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In this episode: An unlikely alliance of MAHA activists, fishing guides, evangelicals and environmentalists has formed to fight a bill that would make it easier for agricultural corporations to sue people who “disparage” the industry. But the idea is still moving through Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature. Plus: General Motors wants to charge “processing fees” on car loans, a national conservative think tank wants to force more companies to fight unions, and Ron DeSantis wants to publish his own textbooks. An update from day 23 of the Florida Legislature’s 2026 session. Show notes The bills discussed in today’s show: House Bill 433 — Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Passed the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee by a 14-0 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 1236 — Employers Receiving Economic Development Incentives from State Agencies Passed the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee by a 6-3 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 1217 — Prohibited Governmental Policies Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Passed the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee by a 12-3 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 838 — Electronic Payments of Retail Installment Contracts Passed the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee by a 10-0 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 221 — Minimum Wage Requirements Passed the House Careers & Workforce Subcommittee by an 11-5 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 7036 — Education Passed the Senate Education PreK-12 Committee by a 5-2 vote (vote sheet) The stories discussed in today’s show: Florida politicians may give Big Sugar legal power to go after activists and silence critics They said they wanted to help farmers. They really wanted to hurt environmentalists. Florida’s Education Department could get into the textbook publishing game Companies linked to a Trump appointee are seeking money from Florida taxpayers — and giving money to Florida lawmakers Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: Sig Sauer, one of the country’s biggest gun manufacturers, is facing dozens of lawsuits from police officers and other firearm owners who suffered gunshot wounds when a company-made pistol allegedly fired without anyone ever pulling the trigger. The company is now lobbying Florida lawmakers for protection from so-called “ghost firing” suits — and it is handing out giant campaign contributions while it does so. On a more promising front: Top Florida senators want to put an end to predatory fees charged by homebuilding giant Lennar and some other housing developers. Those were among the bills on the move during day 22 of the Florida Legislature’s 2026 session. Show notes The bills discussed in today’s show: Senate Bill 530 — State Lotteries Passed the Senate Regulated Industries Committee by a 9-0 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 1498 — Community Associations Passed the Senate Regulated Industries Committee by a 7-0 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 1551 — Products Liability for Firearms Passed the House Civil Justice Subcommittee by a 13-4 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 1632 — Ideologies Inconsistent with American Principles Passed the Senate Judiciary Committee by an 8-3 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 485 — Petitions for Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence Containing Allegations of Marriage Fraud Passed the House Civil Justice & Claims Committee by a 14-0 vote (see votes) Senate Bill 1220 — Transportation Passed the Senate Transportation Committee by a 9-0 vote (vote sheet) Stories discussed in today’s show: A homebuilding giant is lobbying for the power to collect endless profits from homeowners Avatar v. Gundel (2023) A gun company gave lots of money to Florida lawmakers. Now it’s lobbying for legal immunity. A Walmart-backed startup doesn’t like local government rules. It wants Tallahassee to overturn them. Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature is quickly coalescing around a plan to cut spending on health insurance and food stamps by using bureaucratic hurdles and red tape to block people from accessing the programs. They’re doing it at the same time as they consider billions in tax cuts for corporations. Plus: Some Republicans in Tallahassee are ready to go union-busting again. Show notes The bill’s discussed in today’s show: Senate Bill 1758 — Public Assistance Passed the Senate Health Policy Committee by a 8-3 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 693 — Health and Human Services Passed the House Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee by a 12-4 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 1296 — Public Employees Relations Commission Temporarily postponed by the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee. House Bill 995 — Public Employees Relations Commission Passed the House Government Operations Subcommittee by a 12-5 vote (vote sheet) The stories discussed in today’s show: Medicaid: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) The Uncertain Hour: The Welfare-to-Work Industrial Complex A billionaire-backed think tank keeps sabotaging Florida workers. More attacks are coming. How conservative billionaires shape decisions inside the DeSantis administration The billionaires financing union-busting in Florida Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: Republicans in the Florida state House just rolled out a “Florida Students First” plan that would force the state’s top universities — including the University of Florida and Florida State University — to sharply reduce the number of out-of-state students they serve, in order to open more seats for in-state students. