The Florida Trident
@floridatrident.bsky.social
Our mission is to produce well-sourced quality reporting that illuminates complex issues, holds government accountable to its citizens, and enhances civic engagement. The Florida Trident is produced by the Florida Center for Government Accountability.
"Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration diverted more than $35 million in taxpayer funds — an amount far greater than previously known — as part of a brazen agenda last year to defeat two ballot amendments he staunchly opposed" #DefendDemocracy www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...
DeSantis admin diverted child welfare and medical funds for consultants, ads
A Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times investigation found the DeSantis’ administration’s use of public money to fund a campaign against marijuana and abortion access was more sprawling than previously kn...
www.miamiherald.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:15 PM
"Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration diverted more than $35 million in taxpayer funds — an amount far greater than previously known — as part of a brazen agenda last year to defeat two ballot amendments he staunchly opposed" #DefendDemocracy www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...
Once "a beacon of government transparency," now "Florida government is growing ever darker, and the clouds of secrecy are spreading throughout the United States, even into our local governments." #DefendDemocracy www.news-journalonline.com/story/opinio...
Keep the clouds away from Florida's Sunshine Law
A Daytona Beach Shores commissioner, as a result of violating the Florida Constitution, was forced from office. He was still paid by the city.
www.news-journalonline.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Once "a beacon of government transparency," now "Florida government is growing ever darker, and the clouds of secrecy are spreading throughout the United States, even into our local governments." #DefendDemocracy www.news-journalonline.com/story/opinio...
With the latest measles outbreak making headlines, sparks are likely to fly Friday at the first public airing of surgeon general Ladapo’s plan to repeal four mandates on school-entry vaccines now and bring about the repeal of seven others later. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/school-vacci...
Amid measles outbreak, Friday workshop on repealing FL vaccine mandates draws national attention
Amid a post-Thanksgiving outbreak of measles in South Carolina -- reporting 111 infections through Thursday morning -- Florida pediatricians this
floridatrident.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:57 PM
With the latest measles outbreak making headlines, sparks are likely to fly Friday at the first public airing of surgeon general Ladapo’s plan to repeal four mandates on school-entry vaccines now and bring about the repeal of seven others later. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/school-vacci...
"Andrade says the figures the state repaid don't add up...He has been outspoken on the issue, saying the money was illegally diverted away from the state's coffers to campaign for DeSantis' initiatives." #DefendDemocracy weartv.com/news/local/andrad...
Andrade says records prove even more discrepancy in Hope Florida-Medicaid controversy
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A state lawmaker in Pensacola says a political controversy in Tallahassee is worse than once thought.
weartv.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:03 AM
"Andrade says the figures the state repaid don't add up...He has been outspoken on the issue, saying the money was illegally diverted away from the state's coffers to campaign for DeSantis' initiatives." #DefendDemocracy weartv.com/news/local/andrad...
Florida universities are cutting 18 degree programs, citing underperformance in producing graduates -- but the criteria they're basing that decision on may be arbitrary. #DefendDemocracy www.fsunews.com/story/news/2...
Florida universities are cutting 18 degree programs. Here's why
State University System of Florida announces plan to cut 18 academic programs.
www.fsunews.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Florida universities are cutting 18 degree programs, citing underperformance in producing graduates -- but the criteria they're basing that decision on may be arbitrary. #DefendDemocracy www.fsunews.com/story/news/2...
"Two St. Lucie County commissioners broke county rules and risked eroding public trust when they appointed each other’s family members to citizen advisory boards, according to at least four government watchdogs." #DefendDemocracy www.tcpalm.com/story/news/lo...
December 9, 2025 at 6:09 PM
"Two St. Lucie County commissioners broke county rules and risked eroding public trust when they appointed each other’s family members to citizen advisory boards, according to at least four government watchdogs." #DefendDemocracy www.tcpalm.com/story/news/lo...
