."},{"_id":"74GVPDP3MBCOXFJD6SZMZIFMLI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“We already have somebody interested in putting one on Gandy Boulevard,” Peters said."},{"_id":"SWAGMIMV5FA6TGP2BJBE4HFTMY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Oh my,” gasped fellow commissioner Rene Flowers."},{"_id":"ORHUQYFA6BCPDAVJ4H4VMUZUSA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“So if it’s something this commission is going to entertain, I think it’s something we’d have to expedite,” Peters said."},{"_id":"Y3I3JGT3LZFKBHGYUVAUIVU624","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Times <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/04/30/pinellas-county-artificial-intelligence-data-centers/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/04/30/pinellas-county-artificial-intelligence-data-centers/\">published a story about her comments</a>, as did other local media outlets like <a href=\"https://stpetecatalyst.com/peters-seeks-to-block-data-centers-despite-state-law/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://stpetecatalyst.com/peters-seeks-to-block-data-centers-despite-state-law/\">the St. Pete Catalyst</a>."},{"_id":"KY534SOCL5GADBBXC4XKVXLEFY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In a recent phone interview, Peters explained the backstory to that remark. As she researched the data center issue, she asked the county administrator if anyone had expressed interest in building one in Pinellas County."},{"_id":"EYPFWG4PSNCURC2TLISVJG642I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Staff had one inquiry in the Gandy area, but they had not filed an application. It was just a phone call inquiring — no application, no nothing,\" Peters said. “I never asked who inquired, so I don’t know.”"},{"_id":"Z3PETKBSZFDDZFYCIR5DMQTRXY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"When the Times asked the county for more information about who made that phone call, officials did not elaborate."},{"_id":"ZZ5JRESNTJBIHD3LNB2VS5ZWOU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Pinellas County has not received any formal proposal, site plan or applications for a data center along Gandy Boulevard,” Pinellas spokesperson John Carkeet wrote in an email. “I’m sorry, but we do not have any additional information on this.”"},{"_id":"LHASQMKSSFCJRFC6AEDSE5M6RE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Duke Energy, which would provide the power to a data center in that area, referred a reporter to the local governments in the area, saying that public officials are typically made aware of data center proposals before the utility."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"JUH4RYQE75GHJCUIACW2ZYNETA","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781031366205-pb97ywtzw","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Duke Energy trying to skirt new Florida data center law, consumer advocate says"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/05/29/duke-energy-florida-data-center-desantis-electric-bill/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"level":2,"_id":"VYHZO56HERFAFC4ILXOM5L7ECM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"The possible source"},{"_id":"PMDRESPOPFDD5FNC27SZBJSNQE","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Within weeks, posts whipping up opposition to “the Gandy data center” were exploding on social media."},{"_id":"BJMB7PIK45GPFJFCWV7FDALKNM","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“Hey St. Pete, we all hate data centers right?” local influencer Caulin Donaldson told his 120,000 Instagram followers in late May. He has millions more followers on TikTok, where he’s known for <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/2022/04/18/pinellas-influencer-got-14-million-tiktok-followers-cleaning-local-beaches-now-he-wants-your-help/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/2022/04/18/pinellas-influencer-got-14-million-tiktok-followers-cleaning-local-beaches-now-he-wants-your-help/\">viral videos of picking up trash on the beach</a>."},{"_id":"GI2XNBU5XNATNC7I3LQRG2LSFM","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“Well, turns out they’re eyeing the Gandy area,” Donaldson said in the video. “This is the time we shut it down.” "},{"_id":"CEYWXLVSSBDY5OLCAK33DRBSR4","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“These AI data centers in Pinellas County — this is gonna be the next big debate,” said Marc Jason, host of the Pinellas Podcast TikTok account in a video. “Move over, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/2026/02/03/ebikes-crashes-electric-scooters-pinellas-trail-hillsborough-biking/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/2026/02/03/ebikes-crashes-electric-scooters-pinellas-trail-hillsborough-biking/\">e-bikes</a>.”"},{"_id":"LMJHEISJMZGGNL2UZNO3UAOMA4","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"One possible source of all the speculation is Derby Lane, the old greyhound racing track that occupies 130 acres in unincorporated Pinellas County near Gandy Bridge."},{"_id":"XGZVUOT3EBCDBKTOMVHXB5XMUA","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Sagi Genger, CEO of Rally Development, the investment group that <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/entertainment/things-to-do/2026/03/23/derby-lane-st-petersburg-farmers-market-flea-history-development-tampa-rally/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/entertainment/things-to-do/2026/03/23/derby-lane-st-petersburg-farmers-market-flea-history-development-tampa-rally/\">recently bought the racetrack</a>, confirmed to the Times that the new owners did consider a data center there at one point. But due to technical issues, they decided against it."},{"_id":"USPVFCN2SJEH3A35U5ZCWQVZRQ","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Genger said he was unaware of anyone else on Gandy considering a data center."},{"_id":"HKXAE5TOMVE33LRWT26NBPU6Z4","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“We looked at it,” he said. “We’re moving in a different direction.”"},{"_id":"WW7A46D6QBGEVKT7ZSAOJEYZRE","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Nationwide, public opinion on data centers has <a href=\"https://heatmap.news/daily/data-center-polling?utm_source=TheRundown&amp;utm_medium=Sailthru&amp;utm_campaign=060826_TheRundown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://heatmap.news/daily/data-center-polling?utm_source=TheRundown&amp;utm_medium=Sailthru&amp;utm_campaign=060826_TheRundown\">swung negative</a>, and Florida appears to be no exception. "},{"_id":"QVIX7ZKZIRHWHM3INUEPZXDIGA","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"People of all political stripes have <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/06/04/florida-data-center-citrus-polk-fort-meade-desantis-petition/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/06/04/florida-data-center-citrus-polk-fort-meade-desantis-petition/\">organized against proposals in rural parts of the state, including in Citrus County, Lakeland and Fort Meade</a>."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"U65WRHTUKJAMLBWDI2U6F63J74","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781031301201-jhpwgzdme","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"In rural Florida, the anti-data center movement gathers strength"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/06/04/florida-data-center-citrus-polk-fort-meade-desantis-petition/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"2XYTOFTGONCMFCREVD32T7KNXY","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Donaldson, the local eco-influencer, said he’s glad Tampa Bay residents are on high alert for any data center proposal that arises. He’s the one who started the <a href=\"https://c.org/dSHNss86Ms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://c.org/dSHNss86Ms\">anti-data center petition</a>, and<b> </b>he said he kept its description intentionally broad so it can be repurposed to show the force of opposition to any projects that crop up in Tampa Bay."},{"_id":"GKIRIF4EARAMPJXIDQYUEYRG2I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I would absolutely do it again because, I think after watching what happened in Box Elder County, it seems they caught wind of it too late in the process,” Donaldson told the Times, referencing a 40,000-acre project <a href=\"https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2026/05/21/utah-gov-spencer-cox-says-rollout/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2026/05/21/utah-gov-spencer-cox-says-rollout/\">in Utah</a> that’s prompted mass backlash from residents there."},{"_id":"UFSEXNDUDFAXTA7V3LKWSXDPYA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I’m happy to jump online and say, ‘Turns out this is a rumor, this is great.’” "},{"_id":"V25FLPM6GRCRTHBWXVKV2JMXRQ","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Peters said even though the Gandy project isn’t materializing, she’s worried that this is only the beginning. She’s been told that the city of Pinellas Park also received inquiries — though no formal applications — from companies eyeing their land. "},{"_id":"AZZBDHNJ7NFCDAKD3DYPRFN4UQ","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"If the land was already zoned industrial, she worries it wouldn’t even require a city council vote or public hearing, leaving residents in the dark."},{"_id":"D3UCAI22RVGQXOPYCNTGWLJZBQ","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“There’s no reason on the planet anyone should build a data center in this county,” Peters said. “It doesn’t even make sense.”"},{"level":4,"_id":"3O4HD25NJ5FLZGXUUOKTKA4JFQ","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"header","content":"<i><b>• • •</b></i>"},{"_id":"6LXKYBDJ3VHW3BSDN3MDVXIQGM","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"<i>The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Florida’s most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by </i><a href=\"https://project.tampabay.com/donate/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\"><i>clicking here</i></a><i>.</i>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Here’s what we found out about how real this potential data center could be."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/environment","parent_id":"/news","name":"Environment","description":"Environmental news in the Tampa Bay area and Florida, including red tide, manatees, panthers, bear hunts, pythons in the Everglades, climate change and more, from the Tampa Bay Times","_id":"/news/environment","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"site":{"site_url":"/news/environment/","site_keywords":"Environment News","site_description":"Environmental news in the Tampa Bay area and Florida, including 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Charlie Crist, two-term City Council member Brandi Gabbard, former St. Petersburg NAACP branch President Maria Scruggs and former Shore Acres Civic Association President Kevin Batdorf."},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times","address":{"region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"27ed01f0120a2e42e130d7e2a8f020b9c609cbf40b56123c0ff9da959360a8fa"},"caption":"Candidate Kevin Batdorf, right, gestures as candidate Charlie Crist looks on Tuesday.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UJ5W5MT5SNAH3JR7ESHQOC2GDI.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Hannah Walls","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":1631,"_id":"UJ5W5MT5SNAH3JR7ESHQOC2GDI","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/UJ5W5MT5SNAH3JR7ESHQOC2GDI.JPG?auth=27ed01f0120a2e42e130d7e2a8f020b9c609cbf40b56123c0ff9da959360a8fa","iptc_source":"Tampa Bay Times","iptc_job_identifier":"600753440","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/UJ5W5MT5SNAH3JR7ESHQOC2GDI.JPG?auth=27ed01f0120a2e42e130d7e2a8f020b9c609cbf40b56123c0ff9da959360a8fa","link":"","takenOn":"2026-06-09T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UJ5W5MT5SNAH3JR7ESHQOC2GDI.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/UJ5W5MT5SNAH3JR7ESHQOC2GDI.JPG?auth=27ed01f0120a2e42e130d7e2a8f020b9c609cbf40b56123c0ff9da959360a8fa","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/UJ5W5MT5SNAH3JR7ESHQOC2GDI.JPG?auth=27ed01f0120a2e42e130d7e2a8f020b9c609cbf40b56123c0ff9da959360a8fa&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"436033_wall_07_spmayordebate.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"created_date":"2026-06-10T02:44:08Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-10T02:51:28Z","slug":"436033_wall_07_spmayordebate","height":1095},{"_id":"7INKYTP3FBAHDO3K7EGHIIGH64","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I’m really going to push back on folks talking our city down, and of course they have to have something to run on, and they have to say how bad it is,” Welch said. “Our city is doing well two years after the most devastating storms that we have ever faced.”"},{"_id":"2BMDTJED5JD6VNEGPS3KA47UDA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Each candidate had two opportunities for a rebuttal, the most charged times of the evening. Welch and Crist used those chances on each other while Scruggs came out swinging against Welch. "},{"_id":"IHJ3BFJGTFG27L4QREB6OUI4X4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“While media would have you believe everything in St. Petersburg is beautiful, I contend it is not,” said Scruggs, who stood up for every answer. “There is a lot of work to do.”"},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times","address":{"region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"a3cde1a0d0ca15f5875eb28ebd2a28a7c1dbcce78af7341b7d9684b0eb46d119"},"caption":"Mayor Ken Welch speaks during the debate.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SC7SYPH6FZEWPDPDLU3RKACKXQ.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Hannah Walls","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":1472,"_id":"SC7SYPH6FZEWPDPDLU3RKACKXQ","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/SC7SYPH6FZEWPDPDLU3RKACKXQ.JPG?auth=a3cde1a0d0ca15f5875eb28ebd2a28a7c1dbcce78af7341b7d9684b0eb46d119","iptc_source":"Tampa Bay Times","iptc_job_identifier":"600753445","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/SC7SYPH6FZEWPDPDLU3RKACKXQ.JPG?auth=a3cde1a0d0ca15f5875eb28ebd2a28a7c1dbcce78af7341b7d9684b0eb46d119","link":"","takenOn":"2026-06-08T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SC7SYPH6FZEWPDPDLU3RKACKXQ.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/SC7SYPH6FZEWPDPDLU3RKACKXQ.JPG?auth=a3cde1a0d0ca15f5875eb28ebd2a28a7c1dbcce78af7341b7d9684b0eb46d119","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/SC7SYPH6FZEWPDPDLU3RKACKXQ.JPG?auth=a3cde1a0d0ca15f5875eb28ebd2a28a7c1dbcce78af7341b7d9684b0eb46d119&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"436033_wall_12_spmayordebate.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"created_date":"2026-06-10T02:44:38Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-10T02:51:28Z","slug":"436033_wall_12_spmayordebate","height":962},{"_id":"EAUYJAOYCVEQ7PBI5PNPYER5KA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Candidates criticized Welch for a lack of preparedness, communication and response following the hurricanes. "},{"_id":"JGUQO5YWYNDH3OC7NEFX2755XY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It looks like we weren’t prepared for a few of these hurricanes recently, and that’s a problem,” Crist said. “You deserve leadership that is prepared, that is ready, and will do the right thing, and will be at the emergency operations center when it’s necessary, and not leave it and go home.”"},{"_id":"3NAEY6ZUKFAY7JGZRHYADJD64M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Welch <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2022/10/26/is-being-mayor-st-petersburg-floridas-fifth-largest-city-remote-job/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2022/10/26/is-being-mayor-st-petersburg-floridas-fifth-largest-city-remote-job/\">spent the night of Hurricane Ian at home in 2022</a>, nine months into his mayorship. He said Tuesday that the storm had changed direction, so he finished his shift and went home to check on family. A spokesperson for St. Petersburg police confirmed to the Tampa Bay Times in a text message hours after Hurricane Helene made landfall in 2024 that <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/09/27/st-petersburg-knew-least-2-years-northeast-sewage-plant-was-risk/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/09/27/st-petersburg-knew-least-2-years-northeast-sewage-plant-was-risk/\">Welch slept at home</a>. "},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times","address":{"region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"7b3b8bab1eac5bcbd409325ade0b40732bab69dff4a1d55c5add879f6e207940"},"caption":"Candidate Charlie Crist speaks during the debate.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/GCPY6BFBY5AGLPGKDZH5XYJX44.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Hannah Walls","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":1255,"_id":"GCPY6BFBY5AGLPGKDZH5XYJX44","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/GCPY6BFBY5AGLPGKDZH5XYJX44.JPG?auth=7b3b8bab1eac5bcbd409325ade0b40732bab69dff4a1d55c5add879f6e207940","iptc_source":"Tampa Bay Times","iptc_job_identifier":"600753442","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/GCPY6BFBY5AGLPGKDZH5XYJX44.JPG?auth=7b3b8bab1eac5bcbd409325ade0b40732bab69dff4a1d55c5add879f6e207940","link":"","takenOn":"2026-06-09T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/GCPY6BFBY5AGLPGKDZH5XYJX44.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/GCPY6BFBY5AGLPGKDZH5XYJX44.JPG?auth=7b3b8bab1eac5bcbd409325ade0b40732bab69dff4a1d55c5add879f6e207940","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/GCPY6BFBY5AGLPGKDZH5XYJX44.JPG?auth=7b3b8bab1eac5bcbd409325ade0b40732bab69dff4a1d55c5add879f6e207940&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"436033_wall_09_spmayordebate.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"created_date":"2026-06-10T02:44:18Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-10T02:51:28Z","slug":"436033_wall_09_spmayordebate","height":896},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times","address":{"region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"3d18c16d9de28ff397b08acf193c236a9ccc3fe2628d076f337ab175b550017e"},"caption":"Audience applaud during a debate between mayoral candidates.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DBIYJM3GLNHSHOHKAQMDKYNNGA.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Hannah Walls","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":1822,"_id":"DBIYJM3GLNHSHOHKAQMDKYNNGA","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/DBIYJM3GLNHSHOHKAQMDKYNNGA.JPG?auth=3d18c16d9de28ff397b08acf193c236a9ccc3fe2628d076f337ab175b550017e","iptc_source":"Tampa Bay Times","iptc_job_identifier":"600753441","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/DBIYJM3GLNHSHOHKAQMDKYNNGA.JPG?auth=3d18c16d9de28ff397b08acf193c236a9ccc3fe2628d076f337ab175b550017e","link":"","takenOn":"2026-06-09T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DBIYJM3GLNHSHOHKAQMDKYNNGA.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/DBIYJM3GLNHSHOHKAQMDKYNNGA.JPG?auth=3d18c16d9de28ff397b08acf193c236a9ccc3fe2628d076f337ab175b550017e","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/DBIYJM3GLNHSHOHKAQMDKYNNGA.JPG?auth=3d18c16d9de28ff397b08acf193c236a9ccc3fe2628d076f337ab175b550017e&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"436033_wall_08_spmayordebate.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"created_date":"2026-06-10T02:44:14Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-10T02:51:28Z","slug":"436033_wall_08_spmayordebate","height":1263},{"_id":"5ZK74PPBBRD6TJ6QY5TM4ARHZM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I just want Charlie to be more specific about how the response could be better,” Welch said. “You were not even in the state during these hurricanes, so what specifically are you talking about?”"},{"_id":"GJLKZO7WY5GBDHBUGR4TE7DJEA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Times recently reported that Crist changed his voter registration to his fiancée Chelsea Grimes’ Minnesota address in April 2024 and was <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/10/charlie-crist-st-petersburg-mayor-ken-welch/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/10/charlie-crist-st-petersburg-mayor-ken-welch/\">out of harm’s way during the hurricanes</a>. Crist told the Times after the debate he was going back and forth between St. Petersburg and Minnesota."},{"_id":"RFXVCT7QE5CG3K3EXSHVFX75DM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Chelsea’s here and we were on Shore Acres, that’s just the truth, and that’s my rebuttal, and I’m disappointed in you, mayor,” Crist said. “Gotta be more candid with folks, and be more honest, and be more straightforward, and take care of places like Shore Acres and southside.”"},{"_id":"ZWZYKYXIJ5C2DBXGVSJKVHB35M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Scruggs had several back-and-forth exchanges with Welch. She hit him on how the city handles business contracts, giving his administration an F on transparency on that issue. She said she recently filed an ethics complaint with the state over public records she received showing the city’s Education and Youth Opportunities Director communicating with a Tampa vendor who ended up getting a $750,000 contract."},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"address":{},"auth":{"1":"fb512da4aa6e2a205ed77f93e2f6256e635a9a8377bc0c57ac04457a3c080cbf"},"caption":"Candidate Maria Scruggs is seen during the debate.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3AVIPHZFMFHBFLK37MUXHMPN7Q.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{},"subtitle":"","width":1170,"_id":"3AVIPHZFMFHBFLK37MUXHMPN7Q","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/3AVIPHZFMFHBFLK37MUXHMPN7Q.JPG?auth=fb512da4aa6e2a205ed77f93e2f6256e635a9a8377bc0c57ac04457a3c080cbf","iptc_job_identifier":"600753439","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/3AVIPHZFMFHBFLK37MUXHMPN7Q.JPG?auth=fb512da4aa6e2a205ed77f93e2f6256e635a9a8377bc0c57ac04457a3c080cbf","link":"","takenOn":"2026-06-09T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3AVIPHZFMFHBFLK37MUXHMPN7Q.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/3AVIPHZFMFHBFLK37MUXHMPN7Q.JPG?auth=fb512da4aa6e2a205ed77f93e2f6256e635a9a8377bc0c57ac04457a3c080cbf","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/3AVIPHZFMFHBFLK37MUXHMPN7Q.JPG?auth=fb512da4aa6e2a205ed77f93e2f6256e635a9a8377bc0c57ac04457a3c080cbf&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"436033_wall_06_spmayordebate.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[]},"created_date":"2026-06-10T02:43:59Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-10T02:51:28Z","slug":"436033_wall_06_spmayordebate","height":870},{"_id":"XIBNI4HDGBGGLNEFB4KQMLDB4U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A moderator asked Gabbard why voters should expect a different outcome for her as she <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/05/05/st-petersburg-mayor-election-brandi-gabbard-welch/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/05/05/st-petersburg-mayor-election-brandi-gabbard-welch/\">“consistently” voted in alignment with Welch</a>. Gabbard said what she saw after the 2024 storms changed her mind."},{"_id":"WAYTAGIMRRHDJDUMRGXXAQVG3Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I think that we need to get back on track,” she said. “We need somebody who is going to lead this city from a place of accountability and transparency, and I believe that I have the record to show and the business experience to show that I am the right person in this moment.”"},{"_id":"5BSPTU4XYJANBCQ5G777BU4VUM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Gabbard said she was proud to be known as the “Dump Duke” candidate in favor of the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/06/04/duke-energy-florida-dump-vote-floyd-electric-bill/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/06/04/duke-energy-florida-dump-vote-floyd-electric-bill/\">council’s recent vote to move forward looking into severing ties with Duke Energy</a> and setting up a city-owned power utility."},{"_id":"PK2KYH7KYRGFHP5UPSKV4K4I3Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Welch, who worked for Florida Power, a predecessor to Duke, said he was “all for getting the numbers” on what it would take to acquire Duke’s assets, which could cost over a billion dollars. His administration, however, said it did not have a position on the feasibility study when asked Thursday by City Council chairperson Lisset Hanewicz."},{"_id":"MGHHLEJEXZG6LL2WXBNL6H3AMQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Batdorf received boos from the crowd to his response to a question about St. Petersburg Police Chief Tony Holloway signing an agreement that his department would work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times","address":{"region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"99599916ddf04e74d42509d3e4034c50b2d1e05cb842b400fdde4094ed1a50ac"},"caption":"Two-term St. Petersburg city council member and candidate for mayor Brandi Gabbard is seen during the debate.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QNGP4MHIIJGQVMOYSAPSHV24FU.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Hannah Walls","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":1168,"_id":"QNGP4MHIIJGQVMOYSAPSHV24FU","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/QNGP4MHIIJGQVMOYSAPSHV24FU.JPG?auth=99599916ddf04e74d42509d3e4034c50b2d1e05cb842b400fdde4094ed1a50ac","iptc_source":"Tampa Bay Times","iptc_job_identifier":"600753436","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/QNGP4MHIIJGQVMOYSAPSHV24FU.JPG?auth=99599916ddf04e74d42509d3e4034c50b2d1e05cb842b400fdde4094ed1a50ac","link":"","takenOn":"2026-06-09T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QNGP4MHIIJGQVMOYSAPSHV24FU.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/QNGP4MHIIJGQVMOYSAPSHV24FU.JPG?auth=99599916ddf04e74d42509d3e4034c50b2d1e05cb842b400fdde4094ed1a50ac","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/QNGP4MHIIJGQVMOYSAPSHV24FU.JPG?auth=99599916ddf04e74d42509d3e4034c50b2d1e05cb842b400fdde4094ed1a50ac&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"436033_wall_03_spmayordebate.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"created_date":"2026-06-10T02:43:43Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-10T02:51:28Z","slug":"436033_wall_02_spmayordebate","height":831},{"_id":"2LD3NMZTFRCJJJB42IPTQK2UMM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I believe that our Police Department needs to provide safety for all of our residents,” Batdorf said, “and if that means helping with taking criminals out of our city, then they have to do their job.”"