TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) joined Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell and Representative Dotie Joseph at a press conference to address concerns over potential Medicaid cuts proposed by House Republicans and their impact on Florida families, according to press release by Congressman Frost.

Critical Medicaid Support for Floridians

Florida is one of ten states that has yet to expand Medicaid to leverage federal funding, which would help low-income Floridians afford healthcare. Currently, nearly 4 million Floridians rely on Medicaid for medical services.

The latest Senate-approved spending bill calls for $2 trillion in spending cuts by 2034. The bill directs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to reduce costs by at least $880 billion, with Medicaid being the largest budget component under the committee’s control. Given that Medicare is protected from cuts, Medicaid faces a significant risk.

Congressman Frost’s Strong Rebuke

“The question I’m here to ask is if you support cuts to Medicaid, do you not realize that you’re supporting cuts to the Florida budget?” said Congressman Frost. “That’s how this works. We give federal dollars to the state of Florida so they can provide healthcare to people that need it—children, pregnant people, and seniors. If you’re cheering on cutting Medicaid, you’re cheering on losing money to help Floridians. In the wealthiest country on this Earth, everyone deserves access to quality healthcare.”

Calls for Medicaid Expansion

“Right now in the state of Florida, the total uninsured population is over 2.4 million, and if we were to expand Medicaid, 1.5 million Floridians would gain coverage,” said Representative Dotie Joseph, who has introduced legislation advocating for Medicaid expansion. “It’s a no-brainer. Why should we do it? It saves money and saves lives. This simple policy decision would bring tremendous financial relief for everyday people.”

Fentrice Driskell Defends Medicaid’s Purpose

“Medicaid is a program we’ve all paid into,” said Leader Fentrice Driskell. “It’s intended to be a safety net to provide for those who can’t afford essential, life-saving services. It’s the contract we all agreed to as Americans. This nation of amazing success and prosperity will ensure that our sick, disabled, and elderly aren’t left to suffer.”

Driskell emphasized the urgent need to protect Medicaid and continue funding healthcare for millions of Floridians.

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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
News@FloridaNationalNews.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Florida lawmakers are moving forward with several bills formerly sponsored by the late Senator Geraldine Thompson, ensuring her legislative efforts continue to shape the state’s future.

Senator Arrington (District 25) is now the sponsor of SB 208/HB 33, previously led by Senator Thompson. This bill, known as “An Agreement Among the States to Elect the National Popular Vote,” proposes allocating Florida’s electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote. The bill seeks to shift away from the traditional Electoral College system, ensuring the candidate with the most votes nationwide becomes President. However, this change will only take effect once enough states possessing a majority of electoral votes join the agreement. SB 208 has been referred to the Ethics and Elections, Judiciary, and Rules committees.

Senator Smith (District 15) has taken up SB 1754/HB 1413, previously championed by Senator Thompson, which proposes the creation of the Florida Museum of History at the Town of Eatonville. The museum aims to showcase Florida’s diverse history, highlighting significant contributions from African American, Hispanic, and women’s communities. The project proposes a five-year $75 million budget in state appropriations with additional revenue from admission fees, events, and retail sales.

Senator Rodriguez (District 40) is sponsoring SB 246, another bill formerly led by Senator Thompson, designed to expand grandparents’ visitation rights. The bill allows grandparents to seek visitation with minor grandchildren under broader conditions than current law permits, such as when parents are divorced or if one parent is missing, deceased, or incapacitated. The bill is now under review by the Children, Families & Elder Affairs, Judiciary, and Rules committees.

In addition, Senator Osgood (District 32) is sponsoring two key business-related bills previously supported by Senator Thompson: SB 1614 and SB 1616. SB 1614 introduces a streamlined process for expedited business filings with the Florida Department of State, establishing structured fees for incorporation, reinstatement, and more. SB 1616 builds on this by outlining tiered fees for expedited filing services, ensuring faster business registration options. Both bills are interdependent, requiring joint passage to take effect.

Lastly, Senator Davis (District 5) is advancing SB 1582, an ambitious election reform bill originally sponsored by Senator Thompson. The bill proposes making the Secretary of State an elected position, implementing same-day voter registration, and ensuring language accessibility in elections. It also introduces the Florida Voting Rights Act, which aims to protect minority voters and provide clear guidance for individuals with felony convictions seeking voting eligibility.

With these efforts, Florida lawmakers are ensuring that Senator Geraldine Thompson’s dedication to justice, equality, and community advancement continues to impact the state for years to come.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (FNN) – President Donald Trump arrived at Palm Beach International Airport aboard Air Force One on Friday, March 7, 2025, just before 8 PM, marking another high-profile visit to his Florida residence. Accompanying the President was billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, alongside a group of officials and guests.

Photo by Florida National News / Roman Garay

Upon landing, President Trump and Musk were swiftly escorted from Air Force One, greeting a select group of supporters and dignitaries before boarding vehicles in the presidential motorcade. The convoy departed the airport en route to Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private estate in Palm Beach.

This visit comes amid heightened political and economic discussions, with Musk’s presence fueling speculation about potential collaborations or policy discussions between the business magnate and the Trump administration.

Trump’s arrival in Florida follows a series of major policy announcements and public engagements as he continues to solidify his political influence ahead of the 2025 landscape.

Stay tuned for updates as Florida National News (FNN) continues to monitor the President’s visit and its potential implications.