"I feel cheated," said Cetola, who was one of a half dozen parents who told CBS News they had signed up their kids to attend. "These kids were cheated, and it’s heartbreaking." #DefendDemocracy projects.cbsnews.com/2025/fl...
Florida charter school company run by GOP rising star left behind scrambling parents
School choice advocate Erika Donalds called the publicly funded schools a 'national model' and defended millions paid to vendors she was tied to.
projects.cbsnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:49 PM
"I feel cheated," said Cetola, who was one of a half dozen parents who told CBS News they had signed up their kids to attend. "These kids were cheated, and it’s heartbreaking." #DefendDemocracy projects.cbsnews.com/2025/fl...
Four proposed constitutional amendments aimed at reducing property taxes for homeowners continued moving forward Tuesday in the Florida House, despite concerns about how they could hit funding for local services. #DefendDemocracy www.orlandosentinel.com/2025...
Florida House panel backs proposals to cut property taxes
A Florida House panel backs proposals to cut property taxes for homeowners, plans critics say could seriously cut funding used to pay for local government services.
www.orlandosentinel.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Four proposed constitutional amendments aimed at reducing property taxes for homeowners continued moving forward Tuesday in the Florida House, despite concerns about how they could hit funding for local services. #DefendDemocracy www.orlandosentinel.com/2025...
Florida’s tax system is the most regressive in the nation: low-income residents pay 13% of their income in taxes, while the wealthy pay under 3% of their income. Eliminating property taxes would only deepen this inequality. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/eliminating-...
Eliminating property taxes would make Florida’s regressive system even worse
Power Play: A series of special reports examining the push to reduce or eliminate property taxes in Florida. Florida’s state and local tax structure
floridatrident.org
December 3, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Florida’s tax system is the most regressive in the nation: low-income residents pay 13% of their income in taxes, while the wealthy pay under 3% of their income. Eliminating property taxes would only deepen this inequality. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/eliminating-...
Following accusations of violating Florida’s Sunshine Law, the Miami Dade College Board of Trustees will retake a vote on the land transfer for President Trump’s library -- but they're limiting public comment. #DefendDemocracy www.wlrn.org/news-in-brief/2...
Miami Dade College limits public comment in new vote on land transfer for Trump's presidential library
The Miami Dade College Board of Trustees will be retaking a vote on the land transfer for President Trump’s library on Tuesday — but with limits to public access.
www.wlrn.org
December 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Following accusations of violating Florida’s Sunshine Law, the Miami Dade College Board of Trustees will retake a vote on the land transfer for President Trump’s library -- but they're limiting public comment. #DefendDemocracy www.wlrn.org/news-in-brief/2...
In "a remarkable resurrection of the case," federal judges revived the securities fraud investor lawsuit against Florida Power & Light parent company NextEra #DefendDemocracy jaxtrib.org/2025/11/28/resur...
Resurrected lawsuit puts FPL's past controversies back in the spotlight
The federal appeals court decision could re-open the company's old wounds from a series of controversies across Florida.
jaxtrib.org
December 2, 2025 at 2:30 AM
In "a remarkable resurrection of the case," federal judges revived the securities fraud investor lawsuit against Florida Power & Light parent company NextEra #DefendDemocracy jaxtrib.org/2025/11/28/resur...
Pensacola Republican Rep. Alex Andrade is seeking to put teeth back into Florida’s public records law and require state and local governments to respond quickly to records requests. #DefendDemocracy www.pnj.com/story/news/polit...
Rep. Alex Andrade wants to put teeth back in Florida Sunshine law
“I've seen, unfortunately, multiple examples where public officials in Florida have thumbed their nose at the Public Records Act," said Rep. Alex Andrade.
www.pnj.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Pensacola Republican Rep. Alex Andrade is seeking to put teeth back into Florida’s public records law and require state and local governments to respond quickly to records requests. #DefendDemocracy www.pnj.com/story/news/polit...
