Florida legislature

The Orlando Democrat was first elected to the Florida House in 2006 and served multiple terms in both House and Senate.

The new session, scheduled to start Tuesday at noon, comes after Governor Ron DeSantis pledged to veto the package lawmakers passed in January.

Political watchers say wanting credit for immigration policy ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial race and 2028 presidential election could be a factor behind the fighting between Florida's top Republican officeholders.

DeSantis' statements come after the legislature rebuked him by gaveling out a special session on immigration DeSantis called where he wanted to pass his own legislative package.

The sweeping measure comes a day after legislative leaders spiked Gov. Ron DeSantis’ special session centered on immigration, instead calling their own to get this bill passed.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says it and the Department of Homeland Security detained a dozen people in the Big Bend who may be in the country illegally. Initial reports of potential arrests in the area started circling Monday afternoon on social media.

Florida legislative leaders quickly gaveled out a special session called by Governor Ron DeSantis just moments after it opened.

Thursday's workshop gave county leaders time to draft their legislative requests.

Gadsden County is reportedly $40M short of what it needs to build a new K-8 school in Quincy.

Ricci says she has some concerns about DeSantis' proposals.