Jason Garcia
@jasongarcia.bsky.social
Investigative reporter covering corporate influence in Florida. Publisher of Seeking Rents, a newsletter and podcast about state politics. https://jasongarcia.substack.com
That sentence buried deep inside the budget — the line that enabled Florida’s top politicians to pull off a land deal that a longtime conservation leader called “a sham” — came, emails show, from a lobbyist for the developer...
November 1, 2025 at 12:09 PM
That sentence buried deep inside the budget — the line that enabled Florida’s top politicians to pull off a land deal that a longtime conservation leader called “a sham” — came, emails show, from a lobbyist for the developer...
And the state’s GOP-controlled Cabinet quickly signed off on the extravagant purchase price, which, at more than $20 million an acre, is more than 10 times the price the developer and his partners paid for the land less than a decade ago...
November 1, 2025 at 12:09 PM
And the state’s GOP-controlled Cabinet quickly signed off on the extravagant purchase price, which, at more than $20 million an acre, is more than 10 times the price the developer and his partners paid for the land less than a decade ago...
Three months later, the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis used that little line in the budget to spend $83.3 million in taxpayer money on a tiny spit of vacant land in Destin that records show is majority owned by a prominent real-estate developer and Republican Party donor...
November 1, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Three months later, the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis used that little line in the budget to spend $83.3 million in taxpayer money on a tiny spit of vacant land in Destin that records show is majority owned by a prominent real-estate developer and Republican Party donor...
In mid-June, just before Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature finalized this year’s state budget, GOP leaders in Tallahassee slipped a sentence into the spending plan authorizing state officials to acquire a piece of property in the Panhandle through a popular land-preservation program.
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November 1, 2025 at 12:09 PM
In mid-June, just before Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature finalized this year’s state budget, GOP leaders in Tallahassee slipped a sentence into the spending plan authorizing state officials to acquire a piece of property in the Panhandle through a popular land-preservation program.
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Oddly, Wilton Simpson's office doesn't mention this part of his "farm bill" in a lengthy press release they put out this morning...
October 27, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Oddly, Wilton Simpson's office doesn't mention this part of his "farm bill" in a lengthy press release they put out this morning...
That's not all.
Simpson's bill would even enable ag companies to sue critics of "any agricultural practices used in the production."
Like, say, the sugar industry's practice of setting pre-harvest fires in their cane fields that produce a toxic soot known as "Black snow"...
Simpson's bill would even enable ag companies to sue critics of "any agricultural practices used in the production."
Like, say, the sugar industry's practice of setting pre-harvest fires in their cane fields that produce a toxic soot known as "Black snow"...
October 27, 2025 at 1:57 PM
That's not all.
Simpson's bill would even enable ag companies to sue critics of "any agricultural practices used in the production."
Like, say, the sugar industry's practice of setting pre-harvest fires in their cane fields that produce a toxic soot known as "Black snow"...
Simpson's bill would even enable ag companies to sue critics of "any agricultural practices used in the production."
Like, say, the sugar industry's practice of setting pre-harvest fires in their cane fields that produce a toxic soot known as "Black snow"...
The idea is buried inside a 60-page "farm bill" just filed in the Florida Legislature that is being spearheaded by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
It would expand what is known as Florida's "food libel," "food disparagement" or "veggie libel" law...
It would expand what is known as Florida's "food libel," "food disparagement" or "veggie libel" law...
October 27, 2025 at 1:57 PM
The idea is buried inside a 60-page "farm bill" just filed in the Florida Legislature that is being spearheaded by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
It would expand what is known as Florida's "food libel," "food disparagement" or "veggie libel" law...
It would expand what is known as Florida's "food libel," "food disparagement" or "veggie libel" law...
Altogether, Seeking Rents now estimates that Florida's governor burned between $35 million and $40 million in taxpayer money on so-called "public service announcements" attacking the two ballot measures, each of which was supported by large majorities of Florida voters...
October 20, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Altogether, Seeking Rents now estimates that Florida's governor burned between $35 million and $40 million in taxpayer money on so-called "public service announcements" attacking the two ballot measures, each of which was supported by large majorities of Florida voters...
At the same time, the Agency for Health Care Administration — a state agency ultimately overseen by then-DeSantis Chief of Staff James Uthmeier — paid $100,000 to TAG for “media placement and production” as a subcontractor under Strategic Digital Services...