Lawmakers rubber stamp false report about key transparency law despite $6 billion in missing contracts #DefendDemocracy www.floridabulldog.org/2025/11/lawm...
Lawmakers rubber stamp false report $6 billion in missing contracts
By Daniel Ducassi, FloridaBulldog.org - Lawmakers rubber stamp false report about transparency law despite $6 billion in missing contracts.
www.floridabulldog.org
December 1, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Lawmakers rubber stamp false report about key transparency law despite $6 billion in missing contracts #DefendDemocracy www.floridabulldog.org/2025/11/lawm...
"The co-sponsor of the bill that allows Florida universities to conduct their presidential searches in private says it's being manipulated by bad actors to put favored candidates in power." #DefendDemocracy www.pnj.com/story/news/local...
Sole finalists for university presidents is now the norm. It's not what was intended.
Residents frustrated Manny Diaz Jr., is only finalist for the University of West Florida's top position.
www.pnj.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:37 AM
"The co-sponsor of the bill that allows Florida universities to conduct their presidential searches in private says it's being manipulated by bad actors to put favored candidates in power." #DefendDemocracy www.pnj.com/story/news/local...
A private school in Brooksville should be barred from access to state school vouchers after its operator admitted it wasn’t educating students the state paid it to teach, an administrative judge recommended Wednesday. #DefendDemocracy floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/2...
Judge: Private school accepted state vouchers for students 130 miles away • Florida Phoenix
A private school in Brooksville should be barred from access to state school vouchers after its operator admitted it wasn’t educating students the state paid it to teach, an administrative judge recommended Wednesday. The episode follows release of a state audit into a state budget strain caused by what lawmakers agree are lax accounting practices […]
floridaphoenix.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:22 PM
A private school in Brooksville should be barred from access to state school vouchers after its operator admitted it wasn’t educating students the state paid it to teach, an administrative judge recommended Wednesday. #DefendDemocracy floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/2...
"Voters across every age group and every region of the state are signaling the same message: removing these standards goes too far, puts children at risk, and undermines Florida’s public health. " #DefendDemocracy floridapolitics.com/archives...
Rana Alissa: Florida’s dangerous move to end school vaccine standards
Florida’s proposal ending school vaccine standards threatens children’s safety statewide.
floridapolitics.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:38 PM
"Voters across every age group and every region of the state are signaling the same message: removing these standards goes too far, puts children at risk, and undermines Florida’s public health. " #DefendDemocracy floridapolitics.com/archives...
Pediatricians say that if childhood vaccine mandates are repealed and vaccine uptake plummets, community wide immunity will dissolve, and communicable diseases such as measles, polio and Hib will be free to resurge. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/fl-pediatric...
FL pediatricians recall childhood suffering before vaccines; Ladapo’s plan to strike mandates stalls
Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo wants to strike vaccine mandates in Florida, while pediatricians are fighting to keep them.
floridatrident.org
November 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Pediatricians say that if childhood vaccine mandates are repealed and vaccine uptake plummets, community wide immunity will dissolve, and communicable diseases such as measles, polio and Hib will be free to resurge. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/fl-pediatric...
"Check the numbers...they are fictitious. Made-up. Phony. False," says Broward County Democratic County Commissioner Steven Geller, criticizing FL CFO Ingoglia’s claim of the county's $189 million in "wasteful spending" in the past 5 years. #DefendDemocracy floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/23/c...
County leaders get candid in discussing getting ‘DOGEd' by CFO’s office • Florida Phoenix
TAMPA — Two longtime former state lawmakers who now serve in local government don’t think much of the audits of their counties’ spending conducted by Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia’s…
floridaphoenix.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:15 PM
"Check the numbers...they are fictitious. Made-up. Phony. False," says Broward County Democratic County Commissioner Steven Geller, criticizing FL CFO Ingoglia’s claim of the county's $189 million in "wasteful spending" in the past 5 years. #DefendDemocracy floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/23/c...
