IN STATEWIDE NEWS:

The Legislature is putting the final touches on its proposed spending plan for FY 2026-27, as the Budget Conference At-Large met numerous times last week and throughout the weekend to finish reconciling nearly $1.5 billion in initial differences in the state's FY 2026-27 budget.

In their respective memos on Friday, Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez announced that their goal is to have the Conference Report for the General Appropriations Act (GAA) on the desks of legislators by Tuesday evening. This would trigger the Constitutionally-required 72-hour "cooling off" period beginning tomorrow evening, with legislators returning to Tallahassee on Friday, May 29 to debate and vote on the GAA, Implementing Bill, Conforming Bills and tax package for FY 2026-27 before adjourning Special Session 2026E Sine Die.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed more than 30 bills into law last week, including 27 bills on Friday. Among the bills that Governor DeSantis signed into law include legislation to enhance assistance for K-12 athletic coaches and student athletes in the state by providing competitive pay to coaches and allowing flexibility with extracurricular activities for students.

IN CLIENT NEWS:

Liberty Tire Recycling hosted State Representative Toby Overdorf (R-Port St. Lucie) and staff on Wednesday for a tour of the facility and its recycling operations. The tour provided an opportunity for Representative Overdorf to learn more about how Liberty Tire Recycling transforms scrap tires into safe consumer products. The Port St. Lucie processing facility employs more than 120 workers and operates around the clock, seven days a week. Liberty Partners of Tallahassee Director of Client Relations Ethan Merchant also joined the tour, and we thank Liberty Tire Recycling for providing this opportunity and Representative Overdorf for his participation. We look forward to advocating on Liberty Tire Recycling's behalf during the 2027 Legislative Session.

Leaders with Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) were in Washington D.C. last week to attend the National Child Protection Faith Summit. Held at the Museum of the Bible, the Summit brought together child welfare advocates, ministers and lawmakers for a series of meetings, important conversations, and a prayer breakfast. During the trip, LSF and its President & CEO Mike Carroll advocated for their priorities, including funding to support prevention and early intervention services to vulnerable families and youth.

IN FIRM NEWS:

Liberty Partners of Tallahassee President & CEO Jennifer Green and Director of Client Relations Ethan Merchant had the opportunity to listen to six candidates competing for the Republican nomination in Congressional District 2 last week at the Capital Tiger Bay debate. Audie Rowell, Keith Gross, Luke Murphy, Evan Power, Austin Rodgers and Jim Norton debated various issues last Monday, including inflation, tariffs and affordability. The candidates also discussed term limits for members of Congress, Supreme Court appointments, foreign conflict and illegal immigration. The luncheon was Capital Tiger Bay's largest program since the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 200 attendees listening to the candidates prior to the August 18 Primary election.

Last week, Liberty Partners of Tallahassee President & CEO Jennifer Green was a special guest on the Ed Dean Show. During the segment, Jennifer discussed several issues, including inflation, gas prices and the current political landscape in Florida. She highlighted the influence of the state's No Party Affiliation (NPA) voters and the impact these voters can have on elections. To conclude her segment, Jennifer and the group discussed the status of the state's FY 2026-27 budget and the Legislature's responsibility to pass a balanced spending plan.

Liberty Partners of Tallahassee Vice President Tim Parson and Director of Client Relations Ethan Merchant had the opportunity to attend the annual Washington County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) shrimp boil in honor of National EMS Week on Tuesday. Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews and EMS Director Randy Truette thanked the first responders for their dedication to the County and all of the attendees enjoyed fellowship and a great meal.

HIGHLIGHTS

From left to right: Liberty Partners of Tallahassee Director of Client Relations Ethan Merchant, Representative Toby Overdorf, and Liberty Tire Recycling Regional Vice President David Cannon. (Photos courtesy of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee)

Representative Overdorf learned more about the facility's operations and the employment that Liberty Tire Recycling provides.

LIBERTY TIRE RECYCLING HOSTS REPRESENTATIVE TOBY OVERDORF FOR TOUR OF PORT ST. LUCIE FACILITY

On Wednesday, Liberty Partners of Tallahassee Director of Client Relations Ethan Merchant joined State Representative Toby Overdorf (R-Port St. Lucie) and his legislative staff for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Liberty Tire Recycling facility in Port St. Lucie.

During the tour, the group learned more about how the facility's operations. Once Liberty Tire Recycling gathers the scrap tires, the company processes them at Port St. Lucie - reselling tires that can still be safely used and breaking down non-reusable tires into raw materials that can be recycled and used to create products such as rubber mulch, rubber goods, shock-absorbing athletic surfaces and rubberized asphalt. Through the process, each part of a tire is recycled, including steel wire and fiber. Tire remediation is also a priority of North America's largest tire recycling network, as Liberty Tire Recycling has remediated more than 150 dump sites with nearly 40 million waste tires in nine states.

In addition to the tour, the group discussed the employment opportunities that Liberty Tire Recycling provides, with more than 120 employees at the Port St. Lucie location and the facility running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The company also recently released its 2025 Sustainability Report, which highlights the progress and performance of Liberty Tire Recycling. We are proud to represent Liberty Tire Recycling and are grateful to Representative Overdorf and his staff for taking the time to participate in a tour.

LSF leadership attended the National Child Protection Faith Summit last week. (Photos courtesy of LSF)

Advocates, faith leaders and elected officials prayed during last week's events.

LUTHERAN SERVICES FLORIDA ATTENDS NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION FAITH SUMMIT

Last week, leadership from Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) traveled to the nation’s Capitol to attend the National Child Protection Faith Summit. The Summit was held at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. and included faith leaders, lawmakers, practitioners and advocates all committed to protecting children and strengthening families. Events consisted of a reception at Capitol Hill, a prayer breakfast and a full day of national convention, leadership engagement and solution driven dialogue focused on protecting children through faith and action.

LSF President & CEO Mike Carroll other members from LSF took the opportunity to advocate for their priorities including funding for programs that offer prevention and early intervention services to vulnerable youth and families in Florida. Through these services, many crises are prevented from becoming catastrophes. We are grateful for LSF and their efforts to ensure the continued support of these critical programs.

Photos courtesy of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee.

CAPITOL TIGER BAY HOLDS CD2 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY DEBATE

On Monday, Liberty Partners of Tallahassee President & CEO Jennifer Green and Director of Client Relations Ethan Merchant attended the Capital Tiger Bay Club CD2 Republican Primary Candidate Debate at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. Six candidates vying for the Republican nomination participated in the debate, including Audie Rowell, Keith Gross, Luke Murphy, Evan Power, Austin Rodgers and Jim Norton.

During the debate, moderator Jim Rosica asked the candidates a wide range of questions on a number of subjects, including affordability, tariffs, inflation and taxes. Candidates also discussed Congressional term limits, appointments to the United States Supreme Court, illegal immigration and foreign conflicts.

Last Monday's luncheon and debate featured more than 200 attendees - Capital Tiger Bay's largest program to date post-COVID. The debate gave voters a glimpse into the competitive primary, which will take place on August 18, 2026. Read more here.

LIBERTY PARTNERS PRESIDENT & CEO JOINS SEGMENT OF ED DEAN SHOW

Liberty Partners of Tallahassee President & CEO Jennifer Green recently joined the Ed Dean Show to discuss economic and political challenges currently impacting Florida and the nation. During the interview, Jennifer highlighted the growing number of businesses facing financial hardship and bankruptcy as inflation and rising costs continue to place pressure on employers, families, and local economies. She noted that increasing gas prices are one of the most visible signs of the economic strain Americans are experiencing daily, impacting everything from household expenses to business operations.

Jennifer also discussed Florida’s evolving political landscape, specifically the growing influence of NPA (No Party Affiliation) voters. As more Floridians choose not to identify as either Republican or Democrat, this voting bloc is expected to play a significant role in shaping future elections across the state. She explained that these independent voters are increasingly becoming the deciding factor in closely contested races and will remain a key force in Florida politics moving forward.

The conversation also focused on the ongoing budget negotiations within the Florida Legislature. Jennifer discussed the delay in reaching a finalized state budget, noting that the stalemate creates uncertainty and reflects a level of dysfunction that voters often associate with Congress. She emphasized that failure to complete one of the Legislature’s most important Constitutional responsibilities in a timely and effective manner could have potential consequences. To listen to Jennifer's full segment, click here.

Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews with the Washington County EMS team.

From left to right: EMS Chief Randy Truette, Sheriff Kevin Crews, Judge Colby Peel and Liberty Partners of Tallahassee Director of Client Relations Ethan Merchant. (Photo courtesy of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee)

Survival Flight EMS members with Congressional candidate Jim Norton (left) and Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews (right).

WASHINGTON COUNTY EMS CELEBRATES NATIONAL EMS WEEK

On Tuesday, Washington County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) held their annual shrimp boil to recognize and honor the dedicated men and women who provide these critical services. Director Randy Truette, along with Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews, took the opportunity to express their appreciation for the tireless efforts provided each day by these employees to support the community during emergencies. These dedicated professionals, including EMTs and paramedics, provide lifesaving care to those most in need each and every day.

The event coincided with National EMS week, which was established in 1974 by President Gerald Ford, to recognize emergency medical service personnel and all the care they provide. This year’s theme was “Improving Outcome, Together.” We are grateful the opportunity to show our appreciation for their service and commitment to helping others.

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IN THE NEWS

Florida Cabinet officers give warning as peak wildfire season is only beginning

-WLRN

With severe drought conditions and more than 2,100 fires in Florida spread across 135,000 acres just since January, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and other top state officials offered warnings to Floridians Tuesday as the peak of the state’s wildfire season approaches. Full story here.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS APPOINTS JENNA PERSONS-MULICKA AS LEE COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS

-FL Gov.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Jenna Persons-Mulicka as Lee County Supervisor of Elections. Full story here.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF AMERICA250FL ART & ESSAY CONTEST

-FL Gov.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the winners of the America250FL art and essay contest at a reception held at the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee. Full story here.

Gov. DeSantis signs legislation strengthening protections against domestic, dating violence

-Florida Politics

Starting in July, Florida will have significantly stronger safeguards on its books for victims of domestic and dating abuse. Full story here.

DeSantis signs ‘Teddy Bridgewater Act’ and measure boosting coach pay

-Florida Phoenix

Gov. Ron DeSantis Friday signed into law two high school sports-related pieces of legislation, one a reaction to NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s suspension by the Florida High School Athletic Association. Full story here.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS ANNOUNCES $600M BLUE ORIGIN MANUFACTURING EXPANSION, 500 HIGH WAGE JOBS

-FL Gov.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced a landmark expansion of Blue Origin’s Rocket Park campus at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport—a $600 million capital investment on Florida’s Space Coast. Full story here.