October 20, 2025 at 12:31 PM
At the same time, the Agency for Health Care Administration — a state agency ultimately overseen by then-DeSantis Chief of Staff James Uthmeier — paid $100,000 to TAG for “media placement and production” as a subcontractor under Strategic Digital Services...
Campaign-finance records show that Keep Florida Clean — the anti-marijuana political committee run by then-DeSantis Chief of Staff James Uthmeier — paid TAG more than $25,000 for “advertising” and “media production"...
October 20, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Campaign-finance records show that Keep Florida Clean — the anti-marijuana political committee run by then-DeSantis Chief of Staff James Uthmeier — paid TAG more than $25,000 for “advertising” and “media production"...
That company: TAG Strategies, an ad firm with a history of working for DeSantis’ political campaigns — including helping to produce a goofy commercial in which the governor pretended to be a jet fighter pilot...
October 20, 2025 at 12:31 PM
That company: TAG Strategies, an ad firm with a history of working for DeSantis’ political campaigns — including helping to produce a goofy commercial in which the governor pretended to be a jet fighter pilot...
Records show that Strategic Digital Services mistakenly submitted a second invoice to AHCA from Total Video Placements. The healthcare agency never paid that invoice, which was for just over $1.6 million...
October 20, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Records show that Strategic Digital Services mistakenly submitted a second invoice to AHCA from Total Video Placements. The healthcare agency never paid that invoice, which was for just over $1.6 million...
One congressional campaign-finance report even identifies Total Video Placements as a part of FlexPoint...
October 20, 2025 at 12:31 PM
One congressional campaign-finance report even identifies Total Video Placements as a part of FlexPoint...
And FlexPoint is the same firm that both the Republican Party of Florida and a separate political committee controlled by DeSantis’ chief of staff used for their own advertisements attacking the abortion and marijuana ballot measures...
October 20, 2025 at 12:31 PM
And FlexPoint is the same firm that both the Republican Party of Florida and a separate political committee controlled by DeSantis’ chief of staff used for their own advertisements attacking the abortion and marijuana ballot measures...
But those invoice records also show that nearly all of the money — all but a $5,000 fee for Strategic Digital Services — was to be passed on to a hidden subcontractor that actually produced and placed the ads...
October 20, 2025 at 12:31 PM
But those invoice records also show that nearly all of the money — all but a $5,000 fee for Strategic Digital Services — was to be passed on to a hidden subcontractor that actually produced and placed the ads...
The payment was made by DeSantis’ Agency for Health Care Administration to a small Tallahassee marketing firm called Strategic Digital Services.
And invoice records show that it paid for an ad buy across all 10 media markets that reached an estimated 11.4 million viewers...
And invoice records show that it paid for an ad buy across all 10 media markets that reached an estimated 11.4 million viewers...
October 20, 2025 at 12:31 PM
The payment was made by DeSantis’ Agency for Health Care Administration to a small Tallahassee marketing firm called Strategic Digital Services.
And invoice records show that it paid for an ad buy across all 10 media markets that reached an estimated 11.4 million viewers...
And invoice records show that it paid for an ad buy across all 10 media markets that reached an estimated 11.4 million viewers...
This is even more brazen than I initially realized:
The DeSantis administration letter – which claims SB 180 could block an impact fee increase – was sent Aug. 15.
That was *3 days* after Manatee County filed a legal brief arguing SB 180 does NOT block an impact fee increase.
The DeSantis administration letter – which claims SB 180 could block an impact fee increase – was sent Aug. 15.
That was *3 days* after Manatee County filed a legal brief arguing SB 180 does NOT block an impact fee increase.
September 19, 2025 at 2:16 PM
This is even more brazen than I initially realized:
The DeSantis administration letter – which claims SB 180 could block an impact fee increase – was sent Aug. 15.
That was *3 days* after Manatee County filed a legal brief arguing SB 180 does NOT block an impact fee increase.
The DeSantis administration letter – which claims SB 180 could block an impact fee increase – was sent Aug. 15.
That was *3 days* after Manatee County filed a legal brief arguing SB 180 does NOT block an impact fee increase.
That’s not all.
Pat Neal is now using that letter from the DeSantis administration as evidence in a lawsuit he and others have filed against Manatee County – a lawsuit arguing that increasing impact fees is a violation of Senate Bill 180.