"Florida Power & Light, the monopoly power company that has long had a stranglehold on state politics, just got permission to raise electricity rates — again." #DefendDemocracy jasongarcia.substack.com/p/florida-ju...
Florida just approved the largest electric rate increase in history. Here's how it happened.
Florida Power & Light won permission last week to raise electricity rates by $7 billion over the next four years. Here's why it's so big, how FPL pulled it off, and who should be held accountable.
jasongarcia.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
"Florida Power & Light, the monopoly power company that has long had a stranglehold on state politics, just got permission to raise electricity rates — again." #DefendDemocracy jasongarcia.substack.com/p/florida-ju...
“The house shook like a pirate ship on rough open seas,” recalled Robert Dixon, one of the homeowners affected. “I immediately went out to look at the walls, and I saw cracks.” #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/billionaires...
Billionaire’s mining operation is blasting Collier homes with no relief. It may be about to get a whole lot worse.
On Sept. 14, 2023, in the outskirts of Naples, a chain of timed explosions tore through limestone rock on farm land owned by West Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene, rattling nearby homes in Golden Gates Estates to their core.
floridatrident.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:00 PM
“The house shook like a pirate ship on rough open seas,” recalled Robert Dixon, one of the homeowners affected. “I immediately went out to look at the walls, and I saw cracks.” #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/billionaires...
State Rep. Alex Andrade, the Pensacola Republican who led a probe into the Hope Florida initiative, has filed a sweeping bill that takes aim at tactics used by the DeSantis administration to thwart public inquiries. #DefendDemocracy
Lawmaker who led Hope Florida probe aims to end public records delays
The DeSantis administration has gained a reputation for delaying and ignoring public records requests, and for producing huge cost estimates that tend to discourage folks from following through on …
www.orlandosentinel.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:00 AM
State Rep. Alex Andrade, the Pensacola Republican who led a probe into the Hope Florida initiative, has filed a sweeping bill that takes aim at tactics used by the DeSantis administration to thwart public inquiries. #DefendDemocracy
Favoritism towards Jeffrey Epstein began in a Florida grand jury room, where prosecutors downplayed his crimes. Now, another round of secretive grand jury proceedings may begin in South FL, targeting political figures who have angered Trump. #DefendDemocracy www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/19/e...
Maxwell: Florida grand juries, at root of Epstein rot, may next target Trump foes
Secretive grand jury proceedings in Florida were at the root of the Epstein rot where he was originally given a sweetheart deal. Now there are reports secretive grand juries in Florida may target T…
www.orlandosentinel.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Favoritism towards Jeffrey Epstein began in a Florida grand jury room, where prosecutors downplayed his crimes. Now, another round of secretive grand jury proceedings may begin in South FL, targeting political figures who have angered Trump. #DefendDemocracy www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/19/e...
An audit on the Florida Department of Education's Family Empowerment Scholarship for the 2024-25 school year found a "myriad of accountability challenges," with millions of dollars in overspending #DefendDemocracy www.tallahassee.com/story/news/l...
Florida school voucher audit warns of deepening financial chaos
An audit on the Florida's Family Empowerment Scholarship for the 2024-25 school year found a 'myriad of accountability challenges'
www.tallahassee.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:33 PM
An audit on the Florida Department of Education's Family Empowerment Scholarship for the 2024-25 school year found a "myriad of accountability challenges," with millions of dollars in overspending #DefendDemocracy www.tallahassee.com/story/news/l...
The homestead property tax repeal being considered is "the policy equivalent of removing a load-bearing wall with no structural review and simply assuming the building will absorb the strain." #DefendDemocracy
Jeff Brandes: The architect has no plan — Florida’s $18B tax cut without a blueprint
Florida risks an $18 billion disaster because no one produced real math.
floridapolitics.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:28 PM
The homestead property tax repeal being considered is "the policy equivalent of removing a load-bearing wall with no structural review and simply assuming the building will absorb the strain." #DefendDemocracy