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s latest corporate tax cuts could rip an enormous hole in Florida’s new state budget. And the developer lobby is trying once again to undo protections for rural land around Orlando. An update from Day 16 of Florida’s 2026 legislative session. Show notes The bill’s discussed in today’s show: House Bill 1279 — Education Passed the House Careers & Workforce Subcommittee by a 12-5 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 399 — Land Use and Development Regulations Passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee by a 10-3 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 221 — Minimum Wage Requirements Passed the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee by an 11-6 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 1071 — Education Passed the House PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee by a 12-3 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 164 — Civil Liability for the Wrongful Death of an Unborn Child Passed by the Senate Civil and Criminal Justice Appropriations Committee by a 5-3 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 919 — Commercial Service Airports Passed the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee by a 12-3 vote (vote sheet) The stories discussed in today’s show: Florida is building a higher education Trojan Horse Florida leaders hid money for controversial higher education project Corporations could get a $3.5 billion tax break in Florida unless state lawmakers step in to stop it Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: The pace is picking up in the Florida Legislature, which is now into the third week of its 2026 session. Bills have begun moving that would give a tax break to Philip Morris; let people pay for vending machine lottery tickets with debit cards; strip local communities of the power to regulate everything from religious gatherings to home playgrounds; block teenagers from obtaining birth control without permission from a parent — oh, and rename a major airport after Donald Trump. An update from Day 15 of Florida’s 60-day legislative session. Correction: The provision authorizing the use of debit cards to buy lottery tickets was removed from Senate Bill 530 though it remains in House Bill 1401. Show notes The bill’s discussed in today’s show: House Bill 377 — Heated Tobacco Products Passed the House Ways & Means Committee by 14-1 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 530 — State Lotteries Passed the Senate Regulated Industries Committee by a 9-0 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 1444 — Preemption to the State Passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee by 6-2 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 173 — Parental Rights Passed the House Health & Human Services Committee by a 19-7 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 706 — Commercial Service Airports Passed the Senate Transportation Committee by a 9-0 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 332 — Public Meetings Passed the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 10-0 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 167 — Former Phosphate Mining Lands Passed the Senate Rules Committee by a 22-0 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 1119 — Materials Harmful to Minors Passed the House Education & Employment Committee by a 16-5 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 7009 — OGSR/Public Service Commission Passed the House State Affairs Committee by a 24-1 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 981 — Tributaries of St. Johns River Passed the House Budget Committee by a 28-0 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 290 — Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Postponed by the Senate Rules Committee without a vote Stories discussed on today’s show: DeSantis grants tax favor for Philip Morris after $500,000 gift Florida AG made sweeping claims in confidential abortion case Who’s behind a thorny Florida property rights bill? A real estate empire A gun company gave lots of money to Florida lawmakers. Now it’s lobbying for legal immunity. Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: On Day 14 of the Florida Legislature’s 2026 session, lawmakers advanced bills that would help aerospace and defense companies dodge property taxes and let anti-vaccine parent send their kids to public schools while ignoring all immunization rules for reasons of “conscience.” Plus: Republicans in Tallahassee think Ivermectin is safe enough to sell without a prescription — but only if doctors and pharmacies have total legal immunity for providing it to patents. Show notes The bills discussed in today’s show: Senate Bill 1512 — Space Florida Passed the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space and Domestic Security Committee by a 4-0 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 1756 — Medical Freedom Passed the Senate Health Policy Committee by a 6-4 vote (vote sheet) Stories discussed in today’s show: Rigging the rules: How the state of Florida helps some special interests skip out on property taxes (podcast version) Florida rigged the rules for special interests who squeeze tax breaks out of Tallahassee. That’s now causing chaos. (written version) Space Florida’s rocket science financing Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: A bill has begun moving in Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature that would forbid school districts from considering the artistic or literary value of books that fringe activists want banned from libraries. Plus: The state House advances a plan to make public school students watch anti-abortion cartoons while the state Senate tries to put more bureaucracy between laid-off workers and the unemployment benefits they earned. Those bills and more from Day 9 of Florida’s 2026 legislative session. Show notes Following up on the two points that came up during the show: * Republican state Rep. Dana Trabulsy is from Fort Pierce (not Tampa) * Byron Donalds, the Republican Congressman running for Florida governor, has taken more than $1 million from Richard “Dick” Uihlein, a major funder of the Foundation for Government Accountability The bills discussed in today’s show: House Bill 1119 — Materials Harmful to Minors Passed the House Education Administration Subcommittee