Pat Neal is now using that letter from the DeSantis administration as evidence in a lawsuit he and others have filed against Manatee County – a lawsuit arguing that increasing impact fees is a violation of Senate Bill 180.
September 19, 2025 at 1:34 PM
That’s not all.
Pat Neal is now using that letter from the DeSantis administration as evidence in a lawsuit he and others have filed against Manatee County – a lawsuit arguing that increasing impact fees is a violation of Senate Bill 180.
Pat Neal is now using that letter from the DeSantis administration as evidence in a lawsuit he and others have filed against Manatee County – a lawsuit arguing that increasing impact fees is a violation of Senate Bill 180.
"If the board chooses to continue down the path, the consequences are inevitable," Kelly wrote
He went so far as to threaten state funding for roads, parks and economic development projects in Manatee County...
He went so far as to threaten state funding for roads, parks and economic development projects in Manatee County...
September 19, 2025 at 1:34 PM
"If the board chooses to continue down the path, the consequences are inevitable," Kelly wrote
He went so far as to threaten state funding for roads, parks and economic development projects in Manatee County...
He went so far as to threaten state funding for roads, parks and economic development projects in Manatee County...
In his letter, Alex Kelly – the DeSantis aide who now runs the state’s Department of Commerce – specifically cited that provision in SB 180 when he warned Manatee County’s Board of County Commissioner’s against raising impact fees.
(SB 180 = Chapter 2025-19 Laws of Florida)...
(SB 180 = Chapter 2025-19 Laws of Florida)...
September 19, 2025 at 1:34 PM
In his letter, Alex Kelly – the DeSantis aide who now runs the state’s Department of Commerce – specifically cited that provision in SB 180 when he warned Manatee County’s Board of County Commissioner’s against raising impact fees.
(SB 180 = Chapter 2025-19 Laws of Florida)...
(SB 180 = Chapter 2025-19 Laws of Florida)...
The new law even tries to retroactively repeal many land-use and zoning changes that local communities have already made.
And it gives developers and landowners legal ammunition to sue cities and counties in order to block any land-use changes they don't like...
And it gives developers and landowners legal ammunition to sue cities and counties in order to block any land-use changes they don't like...
September 19, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The new law even tries to retroactively repeal many land-use and zoning changes that local communities have already made.
And it gives developers and landowners legal ammunition to sue cities and counties in order to block any land-use changes they don't like...
And it gives developers and landowners legal ammunition to sue cities and counties in order to block any land-use changes they don't like...
Last month, the head of the Florida Department of Commerce – a political appointee who briefly served as DeSantis' chief of staff – explicitly threatened commissioners in Manatee County if they moved forward with a plan to raise a local tax on homebuilders...
September 19, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Last month, the head of the Florida Department of Commerce – a political appointee who briefly served as DeSantis' chief of staff – explicitly threatened commissioners in Manatee County if they moved forward with a plan to raise a local tax on homebuilders...
Meanwhile, in Orlando – where developers are trying to use Senate Bill 180 to wipe rules that protect rural land from suburban sprawl – attorneys for Orange County have responded by asking the judge declare the law unconstitutional:
September 18, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Meanwhile, in Orlando – where developers are trying to use Senate Bill 180 to wipe rules that protect rural land from suburban sprawl – attorneys for Orange County have responded by asking the judge declare the law unconstitutional:
Neal is one of the biggest campaign contributors in Florida politics.
Just a sampling from over the years (note that "Empower Parents" and "Florida Freedom Fund" = Ron DeSantis):
Just a sampling from over the years (note that "Empower Parents" and "Florida Freedom Fund" = Ron DeSantis):
September 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Neal is one of the biggest campaign contributors in Florida politics.
Just a sampling from over the years (note that "Empower Parents" and "Florida Freedom Fund" = Ron DeSantis):
Just a sampling from over the years (note that "Empower Parents" and "Florida Freedom Fund" = Ron DeSantis):
Neal just recently gave another $25,000 to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed Senate Bill 180 into law and defend the legislation as developers have weaponized it against local rules around everything from wetlands buffers to rural boundaries to impact fees.
September 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Neal just recently gave another $25,000 to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed Senate Bill 180 into law and defend the legislation as developers have weaponized it against local rules around everything from wetlands buffers to rural boundaries to impact fees.