},{"_id":"EZOF5UR44JAAJK6E4XYZNQ33PQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"All candidates were asked to share a professional or leadership decision that was a mistake in hindsight. Only Welch gave a relevant answer: His decision to dole out $250,000 in bonuses to 17 top city officials for their work on the Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal."},{"_id":"2THQ4VDMVFG7BKAYK7U6IWAGQE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The bonuses ended up being ruled <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/08/22/mistake-bonuses-st-petersburg-employees-violated-law-city-says/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/08/22/mistake-bonuses-st-petersburg-employees-violated-law-city-says/\">illegal and had to be returned</a>. And the Rays ended up <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2025/03/20/how-rays-stadium-deal-fell-apart-sternberg-welch-timeline/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2025/03/20/how-rays-stadium-deal-fell-apart-sternberg-welch-timeline/\">backing out of approved agreements</a>."},{"_id":"MOLDR2S4H5D3XAGNDS2EHYYK7M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“These folks put their heart and soul into a deal that was going to bring us $6.5 billion of economic input, jobs, housing, office, all those things that we’ve been working for for 40 years. If they were in the private sector, they would have been compensated with bonuses without a thought,” Welch said. “I should have waited until that was executed and the dirt was turned. I didn’t do that.”"},{"_id":"YHKEZXB2OBEINE6PHEX75J6VHU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Former St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Chief Jim Large, also running for mayor, said he didn’t participate in the debate because of negative comments repeated on social media by Esther Sanni, president of the local NAACP branch, after he announced his candidacy. Large said he will participate in other debates."},{"_id":"4ILR3V42OFDXLJGIS6EHBVDIKA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Sanni said she did not make any recent comments, but Large pointed to comments she wrote on Creative Loafing Tampa’s Facebook page under a story about his candidacy. Back in 2023, she <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2023/08/10/st-petersburg-naacp-wants-fire-chief-out-firefighters-defend-him/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2023/08/10/st-petersburg-naacp-wants-fire-chief-out-firefighters-defend-him/\">called for him to be fired</a> following accusations that he made sexist, racist and homophobic remarks while serving as chief."},{"_id":"N46EGFIE4ZAWLGONWAEPPP4XYY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It speaks to who he is,” Sanni said, “if you want to run for mayor and be mayor of a city and you can’t put past relationships aside and show up for the community.”"},{"_id":"BM3OO2XRMZEGZGODESMSTAAJZI","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"text","content":"<b>• • •</b>"},{"level":2,"_id":"MTKKNAEE6NFIRGKT3XMXN5NMDM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage"},{"_id":"YCDQ2FAYFZA3BBZYFTAMLZOYBI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Congressional midterms:</b> <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/02/12/hakeem-jeffries-democrats-house-control-congress/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Can Democrats retake the US House? It could depend on Florida</a>"},{"_id":"HSDHM3Q2ZNC4HBHVN6ZR6F75HQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Voter issues: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/03/28/byron-donalds-james-fishback-iran-affordability-jeffrey-epstein/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">These 4 issues make Florida’s midterms a tougher slog for Republicans</a>"},{"_id":"37CLFNDETFG2NFRA46K7SVGVBU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Race for the Governor’s Mansion: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/01/21/governor-2026-donalds-collins-renner-fishback-desantis-endorsement-demings-jolly/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Is the Florida governor’s race set?</a>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"His challengers harped on hurricane preparedness and response, transparency and leadership."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida-politics/elections","parent_id":"/news/florida-politics","name":"Elections","description":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news/florida-politics"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics/elections"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every 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newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/","rotator_id":"5LXIDJJRENDVXOWOL3KZDLBFCU","site_keywords":"election","site_description":"Elections","site_title":"Election updates from the Tampa Bay Times"},"inactive":false,"site_topper":{"site_logo_image":null},"name":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","advertising":{"adbridg_kvp":{"News":"elections"}},"ancestors":{"default":["/news","/news/florida-politics"]}}},"type":"site","version":"0.5.8"},{"path":"/news/st-petersburg","parent_id":"/news","name":"St. Petersburg","description":"The latest community, government, crime and business news about St. Petersburg from the Tampa Bay 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debate","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-09T17:51:33.706Z","publish_date":"2026-06-10T14:45:36.924Z","_id":"352R54NL4RGO7BNHOHJQN2XX2E","website":"tbt","website_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/09/st-petersburg-mayor-debate-welch-crist-gabbard-scruggs-batdorf-election/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"J3DZ7YI4QJFONCV3TA2RTSOM6E","additional_properties":{"_id":1551117679223},"type":"text","content":"TALLAHASSEE — Longtime St. Petersburg legislator Darryl Rouson is being hired by New College of Florida as its presidential scholar and professor of trial litigation, the school announced Tuesday."},{"_id":"AO2S7CCLAZHV5AY4FMHLZXKK4Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Rouson will teach courses on trial advocacy and leadership in public life, the Sarasota college said, starting this fall."},{"_id":"FVHZQQYFJZC7DF6GJU5QRBJWFU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Senator Rouson’s distinguished career in the courtroom and the legislature will provide students with an extraordinary opportunity to learn from one of Florida’s most respected legal and public leaders,” New College President Richard Corcoran said in a statement."},{"_id":"LIOROT3Y5JDLPL6JYIG4PH3JAQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Rouson is <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/03/16/legislature-tampa-petersburg-rouson-house-senate-race/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/03/16/legislature-tampa-petersburg-rouson-house-senate-race/\">leaving office this year</a> because of term limits after serving 18 years in the House and Senate. He was head of the St. Petersburg NAACP for five years before that."},{"_id":"AWDYJTM4SZDLBFZPIUXY2S7K2I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I’ve given the public 23 years,” he told the Times/Herald. “I think I’ve done some good work within my areas of passion, and I’m excited for the next chapter.”"},{"_id":"KRUBIONLWJFDFJAXQGOLO65I7M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Rouson, 70, said he was going to teach two classes each in the fall and spring semesters and an independent study in January. He said he was expecting about $100,000 in total for the work."},{"_id":"WLKCHKIRCZEVNIXDHEO5RQ7X34","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“We’re still working out the fine details,” he said."},{"_id":"GHS4QPV63NFR5NGYBFXEC5CNUI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Rouson, a former prosecutor and trial lawyer, said leaving the Legislature will allow him more time to practice. He said he joined the Tampa Bay injury law firm Emerson Straw this year. He also plans to finish a book about his addiction and recovery from drugs and alcohol this year, he said."},{"_id":"YKTE77GM6VAXVIGO2NLMHHAHSU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The New College job came together after he ran into Corcoran at <a href=\"https://www.ncf.edu/news/new-college-of-florida-dedicates-lincoln-diaz-balart-freedom-park-to-honor-his-legacy-of-leadership-and-liberty/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.ncf.edu/news/new-college-of-florida-dedicates-lincoln-diaz-balart-freedom-park-to-honor-his-legacy-of-leadership-and-liberty/\">an event</a> at the school in November, Rouson said. Corcoran was a Republican House speaker when Rouson, a Democrat, was in the chamber. In 2017, Corcoran appointed him to the Florida Constitution Revision Commission."},{"_id":"AXBMOZIC4FF3ZNLKUC2QULMCDY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"With the new job, Rouson will not be seeking another run for his old House seat, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/03/16/legislature-tampa-petersburg-rouson-house-senate-race/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/03/16/legislature-tampa-petersburg-rouson-house-senate-race/\">which he was considering</a> this year. Rep. Michele Rayner, a St. Petersburg Democrat, and House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa are running to replace him in the Senate. He said he had not decided who he would endorse."},{"_id":"AJ6VHPMIHFGWPFW7VRGKKT5EP4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It’s still early, and each has their strengths,” he said. “I’m probably going to do something, but just not yet. I want to see how hard they work.”"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"He said he’ll be teaching two courses in the fall and two in the spring."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida-politics","parent_id":"/news","name":"Florida Politics","description":"The Buzz on Florida Politics | Tampa Bay Times","_id":"/news/florida-politics","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/florida-politics/","rotator_id":"AIZKFTCV7JF23DWYFFKNHCY44Q","section_bullet_override":"Politics","site_keywords":"The Buzz","site_description":"The Buzz on Florida Politics | Tampa Bay Times","site_title":"Latest news on Florida politics from the Tampa Bay Times"},"inactive":false,"site_topper":{"site_logo_image":null},"name":"Florida Politics","_id":"/news/florida-politics","advertising":{"adbridg_kvp":{"News":"politics"}},"ancestors":{"default":["/news"]},"order":{"default":2001}}},"type":"site","version":"0.5.8"},"sites":[{"path":"/news/florida-politics","parent_id":"/news","name":"Florida Politics","description":"The Buzz on Florida Politics | Tampa Bay Times","_id":"/news/florida-politics","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/florida-politics/","rotator_id":"AIZKFTCV7JF23DWYFFKNHCY44Q","section_bullet_override":"Politics","site_keywords":"The Buzz","site_description":"The Buzz on Florida Politics | Tampa Bay Times","site_title":"Latest news on Florida politics from the Tampa Bay Times"},"inactive":false,"site_topper":{"site_logo_image":null},"name":"Florida Politics","_id":"/news/florida-politics","advertising":{"adbridg_kvp":{"News":"politics"}},"ancestors":{"default":["/news"]},"order":{"default":2001}}},"type":"site","version":"0.5.8"},{"path":"/news/education","parent_id":"/news","name":"The Education Gradebook","description":"Education and school news, including testing, class size, Florida Standards and Common Core, teaching and more for Florida and Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, from the Tampa Bay Times.","_id":"/news/education","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/education"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/education/","rotator_id":"PQRJDGVMLJHKNFNXN6QRRL3QS4","section_bullet_override":"Education","site_keywords":"Education News. 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I covered enough celebrity arrests and police shootings there to make it to the investigative team at The Palm Beach Post, where I wrote about bizarre lottery winners and even weirder elections. I like stories and ideas that challenge what we think we know about the world. Got one? Let me know. Just don’t screen your calls from a 702 area code. 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Rouson taking job at New College of Florida","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-09T20:54:13.829Z","publish_date":"2026-06-09T22:07:42.856Z","_id":"UUPIF26S7ZBIRFKE5C4YN4G6B4","website":"tbt","website_url":"/news/florida-politics/2026/06/09/new-college-florida-rouson-legislature-corcoran-petersburg/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"IFD4DUOOZVEQTLXKO5ENMUYRKA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Hillsborough voters will soon decide whether to restructure the board that represents their county — one of the largest in the state. "},{"_id":"HYJXDJHM2JAING3HEJCBOMRHLI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/03/13/hillsborough-county-commissioners-florida-politics-desantis-election/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/03/13/hillsborough-county-commissioners-florida-politics-desantis-election/\">signed a bill</a> that proposes adding two seats to the seven-member Hillsborough County Commission and drawing new district borders. The decision will go to voters as a ballot referendum in November, when four commissioners are up for<b> </b>election. "},{"_id":"PBLAQIW6XFHRDOR7OXXW7C2TT4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"If approved, the changes would mark the first time the board has added representatives in more than four decades despite swift population growth. "},{"_id":"5AG6RLLZQJDXTBU7LANTSWFWKI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The bill, HB 4029, was first introduced in December by Republican representatives Michael Owen and Susan Valdés. It proposes expanding the commission from seven members to nine, and includes a clause that would grow the board to 11 seats if Hillsborough’s population reaches 2.5 million people. "},{"_id":"OQYSXUJKWBDVLLVA3TYG452UWI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The bill would also turn the board’s three countywide seats into single-member districts representing specific parts of the county. That means individual voters would pick one commissioner on election day as opposed to four — a majority —<b> </b>they can vote for under the current structure. "},{"_id":"4IUVKNT7LJDSVOACIQMHN4OFWA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Proponents say the bill will mean stronger representation for residents, as each commissioner would serve fewer constituents. Opponents, meanwhile, worry it could make the commission more provincial. "},{"_id":"ABXBNCO5LZBNPGLDCPS7EK73PA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Hillsborough’s sitting commissioners have mixed opinions on the proposed changes. "},{"_id":"FP4BOQPN4RECXOMUEOVUQVUIVI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Commissioner Chris Boles <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/03/03/should-hillsborough-redistrict-add-commissioners/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/03/03/should-hillsborough-redistrict-add-commissioners/\">told the Tampa Bay Times earlier this year</a> that the county’s charter — the governing document that the bill would amend — has “outgrown itself.” Commissioner Joshua Wostal agreed, and said that increasing the number of single-member districts would, in turn, increase accessibility and accountability. "},{"_id":"SFCZJQAEFBH6FNADD5Q43O5KLM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Commissioner Harry Cohen, meanwhile, said earlier this year, “I think there’s a place for countywide decision makers.” Cohen, a single-member district commissioner representing many of the county’s coastal communities, said he was not opposed to expanding the commission. "},{"_id":"VQBE33WTMFDW3EOHUCISSVUKP4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"J. Edwin Benton, a professor of political science and public administration at the University of South Florida, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/03/03/should-hillsborough-redistrict-add-commissioners/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/03/03/should-hillsborough-redistrict-add-commissioners/\">previously told the Tampa Bay Times</a> that he sees the need for an expanded board, as the county has seen significant population growth in recent decades. "},{"_id":"ZTMJVTBUIBD5TIW6T6ZE3GWHBM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But, he said, eliminating countywide seats could create “a game of competition between districts.” "},{"_id":"RYTVLN53JZF2NINOS5D6IZXWM4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The person who is elected at-large can afford to take a wider perspective and consider the entire county,” he told the Times. “If you make all the districts single-member, members of the commission will not necessarily take a countywide look.”"},{"_id":"GUQ6EAQVDRH2XM5Q7M3V2XJHXE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Also this week, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/06/09/hillsborough-schools-superintendents-job-will-go-ballot-this-fall/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/06/09/hillsborough-schools-superintendents-job-will-go-ballot-this-fall/\">DeSantis approved a bill</a> introduced by Owen that would switch the Hillsborough County’s schools superintendent from an appointed to an elected position. 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"},{"_id":"MZKNMBEJ6VGODJNWESTA4NA3FE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Those photos were shared on websites, in churches and at malls."},{"_id":"MJZX6O5UOVF7HJF43MZMQYY544","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thousands of strangers — some who had never considered adopting — fell in love with those faces and asked about bringing the kids home."},{"_id":"2PYCGHDON5EY5OP5FR4KBQV4WE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But two years ago, Florida became the first state to adopt a <a href=\"https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0409.167\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">law</a> that makes it illegal to share pictures of foster children with the public."},{"_id":"FJUSNPXINJGRJPZUXCGGBLKI7M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Now, to see photos of kids in Florida’s care, you have to go through a process that takes six months to a year: attend an informational session, take a series of classes, pass a background check and home study with inspections and interviews."},{"_id":"Q3B3MGKPBNHRDO6JXUV7L7NZGA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The law was intended to protect foster kids’ privacy — and keep them safe."},{"_id":"RGFBIXHZ6VG3ZNKAH53ETVRW4Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But some child welfare advocates say it’s hindering those children’s chances of being adopted. 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"},{"_id":"UDWUIPHLQZCDHFE4TQ4RPI3M24","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“We have seen both a decline in general inquiries and a decrease in the number of families moving forward in the adoption process,” Chief Executive Officer Terri Balliet wrote recently in an email to the Tampa Bay Times. She estimated about a 15% drop in potential adoptions since the law went into effect. "},{"_id":"2NND3QT2U5C53CNEUBAVYI2BDY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Historically, Balliet wrote, photos have been one of the best ways to recruit adoptive families. The images inspired an emotional connection."},{"_id":"ZUFWQMLC4ZG2HCKTNWJSITFE2A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Brigette Schupay, who runs the <a href=\"https://adopthoaa.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Heart of Adoptions Alliance</a> and works with Heart Galleries throughout Florida, said inquiries to her offices have plummeted since the law went into effect."},{"_id":"K5SKP22H2JFYZDTELH5J3PHRZY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“At first,” she said, “we thought our website was broken.”"},{"_id":"EF7OPX3SCZDCTMVHX5Q6DY67CA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In 2023, her agency averaged 15 inquiries every month. So far this year, she said, they have only gotten 55."},{"_id":"34V533KHYJDCHFTRBD76WDMZLA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It’s shocking,” Schupay said. “I’ve seen so many kids get adopted into wonderful homes because their portraits were in the Heart Gallery, because of mall displays. Pictures make all the difference.”"},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"address":{"region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"a5d556314b07f05e2dd5ab3044d4e2141de531c0021a0148c02db2f239167e86"},"caption":"Amanda is 10. She's caring and lively. She runs track, enjoys dancing, playing dress-up and singing to Disney movies. She made this “Heart Art” collage of things that make her happy: rainbows and unicorns. 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A national nonprofit dedicated to improving the child welfare system, the organization’s Jupiter office helped spearhead the legislation. "},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"address":{"region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"dd88d45a963a673496549b912fdbd54362e31853872ddf9986b297f4d5a51279"},"caption":"James Minter is the director of advocacy for the Selfless Love Foundation. ","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Handouts","edit_url":"","source_type":"handout","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"4d6faf50-1a35-4bda-b3c5-1ecf3e31e917"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/X35IXMZEONDYLA4HISPBVD2XRI.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Courtesy of Heart Gallery of Tam","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":640,"_id":"X35IXMZEONDYLA4HISPBVD2XRI","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/X35IXMZEONDYLA4HISPBVD2XRI.JPG?auth=dd88d45a963a673496549b912fdbd54362e31853872ddf9986b297f4d5a51279","iptc_job_identifier":"600753029","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/X35IXMZEONDYLA4HISPBVD2XRI.JPG?auth=dd88d45a963a673496549b912fdbd54362e31853872ddf9986b297f4d5a51279","link":"","takenOn":"2026-06-08T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/X35IXMZEONDYLA4HISPBVD2XRI.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/X35IXMZEONDYLA4HISPBVD2XRI.JPG?auth=dd88d45a963a673496549b912fdbd54362e31853872ddf9986b297f4d5a51279","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/X35IXMZEONDYLA4HISPBVD2XRI.JPG?auth=dd88d45a963a673496549b912fdbd54362e31853872ddf9986b297f4d5a51279&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"xxxxxx_HO_9_fosterkidphotos.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Handout"},"created_date":"2026-06-08T14:34:40Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-09T20:06:39Z","alignment":"left","slug":"xxxxxx_HO_9_fosterkidphotos","height":960},{"_id":"QAHRHEC3BVDVJBFLTM5GRFG2ZU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"At a <a href=\"https://flchildren.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Florida Coalition for Children</a> conference in 2022, Minter said, former foster youth were asked: What should change in the system? "},{"_id":"NMHA7U36O5A6PAPUQ5R35MTEC4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Some had been adopted. Many had aged out without finding families. "},{"_id":"BNIWGQPL3NDBVIV5XQ57IBZDZY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Most said their top priority was to “close the pet shop.”"},{"_id":"FRFD4ORTBZDY3KMC3FSB5U5XLE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“They wanted control over their privacy,” Minter said. “They didn’t want their pictures and personal information plastered all over everywhere, for anyone to see.”"},{"_id":"RUEQSFJJSNGGDMZQHRIQN2D5I4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"One young woman said after classmates saw her photo on an adoption site, they bullied her. Others complained that even after they had aged out of foster care, their photos remained online."},{"_id":"YWCWAIP4TJDAFJ6LM3RBPMIOO4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The digital footprint is out there forever,” Minter said. "},{"_id":"HWZZAW2N5FBVXHJP6MILVWCDME","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Minter’s organization reached out to Republican state Rep. Dana Trabulsy to sponsor a bill in the House."},{"_id":"5WVCCRIODRGNTNIHNHFT3QJMX4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"It passed unanimously in both chambers."},{"_id":"776CT2ASIFBFDJ2WXEXIG4GZMA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Trabulsy didn’t return requests for comment about the law."},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"address":{"region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"0699329ce9ea483d3e177a5314fd83ad3b338fa39458358cc650cea8409ad667"},"caption":"Isaiah, 13, seems shy at first. Once he feels comfortable, his humor bubbles out. He is motivated, hard-working, good at video games. His favorite meal: Neckbone, collards and cornbread. When creating art about what matters to him, he included a cross, Bible verse and dollar sign. He said he doesn’t care what type of parents he has. He just wants a home where he’s wanted.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Handouts","edit_url":"","source_type":"handout","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"4d6faf50-1a35-4bda-b3c5-1ecf3e31e917"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/42MKSDCVQBDI3OMP2PQUCUCQDA.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Courtesy of Heart Gallery of Pin","type":"author"}]},"width":1080,"_id":"42MKSDCVQBDI3OMP2PQUCUCQDA","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/42MKSDCVQBDI3OMP2PQUCUCQDA.JPG?auth=0699329ce9ea483d3e177a5314fd83ad3b338fa39458358cc650cea8409ad667","iptc_job_identifier":"600753025","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/42MKSDCVQBDI3OMP2PQUCUCQDA.JPG?auth=0699329ce9ea483d3e177a5314fd83ad3b338fa39458358cc650cea8409ad667","takenOn":"2026-06-08T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/42MKSDCVQBDI3OMP2PQUCUCQDA.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/42MKSDCVQBDI3OMP2PQUCUCQDA.JPG?auth=0699329ce9ea483d3e177a5314fd83ad3b338fa39458358cc650cea8409ad667","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/42MKSDCVQBDI3OMP2PQUCUCQDA.JPG?auth=0699329ce9ea483d3e177a5314fd83ad3b338fa39458358cc650cea8409ad667&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"xxxxxx_HO_6_fosterkidphotos copy.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Handout"},"created_date":"2026-06-08T14:24:00Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-09T20:06:39Z","slug":"xxxxxx_HO_fosterkidphotos","height":1350},{"_id":"H2EJ7GBIHJBXJGYY5J5PSIBLJU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Adoption advocates say they understand the reasoning behind the new law — and its intent. But they worry about the unintended consequences."