by a 13-5 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 4027 — Hillsborough County Public Schools, Hillsborough County Passed the House Education Administration Subcommittee by a 17-1 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 1071 — Education Passed the House Student Academic Success Subcommittee by a 12-5 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 216 — Verification of Reemployment Assistance Benefit Eligibility Passed the Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Committee by a 9-5 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 433 — Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Passed the House Commerce Committee by an 18-0 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 105 — Local Government Enforcement Actions Passed the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee by a 16-0 vote (vote sheet) Stories and other resources discussed in today’s show: Hillsborough school board grills superintendent on book removals (Tampa Bay Times) Under state threats, Hillsborough pulls transgender YouTuber’s memoir (Tampa Bay Times) Is ‘Baby Olivia’ headed to a school near you? Bills in several states would allow screenings of fetal development video. (19th News) Florida lawmakers are about to hand a revenge tool to a much-criticized industry | Opinion (Miami Herald editorial board) Stop Florida’s Corporate “Food Gag” Bills (Stand for Health Freedom) A billionaire-backed think tank keeps sabotaging Florida workers. More attacks are coming. (Seeking Rents) Prodded by business lobbyists, lawmakers may cut more Floridians off from unemployment insurance (Seeking Rents) Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: A wild new bill in the Florida Legislature would let parents sue public school teachers for violating a parent’s right to oversee the “moral training” of their child. Plus: Lawmakers may give more power to the politician at the center of the “Hope Florida” scandal; take more money from cities and counties; and launch an Everglades-like environmental recovery project in northeast Florida. An update from Day 8 of Florida’s 2026 legislative session. Show notes The bills discussed in today’s show: Senate Bill 1010 — Enforcement of Protections for Minors Passed the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee by a 5-1 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 743 — Prohibited Sex-reassignment Prescriptions and Procedures Passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee by 12-5 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 103 — Local Business Taxes Passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee by a 10-6 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 408 — Advertisement of a Harmful Vaccine Passed the Senate Regulated Industries Committee by a 5-3 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 981 — Tributaries of St. Johns River Passed the House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee by a 16-0 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 1066 — Tributaries of the St. Johns River Passed the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee by an 8-0 vote (vote sheet) And the Ivermectin bills: House Bill 917 — Health Care Senate Bill 1756 — Medical Freedom Stories discussed in today’s show: A lawyer for Ron DeSantis revealed the real motive behind one of Florida’s most controversial laws Florida’s new budget sets the stage for a big environmental battle Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: In its first full floor session of 2026, the Florida House of Representatives passed bills to 1) Give fertilized eggs some of the same legal rights as living children; 2) Repeal a bipartisan gun-safety law passed after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School; and 3) Protect a giant mining corporation from lawsuits over radioactive material left behind on former mine sites. Those bills and more from Day 3 of the 2026 legislative session in a state that seems to be growing more extreme by the day. Show notes The bills discussed in today’s show: House Bill 167 — Former Phosphate Mine Lands Passed the House of Representatives by an 87-24 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 289 — Civil Liability for the Wrongful Death of an Unborn Child Passed the House of Representatives by a 76-34 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 133 — Minimum Age for Firearm Purchase or Transfer Passed the House of Representatives by a 74-37 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 6003 — Recovery of Damages for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death Passed the House of Representatives by an 88-17 vote (vote sheet) Stories referenced in today’s show: Lobbyists for a mining company wrote a bill to block lawsuits over radiation on former mines A dream for developers, a nightmare for women: Florida lawmakers start a new session Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis just replaced a justice on the Florida Supreme Court who couldn’t participate in redistricting cases with a new judge who has defended partisan gerrymandering. The switch comes just as DeSantis and the Florida Legislature prepare to redraw to the state’s Congressional districts to give Republicans an even greater advantage in the 2026 elections — an issue with national consequences that will almost inevitably end up before the Florida Supreme Court. Meanwhile, special interests and government agencies are teaming up to cut the public out of public hearings. And in the Florida Senate, we don’t talk about Big Sugar. An update from Day 2 of Florida’s 2026 legislative session. Show notes: The bills discussed in today’s show: House Bill 655 — Pub. Meetings/Attorney Meetings to Discuss Private Property Rights Claims Passed the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee by a 17-0 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 7009 — OGSR/Public Service Commission Passed the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee by a 15-1 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 290 — Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Passed