Politics
How will HB 3 affect Florida’s children and their educational success?
JACKSONVILLE, Fl. (FNN) — This week, House Speaker Paul Renner introduced legislation that would prohibit children under the age of 14 from becoming social media account holders. Kids ages 14 and 15 could have access to certain sites with parental consent.
Florida follows Texas, Utah in banning social media access to young children
The bill, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, follows a similar outline to that of Texas’ SCOPE Act that was passed in 2023 — albeit with a few caveats. For one, the Texas bill has a lot more stipulations on the digital service provider as companies have to ‘register the person’s age with the DSP’ in order to prevent them from altering their registered age. For Florida youth, the language in HB 3 is unclear as the bill states ‘certain’ accounts and ‘certain’ minors must be prohibited from account creation but there is little specification as to what those circumstances revolve around.
In the states News Release, Ron DeSantis stated “Social media harms students in a variety of ways,” and that statement has some merit considering the impact that social media use has on behavior as a whole within the classroom. Its evident that social media has created a culture of attention-seeking in ways that can be harmful towards kids futures.
Whether it be recording themselves in class for a TikTok dance or prank, or recording themselves fighting and committing crimes inadvertently; these type of behaviors have been on the rise over the past decade as ‘viral culture’ has become a new norm. This phenomenon has been well documented as the APA has published:
“over 50% of teens reporting at least one symptom of clinical dependency on social media.”
This type of dependency has become all too pervasive on school campuses around the nation. Anecdotally, as a former educator at an elementary school I previously worked at, the kids in 4th and 5th grade had an outburst of mass Snapchat chat rooms that started real-life altercations on school grounds and around the neighborhood. The school ultimately decided that an outright ban on those group chats would be the best way forward and it seems like Florida lawmakers are following a similar route as far as young children are concerned.
AI services like ChatGPT are seen as convenient shortcuts for students who outright use the program(s) to write entire essays and fill out homework assignments at a moments notice. Not only are these practices unhealthy for student development, in some cases they can prove damaging for students who rely on those softwares in college.
The legislation for academic discipline being prepared in Ireland is another example of how researchers and college students at the highest levels must be held accountable for their dependence on artificial intelligence. These advancements in AI technology are now “regarded by academics as a much greater threat because they are typically free and easy to access” but does accessibility necessarily mean convenience when the consequences are so high?
The rise of pornography consumption brought by the social media era
Another facet of danger towards children is increased introductions to pornographic material — and it’s happening at an earlier age than other generations. The American College of Pediatricians published a study in 2016 on The Impact of Pornography on Children that lists a host of risks associated with ‘ubiquitous’ consumption of pornography that affects how young kids start to perceive relationships between men and women.
The study states that ‘Children under twelve years old who have viewed pornography are statistically more likely to sexually assault their peers’ and that alone should give parents pause when considering how freely they want to let their children access the internet. Not only could they be exposed to negative material but predators will often try to use pornographic material as a means to victimize and exploit children for their own grooming purposes.
As kids get older, their discernment for what is productive and meaningful media to digest increases slightly. However, parental advisement on the matter of safety and awareness on the internet is just as crucial towards kids knowing the difference between what is right and wrong, online or offline. The ubiquitous nature of these social media sites are inescapable even for most adults.
That’s why it’s imperative to bring the future generations up correctly when it comes to navigating the troubled waters of social media consumption. While there are no current statistics of how these new laws have benefitted children in these states (FL, TX, UT), we have a moral obligation to curb the tide of illiteracy brought by the COVID years. Among the ten most illiterate states in the nation, Florida ranks 9th with a 76.3% literacy rate.
This stat comes at an interesting crossroads for Florida’s classrooms as books are banned at an extraordinarily high rate within the state. Some parents even classifying certain books with LGBTQ topics and sex education books as “pornography” which has become a controversial viewpoint amongst lawmakers. That and the increased clamp down of books propagating ‘critical race theory’ have made Florida a hot bed state for these kinds of omissions on their curriculum.
Because of vague language within these laws, librarians and educators alike have to operate on the side of fear when it comes to including new material. No one wants to lose their teaching license over teaching a book with material that may be unwanted by parents. Thus, laws like the Parental Rights in Education bill have to be looked at with scrutiny because their vague language can cause unwanted strife and conflict amongst school boards in every county.
Are Florida lawmakers operating in good faith with these laws? More than likely. But the precision to which these laws apply towards schools overall must be updated in order to ensure not only that kids are safe and productive, but also make sure that their education isn’t being disrupted by nefarious practices that disrupt learning for the sake of a political agenda.
Nicolas Vera is a Florida National News reporter. | politics@floridanationalnews.com
Florida
Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia Targets Orange County Over $300 Million in Alleged Wasteful Spending
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Blaise Ingoglia announced that more than $300 million in the 2025-2026 Orange County budget has been identified as “excessive and wasteful spending,” as part of an ongoing statewide review of local government finances.
According to the Florida Agency of Fiscal Oversight, Orange County’s General Fund Budget has increased by 66.06% since 2019. Last year, the CFO’s office identified nearly $200 million in what it described as excessive spending in the county’s 2024-2025 budget.
Ingoglia said the continued increase in spending highlights the need for property tax reform across Florida.
“Last September, my office revealed that Orange County’s local government officials were irresponsibly spending taxpayer dollars,” Ingoglia said in a statement. “Not only did they not heed our warning, but they doubled down on excessive spending. The taxpayers are suffering the consequences of their wasteful spending problem. The time for property tax reform is now.”
ORANGE COUNTY BUDGET GROWTH
State officials reported that Orange County’s General Fund Budget increased by $688,768,908 since 2020, while the county’s population grew by 131,538 residents during that same period.
According to the report, for every family of four that moved to Orange County, the budget increased by approximately $20,945.
The Florida Agency of Fiscal Oversight also stated that Orange County has spent an estimated $747.5 million in excessive or wasteful expenditures over the last six years.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROPOSAL
The report claims Orange County could reduce its millage rate by 1.22 mills without disrupting essential county services. If implemented, homeowners could see annual savings based on taxable property values:
- A taxable home value of $300,000 could save approximately $365 annually.
- A taxable home value of $400,000 could save approximately $486 annually.
- A taxable home value of $500,000 could save approximately $608 annually.
The findings come as Florida leaders continue discussing broader statewide property tax reform initiatives focused on reducing the burden on homeowners.
STATEWIDE FISCAL OVERSIGHT EFFORT
Ingoglia said his office has now uncovered more than $2.4 billion in excessive and wasteful government spending statewide. He pledged to continue reviewing local government budgets and advocating for transparency and accountability in taxpayer spending.
Americans for Prosperity also voiced support for the effort.
“CFO Ingoglia continues to keep his foot on the gas when it comes to identifying wasteful spending within local governments,” said Greg Ungru of Americans for Prosperity. “Taxpayers deserve transparency, especially as Orange County has continued to throw away money over the last six years.”
Florida
Darren Soto Faces Toughest Re-Election Fight as Puerto Rican Political Influence Shifts in Central Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — A decade ago, Central Florida’s growing Puerto Rican population was widely viewed as a political force poised to reshape Florida politics for generations.
Today, that momentum faces growing uncertainty.
As congressional redistricting redraws political boundaries, voter turnout fluctuates, and internal political divisions deepen, Puerto Rican political representation in Central Florida is confronting one of its most significant challenges in modern Florida history.
At the center of the debate is Darren Soto, Florida’s first Puerto Rican member of Congress, who now faces a dramatically reshaped congressional district that political analysts say could strongly favor Republicans in 2026.
The battle over Soto’s political future has become symbolic of a larger question unfolding across Orange and Osceola counties: Can Puerto Rican political influence maintain its footing in a rapidly changing Central Florida electorate?
A Community That Once Redefined Florida Politics
Puerto Rican migration to Central Florida accelerated in the early 2000s and surged further following the economic downturn in Puerto Rico and the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017.
The migration transformed communities throughout Orlando, Kissimmee and surrounding areas, creating one of the largest Puerto Rican populations in the continental United States.
The political impact soon followed.
Puerto Rican candidates increasingly won elections at both the state and federal levels, creating what many viewed as a rising pipeline of Hispanic leadership in Florida.
That rise included the elections of leaders such as:
US House of Representatives
- Darren Soto (D) — U.S. Congressman(2016) ; former State Senator (2012) and State Representative (2007)
Florida State Senate
- Victor Torres (D) — former State Senator (2016-2024) and State Representative (2012)
Florida House of Representatives
- Susan Plasencia (R) — State Representative (2022)
- Johanna López (D) — State Representative (2022) and former Orange County School Board Member
- Daisy Morales (D) — former State Representative (2020) and former Supervisor of Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District
- Amy Mercado (D) — former State Representative (2016)
- René Plasencia (R) — former State Representative (2014)
- John Cortes (D) — former State Representative (2014)
- Bob Cortes (R) — former State Representative (2014)
- Ricardo Rangel (D) — former State Representative 2012
- John Quiñones (R) — former State Representative (2002) and former Osceola County Commissioner
- Anthony Suarez (D) — former State Representative (1999)
Puerto Rican representation reached a high point during the mid-2010s.
In 2016, six Puerto Rican elected officials simultaneously held seats in Congress or the Florida Legislature, including Soto, Torres, Bob Cortes, John Cortes, Amy Mercado and Rene Plasencia.
Political strategists at the time predicted that Puerto Rican voters could eventually help Democrats establish long-term dominance in Florida.
That projection, however, has not materialized.
Redistricting Changed the Political Landscape
The congressional map approved by Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature significantly altered Central Florida’s political boundaries following the 2020 Census.
