Perpetual Tax on Renters Filed Again in Tallahassee, Coalition of Renters & Advocates Prepares to Defeat it Again
TALLAHASSEE — Following its defeat during the 2022 Florida legislative session, Representative Jim Mooney (R-Islamorada) has once again filed legislation, HB 133, to allow landlords to charge tenants perpetual fees in lieu of paying a security deposit. As currently written, the bill is essentially identical to the legislation which passed the Florida House last year […]
Progress Florida & Florida Watch Statements on the Governor’s Budget Proposal

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled his proposed budget for the 2022 Florida legislative session. In response, Progress Florida Executive Director Mark Ferrulo and Florida Watch Executive Director Josh Weierbach issued the following statements: “For the last three years, Governor Ron DeSantis has proven that, to him, the word freedom means the freedom to put wealthy corporate donors ahead of […]
Progress Florida & Florida Watch Statements on the U.S. House Passing the Build Back Better Act

Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act, advancing President Joe Biden’s agenda for working class Americans to the Senate. In response, Progress Florida Executive Director Mark Ferrulo and Florida Watch Executive Director Josh Weierbach issued the following statements: “Today’s action by House Democrats is a historic step forward for the American people,” said Progress […]
Progress Florida & Florida Watch Statements on the Conclusion of Special Session

Today, the Florida Legislature concluded Governor Ron DeSantis’ politically motivated special session on vaccine and testing requirements. In response, Progress Florida Executive Director Mark Ferrulo and Florida Watch Executive Director Josh Weierbach issue the following statements: “Under Governor Ron DeSantis, Floridians are facing a housing crisis with skyrocketing property insurance rates and rising rents, many still haven’t been able […]
Progress Florida & Florida Watch Statements on the Signing of the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act

Today, President Joe Biden will sign the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will direct billions of dollars of much needed funding to Florida to address our state’s critical infrastructure needs. In response, Progress Florida Executive Director Mark Ferrulo and Florida Watch Executive Director Josh Weierbach issue the following statements: “Once again, President Biden has delivered on his promise […]
With Florida in Crisis, Governor Ron DeSantis Continues 2024 Campaign for President in Nevada

his week, Florida broke a record for the amount of Floridians hospitalized due to coronavirus, parents across the state nervously sent their children back to schools where mask mandates had been banned, and red tide continued to cause fish kills along the west coast.
Governor DeSantis’ Press Conference – Statements from Florida Watch & Progress Florida

his morning, Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference inside a packed restaurant in Cape Coral to once again contradict scientific guidance on safety protocols amid a global pandemic.
Statements from Florida Watch & Progress Florida on Governor DeSantis’ Signing of HB 233

Once again, Governor Ron DeSantis is focusing on non-existent issues rather than confronting the real problems facing everyday Floridians following a deadly global pandemic and years of neglect from Republican leadership in our state.
Statement from Florida Watch Board Member Sean Shaw on Ashley Moody Roundtable

One day after a new report showed that under unified Republican control of Florida state government violent crime in Florida rose for the first time since 2015, Attorney General Ashley Moody convened a partisan roundtable in Miami to attack a non-existent problem.
Statement from Florida Watch on Governor DeSantis’ Signing of the Budget

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the budget, buoyed by billions of dollars in federal aid provided by President Joe Biden and the American Rescue Plan.