TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s annual legislative session is now underway in Tallahassee.
The session formally opened at 11 a.m. with representatives and senators gathering in the Florida House chamber to hear opening remarks from their leaders, and also from Gov. Ron DeSantis, who gave his last State of the State address as Florida’s governor.
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The governor called back to the Founding Fathers and America’s 250th birthday in his address.
“My message is simple: get the bills to my desk in the spirit of 1776,” DeSantis said. “I’m happy to put my John Hancock on those pieces of legislation. Now, Ben Franklin told us we could have a republic, but only if we could keep it. We are doing our part here in Florida to keep it, to keep what George Washington called the sacred fire of liberty alive and well.
State representatives and senators have 60 days to pass almost 1,800 bills, but DeSantis has already warned the legislative chambers that there will be extra innings, as he pushes the legislature to redraw Florida’s congressional map ahead of the November midterm election.
Last week, DeSantis issued a proclamation for a special session in April on redistricting.
That’s not the only issue DeSantis and Republican leadership will be focusing on. Constitutional amendments to reform property taxes are also on the agenda, and could lead to legislative clashes between DeSantis and legislative Republicans, particularly in the Florida House.
Read up on the 10 issues to watch this session HERE.
To find out who your state representative and senator are HERE.