},{"_id":"26PLCSNKK5FM5CLBOVSZIZ53W4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“This came as a surprise for all the Heart Galleries across the state,” said Mary Kinirons, who ran the Broward County Heart Gallery. “No one was consulted.”"},{"_id":"OTETVWRN2JHZZOZIM5APUX4TPU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"She and Matthew Straeb<b>, </b>who co-founded the Heart Gallery of America in 2008<b>,</b> met with legislators and representatives from Florida’s Department of Children and Families to alert them to the possible downsides after the law passed."},{"_id":"NOXPN66PZBEDNEQA5N6TQAAC3U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"They warned about the complicated maze people would have to navigate to see faces of children they might fall in love with."},{"_id":"SYKDU3ZOFRGLBLU4YDXWCZCAHA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In the first months after the law went into effect, Kinirons said, inquiries to her Broward Heart Gallery dropped by half. In December, she dissolved the 20-year-old nonprofit<b>.</b> She worries more of Florida’s dozen Heart Galleries might close."},{"_id":"VK7PFWI2CFDP3D7W5NHNMTNVQM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Straeb has been reaching out to the more than 70 Heart Galleries across the U.S. and Canada, warning them about what’s happening in Florida. "},{"_id":"ZWYQUFWWGRCRXPEL6BUBW7542U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It’s so frustrating,” he said. “They took something that had worked for 20 years and entirely eliminated that option.”"},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"address":{"region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"6fea48d3d299c599eac0e8663eeeec683d39b90d6f34703358079c2ec5171ecc"},"caption":"Matthew Straeb co-founded the Heart Gallery of America in 2008 to help kids in foster care find permanent families.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Handouts","edit_url":"","source_type":"handout","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"4d6faf50-1a35-4bda-b3c5-1ecf3e31e917"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/CF4BO2IXY5EMPP4KEQLRJUIDYU.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Courtesy of Heart Gallery of Tam","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":900,"_id":"CF4BO2IXY5EMPP4KEQLRJUIDYU","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/CF4BO2IXY5EMPP4KEQLRJUIDYU.JPG?auth=6fea48d3d299c599eac0e8663eeeec683d39b90d6f34703358079c2ec5171ecc","iptc_job_identifier":"600753028","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/CF4BO2IXY5EMPP4KEQLRJUIDYU.JPG?auth=6fea48d3d299c599eac0e8663eeeec683d39b90d6f34703358079c2ec5171ecc","link":"","takenOn":"2026-06-08T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/CF4BO2IXY5EMPP4KEQLRJUIDYU.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/CF4BO2IXY5EMPP4KEQLRJUIDYU.JPG?auth=6fea48d3d299c599eac0e8663eeeec683d39b90d6f34703358079c2ec5171ecc","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/CF4BO2IXY5EMPP4KEQLRJUIDYU.JPG?auth=6fea48d3d299c599eac0e8663eeeec683d39b90d6f34703358079c2ec5171ecc&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"xxxxxx_HO_8_fosterkidphotos.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Handout"},"created_date":"2026-06-08T14:34:36Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-09T20:06:39Z","alignment":"left","slug":"xxxxxx_HO_8_fosterkidphotos","height":1356},{"_id":"IZSPTAPYV5HVTOTN77WTM4ESWA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Some states, like Idaho, have cancelled their contracts for producing <a href=\"https://wednesdayschild.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Wednesday’s Child</a> TV segments promoting adoptable kids. Others are considering requiring agencies to substitute foster kids’ portraits with generic stock photos<b> — </b>or pictures generated by AI."},{"_id":"VW3DJMY3LNCONHYJS56H5YOJUQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Heart Gallery kids are often older, disabled or part of sibling groups, who are difficult to find families for<b>, </b>Straeb said."},{"_id":"2UUDNM6WLVAE5ODQIYRCVT55WE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Connie Going, who helped start the Pinellas Heart Gallery, now runs <a href=\"https://goingfamilies.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Going Adoption Agency</a>. "},{"_id":"TQ65FF6FDZEPPARSM5TDLR2ILA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Going and other adoption experts help families sign up for classes, schedule home studies and get approved to go behind the locked website to, ultimately, see children. They find grants to offset educational and adoption costs. Foster children often can be adopted for $500 or less, Going said. Private adoptions can cost up to $30,000."},{"_id":"HIPS7HYCUBDT5FZGRI5MN6BN7E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Even after the state approves people to proceed with the adoption process, Going said, they still hit roadblocks."},{"_id":"JIYDZUPG55H5HO5N5HV5V2L3JU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Each Heart Gallery vets its own potential parents, so if you want to look at kids throughout Florida, you have to apply to a dozen different agencies. Home studies are only valid for a year, so if it takes longer than that to match with a child, you have to start over."},{"_id":"ZQIIDD5SYJCXBGUXBIL4AJOMAA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“People are giving up,” Going said. “Or going to other states.”"},{"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times","syndication":{"search":true,"external_distribution":true},"auth":{"1":"9e56d696e24ef3fae7c88ff9429c1b024e8997e464bf58303bf2c0dda9fc662c"},"vanity_credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD","type":"author"}]},"caption":"Connie Going, left, and her adopted son, Davion Only-Going visit at the home in April 2025. Going had known Davion while he was in foster care and now runs an adoption agency.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","licensable":true,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Douglas R. Clifford","type":"author","byline":"Douglas R. Clifford"}]},"creditIPTC":"Times","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/LYRFPPH6TRHQBPUXHWC4LJAUSI.JPG?auth=9e56d696e24ef3fae7c88ff9429c1b024e8997e464bf58303bf2c0dda9fc662c","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/LYRFPPH6TRHQBPUXHWC4LJAUSI.JPG?auth=9e56d696e24ef3fae7c88ff9429c1b024e8997e464bf58303bf2c0dda9fc662c","link":"","takenOn":"2025-04-09T20:27:34Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LYRFPPH6TRHQBPUXHWC4LJAUSI.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/LYRFPPH6TRHQBPUXHWC4LJAUSI.JPG?auth=9e56d696e24ef3fae7c88ff9429c1b024e8997e464bf58303bf2c0dda9fc662c","ingestionMethod":"manual","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/LYRFPPH6TRHQBPUXHWC4LJAUSI.JPG?auth=9e56d696e24ef3fae7c88ff9429c1b024e8997e464bf58303bf2c0dda9fc662c&width=300","version":1,"usage_instructions":"licensing partner Zuma Press, licensing@zumapress.com or www.ZUMApress.com","originalName":"434331_CLIF_1_davion.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"template_id":465,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"last_updated_date":"2025-04-22T20:49:31Z","slug":"434331_CLIF_1_davion","height":2000,"image_type":"photograph","owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"tbt"},"address":{"locality":"ST. PETERSBURG","region":"FL"},"distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LYRFPPH6TRHQBPUXHWC4LJAUSI.JPG","subtitle":"","width":3000,"_id":"LYRFPPH6TRHQBPUXHWC4LJAUSI","created_date":"2025-04-09T20:57:20Z"},{"_id":"U7EH3HO2B5CIZPOCJUJDBL3IBY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"On the national site <a href=\"https://adoptuskids.org/_app/child/searchpResults.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">AdoptUSKids</a>, anyone can see portraits of foster children from states like Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana and read their bios. When you search for children in Florida, you see only their first names in big blue letters, adorned with images of bows and basketballs. "},{"_id":"AQ2ECBKWN5DVZJZ6FMXGIRBFFM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"On Florida’s <a href=\"https://adoptionexchange.myflfamilies.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Explore Adoption</a> site, the public can’t see anything. The “Child Search” tab leads you to login with an approved account. "},{"_id":"YSP7D4JVIJCRNEMXJOGQME4YSI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"If you are approved to see the kids’ portraits, the advocates said, many don’t match their brief bios. A boy who looks 6 is now listed as 16. “They’re supposed to update the photos every six months,” Going said. "},{"_id":"IXZWD45HGVDQPNTWEBWT2GPC5Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The state Department of Children and Families tracks adoptions by fiscal year. In 2023-24, its annual report said 3,936 children were adopted from Florida. In 2024-25 — the most recent data – 3,671 kids were adopted. That’s a 6.7% drop in the first year since the prohibition went into effect."},{"_id":"U7C4TO6T65GVVEDEQGZ3VBVZOM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"It’s too early, many adoption advocates said, to ascertain the law’s long-term effects."},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"address":{"region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"e56771cfdae2ea64c49952ec08be52d08798ee9cc4a2cb283ea16df72daea051"},"vanity_credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Heart Gallery of Tampa","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Daniel Wallace   ","type":"author"}]},"caption":"This child, whose identity the state has withheld, needs a family who will appreciate her fiery spirit, care about her dreams, “make sure she never questions where she belongs,” her bio says. She’s one of dozens of children available for adoption through the Heart Gallery of Tampa.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Handouts","edit_url":"","source_type":"handout","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"4d6faf50-1a35-4bda-b3c5-1ecf3e31e917"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/CR7CRZ7W4ZDPPADXVNBHUHWGCQ.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Photo by Daniel Wallace","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":2048,"_id":"CR7CRZ7W4ZDPPADXVNBHUHWGCQ","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/CR7CRZ7W4ZDPPADXVNBHUHWGCQ.JPG?auth=e56771cfdae2ea64c49952ec08be52d08798ee9cc4a2cb283ea16df72daea051","iptc_job_identifier":"600753023","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/CR7CRZ7W4ZDPPADXVNBHUHWGCQ.JPG?auth=e56771cfdae2ea64c49952ec08be52d08798ee9cc4a2cb283ea16df72daea051","link":"","takenOn":"2019-02-22T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/CR7CRZ7W4ZDPPADXVNBHUHWGCQ.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/CR7CRZ7W4ZDPPADXVNBHUHWGCQ.JPG?auth=e56771cfdae2ea64c49952ec08be52d08798ee9cc4a2cb283ea16df72daea051","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/CR7CRZ7W4ZDPPADXVNBHUHWGCQ.JPG?auth=e56771cfdae2ea64c49952ec08be52d08798ee9cc4a2cb283ea16df72daea051&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"xxxxxx_HO_4_fosterkidphotos copy.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Handout"},"created_date":"2026-06-08T14:23:51Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-09T20:06:39Z","slug":"xxxxxx_HO_fosterkidphotos","height":1556},{"_id":"AHZGYP6PPJHMJAZVWJ6UCFBC6E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The <a href=\"https://heartgallerytampa.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Heart Gallery of Tampa</a>, the oldest in Florida, has shifted its approach due to the new law."},{"_id":"ATARULFJCNG5LBC5MNTH7XDXAI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The organization’s <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/HeartGalleryTampa/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Facebook page </a>features portraits of the back of a curly-haired child playing piano, a boy holding a basketball to obscure his face and another kid hidden behind a comic book."},{"_id":"5ORFGFASZRFANPHUASQNS7NX6I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“We had to figure out a plan and pivot,” said Lindsay Hermida, who runs the nonprofit. Besides making sure foster kids’ portraits are unidentifiable, staff now show success stories, photos of children who have been adopted. They have added more training and support for prospective parents. They hired a recruiter to reach out to people with approved home studies."},{"_id":"MUKN3QKZ5JAVRKV2VNPTBGAUFI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“We’ve really evolved in how we operate,” Hermida said. “So we haven’t seen much of an impact from this new law. Yet.”"},{"_id":"W2TMOTB6VBGMHFPW4A3H5QZHYM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"RoseMarie Richardson, program director of the <a href=\"https://gulfcoastjfcs.org/heart-gallery-kids/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Heart Gallery of Pinellas &amp; Pasco</a>, also switched course. Her staff started having kids create “Heart Art,” drawings, paintings and collages that represent who they are or what they want. An artist from <a href=\"https://floridacraftart.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Florida CraftArt</a>, who grew up in foster care, helps the children use an array of mediums to tell their stories. One girl used pipe cleaners to build a bed. She’d never had a new one."},{"_id":"4VLXAA36GBAZLE345ZYDDM5MC4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"When the law went into effect, “initially, we saw a decline in inquiries,” said Richardson, whose group oversees 140 children. But now that the kids’ art is on the website, and in libraries, churches and galleries across the counties, interest has rebounded to earlier levels."},{"_id":"OFK3COEYPJHSFLTNIQ3OWFBWYY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Their art, she said, “is what’s tugging at people’s heartstrings now.” "},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"address":{"region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"fa5a3b4ba80b47af7970eaa2493b302e357998961966df403ab89474926e3073"},"caption":"After a 2024 law prohibited foster kids’ portraits from being shared with the public, the Heart Gallery of Tampa started using photos that don’t identify them. But the website doesn’t include the kids’ bios, ages or first names.\n","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Handouts","edit_url":"","source_type":"handout","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"4d6faf50-1a35-4bda-b3c5-1ecf3e31e917"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KGVWXXEHDFGXRGPMIRJC4UZXH4.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Courtesy of Heart Gallery of Tam","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":1365,"_id":"KGVWXXEHDFGXRGPMIRJC4UZXH4","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/KGVWXXEHDFGXRGPMIRJC4UZXH4.JPG?auth=fa5a3b4ba80b47af7970eaa2493b302e357998961966df403ab89474926e3073","iptc_job_identifier":"600753022","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/KGVWXXEHDFGXRGPMIRJC4UZXH4.JPG?auth=fa5a3b4ba80b47af7970eaa2493b302e357998961966df403ab89474926e3073","link":"","takenOn":"2026-06-08T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KGVWXXEHDFGXRGPMIRJC4UZXH4.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/KGVWXXEHDFGXRGPMIRJC4UZXH4.JPG?auth=fa5a3b4ba80b47af7970eaa2493b302e357998961966df403ab89474926e3073","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/KGVWXXEHDFGXRGPMIRJC4UZXH4.JPG?auth=fa5a3b4ba80b47af7970eaa2493b302e357998961966df403ab89474926e3073&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"xxxxxx_HO_3_fosterkidphotos copy.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Handout"},"created_date":"2026-06-08T14:23:46Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-09T20:06:39Z","slug":"xxxxxx_HO_fosterkidphotos","height":1365},{"_id":"GGNOD754WZFIFKC2KD4522V74U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Some foster children, Heart Gallery leaders said, were excited to have their portraits taken. Many didn’t have photos of themselves and loved getting dressed up. Older children always got to help choose which pictures went online or were hung in malls."},{"_id":"B2UAOSBLGVDSFE5KU3NTX7VJAI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It made them feel seen,” Straeb said. “It gave them agency, the chance to market themselves.”"},{"_id":"IHY254JFHFHBBLDRZHDPGO2O5I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The new legislation doesn’t allow kids to “opt in” and let their photos be used. But some foster youth are talking about ultimately adding that provision, Minter said, and they can still choose to put images on their own social media."},{"_id":"E6J3WPFMIFG7TBHI3AXVTLXZTU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Tonya Ruble-Richter, president of <a href=\"https://ever-forward.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">EverForward</a>, runs three group homes across Tampa Bay. The new law “sounds like a good idea,” she said. “But when you look at the effects, it’s really gray.”"},{"_id":"JBERHLZE4FF5XKGZXL6GYBR7PQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Of course, foster kids should have a right to privacy, she said. “But the bigger goal is to get them somewhere safe permanently. 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Two years ago, a new Florida law banned such images -- unless people have been approved to adopt. Now, heart galleries and adoption advocates are searching for new ways to share the children publicly while protecting their privacy. Some say inquiries for available kids have fallen by more than 90 percent.\n","scheduling":{"will_have_image":true,"planned_publish_date":"2026-06-05T17:32:00.000Z"},"story_length":{"character_count_actual":9388,"inch_count_actual":56,"inch_count_planned":60,"word_count_actual":1557,"line_count_actual":391}},"display_date":"2026-06-09T20:06:40.099Z","headlines":{"tablet":"","print":"","meta_title":"","native":"","web":"","mobile":"","basic":"A law hid Florida foster kids’ faces. Did it hurt their chances of adoption?","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-02T18:17:38.457Z","publish_date":"2026-06-09T21:28:38.837Z","_id":"RXY5TIWAGJCCLEDXUZFFBHJKVI","website":"tbt","website_url":"/news/florida/2026/06/09/law-hid-florida-foster-kids-faces-did-it-hurt-their-chances-adoption/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"QVGUEXQIBVAUHOCZYTYZAEEHLA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Florida on Tuesday approved a $1.25 million funding request from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for software to be used in immigration enforcement."},{"_id":"4X2AP32BEZD4JJOLKJY7CE5SMI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"This approval more than doubles the $490,000 in funding the sheriff’s office <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/12/20/hillsborough-requests-immigration-enforcement-funding-florida/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">previously received in December</a>. To date, the department has received $1.74 million from the state for immigration enforcement."},{"_id":"PNNG63HJOFHK7AWFHY5HNFEXYQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The money comes from what is now the fifth round of funding from a $250 million program created last year to fund the State Board of Immigration Enforcement. The state has so far approved about $147 million for law enforcement agencies and local governments."},{"_id":"3Q4IU5CMBJD3BIQLOIPSPKZO6I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Plant City Police Department’s application for over $271,000 for software was also approved."},{"_id":"WNRO4P7A2ZHM5FFUBI26H2BDAA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The department requested the money for data sharing and integration software, which it said would help it stay better connected with other local, state and federal agencies that use the same platform."},{"_id":"NPB6RHTM7NE4ZBSJ63Z4AWGREY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The state approved $87.3 million on Tuesday for 56 local agencies for immigration enforcement."}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Plant City also got more than $271,000 that it says will help track immigration."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida","parent_id":"/news","name":"Florida","description":"Latest Florida news from the Associated Press.","_id":"/news/florida","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/florida/","site_keywords":"Latest Florida news from the Associated Press.","site_description":"Latest Florida news from the Associated Press.","site_title":"Florida"},"inactive":false,"site_topper":{"site_logo_image":null},"name":"Florida","_id":"/news/florida","advertising":{"adbridg_kvp":{"News":"Florida"}},"ancestors":{"default":["/news"]},"order":{"default":2012}}},"type":"site","version":"0.5.8"},"sites":[{"path":"/news/florida","parent_id":"/news","name":"Florida","description":"Latest Florida news from the Associated Press.","_id":"/news/florida","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/florida/","site_keywords":"Latest Florida news from the Associated Press.","site_description":"Latest Florida news from the Associated Press.","site_title":"Florida"},"inactive":false,"site_topper":{"site_logo_image":null},"name":"Florida","_id":"/news/florida","advertising":{"adbridg_kvp":{"News":"Florida"}},"ancestors":{"default":["/news"]},"order":{"default":2012}}},"type":"site","version":"0.5.8"},{"path":"/news/crime","parent_id":"/news","name":"Crime","description":"Breaking crime news in the Tampa Bay area, including courtroom proceedings, police and sheriff arrests and breaking news updates, from the Tampa Bay Times.","_id":"/news/crime","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"site":{"site_url":"/news/crime/","site_keywords":"Crime & Courts News. 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","beat":"Times staff","bio_page":"","last_updated_date":"2026-06-10T14:26:09.997Z","byline":"Henry Fernandez","email":"hfernandez@tampabay.com","slug":"henry-fernandez","image":"","longBio":"Hi, I’m Henry. I cover education and immigration for the Tampa Bay Times. I grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, and attend Cornell University. I have reported for The Connecticut Mirror, VTDigger and the Ithaca Voice, so I am excited to now be reporting on a state with palm trees and beaches. My prior reporting has exposed labor violations, government incompetence and led to policy change. I love hearing from readers, whether they have a tip, suggestion, or feedback.","fuzzy_match":false,"author_type":"Times Staff Writer","firstName":"Henry","books":[],"podcasts":[],"awards":[],"_id":"henry-fernandez","status":true}},"type":"author","version":"0.5.8","url":"","slug":"henry-fernandez"}]},"first_publish_date":"2026-06-09T20:01:58.861Z","additional_properties":{"is_published":true,"publish_date":"2026-06-09T20:19:44.373Z","has_published_copy":true},"last_updated_date":"2026-06-09T20:45:28.825Z","publishing":{"scheduled_operations":{"unpublish_edition":[],"publish_edition":[]}},"slug":"HCSOImmBudgetIncrease061026","owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"tbt"},"address":{},"workflow":{"status_code":8},"promo_items":{"basic":{"owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"tbt"},"address":{},"auth":{"1":"a162a4810201eeaae2f7413f6de3217263b557cac67e19371575817c0c9d8cd1"},"caption":"The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office received $1.25 million in immigration funding from the State Board of Immigration Enforcement on Tuesday.","source":{"system":"photo center","edit_url":"","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VYQ6WTI6YNBWJDXYDNGCJ5LO6I.JPG","geo":{},"licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office","type":"author"}],"by":[]},"subtitle":"","width":4032,"_id":"VYQ6WTI6YNBWJDXYDNGCJ5LO6I","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/VYQ6WTI6YNBWJDXYDNGCJ5LO6I.JPG?auth=a162a4810201eeaae2f7413f6de3217263b557cac67e19371575817c0c9d8cd1","iptc_job_identifier":"600660221","keywords":[],"proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/VYQ6WTI6YNBWJDXYDNGCJ5LO6I.JPG?auth=a162a4810201eeaae2f7413f6de3217263b557cac67e19371575817c0c9d8cd1","takenOn":"2025-05-23T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VYQ6WTI6YNBWJDXYDNGCJ5LO6I.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/VYQ6WTI6YNBWJDXYDNGCJ5LO6I.JPG?auth=a162a4810201eeaae2f7413f6de3217263b557cac67e19371575817c0c9d8cd1","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/VYQ6WTI6YNBWJDXYDNGCJ5LO6I.JPG?auth=a162a4810201eeaae2f7413f6de3217263b557cac67e19371575817c0c9d8cd1&width=300","version":3,"originalName":"SunCityCenter.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","restricted":false,"galleries":[]},"created_date":"2025-05-23T22:48:19Z","last_updated_date":"2025-05-23T22:58:57Z","slug":"SunCityCenter","height":3024,"image_type":"photograph"}},"canonical_url":"/news/florida/2026/06/09/florida-immigration-funding-hillsborough-sheriff/","revision":{"editions":["default"],"parent_id":"CMSOR4OJEBFJPFUPO4MMERD2LE","published":true,"branch":"default","revision_id":"SFNESGPCINFDFE3DNDEH5UDD7M"},"planning":{"budget_line":"Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was approved for a $1.2 million increase in funding from the State Board of Immigration Enforcement for a new software platform.","scheduling":{},"story_length":{"character_count_actual":1005,"inch_count_actual":6,"inch_count_planned":10,"word_count_actual":156,"line_count_actual":41}},"display_date":"2026-06-09T20:01:58.861Z","headlines":{"tablet":"","print":"","meta_title":"","native":"","web":"","mobile":"","basic":"Hillsborough receives $1.25M for immigration enforcement software ","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-09T14:45:47.403Z","publish_date":"2026-06-09T20:45:28.627Z","_id":"JFXS4E3FG5GVXM3LNZJM4QXE7M","website":"tbt","website_url":"/news/florida/2026/06/09/florida-immigration-funding-hillsborough-sheriff/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"TXQYIWVJFZC7XDITXC57XU5G44","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"As local officials contemplate a Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal, the Tampa Sports Authority, the public agency that manages Raymond James Stadium, is asking that they ensure any deal with the Rays does not hamstring future funding for the football stadium. "},{"_id":"53WUWIRI7NHFTD3NASJHJX6FFI","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"In a <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2026/06/02/tampa-sports-authority-raymond-james-stadium-rays-ballpark/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2026/06/02/tampa-sports-authority-raymond-james-stadium-rays-ballpark/\">letter sent last Friday to County Commission Chair Ken Hagan</a>, Patrick Manteiga, the Sports Authority’s chairperson, noted that Raymond James will soon need public funding that could rival the Rays’ near billion-dollar public request."