Florida

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez Outlines Vision for 92nd Legislature

Published

2 years ago

November 30, 2024

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez delivered a powerful and reflective speech during the Organization Session of the 92nd term of the Florida Legislature. In his address to the House Chamber, Perez set a tone of accountability, action, and dedication to serving the people of Florida.

Focus on People Over Politics
Perez emphasized his commitment to serving everyday Floridians rather than catering to lobbyists, special interests, or social media activists. He vowed to focus on the concerns of small business owners, families, and individuals across the state. “We are the People’s House, and it is the people of our state who should be our priority,” he stated.

Rejecting Empty Promises
Breaking from tradition, Perez declined to announce a narrow list of legislative priorities. Instead, he criticized the political culture of self-congratulation over superficial laws that fail to solve real problems. He committed to ensuring that every law passed under his leadership would meaningfully impact Floridians.

Tackling Florida’s Key Issues
Perez highlighted several issues vital to Floridians, including:

Insurance Reform: Ensuring laws are not written by and for insurance companies.
Homeownership: Fighting against predatory practices by private equity firms.
Education and Healthcare: Giving families access to good schools and the freedom to choose their doctors.
Small Business Growth: Removing bureaucratic barriers to entrepreneurship.

Fiscal Discipline and Accountability
Perez called for greater financial responsibility within state government, pointing out wasteful spending on natural disaster recovery, poorly managed land acquisitions, and IT projects that fail to deliver. He stressed the need for a budget that prioritizes “value over excess,” urging lawmakers to shift from merely reallocating resources to truly solving systemic issues.

Equality of Opportunity
Perez made a passionate case for dismantling barriers to employment and competition, advocating for laws that level the playing field for all Floridians. “Floridians want equality of opportunity. They want a system that treats the needs of everyday Floridians as special,” he said.

Looking Ahead
Perez encouraged his colleagues to work collaboratively, declaring the next two years as a pivotal time to deliver results for the people of Florida. “The time for talk is over. It’s time to get to work,” he concluded.

Perez’s speech underscored his vision for a Legislature that prioritizes action over rhetoric and meaningful change over political theater.

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Florida

Joe Strada Loans Campaign $5 Million, Launches $1 Million Ad Buy in Congressional District 11

Published

4 days ago

June 16, 2026

FNN NEWS

The ad was produced by political strategist Brad Herold of Something Else Strategies and marks the first major media investment of the campaign.

$5 MILLION PERSONAL LOAN TO CAMPAIGN

Strada, founder of Strada Services, announced last week that he had loaned his congressional campaign $5 million, providing the campaign with substantial financial resources early in the election cycle.

Strada Services is one of the nation’s largest privately held, family-owned companies specializing in air conditioning, electrical, security, and plumbing services.

The campaign said the loan and advertising investment demonstrate Strada’s commitment to communicating directly with voters throughout Central Florida.

FIRST MAJOR MEDIA PUSH

The $1 million advertising effort is expected to reach voters across Florida’s 11th Congressional District through a combination of television, radio, and digital media platforms.

The campaign has positioned Strada as a conservative outsider and successful entrepreneur focused on bringing private-sector experience to Washington.

Additional details regarding future advertising and campaign events are expected in the coming weeks.

ABOUT FLORIDA’S 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Florida’s 11th Congressional District includes portions of Central Florida and is expected to be one of the state’s closely watched congressional races during the 2026 election cycle.

Crimes and Courts

Attorney General Uthmeier Announces Charges Against Six in South Florida Drug Trafficking Enterprise

Published

7 days ago

June 13, 2026

FNN NEWS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced charges against six individuals accused of participating in a multi-county drug trafficking enterprise operating in Broward County and surrounding areas of South Florida.

The defendants — Isaac Lakeith Bruton, Wayne Morgan Brutton Jr., Wayne Morgan Brutton Sr., Omar Dwayne Cooper, Rene Danger Jr., and Cleon Fabian Reid — are accused of participating in an organized criminal enterprise that allegedly distributed large quantities of illegal narcotics and laundered proceeds from drug sales.

Investigation Spanned Multiple Agencies

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the charges stem from a joint investigation led by the Broward Sheriff’s Office Organized Crime Unit and the Office of Statewide Prosecution, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.

“This joint investigation dismantled a criminal enterprise that pumped dangerous drugs into Florida communities,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “Through the tireless work of the Office of Statewide Prosecution and our great law enforcement partners, we are taking on more criminal prosecutions than ever before.”

Alleged Drug Trafficking Operation

Investigators allege the organization obtained and distributed kilogram quantities of cocaine, multiple pounds of marijuana, prescription pills and other controlled substances throughout South Florida.

According to authorities, members of the enterprise converted powdered cocaine into crack cocaine near distribution locations and utilized vehicles equipped with hidden compartments to transport narcotics.

The investigation further alleges that Bruton and Cooper laundered proceeds from drug sales through the purchase of vehicles, real estate, business investments, classic car restorations and jewelry.

Charges Filed

Bruton and Cooper are each charged with:

Racketeering (First-Degree Felony)
Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (First-Degree Felony)
Money Laundering (Third-Degree Felony)

Brutton Jr., Brutton Sr., Danger Jr., and Reid are each charged with:

Racketeering (First-Degree Felony)
Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (First-Degree Felony)

Potential Penalties

If convicted, Bruton and Cooper face up to 75 years in prison. Brutton Jr., Brutton Sr., Danger Jr., and Reid each face up to 60 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Jillian Tate and Nicholas Kaleel.

Presumption of Innocence

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Florida

Republican Rep. Paula Stark Disqualified From Ballot, Giving Democrats Opportunity to Flip House District 47

Published

1 week ago

June 13, 2026

FNN NEWS

Republican Rep. Paula Stark Disqualified From Ballot, Giving Democrats Opportunity to Flip House District 47

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida State Rep. Paula Stark has been disqualified from seeking reelection in Florida House District 47 after failing to satisfy candidate qualifying requirements before the noon Friday filing deadline.

According to state election records, Stark’s candidacy was disqualified due to a deficiency involving required financial disclosure filings, commonly referred to as Form 6. Florida law requires candidates for legislative office to timely submit all qualifying documents, including financial disclosure forms, to appear on the ballot.

Form 6 Financial Disclosure Requirement

Form 6 is a public financial disclosure document required for state elected officials and candidates. The form requires candidates to disclose assets, liabilities, sources of income, and other financial interests.

The disclosure includes a sworn certification stating: “Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing Form 6 and that the facts stated in it are true.”

Candidates are required to complete, sign and timely file the disclosure as part of Florida’s qualifying process. Failure to properly file required qualifying documents, including Form 6, by the statutory deadline can result in disqualification from the ballot.

Democrats Advance to Primary Election

With Stark removed from contention, Democrats now have an opportunity to capture the Republican-held seat in House District 47.

The only candidates remaining in the race are:

Jorge Figueroa, President of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
Anthony Nieves, a state investigator

The two Democrats will compete in the Aug. 18 Democratic Primary, with the winner becoming Representative-Elect.

House District 47 covers portions of Osceola County and has been represented by Stark since her election to the Florida House.

The disqualification was among the most notable developments of Florida’s 2026 candidate qualifying period and significantly alters the political landscape in a district Republicans had hoped to retain.