Dear Members,
A lot has happened in Florida politics since our last update, and we’re here to ensure you stay informed on the key issues that impact our industry and our state.
Two special elections were held to fill vacancies in Florida’s congressional delegation. State Senator Randy Fine won the race for Florida’s 6th Congressional District previously held by Mike Waltz, while Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, secured the Republican nomination for the Panhandle seat formerly represented by Matt Gaetz. Both candidates were endorsed by President Trump and have strong backing from congressional leadership. They have been strong advocates for our industry in the past, and we look forward to their leadership in Washington. Both will now face off against their Democrat opponents in the April 1 general election.
Last week, the Florida Legislature convened for a special session to address immigration and election policy. The session has garnered national attention due to a public dispute between Governor Ron DeSantis and legislative leaders. While both sides agree on the overall policy goals, negotiations over the finer details have played out publicly.
This political tension has extended beyond policy debates, with Governor DeSantis suggesting he may even support primary challengers to certain Republican legislators. As an association, this is an important moment to ensure our PAC is strategically positioned to support lawmakers who stand with us on the issues that matter most.
With the regular session beginning in March, key deadlines are quickly approaching:
– Lawmakers must soon submit their appropriations requests for state-funded projects – Feb. 14
– Bill filing deadlines for both the House and Senate are imminent – Feb. 28
– The Governor’s budget proposal is expected in the coming days
– First day of Session – March 4
We are actively monitoring these developments and will continue to advocate for policies that support Florida’s RV industry and broader business community. As always, we will keep you informed on the latest from Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.. If you have any questions or would like to get more involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Andres Malave | Director, Government Relations Jones Walker LLP
D: 850.214.5145