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Miami Herald
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Florida needs the lieutenant governor, not a DOGE commissioner
Next November, under a proposal being considered by state lawmakers, Florida voters may have the chance to eliminate the office of the lieutenant governor and replace it with a 'commissioner of government efficiency.' If the thought of restructuring the line of succession for governor alarms you, you're not alone. As a fiscal conservative, I think this is a pointless exercise. It's an unnecessary change that doesn't really shrink government. The proposed amendment (HJ1325) would create a commissioner of government efficiency that would 'audit, investigate and report on fraud, waste and abuse' in the executive branch and in local governments and special districts. If the state Legislature passes it, the amendment would go on the November 2026 ballot. The last time the lieutenant governor's job was abolished was in 1885. For more than 80 years after that, Florida operated without a lieutenant governor. In 1968, Florida reestablished the lieutenant governor's office. Constitutionally speaking, the lieutenant governor's main job is to be ready to serve if the governor dies. Some say that's a mostly superfluous role that can easily be handed to someone else. I say it's pretty important. Plus, the state already has the Government Efficiency Task Force. We don't need a new cabinet-level position on governmental efficiency. The task force, created by constitutional amendment in 2006, meets every four years to develop recommendations to improve governmental operations and reduce costs. If the measure to eliminate the lieutenant governor's position passes, that task force would also be eliminated. State Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, who filed the bill, told the House Government Operations Subcommittee that the amendment is in 'the spirit of the national conversation that is going on right now about reducing the size and scope of government, creating more efficiencies in our government operations, making sure that our citizens are well served and that the taxpayer dollars are well spent.' The proposal comes as the lieutenant governor's post is vacant; Jeanette Nunez resigned from the job to become interim president of Florida International University, and Gov. Ron DeSantis has indicated he'll wait until after the legislative session ends to appoint someone new. I support cutting waste, fraud and abuse from government spending. Who doesn't? However, when it overrides good governance, I have to draw a line. Every four years, Floridians vote for a governor and lieutenant governor on one ticket. That system has worked since 1968. In 1998, it was needed. Gov. Lawton Chiles died in office with 23 days left in his term. Lt. Gov. Buddy McKay assumed the governorship until Jeb Bush, who had already won the gubernatorial election, took office that January. If the concern is that the lieutenant governor lacks responsibilities, give them more. Instead of creating a new DOGE commissioner, task the lieutenant governor with overseeing efforts on government efficiency. Under the constitution, the governor has the power to do that. Five states — Arizona, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Wyoming — operate without lieutenant governors. But those states don't have 23 million residents, an economy with a $1.3 trillion GDP and 67 counties. The Sunshine State needs a clear second in command. Replacing the lieutenant governor with another cabinet member under the ambiguous title 'commissioner of government efficiency' is a political gimmick disguised as fiscal conservatism. Spending money to create a new position and abolish an old one doesn't make fiscal sense. If Florida Republicans truly value government efficiency, they should empower the next lieutenant governor to root out waste — not waste time and tax dollars pursuing a constitutional amendment that will require voter buy-in and take months to implement, if it even meets the required 60% vote by Floridians to pass. I fully support making Florida's government more efficient. Let's start by giving the lieutenant governor more to do, rather than spending more money for a statewide vote to abolish one office and create another. Mary Anna Mancuso is a member of the Miami Herald Editorial Board. Her email: mmancuso@
CBS News
11-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Florida lawmakers advance proposal to rename Gulf of Mexico as "Gulf of America"
Florida lawmakers took the first steps Tuesday to wipe away the Gulf of Mexico from state laws and educational materials. Three Republican-controlled House and Senate panels gave initial approvals to bills aimed at carrying out President Donald Trump 's move to rename the Gulf of Mexico, which first appeared on Spanish maps in the mid-1500s, as the " Gulf of America." Sen. Nick DiCeglie, an Indian Rocks Beach Republican who sponsored one of the bills (SB 608), called the gulf's name change "patriotic." Days after Trump issued a Jan. 20 executive order titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness," Gov. Ron DeSantis used the Gulf of America name in a state executive order about a winter storm. But state laws and numerous other government materials use the Gulf of Mexico, leading to the legislative proposals. Supporters call it patriotic; opponents call it a waste of time "This is just changing the name Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America in Florida statutes," DiCeglie said. "It's consistent with the executive order coming from the federal government. And it's as simple as that." But Rep. Dotie Joseph, D-North Miami, said she opposed the change as "the Gulf of Mexico was assigned that name at birth." Matthew Grocholske, who called himself a Floridian with "a lot of time on my hands to waste," said lawmakers should be focused on insurance and affordable housing rather than "wasting time" on the name of the gulf and pointed to Republican lawmakers' focus on Trump. "Right now our government is in a very weird time period," Grocholske told the House Government Operations