Journalist

Jeffrey Schweers

Jeffrey Schweers is the Orlando Sentinel’s Tallahassee bureau reporter. He is an award-winning journalist and proud alumnus of the University of Florida. Except for a 5-year stint covering growth and gaming in Las Vegas, he has spent his career reporting on state and local politics in Florida, including as Gannett’s Florida statehouse watchdog and investigative reporter.

The $416 million bill has tax breaks, refunds, reimbursements, grants and loans for the agriculture, timber and shell fishing industries

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Legislature beefs up Hurricane Idalia relief for farmers, shellfish industry

November 10, 2023 at 4:13 p.m.

The $416 million bill has tax breaks, refunds, reimbursements, grants and loans for the agriculture, timber and shell fishing industries

The Florida Legislature wrapped up a special session Wednesday, bolstering Gov. Ron DeSantis’ foreign policy resume by expanding sanctions against companies that do business with Iran in advance of Wednesday’s GOP presidential debate in Miami.

The Legislature also unanimously passed a resolution supporting Israel in its battle against Hamas, a terrorist organization funded by Iran.

But House and Senate leaders also used the opportunity to deal with issues closer to home - approving a $416 million relief package for the victims of Hurricane Idalia, giving a $45 million to boost security at Jewish day schools and other institutions targeted by antisemitism, and expanding the number of school vouchers for children with special needs and disabilities.

While several Democratic lawmakers criticized the special session as another example of performative politics from DeSantis, by the end of the session many said it wound up doing some good for their communities. The votes were unanimous on all five bills..

“I got a sense of what we were fighting to see how we could help more our community and constituents and stand united with Israel,” said Sen. Victor Torres, D-Kissimmee. “I didn’t get a sense this was for DeSantis. I got a sense from the Speaker and President that this was more to up our game for the community.”

The biggest piece of legislation was a $416 million hurricane recovery package that included tax reductions for damaged agricultural crops and buildings, fuel tax rebates for transporting produce, and grants and loans for rebuilding and replanting.

More than half of that money – $181 million – was earmarked for wiping out a waiting list of 17,000-plus applicants to the My Safe Florida Home program, who didn’t receive money from the first tranche of grants approved for the program during the last regular session.

Lawmakers also approved $45 million to boost security at Jewish day schools, museums and other organizations that have become targets of antisemitic attacks and other hate crimes, bill sponsor Sen. Alexis Calatayud of Miami said.

To underscore what the session was really about, Israel Consul General to Miami Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, met with state senators after they took the final vote on the special session agenda. He showed them graphic videos of Hamas attacks on Israeli villages and the carnage left in their wake on Oct. 7, the day the war started. He replayed the footage for journalists a couple of hours later.

He called Oct. 7 the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, with 1,400 Jews killed, 5,400-plus wounded and 240 missing.

People in Israel “ follow what is happening in Florida very closely,” Elbaz-Starinsky said. “Whatever support we can secure here has a big impact.”

Everywhere he goes he tells people their state should do what Florida has done, including flying medical and other humanitarian supplies to Israel. He is working with a pastor in Cooper City to get a shipment of medical supplies to Israel, he said.

“We are happy to be united in Florida, that we stand with Israel, and do what we can to ensure your sovereignty can be maintained,” Sen. Alexis Calatayud said upon passage of special session agenda to support Israel and punish Iran.

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Florida Legislature OKs sanctions against Iran, support for Israel

November 9, 2023 at 7:38 a.m.

The Florida Legislature wrapped up a special session Wednesday, bolstering Gov. Ron DeSantis’ foreign policy resume by expanding sanctions against companies that do business with Iran in advance of Wednesday’s...

Florida House overwhelmingly rejects resolution to support ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and protect protesters' rights as 'antisemitic"

Fiery debate over Israel-Hamas resolution grips Florida House

November 8, 2023 at 10:35 a.m.

Florida House overwhelmingly rejects resolution to support ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and protect protesters' rights as 'antisemitic"

House Republicans overwhelmingly reject a last ditch effort by Democrats to expand special session to include housing, property insurance and gun violence.

GOP-controlled Legislature rejects bills on affordable housing, property insurance, Medicaid expansion

November 6, 2023 at 12:38 p.m.

House Republicans overwhelmingly reject a last ditch effort by Democrats to expand special session to include housing, property insurance and gun violence.

The special session that begins Monday is more about assisting Gov. DeSantis in his bid for president than about helping Floridians, critics say. Lawmakers will consider sanctions against Iran and more aid for Hurricane Idalia victims, among other issues.

Lawmakers head into a special session designed to help DeSantis, critics say

November 4, 2023 at 7:06 a.m.

The special session that begins Monday is more about assisting Gov. DeSantis in his bid for president than about helping Floridians, critics say. Lawmakers will consider sanctions against Iran and...

Gov. Ron DeSantis has helped send weapons and ammunition to Israel at the request of the Israeli consul general in Miami, his office confirmed Thursday.

DeSantis helps send weapons, ammunition to Israel

October 26, 2023 at 5:39 p.m.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has helped send weapons and ammunition to Israel at the request of the Israeli consul general in Miami, his office confirmed Thursday.