},{"_id":"OIDNTHUAZRDXHBALXOHJNEKDTE","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"The Sports Authority, Manteiga wrote, previously provided Hillsborough with “a projected need of over $500 million in capital repairs” for Raymond James “just to maintain the facility in its current condition,” not renovate or improve it. "},{"_id":"X6OII3OEWVDRBCEI6DH657RI74","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Last month, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2026/05/26/raymond-james-stadium-renovations-tampa-bay-buccaneers/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2026/05/26/raymond-james-stadium-renovations-tampa-bay-buccaneers/\">the Tampa Bay Times reported</a> the Bucs are seeking a $1 billion renovation to Raymond James and have floated paying one-third of the cost, while the public covers the other two-thirds. The Bucs’ deadline to renew and extend the term of their lease, according to Sports Authority documents, is on or before Jan. 31, 2027."},{"_id":"IZ5KKO5PUJDD3JSRWIEMPG2G7Y","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“It is in all of our best interests to ensure that (Raymond James Stadium) remains a world-class venue, and we continue to meet all the NFL standards identified within our use agreement,” Manteiga wrote."},{"_id":"ML6FQAGBUNERBHQNOFQBPCDXNE","type":"raw_html","content":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/28220506-2026-06-05-letter-to-county/?embed=1\" width=\"612\" height=\"792\" style=\"border: 1px solid #D8DEE2; border-radius: 0.5rem; width: 100%; height: 100%; aspect-ratio: 612 / 792\" allow=\"fullscreen\"></iframe>"},{"_id":"RLRJSZC4ZZCQJORCRJG3N4QEMI","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Manteiga’s message is the result of a <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2026/06/02/tampa-sports-authority-raymond-james-stadium-rays-ballpark/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2026/06/02/tampa-sports-authority-raymond-james-stadium-rays-ballpark/\">Sports Authority vote last Tuesday</a> to send letters to the Hillsborough County Commission and Tampa City Council specifying that allocating public funds for Raymond James should take precedence over funding for the Rays."},{"_id":"DAW77CGIFZGKPHVHMBBCY6HEHM","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“I think that we should let the county know that we’re greatly concerned,” board member Tony Muniz, who made the motion for the letter, said last week. “There’s only so (many) dollars that we have out there, and that we need to take care of our current tenants.”"},{"_id":"FDPZEWW5RZDQFCDXTFPPPPUUCE","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Muniz and Manteiga, as well as board members Andy Scaglione and C. Dennis Carlton Jr., are the four county appointees serving on the 11-member Sports Authority board. "},{"_id":"4IU6GM3XQBCB7CYCJXCDQ27O6E","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Last week, they seemed to draw the ire of Commissioner Christine Miller, who <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/06/03/rays-stadium-hillsborough-tampa-sports-authority/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/06/03/rays-stadium-hillsborough-tampa-sports-authority/\">asked the county attorney’s office to advise the board</a> on how to remove a Hillsborough-appointed member of the Sports Authority."},{"_id":"46JIXDGRQVA6HFSNS6LXC5YEF4","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“Appointees take an oath to the Tampa Sports Authority, not a sports team,” Miller said in an emailed statement last week. “I wanted to know the process for the day an appointee forgets the difference. Asking how a door works isn’t the same as deciding to walk through it — but it’s good to know before you need it. My question was meant to remind everybody what the mission of the Authority should be.”"},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times,  licensing@zumapress.com","address":{"locality":"TAMPA","region":"FLORIDA"},"auth":{"1":"23a2cab195a203d6e08e3f2396baf67a7a5035f9617dc51995a26bfe7b976ca2"},"caption":"In a letter sent last Friday to County Commission Chair Ken Hagan, Patrick Manteiga, the Sports Authority’s chairperson, pictured, noted that Raymond James Stadium will soon need public funding that could rival the Rays’ near billion-dollar public request.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QKHZGL6WINE3JET2WACYOUWORI.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Douglas R. Clifford","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":5654,"_id":"QKHZGL6WINE3JET2WACYOUWORI","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/QKHZGL6WINE3JET2WACYOUWORI.JPG?auth=23a2cab195a203d6e08e3f2396baf67a7a5035f9617dc51995a26bfe7b976ca2","iptc_source":"www.tampabay.com, licensing@zuma","iptc_job_identifier":"600751433","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/QKHZGL6WINE3JET2WACYOUWORI.JPG?auth=23a2cab195a203d6e08e3f2396baf67a7a5035f9617dc51995a26bfe7b976ca2","link":"","takenOn":"2026-06-02T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QKHZGL6WINE3JET2WACYOUWORI.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/QKHZGL6WINE3JET2WACYOUWORI.JPG?auth=23a2cab195a203d6e08e3f2396baf67a7a5035f9617dc51995a26bfe7b976ca2","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/QKHZGL6WINE3JET2WACYOUWORI.JPG?auth=23a2cab195a203d6e08e3f2396baf67a7a5035f9617dc51995a26bfe7b976ca2&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"435984_CLIF_2_SportsAuthority.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"created_date":"2026-06-02T21:06:02Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-09T19:09:11Z","slug":"435984_CLIF_2_SportsAuthority","height":3850},{"_id":"CRH46T6TMJDOFCZL3H63T7J7QY","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Miller was appointed to the County Commission in 2024 by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is a vocal proponent of the Rays proposal and received a $250,000 donation to his presidential campaign from Patrick Zalupski, the principal owner of the Rays."},{"_id":"CECZV7XW3ZFT5LOCP3BUGP7C5M","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Hagan, a member of the Sports Authority himself, has maintained that brokering a deal with the Rays would not in any way hinder funding for the football stadium."},{"_id":"ZSKZYOLVL5FLFIVZ3A7YUBTPSU","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“I want to be crystal clear that this board and administration values our partnership with our sports teams, but more importantly, our commitment to them has not changed or been reduced,” <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2026/04/16/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-hillsborough-county/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2026/04/16/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-hillsborough-county/\">Hagan said at a county workshop in April</a>."},{"_id":"VGZSLNK5YBEZZKBRUBIMOFMDCM","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"<a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/20/tampa-bay-rays-hillsborough-county-stadium-mlb-babby-hagan/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/20/tampa-bay-rays-hillsborough-county-stadium-mlb-babby-hagan/\">Hillsborough</a> and <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/21/tampa-bay-rays-tampa-city-council-stadium-vote-memorandum-of-understanding/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/21/tampa-bay-rays-tampa-city-council-stadium-vote-memorandum-of-understanding/\">Tampa</a> both approved a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with the Rays last month, which outlines a $976 million public contribution toward the cost of the stadium, with $796 million coming from the county and $180 million from the city."},{"_id":"5I6ERR6R4NEHZGUEUK5Y3SG54U","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"text","content":"• • •"},{"_id":"PUEY3QQMNZEKJFKIEOXB6JQI74","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/newsletters/sports-today/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter</a> to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida."},{"_id":"LBGRYVRGCNDNPG4SVFDIXWVGQM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Every weekday, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/podcasts/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/podcasts/\">tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast</a> to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports."},{"_id":"2SKCW53SF5B4JF7IPZ25OOPI24","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on <a href=\"https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Sports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">X</a> and <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/TampaBayTimesSports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Facebook</a>."}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"The board voted last Tuesday to send letters to the Hillsborough County Commission and Tampa City Council."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/sports/bucs","parent_id":"/sports","name":"Bucs","description":"Get the latest football news, scores and analysis for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the NFL from the Tampa Bay 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"},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"5YWV5BNHXNF7ZMG2VS5RD7NN6Y","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781022375941-tc2cklqnu","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Bill to make Hillsborough superintendent an elected role clears Senate"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/03/11/bill-make-hillsborough-superintendent-an-elected-role-clears-senate/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"53NVVD3RMNCQXEVOCYBUQFLCW4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The move followed a year in which Hillsborough County’s superintendent, Van Ayres, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/08/11/under-state-threats-hillsborough-pulls-transgender-youtubers-memoir/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/08/11/under-state-threats-hillsborough-pulls-transgender-youtubers-memoir/\">faced scrutiny</a> from outgoing Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas and the State Board of Education over book removals. "},{"_id":"JRGDRCLVBRFD3NDBTT75LVTBEU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The bill received widespread criticism from education leaders, who believe the bill will inject politics and outside money into the role. "},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"HTJUT6JKRBDZBPFRY5HRVX7OW4","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781023306356-4juy8awve","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Pasco's superintendent is endorsing school board candidates. Why now?"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/06/04/pascos-superintendent-is-endorsing-school-board-candidates-why-now/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"GJ2GIN5XMFHAREH4XJHZGD5ZOQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In March, the Hillsborough County school board extended the superintendent’s contract and expressed concerns over making the position elected. Currently, the superintendent is hired and can be fired by the school board. "},{"_id":"BUO3MHJ2JJAUVAMRRGIOP5PVLI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"At a Tiger Bay forum, all school board candidates present <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/03/20/bill-gates-book-bans-politics-hillsborough-school-board-field-weighs/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/03/20/bill-gates-book-bans-politics-hillsborough-school-board-field-weighs/\">agreed on one thing</a>: that the position should stay appointed and remain an educator instead of a politician. "},{"_id":"VNI4DPDGGNDHVKUBSFV7DB5Y2Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Florida is the only state other than Alabama with districts that elect superintendents. "},{"_id":"H223EUU26RHRPF2V4LESBAJRMY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Hillsborough County used to elect superintendents, but <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1994/01/10/hillsborough-educator-raymond-o-shelton/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1994/01/10/hillsborough-educator-raymond-o-shelton/\">appointed its first superintendent</a> in 1967, after its elected superintendent was convicted of <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2001/09/28/ex-coach-at-the-center-of-school-name-debate/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2001/09/28/ex-coach-at-the-center-of-school-name-debate/\">embezzlement charges</a> of using school property for personal gains. That decision was later overturned because of perjury from a district employee, but the memory left questions of what could happen if the district’s top position in charge of major contracts and hires was influenced by outside money and politics. "},{"_id":"FASTCHQWFRB7XLICON3OW4TPTE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"School board member Nadia Combs questioned why none of Florida’s other large districts, including Miami-Dade, Orange, Broward or Pinellas counties, elect their superintendents. "},{"_id":"N5HPJ2XLIBHZBGSVSG34JSJLUI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Accountability, she said, already exists in the general public’s ability to elect seven school board members who are able to fire a superintendent immediately if they do not meet expectations. "},{"_id":"FDKX2COJVRDGHGAOI2VKPYRINY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Why would you do this in the seventh largest district in the nation?” she said. “It’s not about the kids, it’s about special interests.” "},{"_id":"RSOAVJLPGFARFBM53S7KK42AZA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Board member Lynn Gray said the current superintendent’s track record speaks for itself, and she believes voters’ support of millage rates to support schools have shown support of how the district is being led."},{"_id":"CNVPS6AVXZAPNKAR5V5ZYWV444","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“We’ve got higher graduation rates from Van Ayres,” she said. “We’ve got higher test scores from Van Ayres. The state rates will be released in July, and I know already those will be higher than last year. We want to keep it that way.”"},{"_id":"RNKN5PHMUFEYZJVR4GYJDN76BA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":""},{"_id":"3PERCK2ZG5CEDDTALYDJXQ25IA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>The Tampa Bay Times Education Hub reports on Florida’s schools and universities and the students they serve. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by </i><a href=\"https://secure.tampabay.com/forms/journalismfund\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://secure.tampabay.com/forms/journalismfund\"><i>clicking here</i></a><i>.</i>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill giving voters a choice to make the position elected or appointed."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/education","parent_id":"/news","name":"The Education Gradebook","description":"Education and school news, including testing, class size, Florida Standards and Common Core, teaching and more for Florida and Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, from the Tampa Bay Times.","_id":"/news/education","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/education"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/education/","rotator_id":"PQRJDGVMLJHKNFNXN6QRRL3QS4","section_bullet_override":"Education","site_keywords":"Education News. 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I joined the Times in 2016 after earning a master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Is there an issue relating to education in Hillsborough County that you think people should know about? 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He distilled the debacle into a tragic thesis: “They have destroyed a rare haven for gentle nerds.”"},{"_id":"4VUQKNLIOFAZZIVERHV353RQGM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"From one gentle nerd to another, indeed. Oliver, who has called Gov. Ron DeSantis “<a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M81-GM0mTc4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">business Fred Flintstone</a>,” loves to <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiHTjUH5X-M\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">rag on Florida</a> with good reason. Though I personally volunteer to come on the show and defend Floridians who have skin thicker than a frozen iguana in the bed of a Chevy Baja, it won’t make a difference: Our state’s comic potential flows like the Gulf of America."},{"_id":"52F7JZSWOJDWRHNVIJYZ7B7YE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Florida is a prime target for Oliver’s free-wheeling format, which leaves room for longer, weedier takes. You try blending analysis of merit-based scholarships and genitalia jokes in a 20-second bit. You can’t!"},{"_id":"QKZ64KMHTFFQLMK7KSOUIMEZS4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"If the folks at “Last Week Tonight” enjoyed roasting New College, they’re going to adore these irresistibly corrupt stories from Florida."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"46FZGJYEF5BGLJSN62JH5GUWGY","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781014866342-gzb182s4h","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"John Oliver hosts late night segment on New College of Florida"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/06/08/john-oliver-hosts-late-night-segment-new-college-florida/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"level":2,"_id":"2R5HTCRQAVDP3ANTPH3V4KS4XA","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Environmental scandals"},{"_id":"VINXEPDZRRF35GO5FEZLI4TUHE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Floridians are feral about their love of the state’s natural splendor, so it’s a wonder why DeSantis keeps playing poker with protected lands. Take your pick of astonishing <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2025/05/17/florida-land-swap-deal-guana-desantis-lawmaker-opposition/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2025/05/17/florida-land-swap-deal-guana-desantis-lawmaker-opposition/\">stories</a>. How about the smelly $83.3 million purchase of a crappy <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2025/10/03/destin-land-purchase-desantis-norriego-guidry/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2025/10/03/destin-land-purchase-desantis-norriego-guidry/\">slice of land in Destin</a>? Or the clandestine scheme to build golf courses, hotels and pickleball courts across wild <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/topics/state-parks/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/topics/state-parks/\">state parks</a>?"},{"_id":"Y6574S2KKJDAXPHMGIQEUYVEIA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Speaking of the latter, a <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2026/02/26/gaddis-whistleblower-state-parks-florida-scandal-desantis/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">whistleblower claimed</a> he learned of the plans via, yes, a Post-It note. Furthermore, he said a supervisor made him hide evidence in a digital folder titled “DirectTV Subscription Info.” This story writes its own jokes, a Pepperidge Farm gift basket stocked full of cheese."},{"level":2,"_id":"IFH7OERNGFAV5LZBTN5VSRGSOE","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Hope Florida"},{"_id":"LCLQLWT2EBF6DLENNIU5IUWTPE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Here we have a scandal even bigger than the one involving, <i>shudder</i>, pickleball. In this melee, the administration <a href=\"https://project.tampabay.com/hope-florida/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://project.tampabay.com/hope-florida/\">diverted millions</a> of public dollars from the poor and sick to pay for lawyers, consultants and ads. The financial sleight of hand was designed to defeat amendments that would have opened access to abortion and recreational marijuana, causes DeSantis and friends didn’t like."},{"_id":"JOTPHFCPVVDNRNZFHAVAKRV5I4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"It’s a thick one. Oliver would need at least 20 minutes to delve into <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2025/04/25/hope-florida-explained-what-happened-medicaid-desantis/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2025/04/25/hope-florida-explained-what-happened-medicaid-desantis/\">the minutiae</a> of this slippery case, from the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/04/08/desantis-casey-hope-charity-legislature-legal-welfare/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/04/08/desantis-casey-hope-charity-legislature-legal-welfare/\">nonprofit element</a> to the Casey DeSantis of it all. But imagine the TV potential of our host connecting red strings on a corkboard in the manner of a true crime sleuth living in an abandoned shed."},{"level":2,"_id":"G36UMVEVERFNNO5MGZOQD2UAXI","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"James Uthmeier"},{"_id":"NCNOY6UMO5AWRB23Z3C5PKRSIU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Last Week Tonight” could sustain a whole show with Florida’s attorney general, Billy Zane to the state’s “Titanic.”"},{"_id":"DLG5HQWENVGEJDYUXPYTOYSXRY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Uthmeier, who is running to <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/17/tampa-james-uthmeier-hope-florida-uf-trump-ice-tiger-bay-club/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/17/tampa-james-uthmeier-hope-florida-uf-trump-ice-tiger-bay-club/\">keep his appointed position</a>, is connected to the Hope Florida scandal. At least one Republican colleague has <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/02/19/james-uthmeier-attorney-general-desantis-hope-florida-republicans/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/02/19/james-uthmeier-attorney-general-desantis-hope-florida-republicans/\">accused him</a> of fraud and money laundering. He’s credited with <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2025/06/20/florida-attorney-general-uthmeier-suggests-immigration-detention-center-everglades/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2025/06/20/florida-attorney-general-uthmeier-suggests-immigration-detention-center-everglades/\">suggesting</a> the idea for failed Everglades detainee camp <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2026/05/15/alligator-alcatraz-closing-florida-desantis-uthmeier/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2026/05/15/alligator-alcatraz-closing-florida-desantis-uthmeier/\">Alligator Alcatraz</a>; he starred in a promotional video for it alongside metal riffs last heard on a free karaoke app."},{"_id":"6PHI72LWAZDLTLDT3FW6O7VBBU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"He loves to invite himself to proverbial parties, sending <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/02/19/james-uthmeier-attorney-general-desantis-hope-florida-republicans/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/02/19/james-uthmeier-attorney-general-desantis-hope-florida-republicans/\">threatening letters</a> all over the state invoking culture buzzwords. He waded into a routine parental rights case in which everyone was minding their own business, spinning a deeply cynical view of <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/05/08/florida-uthmeier-attorney-general-surrogacy-ivf-abortion-law/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/05/08/florida-uthmeier-attorney-general-surrogacy-ivf-abortion-law/\">surrogacy as slavery</a>. Oh, and he’s being paid $100,000 for <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2026/02/20/james-uthmeier-uf-teaching-job-pay-florida/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2026/02/20/james-uthmeier-uf-teaching-job-pay-florida/\">a side job</a> teaching at the University of Florida for two hours per week. Two is not a typo. Do your worst, Oliver."},{"level":2,"_id":"5KPYWLEWSVAWDO5NDX5WAOL3TU","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Mermaids"},{"_id":"7VELTZSAHNA5XNKPITSGQLJDEA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"OK, let’s lighten up before we need cardiac intervention. Oliver should make haste to our balmy paradise and wiggle into a mermaid tail. Our reporter <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/history/2025/08/27/weeki-wachee-springs-mermaid-florida-travel-state-park/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/history/2025/08/27/weeki-wachee-springs-mermaid-florida-travel-state-park/\">did so at Weeki Wachee</a> in a feat of physics that almost ended her. But, you know, she’s fine! It’s time for the friendly Brit to butter up his lower-body and sink into more delicious Sunshine State ephemera. Florida has so much to offer a program like his."},{"level":2,"_id":"247FL3V6LFBOXAZBPWFVYX22FY","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Get Stephanie’s newsletter"},{"_id":"BDDNSVGKCNDELHI7DR5NMGUUCM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"For weekly bonus content and a look inside columns by Stephanie Hayes, sign up for the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/newsletters/stephinitely/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">free Stephinitely newsletter</a>."}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"We have scandals for days!"},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/viewpoints","parent_id":"/","name":"Viewpoints","description":"The Viewpoints channel features Tampa Bay Times newspaper editorials, letters to the editor and 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Follow @StephHayes.","beat":"Times Columnist","_id":"stephanie-hayes","last_updated_date":"2026-05-29T16:39:40.040Z","byline":"Stephanie Hayes","email":"shayes@tampabay.com","slug":"stephanie-hayes","status":true}},"type":"author","version":"0.5.8","slug":"stephanie-hayes"}]},"first_publish_date":"2026-06-09T14:21:23.216Z","additional_properties":{"is_published":true,"publish_date":"2026-06-09T14:21:23.216Z","has_published_copy":true},"last_updated_date":"2026-06-09T14:21:39.607Z","publishing":{"scheduled_operations":{"unpublish_edition":[],"publish_edition":[]}},"slug":"hayescol060926","owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"tbt"},"address":{},"workflow":{"status_code":1},"promo_items":{"basic":{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"auth":{"1":"b58adc7e4eb1c8000e9610f763d14e64c8e71215f59e3db3418a0abbfac38c16"},"vanity_credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"HBO","type":"author"}]},"caption":"John Oliver, have we got some ideas for you.