The changes reshaped Soto’s congressional district by expanding it eastward and incorporating more conservative coastal and suburban voters.
Under the revised district:
- The Hispanic voting-age population declined substantially.
- Puerto Rican voter concentration dropped sharply.
- White voters became the district’s largest demographic group.
- Republican performance improved across multiple precincts added to the district.
Political analysts say the new map transformed what had been a Democratic-leaning Hispanic-majority district into a far more competitive seat.
The map also intensified concerns among civil rights advocates and Puerto Rican community leaders who argue the changes diluted Hispanic voting power.
Several legal challenges were filed against the congressional maps, though Florida courts have thus far allowed the districts to remain in place.
Election Results Raise Concerns
Recent election outcomes have further fueled debate over the future of Puerto Rican political representation.
In Senate District 25, Puerto Rican leadership ended after term limits forced the departure of Victor Torres.
His wife, Carmen Torres, sought to retain the seat in 2024 with support from Democratic leaders and Puerto Rican political organizations. She ultimately lost to a White candidate, Kristen Arrington.
In House Districts 35, 44 and 47 — districts with large Hispanic populations — White candidates also prevailed.
Meanwhile, former State Representative Daisy Morales lost her re-election bid after facing opposition supported by portions of the Democratic establishment. That opposition included, but not limited to Johanna López (Puerto Rican), who previously served as campaign manager for Samuel Vilchez Santiago during his unsuccessful 2020 challenge against Morales and later strongly supported a white candidate in Morales re-election race in 2022.
Some Puerto Rican community leaders argue these election outcomes reflect a growing disconnect between Central Florida’s expanding Hispanic population and the candidates ultimately elected to represent those communities.
Others point to changing coalition politics in Central Florida, where Venezuelan, Colombian, Brazilian and non-Hispanic voters increasingly shape election outcomes alongside Puerto Rican voters.
Internal Political Divisions Complicate the Picture
Political observers also note that internal divisions within Democratic and Puerto Rican political circles have contributed to leadership turnover.
Several recent races featured:
- Competing endorsements among Puerto Rican leaders.
- Financial support directed toward non-Puerto Rican candidates.
- Divisions between progressive and establishment Democratic factions.
- Low turnout in local and legislative elections.
The victories of candidates such as Rita Harris demonstrated how coalition-building among African American, White progressive and non-Puerto Rican Hispanic voters could overcome traditional Puerto Rican political bases.
Voter Turnout Remains a Major Challenge
Despite population growth, Puerto Rican voter turnout has remained inconsistent in nonpresidential elections.
Political strategists say turnout gaps continue to weaken electoral influence, particularly in:
- Midterm elections.
- Local legislative races.
- Municipal and county contests.
Lower participation rates among younger voters and newly relocated residents have also limited the community’s ability to fully translate population growth into political power.
Republicans, meanwhile, have made gains among Hispanic voters across Florida, particularly among working-class and socially conservative voters concerned about inflation, public safety and economic issues.
Soto Still Maintains Key Advantages
Despite the challenges, Darren Soto enters the next election cycle with several advantages.
Soto remains one of the most recognizable political figures in Central Florida and has built strong relationships throughout Osceola and Orange counties during his years in public office.
Supporters credit Soto with helping secure federal investments involving:
- Transportation infrastructure.
- SunRail expansion efforts.
- Airport development.
- Economic development initiatives.
- Hurricane recovery assistance for Puerto Rican families relocating to Florida.
Democrats also believe backlash against aggressive redistricting and growing concerns over immigration enforcement policies could energize Hispanic voter turnout.
Still, many political analysts acknowledge that the new district lines significantly complicate Soto’s path to reelection.
What Happens if Soto Loses?
If Soto is defeated, Florida could temporarily lose Puerto Rican representation in Congress entirely.
For many community leaders, the symbolic impact would be significant.
Puerto Rican advocates argue that representation matters not only legislatively, but culturally and politically, particularly for communities that spent decades building political infrastructure in Central Florida.
The concern extends beyond a single election cycle.
Currently, Johanna López and Susan Plasencia remain among the few Puerto Rican voices serving in the Florida House.
López has announced she will not seek reelection and instead is running for Orange County commissioner. She endorsed Samuel Vilchez Santiago, a Venezuelan American candidate, to succeed her.
If elected, Santiago would further reflect the political evolution of Central Florida’s Hispanic electorate, where multiple Latino communities increasingly share political influence once largely associated with Puerto Rican voters.
A Defining Election Cycle Ahead
As Central Florida continues to diversify politically and demographically, the 2026 election cycle is expected to test whether Puerto Rican political influence can regroup under new district boundaries and changing coalition dynamics.
For Soto and many longtime Puerto Rican leaders, the coming election may determine whether the political movement that transformed Central Florida over the last two decades can maintain its influence — or whether a new political era is already emerging.
