Latest news with #LegislativeSession
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Malenada Mathugara', a collection of speeches delivered by K.H. Srinivas, released in Karnataka's Sagar
'Malenada Mathugara', a collection of speeches that former Minister late K.H. Srinivas delivered at the Legislative Session, was released in a programme in Sagar on Wednesday. Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, who released the book, recalled that Mr. Srinivas used to attend the sessions well prepared. His speeches on the floor of the House were full of authenticity; the way he presented his thoughts was a model to others in the House, he said. Mr. Horatti said that in recent years, the quality of discussions in Legislature Sessions has eroded. The legislators hardly show interest in preparing for the sessions, he added. Theatre personality K.V. Akshara recalled the role Mr. Srinivas played in setting up a college in Sagar in the 1960s, and referred to him as the 'dreamer of Malnad'. Critic T.P. Ashok spoke about the literary contributions of Mr. Srinivas. Malnad Development Foundation president B.R. Jayanth, MLA for Sagar Belur Gopala Krishna, daughter of Mr. Srinivas K.S. Vaishali, and others participated. Mr. Srinivas, who passed away on August 30, 2024, had served as Minister for Energy, and Kannada and Culture, and also served as the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Who is Blaise Ingoglia? DeSantis picks new Florida CFO
After months without anyone in the position, Gov. Ron DeSantis has finally named his new Chief Financial Officer: close ally, businessman and professional poker player Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill. "Yes, he's got a great financial record, which is important," DeSantis said at a press conference announcing the appointment. "But I looked even broader than that because I wanted to say who's running toward these fights and who's running and hiding. And on every single time we've had a flash point in Florida, Blaise is running into battle to stand up for people like you." Ingoglia, 54, owns homebuilding company Hartland Homes and listed his net worth at $28.3 million on his most recent financial disclosure. He served as chair of the Republican Party of Florida in 2015–19 and later helped run a DeSantis political committee when the governor ran for the GOP nomination for president in 2024. DeSantis also mentioned Ingoglia's GovernmentGoneWild social media, in which he attacked governmental waste. While the choice wasn't unexpected, it may reignite the fading feud between DeSantis and President Donald Trump. Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, last year announced his intent to run for the open seat in 2026 and Trump has already enthusiastically endorsed him. The post has been vacant since April 1 when former CFO Jimmy Patronis left to replace former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz as Northwest Florida's member of Congress. Susan Miller, who was chief of staff under Patronis, has been in charge of the Department of Financial Services since then but was never named CFO, even on an interim basis. The last press release from the department was in May, according to its website. Such a lengthy vacancy in a cabinet spot is unusual — the CFO is third in the line of succession for governor, after the lieutenant governor and attorney general — but DeSantis said he would fill the spot after the 2025 Florida Legislative Session was over and then it went into overtime due to state budget squabbles. DeSantis has yet to replace former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, who left the role in February to become president of Florida International University, one of several DeSantis allies in leadership positions in Florida's higher education. Who is Sen. Blaise Ingoglia? State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, is a Queens, New York, native who moved to Florida in 1996 to start a mortgage company and homebuilding company. He became politically active, his bio says, when property taxes skyrocketed, founding "Government Gone Wild" and producing seminars and videos over governmental wastefulness. The 54-year-old was elected chair of the Hernando County Republican Executive Committee in 2009, and then was elected vice-chair of the Republican Party of Florida in 2011. In 2014, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives and was later chosen chair of the Republican Party of Florida. He was reelected as state chair in 2017. Ingoglia ran for the Florida Senate in 2022 with DeSantis' endorsement and won. As a close ally of DeSantis, described as the governor's "conservative pitbull in the Florida Senate,' Ingoglia has criticized legislative leaders during a rift with the governor over immigration laws. He's sponsored bills in line with DeSantis' agenda, including lowering property taxes and imposing term limits on local officials. Ingoglia headed Friends of Ron DeSantis, a state-level political committee that was criticized for transferring more than $80 million in funds raised to support DeSantis's previous two gubernatorial election campaigns to Never Back Down Inc., a political action committee that supported his unsuccessful presidential campaign. The senator was named the PAC's chief on May 8, 2023, three days after DeSantis took steps to distance himself from it. On May 24, DeSantis announced his presidential bid. On May 30, Ingoglia shut the PAC down completely, and the next day the Empower Parents PAC transferred $82.5 million the Never Back Down, Inc. PAC. Ingoglia has been a campaign spokesperson for both Trump and DeSantis. He's also been a minor YouTube celebrity with his Government Gone Wild wealth seminar videos, where until 2019 he posted videos such as "The Illegal Immigration Video Democrats DON'T Want You to See" and "Welcome to the United 'Waste' of America." Blaise Ingoglia is an internationally ranked poker player Since starting to play poker professionally, Ingoglia has posted earnings of $469,668, according to That includes winnings of $261,901 at an event in Atlantic City in 2006. His last game on record was more than a year ago, but Ingoglia has played off and on since February 2005. That's when he won more than $8,000 in the 2005 Borgata Poker Open. How do you pronounce Blaise Ingoglia? "Blaze In-GO-lee-ah." Ingoglia is an Italian surname that means "in the family of Goglia." In Italian names, "gl" is pronounced something like the sound in the middle of "million." What does Florida's Chief Financial Officer do? The Department of Financial Services is a powerful one, in charge of paying state vendors and overseeing insurance, financial regulators and fire investigations. It was created in 2002 after the Florida Cabinet was overhauled in 1998 by combining the former offices of comptroller, treasurer, insurance commissioner, and fire marshal. "My department serves consumers and taxpayers through its work in 13 different divisions and additional initiatives I set forth," Patronis once wrote for the DFS website. "A world of information and assistance is provided by the department on issues ranging from insurance education and assistance, fire prevention and safety, and even unclaimed cash and property."I have also established additional priorities to assist Floridians including fighting fraud, consumer protection and fiscal transparency." The DFS is made of the following divisions, each one with a direct impact on Floridians: Accounting and Auditing Consumer Services Criminal Investigations Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services Insurance Agent and Agency Services Office of Financial Regulation Office of Insurance Regulation Rehabilitation and Liquidation Risk Management Treasury State Fire Marshal Unclaimed Property Workers' Compensation Previously published material was used in this report. (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Blaise Ingoglia tapped to be new Florida CFO after months of vacancy Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
17-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Florida budget puts millions in reserves as economic uncertainty brews. Here's a look by the numbers
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — On the 105th day of what was supposed to be a 60-day session, Florida lawmakers gave final approval to a leaner state budget totaling $115.1 billion, marking the end of a lawmaking season that was largely defined by inter-party clashes in the Republican-dominated capitol. The new budget lacks some of the top priorities of legislative leaders and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, coming in $500 million less than the governor's proposed budget, and $3.5 billion less than last year's adjusted total, a goal of conservative lawmakers focused on scaling back state spending amid concerns of a broader economic slowdown. The state's legislative leaders had debated for weeks over competing tax cut proposals, initially pushing for broad sales tax relief for everyday Floridians before settling on a package that mostly benefits businesses. 'I don't view this on day 105 as a failure,' Republican Senate President Ben Albritton said. 'We dug in deep.' The budget now goes to the governor, who has the power to veto individual line items and is known for slashing into lawmakers' spending plans. Here's a look at Florida's budget by the numbers. A $115 billion budget While political and tropical storms loom on the horizon, Florida's legislative leaders have largely downplayed concerns about how President Donald Trump's aggressive and unpredictable economic policies could impact the state's budget, even as he pledges to phase out the federal agency that responds to hurricanes and other disasters that batter the state. But lawmakers have taken steps to shore up reserves, as forecasters warn of a busier than usual hurricane season and as economists fret over Trump's trade wars and a sweeping proposal to cut federal taxes and spending. Lawmakers crafted a compromise budget and tax cut package, which would save taxpayers and reduce state revenues by an estimated $1.3 billion a year, according to legislative staff. They've also taken steps to set aside an additional $750 million a year into a reserve fund for emergencies, pending voter approval. Republican House Speaker Daniel Perez said building up the reserves is about 'being prepared for the unexpected.' 'None of us know what the future holds,' Perez said. $750 million a year The legislature advanced a proposed constitutional amendment that would set aside $750 million a year — or an amount equal to up to 25% of the state's general revenue, whichever is less — into a reserve fund that lawmakers could only use for emergencies. The measure has to be approved by 60% of Florida voters to be implemented. The last time state officials tapped into the budget stabilization fund was in 2008, as the Great Recession blasted through Florida's tourism and development-heavy economy. Boosting the reserves is a prudent move, said Republican House Budget Committee Chair Lawrence McClure, and another way to cut state spending. 'We are doing this so that are we are truly prepared for a break the glass situation,' McClure said. Democrats have called the reserve fund a 'lock box' and said lawmakers should keep the funds on hand to support needy Floridians, at a time when many residents are priced out of their homes and schools and prisons are struggling to keep staff on the job. Tax breaks for families and corporate interests The Florida House had initially called for cutting the state's overall sales tax from 6% to 5.25%. A competing offer in the state Senate called for a tax break on clothing purchases under $75. Instead, the largest tax break lawmakers approved was for companies, by eliminating the state's business rent tax. They also approved tax cuts for a slate of special interests including casinos, airlines and NASCAR. Florida residents will get sales tax relief on hurricane supplies, sunscreen and bug spray, and a tax exemption on clothes and school supplies each August. $4 billion for school vouchers State lawmakers are setting aside $4 billion for scholarships for private and religious education, two years after the Legislature expanded the state's voucher program to make all K-12 students eligible, regardless of family income. Since then, the state's indirect spending on private school tuition and homeschooling costs has risen dramatically, which critics warn is burning through the state's budget. More than 2,200 state jobs eliminated Part of state lawmakers' push to cut back on what they see as government bloat is eliminating 2,238 vacant positions across state agencies from the department of health to the department of children and families. Many of the positions being cut have been vacant for three months. While the number of state jobs shrinks, state workers will receive an across-the-board 2% raise, while state law enforcement officers and firefighters will get a 10% total raise, and a 15% raise if they've been on the job for at least five years. $3 million for immigration detention at local jails The Legislature is also setting aside $3 million in grants for local jails that have contracted with the federal government to support immigration enforcement efforts. Florida has rushed to help the Trump administration carry out its mass deportation agenda and now leads the country in the number of local and state agencies signing on with the federal government to deputize their officers to carry out immigration enforcement. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Rep. Trent Ashby announces reelection campaign
LUFKIN, Texas (KETK) — State Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin announced on Friday that he is running for reelection in House District 9 with endorsements from conservative leaders and President Donald J. Trump. Rep. Moran fights in support of military operations center According to a release, Ashby was sworn in as a member of the Texas House of Representatives in 2013 and is a member of the committees on Public Education and Natural Resources. Ashby has been involved in several actions with the 89th Legislative Session and in committees. 'Our rural communities deserve the same opportunities and quality of life as anywhere else in Texas,' Ashby said. 'That's why I've fought to close the gap in areas like education, healthcare, water, infrastructure and emergency preparedness, and I'm proud of the progress we made this session.' Ashby is a current representative of six counties including Angelina, Houston, Polk, San Augustine, Trinity and Tyler. Mobile clinic to provide free skin cancer screenings for Tyler residents 'It's been the honor of my life to represent the people of Deep East Texas,' Ashby said. 'We've delivered real results that matter to our communities, and I'm running for reelection to build on that progress and ensure our region continues to have a strong conservative voice in Austin.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick holds press conference following legislative session
Waco, TX (FOX 44) — Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick held a post-session press conference at the Waco Regional Airport on Tuesday afternoon. The press conference comes after the 89th Legislative Session, which approved major bills including a THC ban. Lt. Gov. Patrick said THC sales impact Texas schools due to smoke shops opening near school campuses and selling products with dangerous amounts of the chemical. Alongside THC guideline changes, Patrick highlights the new school bill and how it will positively impact schools and teachers across Texas. 'The most important person is the teacher,' Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. 'And we must raise their salaries, that I've been doing since I became lieutenant governor, to where we get the best and the brightest into our schools and keep the best teachers we have today.' Governor Greg Abbott has until June 22 to sign or veto. If no action is taken, it will become law automatically. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