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"NEWSCYCLE","edit_url":"","source_type":"Ingestor","source_id":"2234535","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"custom","name":"Archive","category":"other","subcategory":"Ingestor"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WVA6JYWHJUI6TBKNIBWI6S7HAY.jpg","licensable":false,"credits":{"by":[{"name":"","additional_properties":{},"type":"author"}]},"width":746,"_id":"WVA6JYWHJUI6TBKNIBWI6S7HAY","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/WVA6JYWHJUI6TBKNIBWI6S7HAY.jpg?auth=b58adc7e4eb1c8000e9610f763d14e64c8e71215f59e3db3418a0abbfac38c16","originalName":"AR-306219882.jpg","mime_type":"image/jpeg","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/WVA6JYWHJUI6TBKNIBWI6S7HAY.jpg?auth=b58adc7e4eb1c8000e9610f763d14e64c8e71215f59e3db3418a0abbfac38c16","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WVA6JYWHJUI6TBKNIBWI6S7HAY.jpg","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/WVA6JYWHJUI6TBKNIBWI6S7HAY.jpg?auth=b58adc7e4eb1c8000e9610f763d14e64c8e71215f59e3db3418a0abbfac38c16","ingestionMethod":"Ingestor","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/WVA6JYWHJUI6TBKNIBWI6S7HAY.jpg?auth=b58adc7e4eb1c8000e9610f763d14e64c8e71215f59e3db3418a0abbfac38c16&width=300","version":2},"created_date":"2019-08-25T15:33:51Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-09T14:21:27Z","height":415}},"canonical_url":"/viewpoints/2026/06/09/john-oliver-florida-new-college-desantis-hbo/","revision":{"editions":["default"],"parent_id":"VJ6NMXSUWZGD7GVSPBLXXTD5M4","published":true,"branch":"default","revision_id":"P775VNSXLFDI7FTTTRKMPTRTEI"},"planning":{"budget_line":"More Florida ideas for John Oliver.","scheduling":{},"story_length":{"character_count_actual":4089,"inch_count_actual":24,"inch_count_planned":25,"word_count_actual":675,"line_count_actual":166}},"display_date":"2026-06-09T14:21:23.216Z","headlines":{"tablet":"","print":"","meta_title":"","native":"","web":"","mobile":"","basic":"Don’t stop at New College. More Florida ideas for John Oliver | Column ","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-08T20:36:08.918Z","publish_date":"2026-06-09T14:21:39.489Z","_id":"KDO3CS7DSZAOZG7JUP2EDRXKGU","website":"tbt","website_url":"/viewpoints/2026/06/09/john-oliver-florida-new-college-desantis-hbo/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"XURZMPIDMVDLBAFCN3MLOMHZOA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"As Black pastors and imams stood beside Mayor Ken Welch in support of his reelection Monday, the Rev. J.C. Pritchett II took particular aim at former Florida Gov. and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist."},{"_id":"QYOR2FUCNNA4LDM6O3L32232LM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Pritchett, who is married to Welch’s cousin, began the campaign event at Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church by stating that the group of faith leaders supported Crist in his last run for governor four years ago. Crist, who in 2021 endorsed Welch for mayor, is now running to replace him."},{"_id":"GSNEXKBHHBCIHK6ESQFF3PQ4OA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Black political influence is being chipped away by the Supreme Court, the redrawing of congressional districts and allies like Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Charlie,” Pritchett said. He was referring to Wasserman Schultz’s decision to run for one of Florida’s remaining majority-Black congressional districts following a recent Supreme Court decision that limits how states can use race when drawing political boundaries. "},{"_id":"ULK4ANVVHJCGRD6FRR5XGHDFWQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“We don’t know why he has chosen to return and challenge the mayor, but for a man who has built his career with the votes of Black and brown voters, it is curious and disappointing,” Pritchett said."},{"_id":"U34OZS3HXRAONO74HX2ZHCIBNU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Reached by phone Monday, Crist said he did not have a comment."},{"_id":"62U2BHJYY5F6TPNPYLFEYW7APM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Crist’s endorsements from faith leaders include Bishop Manuel Sykes; Rev. Frank Peterman Jr., who served as the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice secretary under Crist; and Rev. Basha Jordan Jr. The latter is the grandson of Elder Jordan, the formerly enslaved man who built the Manhattan Casino and once owned the land that became the Gas Plant neighborhood and later Tropicana Field."},{"_id":"VHVYMFKOYVDJDCM5Q4FIN5LMWM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"St. Petersburg’s mayoral candidates are rolling out endorsements from local faith leaders ahead of a crowded primary election Aug. 18. The St. Petersburg branch of the NAACP is hosting the first mayoral debate of the year Tuesday evening."},{"_id":"IELU2EWUIBF5LF6H4DSCCO6VI4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Welch was flanked Monday by the Rev. Louis Murphy, who is in the group working to <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2025/12/11/tangerine-plaza-grocery-store-city-council-vote/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2025/12/11/tangerine-plaza-grocery-store-city-council-vote/\">redevelop Tangerine Plaza, a city-owned strip mall that was home to the area’s only grocer</a>;  Princess Hemingway Watkins, pastor; the Rev. Clarence Williams; the Rev. Katurah Jenkins-Hall; Imam Askia Muhammad Aquil; Imam Abduls Karim Ali and Abdul-Salaam Hameed. All said they supported Welch for his mayoral run in 2021."},{"_id":"44DCPK3E6JCFPBVUGL7LOUZDWM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I‘m grateful and thankful that he has performed as well as he has, given a 100-year hurricane that no one can plan for after two others,” Williams said. “I believe, because he has worked so hard, so diligently, and because this is a defining moment for our community, that he not only deserves a second term, he deserves our support.”"},{"_id":"SFKTCU3UBZE37DGWJYD7HUJCNQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Maria Scruggs, a past president of the St. Petersburg branch of the NAACP, provided a list of endorsements to the Tampa Bay Times. They include Rev. Markus-Derrick White, Rev. Oscar Banks, Rev. Mike Hawkins, Rev. Darrel Davis, Rev. Bobby McDonald and Rev. Roger Stroman Jr."},{"_id":"TGYJH26B3ZEI7KSWAOML3LZXVM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Former St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Chief Jim Large, who is running for mayor, said he earned the endorsement of Karalynne Brubaker of Positive Impact Ministries. Positive Impact has held food banks in the Tangerine Plaza parking lot since 2020 and <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/03/21/two-groups-make-offers-st-petersburgs-tangerine-plaza/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/03/21/two-groups-make-offers-st-petersburgs-tangerine-plaza/\">made an offer to purchase Tangerine Plaza</a>."},{"_id":"MUXDFKXF3RBW3OSV3FXEVV5TOQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Large said he is not attending Tuesday’s mayoral debate because Esther Sanni, president of the NAACP branch, repeated negative comments about him on social media after he announced he was running for mayor. She <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2023/08/10/st-petersburg-naacp-wants-fire-chief-out-firefighters-defend-him/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2023/08/10/st-petersburg-naacp-wants-fire-chief-out-firefighters-defend-him/\">called for him to be fired in 2023</a> following accusations that he made sexist, racist and homophobic remarks<b> </b>while serving as chief."},{"_id":"I6GDWOUAX5AZLHSEBLL7W2GPPM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Large said he will participate in other debates."},{"_id":"7WTAAGB4GNAXRFOLTYDWGMOXCY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Mayoral candidate and two-term City Council member Brandi Gabbard did not respond to a call and text seeking comment. Former Shore Acres Civic Association President Kevin Batdorf, also running for mayor, said he was not actively seeking endorsements from the faith community."},{"_id":"LE6E77EFLFHOXM6DFQ2CQSCNJA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify why Large is not participating in Tuesday’s debate.</i>"},{"_id":"BM3OO2XRMZEGZGODESMSTAAJZI","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"text","content":"<b>• • •</b>"},{"level":2,"_id":"MTKKNAEE6NFIRGKT3XMXN5NMDM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage"},{"_id":"YCDQ2FAYFZA3BBZYFTAMLZOYBI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Congressional midterms:</b> <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/02/12/hakeem-jeffries-democrats-house-control-congress/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Can Democrats retake the US House? It could depend on Florida</a>"},{"_id":"HSDHM3Q2ZNC4HBHVN6ZR6F75HQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Voter issues: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/03/28/byron-donalds-james-fishback-iran-affordability-jeffrey-epstein/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">These 4 issues make Florida’s midterms a tougher slog for Republicans</a>"},{"_id":"37CLFNDETFG2NFRA46K7SVGVBU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Race for the Governor’s Mansion: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/01/21/governor-2026-donalds-collins-renner-fishback-desantis-endorsement-demings-jolly/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Is the Florida governor’s race set?</a>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"St. Petersburg’s mayoral candidates are rolling out endorsements from local faith leaders."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida-politics/elections","parent_id":"/news/florida-politics","name":"Elections","description":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news/florida-politics"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics/elections"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every 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Annette Taddeo, a Miami Democrat, is getting in the race for chief financial officer, she formally announced Monday."},{"_id":"7BVALLJ2LBHXTAK3BMOKNT4TTE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"She’ll take on incumbent Republican <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/07/16/desantis-blaise-ingoglia-cfo-florida-gruters-trump-2026/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/07/16/desantis-blaise-ingoglia-cfo-florida-gruters-trump-2026/\">Blaise Ingoglia</a>, who was appointed to the role last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis, replacing Jimmy Patronis, who left the seat for a U.S. House seat."},{"_id":"WKUOWG3FRJACXMNFIPO5BVZDXU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Cabinet position has oversight of insurance and financial regulation agencies and manages the state government’s checkbook. The CFO is also the state fire marshal. Taddeo said she’ll focus on lowering property insurance rates and other costs hitting residents by taking a more aggressive oversight approach to the industry."},{"_id":"GJMO26HL3ZHTTK7JZ7N7U5QN5Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The job of the CFO is to be the watchdog, not the lapdog for the governor,” Taddeo told the News Service of Florida."},{"_id":"TEFBCHNWFNASHKAP35BSHBPXYE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Taddeo, 59, is no stranger to campaigning in Florida. She was <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/a-closer-look-at-annette-taddeo-charlie-crists-running-mate/2189185/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/a-closer-look-at-annette-taddeo-charlie-crists-running-mate/2189185/\">Charlie Crist’s pick as lieutenant governor</a> during his unsuccessful bid for governor in 2014. She first ran for Congress for a South Florida U.S. House seat in 2008 but lost. In 2017, she won a state Senate special election and served in the chamber until 2022, when she <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/06/06/state-sen-annette-taddeo-drops-her-bid-for-governor-will-run-for-congress/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/06/06/state-sen-annette-taddeo-drops-her-bid-for-governor-will-run-for-congress/\">ran for Congress</a> again but lost to U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Miami. In 2024, she ran for Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts but lost to Juan Fernandez-Barquin, a Republican former state House member."},{"_id":"2A23TU2KEFAG7BXUJF2WZTWKOY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Colombian-born Taddeo moved to the U.S. in the 1980s and founded a Spanish-language translation business before getting involved with Democratic politics in Miami."},{"_id":"YC5HVPKVOVH5NNVZDI53I6JD5U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The campaigns for CFO and the other Cabinet positions, attorney general and agriculture commissioner, can often fly under the radar as the governor’s race garners most of the attention of media and voters, but Taddeo believes she has momentum at the start of the race."},{"_id":"ATXROCL7ZJGXTLMEFEHPOLLWSA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"She pointed to a poll commissioned by Ruth’s List, a group that backs female candidates in support of abortion rights, showing her ahead of Ingoglia 39.2% to 37.6%. The poll of 1,828 likely voters, conducted April 23-30 and released last month, also showed her 18 points ahead among no-party affiliation voters."},{"_id":"EHXEHPV2FFGDVPDXD6MEJHDDCU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“NPAs will decide this race, and they’ve been breaking our way,” Taddeo said."},{"_id":"J4HXGQHZE5DH7JKP43UBBGMTGQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But before taking on Ingoglia in the general election, Taddeo will first have to win the Democratic primary. <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/21/anna-paulina-luna-redistricting-earle-ford-leela-gray-st-petersburg-democrat/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/21/anna-paulina-luna-redistricting-earle-ford-leela-gray-st-petersburg-democrat/\">Earle Ford</a> dropped out of the race for Congressional District 13 last month to enter the CFO race and will compete with Taddeo for the Democratic nomination."},{"_id":"BWVOQQKBT5FLFA4L5YERNL7NLY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Meanwhile, Ingoglia, a former state senator himself who also served in the state House, picked up the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Tampa, on Monday."},{"_id":"K765EAC3ONBNREUQMYS2IZZIBQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“CFO Blaise Ingoglia doesn’t just talk, he delivers. He is exposing waste, enhancing transparency, and fighting for the taxpayers to make Florida affordable,” Lee said in a released statement. "},{"_id":"L3LDAQ7IMNC3REQ6V7ZOA5MGFE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Since taking office last July, Ingoglia has toured the state,<a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/01/28/ingoglia-st-petersburg-doge-fafo-wasteful-spending/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/01/28/ingoglia-st-petersburg-doge-fafo-wasteful-spending/\"> slamming select local governments</a> for “overspending” <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/09/24/hillsborough-overspent-by-279-million-florida-cfo-says/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/09/24/hillsborough-overspent-by-279-million-florida-cfo-says/\">based on</a> tax collections they received compared to what they received in 2019."},{"_id":"OQFJ7H75CFEC7PTZQIC54TXWVY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Ingoglia has slammed city and county officials for overtaxing property owners as inflation and other costs have pinched residents. He’s backing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to boost the homestead exemption to $250,000 over two years. The measure will appear <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/02/florida-property-tax-exemption-desantis-amendment-legislature/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/02/florida-property-tax-exemption-desantis-amendment-legislature/\">before voters on the November ballot</a>."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"Z5FCFENSORBF5GODPPWY7KUDWA","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1780946141501-rk97nrwmd","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Floridians pay for CFO Ingoglia’s rides, security detail at sporting events"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/05/23/ingoglia-cfo-security-protection-cost/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"DAJ74ENAABDCBDOA4PTSATVQGI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Taddeo said she backs auditing local governments and rooting out wasteful spending, but took issue with Ingoglia’s approach and the property tax cut ballot measure, suggesting cities and counties will make up the cuts through fees and other taxes."},{"_id":"HAMKTI4YCFBB7IGBMWP3WLZTLA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“They’re not being truthful in the sense, you still may be out of pocket in other ways to be able to pay for the schools, the library, the firefighters, the police — all the things that are necessary to run a government,” Taddeo said."},{"_id":"YMXLNSL4DRFJVONMPFGPNGNEMY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>By Gray Rohrer, News Service of Florida</i>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"She hopes to challenge Republican incumbent Blaise Ingoglia, who was appointed to the position by Gov. 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Now, a business group is suing the city of Tampa<b> </b>over it. "},{"_id":"UPESGXXGXBF6JEHUVJ3FC2CN5Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The SoHo Business Alliance filed a lawsuit last week accusing the city of withholding public records tied to the South Howard Avenue project. "},{"_id":"7CQNBN64EFH6LEI3DDPKLZB2UU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Proponents say that even short bursts of rain turn their streets into rivers. But a group of business owners have fought the project for months, raising questions about cost, traffic and street closures. "},{"_id":"SB55IBGAMRC53DND4K5V7GM7YE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The group alleged in a news release that the city “is intentionally delaying the production of critical project documents to prevent public scrutiny before the Tampa City Council votes on the project’s future later this year.” Council members are expected to vote on whether to proceed with construction later this summer. "},{"_id":"ORAUAUATJRE43H7SGFFJA5VTCU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring the release of of records that the group says it requested in February, including external and internal communications, cost estimates, flood models and engineering contracts. The group says it has paid thousands of dollars in up-front costs associated with the requests. "},{"_id":"VH4QPGARERHC5P2O7SHFQ4RKNY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The cost of the project has quietly ballooned from $65 million to nearly $100 million. The lawsuit said it is “expected to impose years of major construction activity, traffic disruption, and business interruption on South Howard Avenue businesses.” "},{"_id":"MTYW2FZBGBF3JH76VEB5JBZD7Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The city, it says, “has a direct institutional interest in delaying the production of the requested public records until after the Tampa City Council has formulated and voted on its public policy position.” "},{"_id":"FBTPZJCYFVFW7ANM6LWCQBHG4I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"City spokesperson Adam Smith declined to comment on pending litigation."},{"_id":"3LBN5K4F2VFJHDQYOGFZDXJZPA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The proposed plan involves adding a culvert<b> </b>and pipes along stretches of West Swann and South Howard avenues to address persistent flooding in Parkland Estates, Palma Ceia Pines and surrounding neighborhoods. The City Council <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/tampa/2024/11/21/city-council-approves-flood-relief-south-tampa-neighborhood/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/tampa/2024/11/21/city-council-approves-flood-relief-south-tampa-neighborhood/\">approved an initial contract</a> with Kimmins Contracting Corp. in a 5-2 vote in 2024. "},{"_id":"Z74MCM5R3BBSHJC3AZYDE5NKIM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Questions about funding have swirled around the project for months as the scale and scope have changed. "},{"_id":"DGLU3GSX5RENHLB5MYO4O35N5Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Dennis Rogero, the city’s chief financial officer, said at a meeting in January that the City Council had already approved tens of millions of dollars. That includes $8.4 million from a stormwater fee assessed on taxpayers, a $10 million Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant, $10 million in bonds and $21 million transferred from another city fund. "},{"_id":"B6ND4YJKBFGZLH6JD4O4Q5B4B4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"That leaves a $50 million gap that, Rogero said, the city could try to cover with other state and federal grants. The city could also seek money from the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, Rogero said, or pull from the renewal of the county’s <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2025/02/03/hillsborough-voted-extend-its-sales-tax-15-years-heres-whats-planned/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2025/02/03/hillsborough-voted-extend-its-sales-tax-15-years-heres-whats-planned/\">Community Investment Tax</a>, a half-percent sales tax that pays for major public construction projects. "},{"_id":"7QERU2NC2VCRDNXMG6ZUH3F3I4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Some residents, meanwhile, say the fear of flooding outweighs questions about cost or traffic. "},{"_id":"2TKU67XT7VHP7FOTODS2SHQV7U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“If this project gets stopped, there is no project waiting in the wings,” Parkland Estates resident Steve Gerrish said at a City Council meeting earlier this year. “We cannot physically, mentally, emotionally withstand more flooding.”"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"The SoHo Business Alliance accused the city of withholding records tied to a divisive $100 million project. 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","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Archive","edit_url":"","source_type":"other","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"68feb5d9-6308-4e9b-888f-67ac7729a8c7"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/76JYIQB4ZRDAVP5VQMKPNZEA5Q.JPG","geo":{},"licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"[ DIRK SHADD | Times ]","type":"author"}],"by":[]},"subtitle":"","width":4851,"_id":"76JYIQB4ZRDAVP5VQMKPNZEA5Q","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/76JYIQB4ZRDAVP5VQMKPNZEA5Q.JPG?auth=931365123f08aafb7e857b78e2205cdde711f3eaa42d1fbf98eb079c62cdd291","iptc_job_identifier":"600698360","keywords":[],"proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/76JYIQB4ZRDAVP5VQMKPNZEA5Q.JPG?auth=931365123f08aafb7e857b78e2205cdde711f3eaa42d1fbf98eb079c62cdd291","takenOn":"2025-10-25T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/76JYIQB4ZRDAVP5VQMKPNZEA5Q.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/76JYIQB4ZRDAVP5VQMKPNZEA5Q.JPG?auth=931365123f08aafb7e857b78e2205cdde711f3eaa42d1fbf98eb079c62cdd291","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/76JYIQB4ZRDAVP5VQMKPNZEA5Q.JPG?auth=931365123f08aafb7e857b78e2205cdde711f3eaa42d1fbf98eb079c62cdd291&width=300","version":3,"originalName":"4ST_A008_1025_1870853104_S1P1.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","restricted":false,"galleries":[]},"created_date":"2026-01-08T16:36:51Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-08T19:17:49Z","slug":"4ST_A008_1025_1870853104_S1P1","height":3584,"image_type":"photograph"}},"canonical_url":"/news/2026/06/08/tampa-south-howard-flood-project-lawsuit-public-records/","revision":{"editions":["default"],"parent_id":"CZQKONDZQNA7RD6LGOMENUPJQI","published":true,"branch":"default","revision_id":"LIQFNTG2WVBCXKOLH54LEYC6FU"},"planning":{"budget_line":"A group of businesses in South Tampa are suing the city over public records regarding a controversial $100 million stormwater project. ","scheduling":{},"story_length":{"character_count_actual":3143,"inch_count_actual":18,"inch_count_planned":15,"word_count_actual":494,"line_count_actual":126}},"display_date":"2026-06-08T18:32:36.459Z","headlines":{"tablet":"","print":"","meta_title":"","native":"","web":"","mobile":"","basic":"Business group sues Tampa over public records tied to stormwater project","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-08T13:40:21.863Z","publish_date":"2026-06-08T19:18:04.294Z","_id":"DNQBZ2NJAFHI3BGEVSPXJY5EGM","website":"tbt","website_url":"/news/2026/06/08/tampa-south-howard-flood-project-lawsuit-public-records/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"FSRU7IVYXZGMLDPYO5LKNKFNHU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Arshia Esmaeilian had dreamed of coming to America as long as he could remember."},{"_id":"E6L2332DDVFZRNKAZGX4PKU72E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Esmaeilian and his brother were born in Iran but raised in Dubai, their parents believing the move could pave<b> </b>a more direct path to higher education in the West."},{"_id":"HDC3QBTYEVELJDK2DXXIMMFRWA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"And it did. Esmaeilian graduated<b> </b>with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry last month from the University of South Florida, a major step toward a career in research."},{"_id":"6RFYJHGYIRCX3ON75RYKLUL3M4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“In terms of quality of education, it’s exactly what I wanted,” he said. “If anything, it kind of exceeded it.”"},{"_id":"FIJ4UENVOVGJVGSKLLH2YKPHWA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"And now, weeks after walking the stage, he may be forced to leave."},{"_id":"BTYBXC4HKNHONMDKFHPWJWJQG4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"After a string of unprecedented White House orders <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2025/08/05/tampa-bay-mom-an-autistic-son-travel-ban-keeping-them-apart/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2025/08/05/tampa-bay-mom-an-autistic-son-travel-ban-keeping-them-apart/\">banning travel</a> to and from countries the U.S. <a href=\"https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12631#:~:text=The%20proclamations%20have%20a%20stated%20policy%20goal%20of%20protecting%20U.S.%20citizens%20from%20foreign%20nationals%20%22who%20intend%20to%20commit%20terrorist%20attacks%2C%20threaten%20our%20national%20security%20and%20public%20safety%2C%20incite%20hate%20crimes%2C%20or%20otherwise%20exploit%20the%20immigration%20laws%20for%20malevolent%20purposes.%22\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12631#:~:text=The%20proclamations%20have%20a%20stated%20policy%20goal%20of%20protecting%20U.S.