TALLAHASSEE, Florida — New leaders. New speeches. And maybe some signs of a Florida Legislature shifting away from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ near total dominance.
The Republican-controlled Legislature on Tuesday installed Daniel Perez as House speaker and Ben Albritton as Senate president, a move that kicks off a new era where the GOP remains in firm control — but also where DeSantis is about to enter his lame duck period, finishing out his final two years in office following an unsuccessful run for president.
Perez and Albritton didn’t directly criticize or challenge the sitting governor. But after years of a GOP legislature that catered to DeSantis’ every whim, they subtly signaled lawmakers would assert more independence this go-around. They made it clear, for example, that they had no plans to rush into a special session before the end of the year to consider changes to a condominium law that they passed in the aftermath of the Surfside disaster in 2021, where 98 people were killed. DeSantis had called on legislators to act by the end of the year.
Albritton, a Wauchula Republican, for his part voiced opposition to the idea of changing Florida law to allow the open carry of firearms, despite DeSantis saying he was open to it a few weeks ago on a radio show. Albritton said he remained opposed because law enforcement officials remain opposed.
Perez criticized the level of spending that has occurred under the GOP — including DeSantis, even though he did not mention the governor by name — while also faulting the state for spending millions on “failed” information technology projects.
“State government has become so flush with cash that we have lost any sense of discipline,” Perez said. “We make purchases following natural disasters with little to no inventory control. We buy land that we can't keep track of, much less manage competently.”
It is far from a clean break from DeSantis, who still is expected to assert significant influence — and is looking for ways to reignite his national ambitions. There were moments of praise for DeSantis: Albritton called Florida the “envy of America” due to the governor and thanked him for leading the charge to defeat two amendments dealing with marijuana and abortion access. And even though both measures got a majority of votes — but not the needed 60 percent threshold to pass — Albritton said he had no plans to consider bills dealing with either subject.
The next two years will be critical for DeSantis, who is term-limited out of office but who allies say still harbors presidential ambitions. Most immediately, he will be able to pick the state’s next senator to succeed Marco Rubio, who was tapped as President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of state. The seat gives DeSantis a prime opportunity to potentially reward an ally — and could have a major impact on the race to succeed him in 2026.
During this year’s election, Florida Republicans held onto their supermajorities in both chambers with ease and even stretched out the margin in the Florida House, where they now hold 85 seats in the 120-member chamber. In the Senate, Republicans hold a 28-12 margin.
Many Republicans reveled in their status, with state Rep. Tom Fabricio, a Miami Republican, saying during a House Republican conference on Monday that nothing was “sweeter” than unseating a Democratic incumbent.
But the two new legislative leaders sounded alarms about issues that could prove pivotal in the next round of elections. Perez, who is 37, said the state has an “affordability” crisis that could prompt younger residents to abandon the state.
During their remarks, given before DeSantis and other top state officials, both Albritton and Perez warned insurance companies that they need to see progress in the aftermath of legislative changes pushed by the industry — including a law that made it harder to sue insurers and which even former President Donald Trump labeled a “bailout.”
“I’m not going to sit idly by if legitimate claims get denied while rates continue to rise. Period,” Albritton said.
Neither Albritton or Perez, however, spelled out any exact changes that they would be willing to enact to try to convince insurers to lower rates. Albritton noted that several carriers had filed for rate decreases, but those rate filings came before the twin punches of Hurricane Helene and Milton earlier this year.
Albritton and Perez were also cautious about what changes should be made to help condominium owners. Florida enacted sweeping new requirements after the Surfside disaster that will likely require expensive repairs and renovations to older condo units, which are triggering large hikes in assessments charged to condo owners.
DeSantis earlier this year held roundtable discussions where ideas such as offering zero-interest loans or changing deadlines in the new law were suggested. But there has been no firm consensus on what the answer should be.
“The question shouldn’t be when, the question should be what,” Perez told reporters. “What is the solution that people are offering?”
Perez said he was willing to consider changes in the upcoming session that starts in March, an approach that was echoed by Albritton. Sen. Jason Pizzo, the new Democratic leader who had long pushed to address the state’s condo problems, anticipated that many condos will be able to meet the requirements of the new law as long as they show “good faith” in trying to bring their buildings into compliance.
Albritton during his remarks did lay out some of his priorities for his two years in office, proclaiming the need for a “rural renaissance” and better data to guide water improvement projects. Perez, however, while expressing his level of dissatisfaction about insurance and spending, said he did not want to propose legislation designed to allow him to “pat myself on the back” after it passes. Instead he contended he wanted House members to help guide the agenda, not whoever was in the “corner office.”
“The time for talk is over,” Perez said. “I want to do things differently. I want to do things my way. And my way is the pulse of the people.”
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