Subcommittee. "This is not normal. This is a state that has enabled one person, one person, and has focused its whole legislative session so far on empowering that one person to try to pick up any sense of power. And that's not what the government should be." But Rep. Judson Sapp, R-Green Cove Springs, called the change "brave" and said it announces "that America is great. And it tells the world that we believe that." DiCeglie's bill was approved in a 4-2 vote by the Senate Community Affairs Committee after a similar measure (HB 575) was approved 13-4 by the House Government Operations Subcommittee. Impact on state laws and educational materials The proposal would rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in 52 sections of state laws. If approved by the Legislature and signed by DeSantis, the changes would take effect July 1. Separately, the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee backed a measure (SB 1058) by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, that would require state agencies to update geographic materials to reflect the name change. Also, county school boards and charter school governing boards would have to begin acquiring instructional and library materials that reflect the Gulf of America name. "We want our kids to have the correct names of everything moving forward, and this is just a way to do that," Gruters said. In opposing the bill, Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, said presidents shouldn't unilaterally change the names of bodies of water or land. "It just bothers me that we're even making this change, that we're wasting our time dealing with this," Polsky said. Before the vote, Gruters removed part of the bill that sought to rename Tamiami Trail, which is U.S. 41 from Miami-Dade County to Hillsborough County, the "Gulf of America Trail." Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, R-Miami, has filed the House version of Gruters' bill (HB 575).
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida lawmakers advance bill to restrict ballot initiatives
The Brief Florida lawmakers advanced a bill to tighten restrictions on the ballot-initiative process, citing concerns over out-of-state influence and fraud. Supporters say the measure protects the integrity of constitutional amendments, while opponents argue it undermines direct democracy. The bill faces further debate as the Senate prepares to consider a similar proposal. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida lawmakers a pushing legislation to tighten restrictions on the ballot-initiative process, citing concerns over out-of-state influence and fraud. What we know Florida lawmakers are advancing a bill (HB 1205) that would tighten restrictions on the ballot-initiative process, making it more difficult for citizen-led amendments to reach voters. The bill, backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, focuses on curbing out-of-state funding and alleged fraud in petition gathering. The Republican-controlled House Government Operations Subcommittee approved the measure in a 14-4 vote along party lines, with only one Democrat, Rep. Jose Alvarez, supporting it. The bill includes several provisions, such as requiring petition signers to provide driver's license or Social Security information, reducing the time for initiative sponsors to submit petitions, and increasing fines for late submissions. It would also mandate $1 million bonds from sponsors, require petition circulators to be Florida residents, and impose background checks and training for paid circulators. What we don't know It remains uncertain whether the bill will pass both chambers and be signed into law in its current form. The extent to which the proposed restrictions would impact future citizen-led initiatives is also unclear. Additionally, there is debate over whether fraud in petition gathering is a widespread issue or a justification for tightening controls. The backstory Ballot initiatives have played a crucial role in shaping Florida's laws, allowing voters to pass measures on issues such as medical marijuana, minimum wage increases, and political redistricting reforms. In 2023, political committees spent over $263 million on two high-profile initiatives—one supporting abortion rights and the other legalizing recreational marijuana. Both measures failed to secure the required 60% voter approval to amend the state Constitution. For years, Florida lawmakers have imposed increasing restrictions on the ballot-initiative process, arguing that it is being exploited by well-funded special interest groups. Supporters of HB 1205 say these changes are necessary to prevent outside influence, while opponents argue they will make it nearly impossible for citizens to bypass the Legislature on critical issues. Big picture view The debate over HB 1205 reflects a broader struggle between lawmakers and grassroots movements over direct democracy. Supporters of the bill, including business groups like the Florida Chamber of Commerce, argue that constitutional amendments should not be driven by out-of-state money or fraudulent petitions. Opponents, including voting-rights organizations and student activists, warn that the measure could severely limit Floridians' ability to shape policy when lawmakers fail to act. What they're saying "This bill is not about election integrity. It's about fear — fear of the people using their constitutional right to act when you fail to deliver on the issues that matter most to them," said Genesis Robinson, executive director of Equal Ground Education Fund and Action Fund. Bill sponsor Jenna Persons-Mulicka defended the measure, saying, "Now, the process has been taken over by out-of-state fraudsters looking to make a quick buck and by special interests intent on buying their way into our Constitution." Rep. Jeff Holcomb pushed back against critics, arguing that voters already have a voice through elections: "That's your day of democracy, is election day." Rep. Dotie Joseph countered, saying, "This bill is about consolidating power in the hands of politicians and special interests." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by The News Service of Florida.