%20citizens%20from%20foreign%20nationals%20%22who%20intend%20to%20commit%20terrorist%20attacks%2C%20threaten%20our%20national%20security%20and%20public%20safety%2C%20incite%20hate%20crimes%2C%20or%20otherwise%20exploit%20the%20immigration%20laws%20for%20malevolent%20purposes.%22\">deems a threat</a>, students like Esmaeilian are stuck in limbo. Following graduation, they’re at risk of detention or <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2025/08/20/how-deportation-crackdown-is-breaking-immigrants-trust-police/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2025/08/20/how-deportation-crackdown-is-breaking-immigrants-trust-police/\">deportation</a> if their visas expire."},{"_id":"HV2FGNGQHVA4RJOCVLHLFHQOWI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In Florida, hundreds of international college students are finishing school this spring and facing this murky path."},{"_id":"2HAH3VISOND55F6HFWMGZJVBO4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Iran is one of 19 countries that the <a href=\"https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12631\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Trump administration</a> hit with a full <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2025/06/16/trump-travel-ban-cuba-haiti-florida/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2025/06/16/trump-travel-ban-cuba-haiti-florida/\">travel ban</a> last year; entering, leaving or traveling through them is restricted. Those with Palestinian travel documents are also fully banned by the U.S. Twenty other countries are currently under a partial ban."},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times","address":{"locality":"Tampa","region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"6528ae1bbc89089fa8f1cce894e0c63080ba4fbd8fc879787b828fdb6cbe3fd4"},"caption":"University of South Florida graduate Arshia Esmaeilian holds an award after his commencement ceremony on May 9 in Tampa.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/54HXAUHPYRBVTGA2OBGCAQSBYY.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Luis Santana","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":6000,"_id":"54HXAUHPYRBVTGA2OBGCAQSBYY","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/54HXAUHPYRBVTGA2OBGCAQSBYY.JPG?auth=6528ae1bbc89089fa8f1cce894e0c63080ba4fbd8fc879787b828fdb6cbe3fd4","iptc_source":"Tampa Bay Times","iptc_job_identifier":"600745073","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/54HXAUHPYRBVTGA2OBGCAQSBYY.JPG?auth=6528ae1bbc89089fa8f1cce894e0c63080ba4fbd8fc879787b828fdb6cbe3fd4","link":"","takenOn":"2026-05-09T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/54HXAUHPYRBVTGA2OBGCAQSBYY.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/54HXAUHPYRBVTGA2OBGCAQSBYY.JPG?auth=6528ae1bbc89089fa8f1cce894e0c63080ba4fbd8fc879787b828fdb6cbe3fd4","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/54HXAUHPYRBVTGA2OBGCAQSBYY.JPG?auth=6528ae1bbc89089fa8f1cce894e0c63080ba4fbd8fc879787b828fdb6cbe3fd4&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"435892_SANT_2_studentsbannedcountries.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"created_date":"2026-05-11T04:20:55Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-05T21:22:34Z","slug":"435892_SANT_studentsbannedcountries","height":4000},{"_id":"QV3JX7QAJJFTXPIWW73ED3HR2Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Esmaeilian is an F-1 visa holder, like most international<b> </b>students, which allows him to be a full-time student without being a U.S. citizen. When students holding these visas graduate, they have a 60-day grace period to leave the country, get a different type of visa, transfer schools or start work, which they cannot do unless U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services authorizes them for what is known as optional practical training."},{"_id":"Q6GVDXPPHNCE7GWVVDHB7O2R7I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The U.S. had paused reviews of <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/04/immigration-background-check-fbi-uscis/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/04/immigration-background-check-fbi-uscis/\">immigration applications of any kind</a>, including visas and petitions for asylum filed by “aliens from high-risk countries,” an agency spokesperson said in <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.293693/gov.uscourts.mad.293693.71.1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.293693/gov.uscourts.mad.293693.71.1.pdf\">March</a>. Iran was one. And unlike applications from other banned countries, whose visas were only temporarily paused, the spokesperson said Iranian visa applications would not be processed “at all.”"},{"_id":"LJNDRZESG5DMHN7VZRJXSSQEME","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A federal immigration judge on Friday ruled the agency had surpassed its authority and lifted the freeze on all immigration applications, <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-asylum-citizenship-10591d120e5cb13da736d9eeb06757c8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-asylum-citizenship-10591d120e5cb13da736d9eeb06757c8\">citing in his 135-page ruling</a> a lack of reasonable explanation for agency policies and its use of national security as a pretext to “mask anti-immigrant sentiments.”"},{"_id":"5TCLFCSZXVADVMCM6ARPAI5A6U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Still, the Trump administration can appeal the decision, leaving immigrants like Esmaeilian waiting."},{"_id":"6HHLKD3TGZHUDEEGNIIKX4EZN4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“My situation isn’t like a lot of other students’ situations,” Esmaeilian said. “People usually figure these things out months prior. And for me, I might not ever figure it out.”"},{"_id":"J52SKHBI75AGBEQLIB47TAN3NU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Graduates awaiting approval for work authorization could see a lapse in their legal status, putting them at risk of detention or <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2025/12/08/florida-children-leave-us-parents-deported/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2025/12/08/florida-children-leave-us-parents-deported/\">deportation under an administration</a> that has aggressively rooted out people who lack proper paperwork."},{"_id":"GLWQX27UGBDRLMXTPQ4LE6SMZ4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Many<b> </b>of those cast into this anxious limbo arrived with a much different vision for their post-graduate months."},{"_id":"K6XKCONHDVCDNA2OHMUZX7MRLY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The uncertainty is across the board,” said Elizabeth Aranda, sociology professor and director of the Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center at USF. “When you have an inability to plan like that, and an inability to anticipate what’s to come, it’s impossible to make good decisions.”"},{"_id":"R7NMTBYKWNA6FIOQMTYACOEHF4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The suddenness of the bans was inhumane, said <a href=\"https://www.education.ox.ac.uk/person/simon-marginson/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Simon Marginson</a>, the founding director of the Centre for Global Higher Education at Oxford University. The Trump administration abruptly unveiled the new rules a few months before the 2025-26 school year began, banning the first 19 countries in June and another 20 in December."},{"_id":"NHJPFTTDBJE2BNDWEPVNKSNXOQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“There’s no acknowledgement of the fact that they’d been accepted under the previous rule situation,” he said. “They could have gone to another country and done their education there without being disturbed in this way.”"},{"_id":"2XAIDQIV4RB4PKRJMKNUCIYESM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Nearly all of the now-banned countries have students attending Florida universities, enrollment data shows. The five public schools <a href=\"https://opendoorsdata.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/OpenDoors_FactSheet_Florida_-2025.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://opendoorsdata.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/OpenDoors_FactSheet_Florida_-2025.pdf\">with </a><a href=\"\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"\">the most</a> international students — Florida State University, Florida International University, the University of Florida, the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida — enrolled more than 3,000 last fall. Those students represented all but four of the countries. "},{"_id":"EA4LXBGMSJAPVFTYXCRVE27YUI","type":"raw_html","content":"<iframe title=\"More than 3,000 international students from banned countries enrolled in top Florida universities\" aria-label=\"Stacked Bars\" id=\"datawrapper-chart-8bNUW\" src=\"https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/8bNUW/1/\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;\" height=\"367\" data-external=\"1\"></iframe><script type=\"text/javascript\">window.addEventListener(\"message\",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(\"iframe\");for(var t in a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"][t]+\"px\";r.style.height=d}}});<\/script>"},{"_id":"ASD6PPL46VAI3I57NBJHSEBZ6E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"More than 270 international students recently walked the graduation stage at six public universities that provided spring graduate demographics: Florida State, Florida International, Florida A&amp;M, Central Florida, North Florida and New College. Other public schools, including UF and USF, did not provide counts of graduates from the countries."},{"level":2,"_id":"UVGEOGMHFFB2FJU6JA6NQDKFRY","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"A tougher climate for immigrants"},{"_id":"VRP6RFA5FZGF7ENUEWFUNWVHSE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"More than 58,000 international students were enrolled at Florida colleges or other higher education institutions in fall 2024, according to <a href=\"https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/\">federal data</a>. They made up about 6% of the state’s total enrollment."},{"_id":"OYJDFJ6ORBBPDISTTVRZED2ACQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Foreign enrollment nationwide dropped by 20% this spring, <a href=\"https://www.nafsa.org/about/about-nafsa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.nafsa.org/about/about-nafsa\">according to </a><a href=\"\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"\">NAFSA</a>, a nonprofit that advocates for international professionals. Of the 149 American universities that participated in <a href=\"https://studyportalsbv.sharepoint.com/teams/External/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fteams%2FExternal%2FShared%20Documents%2FShared%20Documents%2FGuides%20%26%20Reports%2F2026%2FThe%20Global%20Enrolment%20Benchmark%20Survey%20%2D%20Global%20Summary%20Report%20%2D%20Jan%2DMar%202026%20intake%20%28Public%29%2Epdf&amp;parent=%2Fteams%2FExternal%2FShared%20Documents%2FShared%20Documents%2FGuides%20%26%20Reports%2F2026&amp;p=true&amp;ga=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://studyportalsbv.sharepoint.com/teams/External/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fteams%2FExternal%2FShared%20Documents%2FShared%20Documents%2FGuides%20%26%20Reports%2F2026%2FThe%20Global%20Enrolment%20Benchmark%20Survey%20%2D%20Global%20Summary%20Report%20%2D%20Jan%2DMar%202026%20intake%20%28Public%29%2Epdf&amp;parent=%2Fteams%2FExternal%2FShared%20Documents%2FShared%20Documents%2FGuides%20%26%20Reports%2F2026&amp;p=true&amp;ga=1\">the nonprofit’s survey</a>, more than 80% mentioned restrictive government policies and visa issues as the largest drivers of declining international<b> </b>enrollment."},{"_id":"QESMBXFZHJHH5FPQAIWQP75BEI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Some universities accepting students from banned countries are finding creative ways to keep them enrolled, said Rachel Banks, a senior director at NAFSA. Students are starting their programs online or deferring acceptances with the hope that the bans could be lifted soon."},{"_id":"57KVEGD6QREIZMTR4XRAJAIHOI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"American presidents across party lines opened the door to international students and the value they brought to the country. But the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/04/10/usf-uf-campus-police-partner-with-ice-immigration-enforcement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/04/10/usf-uf-campus-police-partner-with-ice-immigration-enforcement/\">recent crackdown on immigration</a>, compounded by increased competition from other countries to recruit foreign students, has turned students away. "},{"_id":"6XDCPKLLIVG3BBH6GHYTNNBQTI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Countries including Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom have ramped up international recruitment in the last couple of decades. Others, such as China, have invested in education to make a more competitive bid at retaining native students."},{"_id":"SBKSNK23DREUFKNQSQ6TMVUAUQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Still, for many young academics, American universities remain the gold standard, representing the cutting edge of science and technology research."},{"_id":"7NHOWE3N2VDYJM5HSGFKNRF4TU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“They believe that the United States is the place to do it, particularly if there’s a field of study of which the United States excels in,” Banks<b> </b>said. “Even if they run into trouble, they will try to stay committed to it as long as possible.”"},{"level":2,"_id":"PMFSKXOSQVFBPJIVKCHFOG5OC4","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Florida closes its doors"},{"_id":"R2ULQOYW2JBDZKK3DEM5QFSLA4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Florida has placed some of the tightest restrictions on international students of any state."},{"_id":"36MFHQKBR5C4ZGQ4HDK3KKBJBY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Three years ago, leaders passed <a href=\"https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2023/0288.860\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2023/0288.860\">a law preventing China and other “countries of concern,”</a> including Iran, Venezuela and Cuba, from seeking what conservative lawmakers called undue influence over public colleges and universities. The law limited partnerships, agreements and grants. Parts of the bill were challenged in court for being discriminatory, but were eventually upheld."},{"_id":"IO3H67T4ZBE5PAQJDMMY2NX2YA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/02/13/immigrants-spent-last-year-living-fear-its-turning-into-panic/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/02/13/immigrants-spent-last-year-living-fear-its-turning-into-panic/\">Last year</a>, <a href=\"https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025C/2C/BillText/er/PDF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025C/2C/BillText/er/PDF\">legislators ended in-state tuition for students without permanent legal status</a> at public colleges and universities, just a decade after former Gov. Rick Scott put such protections in place. Many of the students, known as Dreamers, were brought to the country by their parents as children and <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/02/14/florida-nixes-in-state-tuition-dreamers-get-tough-immigration-law/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/02/14/florida-nixes-in-state-tuition-dreamers-get-tough-immigration-law/\">saw the move</a> as yet another barrier to life in the United States."},{"_id":"ESLUPQNMYFEGBGHPGVJ6DSOXBM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Gov. Ron<b> </b>DeSantis pushed state leaders to restrict the hiring of foreign faculty and researchers through the federal <a href=\"https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations\">H-1B program</a>, which provides temporary visas for workers in specialized jobs. <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/03/03/florida-approves-temporary-ban-h-1b-visas-university-system/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/03/03/florida-approves-temporary-ban-h-1b-visas-university-system/\">The state approved a temporary freeze</a> on those hires at public universities. The measure came on the heels of President Donald Trump’s proclamation last year requiring a one-time <a href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/09/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-suspends-the-entry-of-certain-alien-nonimmigrant-workers/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/09/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-suspends-the-entry-of-certain-alien-nonimmigrant-workers/\">$100,000 fee for new H-1B visas</a>, a move the White House said was designed “to put American workers first,” but was struck down this week by a federal judge."},{"_id":"QNXB3MWPSNCKZFIH5YGXQEAYGA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"As protests erupted on college campuses decrying the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza, DeSantis signed a law giving Florida the power <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/03/12/desantis-legislature-session-protesters-terrorist-groups-islamic/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/03/12/desantis-legislature-session-protesters-terrorist-groups-islamic/\">to designate certain organizations as “domestic terrorists.”</a> The law allowed for the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/05/05/usf-student-lost-his-visa-over-protests-heres-what-it-was-like/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/05/05/usf-student-lost-his-visa-over-protests-heres-what-it-was-like/\">expulsion of students</a> who voiced support for such groups. It also required public colleges and universities to report detailed student visa information to the state."},{"_id":"LBWOI7L7ARETZFZ7BOX7X4J4LU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"At the federal level, the Trump administration has pushed to deport foreign students who have faced criminal charges, criticized Israel or were involved in <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/10/10/student-activist-group-sues-usf-over-free-speech-rights/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/10/10/student-activist-group-sues-usf-over-free-speech-rights/\">pro-Palestinian protests</a>. It has also made moves to revoke their entry visas and terminate their legal status. After students filed lawsuits, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/international-student-status-restored-9e8a7cb90f4193ec52bf06edc5094cd9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://apnews.com/article/international-student-status-restored-9e8a7cb90f4193ec52bf06edc5094cd9\">reversed many of those visa revocations and status cancellations</a>."},{"_id":"7ACKU7L7CJFQBPO6ND4JKY6POI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"If the United States wants to lead in innovation and research, it needs to attract, not discourage, global talent, said Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, a nonprofit comprised of college leaders that advocates for immigrant and international students."},{"_id":"H5HO7F2BNZG7ZHSCM4KHRB5X3Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The decline in international students, which we are already seeing, means a reduced international talent pipeline,” she said. “This will harm U.S. economic growth and slow innovation.”"},{"_id":"MIQTR4QT6RARFC6PNETXUEJTDI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The rhetoric hasn’t slowed. Florida Lt. Gov. <a href=\"https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026/04/lt-gov-collins-promises-to-restrict-visa-holders-from-nations-of-terror-as-florida-governor-00853978\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026/04/lt-gov-collins-promises-to-restrict-visa-holders-from-nations-of-terror-as-florida-governor-00853978\">Jay Collins</a>, who is running for governor, promised he would ban visa holders from “nations of terror” and stop them from attending<b> </b>state universities."},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times","address":{"locality":"Tampa","region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"6bbe21c19df62d6dc5203dac9b94c90af4f2aa1bee2b160361cee70f8817b0e8"},"caption":"University of South Florida graduate Arshia Esmaeilian is congratulated by his brother Artin Esmaeilian and his girlfriend, Giuliana Barrios, after his commencement ceremony on May 9 in Tampa. ","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UOR6SEX6HFEH3MT4WRA7OOSOTM.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Luis Santana","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":6000,"_id":"UOR6SEX6HFEH3MT4WRA7OOSOTM","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/UOR6SEX6HFEH3MT4WRA7OOSOTM.JPG?auth=6bbe21c19df62d6dc5203dac9b94c90af4f2aa1bee2b160361cee70f8817b0e8","iptc_source":"Tampa Bay Times","iptc_job_identifier":"600745074","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/UOR6SEX6HFEH3MT4WRA7OOSOTM.JPG?auth=6bbe21c19df62d6dc5203dac9b94c90af4f2aa1bee2b160361cee70f8817b0e8","link":"","takenOn":"2026-05-09T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UOR6SEX6HFEH3MT4WRA7OOSOTM.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/UOR6SEX6HFEH3MT4WRA7OOSOTM.JPG?auth=6bbe21c19df62d6dc5203dac9b94c90af4f2aa1bee2b160361cee70f8817b0e8","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/UOR6SEX6HFEH3MT4WRA7OOSOTM.JPG?auth=6bbe21c19df62d6dc5203dac9b94c90af4f2aa1bee2b160361cee70f8817b0e8&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"435892_SANT_3_studentsbannedcountries.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"created_date":"2026-05-11T04:21:05Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-05T21:22:35Z","slug":"435892_SANT_studentsbannedcountries","height":4000},{"_id":"ZAOD4SOO6JDVXA5JJZIGIUQVIQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"For recent graduate Esmaeilian, his only plan moving forward is to have faith."},{"_id":"XWI7NGNYHBB4THTH5B6BHTGSA4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“There’s not really a loophole,” he said."},{"_id":"IEXIABX6TFGCVJQIY7KZELK74A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"If his visa lapses before he is able to get his work papers authorized or figure out another plan, he will have to return to Iran. It would be his first time back since before the pandemic."},{"_id":"6HIND2Q43VGQRDLDDNJRPJFQPA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Awaiting him is mandatory military service, which could potentially land him in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a <a href=\"https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/02/19/eu-terrorist-list-council-designates-the-islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps-as-a-terrorist-organisation/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/02/19/eu-terrorist-list-council-designates-the-islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps-as-a-terrorist-organisation/\">European Union-designated terrorist organization</a>."},{"_id":"SCT3HIYADRDB7GJ5B4MR6KDY4Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“That’s kind of a blow to all the work I’ve done these four years,” he said. “But also, am I safe there?”"},{"_id":"VCLBGAOW4RAYRI6GVKKJSFXIUY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"He hopes that his younger brother, a rising junior at USF, will not have to deal with the same limbo."},{"_id":"VGKEVOTIWBGUPKQEYDC76JI6XY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It kind of feels like collective punishment in a way,” he said. “Even the smallest things and privileges that people think are normal, for us feel like dreams.”"},{"_id":"U6GQKBMFEVGV5FWC6V2T2RS36A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>The Tampa Bay Times Education Hub reports on Florida’s schools and universities and the students they serve. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by </i><a href=\"https://secure.tampabay.com/forms/journalismfund\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\"><i>clicking here</i></a><i>.</i>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Students from countries hit with travel restrictions face a newly uncertain path after graduation. "},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/education","parent_id":"/news","name":"The Education Gradebook","description":"Education and school news, including testing, class size, Florida Standards and Common Core, teaching and more for Florida and Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, from the Tampa Bay Times.","_id":"/news/education","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/education"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/education/","rotator_id":"PQRJDGVMLJHKNFNXN6QRRL3QS4","section_bullet_override":"Education","site_keywords":"Education News. 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His announcement clears the way for former GOP Rep. David Jolly, who already <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/04/10/david-jolly-jerry-demings-florida-governor-special-election-endorsement-byron-donalds/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/04/10/david-jolly-jerry-demings-florida-governor-special-election-endorsement-byron-donalds/\">held a massive fundraising lead</a>, to clinch the Democratic nomination in August. Short of a game-changing surprise, Jolly will likely face the Republican nominee in a race marked by affordability, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/04/florida-redistricting-desantis-maps-gop-republican-congress-trump/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/04/florida-redistricting-desantis-maps-gop-republican-congress-trump/\">mid-decade redistricting</a> and voter reactions to President Donald Trump’s second term."},{"_id":"RL5IQJDBHRAJHIQAFSTXPEEXI4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly, who had avoided criticizing Demings on the campaign trail, offered his condolences Friday. Some Republican contenders for governor also weighed in, including the front-runner, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/04/10/byron-donalds-campaign-fundraising-renner-collins-fishback/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/04/10/byron-donalds-campaign-fundraising-renner-collins-fishback/\">U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds</a>."},{"_id":"ICDFGXJSARGHPM5V6VMJPFBB5A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Erika and I are praying for Jerry and Val,“ Donalds <a href=\"https://x.com/ByronDonalds/status/2062939980335313264\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/ByronDonalds/status/2062939980335313264\">wrote on X</a>, referencing Demings’ wife, a former Orlando police chief and congresswoman. ”May the Lord watch over the Demings family, provide them with strength and comfort, and bless Jerry with a swift recovery.