the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee by a 17-3 vote (vote sheet) Stories referenced in today’s show: Florida court upholds DeSantis’ congressional redistricting map Florida Supreme Court upholds congressional district maps Trump judicial nominee “indefinitely” stalled by criminal probe City rejects $6.6 million RYAM property demand Duke Energy case and legislative bills could bring more secrecy Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: There comes a point during every session of the Florida Legislature where it looks like it’s all fallen apart, everybody is mad at each other, and nothing will ever get done. It doesn’t usually come on Day 1, though. Plus: A bill to let giant landowners dodge local rezoning votes starts moving the Senate, and General Motors lobbies to legalize credit card fees on car loans. Show notes The bills discussed in today’s show: Senate Bill 354 — Blue Ribbon Projects Passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee by 7-1 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 479 — Land and Water Management Passed the House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee by an 11-5 vote (vote sheet) Senate Bill 838 — Electronic Payments of Retail Installment Contracts Passed the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee by a 10-0 vote (vote sheet) House Bill 289 — Civil Liability for the Wrongful Death of an Unborn Child Senate Bill 1734 — Civil Remedies Pertaining to Abortions House Bill 167 — Former Phosphate Mine Land Stories referenced in today’s show: House speaker calls DeSantis’ hand-shake snub ‘petulant’ A dream for developers, a nightmare for women: Florida lawmakers start a new session A New York investment firm with vast land holdings across north Florida wants state lawmakers to greenlight giant developments Florida may send bounty hunters after women and doctors Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: Since 2017, companies linked to a multibillion-dollar investment manager in New York have spent at least $230 million buying up more than 80,000 acres across north Florida — amassing giant tracts of largely rural land near Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Panama City. The same investment firm now wants Florida lawmakers to make it much easier to develop that land. Editor’s note: A written version of this story first appeared in the Seeking Rents newsletter: A New York investment firm with vast land holdings across north Florida wants state lawmakers to greenlight giant developments Show notes House Bill 299 — Blue Ribbon Projects (first vote) Senate Bill 354 — Blue Ribbon Projects Senate Community Affairs Committee Committee meeting notice To contact for Florida legislators: Find Your Elected Officials in Florida Florida House of Representatives full list of members Florida Senate full list of senators Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: One of the world’s largest mining firms wrote a bill in the Florida Legislature that would help the company dodge lawsuits related to radiation on former mines — and make it easier to develop some of its vast land holdings across the southern interior of the state. Editor’s note: A written version of this story first appeared in the Seeking Rents newsletter: Lobbyists for a mining company wrote a bill to block lawsuits over radiation on former mines Show notes The bill discussed in today’s show: House Bill 167 — Former Phosphate Mining Lands (first committee vote, second committee vote) To contact for Florida legislators: Find Your Elected Officials in Florida Florida House of Representatives full list of members Florida Senate full list of senators Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: Florida Power & Light recently won permission to raise electricity rates by at least $7 billion over the next four years. It appears to be the largest electric rate hike in American history. In this episode, we explain why this increase is so big, how FPL pulled it off, and who should be held accountable. Editor’s note: A written version of this story first appeared in the Seeking Rents newsletter: Florida just approved the largest electric rate increase in history. Here’s how it happened. Show notes Check out some of Seeking Rents’ previous coverage of Florida Power & Light and utility regulation in Florida: Inside the $5 billion deal that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ political appointees gave to Florida Power & Light (August 2022) Florida Power & Light pocketed $1 billion in tax cuts for itself. But now it can pass tax increases on to its customers (August 2022) How Ron DeSantis helped Florida Power & Light raise electricity rates by $5 billion (September 2022) A power company wants to take $1 billion from Florida customers. It just gave $3 million to Florida politicians. (November 2022) Customers took Florida’s biggest power company to court. Ron DeSantis and lawmakers stepped up to help...the power company. (July 2023) As his campaign runs low on cash, DeSantis turns to big Florida businesses for help (October 2023) Ron DeSantis just re-stacked the deck on the board that sets electricity rates in Florida (October 2025) Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode: Florida lawmakers have begun working on a new bill that would let giant landowners lock in real-estate development rights regardless of the underlying zoning — and without having to go through a vote before the local county commission or city council. It’s already looking like one of the big lobbying blitzes of Florida’s 2026 legislative session, which begins next month. Plus: Ron DeSantis doubles down on the state’s “Schools of Hope” privatization program and wants more money to continue New College of Florida’s transformation from quirky liberal arts college to right-wing academic and employment hub. Show notes: The bill’s discussed in today’s show: House Bill 299 — Blue Ribbon Projects (see votes) Senate Bill 354 — Blue Ribbon Projects Senate Bill 208 — Land Use and Development Regulations (see votes) Ron DeSantis’ proposed FY2025-26 budget and his budget-related bills Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe