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.
Are high property taxes truly a problem that needs fixing? Read the second installment of our Power Play series, investigating the motivations and repercussions of the push to eliminate property taxes. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/property-tax...
Property tax crisis or a solution in search of a problem?
DeSantis says property taxes are a severe burden on Florida homeowners and wants to abolish them, regardless of the potentially devastating effects on local government budgets. But if rising property taxes is a problem that needs fixing, lawmakers have yet to detail how big the problem is.
floridatrident.org
November 12, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Are high property taxes truly a problem that needs fixing? Read the second installment of our Power Play series, investigating the motivations and repercussions of the push to eliminate property taxes. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/property-tax...
“Here we have the man who’s supposed to be defending our law and defending our rights under the law working to narrow that right of access,” [Trident publisher Barbara] Petersen said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Read more at: www.miamiherald.com/news/politic... #DefendDemocracy
www.miamiherald.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:01 PM
“Here we have the man who’s supposed to be defending our law and defending our rights under the law working to narrow that right of access,” [Trident publisher Barbara] Petersen said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Read more at: www.miamiherald.com/news/politic... #DefendDemocracy
Election Day was yesterday, but for millions the outcome may have already been decided. Last year we exposed how “ghost” write-in candidates are used to close FL primaries. It’s a legal loophole & a quiet form of disenfranchisement. Read more: floridatrident.org/trident-anal... #DefendDemocracy
Trident Analysis: Nearly two million Florida voters are being disenfranchised by write-in, ghost candidates
About two weeks after Sandra Maddox qualified to run for county commission in Santa Rosa County, a campaign sign for the frontrunner in her own race –
floridatrident.org
November 6, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Election Day was yesterday, but for millions the outcome may have already been decided. Last year we exposed how “ghost” write-in candidates are used to close FL primaries. It’s a legal loophole & a quiet form of disenfranchisement. Read more: floridatrident.org/trident-anal... #DefendDemocracy
"Two almost identical homes in Tampa illustrate the tax disparities created by Save Our Homes. One property owner pays 50 percent more in property taxes. The difference: the higher taxed home was purchased last year while the other 30 years ago. " #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/save-our-hom...
Save Our Homes makes property tax reform less urgent for some residents
There is talk in Tallahassee of giving new help to homestead property owners, more than 30 years after Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment to restrict increases in real estate tax assessments on owner-occupied residences.
floridatrident.org
November 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
"Two almost identical homes in Tampa illustrate the tax disparities created by Save Our Homes. One property owner pays 50 percent more in property taxes. The difference: the higher taxed home was purchased last year while the other 30 years ago. " #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/save-our-hom...
Today we're kicking off FLCGA’s #NewsMatch campaign! Donate by 12/31 and your gift will be DOUBLED. There’s never been a more critical time to stand up for nonprofit newsrooms – please support FLCGA & the Florida Trident today: www.flcga.org/donate #DefendDemocracy #TeamTrident
November 3, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Today we're kicking off FLCGA’s #NewsMatch campaign! Donate by 12/31 and your gift will be DOUBLED. There’s never been a more critical time to stand up for nonprofit newsrooms – please support FLCGA & the Florida Trident today: www.flcga.org/donate #DefendDemocracy #TeamTrident
Editorial: Florida CFO’s overspending claims ignore necessity of local rule #DefendDemocracy
Editorial: Florida CFO’s overspending claims ignore necessity of local rule
Blaise Ingoglia’s fuzzy math threatens local governance, especially in progressive areas like Orange County. Municipalities must join the battle to avoid state control.
www.orlandosentinel.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Editorial: Florida CFO’s overspending claims ignore necessity of local rule #DefendDemocracy
"Uthmeier’s stint at the private practice...raises ethical and legal questions about the Republican attorney now running for the job of Florida’s top prosecutor." #DefendDemocracy
Uthmeier’s brief tenure at GrayRobinson raises potential ethical issues trib.al/YEiXnqU
Uthmeier’s brief tenure at GrayRobinson raises potential ethical issues
For five months, Attorney General James Uthmeier ran Gov. DeSantis’ presidential campaign while also working for the high-powered GrayRobinson law firm, which lobbies the state. The two jobs …
trib.al
November 3, 2025 at 6:32 PM
"Uthmeier’s stint at the private practice...raises ethical and legal questions about the Republican attorney now running for the job of Florida’s top prosecutor." #DefendDemocracy
"Sarasota County Schools has drawn up a sweeping plan to shrink its empty classroom space — and, in the process, try to shield itself from a new state law that allows charter schools to move into underused public campuses." #DefendDemocracy suncoastsearchlight.org/sarasota-sch...
Sarasota Schools drafted a plan to prevent ‘Schools of Hope’ takeovers. Here’s what’s in it. - Suncoast Searchlight
Sarasota County Schools has drawn up a sweeping plan to shrink its empty classroom space — and, in the process, try to shield itself from a new state law that allows charter schools to move into…
suncoastsearchlight.org
November 2, 2025 at 1:34 AM
"Sarasota County Schools has drawn up a sweeping plan to shrink its empty classroom space — and, in the process, try to shield itself from a new state law that allows charter schools to move into underused public campuses." #DefendDemocracy suncoastsearchlight.org/sarasota-sch...
Ron DeSantis and Florida Cabinet members voted to give a campaign donor $83 million for 4 acres of barren land in the most recent case, where records show lobbyists wrote legislation that compliant politicians then passed. #DefendDemocracy
Maxwell: In Florida, lobbyists write the bills for puppet politicians trib.al/cAyScSX
Maxwell: In Florida, lobbyists write the bills for puppet politicians
Maxwell: Ron DeSantis and Florida Cabinet members voted to give a campaign donor $83 million for 4 acres of barren land in the most recent case where records show lobbyists wrote legislation that c…
trib.al
November 1, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Ron DeSantis and Florida Cabinet members voted to give a campaign donor $83 million for 4 acres of barren land in the most recent case, where records show lobbyists wrote legislation that compliant politicians then passed. #DefendDemocracy
Under increased scrutiny, data shows developers have long dominated makeup of Florida’s wildlife commission www.cltampa.com/news/data-sh...
Under increased scrutiny, data shows developers have long dominated makeup of Florida’s wildlife commission
Senate confirmation records reveal that Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation commissioners overwhelmingly come from real estate and development, the most heavily represented category in the commissi...
www.cltampa.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:17 PM
The former lobbying firm of Richard Corcoran promised “new synergies” when he was named president of New College. Now the firm is snapping up public university contracts. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/revolving-do...
Revolving Door 101: Corcoran’s former firm is racking up contracts with state universities – including his own
After Richard Corcoran left his role as Florida’s education commissioner in 2022, he joined the lobbying firm Continental Strategy LLC, where he began
floridatrident.org
October 24, 2025 at 4:19 PM
The former lobbying firm of Richard Corcoran promised “new synergies” when he was named president of New College. Now the firm is snapping up public university contracts. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/revolving-do...
Maxwell: A new oath for teachers? How about one for Florida lawmakers? trib.al/MJ2ODOU
Maxwell: A new oath for teachers? How about one for Florida lawmakers?
Scott Maxwell: Lawmakers in Tallahassee – who’ve been caught perpetrating COVID loan fraud, using racial slurs and passing unconstitutional laws – want Florida teachers to take ne…
trib.al
October 24, 2025 at 12:07 AM
"The law essentially says that, even if a provider negligently kills an adult patient, family members can’t sue for pain, suffering and answers — unless the dead patient has a spouse or minor children." #DefendDemocracy
Maxwell: Grieving father erects billboard welcoming motorists to “free kill” Florida trib.al/HNXv664
Maxwell: Grieving father erects billboard welcoming motorists to “free kill” Florida
Maxwell: After Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill with broad bipartisan support that would have repealed a 30-year-old law protecting negligent doctors, a grieving father is on a mission
trib.al
October 22, 2025 at 12:24 AM
"The law essentially says that, even if a provider negligently kills an adult patient, family members can’t sue for pain, suffering and answers — unless the dead patient has a spouse or minor children." #DefendDemocracy
$83 million for sandy Florida lot: Did GOP donations pay off for seller? trib.al/3kog2FK
$83 million for sandy Florida lot: Did GOP donations pay off for seller?
Robert Guidry’s campaign contributions paid off as he stands to make a $70 million profit off of a 4-acre parcel in Destin he bought in 2016 with the intention of developing a condominium and…
trib.al
October 20, 2025 at 7:59 PM
The Escambia County School Board has spent nearly $1 million on legal fees to keep certain books out of school libraries.
#DefendDemocracy www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
#DefendDemocracy www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
Despite budgetary pressures, this Florida school board spends big bucks on banned books
The Escambia County School Board has spent nearly $1 million on legal fees to keep certain books out of school libraries.
www.wusf.org
October 15, 2025 at 9:15 PM
The Escambia County School Board has spent nearly $1 million on legal fees to keep certain books out of school libraries.
#DefendDemocracy www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
#DefendDemocracy www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
Floridians with felony convictions can now contact the state to learn if they are eligible to vote #DefendDemocracy floridaphoenix.com/2025/10/14/f...
Floridians with felony convictions can now contact the state to learn if they are eligible to vote • Florida Phoenix
For the first time since Floridians voted to restore voting rights to most people with felony convictions, the state has agreed to provide timely information about which of them have paid the…
floridaphoenix.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Floridians with felony convictions can now contact the state to learn if they are eligible to vote #DefendDemocracy floridaphoenix.com/2025/10/14/f...
Outside law firm probing FAU faculty social media to skirt Sunshine Law #DefendDemocracy
Suspended FAU professor: Outside law firm probing faculty social media to skirt Sunshine Law
A FAU professor says the school hired a Tallahassee law firm to investigate faculty Charlie Kirk social media posts outside public view.
www.palmbeachpost.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Outside law firm probing FAU faculty social media to skirt Sunshine Law #DefendDemocracy
Editorial: CFO Ingoglia says he hates waste – then sends gun-toting officers to ‘investigate’ a postcard trib.al/mGjUv5B
Editorial: CFO Ingoglia says he hates waste – then sends gun-toting officers to ‘investigate’ a postcard
When Floridians criticize their elected (or unelected) officials, they shouldn’t have to fear armed law enforcement showing up at their front doors. But that’s exactly what happened to a Largo coup…
trib.al
October 14, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Keeton House "systematically denied her access to essential resources like clothing, medicine, transportation, feminine hygiene products, a working computer," all of which the company is legally obligated to provide. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/for-profit-p...
For-Profit Punishment: Life inside a Florida taxpayer-funded rehab center
In January 2022, after several long years of attempting to outrun her drug addiction, Abigail Harris was, at last, safely in jail. At just 21 years old,
floridatrident.org
October 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Keeton House "systematically denied her access to essential resources like clothing, medicine, transportation, feminine hygiene products, a working computer," all of which the company is legally obligated to provide. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/for-profit-p...