\""},{"subtype":"twitter","referent":{"referent_properties":{},"provider":"https://publish.x.com/oembed?url=","service":"oembed","id":"https://x.com/ByronDonalds/status/2062939980335313264","type":"twitter"},"_id":"XN33BA4W55ABRJNC72Z474KTAM","raw_oembed":{"author_name":"Byron Donalds","author_url":"https://x.com/ByronDonalds","cache_age":"3153600000","width":550,"html":"<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Erika and I are praying for Jerry and Val. May the Lord watch over the Demings family, provide them with strength and comfort, and bless Jerry with a swift recovery. <a href=\"https://t.co/q0NTuwznTK\">https://t.co/q0NTuwznTK</a></p>&mdash; Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) <a href=\"https://x.com/ByronDonalds/status/2062939980335313264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 5, 2026</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n","provider_url":"https://x.com","_id":"https://x.com/ByronDonalds/status/2062939980335313264","type":"twitter","provider_name":"X","version":"1.0","url":"https://x.com/ByronDonalds/status/2062939980335313264","height":null},"type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"4FI5COE5ORB3ZPEJ26G2Q6XNPA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Investor James Fishback, another GOP contender<b> </b>representing the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/02/17/james-fishback-governor-2026-campaign-donalds/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/02/17/james-fishback-governor-2026-campaign-donalds/\">right-wing fringe</a>, offered his condolences as well."},{"_id":"EBXDDWKRAZFPVPRNCOABJAEK3U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I last saw Jerry backstage at an event in Orlando in January, and while we may not see eye to eye on everything, he is a good man who has served his community since 1981,” Fishback <a href=\"https://x.com/j_fishback/status/2062929072401883164\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/j_fishback/status/2062929072401883164\">wrote on X</a>."},{"subtype":"twitter","referent":{"referent_properties":{},"provider":"https://publish.x.com/oembed?url=","service":"oembed","id":"https://x.com/j_fishback/status/2062929072401883164","type":"twitter"},"_id":"JRJIMZNHFNFOPFWIIXGNWWUUV4","raw_oembed":{"author_name":"James Fishback","author_url":"https://x.com/j_fishback","cache_age":"3153600000","width":550,"html":"<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Valeria and I are saddened to hear about Mayor Demings&#39; cancer diagnosis. We will be keeping him in our prayers throughout his treatment. I last saw Jerry backstage at an event in Orlando in January, and while we may not see eye to eye on everything, he is a good man who has… <a href=\"https://t.co/CKrlvBKNDI\">https://t.co/CKrlvBKNDI</a></p>&mdash; James Fishback (@j_fishback) <a href=\"https://x.com/j_fishback/status/2062929072401883164?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 5, 2026</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n","provider_url":"https://x.com","_id":"https://x.com/j_fishback/status/2062929072401883164","type":"twitter","provider_name":"X","version":"1.0","url":"https://x.com/j_fishback/status/2062929072401883164","height":null},"type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"664MWB2XZZCGZCIF7XIZCX7UPM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"More tributes came pouring out from both sides of the aisle, including from Florida Democratic Party chair <a href=\"https://x.com/NikkiFried/status/2062944628853145990\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/NikkiFried/status/2062944628853145990\">Nikki Fried</a>, Republican Party of Florida chair Evan Power, Democratic U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Maxwell Frost, and state Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat."},{"_id":"U6AULUJYKFBWBJ5XQWC746Q35Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Demings announced his campaign for governor <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/11/03/demings-governor-election-2026-democrat-orange/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/11/03/demings-governor-election-2026-democrat-orange/\">in November</a>, emphasizing his long history of service in the Orlando area, including a nearly decade-long stint as Orange County sheriff. Meandering and congenial, Demings said he wanted to restore the balance of power between the state and local governments in Florida."},{"_id":"TNJKDYRCAVAK7IXYYIN2K36YTA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I have a track record of winning against the odds,” he told the Tampa Bay Times in a March interview, adding that he’d never lost a race."},{"_id":"K6MJMJVSVVBOHFAGJNLAVQO3WU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Demings also calls himself a “lifelong Democrat,” something Jolly cannot claim."},{"_id":"TOQ72AAEZJHZ5N5EY422DBGKQA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But in fundraising, Demings trailed behind Jolly, who <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/06/05/david-jolly-democrat-governor-desantis-pinellas-2026-election/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/06/05/david-jolly-democrat-governor-desantis-pinellas-2026-election/\">announced his campaign</a> a year ago. Jolly has spent the past year touting <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/04/03/david-jolly-jerry-demings-ron-desantis-byron-donalds/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/04/03/david-jolly-jerry-demings-ron-desantis-byron-donalds/\">affordability solutions</a> and making the case that he is the Democrat who can lead the party to statewide victory in November."},{"_id":"AWVIE7VCTJHUZK52JTCTU4CF74","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Demings reported raising more than $650,000 by the end of March. Jolly had raised almost $5 million by that point, buoyed by Democrats’ <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/04/10/david-jolly-jerry-demings-florida-governor-special-election-endorsement-byron-donalds/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/04/10/david-jolly-jerry-demings-florida-governor-special-election-endorsement-byron-donalds/\">special election victories</a> in red-leaning state legislative districts. The two victors in those races ended up endorsing Jolly."},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times","address":{"locality":"Pinellas Park","region":"FL"},"auth":{"1":"f783fdc0e73859ba5e6d51ee91133ae984aaf2920d7143f169e0780862469cb4"},"caption":"Former GOP Rep. David Jolly now has a clear path to the Democratic nomination for governor. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, his main opponent, announced he was dropping out of the gubernatorial race on Friday after he received a cancer diagnosis.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Wire feeds","edit_url":"","source_type":"wires","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"7080638c-b1c0-47c8-89fa-25c6a828833b"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/L26CH434VBB2PCBCGW3POQPKWQ.jpg","licensable":false,"display_date":"2026-03-29T21:08:08.921Z","alt_text":"Florida gubernatorial candidate David Jolly talks with the audience during a town hall visit at First UMC of Pinellas Park on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Pinellas Park, Fla..","credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"TNS","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Dirk Shadd","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"202603291645MCT     PHOTO    US NEWS CONGRESS CHERFILUS MCCORMICK ETHICS JOLLY PT","width":3000,"_id":"L26CH434VBB2PCBCGW3POQPKWQ","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/L26CH434VBB2PCBCGW3POQPKWQ.jpg?auth=f783fdc0e73859ba5e6d51ee91133ae984aaf2920d7143f169e0780862469cb4","iptc_source":"Tampa Bay Times","iptc_job_identifier":"170131346W","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/L26CH434VBB2PCBCGW3POQPKWQ.jpg?auth=f783fdc0e73859ba5e6d51ee91133ae984aaf2920d7143f169e0780862469cb4","link":"","takenOn":"2026-01-21T15:13:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/L26CH434VBB2PCBCGW3POQPKWQ.jpg","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/L26CH434VBB2PCBCGW3POQPKWQ.jpg?auth=f783fdc0e73859ba5e6d51ee91133ae984aaf2920d7143f169e0780862469cb4","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/L26CH434VBB2PCBCGW3POQPKWQ.jpg?auth=f783fdc0e73859ba5e6d51ee91133ae984aaf2920d7143f169e0780862469cb4&width=300","version":0,"originalName":"202603291645MCT_____PHOTO____US-NEWS-CONGRESS-CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK-ETHICS-JOLLY-PT","mime_type":"application/octet-stream","alt_text":"Florida gubernatorial candidate David Jolly talks with the audience during a town hall visit at First UMC of Pinellas Park on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Pinellas Park, Fla..","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"MBR"},"created_date":"2026-03-29T21:08:11Z","last_updated_date":"2026-03-29T21:08:11Z","publish_date":"2026-03-29T21:08:08.921Z","slug":"US-NEWS-CONGRESS-CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK-ETHICS-JOLLY-PT","height":2139},{"_id":"OP3ONEWE3BCCDDLRBYESHXOANE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Along the campaign trail, Jolly frequently emphasized his respect for Demings and said he wanted to avoid the mudslinging taking place in the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/04/20/jay-collins-byron-donalds-florida-governor-ron-desantis-david-jolly/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/04/20/jay-collins-byron-donalds-florida-governor-ron-desantis-david-jolly/\">Republican primary</a> for governor. Democrats face an uphill battle in the race, in which Donalds has raised $68 million and counting with the backing of the state’s conservative establishment."},{"_id":"DLDFTZCDGVALND7XQV4DLXEZ2E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly reiterated his respect after Demings’ diagnosis was announced."},{"_id":"PT7TICFARNEKTFATM5FDRGXZR4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Jerry has dedicated his life to public service, fighting with passion, mettle, and faith. I know he’ll bring that same spirit to this new chapter,” Jolly said in a statement. “Laura and I wish him a full recovery as we personally pray for Jerry and his family.”"},{"_id":"BM3OO2XRMZEGZGODESMSTAAJZI","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"text","content":"<b>• • •</b>"},{"level":2,"_id":"MTKKNAEE6NFIRGKT3XMXN5NMDM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage"},{"_id":"YCDQ2FAYFZA3BBZYFTAMLZOYBI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Congressional midterms:</b> <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/02/12/hakeem-jeffries-democrats-house-control-congress/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Can Democrats retake the US House? It could depend on Florida</a>"},{"_id":"HSDHM3Q2ZNC4HBHVN6ZR6F75HQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Voter issues: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/03/28/byron-donalds-james-fishback-iran-affordability-jeffrey-epstein/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">These 4 issues make Florida’s midterms a tougher slog for Republicans</a>"},{"_id":"37CLFNDETFG2NFRA46K7SVGVBU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Race for the Governor’s Mansion: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/01/21/governor-2026-donalds-collins-renner-fishback-desantis-endorsement-demings-jolly/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Is the Florida governor’s race set?</a>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"It clears the Democratic field for former Pinellas GOP Rep. David Jolly."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida-politics/elections","parent_id":"/news/florida-politics","name":"Elections","description":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news/florida-politics"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics/elections"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every 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Demings announced after the speech that he is dropping out of the governor's race following a prostate cancer diagnosis.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Wire feeds","edit_url":"","source_type":"wires","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"7080638c-b1c0-47c8-89fa-25c6a828833b"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SEV3SMGB7JFTDOIZWR7M65DCL4.jpg","licensable":false,"display_date":"2026-06-05T17:05:51.662Z","alt_text":"Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings gets a hug from Val Demings as he takes the stage for his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. Demings announced after the speech that he is dropping out of the ","credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"TNS","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Joe Burbank","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings gets a hug from Val Demings as he takes the stage for his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. Demings announced after the speech that he is dropping out of the ","width":2844,"_id":"SEV3SMGB7JFTDOIZWR7M65DCL4","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/SEV3SMGB7JFTDOIZWR7M65DCL4.jpg?auth=60c107ea1b52f8275e03a76e647edd5f18f0f162a8506cf705666cedcbc600df","iptc_source":"Orlando Sentinel","iptc_job_identifier":"175993163P","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/SEV3SMGB7JFTDOIZWR7M65DCL4.jpg?auth=60c107ea1b52f8275e03a76e647edd5f18f0f162a8506cf705666cedcbc600df","takenOn":"2026-06-05T09:17:59Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SEV3SMGB7JFTDOIZWR7M65DCL4.jpg","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/SEV3SMGB7JFTDOIZWR7M65DCL4.jpg?auth=60c107ea1b52f8275e03a76e647edd5f18f0f162a8506cf705666cedcbc600df","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/SEV3SMGB7JFTDOIZWR7M65DCL4.jpg?auth=60c107ea1b52f8275e03a76e647edd5f18f0f162a8506cf705666cedcbc600df&width=300","version":0,"originalName":"Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings gets a hug from Val Demings as he takes the stage for his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. Demings announced after the speech that he is dropping out of the ","mime_type":"application/octet-stream","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"MBR"},"created_date":"2026-06-05T17:05:53Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-05T17:05:53Z","publish_date":"2026-06-05T17:05:51.662Z","slug":"US-NEWS-JERRY-DEMINGS-SUSPENDS-RACE-FOR-1-OS.jpg","height":1994}},"canonical_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/05/jerry-demings-drops-out-governors-race-cancer-diagnosis-democrat-david-jolly/","revision":{"editions":["default"],"parent_id":"MD7LY4VHSNFT3I75VKZ2NIDILY","published":true,"branch":"default","revision_id":"GPQALFYAGFCR3BTPIJZK7C34BE"},"planning":{"budget_line":"Officials across the political spectrum offered Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings well wishes as he announced a prostate cancer diagnosis and suspended his campaign for governor. Here's what this development means for Democrats.","scheduling":{"will_have_image":true,"planned_publish_date":"2026-06-06T10:00:01.000Z"},"story_length":{"character_count_actual":3646,"inch_count_actual":22,"inch_count_planned":15,"word_count_actual":583,"line_count_actual":153}},"display_date":"2026-06-05T19:21:39.124Z","headlines":{"tablet":"","print":"","meta_title":"","native":"","web":"","mobile":"","basic":"What does Jerry Demings dropping out mean for Florida governor’s race?","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-05T17:17:45.632Z","publish_date":"2026-06-05T19:21:39.124Z","_id":"JYJPU47TOJAFTKX66SMMPI3R2M","website":"tbt","website_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/05/jerry-demings-drops-out-governors-race-cancer-diagnosis-democrat-david-jolly/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"Y3YFZJZFEVGY3CJ23IUSK3NSBA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The St. Petersburg City Council voted Thursday to commit up to $590,000 for a study examining how feasible it would be to <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/06/04/duke-energy-florida-dump-vote-floyd-electric-bill/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/06/04/duke-energy-florida-dump-vote-floyd-electric-bill/\">leave Duke Energy</a>, after hours of testimony from residents feeling the affordability squeeze. "},{"_id":"7AMN3ZIXXBGRDLNETSHVL3FKJA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The majority of locals who spoke asked city leaders to approve the analysis, saying they were tired of watching their power bills go up to benefit<b> </b>a corporation whose shareholders make a guaranteed profit."},{"_id":"3FVBP3AJSRATZKXW6XXJLUJC5I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But this decision by St. Petersburg is only one step in a long and complex process. "},{"_id":"ZUMZ2GKYIZANRF2FQXILZMEWUM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Here’s what you need to know."},{"level":2,"_id":"2CZUOCOPP5ATFORSGR2R3GWL54","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Does this vote mean St. Petersburg is getting rid of Duke Energy?"},{"_id":"6S5XM44X3BCN7MFOSHTRDSOADY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"No. The city has only committed to paying a consultant, NewGen Strategies &amp; Solutions, to compile a study examining “the financial, technical, operational, regulatory, and legal implications” of the city leaving Duke Energy and forming a municipal-run utility for electricity citywide."},{"_id":"4OLOLIEXZRCKBLB7S4426NBUCY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Fully splitting off from Duke would be tedious and likely take years. The company has indicated that it won’t participate in a split willingly, possibly forcing the city to go through the courts."},{"_id":"ENELW4WQXRCYVDJJ2HQVC6DSAY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In response to the vote, Duke spokesperson Ana Gibbs only said that the company would keep working to renew its agreement with the city."},{"_id":"4KGQPZ7FDJGGNEIF43KH746WSA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Duke Energy believes renewing the franchise agreement offers immediate benefits to our customers and communities we serve,” she wrote in an email. "},{"_id":"BWRB6Q43BJHVXGML434PD6IBD4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"This study is still an important step, proponents said, because the city’s legal agreement with Duke is up for renewal for the first time in 30 years. That gives St. Petersburg a rare window of leverage to fully investigate other options."},{"_id":"4PRBW3UZMBGP7ECBMN3YUK5TCQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“If I am buying a home, a house inspection might cost a few hundred dollars, but no one says they don’t have money for a home inspection,” resident Daniel Collette told the City Council before the vote. “Why wouldn’t we do the same with something as important as city utilities? Why would Duke be so opposed to us making an informed decision?”"},{"level":2,"_id":"R5MW4CHXZRG6TCOJFBGFRVV2YU","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Can St. Petersburg actually run an electric utility?"},{"_id":"GGUDV3FAABDYLKKHQ5IT55NNOA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Lots of cities do. In Florida alone, 33 municipalities run their own electric utilities, including Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Orlando and Lakeland. Average bills from these municipal utilities are regularly lower than those charged by the corporate utilities, especially Duke and Tampa Electric, according to <a href=\"https://assets.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/fmea/Rates/2026/2026_April_Rates.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://assets.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/fmea/Rates/2026/2026_April_Rates.pdf\">analyses</a> by the Florida Municipal Electric Association."},{"_id":"TBOEOVSOK5B7DD5PYDY3CR4NJQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Winter Park, near Orlando, was the most recent city to break away from a corporate utility in 2005, after voters approved it. Longtime city manager Randy Knight <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2024/08/02/duke-energy-florida-clearwater-electric-bill-st-petersburg/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2024/08/02/duke-energy-florida-clearwater-electric-bill-st-petersburg/\">previously told the Tampa Bay Times</a> that the decision has lowered residents’ bills by 28% and improved reliability after the city buried most power lines underground."},{"_id":"IHE4Q43WPREDTMRG25IF37MGP4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But with past woes over St. Petersburg’s water services, including <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2025/10/09/st-petersburg-water-bills-evaluation-utility-billing-city-council/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2025/10/09/st-petersburg-water-bills-evaluation-utility-billing-city-council/\">thousands of residents seeing their water bills skyrocket</a> after the 2024 hurricanes, some opponents raised concerns Thursday about whether the city was up to the task of managing another utility effectively."},{"_id":"UPFLSOBACJEQLFPGG3XRD6SY4Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“We have a city utility already: water resources. We’re not great at it,” said council member Gina Driscoll, who voted no. “I look at our water resources and I see how much work there is to do, and I don’t think we’re in a position to ... take on another utility over the next several years.”"},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"7RT65FLNDBCITI6AHZ6RFYXZS4","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1780678714869-klsdlm1pf","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"A new St. Petersburg property tax could fund drainage, water projects"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/04/23/st-petersburg-referendum-infrastructure-spar-elections/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"level":2,"_id":"FLDBMXZIZ5BKTCSELR7R3QYVJY","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Will leaving Duke lower my electric bill?"},{"_id":"I33ZRJT2KNEWTFFT5GRFSWKZGU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"That’s what the study will be drilling down to answer. However, we have some hints about what it might find."},{"_id":"3LZOETODYZGMLNC3QZ7FGJAR2I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Clearwater, whose agreement with Duke is also up for renewal, already commissioned a similar study from NewGen, which found its residents <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2025/09/25/clearwater-duke-energy-florida-electric-bill-increase-st-petersburg/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2025/09/25/clearwater-duke-energy-florida-electric-bill-increase-st-petersburg/\">would save millions</a> by cutting out Duke. "},{"_id":"5UBKS3PRUFAXFMP6FUN6JFSGLU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Duke has taken issue with that study and paid a consultant of its own to issue a report. Theirs said <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2025/05/19/duke-energy-electric-bill-clearwater-1-billion-study/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2025/05/19/duke-energy-electric-bill-clearwater-1-billion-study/\">it would cost the city more than $1 billion</a><b> </b>to take over electric operations; however, it did not analyze how residents’ electric bills would be affected."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"3OCFQS3Y6BEXZOIZRD7QKWNTYE","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1780680405969-47ppt3u1x","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"For $1B Clearwater estimate, Duke Energy hired firm favored by utilities"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2025/06/12/duke-energy-florida-clearwater-study-billion-concentric-bill/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"SRBQKQIDU5ENNAK7O5P64JHDAY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jameka Williams, an early supporter of the grassroots “Dump Duke” campaign who’s also running for City Council, told local officials that her electric bill has reached a crisis point."},{"_id":"5RSGSWU4XZDWFA3V3HMJ7RHMFM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I, myself, just had to make a decision of paying my power bill or going to the grocery store for the first time,” Williams said. “At the very least, corporations should be good partners to our cities. They should not be left unchecked.”"},{"_id":"XPENH6PP7NDEVEOUBZ7OALYNSU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Many Tampa Bay residents <a href=\"https://project.tampabay.com/power-struggle/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://project.tampabay.com/power-struggle/\">paid their highest power bills ever last summer</a>, in part because of hurricane recovery fees from the destructive 2024 season. Some locals referenced those storm charges Thursday."},{"_id":"BICAYLH72FCNVAMZ6CHBR4SEP4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“My home went out of power for almost two weeks, during which my home was practically uninhabitable and I had to live out of my car,” said resident Thomas Gross. “The only thing I got from Duke Energy was a higher bill.”"},{"level":2,"_id":"RZAZSLMF5JGYZPOG7GBXRJDDZQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"How can I weigh in?"},{"_id":"ZTRQSWJDFBHFJPZCWSMK6VDJMU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"As part of completing the study, NewGen will be helping to organize three community meetings plus an online survey to gather public input, according to the city presentation. "},{"_id":"NHGMW2IAMJD4HAMJ56BZJJQD2Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The details of those meetings haven’t been released yet."},{"level":2,"_id":"S766UDJGEZFN7G2YVFBHY7UVRA","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"What happens next?"},{"_id":"EQMVZGXLR5CL5JDMQHC5E2MCX4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Once the study is complete, it will be up to city leaders to determine how far they want to pursue the possibility of a municipal-run utility. Several residents and council members raised questions about how <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/02/florida-property-tax-exemption-desantis-amendment-legislature/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/02/florida-property-tax-exemption-desantis-amendment-legislature/\">the state’s push to drastically reduce property taxes</a> — potentially costing St. Petersburg <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/28/florida-homestead-property-tax-exemption-budget/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/28/florida-homestead-property-tax-exemption-budget/\">$75 million</a> — could impact this discussion."},{"_id":"X4OPIE3SFZFONORXY5RJ42R7ME","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Since Clearwater completed its study, its officials have requested <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2025/09/30/duke-energy-florida-clearwater-electric-bill-study/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2025/09/30/duke-energy-florida-clearwater-electric-bill-study/\">an appraisal of all of Duke’s assets</a> within city limits."},{"level":4,"_id":"3O4HD25NJ5FLZGXUUOKTKA4JFQ","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"header","content":"<i><b>• • •</b></i>"},{"_id":"6LXKYBDJ3VHW3BSDN3MDVXIQGM","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"<i>The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Florida’s most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by </i><a href=\"https://project.tampabay.com/donate/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\"><i>clicking here</i></a><i>.</i>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"This saga is complicated. Here’s what to know about how it could impact the future of your electric bill."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/st-petersburg","parent_id":"/news","name":"St. Petersburg","description":"The latest community, government, crime and business news about St. Petersburg from the Tampa Bay Times.","_id":"/news/st-petersburg","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/st-petersburg"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UD4IDQTGHFFUZM43GMJ7RO2ZFE.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter","newsletter_id":"18","newsletter_blurb":"We’ll deliver the latest news and information you need to know every morning."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/st-petersburg/","rotator_id":null,"site_keywords":"st petersburg news, st petersburg fl, pinellas county news, pinellas county fl","site_description":"The latest community, government, crime and business news about St. Petersburg from the Tampa Bay Times.","site_title":"St. Petersburg"},"inactive":false,"site_topper":{"site_logo_image":null},"name":"St. Petersburg","_id":"/news/st-petersburg","advertising":{"adbridg_kvp":{"News":"Pinellas"}},"ancestors":{"default":["/news"]},"order":{"default":2022}}},"type":"site","version":"0.5.8"},"sites":[{"path":"/news/st-petersburg","parent_id":"/news","name":"St. Petersburg","description":"The latest community, government, crime and business news about St. Petersburg from the Tampa Bay 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Petersburg"},"inactive":false,"site_topper":{"site_logo_image":null},"name":"St. Petersburg","_id":"/news/st-petersburg","advertising":{"adbridg_kvp":{"News":"Pinellas"}},"ancestors":{"default":["/news"]},"order":{"default":2022}}},"type":"site","version":"0.5.8"},{"path":"/news/environment","parent_id":"/news","name":"Environment","description":"Environmental news in the Tampa Bay area and Florida, including red tide, manatees, panthers, bear hunts, pythons in the Everglades, climate change and more, from the Tampa Bay Times","_id":"/news/environment","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"site":{"site_url":"/news/environment/","site_keywords":"Environment News","site_description":"Environmental news in the Tampa Bay area and Florida, including red tide, manatees, panthers, bear hunts, pythons in the Everglades, climate change and more, from the Tampa Bay 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newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/florida-politics/","rotator_id":"AIZKFTCV7JF23DWYFFKNHCY44Q","section_bullet_override":"Politics","site_keywords":"The Buzz","site_description":"The Buzz on Florida Politics | Tampa Bay Times","site_title":"Latest news on Florida politics from the Tampa Bay Times"},"inactive":false,"site_topper":{"site_logo_image":null},"name":"Florida Politics","_id":"/news/florida-politics","advertising":{"adbridg_kvp":{"News":"politics"}},"ancestors":{"default":["/news"]},"order":{"default":2001}}},"type":"site","version":"0.5.8"},{"path":"/news","parent_id":"/","name":"News","description":"News in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area, including breaking news, public safety, crime, health, hurricanes and weather, politics, the environment and more from the staff of the Tampa Bay 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","scheduling":{},"story_length":{"character_count_actual":5618,"inch_count_actual":34,"inch_count_planned":30,"word_count_actual":934,"line_count_actual":233}},"display_date":"2026-06-05T19:12:27.884Z","headlines":{"tablet":"","print":"","meta_title":"","native":"","web":"","mobile":"","basic":"5 big questions (answered) after St. Petersburg’s Duke Energy vote","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-05T15:34:15.384Z","publish_date":"2026-06-06T14:48:16.375Z","_id":"TJ3DKTU6PVCYRPHRU2WJRNLHRY","website":"tbt","website_url":"/news/st-petersburg/2026/06/05/duke-energy-florida-electric-bill-dump-vote-study-clearwater/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"IHYAY3FHLBGZ3O4JXYVCDOAWLM","additional_properties":{"_id":1618440708820},"type":"text","content":"Before the Pinellas County Juvenile Welfare Board <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/05/21/pinellas-juvenile-welfare-board-ceo-search/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/05/21/pinellas-juvenile-welfare-board-ceo-search/\">called off its CEO search during a meeting last month</a>, County Commissioner Chris Latvala surprised fellow board members by displaying their text messages on the big screen."},{"_id":"WB76LYUR5VB6BKVYUDFJPVTPKU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I am laser focused on a regime change,” read part of one text sent by Renee Chiea,<b> </b>an appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis."},{"_id":"6GMFXMITK5DI7LEKGXF6L5TC7M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Latvala said his intention was to shed light on “inappropriate” behavior by board members who are responsible for allocating over $100 million in taxpayer funds every year."},{"_id":"MP3SLIT37JGUTI63UNFIBSP3DI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Though the board ultimately decided to call off the monthslong CEO search and start fresh, the fallout is far from over."},{"_id":"XDFYO3PEXFCTLCZCYS42AK2C3U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In the past year, the special district that funds programs supporting the health of the county’s children and families has seen frequent <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/04/06/juvenile-welfare-board-jwb-glen-gilzean-ceo-vote/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/04/06/juvenile-welfare-board-jwb-glen-gilzean-ceo-vote/\">clashes</a> between the five community leaders and six gubernatorial appointees."},{"_id":"C7RLHAJ4GVAURJZPO5U3CSGZGA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The tension has revolved around accusations that some board members have been <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/04/08/juvenile-welfare-board-ceo-vote-glen-gilzean-jwb-texts/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/04/08/juvenile-welfare-board-ceo-vote-glen-gilzean-jwb-texts/\">motivated by politics</a> and outside influences in the search for a CEO, prompting <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/03/27/pinellas-juvenile-welfare-board-jwb/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/03/27/pinellas-juvenile-welfare-board-jwb/\">fears among the agency’s employees</a> about the future of the organization."},{"_id":"R3NUNPOLFFE73I3VQUX2A2IXV4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Our board is clearly dysfunctional, and we have board members who don’t take their role very seriously,” Latvala said. “I’m not sure where we really go from here.”"},{"level":2,"_id":"IKBCXSR4HNDHJCMFBLRJHIWEHQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"A short-lived search committee"},{"_id":"K6UARXT62FEGLAB3P2URD7WMUI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Understanding where the board is today requires revisiting how the CEO search began. "},{"_id":"Z3KYHVRAZJFT7HH2OCOMLPLRZE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"When CEO Beth Houghton announced her retirement in May 2025, former board member Mike Mikurak was named interim CEO."},{"_id":"UVB3SBRIBJBZHJF5SGXHJP2XAA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Meanwhile, two DeSantis appointees, Chiea and Alicia McShea, began their terms on the board."},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times,  licensing@zumapress.com","address":{"locality":"CLEARWATER","region":"FLORIDA"},"auth":{"1":"9ab83350872db3114c325dc0e3602c8078422defd565059d9cb7d05a65433448"},"caption":"From left: gubernatorial appointees Alicia McShea, Renee Chiea, Melissa Rutland and Brian Aungst Jr. attend a meeting of the Juvenile Welfare Board on May 21.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/TF6ZK4EPPBF4VJKMVGPW2ZMFGA.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Douglas R. 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Led by Latvala, the committee consisted of six board members, including Chiea."},{"_id":"PA2ZKWBC4VEHVDYKKS2NJPDE6M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The committee met six times between July and October. At the first meeting, a board consultant advised the committee<b> </b>to hire an external search firm to help with the process, according to meeting minutes. "},{"_id":"KUWYPIJU2ZATROUOYZR3JCSZFU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Despite hearing presentations from three firms, the board did not hire one."},{"_id":"N626JSCNPRDJNKKQ6SNUUGRX2M","type":"raw_html","content":"<div style=\"min-height:px\" id=\"datawrapper-vis-J4z76\"><script type=\"text/javascript\" defer src=\"https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/J4z76/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" data-target=\"#datawrapper-vis-J4z76\"><\/script><noscript><img src=\"https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/J4z76/full.png\" alt=\"How the Juvenile Welfare Board CEO search played out (Table)\" /></noscript></div>"},{"_id":"MEANW45NXZEXTLRTCJ2GN4E2LE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In December, the<b> </b>board approved a CEO search plan, which entailed posting the job on the agency’s website from Dec. 19 to<b> </b>Jan. 7."},{"_id":"R3OIEJKXWJAZJDA3SJ62MZOQKM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Six people applied, and the board selected three finalists in January: Mikurak, Manatee County schools Associate Superintendent Kevin Chapman and <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/02/03/pinellas-juvenile-welfare-board-glen-gilzean-jwb/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/02/03/pinellas-juvenile-welfare-board-glen-gilzean-jwb/\">Glen Gilzean,</a> a frequent DeSantis appointee who was accused in an <a href=\"https://www.occompt.com/DocumentCenter/View/53060/Report-No-514---Investigative-Report---Allegations-of-Improper-Spending-and-Accounting-Practices-by-Supervisor-of-Elections-PDF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.occompt.com/DocumentCenter/View/53060/Report-No-514---Investigative-Report---Allegations-of-Improper-Spending-and-Accounting-Practices-by-Supervisor-of-Elections-PDF\">audit</a> of misspending millions when he was the Orange County supervisor of elections in 2024. "},{"_id":"RGPNA6HHPVB2LC4MFIW3CFWOWI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Gilzean has publicly denied wrongdoing. He declined multiple interview requests from the Tampa Bay Times."},{"level":2,"_id":"PFTRCRQWN5FHHA5IUBE5BZ7MUE","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Talk of political pressure begins"},{"_id":"FETJKGZNMFFLDJN6T46SCFTHY4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In February, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/02/26/pinellas-juvenile-welfare-board-ceo-glen-gilzean/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/02/26/pinellas-juvenile-welfare-board-ceo-glen-gilzean/\">tensions came to a head</a> at a six-hour meeting where candidates were interviewed and community members questioned the nature of Gilzean’s interest in the position. "},{"_id":"VFJDNN3AUNBYHGOCZKYADGAJTU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"State Attorney Bruce Bartlett and Pinellas schools Superintendent Kevin Hendrick expressed concern that the nonpartisan board was taking a political turn. "},{"_id":"SRQGBG6YKJANFKM6RK54W2P5U4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Nonetheless, the board voted 5-5 for Mikurak and Gilzean as finalists in an informal straw poll. Public Defender Sara Mollo abstained from the vote."},{"_id":"C44DK6RSFJAPZIO76KHNHENGXM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In April, Mollo was the tiebreaker in the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/04/06/juvenile-welfare-board-jwb-glen-gilzean-ceo-vote/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/04/06/juvenile-welfare-board-jwb-glen-gilzean-ceo-vote/\">6-5 vote to hire Gilzean.</a> Governor appointees Melissa Rutland, Brian Aungst Jr., Kristen Gnage, McShea and Chiea joined her. Bartlett, Hendrick, Latvala, Judge Patrice Moore and Division Fire Chief Jim Millican voted against."},{"_id":"R6V2IDM7RVF4DKE6MTKDBDPEZA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A second vote was required to make Gilzean’s hiring official.<b> </b>Instead, the board called off the search. "},{"level":2,"_id":"ZBAEJKOSOBAUFES47EE7OJXLFA","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Possible ethics violations and a fired CFO"},{"_id":"KSI55KOVORAC7JESE5U6VMGGEU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"As board members traded barbs at public meetings, texts and calls about the search were happening behind the scenes."},{"_id":"PHZWHLHI3VFJZF6OKLKS6D5FCA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A few days after the finalists were selected in January, chief financial officer Robbi Stivers — who applied but was not selected — was placed on administrative leave. He was fired Feb. 13 amid a human resources investigation into “numerous employee complaints” about his behavior, according to Millican. "},{"_id":"7QTGR7C7IRBPRLN6N2WKTCELFU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"On Feb. 18, Stivers filed notice that he intended to sue the board for unlawful retaliation, according to a complaint reviewed by the Times. (A spokesperson for the organization said Thursday that the investigation is ongoing.)"},{"_id":"P3DBBXKB5ZEBHDTEATEDFDPNB4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The following month, Mikurak retained a lawyer to investigate claims that Chiea defamed him at the February meeting when she said the board misspent money when he was a board member.<b> </b>(The board contracted former chief financial officer Laura Krueger Brock to<b> </b>investigate the board’s finances, and she said she did not find any misspending.)"},{"_id":"4KHZT3FJQBBW7PWB37DIHQZLAY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Mikurak’s lawyer, Shane Vogt, threatened to sue over Chiea’s comments and, more broadly, over how the CEO search was conducted."},{"_id":"TXM7RHEQVJDFLMPJP4ABLBJVQE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"He sent a demand letter to the board in late March seeking records from board members’ phones."},{"_id":"4VS5EESUHBG3PN3ZY5VOR3EUYQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Those records revealed that Aungst, who has served on the board for 15 years and was originally appointed by former Gov. Rick Scott, had <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/04/08/juvenile-welfare-board-ceo-vote-glen-gilzean-jwb-texts/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/04/08/juvenile-welfare-board-ceo-vote-glen-gilzean-jwb-texts/\">texted several prominent Republicans</a> around the state in February, saying that votes for Gilzean were “gettable” from county officials and that he would “get it done.”"},{"_id":"4ILHAD7AOVAWLOWGLR5XCQEK7A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The records also showed that April Lott, CEO of Directions for Living, a Clearwater mental health organization that is funded by the Juvenile Welfare Board, had been texting with Chiea and McShea."},{"_id":"VGBJ5FQ7HNAUZHGE4PXEZPNDXY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Directions for Living was placed on a corrective action plan in January related to document and data submissions, records show. A majority of those issues have been resolved, Lott said in a statement Friday. "},{"_id":"OXDM64MVERG3THXNL6PSUQLGMY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Directions for Living “continues to work in partnership with JWB to settle remaining contract challenges where differences of opinion remain,” the statement said. "},{"_id":"QUUT6X7RMVFLZGHQZSY3CJB7JU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Records show that the Juvenile Welfare Board asked Directions for Living to repay a $250,000 advance starting in fiscal year 2027. Millican, who serves as the board’s chairperson, said the advance was given to the group in January 2025 to expand programming. "},{"_id":"VDS374AAABEZZBTRGMWHWZ6BSE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Quite frankly, it’s an interest-free loan. When we give that starter money, it’s to get a program off the ground,” Millican said at the May 21 meeting. “That money should be coming back to us within a year. That’s taxpayer dollars.”"},{"_id":"RS23INLYBNBDBH5XMQSDIG6RK4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"During his presentation, Latvala showed a number of text messages between Lott and gubernatorial appointees on the board."},{"_id":"4XT5QEFYNJA4JODJKL4VDFUGDY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"On Feb. 2, Lott texted McShea that “Mike and Millican (are) up to no good,” and she told McShea to call Gilzean, records show. It is not clear what Lott was referring to. "},{"_id":"G65RPXEKERFYDJTLS3KUM36ZDI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The next day, Lott texted McShea and Chiea to ask for Stivers’ phone number."},{"_id":"S3L2ORGXUFFOXFTFVIUHVLTMMI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Latvala said McShea and Chiea may have violated board policy by sharing Stivers’ number with Lott. Board members were told not to communicate with anyone about the former CFO, he said."},{"_id":"AGBDH7F44ZASVGUUJJU6HXUPVU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Lott also organized a meet-up between herself, Chiea and Gilzean at a Dunedin Starbucks on March 8."},{"_id":"VLHUGJHMERFCPKDTSKNL35C62A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Lott told the Times she sought Stivers’ phone number<b> </b>“simply to check on his well-being and offer support.” She described the Starbucks meet-up as a “meeting among colleagues that took place during session and was about related issues.”"},{"_id":"SBNTUF7CPZFM7MAPZ5FJZKVC44","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Regarding McShea, Lott said the appointee had reached out to her for guidance before her Senate confirmation meeting. "},{"_id":"57E2XNLTTRH5DFCYU2LZ7MJAQU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I encouraged her to call our mutual colleague Glen Gilzean who has an office in Tallahassee and is astute at navigating the senate,” she wrote. "},{"_id":"NPBYRW4N4NFOXH3IWVLDMFWBNM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Lott said Directions for Living has “always intended to fully comply” with the repayment of the $250,000 advance. "},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times,  licensing@zumapress.com","address":{"locality":"CLEARWATER","region":"FLORIDA"},"auth":{"1":"86c9f52b54e4d5a0fe76197647965d10b03418b4895bc8b802839e52a6165c34"},"caption":"Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Latvala speaks during a meeting of the Juvenile Welfare Board on May 21 in Clearwater.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/2YSKJHJBVFGRPGJ47N6F3PK3VU.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Douglas R. Clifford","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":5498,"_id":"2YSKJHJBVFGRPGJ47N6F3PK3VU","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/2YSKJHJBVFGRPGJ47N6F3PK3VU.JPG?auth=86c9f52b54e4d5a0fe76197647965d10b03418b4895bc8b802839e52a6165c34","iptc_source":"www.tampabay.com, licensing@zuma","iptc_job_identifier":"600748001","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/2YSKJHJBVFGRPGJ47N6F3PK3VU.JPG?auth=86c9f52b54e4d5a0fe76197647965d10b03418b4895bc8b802839e52a6165c34","link":"","takenOn":"2026-05-21T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/2YSKJHJBVFGRPGJ47N6F3PK3VU.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/2YSKJHJBVFGRPGJ47N6F3PK3VU.JPG?auth=86c9f52b54e4d5a0fe76197647965d10b03418b4895bc8b802839e52a6165c34","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/2YSKJHJBVFGRPGJ47N6F3PK3VU.JPG?auth=86c9f52b54e4d5a0fe76197647965d10b03418b4895bc8b802839e52a6165c34&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"435923_CLIF_2_JWB.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"created_date":"2026-05-21T18:05:00Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-05T17:41:46Z","slug":"435923_CLIF_2_JWB","height":3665},{"_id":"LD2LT6HLSRE7LI4MESZ577I3IE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"At the May 21 meeting, Latvala also showed texts between Chiea and Anthony Verdeja, the former executive director of the Family Center on Deafness, which is one of roughly 50 organizations funded by the board. "},{"_id":"OD77NTMQHBBCTBDCGBUKNYPICM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In late January, Verdeja wrote to Chiea<b> </b>about his hope for the Juvenile Welfare Board to “move away from the hostile and combative approach.” It was not clear what he was referring to. In response, Chiea wrote, “Yes indeed. That is why I am laser focused on a regime change.” "},{"_id":"2C6WG64KYRH7JNUKPPAVW6NHOM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“And staff please,” Verdeja replied."},{"_id":"HKCHMO2MPFHFHMRGJFHY4Y3FXQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It goes top down!” Chiea answered."},{"_id":"HQNRLGOEBFB4VJZXJ2UJJH6SCQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Reached by phone Thursday, Verdeja told the Times he stepped down as director in September, and he declined to elaborate on the text messages. "},{"_id":"K3SZKNYVOJCIJJ4Y6DSOIPHQA4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Chiea said in a text message Friday that she communicated with Verdeja because “he shared my concern with the direction JWB was moving in under Mike Mikurak’s tenure.”"},{"_id":"ZGYJSXH4S5FOJAVUGF6IBJ637U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It was obviously a flippant comment, again provided simply due to the overly broad nature of the (public records) request,” she wrote."},{"_id":"WMMVL2D5KJBGVPUFW5SJQOMTKI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Latvala told the board he believes there “may be some ethics issues” about Chiea speaking to a former provider about the board in such a manner. "},{"_id":"MX7CDZXE6VFHVPRPYG6AUDPU5U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In response, Chiea said she was investigating complaints about how the board operates. "},{"_id":"YUQVOOY5KZD3DNZLLBQFBY7GXY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Millican said it wasn’t a board member’s job to do that."},{"_id":"KECUUOXYHFDS3IOLY7GHJA5KPE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Our job is very clear in the statutes, and that is to make sure the tax dollars are being spent correctly and that the budget is good,” he said."},{"_id":"XMN2R4ITYNAITBFQHYKAP6SWZM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In follow-up text messages to the Times on Friday, Chiea disputed the characterization that she was referring to the full board in her text messages with Verdeja. She also said she was not investigating complaints about how the board operates, but rather “inquiring regarding complaints and concerns raised to me by people.”"},{"_id":"QUI3WLQ3HZD7FF75OCU2I5JLGU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The audit or inquiry consisted of speaking to the CEO Mike Mikurak, who provided responses and information,” she wrote. “Mr. Mikurak provided information and brought in staff members to respond as he felt necessary. I did not ‘investigate’ anything as stated or implied.”"},{"level":2,"_id":"OMT5S5OYC5COXIYTTYDQLIKYUU","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Where does the board go from here?"},{"_id":"72IFBREQS5HSRFPM5Y7K6THKOM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The board will meet again June 25 to discuss hiring a professional search firm. "},{"_id":"OFNJYFQFIBFINOU6IKJQN4VV4U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Meanwhile, three of the gubernatorial appointees’ terms expire in August. "},{"_id":"HOXMOPQFYFDPFDEJRWIDFQSZOM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Aungst told the Times in a text message Wednesday that he hasn’t decided if he wants to reapply. Rutland said Friday she has no comment, and McShea did not respond to multiple text messages."},{"_id":"RKWABTE3SBDVHLZB7IYS2QYGY4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Latvala told the Times he was disappointed by board members’ reactions to his presentation."},{"_id":"TKCMEIGUJFGRJO3WZTPKEI6TUE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I thought board members would care more,” he said. “Our public defender was more upset I didn’t give them a heads up before I showed them the public records.”"},{"_id":"ZGQ4BPGXIBCVDIOF3WOMNU4OYA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"For nearly 80 years, Millican said, the Juvenile Welfare Board has worked collaboratively. "},{"_id":"WNT7GLATDVAWPMK73MRPKREPHU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"He’s not sure if the board will be able to return to that."},{"_id":"E5D2SWGOZRBPFGSS26ZUQT7SRE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“We have been four months without taking care of the kids, and that’s a shame,” he said."},{"_id":"B3O2VRFW2FAO5NUWOPRSVZDQQU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>Correction: Due to a reporting error, a previous version of this story misstated when Directions for Living was placed on a corrective action plan with the Juvenile Welfare Board. It was notified of noncompliance in December and placed on the plan in January. </i>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"The taxpayer-funded board decided last month to restart the search. But the fallout is far from over."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/pinellas","parent_id":"/news","name":"Pinellas","description":"The latest community, government, crime, business and community news about Pinellas County from the Tampa Bay Times.","_id":"/news/pinellas","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/pinellas"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UD4IDQTGHFFUZM43GMJ7RO2ZFE.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter","newsletter_id":"18","newsletter_blurb":"We’ll deliver the latest news and information you need to know 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